Vern is standing behind the desk at Blackmoor

He is addressing his staff

Vern - As governor, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my staff for their hard work here over the past few months. I realize that we have had testing times here since the death of Miss Ferguson, but you have all pulled together to help me run this place as best I can

Officer Owens- And may I say that you have done a terrific job yourself as governor Sir

Vern - Well thank you very much!

Marina stands arms folded across her chest. She looks extremely unimpressed. She rolls her eyes

Vern - Well for all of you who have the day off tomorrow to spend Christmas Day with your families, please have a lovely day and see you all soon

Officers together - Thanks, governor Schofield!

Vern nods his head

Vern - Ok dismissed!

They all begin to leave

Wentworth

The rec room is done up nicely for Christmas, with a lot of decorations and a tree. Ros, Marie, Spider, and Sasha are there

Meg arrives in the room and stands to inspect

Ros - What do you think of it Mrs Morris?

Meg - Yes very nice, do it yourself did you?

Sasha - Yes Ros and I did most of the work. These lazy bitches were supposed to help but decided they couldn't be bothered

Marie - I have never got the fuss about Christmas meself, a flaming waste of time if ya ask me

Meg - We have not really bothered to celebrate Christmas here since 1979, so this will make a nice change!

Ros grins cheekily

Ros - Hey Mrs Morris, do you remember the Christmas play we did for the women in 79?

Meg smiles back and groans

Meg - Yes, I haven't forgotten that Roslyn, despite my best efforts. That is probably the main reason we always cancelled Christmas every year after that, to avoid any more such plays!

Sasha - What play was this?

Ros - Oh myself, Bea, and the others had a laugh at the screw's expense. It was pretty funny

Meg - For you lot perhaps yes! None of the officers shared your feeling on that

Ros - Such a shame Bea and Lizzie aren't still here now, it would be nice to remember it together

Meg - Yes well somethings are better left in the past... but while we're on the subject of Smith I do not need to remind you that if any of you know where she is it's in your best interests to tell us

Marie groans

Marie - Oh not that again, how many times do we have to tell ya, none of us know or care where that fat bitch is. She could be anywhere by now

Spider- Yes and it's been months now!

Marie - I bet that fat bitch Bryant knows more than she's saying!

Meg - The police did question her, she refused to say anything

Sasha - Well I hope where ever Bea is she stays out and makes a life for herself

Meg - Need I remind you she is on the run with her granddaughter and the child could be in danger!

Ros - Well that's nonsense! Bea would never harm Chloe

Meg - Not intentionally no, but accidents can happen, especially when on the run from the law

Ros - Well I bet they are abroad now anyway. Somewhere far away enjoying Christmas in the free world

Officer Owens shows Lucy in to see Vern, she looks a mess

Vern - So you wanted to see me?

Lucy -Yes, I need to know if father will come and see me today? I need to see him for Christmas

Vern - I passed on my request for you, that is all I can do. I don't know if he will come or not, I'm sorry

Lucy - I have to see him for Christmas!

Vern - And like I say your request was passed on to him, now what else do you expect me to do?

Lucy shrugs

Lucy - Beg him for me on my behalf may be, I am desperate!

Vern - I tried my best...Take the prisoner back now Officer Owens

Officer Owens shows a subdued Lucy out of the room

Bob is standing proudly in the newly completed Wentworth restaurant

He has chef and Marcus Collins with him

Bob - Well fella's, here it is, the new restaurant! Completed just in time for Christmas too!

Chef - It looks very classy

Bob - Yes, that's what we wanted

Marcus - I'm glad we got it ready in time for your Christmas treat for the women Bob

Bob - Yes so am I, now I will tell them about it.....

......Some time has passed and the women are gathered in the Recroom

Bob, Chef, and Marcus are there

Bob - I gathered you all together to announce that the restaurant has officially been completed ready for opening

Sasha - Hey, nice one Mr Moran!

