Will has a bad day on the shoot and Pat reaches a decision

Radio Times: Will has some bad luck. Tony makes preparations

Characters: Brian, Helen, Nic, Noluthando, Pat, Tony, William

• As Will makes last minute checks on the drives for the Boxing Day shoot, he is horrified to encounter two Labradors, which have scared all the birds off. He will have no option but to use another, poorer drive, and he knows that Brian will not be pleased.
• Tony and Pat discuss the various Ambridgeites who are away from the village. After yesterday’s huge meal, Tony plans to clear out a shed. Pat is in somewhat low spirits, but Helen manages to engage her in an afternoon’s child care while she gives Tony a hand.
• Noluthando has not enjoyed Christmas with Kate; Kate’s present of a book on mindfulness was not exactly what Noluthando had been hoping for, though she is pleased with Brian’s gift of money. Cheekily she claims that he still owes her for the bet on Lilian’s wedding. Noluthando maintains that since they went to the reception, it counts as a wedding. Brian greatly enjoys her company and is impressed by the way she handles a gun, as are his fellow guns.
• As predicted, Brian is not happy about losing the best drive, and lets Will know how he feels. When Brian reveals that the errant dogs belong to one of Justin’s friends, Will is in a quandary. He needs to explain the problem, but can’t be seen to criticise the guns.
• Apart from a rusty feeder pipe, Tony and Helen make a good job of their clearance, which Tony plans as a surprise for Pat, though its exact nature must remain a secret. Having taken a walk with the grandchildren, Pat comes to a decision. She is going to help regularly at The Elms and has asked for her DBS check to be put in place. Tony and Helen are full of encouragement.
• Will returns home in a foul mood. The shoot was a disaster and his tips are well down on last year. Nic tries to make him see that it was not his fault, but Will knows only too well that his job is akin to that of a football manager. Two defeats and you’re out.