Episode Guide

Duncan and Heather's history started to spill out: after Freya was born, Heather became really depressed and couldn't cope with anything, let alone a baby. Her bitter & twisted mother helped out and totally took over. Heather ran off to Italy one day without any explanation, worked in bars and clubs, and eventually took a job as an au pair. Duncan was devastated when she left and was disgusted to hear she was looking after other people's kids while he was left alone with Freya. By the time Heather found out her mother had died, she figured they were best left alone. Duncan explained the wee girl was starting to ask questions and tried to convince Heather to see her. She softened when he reminisced about her pregnancy but she flatly refused to agree - Duncan and Freya belong in her old life and she's a different person now. She turned to Gerry and begged him for help but he wouldn't. How could she keep something like that from him and then expect help?! She's on her own.

Hazel and Kelly-Marie got hammered in the Tall Ship, making their presence known to Alanna and Vader. He got increasingly uncomfortable and when he spotted Hazel dirty dancing with some bloke, he accused her of behaving like a tart. She was drunk and didn't care but she wanted to know why he was so bothered… Alanna was more upset about a card she'd got from 'daddy' Alex, telling her he loved her and missed her. Vader couldn't figure out what had been wrong with her the last few days, and was left reeling when she ran off upset, telling him to leave her alone. Luca invited Alisha to spend Christmas with his family but she'd arranged to go to India for the holidays. Dilip intervened and forced them to make a date that Friday night. Jo was obviously unhappy with that development and even tried to convince Billy to go on a double date!

Meanwhile, Archie was trying to plead Alice's case in court. He managed to wangle a more sympathetic judge and explained how Alice was full of regret and remorse, and had acted in a moment of madness, but the opposition brought up the subject of Alice's planned holiday. Gerry's white lie had caught them out. Alice decided she had to do things her way and spoke for herself in court: she admitted she'd done something terribly wrong, had been incredibly hurt by Mac and wanted revenge. She was full of apologies but it wasn't enough. The judge accepted her contrition sentenced Alice to six months in jail. Everyone was devastated as Alice was handcuffed and driven to prison.