22/12/2022

Brian’s Christmas shopping, accompanied by Kate and Alice. Kate’s still miffed with Jakob, but Alice points out he’s apologised with flowers for his behaviour yesterday. Brian agrees Jakob’s a good egg. Kate questions Alice’s plan in Martha’s interests to have Chris to stay over on Christmas Eve. Alice assures Kate everyone’s fine with it. They’re all looking forward to Christmas. The three of them laugh over various childhood recollections of this time of year, and Alice thanks Brian for the lovely memories they have. Kate comments it doesn’t feel like Christmas until she sees the wreath on her parents’ door, and there’s a warm moment as they think of Jennifer’s spectacular Christmases and how much she cherishes the decorations her children made years ago. Later, as Alice and Brian share more memories, Alice is rueful over Chris. Her dad reassures her there’ll be new memories, and new people, in time. As Lily and Adil rehearse for Jolene’s choir, she’s very happy with them. There’s banter over Adil’s lack of a festive jumper, and he shares with Lily why he’s found joining the choir fun and liberating. Lily’s pleased he gets joy from it. They realise they’re having a proper civil conversation, and begin to look forward to singing together tomorrow night. Adil comments he likes it when Lily doesn’t speak in a superior tone and there’s no tetchy stuff. This prompts Lily to declare Adil arrogant and lacking in self-awareness, and she huffs off. Desperate, Jolene seeks reassurance that they’ll be okay for the duet tomorrow, but there’s no response.