WRITER: Tim Stimpson

David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck

Helen reminds Clarrie and Susan about buying tickets for the Christmas Eve concert at St Stephen’s. Susan and Clarrie discuss Emma’s sadness at them not all being together on Christmas Day. Susan offers to come over to Grange Farm with Neil on the day – could Clarrie convince Eddie to agree?

Concerned Ruth allows Leonard to continue trying to be useful as he recovers from his injury; he’s getting busy vacuuming. David’s not sure how much more he can take. Ruth points out they can’t order him not to help. After damaging a lampshade, Leonard helps Ruth and David with fresh bedding for the Herefords. Leonard talks fondly of his son in Singapore, who he misses. Leonard feels like a hindrance. Ruth and David show their appreciation and offer him more jobs to take on: he can be on mulled wine duty for guests in the events barn this evening. Leonard realises he’s better helping around the farm than in the house, but as David lists more jobs, Ruth points out he’s not free labour. Later Leonard tells them how much he’s looking forward to sharing this special time of year with them. He hasn’t looked forward to Christmas this much for a long time. David assures him the feeling’s mutual.

Kirsty senses Brad has something on his mind, and she gets him to help her with putting up boxes for dormice. He talks about having seen Mia on Sunday and admits he’s apprehensive about visiting George in prison tomorrow. He’s the only person George will let visit him and Brad isn’t keen to be a go-between. Kirsty points out that no-one’s beyond redemption and it’s good Brad is visiting George, although George is not his responsibility.

Brenda catches up with Helen, full of compliments about what Helen has achieved. They gossip about the locals and Brenda’s love life. Brenda mentions Tom and Natasha wanting to buy the house Helen’s in, which leaves Helen confused.

Buoyant Natasha gives Tom the news from the mortgage advisor. They can get a large loan, but it’s because Natasha offered a bigger deposit of £50,000. Tom’s shocked, but Natasha has an idea. They can use the safety net money from her business. Helen confronts them about buying Kirsty’s house, and Natasha tries to justify their actions. When Helen presses them on how soon they’ll want her out, Natasha suggests a swap – Helen could rent April Cottage. Helen is offended, and berates selfish Tom.

Brenda apologises to Kirsty for putting a possible spanner in the works regarding the house. She hadn’t realised that Helen didn’t already know. Natasha’s still keen to press ahead, but they get a message from Kirsty. She’s had a better offer, and given the situation with Helen, to avoid bad blood, Kirsty is accepting it. Tom and Natasha have been gazumped.

Injured Leonard’s settling in well at Brookfield. With Jill out of the way today, he takes the initiative to cook a casserole for everyone. He struggles but soldiers on, chatting to Ruth about buying some tickets for the Christmas Eve concert at St Stephen’s. Ruth has to step in and help as Leonard strains himself and goes off for a rest. David’s horrified by the state of the kitchen, and as Ruth stops to tidy up, David’s left to tidy the barn alone.

Emma’s tired from gutting turkeys and presses Ed to get off the sofa, as there’s loads to do for Christmas. They discuss doing something nice with Keira on Friday, how much effort Clarrie puts in to Christmas dinner, and where everyone will be this year. Emma knows that it’s all a distraction for Clarrie, to help them not worry about George. Emma can’t bear the thought of not seeing George over Christmas, but George won’t let them visit. She hopes Brad will persuade him.

Kirsty tells Natasha that she hasn’t heard anything more from Gavin, but Lynda had an interesting chat with him. It’s made Kirsty think again about giving Gavin something. She can afford it and she could then sell the house with a clear conscience. She’s going to see him at his hostel. Helen turns up confirming to Kirsty that it’s ok for to do another house viewing tomorrow. Natasha’s ears prick up when she hears it’s their second viewing.

Later Helen tells Joy she hasn’t had any luck finding anywhere to move to, but wonders how Joy’s getting on with Mick staying at her house. Joy says they’re having a ball and she’s going to propose to Mick on Christmas Day!

Gavin explains to Kirsty that he was really nervous about seeing Lynda and she didn’t let him off the hook. But she also said she didn’t want him to be miserable either. Gavin can’t expect people to forgive him, but he can try to do something better with his life. Kirsty says she would like to help him, offering some money. But Gavin’s adamant that he has to rebuild his life on his own. It’s enough that Kirsty wanted to help him. Hopefully one day he’ll be back on his own two feet.

