16/12/2016 EastEnders

Right, I could do without this stag do tonight, if I'm being honest.

Oh, it's not like you've never had one before, is it?

Right kiddies, who's ready for the best Nativity Walford has ever seen?

What's that?

That is the rest of your costume.

It's a towel.

No, silly, this is Mary's very important hat

so that she doesn't get sun stroke when she's walking to Bethlehem.

See! Hold on, we've got the finishing touch here.

It goes like that. Ta-da!

Done! Do you like it?

Yay! Look happier, look happier!

Lil, if you don't stop moving,

you're going to get a pin in your leg.

You all right?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

What if I forget my words again?

Well, you won't. You remembered them in the end last year, didn't you?

Do you know what I do when I'm nervous, Lily?

I close my eyes and I take a deep breath.

You'll be great.

I wish Martin would come.

Me too.

I'm going to ask Derek

if I can bring his crutches home to practise on.

You just want them so people will give you a seat on the bus.

Thanks for breakfast.

That's all right. Don't get used to it.

Not now the social will be on our back.

Dad won't let them chuck you out.

We'll see, aye. Go on, you'll miss your bus.

And eat quicker will ya? Cos you'll be late and all.

See you at rehearsals later. I'm already word perfect.

# Jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle bell rock... #

Look, Ian, I know Luke's off sick, but I'd just really appreciate it

if you would let me go to this Nativity.

I'll be two hours, tops.

One person can't cope on their own when we're this busy

and I can't lift nothing - not with my back.

Yeah, look, I know, it's just, Stacey... And this time of year...

-It's just that we...

-Martin. I've already given you time off

once this week for Sharon, all right?

I can't do it again.

Gotcha! Buzzing for tonight?

Yeah, well, I need something to get me in the Christmas spirit, don't I?

-Yeah?

-Well, these ain't exactly doing it are they?

And Scrooge over there ain't helping either.

Is he moaning about them decorations again?

I'm not the only one who thinks they're a joke.

Yeah, but you're the only one who keeps going on about them.

Every time you mention them tonight,

-I'll make you do a shot.

-Yes!

Right.

I swear on Rudolph's nose, I will bring Christmas cheer to us all.

I've got the songs sorted, I've got the costumes sorted,

I've got the drinking games sorted.

We'll have a whip. A pony each, what do you reckon?

Yes, I'm up for that.

Yeah. Sounds great.

Well, I'll see you for the stag of the year, eh?

Gotcha!

I bet you're looking forward to seeing Lily.

These are the moments you remember, aren't they? That make you proud.

Yeah.

Stacey?

This time last year, when I was in that church,

I wasn't well.

It's scary, going somewhere with such bad memories.

But the church didn't make you ill.

No, I know, I know. I'm just being stupid.

No, no, you're not. And you shouldn't have to face it alone.

Did you make that?

You obviously don't know my sister very well.

I did, actually. With Amy.

Given your knack for this Blue Peter stuff,

we should promote you next year to set dresser.

Oh, please. I'd eat him alive.

-You're early.

-Yes, I wanted to tell you both in person...

We have had an asking price offer accepted on the house.

-That's amazing.

-Yep.

And I got an e-mail from the local authority in Ongar -

the kids both got in to our first choice school.

-This is really happening, isn't it?

-It is.

Ah, Mr Branning, could I borrow you for a minute?

The stable's been put in the wrong place

and it's all hands on deck to move it.

Remind me again why I let Roxy have the day off?

Because beneath that sour exterior of yours, lies a heart of gold.

Everything all right?

Me and Jane are covering the stall today.

-You...?

-Stacey needs Martin today.

This time last year she was in that church during her psychosis.

She's scared of going back alone, Ian.

Martin. You'd better get a move on,

otherwise you're going to miss the start of the Nativity play.

Go on, give us the belt.

I'm not paying him for the hours he misses though.

Oh, Abi. Are you getting ready for the Christingle service?

I've got some extra bits and pieces, oranges and that,

to make more if we run out for the children.

Oh, Grandma, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot.

And now I promised I'd work an extra shift.

Oh, right, you're always working.

Will you be OK without me?

Well, of course I will.

-OK, I'll see you later.

-Right.

CHOIR SINGS

Martin!

All right? Come here.

Mary and Joseph knocked on the door of two different inns...

..but there was no room at either.

Then they reached a third one.

We need somewhere to stay for the night.

I'm tired and pregnant. Can you help?