Bob - After Christmas, it will open properly, but in the meantime, I have a little surprise for you all

He turns to Marcus

Bob - I'll let you tell them

Marcus - Tomorrow Chef and I will be cooking a three-course Christmas lunch for you all....a proper high standard Christmas lunch, restaurant quality

The women look excited

Judy - Hey good one Mr Moran!

Sasha - Yes, thank you very much. it sounds lovely

Bob - It's a treat for Christmas. From me as your governor, I know it's hard being in here and away from your families any time of year, but Christmas is even harder. If I can do one small thing to give you all a nice Christmas then I'll do it and I hope your Christmas lunch will go some way to make it a nice day for you

Sasha walks up and hugs Bob

Sasha - You're a pretty bloody decent governor Mr Moran, a real kind and nice man

Bob (smiling) - Well i did have an ulterior motive as well. I mean Mr Collins and I do need to test run the restaurant first before it opens to the public too

Marina is enjoying a slice of Christmas cake in the staff room with Officer Owens

Marina -I've waited all day for this, I love Christmas cake

Officer Owens- Yes me too

Marina - I hate Christmas but love Christmas cake!

Officer Owens - So what will you be doing tomorrow?

Marina - Vern and I will be working, someone has to run this place on Christmas day and I don't mind because I hate Christmas. What about you?

Officer Owens - I will be spending the day with my family

Officer Owens looks sad for a moment

Officer Owens - I know this bunch in here are scum but I do feel a little sorry for them at Christmas time. They don't get to see their families or even enjoy any nice food. Just the usual awful prison food

Marina - Yes it seems harsh but they brought it on themselves

Officer Owens Oh- I agree, I just think it would hardly hurt to let them have a nice day for one day of the year. Give them some time out of cells, let them eat nice food. Just for Christmas time. but I know the department would never agree to that

Marina- No you're right they wouldn't, nor would Vern and i

Officer Owens - You can't even do something nice for them on Christmas day, use your own discretion behind the department's backs?

Marina - We could, but we won't. The scum will get their usual bowl of slop!

Officer Owens - I just find it harsh, that's all. At Christmas time, it's so sad

Marina - They don't stop being criminals at Christmas time you know!

Marie is in her cell as Spider strolls past in the corridor outside

Marie - Hey Simpson, get in here. I want a word with you

Spider walks in

Spider - Yeah? What is it, Marie?

Marie - It's about that bitch Sasha, she's gonna bloody pay for beating me in that fight the other week

Spider - Yeah sure!

Marie - Oh she is Simpson, believe me

Spider - That fight was ages ago, no one cares anymore. We've all moved on

Marie - Yeah well I bloody well ain't moved on! I don't forget when someone does that to me and I make sure they damn well pay for it

Spider - So what do you have planned then?#

Marina walks into Vern's office carrying a chunk of Christmas cake

Marina - My darling Vern, I bought you this lovely piece of cake. I wanted you to have a slice before it all went! It really is a lovely cake

Vern - Thanks Marina

Marina sits down in a chair as Vern appears to be doing paperwork

Marina - Why don't you put your pen down for a minute, take a break?

Vern - I have a lot of paperwork to do here

Marina - Well it can wait a while surely? Come on it's Christmas Eve, take a break!

Vern - Yes, well I suppose I could for a few minutes

Vern puts his pen down

Marina picks the plate up and holds the cake out in front of him

Marina - Do try a slice Vern, you will love it

Vern takes some cake and starts eating it

Vern - Oh blimey, this has brandy in it, doesn't it?

Marina - Yes, lovely isn't it!

Vern - Yes, very!

Marina - Shall I give you a massage to relax?

Vern - No, it's ok

Marina -No you look like you need one love

Marina gets up and walks around behind Vern and begins massaging his shoulders

Marina - That feels nice, does it?

Vern - MMM yes! You're right I did need to relax a bit

Marina carries on the massage

Marina - Glad to assist you, my love

Vern - Our chat the other week sunk in then I see? You are now making an effort to be friends again?

