08/12/2015 EastEnders

Honestly, all right? I'm fine.

I was just phoning up to wish you happy birthday, that was all.

I'm on my way to the cemetery now.

Of course I put your name on the card. All right, then.

Listen, have a fantastic day with Lauren

and give little Louie a big kiss from his grandad, yeah?

All right, mate, love you.

I was hoping to catch Ian before he went to work.

He wanted to get an early start. Go to the cemetery.

The twins' birthday.

Yeah, I offered to go with him but he doesn't want any fuss.

He thinks it's best if we carry on as normal for Bobby.

Pretend, you mean?

The rest of us have been through this before, remember, Kathy.

The best we can do is take our lead from Ian.

And what about Bobby?

How do you think he is dealing with this?

Well, I'm going to take him to the caff after school.

Give him a chance to talk about Lucy if he needs to.

Just trust me on this, will you?

Come on, I'll walk you to the bus stop.

There you are, mate...

All right, nice one. Merry Christmas.

Looks like you could be out of a job, mate.

I know, I thought he'd get bored watching me work

but turns out he quite enjoys it.

Takes all sorts, eh?

Now Lily's idea of an inset day is to sit at home in her pyjamas,

watching DVDs, so...

See you in a bit.

Ah, Billy boy! Merry Christmas!

I've got two funerals and a pick-up, it ain't Christmas yet.

Charming(!) At least Janet's in the festive spirit.

Yeah. She wanted to leave a carrot out for Rudolph last night.

Kids, eh?

Here we go, look! Now we're talking! Christmas trees, everyone.

Lovely. Wow, what's this? I asked for 15, not 50!

All right, you ready to go and see Dot?

Sort this Nativity thing out?

Looks like we're too late. Flyers for the auditions later.

They're everywhere!

The woman must be 100 years old

and suddenly she's become a marketing genius.

She's making me watch a substandard Christmas show

and I can do nothing about it.

Do nothing about it? Whatever happened to fighting back?

I thought me and you were going to be a tag-team?

What, little old me fighting against the great Dorothy Branning?

I don't think so.

Anyway, I've got costumes to pick up for the Victorian market

and a million other things on my to-do list.

I ain't got time to quibble with pensioners.

Oh!

I haven't wanted to push things, especially with your mum not well.

She's getting better. She told me.

Yeah, well, mums tend to put on a brave face in front of their kids.

-You hurt her pretty badly. You know that, don't you?

-I'm sorry.

Well, are you?

I won't ever do anything like that again. I promise.

Are you going to tell Dad what I did?

I think I have to.

It's not fair to keep secrets from him.

I'll be so good from now on. I'll prove I'm sorry.

Please don't say anything, Gran.

I can't do that, Bobby. Your dad has to know.

Hey, Bobby, do you want to have a go on my new bike?

Can't. Some of us still have to go to school.

Fair enough.

Spoilt little baby.

Oi, come on, otherwise you'll miss the bus.

And you definitely have both sizes in stock, yeah?

OK, listen, if anyone tries to buy it, you use force.

Yeah, OK.

Shopping again, my sweet?

Well, someone whose birthday's coming up shouldn't be asking.

I didn't realise we were having...visitors.

Just a bit of business, that's all.

You don't need to stay on our account.

Kim.

It's fine, baby, you go and enjoy your day.

-OK.

-Excuse me.

Look, whatever you're planning, just get this whole thing sorted, OK?

OK.

Well, you've got her well trained for a change.

She's my wife. She supports my endeavours.

And what are they, exactly, Vincent?

Why you here, you mean?

Yeah.

I'm going to do the biggest favour that anyone's ever done for you.

Phil's going down...today.

And you just wanted to keep me in the loop, I suppose?

No, I need a bit of help. I didn't think you'd mind,

seeing as I'm keeping that poison away from your son.

Plus you've a recording of me confessing to killing Carl White.

That doesn't leave me a whole lot of choice, does it, Vincent?

Maybe you'd rather Matthew grow up with Uncle Phil around?

