Episode 9884 (8th January 2024)

==Plot==
Part One:
Charity is struggling following recent events but does her best to hide her turmoil from her family. When Oscar knocks at the door, it's just the distraction she needs. Kim works from the café in the hopes of bumping into Lydia. At the Hide, Tracy bumps into Gabby and drops folios containing her business plan for the forest nursery. Gabby picks one up and begins reading. She's interested as she needs a new project. Charity takes Oscar over to the pub to see Gail and Ryan. Gail is about to take Oscar home when Oscar's adoptive mum Sophie storms into the backroom and questions what Gail and Ryan were thinking inviting Oscar there. Will shows Kim a fancy hamper he received from a client and suggests she give it to Lydia. Ryan asks Sophie if she had any idea how it made them feel thinking Oscar wanted nothing to do with them. Sophie protests she was trying to look after her son. After Charity takes Oscar through to the bar, Gail explains to Sophie that they didn't ask Oscar to come but he was upset to think they didn't want anything to do with him. Sophie apologises for lying. Gail accepts Sophie's apology but Ryan doesn't forgive so easily. Gail assures Sophie they don't want to take Oscar from her and suggests they ask Oscar what he wants. Charles meets with Bob, Brenda, and Eric at Pollard's Barn to discuss Heath's funeral arrangements. Charles suggests they start by talking about Heath but Bob can't handle it and walks out. Oscar meets Mack and asks him about Ryan's father. Charity becomes upset and makes excuses to leave the room. Lydia returns home to find Kim waiting on her doorstep with the hamper. Kim refuses to go anywhere until Lydia hears her out.
Part Two:
An emotional Charity explains to Mack that she thought she was done having to tell people about Bails - every time she thinks she's moved on, something happens and she has to relive it. She questions how much she should tell Oscar. Mack advises her to keep it simple as some things are better left unsaid. Kim tries to unpack the hamper but Lydia repacks it just as fast as she can get the jars out. Lydia begins throwing jars on the floor. She explains to Kim that she doesn't want to hate her but it's just another thing Craig has done to her. Kim urges Lydia not to let him. Oscar knows something is up with Charity as she's been weird ever since he asked about Ryan's dad. Charity states Ryan's dad wasn't a nice man. Oscar wants to know why he was in prison but Charity insists it doesn't matter. Oscar then asks Charity how old she is. Charity reveals she'll be 48 tomorrow. Oscar works out how old she was when Ryan was born and realises the implications of that. Brenda struggles to hold back her tears as she discusses he memories of Heath. Brenda declares this situation isn't fair and breaks down in tears. Caleb bumps into Tracy outside the shop where Tracy informs him Gabby is interested in her forest nursery, so when it becomes successful, she can buy him out. Oscar apologises to Sophie but explains he wanted to get to know his birth family and that doesn't mean he loves her any less. Sophie explains they're going to arrange time for him to visit properly but only after he's fully recovered. Charity states they'll look forward to it. Kim cleans up the mess Lydia made. Lydia isn't impressed by her cleaning skills and soon discovers she's using a pair of Zak's old underwear to wipe up. After Kim gets over her horror, the pair laugh hysterically. Sam and Will hear them laughing from outside and are glad their friendship is back on track. Noah returns home and begins playing a first-person shooter video game. The noise from the gunshots triggers Charity and she has a flashback of Harry's death. She's so distressed that she breaks the glass she's washing and cuts her hand. 
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Charity Dingle - Emma Atkins
*Noah Dingle - Jack Downham
*Mackenzie Boyd - Lawrence Robb
*Will Taylor - Dean Andrews
*Kim Tate - Claire King
*Rodney Blackstock - Patrick Mower
*Wendy Posner - Susan Cookson
*Bob Hope - Tony Audenshaw
*Tracy Robinson - Amy Walsh
*Gabby Thomas - Rosie Bentham
*Caleb Miligan - William Ash
*Gail Loman - Rachael Gill-Davis
*Ryan Stocks - James Moore
*Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
*Charles Anderson - Kevin Mathurin
*Brenda Walker - Lesley Dunlop
*Lydia Dingle - Karen Blick
*Sam Dingle - James Hooton
===Guest cast===
*Oscar - Harley Hamilton
*Sophie - Martha Cope
==Locations==
*Jacobs Fold - Living room/kitchen and back garden
*Café Main Street - Interior
*Main Street
*Hotten Road
*Hawksford Outdoor Pursuits - Hide Bar and Bistro
*The Woolpack - Backroom, bar, toilet corridor, and forecourt
*Home Farm - Kitchen
*Pollard's Barn - Living room
*Wishing Well Cottage - Yard and living room/kitchen
*The Grange - Residents living room
*David's Shop - Forecourt
==Notes==
*This episode was shown at the slightly earlier time of 7:00pm to accommodate FA Cup football coverage which was shown immediately after this episode.
*At the end of the episode, Damon and Chloe Harris's voices are heard in an uncredited flashback from Episode 9870 (25th December 2023).
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 4,474,000 viewers (15th place).
Category:Emmerdale episodes
Category:2024 episodes
Category:Episodes outside of broadcast patterns