Marina - Yes darling, everything you said before was true I realize this now. Things will be better between us from now on

Vern - Well I'm glad

Marina - I had that silly soft-touch Officer Owens bleating on about how we should give the prisoners a nice Christmas. I said no chance, they will be treated the same as usual

They both laugh

Vern - That silly woman!

Marina - Yes, as if we would really treat this lot any better at Christmas time! Just what does she take us for?

Vern - Us two though, we will have a special Christmas lunch, right here in this office! We will have a feast!

Back with Spider and Marie

Marie - So tomorrow, the only Christmas surprise Cartwright will be getting is a trip to the pound courtesy of me

Spider - Well it's a good plan I admit it

Marie - Yeah and the best bit is that while she is in the pound I will take over as the top dog

Spider - Yeah I bet!

Marie - So you in with me or what Simpson?

Spider- Yeah I'm in!

Marie - Good girl....now I need you to get the drugs for me!

Spider smirks

Cassie and Aaron are wandering through a busy shopping mall, packed with shoppers

Cassie looks down in the dumps

Aaron - Darling what's wrong? You look so miserable and you're supposed to be happy at Christmas time

Cassie - Not having any money is depressing me. I would like to get me mum a nice gift, some perfume or something, but can't afford to. I wish we had saved some of that money Longfield gave us now, we could have used it to buy for Christmas

Aaron - Then just take something. If you can't afford to pay then don't pay

Cassie (shocked) - steal you mean?

Aaron grins

Aaron - Yes of course

Cassie - Oh that's a bad idea, I will blow my parole if I get caught

Aaron - Then don't get caught!

Aaron takes something out of his pocket to show Cassie, a bottle of aftershave

Aaron - I shoplifted this earlier when we were in the perfume shop, it's for my dad tomorrow

Cassie - I never saw you do it!

Aaron - No you wouldn't, I know exactly how to do it and not get caught. Every gift I got someone this year was shoplifted

Cassie - Including mine?

Aaron - Yeah, sorry. I'd pay for it if I could but I can't so I stole something for you

Cassie - Oh baby, you took the risk of stealing to get a gift for me, that's so sweet! What if you had been caught?

Aaron - I wouldn't because I never am. Now come on let's go to a shop and you can pick out a gift for your mum. I will teach you how to steal and not get caught

Cassie looks uneasy

Cassie - Aaron, I'm not sure about this. If I get caught I blow my parole. I don't want to let my mum down and be back inside on Christmas day

Aaron - Relax, I told you we won't get caught. Do you really think I would let you get into trouble darling? Trust me, I'm your boyfriend and I know what I'm doing

Eileen is with Vern and Marina in the Blackmoor office

Eileen - I thought I'd drop in to wish you both a merry Christmas for tomorrow

Marina - Well that's very sweet of you Mrs Raymond, thank you

Vern - I believe it's Janice's wedding tomorrow, isn't it?

Eileen - Yes, on the beach. It should be a lovely day

Vern - A pity Marina and I can't come, but we will be working here tomorrow, both of us. Someone has to be here

Marina - Yes, that's how dedicated we are to the job. Sacrificing our Christmas to be here

Eileen - Well I am impressed, that goes without saying

Eileen looks at Vern and delivers a smile

Eileen - The department and I have been extremely delighted with the way you have stepped up to the challenge of the governor and ran this place so well in the past few months Vern!

Vern - Thank you Mrs Raymond

Eileen - Long may you continue in the role! There is no one more suitable to run this prison

Vern - I trust we will continue to run medical experiments on the prisoners?

Eileen - Yes, of course, we must not let that silly setback the other week stop us!

Vern - I am beginning to feel more comfortable with it all now. I enjoy being able to punish Lorraine Dawson for that filthy stunt she pulled

Eileen - With you as governor I know we can achieve many great things here Vern

Marina - Well I do hope I will get a chance to be governor one day when the time comes

Eileen - Yes of course dear....eventually

They all sit in silence for a moment

Vern - Can I offer you a Christmas drink while you are here Mrs Raymond?