Later Kirsty tells Natasha that she’s ready to finally put the whole awful episode behind her and get shot of the house. She’d accept a half decent offer on it, as long as it means she can buy Willow Farm. Natasha jumps in and asks if she and Tom could make an offer.

Family and friends prepare the Tearoom ready for Pat and Tony’s 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Tony’s had the task of keeping the surprise from Pat, and she’s delighted when she gets there. She can’t believe that Tony managed to keep it a secret from her.

When Mick congratulates Tony on his long marriage, Tony says that he and Pat have weathered many storms, but he wouldn’t have wanted to go through them with anyone else. Talk turns to Mick staying at Joy’s, with Mick explaining that it’s only over Christmas and then they’ll see. But he’s enjoying the home comforts and being with Joy of course. Tony reckons Jolene and Kenton will be rooting for them – they probably can’t wait to get his old campervan off their car park! Elsewhere Joy chats to Tom and Natasha saying it’s a shame Helen’s moving out from next door to her. When Natasha says what a great house it is, Joy suggests that Tom and Natasha move in. Joy heads off to mingle and Natasha points out to Tom that they can’t rent forever; Seren and Nova deserve a bigger house. Tom admits that’s he’s tempted.

Later Pat thanks Tony for a wonderful evening and they reminisce about their early days. And now with a thriving farm and Helen and Tom ready to take it forward for their children, it’s not a bad legacy. They kiss. Looking on Mick and Joy comment that it just goes to show that if you find the right person, you need to hold on to them tightly.

When Robert tells Lynda that Gavin turned up to sniff around his dad’s old house, Kirsty’s not sure that’s true as Gavin hasn’t asked for any money. Lynda’s jumpy and Robert wonders if she’s ok as she’s been like that since she got back from the Christmas Market yesterday.

Later Lynda tells Kirsty that she met Gavin yesterday, but didn’t want Robert to know. She thought Gavin looked utterly broken and full of remorse, like he was seeking some kind of redemption. Kirsty admits she felt the same when she saw him and wonders whether he deserves a second chance.

Later when Lynda confesses to Robert about seeing Gavin, he’d already guessed. Jim had seen Lynda having a lift in Alan’s car. He apologises to her saying he’s been selfish and hopes it was healing for her. Tearful Lynda admits she wanted to forgive Gavin, but she couldn’t. Especially when she has to look at her scars every day. But Robert says they remind him what a remarkable woman he married. They agree they’re lucky to have each other.

David’s surprised when Leonard thanks him for agreeing to help pack up his bungalow but then discovers that Jill had volunteered him. David reluctantly agrees to go, even though there’s so much to do on the farm. Leonard takes ages packing up his things and David’s shocked at how much Leonard wants to bring, including his Fiddle Leaf Fig plant! Later when David’s grouchy about Leonard to Jill, she reminds him how special Leonard is to her; he’s given her so much she never expected to have.

Ruth and David drive along a country lane and chat about Rewilding Ambridge’s plans to introduce beavers. David’s concerned because he’s seen lots of stories about beaver damage. They spot Leonard who’s cycling towards them and give him a friendly honk. But when they look back to check if he saw them, see that he’s crashed.

Alan drives Lynda along the same country lane where Alan worries about upsetting Robert yesterday. He checks that Lynda’s sure she doesn’t want Robert to know that they’re going to see Gavin. But she’s very clear; Robert would only try to stop her if he knew. They’re stopped in their tracks when they spot Ruth and David helping shell-shocked Leonard out of a ditch.

After checking everything's ok with Leonard, Lynda and Alan head on to a café where Gavin explains how sorry he is about the explosion at Grey Gables. He hopes that if Lynda hears how his life’s been destroyed by it too, it might help her. But Lynda says his suffering can’t give back what was taken from her and lists the physical and mental impact on her. She doesn’t want Gavin to punish himself, but she can’t forgive him either. He needs to forgive himself. Although they can’t change what happened, they can accept it and try to move on.

Ruth and David take Leonard to A and E where they discover that he’s fractured his wrist. As Ruth and David debate whether they could cope with Leonard staying with them while he recovers, Leonard informs them that Jill’s insisting he stays at Brookfield.