Lilian continues to claim that her wedding is going ahead, Ian is thrilled that his Christmas suggestions are a big hit and Noluthando tries to get Freddie to appreciate that his mother cares about him.

Radio Times: Noluthando has some tough love for Freddie, and Lexi’s full of encouragement

Characters: Elizabeth, Freddie, Ian, Lexi, Lilian, Noluthando

• Elizabeth calls Freddie to tell him Faliraki is out of the question for his birthday celebration. Freddie hangs up on her. Elizabeth then calls Ian to ask about Lilian and Justin’s wedding; she wants to see if the wedding is still going forward. Ian doesn’t know but suggests she ask Lilian since she was staying at The Bull. Elizabeth is even more worried when she hears this.
• Elizabeth tracks down Lilian but Lilian claims she is staying away from the Dower House in a ‘traditional’ approach to marriage where the partners live apart to increase the anticipation and importance of the ceremony. Elizabeth stresses there is no shame in a hesitation but Lilian refuses to admit anything at all is wrong. All of Elizabeth’s decisions about the wedding details are bound to be perfect, declares Lilian rather desperately.
• Lexi is trying to get Ian to tell her about the planned Christmas menu but Ian is too busy to oblige. Elizabeth confides to Lilian that Noluthando is eating her out of house and home but is a nice girl. Elizabeth outlines her problems with Freddie. Elizabeth had planned a nice tea party but Freddie refuses to consider it. Lilian gets Elizabeth to admit that perhaps a family tea party is not the most exciting of events. In a change of subject, Elizabeth brings up the panto but Lilian protests she is too busy to consider participating. Elizabeth again tries to get Lilian to approve the wedding arrangements but Lilian protests that Elizabeth has perfect ideas and Lilian has complete confidence in her.
• Freddie and Noluthando discuss arrangements for the birthday night’s entertainment. Freddie thinks the ‘cool gang’ would think Elizabeth’s plans were lame. Noluthando advises that Freddie not care so much what those people think. Freddie is confused as it is because of Noluthando and her idea of selling the mushrooms to that group that they are even speaking to Freddie.
• Ian is thrilled and tells Lexi that his plans for Christmas went over really well. Hi concept of simple but well done dishes based on traditional ideas was a winner. Oliver especially loved his menu. There are stories behind each dish. Lexi is confused but supportive. Ian also said they want his name to be at the head of the advertising. Lexi notes that the Duxford sisters will soon have their noses out of joint. Ian tells Lexi that none of this would have happened without her encouragement.
• Freddie screams at Elizabeth that he doesn’t want a poxy family tea for his birthday. Lily is happy, notes Elizabeth. Why should I be doing want everyone else wants, asks Freddie? Freddie doesn’t want anything to do with it. Noluthando tries to defuse things without success. After Elizabeth leaves, Noluthando scolds Freddie and tells him he shouldn’t talk to his mother like that. Noluthando tells him that her mother isn’t interested in Noluthando. She shouts that her brother Sipo won’t even come to England because he never wants to see his mother again. Kate just doesn’t care but Freddie can’t see that his mother does.