I can't meet your family. Please, Jess. I'm your dad. I love you.
Jess said that someone's gone missing. A friend?
She stole £500. She made it to London.
It's easy to fall through the cracks.
What does that mean?
I mean this with love when I say it, you do need help.
Look, don't patronise me, yeah. You don't know what love is
and you never will.
Cooksea felt different in winter.
As the wind swept in from the sea,
I'd never felt so cold.
We never stopped looking for Jordan,
but she hadn't been seen for months.
I hadn't spoken to my dad, either.
Mum had enough to worry about.
I didn't want to make things worse.
At least there was Christmas to look forward to.
Since we lost the £500, money was tight
so Mum and I had agreed to make each other Christmas presents.
But my picture of Mum wasn't going well.
I had no trouble drawing Flo or Cam or Mary.
Or...
Please, Jess, I love you.
Then there was Jordan.
Where on earth was she, after all this time?
CAROLLERS SING
Sounds pretty good. Should we watch? Yeah. Why not?
Oh, look. It's her.
Don't throw burgers. She's not worth it.
# Fa la la la la la la la la. #
APPLAUSE
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.
We are delighted to be collecting...
# O holy night, the stars are brightly shining... #
I'd recognise that voice anywhere.
What?
SINGING CONTINUES
# Fall on your knees
# O hear the angel voices
# O night when Christ was born
# O night
# O night divine
# O night when Christ was born. #
Jordan! Don't.
I have to. She needs us. Well, she needs someone.
She'll come back for her stuff if she thinks we've gone.
"You are ordered to take down your advertisement immediately.
"Beach huts may not be used for promotional purposes."
What? Giving away free toys to kids who probably won't get anything?
Ridiculous. But you don't mess with the Beach Hut Committee.
Let me see that.
I knew it. Joanne Cook. Mrs.
That's Jess's teacher.
She knows we've been collecting and mending toys for months.
Wow, this really is the season of goodwill. Not.
PHONE VIBRATES
Justine Littlewood.
No.
Hello?
Let's see where she goes.
Jordan?
What?
What do you mean, "What"?
All these months, we thought you were... What?
You could have just told Mum you were OK.
So she could call the police?
Actually, she called the police every day for weeks
and she never even told them about the money you stole.
She only cares about you. So she's a mug then, isn't she?
Look at that, we can agree on something.
Why don't you shut your mouth! Jordan.
I'm just looking out for my mate. I'm not going to hurt Jess.
Too late.
You know what, I'm going.
Jordan, please. Just talk to me...
Not if she's here.OK, just me.
I'll see you later.
Hurt her again and I will hunt you down.
OK, it's just us.
Why do you want me back?
We were so worried about you.
If you want to do charity work, do a sponsored run or something.
Because I'm not going to make you feel good about yourself.
It's not about us.
No? Tell me something,
if I didn't need your help, would you still want me?
I don't... There it is.
Why do you have to keep doing this? What is your problem?
You are. You and your mum.
I cared about you.
Not cos I was grateful, but because I loved you.
If you loved us, then why did you take the money?
I needed it to get away.
I didn't want it. I was... I was going to come back
and shove it through the door or something but...
..I met these girls.
Did they rob you?
They said they would help me but I guess I got what I deserved.
You're not a bad person. You just think you are.
You're not going to change me, Jess.
Go find another kid that needs your help.
There's a lot of them out there.
Goodbye, Jess.
Poor kid. Sometimes, facing up to your mistakes can feel like
the worst thing in the world. No matter far you run away,
you can't get away from yourself.
I should know.
You keep saying this stuff. But you're nothing like Jordan.
I am, more than you think.
When you grow up in care and you're used to being let down,
you can recognise it in other people. It's like a family.
Sometimes families don't even have to like each other.
This isn't just about Jordan, is it?
Well, earlier I got a phone call.
Really, from who? Not Granny Carly?
No. Justine Littlewood.
Why?
She's in a really bad way. She split up with Sean,
her dad's been really poorly,
and a few days ago, he passed away.
Why would she call you?
I guess she thought I'd understand.
She wants to speak in person.
