Oliver produces the goods with at least 6 months for the Grundys back at Grange Farm.

Radio Times: Will someone help restore some Grundy ‘pluck’? David has a gift for Ruth.

Characters: Clarrie, David, Ed, Eddie, Jill, Joe, Matthew

• The Grundy’s assemble in the cider hut to deal with the turkeys. Clarrie tries to send him back to the hotel but Joe is upset at not being needed. Eddie makes the situation worse by moaning that this will be the last year they do this. They are going to end up giving them away.
• David has bought Ruth a bronze ornament of a calf and its mother for Ruth’s anniversary present. Jill is still continuing making cakes, not just for Fallon but birthday cakes for Lily and Freddie. Pip is helping the Fairbrothers slaughter the geese. David is making up for Ruth in the whining stakes when Matthew comes to find David – there is a calf coughing.
• Eddie continues to whine while Ed is on the phone to Oliver. Clarrie tries to shut him up in front of Joe and then the “surprising news” from Oliver. He and Caroline are having a great time in Italy and aren’t planning to come back soon so the Grundys can all stay there at Grange Farm. Clarrie can’t believe they won’t want rent. But Ed explains they want the house to be safe with people in it. Joe is overcome.
• David is furious to find out the calves are ill. How could Pip have failed to notice pneumonia? He blames her and then himself. They have to call Alistair. David tells Jill that it wouldn’t have happened if Ruth had been there. It’s great that Pip is keen but she doesn’t have the experience. David is still blaming himself. Jill says everything will be back to normal once Ruth is back in three days’ time.
• Joe is finding it hard to believe he is going back to Grange Farm. He couldn’t believe he had to leave and now he can’t believe he’s going back. All he wanted to do was to spend one more night where he’d spent his life with his beautiful Susan. Ed says no more tears. Clarrie is still startled. Should they accept it? Eddie says they are due some kindness. Clarrie is a bit worried about Emma though Ed says she’ll be fine. They’ll be able to move in in a couple of weeks. And so the story ends with unbelievably kitsch music. Maybe it is Christmas after all …