At the Robinsons
A massive Christmas tree has appeared in the living room. Beverly checks over Helen and says she is fine but must relax. Helen asks her to stay for lunch but Beverly can't. She has to meet Stephen so they can talk.

At the coffee shop
Harold is on the phone while Madge quizzes Melanie about working for Paul. Melanie is in awe of Paul and loving working at the office. Madge asks how Gino is (the girl Melanie dumped Henry for). Melanie has forgotten who he is, there have been plenty of others after him! She's now looking for a real man - and top of her list is Jim! If she can't have him however there are plenty of others. Madge - "At least we know what to buy you for Christmas, a telephone directory." Harold finally gets off the phone as Mike rushes in to tell them Jane is not going to America anymore. Everyone is delighted, except Melanie. Harold rushes out, telling them he has a secret mission. Madge wonders what that can all be about. Melanie answers "I think he said he was going to be a missionary."

At the Mangels
Mrs Mangel is crying because she's so happy that Jane is staying. She asks if she's thought about what she will do now she's staying. Jane tells her she's going to see if Paul will take her back on, but if not there's plenty of other things she can do. Harold comes into the yard carrying a box and gives her a welcome back hug (not that she actually went anywhere).

NELL: That's a very big parcel Mr Bishop
HAROLD: And that's very observant of you Mrs Mangel, that's just what it is. A very big parcel.

At the office
Paul is dictating a letter pretty quickly to Melanie. He asks her to read it back to him obviously thinking she won't have got it all down .She reads it back word perfect. He apologises for doubting her but is stopped by the phone ringing. Melanie leaps over the desk to answer it - "Daniels Corporisation can I help you?" Paul winces and takes the phone off her. It's Helen, ringing to invite him and Gail for lunch. He isn't keen but she makes him feel guilty and he agrees. Gail comes in and he tells her they're going out for dinner. She tells him it's just keeping the lie alive and she won't play the hypocrite with Helen. She refuses to go with him and walks out.

At Mrs Mangels
Harold creeps up on Mrs Mangel in a splendid Father Christmas outfit and roars out "Ho! Ho! Ho!" Mrs Mangel jumps out of her skin and lands in her chair. She chastises Harold, reminding him of her heart. He apologises then asks what she thinks of his outfit. Mrs Mangel - "Yes, I've heard about people who like to dress up..." He tells her he's doing a favour for Reverend Sampson, for the children's playgroup. He goes into a little reverie about what he'd do that Christmas if he had money - a house for Scott and Charlene, a new house for him and Madge, sort out his own kids (what about poor Henry?) Mrs Mangel - "Yes, yes, if wishes were horses." (What on earth does that mean?) Harold reflects that once his shares come in he'll have more money and goes off to practise his Ho Ho Hos.

At the office
Jane comes in to find Melanie in her chair. When she introduces herself Melanie says "Oh yes that's right. You used to work here." When Jane asks to see Paul she asks if she has an appointment. Looks like Jane has competition for her job! Melanie reluctantly rings through to Paul to see if he can see Jane without an appointment, which of course he can. Melanie looks Jane up and down as she goes through.

Paul asks Jane why she isn't on a plane back to New York. She tells him she's not going back. He asks about her contract and she tells him she's going to call the modelling agency. She asks about her job and Paul immediately tells her she's re-hired. She's wary about costing Melanie her job. Paul - "Let me tell you a few things about Melanie." He goes on to explain that instead of filing contracts under "C" for contracts she's filed contracts under "O, I and R - Ordinary contracts, Important contracts and Really Important contracts." (Doesn't sound any worse than filing ALL contracts under C to me!) Jane agrees she'll come back at the beginning of the week. Gail comes in and congratulates Jane on her decision to stay. Jane thanks her and leaves. Gail tells Paul that the Father Christmas he hired has started working then asks if he's cancelled dinner with Helen. He says he's only told her that he couldn't go - if she goes alone she won't have to play lovey dovey. She is still unhappy but he says if she wants it another way she can call Helen. Gail walks out again.

In the coffee shop
"Ted" - the man Paul has hired to play Father Christmas, is having a nice cold drink before going back out to work. Jane comes in to say Hi to Mike, very briefly. He gazes after her as she goes to sit down.

At the Robinsons
Gail and Helen talk about Rosemary while they prepare dinner. Helen asks how she's liking being home, overworked and having to deal with Paul - "You don't have to defend him with me." She knows he is pushing her around and says he should have given her time off. She thinks Gail must learn to say no to him. Gail admits she has been confused. She apologises for Paul not being there for lunch, he's a coward when it comes to the dentist. Smart Helen replies that she thought he had a business conference? Gail awkwardly covers and says she's over worked and jet legged.

At the coffee shop
Melanie is talking a million miles an hour to Mike who isn't listening, he's busy watching Jane drink coffee. Madge comes in and asks if Harold is back yet. Mike dramatically tells her "the boss is still out on a job for the choich" in his best New York Mafia accent. Mrs Mangel, who is eating with Jane, lets slip that she knows what his secret is, much to Madge's displeasure.

NELL: I'm sure Mr Bishop has told all those he could trust.
MADGE: Are you suggesting that Harold doesn't think he can trust me?
NELL: Well, he told me.
MADGE: Well, can't be all that important.

Mike, still in Mafia mode, tells them Harold is smuggling bibles. He's dying to know what the secret is. Mrs Mangel gives in and tells them Harold's secret is that he's playing Santa Claus. Ho! Ho! Ho! Who's coming through the door but Saint Nick himself! Madge cries with delight and grabs his arm, pulling him into a chair and plonking herself on his knee. She announces that she's been a very good little girl all year and wants to know what she's going to get for Christmas before giving him a huge smacker on the lips - just as Harold walks in through the door to see her kissing the wrong Santa...

At the Robinsons
Helen is laughing hysterically at Madge's tale. They calm down and discuss the stress of Christmas. Helen suggests they have Christmas dinner together, it'll be easier for both families. After all, now Scott and Charlene are married... Madge says that she can't wrap what she'd like to give those two, some privacy and time alone together.

At the coffee shop
Des has agreed to let Mike take $1000 out of his trust fund to buy mining shares. Harold is thrilled. Gail comes in to have a coffee with Beverly. She notices that Bev has a bruise on her face but when she questions her Beverly says she bumped into a cupboard at the surgery. They discuss keeping Paul and Gail's break up a secret from Helen and Beverly says she'll have to tell her eventually. Gail is worried she'll lose Helen as a friend when she does. Beverly agrees that she's always good for giving good advice.

At the office
Paul tells Melanie that unfortunately her time with the company is up. She is devastated and asks if it's because she's been laughing too much. Paul says not, if he ever needs a temp again she's it.

MEL: Really? You won't forget?
PAUL: Melanie working with you is an experience I don't think any of us are going to forget.

At the Robinsons
Beverly arrives with a bunch of flowers for Helen and is obviously distracted. When Helen asks how her lunch with Stephen went she mentions that he gets angry sometimes. Helen turns her to face her and spots the shiner she's sporting. Beverly protests that she did it on a cupboard, it's her own stupid fault. Seeing another bruise on her wrist Helen asks if that's her fault too?...