Eddie drops in on Jazzer and Tracy to flog one of his turkeys, but they tell him they can’t afford it, even with a family discount. Eddie then details how he’s cobbling together a turkey outfit for the Christmas market, but what he really needs is an assistant to help drum up sales. So, in return for a Grundy turkey, Tracy nominates Jazzer to give up his day off on Wednesday to be Eddie’s assistant. When Susan and Chris step inside the Village Shop for the first time since the repairs have been completed they can’t believe how perfect everything is. Susan reckons they should be ready for a party there on Thursday, then re-open on Friday. However, when they go upstairs the flat is a complete mess with most of the work unfinished. Chris despairs of the flat being ready for him to move back in before Christmas, ruining all his plans with Carly. With Harrison returning next week, he can’t stay on with Fallon either. Later, Chris tells Susan that Hazel was furious when he told her, but she did fall out with the builders, so that’s probably why they left it unfinished. Then to cap it all, when Chris phoned Carly, she told him she’s been invited on holiday with her ex and their kids, plus they’re going to try couples counselling again. So, it’s all over between Chris and Carly. Susan’s sympathetic, though at least she’ll be able to spoil Chris over Christmas. But that’s not really what Chris is looking for at his age…

David catches up with Esme at Meadow Farm, pleased to hear she’s settling into Ambridge life, having watched the Christmas lights switch-on and been introduced to half the village by Akram. Esme’s getting to grips with looking after her cows too, but with finances still tight she’s keen to get David’s advice on sourcing extra silage. Later, Ben and David look forward to Shula joining the family for Christmas, before Esme phones and David has an idea to help raise money for the silage: getting Josh to sell some old farm machinery that’s lying in one of Esme’s barns. But when they look at what’s there they’re not hopeful it will raise much, though Ben takes some pictures anyway. The farmer Esme is talking to is based in South Wales and she thinks her best bet of getting a good deal on the silage is to go and see him. Ben suggests Josh could go with her and catch his girlfriend Nina, who’s playing a gig in Cardiff, at the same time.

Grateful Clarrie and Eddie have brought Pat some treats after she helped with last week’s turkey plucking. They compare notes on what a hard year it’s been, but look forward to a new farming year, and the Christmas tractor run. Later though, Clarrie wonders to Eddie if Pat’s okay, as she seemed a bit off-colour. Eddie’s more interested in getting Clarrie to make him a turkey costume he can wear at the Christmas market on Wednesday, but Clarrie tells him there’s no chance.

Josh and Lily nurse a recovering Paul, updating him that Josh’s girlfriend Nina did not turn up on Thursday. Josh admits that he finds her captivating on stage, but that he deserves more than he’s getting in the relationship. Lily reveals that she’s not going to travel with Mason in Australia but is just going to spend a short time in Perth. They no longer need to look for a new housemate. Lily will speak to Dane about the wedding planner job. Now that she’s staying around, she’s motivated to get the house clean before Shula arrives tomorrow, despite them feeling ill. Leonard arrives and suggests a refreshing walk ahead of cleaning. Toasting Lily’s birthday in The Bull with lemonade, Paul shares that he is booking a driving instructor who specialises in nervous students. Returning home to The Stables, the grateful flatmates find that Leonard and Joy have completely cleaned the house.

Akram has been reflecting on the proposed move to Pakistan. Over the week he’s really noticed the impact Azra makes in the community. His family’s happiness is the most important - the children have made good friends and Azra is so at home in Ambridge. He has found it humbling. Azra admits that her earlier wishes to move had been her reaction to a bad week. Akram suggests that they take a family walk down to the Green for the Christmas lights switch on, as they all belong in this village now, him included.

Josh and Lily attempt to eat plain rice as their first meal after their illness, now confirmed as norovirus. They do not feel up to tidying the house ahead of Shula’s inspection. Instead of looking forward to Australia, Lily admits that she’s rethinking her trip plans. She’d still like to see her university friend in Perth, but doesn’t want to travel for a year. She wonders if her plans had been motivated by feelings of rejection at Lower Loxley. She is also not sure about her co-traveller Mason as she doesn’t know him very well. Josh’s girlfriend Nina is due to visit but as the day wears on it’s evident that she’s not coming.

Zainab chats to a distracted Azra and suggests a family trip to Deck the Hall at Lower Loxley. Azra confides that her difficult week has included the partners suggesting extended patient hours. Lottie calls from the surgery to say that the locum has called in ill. They are an hour behind schedule when Lawrence Harrington comes for his appointment with Dr Laing. He refuses to see his replacement, Dr Malik, and is rudely offensive to Lottie. His anger rising, Lawrence struggles to breathe and collapses. Azra performs emergency care, despite Lawrence’s protests. She reports later to Zainab that Lawrence has been taken to intensive care. Realising he was the same person who’d been racist to the Malik children, Azra was not sure he’d be grateful for her medical help today. She wonders if Akram was right - would the family be better off in Pakistan?