I mean, maybe if you're really,

really lucky, he can grow up to be just like Ben.

What do you need?

Come on, mate, can't do any better than that.

I'd be losing money otherwise!

Martin, have you seen Ian come this way?

No, I wish.

I'd ask for tips on how to sell snow to the Eskimos.

Order's been messed up, innit?

Spent all morning trying to push these

and I had no time to sell any fruit and veg.

You all right?

Yeah, it's nothing.

Sounds like you need an assistant.

Yeah, if you know anyone, send them my way.

Hand your money belt over then.

You don't mean you?

Well, only till the Christmas rush is out the way.

You think you're busy now, wait till people start stocking up on sprouts.

Yeah, fair point but...you sure you're up to it?

Excuse me, I was working this market

when you were still a twinkle in Arthur's eye.

Some things you don't forget.

Besides, I could do with the cash

and it's either do this or worry about Ian all day.

The twins' birthday, innit?

You'd be doing us both a favour.

Here you are, get in here.

Thank you.

Right, come on, come and get your Norwegian Spruce,

much better than your plastic rubbish!

Here you are, love, you look like you can handle a big Norwegian!

I'll tell you what I'll do, special offer for you, just today.

You can have this big, old fellow. I'll bring it round for you.

Let me guess, you want me to go to the post office?

Enough with the jokes, yeah?

Phil sees that you've developed a sense of humour, he'll clock

something's up right away.

Take this bag, get Phil to touch it, bring it back.

Easy as.

And then what happens?

Then, that's a little thing called my business.

OK.

Good decision.

Uh-uh!

Gloves on at all times.

I only want one set of prints on there.

How bad is this going to get for Phil?

Let's just say it's nothing less than what he deserves.

-Denise!

-Yeah?

Dot's asked us to put up a reminder about the Nativity auditions today.

I said we'd have to charge.

Did you ever watch Scrooge as a kid?

Mind you, you wouldn't have to, what with Zainab as your mother.

It's company policy.

Just because Dot's a little old lady

and it's for the children at Christmas time...

OK. OK, fine, we'll make an exception.

Good, good.

It's good to see you back to your usual caring, sharing self.

Anyway, come here. Have you seen this lot?

Yeah, it got all water damaged

but we've got new ones now so we can just chuck them.

Oh, no, really? Seems such a shame

to sling them out on some landfill somewhere.

I cannot wait for Christmas to be over.

Can I be in the Nativity?

I don't see why not.

Judging by the impression of me you've been doing all day,

-you've got the acting chops.

-Isn't he a little bit Muslim

to be in a Nativity?

It's about community and togetherness, not religion.

Yeah, I know that but it's Dot I'm thinking about,

she's the one you've to convince.

DOOR OPENS

I thought I saw you sneaking in here.

Have you spoken to Peter yet?

Yeah, earlier.

Lauren's taking him out for a meal tonight,

they've got Steven baby-sitting.

I still can't get my head round the fact that I'm a great-grandmother.

Life goes on, doesn't it?

It's all right to have a wobble, love.

Especially on a day like today.

Yeah, but I've been having a wobble for the last 18 months,

haven't I? This whole family has.

We need to move on, find a way of being normal again.

I just...don't know how to do it.

Get up, I need your help with something.

Look, you're not going to get yourself back on an even keel

sitting in here, are you?

Grab some lunch and get your stuff together.

I know something that'll do us both the power of good.

Oh, I can see you've got this Nativity caper sorted, Mrs Branning.

I do my best.

It's going to be a beautiful thing.

Until, you know, you start the rehearsals.

You've got the costumes, and not to mention the other aggro.

This is about Mrs Peacock, ain't it?

She's a... She's a good woman.

She's got a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way...

She tried to make the birthday of Jesus into

a Royal Variety Performance.

Elaine, she's been very good to me, since I was a young boy.

But I'm going to be straight with you.

She's getting under my feet.

She's getting under Linda's feet,

she's busying herself around our wedding.

I've already done Apocalypse Christmas,

I really don't fancy it again.

