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After Phil鈥檚 had a bad night, Sharon suggests they concentrate on making plans for Christmas. Surly Ben doesn鈥檛 see the point. Phil wants Sharon to face facts that this could be his last Christmas and requests the family leave him alone for the day. Sharon鈥檚 hurt. In the Vic, Linda offers a shoulder to cry on; Sharon鈥檚 upset that Phil doesn鈥檛 want her around when he鈥檚 sick. Linda knows of a pub in Effing Forest where they could spend Christmas - or Sharon needs to find a way to make Christmas easy for Phil.

Sharon gets a brainwave. Helped by Martin and Jay, Sharon gives Phil his Christmas present early - a remote controlled reclining armchair. Sharon enthuses Phil doesn鈥檛 have to move all Christmas day but angry Phil rejects the gift and accuses Sharon of parading him around to have people gawp at him. Sharon protests, and tries to convince Phil he鈥檒l feel differently once he gets his transplant. Phil won鈥檛 be comforted - he can鈥檛 help thinking of some other Sharon losing her Phil so he can live. Sharon pleads Phil consider his own family on Christmas Day, thinking of him dying alone. Phil begs for Sharon鈥檚 understanding - he just wants peace.

Later, Sharon calls a family meeting and announces Phil鈥檚 armchair is going back to the shop - she鈥檚 decided to respect Phil鈥檚 wishes and has booked them into a pub for Christmas Day. Louise is shocked. Sharon tries to convince her they need to face the fact that Phil might not get a donor. Louise shouts that Sharon has no right to give up but Sharon鈥檚 firm - Phil鈥檚 already made that decision. Alone in the kitchen, Sharon begins to sob.

Mick tries to buoy Linda for Christmas, but she鈥檚 not in the mood after the robbery and with Nancy away. Whitney borrows egg cups to make Lee a special breakfast as he鈥檚 been stressed with work. Mick preps his Santa outfit for the traditional Vic grotto, but Linda refuses to have one this year. At No.5B, Whitney worries to Lee that Linda鈥檚 still shaken up about the robbery. Lee snaps that Linda should get over it and leaves his breakfast untouched. Mick seeks Jack鈥檚 advice on a Christmas present to cheer Linda up. When Jack muses Ronnie gets fired up if there鈥檚 a sense of injustice to fight for, Mick plots to throw Jack a wild Stag party. On learning of Mick鈥檚 plan, Linda鈥檚 irked but assures Mick his plan to get her fired up over Christmas won鈥檛 work.

Stressed Ronnie wishes she could put Christmas on hold when the buyer for No.27 pulls out and the wedding band cancels, and peruses a holiday cottage website as she day dreams. Hung-over Roxy stumbles in to see Amy, spots the website and accuses Ronnie of plotting to take Amy away over Christmas without telling her. Later on the market, Donna confides in Ronnie she may have upset Roxy. Ronnie assures Roxy she鈥檚 not planning a holiday, and wants to know what Donna said. Roxy keeps schtum. While Jack organises an open house at No.27, Ronnie tries to find a wedding band. Seeing Ronnie鈥檚 stress, Jack suggests getting Roxy to help with the wedding. Ronnie finds Roxy in the Vic, hiding out from the low mood at No.55. Ronnie asks Roxy to pick up her bridesmaid dresses, confirm the lunch selections and help decorate the church for the nativity. Roxy鈥檚 chuffed to be needed.

Martin wolfs down breakfast while he rehearses his lines for 鈥楢 Christmas Carol鈥�, keen to impress Derek. Ian鈥檚 bought another vanload of Christmas trees, even though Martin鈥檚 already sold one to everyone in Walford. Lily鈥檚 heartbroken when Ian won鈥檛 give Martin time off for her school nativity. Stacey fumes and later, when Steven arrives with a hair-brained scheme from Ian about a Pop-up Christmas Tree stall, vents her frustrations at him.

When the unenthusiastic market traders won鈥檛 give her any dates for their Christmas party, Carmel books a restaurant for 29th December.

Billy鈥檚 bought Janet a tablet for Christmas, and boasts to Sharon and Jay he鈥檚 been invited to the council鈥檚 Christmas drinks for entrepreneurs and businessmen.