Episode 5484 (21st December 2009)

==Plot==
A plan forms in Sally's mind when she discovers that Laurel used to organise the church carol service. Sally tells Sandy to hold off cancelling it and insists that she'll sort it all out. Later, she drags a reluctant Ashley into the village and he's touched to see that she's had the tree decorated and has sorted the carol service in the village hall. As the service comes to an end, Ashley tentatively steps forward to give a moving speech and everyone's touched by his sincerity. After the service, Ashley thanks Sally for her kindness and apologises for pushing her away. She smiles knowingly and it's clear that she's hoping Ashley is growing closer to her. Meanwhile, Ryan's delighted when Maisie offers to help him buy a Christmas present for Katie. However, as they choose a handbag, they find themselves playfully teasing each other. Back at Home Farm, Ryan gives Maisie a keyring to say thank you for helping him and as they hold each other's stare, both are unsettled to feel an attraction. Terry rises to the challenge and prepares a dinner party for Val and Eric. Eric's unimpressed to find that Terry has only cooked a stew but he and Val eat their words and are forced to agree that it was a lovely meal - it just lacked the wow factor. When Terry tells them how much profit they could make on decent, traditional home cooking, Eric and Val quickly lap up his idea.
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Ashley Thomas - John Middleton
*Sandy Thomas - Freddie Jones
*Mark Wylde - Maxwell Caulfield
*Will Wylde - Oscar Lloyd
*Natasha Wylde - Amanda Donohoe
*Douglas Potts - Duncan Preston
*Faye Lamb - Kim Thomson
*Pearl Ladderbanks - Meg Johnson
*Jamie Hope - Alex Carter
*Sally Spode - Sian Reeves
*Betty Eagleton - Paula Tilbrook
*Edna Birch - Shirley Stelfox
*Brenda Walker - Lesley Dunlop
*Maisie Wylde - Alice Coulthard
*Ryan Lamb - James Sutton
*Nikhil Sharma - Rik Makarem
*Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
*Terry Woods - Billy Hartman
*Bob Hope - Tony Audenshaw
*Gennie Walker - Sian Reese-Williams
*Zak Dingle - Steve Halliwell
*Belle Dingle - Eden Taylor-Draper
*Lisa Dingle - Jane Cox
*Adele Allfrey - Tanya Vital
*Eli Dingle - Joseph Gilgun
*Jai Sharma - Christopher Bisson
*Val Pollard - Charlie Hardwick
*Moira Barton - Natalie J Robb
===Guest cast===
None.
==Locations==
*Mulberry Cottage - Living room
*Main Street
*Home Farm Fayre - Exterior
*Church Lane
*Church Lane car park
*Café Hope - Café
*Village Store, Post Office & Off-Licence - Exterior and shop floor
*Emmerdale Village Institute - Main hall
*Sharma & Sharma - Factory floor and office
*Department store
*The Woolpack - Public bar
*Home Farm - Hallway
==Notes==
*Stuart St Paul was credited as Stunt Co-ordinator on this episode.
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 7,230,000 viewers (18th place).
Category:2009 episodes
Category:Emmerdale episodes