15/12/2015 EastEnders

All right, pull it out this way.

Careful, though! I love a chestnut.

Ooh! Careful! Steady.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Ho, ho, ho?

What happened to the Victorian Market? Tamwar put up posters.

Kathy?

Well, it was your lookout, weren't it?

You are part of the Christmas Committee, aren't you?

And, Pam, I thought you were gonna help out?

You said I should push the mistletoe and holly.

In costume!

Yes, but not everyone has access to the Walford Am-Dram wardrobe

department, Elaine.

Nice to see you dressing your age, ladies.

It's Victorian Market day, as if you didn't know.

Oh. Shame no-one else got the memo.

I suppose I have been spreading myself a bit thin,

what with the Nativity play and everything.

Actually, talking of which, I better get off.

Eh? What about the wagon?

You're going to have to manage on your own. Sorry, love.

Manage what?

Oh, yeah, go and have a dig as well.

You think we're dressing like this for fun?

Go on, Mum, leave the Victorian Market to me.

Any leftover am-dram costumes upstairs, right, divvy them out.

I'll fetch 'em. Just let me get these bags inside.

If you think you can bribe your way back into my good

books, you can forget it.

Things get said in anger - don't mean they're set in stone.

Oh, you reckon, do you?

MUSIC: We Wish You A Merry Christmas

See?

We'll get this market festive in no time.

Nice try, Babe, but you're out by Christmas. End of.

I've been calling you.

I already told Kim, I'm not doing it any more.

What part of "dead to me" don't you understand?

Nobody wants to talk to you, Vincent.

You need to hear me out, I'm not that person any more.

How could you help the police after the way they've treated

the Hubbards over the years?

You are a disgrace to this family.

I did it FOR the family! Phil's old man killed Dad, didn't he?!

Murdered your husband in cold blood -

so if grassing for them is what I had to do to take him down...

Shut up your nonsense, fool!

Look at you. Covered in bruises, shame written all over you.

I swear, it'd be best all round if you just disappeared!

What is he talking about?

Phil's old man murdered... You never told me that.

Donna, you just hold your tongue. This is none of your business.

Ah, thank you, Martin. There's the oranges for me Christingle service.

Oh, Dot, there's your kid's Bible there, thanks for that.

Lil loved the story.

You can keep it. And, Stacey, it's not just a story.

Haven't you realised yet what Christmas is all about?

Well...

Dunno. I still think it's about rubbish presents and family rows.

Have you got the candles and that, Dot?

Yes, they're all at the church.

You will be coming to the service at the church, won't you, Stacey?

To see your Lily?

I don't know, I don't really know what it's all about.

We never had it in my school.

No, nor did we.

All the juniors from the various schools in Walford will be

going to the church.

Apparently, it's lovely.

Oh, nice. Well, either way, I'm working, so...

No, no, no. I'll cover your stall for you.

Oh, thank you, Martin!

I'll see you at the church, Stacey. At 12.30 sharp.

Enjoy!

'Ere, hand these out.

Come on, lovebirds, what could be more Christmassy than chestnuts, eh?

Mick, shove a cinnamon stick and a satsuma in a bottle of red

and hand out some freebies.

Mulled wine - never fails.

Meantime, I've got my own stall to set up.

What are you talking about?

"Guess the weight of the goose" - just like Oliver Twist.

I'll fetch Goosey Lucy up from the allotment, set up the bathroom

scales, and punters pay to win her for Christmas dinner -

all proceeds go towards our very own banquet.

And what are we eating if you're flogging the main event?

Trust me.

Not in a month of Sundays.

Besides, Christmas is your exit date, remember?

L, I know you've got the needle with me -

but you can't blame me for what Babe did a lifetime ago.

-See you later!

-Eh?

Walford Council Christmas lunch? Tam invited me, I did tell you.

Is everyone leaving me to it today?

Enjoy yourself, Nance, all right? See you later.

-L...

-I'm just gonna get some more chestnuts.

-Oh...

Are we gonna talk about this or not?

-I ain't forgiving Babe, or you.

-What d'you think,

I enjoyed hiding this from you? I didn't want to upset you.

Why do people only say that WHEN they've upset you?

I need some air.

Cora!

Have I died and gone back in time?

Mick!

-Mick!

-What?

I'll get her inside, you call Abi.

-Cora, come inside.

-CORA MOANS

-It's all right. It's Linda.

-I can manage.

-Come with me.

PHIL LAUGHS

Well, if you've won, I'd hate to see the other geezer!

You wanna be careful who you play with.

That was Stan's chair.