And she usually spends Christmas with her dad, so...
No. You are not inviting Justine Littlewood to our Christmas.
Jess, she's got nowhere else to go. I thought you'd understand.
OK. So why didn't you ask me?
Oh, yeah, that's right. Because you never do.
Hey. That is not fair.
I always put you first. I'm just asking you to be kind.
Kind? I gave up my dad for you.
You...
You said you didn't want to see him.
Because of you. So you wouldn't get hurt.
You know the rules.
I look after you. Not the other way round.
I'm not a baby any more.
If you want to get me a Christmas present,
stop treating me like a child.
KNOCK ON DOOR
I've just spoken to your dad.
He's invited you to spend Christmas with him.
Why would you do that?
Because I would never ask you to give anything up for me.
And your dad's family are still desperate to meet you, so...
Come with me. We can all have Christmas together.
I can't. I promised Justine, she needs me.
What about me?
There's no place for me in that house.
You're making me choose between you and Dad. Again.
No. You can have both of us. Just not together.
That's not fair.
Sometimes life isn't fair.
Tell Dad I said yes.
OK.
The whole week before Christmas, it hardly stopped raining
and trying to snow.
Christmas Eve was the worst day of all,
when Flo went on holiday.
That's me. Bye, my darlings.
Bye, Flo.Enjoy your cruise. Thank you.
Bye.Bye.
Right, let's get inside. Shall we? Yeah.
Look.
Is that my old purse?
Yes.
Jordan must have left it.
There's money in it.
I wonder when she was here.
Was this a Christmas gift?
Or a goodbye present?
There was no time to think about it.
The charity grotto was a big success.
What would you like for Christmas this year?
Santa's gifts were all free.
Some parents donated, some didn't.
But Santa treated everyone exactly the same.
Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas.
Here you go, Santa. Thank you, Mrs Clause.
DOOR OPENS
Ho, ho, ho! Santa is here, everyone.
And my little helper.
Sean?Tyrone?
The things I do for this man.
I heard this town could do with some Christmas spirit. Ho, ho, ho!
Is that Sean Godfrey?
How do we know which one's the real Father Christmas?
Whichever you believe in most, dear.
Can you get me a new phone?
You can't ask Santa for that.
How would you like
the new Sean Godfrey fitness tracker smartwatch?
See? You can play games, send messages, watch videos.
Who wants one? Me next. I want one.
KIDS CLAMOUR
Steady on. There's plenty here.
Sean, what are you doing? You're going to start a riot.
I'm just trying to make it a Christmas to remember.
We will, when they start tearing the place down.
Chill out, kids. There is enough for everyone. Ho, ho, ho!
There's enough for everyone.
Sean. KIDS STOP YELLING
Justine.
I didn't invite him. I didn't know.
Just tell me. Is it mine? Yes, he is yours. How can you even ask?
How could you not tell me?
Let's face it, Sean. You're not exactly dad material.
If it's my kid, I'm there for him. "If"?
I want a test.TRACY: Sean.
Maybe you should have this conversation in private.
Private? Him? This is why I didn't tell you.
Cos of all this.
My baby and me have each other. And we don't need anyone else.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Justine! Justine. Justine!
You do not get in that car. Justine. Just... Tracy, tell her.
Justine, please don't drive in this weather. Look.
Just stay and talk to us. Justine! Bog off, Sean Godfrey!
CHILDREN CHATTER
You know, this could be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Yeah, OK. I just need some time to get my head around it.
Well, hurry up. By the looks of Justine, you haven't got that long.
I feel stupid.
You can just get changed.
I don't mean this. I mean...
He's going to be a dad.
LAUGHING: Yeah.
It's not funny. If he's got his own kid, he's never going to...
Oh, Tyrone. Did you really think he might foster you?
All right. Shut up.
I said I was stupid.
DOOR OPENS
Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christ...
Oh. Santas.
Three Santas. Like in the Bible.
That's kings. Three kings.
Simon, why are you dressed like that?
Did you not get the memo about the dress code?
Actually, I was handing out presents at the hospice.
SHE SCOFFS
Yeah, no, I did it one year and then it sort of like became a thing
every Christmas Eve, so. Oh.
