'O Christmas Tree'
Aired Tuesday, Dec 15 2009 at 13:45 GMT on BBC One
Published Sunday, Nov 29 2009, 19:02 GMT | By Kris Green
She tells Rob about the change of plan, anxious that she needs to get some posh food in now that they're catering for doctors, however, Rob is adamant that they like it or lump it.
After his stressful day Rob returns home and is grateful to join his family in a picture of togetherness in their preparations for Christmas.
Daniel and Jimmi are appalled when they leave the house and discover their garden is covered in litter, but Jimmi is even more concerned when they return to find the mess has been mysteriously cleared. Immie impresses Michelle and Ruth with her decoration of the Campus Christmas tree.
Michelle is off on holiday to Turkey but asks Ruth to monitor the Christmas tree competition in her absence. When Michelle questions Ruth's plans for Christmas Ruth admits that she's spending it alone.
Michelle is back on Christmas Eve so invites Ruth to the Corrigan household for Christmas day. Zara expects a knuckle rapping from Julia over the Jack debacle but Julia shows more understanding than is expected.
Meanwhile, Leo Jones (17) is causing havoc as the 'phantom Grinch,' ransacking the Christmas trees of Letherbridge. As he attempts to destroy another tree at the local shopping centre, he's spotted by Santa who gives chase and finally floors Leo.
The Police are pleased to finally know the identity of the vandal but Lily wants to assess Leo before he's interviewed. Leo shows no remorse for his actions, and tells both Lily and Rob that Christmas is just a scam, which aggravates Rob who also has to contend with Karen's Christmas party plans.
As Lily treats Leo for minor injuries she enquires about his family and hits upon a sore spot when Leo reveals that he has left home. Lily sympathises with him but assures him he'll find people that can make this time of year special and he won't always feel so alone.
She asks Rob why Leo needs to be charged; surely he deserves a chance but Rob isn't swayed by Lily's appeal. He's adamant Leo needs to adhere to the law but Lily gets him thinking when she purposefully asks after Jack.
Rob has a change of heart, offering a warning to Leo if he can prove the sincerity in his apology. A cynical Rob is sure that Leo will be back but Lily hopes that he's wrong and waves a sincere goodbye to Leo.
Leo arrives on his mother's doorstep and with renewed optimism offers her a Christmas present as a peace offering. However, it's clear she's not interested, and he takes himself off to a B&B for the night. It's not long before Leo's back to his old ways, and lashes out in the B&B, manifesting his hurt and anger back into violence.
