Lilian and Paul agree to a day shopping in Cheltenham next week.

Radio Times: Lilian enjoys her freedom. Meanwhile Neil needs to be diplomatic.

Characters: Ed, Lilian, Matt, Neil, Paul, Susan

• Susan is trying to get the Christmas decorations out of the loft when Neil reminds her they’d agreed on a real tree this year. It will make it more special for George and Keira. She’s also got some bits of material in the loft that might help for the costumes for the show. She can’t see Jazzer using a sewing machine. Neil is going to Rickyard to offer to help with the move and he will try to talk to Ed about his business. Though Ed isn’t going to like it.
• Lilian and Paul have another day together and Paul says he will take her shopping sometime next week in Cheltenham. (Oh, Cheltenham, that is where Mike said he was taking Vicky shopping next week. What a coincidence!). Eventually he drives her back to Hollerton so they can spend more time together and say goodbye in a soggy station car park.
• Neil has a chat with Ed and offers help with the move. He also mentions, very gently, that he might help with looking at the books since he’s made all the mistakes there are. Ed says no, everything is fine.
• Susan tells Neil about Tracy getting into a row at school. George even saw it happening but he didn’t know what it was about. Then Ed comes round and says it would be useful to have a second pair of eyes on his accounts and they cement the deal over a beer.
• When Lilian gets home, Matt is still trying to be nice. He’s cooked dinner and is talking about early nights and a nice cosy Christmas without James.