Receptionist Lottie and Azra are relieved to have heating again at the doctors’ surgery. However, their prescription delivery man is ill and they need an appropriate replacement. Azra wonders if Akram could step in. Alan has an appointment to discuss his low energy levels. He notes Lawrence Harrington’s inappropriate manner towards Lottie. She confirms to Alan that she suspects his attitude is racially motivated. During his appointment, Alan and Azra discuss Felpersham mosque’s structural issues. Until it is re-roofed, the Maliks will have to travel to Birmingham for Jummah. Alan suggests a temporary move to Ambridge for Friday prayers, and that he’d ask the Village Hal committee. Touched, Azra says that Akram will be amazed by the offer.

Josh and Lily are weakly attempting one of Joy’s jigsaws when Paul joins them from his sickbed. Paul has been blindsided by his appraisal with Alistair. He’s been warned that he has to pass his driving test to continue working at the vets’, as he’d agreed to get his licence on accepting the job. He confides that he’s terrified about attempting another test as he’s failed 7 times. Lily offers to teach Paul, but he reminds her that she’ll be in Australia for the next year. Josh texts to wish his girlfriend Nina luck for tonight’s big hometown gig. He’s evasive when she doesn’t reply. Paul and Lily are shocked that he is still thinking of funding her next album, when she is obviously not invested in their relationship. How could he not see it?

Akram is working hard to try and finish the repairs today. He broaches the idea of moving to Pakistan again. Akram thinks Khalil would do great there. While Zainab is adaptable, and student loans are cheaper if she changes her mind about university. Azra points out that visiting family is not the same as uprooting. Akram wants to be a farmer, not a plumber, and he’s not getting any younger. Ed and Leonard chat in the crowded waiting room. During Ed’s appointment about his wrist, he asks what counselling is available for George’s temper, but Azra says as he’s an adult she’s got to speak to George herself.

Paul has succumbed to whatever is going around the Stables. It clearly isn’t food poisoning. Josh slowly makes some toast. Lily’s stomach doesn’t agree with it. Josh and Lily discuss the job at Grey Gables. Leonard turns up masked and gloved to help the plagued household. He starts on cleaning up the kitchen. The discussion moves onto Lower Loxley and Lily’s lack of inheritance. Leonard suggests to Lily that Josh may feel similar with farm inheritance. Josh states it’s obvious that Pip is the golden girl. Josh confesses he thought it might be his own fault for starting his business. Luckily, Nina is going to pop in on Thursday to give him some TLC.

Azra tells Akram he doesn’t have to go back to Pakistan to be a farmer. Akram explains that land is expensive, besides, Pakistan is their true home, would he really be accepted in farming here?

At the Stables, Paul is smug whilst Lily and Josh feel delicate. Lily blames Josh’s roast. Josh blames Lily’s cauliflower cheese. Paul thinks it’s the third jug of cocktail. Paul’s full fry up is not appreciated by the pair. Josh calls in sick, whilst Lily drags herself to work. Zainab questions Lily over room rates, whilst Lily goes pale and faints. Zainab helps Lily back home and they find Josh in a similar condition. They both think it’s more than the alcohol. Zainab calls her mum Azra to ask for advice on what to do with food poisoning. Azra advises Josh and Lily to stick to plain foods and just water or squash. Paul has forgotten his yearly appraisal with Alistair is today. Alistair’s glad that Paul is still at the vets after the difficult personal events of the last year. Paul is exemplary with patient care, but his lack of a driving licence is causing problems. Paul promises to get on to passing his test. Ben drops stool sample kits to Lily and Josh who aren’t feeling any better. Paul is then forced into the role of nurse.

Ben and Azra set up space heaters from Brookfield in the surgery waiting room. Ben recalls Akram’s copper pipe rant, whilst the portable hand washing stations arrive. Azra and Zainab discuss Akram’s work at the surgery and how Akram wants the family to relocate to Pakistan. Zainab thinks it would be a pretty huge change for them all.

The flat at the Stables is a complete mess whilst Josh, Paul, and Lily try to pin the blame on each other. The boys question Lily’s Australian tour, as she searches for her passport amongst the rubbish. Lily is determined to go and miss the UK winter despite their ribbing and finds her passport under a broken games console. Paul brokers peace with the bickering over plans for the Sunday roast. Everyone is pitching in with a Brookfield beef roast, cauliflower cheese, sponge pudding and cocktails. Stuffed and slumped, they plan a Christmas dinner to make up for Lily being away. Josh receives a text from Shula: she is coming on Saturday to Ambridge and plans to call in for a visit. The Stables need a deep clean and tidy, but that can wait until tomorrow.

