Original subtitles

♪♪

-"The cellar door flew open with a booming sound,

and then he heard the noise much louder on the floors below,

then coming up the stairs,

then coming straight towards his door.

'It's humbug still,' said Scrooge.

'I won't believe it.'

His colour changed, though, when, without a pause,

it came straight on through the heavy door

and passed into his room before his eyes.

♪♪

Upon its coming in, the dying flame leaped up,

as though it cried, 'I know him!

Marley's ghost!'

and fell again.

The same face, the very same.

Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat, tights and boots."

-[ Snoring ]

"'How, now,' said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever.

'What do you want with me?'

'Much.'

Marley's voice, no doubt about it.

'Who are you?'

'Ask me who I was.'"

♪♪

[ "Just as the Tide Was Flowing" plays ]

♪♪

-♪ One morning in the month of June ♪

♪ Down by a rolling river ♪

♪ There a weary traveller chanced to stray ♪

♪ And he beheld his lover ♪

♪ Her cheeks were red, her eyes were brown ♪

♪ Her hair in ringlets hanging down ♪

♪ She'd a lovely face without a frown ♪

♪ Just as the tide was flowing ♪

♪♪

♪♪

[ Quacking ]

♪♪

-Ah!

You know, pretty sure the sound of a cockerel

should herald the dawn of a new day.

-Well, we've got a duck. Deal with it.

-It's very disconcerting.

-I've got all the food to make

for the Christmas concert tonight,

so Mum's doing breakfast.

-[ Yawns ] -Get a move on!

-Okay.

Fine.

[ Quacking ]

Cold, Selwyn. Very cold.

-It was agreed at the family meeting --

no job, no driving lessons.

-I don't mind having a job, but this is embarrassing.

-Why? People know you're not a real elf.

-It's a bit childish, don't you think?

-Says the girl eating SpongeBob Choco Pops.

-Everyone I know will be in town, all my mates.

-Boys? -Exactly.

And what boy is gonna ask me out

when I'm dressed as a five-foot elf?

-Someone who appreciates the spirit of Christmas.

Anyway, like I said, family meeting.

You agreed you'd do it until Christmas Eve.

-Keep calling it a family meeting,

but it's basically just sitting at the dining table

and you telling me what to do.

-What can I say? It's a mum thing.

Right, I've gotta go.

Put your bowl in the sink and lock the door.

Oh, no Maccie D's for lunch.

Get something elfy.

-You're funny.

-I know.

[ Door closes ]

♪♪

-Well, apparently we're now the subject

of a full-scale review.

-Did they say why?

-I think the bottom line is they want to make sure

we're cost-effective.

-Sounds very corporate.

-It's been the elephant in the room since I got here.

Small station houses aren't part of the bigger picture anymore.

They'd quite like everyone under the same roof.

Super hubs.

-Well, it's obvious what that's all about.

-Is it?

-Yeah, they want to sell the building.

Turn it into flats or something.

It's right in the centre of town.

Must be worth a fortune.

-That'd be a shame.

-Yes, it would.

Shall I organise a protest group?

"Save our station."

-Well, hopefully I can convince them of our worth

by doing an excellent job.

-I'll start by making a few calls anyway.

-No --

♪♪

-[ Humming "Jingle Bells" ]

Morning.

-Morning.

-Didn't we have a health and safety meeting

about hanging Christmas decorations?

-I'm wearing a hat.

-I'm not sure that's exactly what we agreed.

Still, looking very festive.

-I love Christmas.

-Yeah, well, I could do with a quiet day.

I've still got presents to buy.

-I'm buying everyone the same thing this year.

It's a revelation.

No picking and choosing and a discount for buying in bulk.

-Genius. What are you doing for Christmas Day?

-Cooking 43 Christmas dinners at the church hall.

-You're amazing, Margo. -Oh...

-[ Chuckles ] What about you, Kelbs?

-Oh, I'm at home.

Me, Mum, Dad, and Aunt Lou.

Oh, Nan might come, as well,

but she needs to find someone to look after her cat.

-Well, can't she bring it with her?

-No. Mum's allergic to cats.