SHE INHALES AND EXHALES DEEPLY

All my rooms are full,

but I do have a stable.

There's animals in it,

but it's warm and has plenty of hay to lie on.

So, Mary and Joseph made their beds in a stable.

And that night, Jesus was born.

News of the birth soon spread far and wide.

Mr Ackroyd.

With Angels telling the shepherds of their saviour.

Mr Ackroyd. The donkey's done a poo and it smells!

Shh, shh. Ignore it.

And three wise men followed a star to Bethlehem,

to give gifts to the new king.

I've brought you gold.

I've brought you frankin...frankin...

-I've brought you myrrh.

-..frankincense!

-BOTH:

-Wha-hey!

PIANO PLAYS

# Away in a manger

# No crib for a bed

# The little Lord Jesus

# Lay down His sweet head

# The stars in the bright sky

# Look down where He lay

# The little Lord Jesus

# Asleep on the hay. #

Where's Dot?

# The cattle are lowing

# The baby awakes

# But little Lord Jesus

# No crying He makes

# I love Thee, Lord Jesus

# Look down from the sky

# And stay by my side

# Till morning is nigh

# Be near me, Lord Jesus

# I ask Thee to stay

# Close by me forever

# And love me, I pray

# Bless all the dear children

# In Thy tender care

# And take us to heaven

# To live with Thee there. #

CHEERING

How much longer is Lauren going to be?

I need more Christmas trees out there.

You all right?

I'm not sure about you being on the stall, Jane,

you're stealing my USP here.

Don't worry, it won't be a regular thing.

You know I'm only joking. It's good to see you out here.

Thanks.

But there's something about being on the stall

that makes Ian more annoying than usual.

Well, looks like you and Lauren aren't needed anyway.

Ian Albert Beale! Put that tree down and explain yourself.

It's a miracle - a Christmas miracle!

All right. Me back's been feeling

all right for the last couple of days.

I just didn't say anything.

You've had people running ragged after you!

Yeah, I know, and it's been really nice...

You've been pretending you're still hurt for attention?

Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it.

Here they are, our little superheroes.

-Hey!

-Hey!

-Well done!

-Did you see us? Did you like it?

Yes, we did.

It was so amazing, we actually got you a present each, look.

Yes, look. That one's for you. And that one's for you.

Ah, wow, thanks!

Wow, it's the exact one I wanted.

And you, Amy, you're doubly lucky, I got you a present as well.

Yeah! We can do each other's make up now!

I was particularly pleased to see you made it along, Stacey.

-Aw.

-I was expecting to see Mrs Branning as well.

Yeah, me too.

Jack, you seen Dot today? She was supposed to be here.

No, no, I haven't.

Can we go and see her?

I want to give her my Christingle.

-What a lovely idea.

-Yeah, course you can.

Can I come?

I thought we were going out for cake.

I want to go with Ricky and Auntie Ronnie. Please!

All right, then. We can go somewhere tomorrow, yeah?

We're doing decorations tomorrow.

Well, as long as daddy's not too hungover from his stag!

Which he won't be. So, yeah, Sunday. Whenever.

Would you like to have a photo with the family for the paper?

-Sounds like a good idea.

-Yeah. Roxy, you coming?

No, you don't need me.

I'll just...I'll watch the coats and stuff.

Come on, sweetie.

Oh, hiya. I forgot my phone.

You're back early.

Yes. Yes, I am.

You didn't go to the service, did you?

No. I hope Stacey didn't go.

You know what happened to her last year.

Very good.

But, what I'm not getting yet is quite how important you two

are to each other.

So, after "I wanted to spend some time with you alone, Ebenezer."

Jay, if you could take Louise's hand...lovingly, yeah.

can we give that a try?

Yeah. "I wanted to spend some time alone with you Ebenezer."

Yeah, well, we need to feel this.

You know, we've got to make the audience believe

that you are in love.

-Why don't we pop a kiss in there?

-What?

-I'm not suggesting a full-on smooch...

-No.

It's just acting.

I don't care, I'm not doing it.

I remember when I had to do my first stage kiss. Oh, 1966, Southend.

It can be a bit embarrassing to start.

You don't understand, do you? We're not kissing.

-So, if you don't like it, then I quit.

-Jay.

Well, if he's quitting, then so am I.

OK, look, it's OK. Jay, I get why you don't want to do it.

-And it's fine.

-Yeah, but...

-Acting's not for everyone.