So please, Mrs Branning.

You wouldn't want to deny a decent bloke a bit of peace over

the festive period, would you?

Jesus tells us we must forgive other people,

so as we can be forgiven ourselves...

But you've got to help me with the auditions.

I am not putting up with her malarkey all on my own.

Done! You are a beautiful and kind woman.

Oh, I say...

Oh, sorry, the back door was open.

-That's all right.

-Is Phil about?

He's off being my errand boy for the day.

I won't ask what you had to do to rope him into that.

I think he's taking pity on me.

I've agreed Abi's work lot can have their Christmas do at the Albert

so I'm up to my eyes in it.

Anything I can help with?

No, no. I was just speaking to Auntie Peggy.

You didn't mention his drinking?

No, of course not. We were just talking about the old days,

you know, a trip down memory lane.

It made me think, maybe it was worth building bridges with Phil.

Doesn't matter. Look, I'll come back.

Look, Ronnie, I could do with a hand setting the bar up for later

if you've got an hour to spare?

I said I'd meet Phil there

so it could be a good time for you to talk?

Yeah, OK.

Tell you what, give us a quid. Here you go.

All right, merry Christmas. All right, everyone, special offer...

Don't worry, the cavalry is here. I brought a friend and all.

When you said you needed help, I didn't think you meant

freezing to death.

Look, you said you wanted normal.

Running this stall has been normal to the Beales

since long before you or I were on the scene.

I think Ian sees himself a bit of a cut above these days, Auntie Kathy.

-Oi!

-Well, it's that or you're afraid you ain't up to it.

Oh! If it'll shut you up,

-I'll do it!

-PHONE RINGS

You all right, Stace? How you feeling?

All right. Tell you what.

I'll put the stock up and I'll get Tam to take Lily.

Yeah? You put your feet up. All right, love you.

Stacey, she's feeling under the weather.

Not too sick to give me a to-do list, mind you.

Looks like we arrived just in time then.

-Come on, we'll hold the fort.

-Lovely.

You give me a call if it's a bit too much for him, yeah?

See you later!

Tam, I've got a little favour to ask...

Mum, it's not going to be that easy to take my mind off things.

Just give it a go. For me, eh?

Hubby's birthday on Friday

so obviously I want to look my absolute best.

It's traditional to start with "hello", but go on.

So, I think, "How can I blow Vincent's socks off,

"show off my beautiful baby girl and get one over on Claudette?"

You want to do all three at once?

Look at this! Ta-da!

I can say that I wasn't expecting that...

Ah! But wait. Wait...

Ta-da! Me and Pearl - Mrs Claus and her fabulous little helper.

So are you out of the doghouse for sneaking a look at your pressies?

Oh, yeah, all that's sorted, you know?

You know me, I'm not one to go to bed on an argument.

I tell you what, why don't you come round later?

I found some decorations in the back, I thought

we could put them up together?

No, no, no, look, I've already told Pops, we need to keep

the place clean and pristine, don't want to put buyers off.

We're only selling the one half, aren't we?

I'm sure no-one would grudge us a little bit of Christmas spirit?

You can't be too careful. People are different nowadays.

Later.

You're too busy to be doing that.

I'm a multi-tasker.

I've already got the loos sparkling, had a chat with

Linda about the flowers for your wedding.

No end to my talents.

Well, you better add something else to that list.

Because I've had a word in Dot's earhole

and you're back on the firm.

Oh, Mick, you little smasher!

-I knew you'd work your magic.

-Watch the gloves!

Much better you handled it on your own, rather than have me

there muddy the water...

Oh, so all that "I can't compare with Dot" stuff,

was so I'd go and deal with it on my jack, was it?

Forgive me? I've nothing against your upcoming nuptials

but this Nativity means the world to me.

The heart wants what it wants!

Doesn't it just?!

Now, I have got to start thinking about costumes,

not to mention the set... Music!

The auditions are at four, doesn't give us a lot of time to prep...

Yeah, you've got to remember you're second-in-command,

-you're not leading the troops.