Zainab and Azra discuss their plans for the day. Azra is heading into work to check the IT system records against her manual notes as she’s not convinced the system is recording the data for tests properly. Zainab is looking forward to getting her scooter back. The repairs should have her back on deliveries soon. When Azra arrives at the surgery, she has to quickly call for help. When Zainab picks up, Azra needs Akram urgently as the waiting room is flooded. A shivering Azra arrives home later; the pipes have pinholes and until they’re replaced the surgery will have to go without heating. Azra is left to plan out the week without running water or heat.

Susan’s convinced there’ll be bad news about the shop; what if Hazel wants to sell? Neil reckons there’s no point panicking at this stage; there are other options. Susan’s not convinced about Ian’s pizza van double act plan. When Ian comes round later full of ideas Susan begins to employ her strategy of letting him down gently. However she takes a call from Hazel, and just as Neil’s struggling to hold off Ian’s enthusiasm she returns with the fantastic news that the building work’s finished. The shop can re-open next week. Delighted Neil and Susan declare it’s a shame Ian’s collaboration scheme won’t work out. Ian’s philosophical – no creative thinking is ever wasted and it’s opened up his mind to new possibilities.

Ed passes off the bruise on his face as the result of a branch hitting him. Emma’s sympathetic. George calls in and Emma heads off to pick up Keira from the cinema, leaving Ed and George alone. George is shocked at the state of Ed’s eye. He thinks Ed shouldn’t make excuses for him – he’s a monster. The anger took over. Ed understands George couldn’t control it. George thinks he should be back in prison before he does something else. Ed suggests instead that he gets help in the form of counselling. George agrees to make a GP appointment. He doesn’t want his mum to know the reason so they agree they’ll just tell her he’s struggling. George admits he’s been a nightmare. Ed assures him they love him and nothing’s ever going to change that.

Joy wants a catch-up with Tony and Hannah about the tractor run. She lists other participants’ plans, majoring on their festive themes. She doesn’t want Hannah and Tony to feel uncomfortable with their space and sea creature tractors. Hannah and Tony laugh when they realise they’ve both been fibbing to Joy in order to keep their real concepts under wraps. They each claim their entries will be special and will require a prime slot in the order as the main attraction. They agree to be judged on whose tractor collects the most money for charity.

Ed confesses to Brad that he’s never seen George this low. He remarks it’s understandable given the situation with Amber. Brad agrees uneasily. Ed suggests they all go bowling tonight to distract George a bit. Awkward Brad accepts, but later calls George and makes an excuse not to go.

Working with George on some trees at Berrow, Ed struggles with his wrist. Alistair spots his predicament and comes to his aid, helping him put a support brace on and recommending he gets it properly checked out. Miserable George reckons Brad doesn’t want to spend time with him. His life’s a disaster. Ed points out George’s family love him but George is inconsolable, declaring it would be better if he was still in prison. Ed counsels that he needs to stop pushing people away or he’ll end up on his own. It’s all too much for George and he hits Ed. Immediately appalled, he apologises to Ed before breaking down in tears. Ed holds him reassuringly.

Joy’s curious to see what Tony’s concocting in his workshop for the tractor run. She’s worried some people aren’t sticking to the Christmassy brief. She’s open to a broad interpretation, but she’d imagined something generally festive. Tony declares his theme is sea creatures – but he can definitely incorporate Christmas. Joy’s anxious; she doesn’t want it all to look random. But Tony thinks it’ll be fun to have some variation. He suggests everyone should relax. It will all work out fine in the end.

Eddie unveils his automatic turkey plucking machine ready for the big day. It looks promising though it makes a bit of a racket. Clarrie has errands to run before they start, and calls in on busy Pat and Tony. Pat notices Clarrie’s arthritis has flared up again and wonders how Clarrie will manage the turkey plucking. Clarrie reports Eddie’s enterprising creation – though she’s not counting her chickens! Sure enough there’s disaster later when the first turkey in the machine gets mangled. Clarrie concludes that they can’t risk ruining all of them – they’ll have to go back to the manual plucking method. Eddie’s deflated. He really wanted to save Clarrie’s hands. However Pat turns up in the nick of time [to save the day]. She rolls up her sleeves, and the plucking starts in earnest. Birds all done, Clarrie expresses her gratitude. Pat’s happy to help. They make a good team, and she misses Clarrie’s presence at Bridge Farm. They might not see one another at work anymore, but they agree they’re still always there for each other.