24th December 2021

Marya finds Marc playing with a rubics cube at the park, where she accompanies him and compliments his smartness. Marya feels like Marc may have been framed as the whole situation seems off. Marya complains about Amanda and Alvin. Marya insists that he comes over to smarten up. Marc agrees. while Dan fills Clare in on Alvin's scandals in the past and how he is not be trusted. Dan pities Alvin. Clare tells him that you should always give second chances. Lydia gets another round in, and Clare asks how she is. Eileen rushes out the charity shop door withe some more gifts, and Claudia asks Paula how the gift raising is going. Paula tells her about Amanda's donation. Eileen complains about how stingy people can be. Alan Nash enters and also vows to donate. Claudia asks if there is a Mrs Nash, and he explains that he has been single for a while now, Claudia tells him that she has a date for him. Alan is intrigued, while Alvin leaves Aaron a tense voicemail stating that he ought to stay on the down low. Amanda comes in and asks what that was about. Alvin, reluctantly denies any problems. Amanda rolls her eyes and locks the door. Marya tells Marc to look for a job and they start looking together. Marc decides to go for shower as a break, and Marya catches him with just a towel on. Alvin lies to Amanda and claims that the Solicitors needs investment. Amanda vows to help him find that. Alvin suggests that if he invests in the salon with a loan then it could benefit them greatly. Amanda tells Alvin to dip into his saving to fund the solicitors instead of the Salon, but Alvin reveals that the banks won't give him money and he can't spend all his savings. Alvin insists the he has enough money to invest in the salon, but Amanda rejects the proposal. Marya tells Marc to leave as Elle will be home soon. Marc thanks her for the time, and Marya needs sort out her Paul. Marya tells Marc not to say anything to Elle. Marc thanks her again, and moves in for a kiss. They both passionately kiss. Amanda pops into the salon and checks on Elle. Amanda tells Elle to come round for Christmas. Elle wants a quiet one with Marya, but Amanda warns her that Marya could be on Marc's side. Elle claims that that would never happen. Natasha bumps into Marc who feels more optimistic about life. Natasha feels hopeful for Marc's mental state. Amanda shuts the salon, and finds Jonny and they chat about Christmas. Amanda insists that they get food in, as Jonny or Amanda won't cook. Jonny wants to know why she is so excited and learns that Alvin will be coming to join them also. Marc pops into the RR and Steve is delighted to seen him perkier. Claudia finishes her drink after seeing Marc, and also tells Liz, whose behind the bar, that Nash would be perfect for her.

Ian pops into the RR and chats to Steve, while Candace arrives for her shift and chats to Becca about a reality show she watches last night. Becca rolls her eyes and heads to the bar, where Ian asks Steve about having Amy over at Christmas. Becca insists that she is having Christmas at theirs, and that she is excited. Becca tells Ian that he is most welcome to spend Christmas at theirs. Candace does her make up. Ian heads out and Steve asks Becca is she is okay about the situation. Steve is happy as Lydia walks in and reminds them of Karl's stag. Liz wows Candace with her outfit and tells her that she has a date. Liz heads to the bar and asks Steve if having all three on shift is necessary. Becca goes for fag outside and tells Ian that he and Steve are trying for a baby. Ian understands and wishes her luck and wishes them a Merry Christmas. Lydia is annoyed as Candace pops out. Steve supports Becca in their bedroom after she is upset over their failed attempts. Steve is annoyed that she's been smoking and leaves the room as Lydia calls for help at the bar. Candace rushes into the corner shop and asks for Paul. Audrey wrongly thinks she is taking over her shift and excitedly talks to herself about her afternoon off. Candace switches Paul's TV and asks if he has a date with Liz, and tells him that Liz has a date this evening. Paul insists that he doesn't care and Candace tells him that she knows when he is lying. Natasha and David's sex talk is disturbed by Marc again, who heads out. Natasha pleads him to join him to go to town for a new dress tonight in order to out-dress Karyn. Candace heads out, and Audrey is shocked that she now has to work that afternoon. Lydia can see Becca is feeling glum. Steve plays with Amy in the backroom and Becca and Liz gossip about Candace and her reality shows. Natasha and David have coffee in town and are excited over tonight. Natasha feels bad for Jane and thinks she ought to check on her. David feels bad for Karyn, and Natasha wants to know why. David realises he has opened a can of worms and Natasha can tell he is hiding something. Becca goes into the back room as Candace arrives, and apologises to Steve over the smoking situation. As they play with Amy, Becca mentions how she told Ian about them trying for a baby. Steve attempt's to mask his annoyance over her interaction with Ian. Becca is upset that she has let down Steve again. Audrey is fed up of Paul's sulking as he helps around the shop and Audrey susses that it's about Liz and explains how she never really thought much of Liz until he humiliated her in front of her and Claudia. Paul shares his unsavoury thoughts leaving Audrey to tells him that he doesn't deserve a relationship, and that Liz is better off. Paul thinks to himself. Liz asks Becca if him and Steve are okay. Paul arrives at the RR and Liz coldly serves him. Paul realises there's no point dredging-up what happened and wishes her a Merry Christmas.

