David offers an olive branch to Pip and Toby, but there is no sign of Jill thawing, despite Christmas cheer.

Radio Times: Helen has an early start, and Toby and Pip abandon tradition.

Characters: David, Elizabeth, Helen, Henry, Jack, Jill, Pat, Peggy, Pip, Ruth, Toby, Tom

• Henry is up at the crack of dawn and ensures Helen is too. He has already opened his stocking and later opens the rest of his presents when Peggy and Tom arrive and the festivities are in full swing. The family enjoy their day and Pat remarks how fortunate they are to have four generations spending Christmas together. When Henry asks if Rob will be spending Christmas on his own, Helen tells him is will be with his own family.
• Ruth joins Pip on her early morning shift which she didn’t need to do, but wanted to say hello to Pip. A strained conversation follows, about Toby’s contribution to the proceedings and the cut price supermarket chicken he will cook for his and Pip’s Christmas lunch. Pip arrives home to burnt roast potatoes and Toby making gravy with granules. Pip suggests that they knock tradition on the head, don their pyjamas and eat the microwaveable Christmas pudding in front of a film. They can have chicken sandwiches later.
• The festivities at Brookfield are a damp squib and Ruth suggests to David that they text Pip and invite her and Toby for the evening. David is unconvinced but Elizabeth makes the same suggestion during their family walk in the afternoon and David calls in at Rickyard Cottage to invite them to Brookfield. Pip and Toby agree and gifts are exchanged, polite conversation is made, until Pip realises that Jill is nowhere to be seen. Pip joins her in the kitchen where she is busying herself with the buffet preparations that Pip feels sure can wait. She can see that Jill is procrastinating in an effort to avoid Toby’s company.