23rd December 2021

Becca checks herself in the mirror in the RR backroom after being sick again. She holds a pregnancy kit in her hand, while Liz comes downstairs and Becca puts the kit in her pocket. Becca praises a tarted-up Liz, who vows to get her man back. Lydia arrives in for work and asks Becca if she's okay. Liz tells her to look after herself and heads off. Becca tells Lydia how she feels so sick. Liz gets some food from the grocery shop and asks Audrey if Paul is around. Audrey and Liz chat about Christmas in a couple of days. Audrey thinks Liz looks great. Meanwhile, Lydia tells Becca to take the test. Becca can't bring herself to doing it and claims that they have a lot of work to do. Paul bumps into Jane outside the Bistro, where they see the devastated building. Paul asks Jane if Barry is doing okay. Liz and Claudia chat in the RR, and she asks what her plans are for Christmas and learn that Terry has been very productive. Steve and John joke around. Paul feels bad, and goes to Micheal's house to tell him that it's unlikely that the police will press charges, and if they do, it will come out of their business. Micheal thanks Paul for his Christmas spirit. Micheal reckons that Alvin spoke to Paul, who arrives at the RR. Liz and Audrey chat. Steve asks Karyn if she's okay, and asks if Piper wants her drinks do here. Karyn says it's all sorted. Liz is approached by Paul, where Liz vows to get things back on track. Audrey and Claudia cheer her on, but a guilt ridden Paul vows to end their relationship completely. Becca tells Lydia to mind the bar as she gets a call from Steve upstairs in the bedroom. Steve is there shirtless and vows to get it on to cheer Becca up. Becca pushes him back and tells him that she feels sick. Steve can see something is wrong, and Becca pulls out the pregnancy kit. Becca tells him she reckons she could be. Steve gives Becca courage and she doubts she is pregnant because of their failed attempts throughout the year. Liz downs her drink. Becca finds out she isn't pregnant and confides in Steve. They hope to forget about this and to enjoy Christmas with Amy. Steve finds Paul sitting outside and Paul praises Liz. Steve tells Paul that it's okay and that they did make a great couple. Paul tells Steve to look after Liz.

Sam and Laura endure another breakfast of chaos with the kids. Sam insists that Anthony should stay with Nick over Christmas annoying Laura who heads to work. Imelda tells Sam that he asked for that. Karl is surprised on his way to the bar, as he bumps into Claudia who wishes him well with the wedding. Karl feels a bit better and enters the bar to asks Sam how the stag planning is going. Sam suggests the bar that he and Andrea first kissed, and Karl wants it as the RR. Sam is happy that that is sorted. Tracey asks Ian if Amy is joining them for Christmas. Ian tells her that he will ask Becca, while Piper tells Karyn that they are meeting later to discuss the wedding and Christmas. Karyn heads to the bar, and tells Karl that the secret has to remain a secret. Karl insists that he guess he has no choice. Karyn heads back on her lounge wear and Tommy whistles at her and she tells him to get lost. Tracey cleans the house and is distressed, and calls Laura. Laura, on the other hand is busy in the bar, continuing to argue with Sam about the space issue at home. Laura is annoyed that Piper is off, leading to another row with Sam as Sam arranged the rota. Laura storms off into the bar side. Karyn takes some more pills, and checks the time, realising that she has to meet Des and Piper. Des and Piper chat about the impending big day. Rick arrives at the bar. Sam makes it clear that Alicia doesn't need a laptop, but Rick insists she's getting older and will require one. Laura surprisingly defends Rick as she puts glasses angrily on the table. Rick enjoys the moment, and senses the tension. Laura retreats to the conversation saying that Rick can't join them for Christmas. Tracey confides in David at home, and tells him how she's unable to confide in Ian as she feels really guilty. Karyn bumps into Jeff on her way to Des' and is reminded of her betrayal to Piper. Karyn heads to the corner shop and checks out the alcohol. She buys wine and heads off to Tracey's. Jeff is confused and chats to Audrey and learns that Karyn bought some wine. David mentions Christmas to her, and Tracey isn't looking forward to it at all, also mentioning how Jim almost raped Samantha. Karyn is at Tracey's door and insists on coming in as she needs her best friend. Tracey tells David to just go to the other room. Tracey opens the door as Karyn sobs into Tracey arms. Tracey asks her to sit down. Piper waits anxiously for Karyn and Des mentions that Karyn is behaving odd for someone being made bridesmaid. Imelda arrives too. Karyn tells Tracey how she slept with Karl when Piper and Karl had split. Piper calls and Karyn insists that she must get over there. David opens the door and Tracey tells him to go. He assures her that her problems are insignificant to Karyn's, and to be grateful. Tracey thanks David. As Karyn arrives at the Stephenson's, Piper settles her down and they joke about the hen-do.

Alvin anxiously sits in his grand office, and notices Amanda has arrived as she gets out of her car and struts into the office. As Alvin prepares to hide and claim to not be in. Amanda catches him and tells him to crack a smile for getting Marc arrested. Amanda tells him that she is proud of him, while Marc is reeling and storms out of prison upon his release. Marya asks Elle what her plans are for today as Elle vows to move on with the life and focus on the salon. Elle is happy to have Marya on side. Marc asks for a drink just as the RR opens and Steve is concerned and suggests calling Elle. Marc asks Steve if he wants his business or not, while Steve lets him in. Claudia joins Elle for coffee at the cafe and they chat about Karl getting remarried. Elle asks Claudia how she feels and Claudia is happy that Elle wants to move on with her life and not focus on Marc. Natasha arrives and insist that Elle should give Marc a chance given that it's Christmas. As Natasha continues to plead, Claudia insists that she has said what she has needed to say. Natasha gets the message, while Elle decides to head to work. Claudia pops into the corner-shop and they chat about Christmas and the shop bargains. Claudia asks her how it feels to not have Stella around. Steve tells Marc to go easy on the drinks and to take care as he heads off. Before Elle gets to the Leighton Locks, Marya asks Amanda if Elle is around at the Salon. Marya is annoyed at Amanda for siding with Marc. Amanda wants to know what her problem is, just as Elle arrives. Marya leaves. Elle asks what that was about. Dan notices Alvin at the bar, as he has a drink with Clare. He asks if he is working over Christmas as Alvin warns him to mind his own. Dan senses that Alvin is in trouble. Dan corners him and asks if its about the Bistro. Alvin tells him to mind his own (!). Amanda arrives and lathers herself on Alvin, who isn't feeling flirty and keen; and heads to the loo. Amanda complains about his mood. Dan tells Amanda that Alvin is in some kind of trouble. Amanda tells Dan that she has left Elle to deal with the business for today. Marya asks Steve if Marc was around and learns he had a few drinks earlier today. Marc sits at the park. Amanda waits for Alvin to finish in the loo and asks him if something has happened. Alvin says nothing, and insists on spending Christmas with her. Amanda pleads him to talk to her. As they head upstairs from the restrooms, Amanda catches Marya and warns her what side to stay on if she plans to keep her job at the salon. A peeved off Marya scoffs and heads out angrily.