Jill demands of David that he and Ruth sort themselves out – for the children’s sake.

Radio Times: Joe and Bert descend into rivalry.

Characters: Bert, David, Ian, Jill, Joe, Lilian, Lynda, Neil

• Bert is chasing up residents around the Green about their Christmas lights; Ian assures him that it is in hand, even though there are only six hours to go. Bert is taller than usual: he is wearing platform shoes to boost his height for Lynda’s panto; Joe promises to come along to ‘back him up’.
• Neil’s mirror is a hit with all but Lilian who is beginning to realise that she is destined to see a lot of the inside of that mirror. When Lynda’s back is turned, she plots with Neil to move it back, a little at each rehearsal, together with its marks, so that she can slip out through the back curtain.
• Jill is annoyed at being called to a rehearsal, at some inconvenience, when it was not really necessary; she pulls no punches in telling Lynda so. Secretly, Lynda is rather pleased about how well Jill is taking on the mantle of a wicked step-mother.
• Joe’s support for Bert turns out to be a ploy to borrow his shoes and steal the part, although not without some jokes at his expense about his age.
• Just in the nick of time for the switch-on, Lilian delivers a ready decorated tree for Ian and Adam.
• As they watch the spectacle, Jill tells David how Pip confided in her; she is absorbing their troubles like a sponge; she is deeply unsettled and needs to know that he and Ruth are solid. He assures his mother that he and Ruth will find a way through this.