I know, Cora. And he'd hate to see you like this.

Well, he's dead, ain't he? So what do you lot care?

Of course we care.

If I'd known how bad things were, I'd have told you to stay!

I don't take charity.

What about the council? Have you been onto 'em?

I made myself homeless. They ain't gonna help me.

Have you even asked them?

They can shove it an' all.

So you're going to spend the winter on the streets? Is that the plan?

Ain't you got any gin to go in this?

Nan!

Right, you go downstairs and get your nan a gin, darling.

I'll try and get through to the council.

Ten kilos on the nose - your name's on the board, love.

-Sally, was it?

-Yes.

Weigh-in's at four.

So if I win, can you get that plucked

and ready for lunch tomorrow?

If you win, I'll stuff it with forcemeat an' all.

Go on, then. I'll have two tickets.

Do me one at 10.3

and...I dunno...11.28.

That's a bit specific.

Well...

-Have another try.

-Why?

Cos someone else has already got that weight.

It's not on the board.

It will be in a second.

Oh, yeah? Gonna use your real name an' all, Fagin?

Ha!

'Ere - no harm done, eh?

I dunno, must be the atmosphere round the place today.

This is gonna be the best Christmas ever.

Yeah? Well, I tell you what - why don't I watch the stalls

and you go to church? Get you really festive.

You might actually enjoy yourself.

SHE SIGHS

See? Looks like the little 'un agrees with me.

Here, mind my stall for a minute, will ya?

Phil and Sharon won't mind. Me and Ben can sleep in the lounge.

Over my dead body.

It will be if you won't let anyone help you.

Five times I've been put on hold and that's just to make an appointment.

L, L, take it easy. You don't look too clever.

And here's the vultures, come to pick my bones.

Come to make peace, more like, cos unlike you,

Cora, I don't wish anyone harm.

Try telling that to all them women whose babies you sold.

Cora's... She's been a bit ill. She's been sleeping rough.

Yeah, we gotta do something.

Well, we know where Walford Council's

having its Christmas lunch.

Nothing like a captive audience if you're gonna make a point.

What's it got to do with you?

I like a bit of confrontation.

You like trouble, you mean.

I'll try phoning again.

Look, I get it, you're chucking me out.

But it ain't Christmas Day yet and your calls ain't getting

through, so...are you gonna let me help, or what?

Right, then - Linda, you watch the old bat,

you get someone to get that goose back to the allotment.

Me and you...

we're going to get some reinforcements from the market.

Kim?

-Kim!

-Yeah, OK, OK! Hold on, hold on!

Hold on.

-Vincent!

-I thought somebody was in here with you!

No, but that's the reason why I put the chain on the door -

so no-one could get in.

We can't live like this any more.

No, baby.

You're the only family I got now - you and Pearl.

I'm not losing you as well.

OK.

How can we rest easy in our beds at night, knowing there's an old

woman on the streets at Christmas?

Imagine if it was your nan or your mum, or even yourself!

It's easy enough for them to fob us off on the blower,

but let's see how they react when we stick the problem in their faces.

I ain't going nowhere.

Fill it up.

Well, fine then, we'll go on your behalf - who's with me?

I'm sorry, I can't. I've gotta work.

-I'll go, if you man the stall?

-Yeah, I'll find the time.

What about this weigh-the-goose competition?

-I've called it off.

-Funny, that(!)

Right, ladies only, is it?

Yeah, less likely to get violent.

Says who?!

Right, go on, upstairs, run yourself a bath, take your gin with you.

Stay with Cora, I'll handle this lot.

What, and let you make a mess of things? I don't think so.

# Jesus gave it to me

# I'm gonna let it shine

# Jesus gave it to me

# I'm gonna let it shine

# Let it shine, let it shine

# Let it shine. #

Stacey...

there you are.

-I've saved a seat for you.

-(Thank you.)

The Christingle is a wonderful,

visible reminder of God's goodness to us...

and in this season of preparation for the coming of Jesus

into this world, it can tell us some special things about Jesus.

Christingle means "Christ Light".

I think that's it.

Someone will be back in a moment with your drinks. In the meantime,

please feel free to enjoy the complimentary box of festive fun.

Eh? Hang on - you haven't booked.

Jane!

I'm afraid it's reservations only over Christmas.

Don't worry, we ain't staying long.

Unless we have to.

Look, carol singers!

SO not carol singers!

Which one of you's housing?

Norman Grainger. Can I help?

Got to hope so.

We couldn't get anyone on the phone and it's an emergency, see?

Her nan, Cora Cross, she's homeless. She needs a flat, pronto.

