Shula feels uncomfortable. Alistair feels uncomfortable.

Radio Times: Ryan gives up his anonymity.

Characters: Alan, Alistair, Jennifer, Jill, Ryan, Shula

• Jill’s hosting an Advent lunch party, and Shula has made mince-pies for it. She’s somewhat sharp when Alistair eats some, and doesn’t lose an opportunity to nag him about the tax disc fiasco and his involvement in the pantomime.
• When Shula arrives, she’s put out by Alan’s presence, and the atmosphere between them is frosty, though Alan handles it well, politely leaving Shula in order to circulate. He’s pleased that Amy will soon be home, and that Mabel asked if she could come for Christmas.
• Pip has taken the homeless to her heart, and organised a food collection at school, so it looks as though they will have Christmas dinner at the Elms after all.
• Shula is very upset at the frost between her and Alan. Jill tries to reason with her, but eventually tells her daughter it’s time she moved on.
• Alistair is surprised by a loud ring on the doorbell. It’s Ryan, who has returned Alistair’s gloves. It’s clear he wants to come in, so, rather reluctantly, Alistair makes him a coffee. Ryan keeps commenting on Alistair’s comfortable life style, and Alistair is increasingly uncomfortable. Eventually Ryan leaves, just as Shula returns – but Alistair denies that anyone has been there.