The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away

Overview

It's Christmas in South Riding, but there is little in the way of festive cheer for some of the residents. Fred Mitchell receives a devastating loss when his wife leaves him to move back with her mother, leaving him near destitute. Robert Carne consults his doctor after collapsing during his date with Sarah, and later visits Mrs Beddows to ask her to be guardian for his daughter Midge if anything happens to him. Alfred Huggins, meanwhile, visits the Holly family in his unofficial role of Father Christmas, much to Lydia's discomfort, but her father has a surprise of his own for her. Huggins later visits Robert Carne in his continued efforts to get people onside to support the new road, but his bid to sway him backfires spectacularly.