So if you wouldn't mind just sorting something out,

we'll leave you to your lunch.

Look, erm, sorry, this is inappropriate.

-I can give you the number for housing.

-No?

OK, ladies - plan B activated.

# Sing Christingle, sing Christingle

# It's the Light of Christ

# Sing Christingle, sing Christingle

# Sing Christingle Light of Christ... #

You see, Stacey, like the song says, the orange stands for the world,

and the red ribbon is blood what Jesus shed to save us from our sins.

Well, the sweeties, they're what we call the fruits of the earth.

And the candle is for Jesus, who is the light of the world.

Ooh! Lily's eating her fruits of the earth.

# God of love, we give thanks now for Jesus... #

Maybe you should reconsider on perhaps bending the rules a little bit...

I am not going to be blackmailed over Christmas lunch!

No, no, obviously, obviously.

Serve 'em like nothing's happened, all right?

Oi, Nancy, what are you doing consorting with the enemy, anyway?

Erm, I'm just Tam's plus one. I'm not...

Well, you can "plus one" your way over here, yeah? It's family.

You coming?

It's my work Christmas lunch, Nancy...

Judas.

BABE: Two, three, four...

-ALL CHANT:

-We shall not, we shall not be moved...

Camembert and cranberry parcels?

Just going to the loo.

..standing by the waterside, we shall not be moved...

# Silent night

# Holy night

# All is calm, all is bright

# Round yon virgin, mother and child

# Holy infant so tender and mild

# Sleep in heavenly peace

# Sleep in heavenly peace. #

If you're going to sit, look, at least use a chair

and look like a paying customer.

My back is nipping, to be fair... Oh!

We might look like we're from the 19th century,

but this is 2015, and you can't just scrape the poor

and needy off your boot heel like dog muck.

CHEERING

And while you lot are feasting, there are people out there without roofs over their heads!

She is going for it.

Anyone got an Oscar knocking around?!

Look, truly, you're just wasting your time.

Your grandmother needs to be assessed by the homeless housing team.

Her husband died this year, you know.

Is she supposed to freeze to death because she's depressed?

Excuse me, sorry, I'm just...

Look, I appreciate Mrs Cross is elderly and vulnerable...

She could take you in a fistfight any day, mate!

But just cos she ain't no sweetie pie,

you're gonna throw her to the wolves.

No-one is throwing anyone anywhere but there is a waiting list and you can't just jump the queue!

You have to be in the queue in the first place, haven't ya, to jump it?

That's the whole point.

CHEERING

Oh, Lil - that was lovely.

Why are you crying, Mummy?

Because I'm happy and because you looked so beautiful up there.

Stacey, it's because you felt it,

it's because you was moved by everything in God's house.

It was like...a stirring of faith.

It was a visitation of the spirit of Jesus.

Oh, you better go, baby.

Don't forget you've got rehearsals after school, OK?

Dot, erm...

I had... I had, like, a...a visitation...

thingy, like what you just said.

Not just now but, erm, at Halloween when I had my accident.

Where is Linda?

Oh, she went to the loo a while ago. I hope she's OK.

This is my restaurant and my paying customers! Just leave, please!

Oh, no...

someone's posted a photo to the council feed.

Anonymously.

Cowards.

"Housing officers feast while pensioners go homeless."

That is grossly misleading!

Yeah, it could look quite bad, though. If it goes viral.

What about, "Rude old harridan and her friends harass

"hard-working government officers on extremely rare day off"?

Nah. No ring to it!

Unlike the expression "PR nightmare".

All her life, Cora worked, paid her stamp, gave back to society.

Now she's done in, a bit cranky, maybe not quite right in the head.

Ain't it time society gave its dues back to HER?

APPLAUSE

I thought I was dying and my dad was there to meet me.

I don't know if it was my dad, or...

Or if it was...God.

Or if I was seeing things. I don't know...

You were given a gift, a glimpse. You're very lucky.

What if he was there because he was angry or upset?

I mean, I probably haven't thought about him as much as I should have since he died.

Then speak to him. And speak to Jesus.

It's called praying.

Oi, Pop! Babe smashed it!

HE CHEERS

I hope you've got enough mulled wine going round.

On the house, girls, on the house!

Sheltered-accommodation flat near Dalston -

best of both worlds with her so up and down.

-Babe was awesome!

-I only followed Linda's lead.

Abi's sorting the paperwork, we just need to get Cora over there.

I'll go, love. I know you ain't feeling well.

I'll come along anyway.

I'm fine, Mick. I wanna do right by Cora. It's important.

You're a proper little Christmas angel, L.