-My Christmas extravaganza is saved!

Yay(!)

Just give her a chance, yeah?

We're shut.

Don't be like that. I've come to make up,

seeing as it's almost Christmas.

Two words - not interested.

You make it really hard for people to stick their neck out for you,

do you know that?

-You haven't seen my wallet lying around, have you?

-No.

Wouldn't want to keep you.

You don't have to escort me over. You've got a pub to run.

L can cope. I said to Dot I'd help with the auditions.

Keep an eye on me, you mean?

I promise, I'll be on my best behaviour.

Someone's keen. Got offered a part in the Nativity?

Haven't been able to shut her up about it.

Don't you think something backstage would be more suitable for Janet?

Go look at the tree, baby.

What's that supposed to mean, "more suitable"?

I'm pretty sure we're after the very little ones, four to seven.

That way, the Wise Men aren't going to be taller than Joseph!

I mean, they've all got to be able to fit in the costumes.

She hasn't taken them wings off

since she heard about the Nativity, what am I supposed to tell her?

That's show business.

Shabnam's right, most of these are just fit for the bin.

I don't know, I just thought...

Why not just make the best of things?

One last Christmas before everything changes around here, huh?

Yeah. Course, Kim wants us to keep the place like a prison cell

so someone else can put their stamp on it.

You know that's not how it is.

Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself, but every time I make the

effort with her, she makes it very clear that we're not her priority.

I know it's daft but...

..I can't help but think about all the Christmases that we've had.

Family Christmases with the girls around.

-Mm-hmm.

-And now...look at us.

Hey...there is life left in the two of us, you know.

Yeah, but what if this is all there is, though?

Just me and you, no family, just getting older,

more irrelevant to everyone.

I'm fine, you know. Just ignore me.

We don't need decorations to have a good Christmas.

Don't forget we have a baby girl in the family again.

Pearl is Vincent's family, not ours, as far as Kim's concerned.

Yeah, then it's time you reminded her that we love her here, too.

I told you, it's like riding a bike.

How long do you reckon until I can get Bobby working on the stall after

school, without him moaning about it?

Ian. About Bobby. How do you think he's coping with things?

He's the only one that is.

I'm just glad I've been able to spare him from things.

So you think Jane did the right thing?

Thanks to Jane, Bobby's still the same

innocent little boy that he was.

I would do anything to keep him that way.

You know that, though, don't you?

Listen, being on that bridge, it was just a moment of madness.

I just wanna give Bobby the best life that I possibly can,

that's what keeps me going.

Do you think we're doing a good job with him?

Bobby is a lovely lad, Ian.

And you and Jane are going to give him the best Christmas

and the best future he could wish for.

I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me there for a minute!

Mum's idea.

Glad someone's put a smile on your face.

Today can't have been easy, love.

Yeah, and talking of which,

how about tonight's the night we take the Christmas tree home?

That would make Bobby happy.

He's been banging on about getting one since October.

I thought we could put the angel Lucy made on the top again.

And how about from now on we make it a new family tradition?

We put the Christmas tree up on Lucy's birthday.

I think that is a lovely idea.

Why don't Jane and I take the tree home, eh?

And you, you finish up here?

-You want to leave me to do all the clearing up?

-Yeah.

Right, get this one. There we go.

Sorry, Jane, I wasn't thinking.

It's OK, I can manage.

A bit of pain'll teach me not to be so clumsy next time.

We both know clumsy had nothing to do with it.

Bobby told me what he did.

I know he pushed you down the stairs.

Thanks for coming round.

It's all right.

Here.

I found it in my little box of Christmas past.

Thought it might set off Pearl's outfit nicely.

Is it clean?

Mm.

You think I'm overdoing this, don't you?

I think it wouldn't be Christmas without you dressing up

like a muppet, falling asleep in a skip, or missing the whole thing.

Not any more, with bubs around.

Plus, I think Vincent's a very lucky man.

Mmm, that's true.

And, it wouldn't be a party without you and Pops.

I need my people around me.