Instead of quitting, why don't we just try and find you

another role, so you're still involved, yeah?

We can't recast such a pivotal role so close to production, can we?

-OK, don't worry.

-I'll sort it, OK?

(I get why you don't want to do this.)

I wanted to give you my Christingle.

Oh, how lovely, thank you, Ricky.

You missed today, Mrs Branning.

Oh, yes, I'm terribly sorry, but something came up.

Now, why don't we all go to the kitchen,

have a nice hot cup of chocolate?

Hm.

-Ronnie?

-Yeah.

-She's lying, she didn't want to go out on your own.

-Why not?

Well, think she thought these injections would work quicker.

Well, I'll have a word with Jack and see if we can help.

Yeah.

Yeah, and then Jay just quit.

Well, I don't blame him.

Can you imagine how angry Phil would have been if they had kissed?

Oh, those colours take me back.

I used to love a little bit of blue eyeshadow back in the day.

Of course, I know better now, of course.

Are you...what? You going to an '80s night or something?

I got it for Amy.

Obviously blue's not her colour any more either.

Doesn't matter what we do, does it?

We never seem to get it right.

Right, missus, you've got to take that off in a minute.

Today made me so proud.

Oh, I know, she did so well, didn't she?

She did, but I'm talking about you.

What you did today was really brave.

I was only brave cos you were with me.

Well, that's handy, cos you're stuck with me, aren't you?

And I'm going to make sure that we

get the Christmas we deserve this year.

Right, I'm going to get ready for this stag do.

And you, young lady, have got to get in your PJs.

-So, I will race you upstairs.

-Go on, quick.

-Get up those stairs!

-Get up those stairs!

-STACEY LAUGHS

Worst-case scenario, you could always read the part in.

Mr Harkinson?

If it isn't our very own Tiny Tim. Everything all right?

Yeah, I'm here to play young Scrooge.

Did Denise send you?

No, but I already know all the lines.

And I don't mind kissing Louise if I have to.

Crisis averted.

When Denise told me about the casting dilemma,

I knew exactly who could do it.

My Shaki.

Mind if I sit down?

No, of course not.

HE SIGHS

I'm just on my way home from Mrs Branning's.

She stuffed me full of hot chocolate and cake.

Hazards of the job.

I bet Amy enjoyed being spoilt.

-We all did.

-They were telling me about the big move.

Yeah, it's great innit?

"True love is selfless. It's prepared to sacrifice."

Is that from the Bible?

A fridge magnet.

Sometimes, doing the best for someone else

means hurting oneself.

It's only a strong person who can do that.

-Here we go. Yeah.

-All the way. Come on.

Listen, listen, listen, listen. Right, next song, next song is...

-Last Christmas.

-Yeah!

# Last Christmas, I gave you my heart... #

You!

# But the very next day you gave it away

# This year, to save me from tears... #

This is ridiculous.

Oh, come on, mate. We don't need any more grinches.

The council have got that covered with all the Christmas lights...

That is a banned phrase! Down it, down it.

I'll take it, I'll take it.

-Good, good, good, good!

-I mean, come on, surely we can be

a little bit more sophisticated than this?

-I don't think so.

-Do you know what?

-You are starting to wind me up now.

So, the next time misog here, has a moan-up tonight,

he's got to take off an item of clothing.

-Yes! Love it!

-Go on, go on, then.

Ready?

There you go. Whey.

It's your stag do.

Johnny, go and sort your brother please,

he's fannying about upstairs. I don't know what he's going.

It's meant to be a pub crawl.

Oi, Jack, look at this.

Whatever you want - it's on Ian.

Oh, we'll have a bottle of champagne then!

Hit him where it really hurts, in the pocket.

Where is he?

Hiding out at home.

Yeah, well, this will teach him not to lie, won't it?

Right, bottle of champagne, please.

-It's your stag do!

-Yes, I know.

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

Hold up, hold up a minute, hold up, hold up.

Do you know what, enough of this stag bantz.

-That was a moan!

-It definitely was, Jack!

Get it off!

-THEY CHANT:

-Get it off! Get it off!

All right, it's coming off.

Listen, get your readies out for the whip,

put your plastic smile on, yeah?

And let's get involved. All right? Give us that...

Give us them here. Shrimpy. Cop for that.

Oh, where yous off to all dressed up like that?

We're going to this council do, ain't we?

You know, for local businesses and that.

-Not really looking forward to it.