Tracey checks up on Karyn at her home. Tracey asks if anyone’s in. Tracey pities Karyn and encourages her to reveal all now to Piper. Karyn is unable to do so given how she promised Karl that the secret must remain a secret and given what happened with Andrea. Tracey isn’t happy with her decision and vows not to attend the hen-do. Karyn pleads her to come to make things appear normal. Tracey considers, while Piper gets her hair done by Elle and they chat about marriage. Piper learns that Elle and Marc are over. Elle wishes her luck as she leaves. Sam and Laura chat at the café and make up over their argument yesterday. Laura tells her she has a busy day sorting the hen-do, while Rick enters the café. He asks Sam if he’s ready for Karl’s stag. Steve lines the drinks up. Ian and Steve chat. Steve tells Ian he knows that Becca told him about them trying for a child. Ian wishes them the best of luck. Sam and Rick arrive and wonder where Karl is. Karl pops outside of the corner shop, and bumps into Tracey who has a go for sleeping with Karyn given what happened with Andrea. Karl tells her to keep her beak out. Piper and Laura chat as they prepare the drinks. Laura insists she relaxes and teases her over holiday pay. Natasha walks in, and Piper insists she joins, but to stay out of Karyn’s way. Karyn comes downstairs and finds Karl reeling that Tracey knows. They row. Karl threatens to kick her out. Sam, Rick and Ian enjoy shots at the RR. Liz warns them to go steady. Liz tells Steve she is upset as Andrea would be in her element now. Karyn tells Tracey at Laura’s bar that she just had an altercation with Karl. Karyn takes he pills and Natasha can see from the other side of the bar. Tracey is happy for Piper and asks about Natasha being there. Karyn gets a drink and Natasha gets it for her, and makes a dig about her pills. Karyn ignores her and settles down. David joins Sam and Karl as they play darts. Natasha heads to the RR and snuggles with David, in awe that he is entertaining Karl’s infidelity. David tells her that she must keep schtum. Sam drags David up to play his round. Rick gets a round in and Steve calls him a big spender. Sam watches on. Piper and Laura sing karaoke. Imelda and Des make a move. A drunken Karyn continues to enjoy the night and Tracey asks if that’s a good idea. Karyn insists she leaves and joins Piper with the singing. Sam finds Rick vaping outside the RR and they chat about his old job. Sam calls his bluff about stealing from the bar and a reeling Sam wants to know why. Rick offers to pay it back it he can work there as a barman and warns him that he could ruin Karl’s stag night by making a scene. Sam insists that he buys him drinks all night. Karl calls a taxi. Marc is drunk and gets in, while Natasha and David head home. Karl calls Sam and Rick over and they vow to enjoy the rest of the night.