I cannot wait to walk you down the aisle.

I'll get Cora ready and get out of this stuff.

Why don't I drive, eh?

There you are!

You wanna tell me what's going on, Claudette?

Vincent's packing right now, says that we need to leave Walford.

Says you want us to go.

Whatever's happened he's brought on himself. Nothing I can do about it.

You must have vertigo, sitting so high

and mighty on that perch of yours.

So I tell you what, yeah?

You polish that halo all by yourself cos me and Vincent, we're gone.

It's just a shame Pearl won't grow up knowing her grandma.

Come on, Pearl.

It's a dump.

Least it's your dump.

Nan, you saw the sign. No smoking.

I've put some toiletries by the sink.

It's a nice little bathroom.

You can go now. You've wasted enough time on me already.

Aren't you going to say thank you?

I want to.

I'm scared if I do...I'll cry.

And if I cry...

Gotta break a bit before you mend, Cora.

Then maybe you can get on with living a life again.

What's it got to do with you?

You don't even like me!

Don't mean you deserve to live on the streets.

We better get back. Do you want a lift home, Abi?

No, I'm going to stay here and help Nan make this place look nice.

I'll give Mum a call and let her know you're all right.

No, no, no. Don't do that, Abs.

Go on, you got a lot to do.

Yeah - to be here, with you.

We've got a plan to make to get you well again.

And I am not going to let you push me away this time, Nan.

Come on.

Oi...

Yeah, thanks.

Dear God...

Erm...

Hello...God...

Our Father, who art in...

Can you, erm...

Can you please tell my dad...

Can you tell him that I miss him?

Tell him that I'm sorry that I lost the key.

I know he was trying to tell me something.

Dad...

Dad, if you're there, will you please just give me a sign?

Oi.

Oi, excuse me! Do I know you?

Me and Cora ain't so different, you know.

Not that I'd admit it to her.

We may not be the nicest of people. Maybe we done bad things...

..but whatever I done, I done for the family.

And God knows, I'm proud I saved Mick.

If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be here...

or didn't no-one mention that bit?

If I could change the rest...I would.

I love this family, Linda.

It's all I got!

You can stay.

But if I ever catch you lying to me or putting us at risk again...

I'd take a bullet to keep the Carters safe.

Thing is, Babe...

I do believe you would.

Have I missed something?

Yeah, we give it to The Man!

And here is the hero of the hour!

CHEERING

To be fair, though, The Man was just a nice bloke trying to do a difficult job.

We did kind of ruin his party, though!

He didn't stand a chance, poor bloke!

Here he is, "anonymous of Walford"!

Do I get a reward?

Yes.

CHEERING

Eh! What's going on? I hear I missed a good barney.

-Have you seen Tamwar's photo?

-Let's have a look!

-Ha-ha!

-PHONE RINGS

Hold on. Sorry, sorry! It's Dean. Sorry.

Dean! I've only been gone ten minutes.

17, not that you're counting. I thought I was allowed a brea...

Right, I'm on my way.

I'll catch you later.

You wanna watch that, you know, love.

Eh?

Well, you let him call the shots all the time, you'll end up living in his shadow.

Sorry you couldn't come to the lunch yesterday.

I hear Cora Cross made an appearance anyway.

A cry for help, I suppose, with hindsight.

Well, you know, it does make you think how fragile we all are.

Especially as we get older.

Yeah, yeah, especially this time of year an' all.

I'm starting to think I'd be better off by myself than having to choose between you two.

That's all right, son. You stay with your nan, I'll be all right.

Why don't you come with us, Les?

We're going to Phil's, he won't mind.

Well...maybe we could meet up in the Vic for a drink later?

The more, the merrier, eh?

It is...it is Christmas.

Where's Linda?

She went straight up.

But don't worry, Mick, we made it up.

Least now you can get married without the tension.

Stace? Where've you been?

What's wrong?

Martin, I... I think I'm being stalked.

I was gonna have half an hour while Ollie's down, so...

So...you gonna talk to me, L?

I could say the same thing to you.

When was you gonna tell me that Babe saved you?

When was you gonna let me? Cos every time I try to talk to you, you run away from me.

Why can't I get five minutes to myself?

Cos this ain't about you having the hump with me,

it ain't about you having the hump with Babe.

I know you.

You're not yourself. Every time someone talks about the wedding,

it's like you want to have it on your toes.

I'm getting paranoid here.

And don't...

Don't...spin me a line.

We've been through far too much. Just...be straight with me.

Be straight with me.

(I can't do it, Mick.)

The wedding...

I can't go through with it.