I'm ready. Shall we go? Yeah.
Have fun.
Make sure you look after her.
Yeah, I will. Go on.
Merry Christmas!
HE LAUGHS
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Merry, merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho!
RADIO PLAYS SOFTLY
Oh, come on.
Hello? Excuse me. What's going on?
A lot of roads are closed due to flooding.
Everyone's being diverted this way.
Do you think we'll make it through to the main road?
My family are waiting...Jordan!
It's clearing up ahead. You should be lucky.Jordan.
Jess. What are you doing?
Jess. Come back. You'll have to go without me.
Jess, get back in the car!
I have to go. Jess.I'll be fine. Don't worry. Jess! Please.
Get back in the car.
HORNS BEEP
You can't leave your car here. OK, yeah, one second.
Jess. Get back in the car.
Sorry. Merry Christmas, Dad. Jess!
Je...
CAR HORNS BEEP
I'm going. I'm... Sorry.
Right, OK. OK.
Jordan.
Stop doing this.
Don't you dare go in the sea again.
Why can't you just leave me alone? Cos I care about you.
And I know why you took the money.
I told you, to get away.
Yes, but you're part of our lives now.
Not because I feel sorry for you, but because you're like family.
What if I don't want to be?
Well, you can't choose your family.
Sometimes, your family chooses you.
WOMAN SCREAMING Are you even listening to me?
Is she OK?
Ahhhhhh!
Justine?
It's you.What happened? Did you have an accident?
I got stuck in a flood.
I had no service on my phone,
so I tried to take a short-cut across the beach.
Oh! What an idiot.
The second stupidest thing I've ever done.
But are you get hurt? Not exactly.
It sounded like you were screaming.
It's called a contraction.
What, your baby?
Yeah. He's on the way.
Come on. We've got to get you out of here.
JUSTINE CRIES OUT
SHE SCREAMS
Can you call someone?
I left my phone in my backpack in the car.
You can't have your baby on the beach.
Maybe she doesn't have to.
The beach hut.
Turn on the lights. OK.
JUSTINE GROANS
Right, OK.
You stay here while we get help.
No, no! Don't leave me.
Please. It's OK. I'm here.
Go. Go.
Jordan... Trust me, Jess.
Trust me.OK.
SHE SCREAMS
It's not long now. He's on the way.
Please don't leave me. Please.
Who are you, by the way? My name's Jordan.
Tracy's Jordan? Yeah, yeah.
The one that ran away from care?
Yeah. I did that once. You ran away?
Yeah. Don't tell Tracy. Sh!
I had this boyfriend.
Got in with the wrong people. Did some bad stuff.
What stuff? The worst.
But I came back from it. You can always come back from it.
Can you?
I promise.
SHE CRIES OUT
You can't come back from this though.
SHE MOANS
OK.
I've got some blankets. Lie on this.
Ah!
SHE PANTS
OK. OK.
Bowie.
Bowie. Yeah, yeah.
My dad was into all that.
What's that song? Um...
BOTH: # I didn't know what I was waitin' for
# And my time was runnin' wild
# A million dead-end streets and
# Every time I thought I'd got it made
# It seemed the taste was... #
SHE SCREAMS
# Ch-ch-changes
# Turn and face the strange
# Ch-ch-changes
# Don't wanna be a richer man
# Ch-ch-changes... # The baby's coming!
# Turn and face the strange
# Ch-ch-changes
# Just gonna have to be a different man
# Time may change me... #
Mum.
Jess. What are you doing back?
What are you all doing here?
We just popped in to say Merry Christmas.
Well, that was the plan... But the roads are flooded.
And my cruise had to be postponed, so I'm here.
It's lucky you're all here. We need your help.
There's a baby coming. What? What?
Seriously? Justine's baby?
Now? Where?
The beach hut.
# Ch-ch-changes
# Turn and face the strange
# Ch-ch-changes
# It's a shame you've left us up to our necks in it... #
Wait, wait, wait. I don't know if I can do this.
You can't?! You've got the easy job. Get in there.
Go on, you can do it.