-Council?

Here he goes. Here he goes with the council.

No, no, no, you can tell them from me...these shambles, mate,

these Christmas decorations are a shambles.

They don't get out often, babe. What was you saying?

Sorry. Oh. Just that I'm not really looking forward to it, to be honest.

Especially after yesterday.

Yeah, my Linda, she's still a bit nervous after the robbery.

But you know what? We do not let them scumbags win.

You know what you want to do? Go out and enjoy yourselves.

Well, we will try.

Have a good night, boys.

-See you later, mate.

-Mind how you go, see you later.

You take your own advice, yeah?

-Whaaa! ALL:

-Yeah!

-DRUNKEN SHOUTING

-Ron!

-Yeah?

Hi. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

No, no, I'm just finishing wrapping some presents while it's quiet,

you know Amy's got a radar for these things.

Rox, is something wrong?

I don't want you to just take Amy to Ongar.

I want you to adopt her.

Lee, you all right?

Yeah. I'm just not really in the mood.

I promised Mum that I'd spend some time with Ollie tomorrow.

Don't want to have a hangover.

You know what? I'm not really feeling it either.

When Dad started doing the running man I think it was curtains for me.

Want to get some food?

I don't get where you're coming from with this.

Don't you remember what it felt like when Mum left us?

-I'm nothing like Mum.

-Really?

Then why are you giving up like she did and walking away?

This isn't me walking away.

Adoption is permanent, Roxy. You can't take it back.

You think I don't know that?

Look, I know this is hard for you to understand.

But there's this distance between me and Amy.

And it's only going to get bigger when you move away.

But it doesn't have to.

I know what it feels like to give up a daughter.

I never want you to go through that.

You had no choice with Danielle. This is my choice.

And I'm choosing to do the right thing.

Really? For who?

For Amy.

No matter what I do, yeah,

I can never give her what she needs.

Even though I want to, I can't, I just can't. But you...

You can. The perfect house.

The perfect family. The stability.

-You could, eventually.

-No, come on, Ron.

Look at the people I've brought into her life. Michael, Carl, Dean.

I mean, I've put Amy at risk more than once.

You would never ever do that.

Ron, I see you with the kids

and I know that being a mum is what you were made for.

-Roxy...

-No, listen to me.

Mum and Dad, they didn't teach us how to be good parents.

But you've worked it out, you have.

I've done things wrong. Terribly wrong.

Every mistake you ever made, you made for good reason

and no-one can ever say that about me.

-Roxy, you can change.

-No, I can't.

I'll still be in Amy's life. I'll still be in your life.

Only this way, I can't mess it up any more.

She adores you.

Which is why I'm asking you to do this.

I don't want you to regret it.

Do you think I'd be asking you if I wasn't 100% sure?

Well, if that's what you want, I'll do it.

Thank you. Thank you.

-BELL RINGS

-Time, ladies and gents, please!

Oh, you're back early.

Little pit stop. I've had a mare in me strides.

Where's Lee?

More to the point, where are your clothes?

Lee and Johnny bottled it.

They couldn't handle it with the old boys, that's what it is. Whey.

Here he is.

Good old Billy. Billy the Kid. Billy Goat's Gruff.

Billy...Piper.

All had a nice drink, have we?

How was your posh party?

Yeah, it was all right. They were a bit up themselves though.

Didn't like us taking selfies. Hey, Martin!

Look at that tree!

They have given themselves a huge tree. And us, nothing!

Not that again.

No. Yes. Yes, that again.

I promised Stacey a good Christmas this year and they're ruining it.

I'm sick of looking at your plums.

Santas! We're going to fix this.

We're going to fix it...

What?

You can talk to me about Shaki, you know.

I don't know what you're talking about.

So I imagined him sneaking out of here yesterday then, did I?

You're lucky it was me that saw him and not your dad.

BEX SIGHS

STACEY SIGHS

Tell me the truth, Vincent.

Is it sad that I'm drinking alone

the last big Friday before Christmas?

What's all that about? Dealing, probably.

Calm down, calm down.

Get him out, get him out.

I've left the gas on.

I could lose my job.

Get out. Quiet, all of ya. Shh.

Roxy! Get home safely, yeah?

Right, ready?

Come on.

-ALL:

-Whey!

Now that is what you call Christmas spirit.

ALL: # Feed the world

# Let them know it's Christmas time

# Feed the world

# Let them know it's Christmas time. #