Episode 5483 (18th December 2009)

==Plot==
Already feeling immense pressure to deliver on the Christmas festivities, Ashley's on the verge of cracking but perks up when he hears Laurel's voice on the phone. Disheartened to realise that Laurel only wants to make arrangements to see Gabby on Christmas Day, Ashley's hopes of a reunion are quickly dashed. Concerned for Ashley, Sally and Edna are en route to see him but are accosted by an irate Nicola in the street. Ashley angrily opens the door to a frantic Edna as an argument rages between Sally and Nicola. Simmering inside Mulberry, Edna pleads with Ashley to return to his duties, while Sally covertly steals one of Ashley's Christmas cards. Later, as Edna airs her woes in The Woolpack, Doug angrily follows Sally out after she makes a show of being the only one on Ashley's side. Meanwhile, keen to build bridges with her daughter, Charity checks in on Debbie to make sure that she's okay following her ordeal with Carl. She's crushed, though, by Debbie's dismissal. Later, Charity calls at Tug Ghyll and is surprised when Debbie asks if she wants to bring Noah around on Christmas Day. Elsewhere, Eric's insulted when Terry questions his culinary skills. Insisting that he's up to the challenge, Eric invites Terry, Brenda and David around later that evening, promising a meal that they won't forget. After they've eaten, Eric encourages some feedback but fails to accept the constructive criticism and challenges Brenda and Terry to do better. Also, despite arranging a romantic night with Natasha, Mark meets up with Faye and they agree to tell everyone about their affair after Christmas.
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Betty Eagleton - Paula Tilbrook
*Pearl Ladderbanks - Meg Johnson
*Edna Birch - Shirley Stelfox
*Sally Spode - Sian Reeves
*Douglas Potts - Duncan Preston
*Natasha Wylde - Amanda Donohoe
*Mark Wylde - Maxwell Caulfield
*Faye Lamb - Kim Thomson
*Debbie Dingle - Charley Webb
*Charity Tate - Emma Atkins
*Jimmy King - Nick Miles
*Nicola De Souza - Nicola Wheeler
*Chas Dingle - Lucy Pargeter
*Ashley Thomas - John Middleton
*Rodney Blackstock - Patrick Mower
*Sandy Thomas - Freddie Jones
*Carl King - Tom Lister
*Katie Sugden - Sammy Winward
*Maisie Wylde - Alice Coulthard
*Diane Sugden - Elizabeth Estensen
*Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
*Terry Woods - Billy Hartman
*David Metcalfe - Matthew Wolfenden
*Brenda Walker - Lesley Dunlop
*Ryan Lamb - James Sutton
*Val Pollard - Charlie Hardwick
*Olena Petrovich - Carolin Stoltz
===Guest cast===
None.
==Locations==
*Church Lane car park
*Main Street
*Home Farm Fayre - Exterior
*Tug Ghyll - Living room/kitchen
*Mill Cottage - Dining room, kitchen and living room
*Mulberry Cottage - Kitchen, living room and front garden
*The Woolpack - Public bar and car park
*Café Hope - Café
*Windsor & Dingle - Forecourt
*Unknown road
*The Grange - Guest lounge and dining room
*Woodbine Cottage - Living room
==Notes==
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 7,270,000 viewers (14th place).
Category:2009 episodes
Category:Emmerdale episodes