KNOCKING ON DOOR
Justine.
Justine, it's me. I'm coming in.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. You've got this.
Jordan, we'll take over. Justine. We're here.
SHE CRIES OUT
OVERLAPPING SPEECH
I'm in so much pain!
Can you just hang on out here a minute, Jess?
# Ch-ch-changes
# Turn and face... #
Is the midwife on the phone yet?
# Ch-ch-changes
# Pretty soon now you're gonna get older... #
He's coming. He's coming! I need to push!
We're here now. We're here now.
# I said that time may change me
# But I can't trace time. #
SCREAMING CONTINUES
How is she?
She's... Well, it's happening. Takes me back.
Well done, you two.
I didn't do anything.
Justine said you made her feel safe. Me?
Yeah, I mean she's in a lot of pain and she's probably delirious,
but that's what she said.
Don't run away again, will you?
Eh...
What on earth is going on here?
Justine Littlewood's having a baby.
Don't be so silly.
Excuse me, she's telling the truth.
Absolutely ridiculous...
Oh, I probably wouldn't go in there...
JUSTINE SCREAMS
Use the space. Use the space.
Nothing about giving birth in the beach hut rules. I did check.
Well, th-there certainly will be.
THEY LAUGH
Do you really think they'll let me stay?
They might.
If I can get approved as a foster carer.
Could you actually do that?
I could try. If you both want me to.
BABY CRIES
I do.
Me too. Yeah.
Come here.
Hi, guys. No sign of the ambulance yet?
There you go.
That's all the towels in the house.
And Flo sent more supplies.
We've got sandwiches, coffee, hot chocolate...
What's wrong with you, Beaker?
Nothing.
Told you. Girls get really weird around babies.
You can come in now.
Yay! Baby! Me first.
Guys, I want you to meet our son.
Steve Godfrey Littlewood. After my dad.
And me.
They know, Sean.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYS
It was such a random Christmas.
Nobody was where they were supposed to be.
DOOR OPENS
Oh.
Hey, Jess. You forgot this.
Thanks. See? I told you she was all right.
I thought you went home.
Yeah, I did. And then I came straight back.
To bring my bag?
Yeah, you never know. There could be something very important in there.
Plus, I promised you a family Christmas, didn't I?
I've already got one, thanks.
You can join it if you want to.
Really?
Yeah, got a spare seat.
Hope you still like crisp sandwiches. Oh yeah.
But maybe we were all where we were meant to be.
He's quite cute, actually.
Yeah, I think so too. Want to hold him?
Me? Are you sure?
Yeah. We trust you.
I promise I'll be well careful. Make sure you are.
There you go. Go to your big cousin Tyrone.
Cousin? I'll take it.
You know, loads of countries
have their main celebration on Christmas Eve.
Well, seeing as it's gone midnight, this is actually Christmas dinner.
Merry Christmas, everyone. ALL: Merry Christmas!
It's been a while since we've had Christmas together.
Just think. When you were a kid,
you'd have done anything to get me underneath the mistletoe.
Actually, I think that's just ivy.
As in, like, The Holly And The Ivy. Close enough.
Right, should we get started then?
JORDAN: # You'll know it's Christmas
# When the snows are beginning and someone's singing a song
# You'll know it's Christmas
# When everyone's digging the winter and singing along
# The days become dark
# The weather gets cold
# You want to stay home
# Somehow we start to see that miracles can come
SHE VOCALISES
# If there's a star in the sky
# If the air is filled with the mystery
# If there's a babe in the church with a choir
# It will be Christmas
# If there is love in this world
# If there is something worth fighting for
# If there is someone you're holding close
# It will be Christmas again
# You'll know it's Christmas
# When people who never believe start believing in you
# You'll know it's Christmas
SHE VOCALISES
# You'll know it's Christmas. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Mum. I made this for you.
That is absolutely perfect.
Merry Christmas, Mum.
Merry Christmas, Jess.
After Christmas, our lives would never be the same again
and our adventures were just beginning.
# If there's a star in the sky
# If the air is filled with the mystery
# You'll know it's Christmas
# Tonight. #