Ryan catches Luke on the phone trying to get details of ferry sailings to Ireland. They have a run-in during which Ryan assumes that the escape plan is due to Katie giving her brother a hard time.
Later, Ryan bumps into Katie outside a local shop (no, not the garage, this is a first-time-never-seen-before shop; it's not even on the parade - ooh, daring, eh?) and tells her to "stop giving my brother grief". To the accompanying sounds of a Sally Army band playing Christmas carols (didn't spot Mr Moore with them, though!), Katie retorts that it's him, Ryan, whom Luke's trying to get away from.
Once back in the safe haven of Bar Brookie (!), Katie is telling Jacqui about Luke's 'pretend' confession. Jacqui isn't taken in by it at all:
"Oh, come on Katie, you've got to admit this is well-dodgy." (Which, is Jacqui's way of saying, 'I don't believe that anyone would just admit rape for convenience-sake'.)
Having had this seed of doubt sown in her mind, Katie challenges Luke:
"It doesn't add up. One word from you and she [Nikki] decides life is worth living."
"You've got it all wrong," insists Luke, gradually moving closer to tears. "It wasn't rape. We had sex. That was all."
"I knew it. Oh my God."
"She was up for it."
"She was unconscious."
By this time, Ryan's well out of the way - he's taken Lia back to Scotland.
Back on the Close, Ray is building one of Jessie's Christmas presents. Yes, I did say 'building', he's constructing a low fence around the front garden of the bungalow. (Didn't Bev put one of these around Casa Bevron, some years ago?)
Max is struggling to affix some coloured lights around the front of Number Seven and Ray offers to lend a hand. In fact, Ray isn't the only one to assist - Jimmy comes across supplying his own individual brand of help (if 'help' is the right word for it!).
Jimmy dislikes Max's wreath hanging on the front door and immediately suggests that the kids would be better served if it were replaced by a "placky santa".
"Placky does not mean tacky," insists Jimmy. No doubt Max disagreed, but he kept whatever thoughts he was having on this one well and truly to himself.
In Number Five, Mick is giving Gemma the third degree. He tells her that he's been getting more and more displeased with her attitude recently:
"You're turning into a spoilt little brat. And the worst thing is, I've only got myself to blame," he says.
Gemma specifically denies smoking pot in Barbados and accuses her friend Caroline's parents of being liars and racists. Mick decides to have word with them upon their return. This development seems to unnerve Gemma and she tries to dissuade him.
Mick and Sinbad are distracted by the sound of laughter coming from outside (Max, Jimmy and Ray) and troop out to see what's going on. It's not long before all five are safely ensconced in Mick's house eating, drinking, making merry and watching the 'home cinema'. Oh, and painting - Jimmy, Sin and Max turn one wall in Mick's living room into a festive mural. Max and Sinbad acquiring themselves Rudolph-style festive red noses in the process!
Episode written by Carmel Morgan
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001