Vern gets a bottle of Brandy out of the drawer

Eileen smiles

Eileen - Thank you, a drink would be lovely

Vern - Do you know if Ted is planning on visiting Lucy today or not? The poor girl has been in here asking me, she seems very anxious to see him for Christmas

Eileen sighs

Eileen - Oh yes, I have a message to pass on to Lucy. I will go and see her as soon as I've finished my drink

Cassie and Aaron calmly stroll out of a perfume shop

Aaron - That's it, Cass, you just act normal, confident, and don't draw attention to yourself

They walk along the concourse for a bit and Cassie takes the bottle of perfume out of her pocket

Cassie - I'm glad I have a nice present for mum now. I was so nervous and scared in there, but you were right it is easy!

Aaron - See I told you it was. Stick with me babe, I will teach you so many skills to make your life easy. We two together Cass, we're a team now

Aaron puts an arm around Cassie's shoulder as they walk along

They smile at each other

Eileen arrives at the bars to Lucy's cell

Lucy spots her

Lucy - Hi Mrs Raymond!

Eileen - Yes hello there Ferguson... I am here to pass on a message from Ted

Lucy looks hopefully at Eileen

Eileen - He said to tell you that he won't be coming to see you at Christmas time or any other time, he does not want to see you again

Lucy is in tears

Lucy - But he has to come! He is my father he can't just disown me

Eileen - He can't forgive you for killing his sister

Lucy - But I didn't mean to kill her and I am sorry, honest I am

Eileen - Ted really doesn't care how sorry you are, it doesn't alter the fact you did it

Lucy - I wish I could explain to him why I did it if he'd only listen, it was a moment of madness that I will now regret until the day I die

Eileen - I have to go now, busy day. I've passed the message on like he asked me to. He also said to tell you not to bother him again, bye now Lucy

Eileen walks away and Lucy sits head bowed, crying

Exterior shot of Vera's flat at night time

Vera and Cassie are there together

Vera - I'm sorry that I have to attend Janice's wedding tomorrow afternoon love, but we can still spend the morning together

Cassie - it's fine mum, really it doesn't matter

Vera - But I don't like the thought of you spending the afternoon on your own, not on Christmas day. Maybe I should ask Jan if you can come along to the wedding as well

Cassie - I won't be alone mum, Aaron has invited me to have lunch with him and his parents at their home

Vera - Oh I see....well I'm sure that will be lovely for you

A crowd is at Janice and Richard's for their engagement party. Meg, Bob, Maureen, Tommy, and Toni can all be seen enjoying themselves, while Janice and Richard are mingling

Tommy is with Toni and Maureen

Toni - Well you're a lucky little boy being allowed to stay up so late tonight aren't you

Tommy giggles

Tommy - It's to celebrate Mummy's special day tomorrow. She and Richard are going to get married!

Toni and Maureen laugh

Maureen - Yes darling we know...

...Janice is with Meg

Janice - So I was appalled when Vera told me, Meg. All you did was try and do something nice for someone and that's how they repay you!

Meg - I just hope I may get some of my jewelry back, I had a sentimental attachment to it

Janice - Yes of course

The doorbell rings out while Janice is talking to Meg

Janice - Meg, I'll just get that. I'll catch you again in a bit...gosh it's so crazy here tonight!

Meg smiles as Janice rushes off to answer

At the door, she finds Ted and Eileen

Janice - Nice of you both to make it, come in

They all go inside

Janice - I wasn't sure if you'd come

Eileen smiles

Eileen - Janice my sweetheart I told you I wanted to build bridges and I meant it. Of course, I'd come silly!

Janice - What would you both like to drink?

Eileen - Champagne if you have any. This is a cause for great celebration, as it's not every day my daughter gets married, and only champagne will do!

Janice - Coming up...

...Richard is with Bob

Bob - So Janice and yourself decided against stag and hen nights?

Richard giggles

Richard - Yes, we felt a simple party with all our friends would be nicer, get everyone in the mood to carry on partying tomorrow!

Bob - Well the weather forecast is good so it should be a lovely afternoon!...