Her head blows up like a football.

We even have to hoover Nan when she arrives.

-The Inspector not here?

-No. He's at HQ this morning.

-'Course he is.

[ Telephone ringing ]

Ehh.

So much for a quiet day.

-[ Chuckles ]

-DS Williams.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

[ Beep ]

♪♪

[ Beep ]

[ Beeping ]

♪♪

-[ Groans ]

Oh.

-Sorry to keep you. -Oh, not at all.

Um, I just seem to be having an issue with...

[ Beep ]

-Oh.

Thank you. [ Chuckles ]

Bit of a tricky little critter, isn't it?

The one at the station is a bit more basic.

Well, it's a tap.

[ Clears throat ]

Sorry, I, er...

Oh, thank you.

Would like a glass of water?

-No, thank you.

-Thank you.

-You know why you're here?

-Er, the review, yes.

-Could you stop doing that, please?

-Sorry? -Could you stop?

-Oh.

-As discussed, there is a wider review taking place

of outlying station houses over Q1 of next year.

And whilst the criterion is still under review,

the overall aim is to identify a SOPPS ratio.

-Er, SOPPS?

-Successful Outcome Per Pound Spent.

It's an algorithm that sets performance against cost.

-Right. -I have some sympathy

for the concept of local station houses,

community-based policing.

I really do.

But I have to balance that with making sure

we provide value for money.

-Right, so ultimately you think Shipton Abbott should close.

-I think you need to give me a good reason for it not to.

-[ Sighs ]

-Yeah, leave everything as it is.

Someone will be there shortly.

Yeah.

[ Receiver hangs up ]

That makes four.

-Where's Kelby?

-Got a call about a shoplifter.

-Well, I'd better make a start.

Can you message the Inspector?

Tell him to meet me at the first one, er, the Owens.

-Will do.

-Thanks.

Who's this? -[ Sighs ]

He got caught nicking a jumbo sausage roll from the bakery.

-Why didn't you just take him home, speak to his parents?

-Because he said his name is Rishi Sunak

and that he lived in Canada.

-Right.

How old are you?

-27.

-[ Chuckles ]

-I'll leave this one to you, I think, Margo.

-Oh, thanks.

Give him something to drink and a biscuit.

I'll call social services.

They let him keep it?

-No.

He said he was hungry, so I paid for it.

I want that back from your mum and dad, though.

Come on.

Wait, Rishi.

Okay.

Sit, Rishi.

Um, be good.

♪♪

♪♪

-So how was it?

-Slightly mind-boggling.

But I think the bottom line is we're something of a sliver

in a bigger pie chart.

-Is that good or bad?

-We'll find out at the end of Q1.

-So what do we need to do?

-Well, if I understood correctly,

we need to catch as many criminals as we can

for the least amount of money.

Talking of which, what have we got?

-Er, four break-ins reported overnight.

SOCOs have attended at all four, and although we can't be sure,

it looks like the same MO on all of them.

-Someone's been busy.

Anything to work with? -No prints.

Er, we've got a few cloth fibres, nothing else.

This is the first. Kai and Hannah Owen.

-Flipping 'eck, Kai.

[ Knock on door ]

-Mrs. Owen? I'm Detective Sergeant Williams.

This is DI Goodman. Can we come in?

-Hi. Yeah.

Please excuse the mess.

We think they came through here.

My husband says they knew what they were doing.

He's a builder.

-Right, have you any idea what time it happened?

-Er, we went up to bed just after 11:00,

and Kai was up again for work at 6:00,

so somewhere between then.

-♪ Jingle bells, jingles bells, jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride... ♪

-You don't have any cameras anywhere?

-Oh, I've got a doorbell, but I checked it, and nothing.

-♪ Oh, what fun it is -- ♪

-Do you have an alarm system?

-It wasn't on. -Right.

We'll need you to make a list of what's been stolen.

-Well, that's just it. Nothing.

♪♪

-Nothing? -I have checked everywhere,

and I can't find anything missing.

-They must have been disturbed.

-So it would seem, yes.

Where's the next one? -Er, Sandcroft Way.

Josh Woods and his fiancée, Lucy.