We'll be there. I'll tell you what, I'll spoil you!

-Oh, yeah?

-I'll chuck in a few vol-au-vents,

show Claudette how to throw a proper bash.

The vol-au-vents!

You know, I was on my way over when you texted me.

Really?

Yeah.

The estate agent called me.

And they've got an asking price offer on my part of the B&B.

It was an accident.

The last thing anyone needs is this being blown out of proportion.

It's like I told you last week.

If Bobby's having problems, anger issues,

maybe we need to get him some help.

I said it was an accident.

Have you ever thought that you covering for him

all the time might be half the problem?

He's a little boy, I'm his mum.

It's not covering, it's parenting.

Even if it means Bobby never has to face the consequences of anything?

Don't do this, Kathy.

Not when we were just starting to be friends.

You can hide this from Ian, Jane,

but you can't put your head in the sand.

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to meet my son.

When will we get to Bethlehem?

My feet are weary and my baby is almost born.

Maybe that inn will have some room?

THEY CLAP

I'll tell you what, kids, I was properly in the moment there.

The Godfather ain't got nothing on you.

How was it?

Oh, they were ever so good, weren't they?

We'll let you know our decision in due course.

If there's any chance that he could be Joseph, it would help me

prove my sister wrong.

Which isn't in the Christmas spirit so...shall we?

Next!

Hello, Billy.

Oh, hi! Where do you want us, then?

Here she is.

Hi.

I, erm...

I got you a doughnut. Little treat.

Oh, thanks.

So is there anything you want to talk about?

I know we haven't made a big deal of it being Lucy's birthday

but that doesn't mean we've forgotten.

-Will you have some?

-Thank you.

We've got this maths test coming up, everyone's freaking out.

Before Christmas? That doesn't seem fair.

Remember there's lessons up until the last day.

Well, it does make sense, I suppose.

I just wish there was more time to study.

The bus takes ages.

It'd be loads quicker if I had a bike.

And have you cycling down busy roads? I don't think so.

Loads of kids do it.

It'd leave more time for revision, plus it's healthy.

Dennis has got a new bike, it looks well cool.

Well, maybe if we'd talked about this sooner,

but all your Christmas presents are already bought.

-But this would be for school.

-Still costs money, though.

Less video games in the evening, you'd have plenty time for maths.

-That's not fair, Dennis has a bike.

-Bobby.

Why do I never get anything I want?!

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.

You just wait out there, darlin',

and rehearse the lines like we practised, yeah?

Billy, I've told you before, she's too old, too tall.

Besides, she's not even going to fit the costume.

She just wants a shot at being in the play.

Come on, Dot, have a heart.

All the little ones are entitled to take part.

Why don't we just cast you as the Virgin Mary and be done with it?

Oh, very funny(!)

All right, then let's let Mick decide, eh?

Come on, mate. She's just a little girl who wants to

be in the play like everyone else.

Don't let me go out there and break her heart.

It looks a bit lopsided, Ian.

No-one will notice, it'll be fine.

Hey! What do you think?

Will this start Christmas off with a bang, or what?

Yeah, it's awesome!

I was thinking we should put this on the tree again.

To remind us of people we love and are no longer with us.

Do you think Lucy had a good birthday where she is?

Come here, mate. Come here.

BEEPING

OK.

The drugs go in the bag.

The bag goes in Phil's safe.

Then, with a little helping hand, the Old Bill find the drugs

with prints all over it and Phil's bang to rights.

You're not even worried about what he's going to do to you?

Listen, I've got a watertight plan and I've got friends in high places.

It's your cousin you need to be worried about.

Am I missing something here?

Please, Kathy, just go back to Ian and Bobby.

I don't understand you.

One minute you're trying to persuade me what a sweet boy Bobby is,

he starts acting like it and you...

Something's happened since you went to meet him. What is it, Jane?

Jane?

Bobby...smashed a plate in the caff when I said

he couldn't have a bike for Christmas.

His face looked just like it did when he...

..when he pushed me.

Kathy...

..what if there is something wrong with Bobby?