Dean is freaked to get a chilling phone call from Fergal. Sharon counsels Erica not to fall out with Doug over tensions in the house. Mairead confides in Orla that money troubles have forced her and Damien to cancel a trip to see Saoirse. Hayley’s scheme to get vengeance on James is turned upside down by Maxine’s arrival to help out at the raffle.

A troublemaking Fergal drops a bombshell to Gar before the engagement party. Hayley sets her plan to take down James in motion. Erica upsets the men in her life when she can’t help showing just how sick of Pete she is. Orla makes a startling discovery about Mairead.

Hayley’s plan to rig the raffle and blame James crashes and burns. Pete hides his sadness and celebrates Erica and Doug’s thrilling news. When Damien discovers the hole in their finances, he accuses Mairead of prioritising her child over his. Dearbhla implores Gar to give her a second chance, but Fergal stokes the situation with more lies.

Hayley is shocked when a fight with James leads to something more. Old feelings stir in Orla when Damien leans on her over his troubles with Mairead. Dean tries to subtly warn Dearbhla that Fergal is getting into Gar’s head. Erica is shocked when she catches Pete out in his painkiller use.

Dean and Mairead’s Christmas is disrupted by Damien’s surprise return. Carol and JJ’s festive romance hits a stumbling block. Emma is horrified as James’s party guest is not the girl next door she thought she was. Steo saves Christmas for Greg. Carol publicly humiliates James. As the Christmas lights twinkle, Tyler plots revenge.

Tyler’s twisted plan has dire consequences for Damien. JJ pursues romance but Carol keeps her eye on the prize when she decides to sell the bookies. Emma encourages a broken James to get on with his life post-Hayley.