-Josh Woods?

So the predator becomes the prey.

♪♪

-Yeah, we reckon they climbed over the back fence.

There's wheelie bins out there, so you lay them on their side,

you can use them to get over.

Land in the garden, kitchen window's there.

If I had to guess.

-The kitchen window was wide open, though.

-Any damage? -No, you get a bit of bent wire,

use it to scoop the latch.

Bob's your uncle, you're in.

Probably.

-Do you have a list of what was stolen?

I assume you'll be making an insurance claim.

-Well, I... -No, no, that's just it.

Um, I don't think anything was missing.

-Nothing? -Well, we don't know that yet.

-Not that I can see.

-Could they have been disturbed? -Well, by what?

I was in bed, and Josh was dead to the world on the sofa.

They could have used a bulldozer and he wouldn't have woken up.

-Yeah. Party at Langstone.

I was hammered.

Still am.

-I've checked through the presents

and had a good look through every room.

Can't find anything missing.

-Haven't, er, wrapped everything, though,

yet, have you?

-What? -I know you got me an iPad.

-[ Chuckles ] You wish.

-Strange.

♪♪

You've got ash on top of your electric fire.

-You been smoking that stuff in here again?

-No. -Better not have been.

-I haven't. -Hmm.

♪♪

-I saw a pile of ash in the fireplace at the last house.

-No offence, sir, but isn't that what you'd expect

to find in a fireplace?

-Ordinarily, yes, yes,

but the rest of the hearth was spotless.

-So they missed a bit.

-Guys. Guys.

You know this has nothing to do with me, right?

Just whenever anything like this happens,

you always think I've done it.

-Because you usually have.

-Yeah, that may or not be true,

but this time you have to believe me.

I didn't do nothing.

-Anything. -Eh?

-You didn't do anything.

-I know, that's what I'm trying to tell you.

-We know.

-See, this is exactly -- say what now?

-We know this is nothing to do with you.

-Yeah. Good. How?

-Because even you aren't stupid enough

to break into your own house and not steal anything.

-Exactly. Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-[ Laughs ]

Bye, Josh.

♪♪

Looks like it was prised open.

-I thought you might send that nice young constable.

-Kelby?

Oh, he was dealing with a shoplifter.

-Oh. What a nice-looking boy.

If only I were 20 years younger. [ Chuckles ]

-[ Laughs ]

-Oh, and I always close this door at night,

'cause my -- my Minnie sleeps in here by the Aga,

but it was wide open when I got up.

-Minnie? -Cat.

-Ah.

-And you're absolutely certain nothing has been taken?

-Yes, positive.

-Well, I know it looks a bit muddled,

but I know where everything is.

♪♪

-Is this yours? -No.

-Are you sure? -Positive.

Well, I can't wear gold, you see.

I come out in a rash.

My mum did arts and crafts.

Used to make me bangles and the like, but never gold.

-Visitors, perhaps?

-Oh, I don't have visitors.

Well, only you.

And young Kelby.

So, no, no, no, I have never seen that before in my life.

-Yes.

-Mm?

-Oh.

♪♪

-Well, I don't understand.

I mean, why would someone break in but not take anything?

-Why indeed?

♪♪

[ Choir vocalising "Carol of the Bells" ]

♪♪

-Oh. Um, when will social services get here?

-They're short-handed, Kelby.

They said they'll get here when they can.

-Okay.

-Can I have a go in your hat?

-Er, no, you can't.

-Can I have a go with your handcuffs?

-No. You have to have special training.

-What else you got?

-I've got a baton, CS spray,

and access to a taser if I need it.

-Can I taser you?

-No.

-Can you taser me?

-No.

Okay, but if you give me your real name and address...

I'll let you have a go on my bike.

-No, thanks.

-Okay.

♪♪

-And did you or your wife see or hear anything?

-No.

-And you say nothing has been taken?

-Not as far as we can see.

-Have you lived here long?

-Nine years in February.

We inherited the house from Mary's mum when she passed.

-Sorry, do you mind me asking,

why have you only got half a moustache?

-It was my eldest son's stag last night.

Honestly, I have two boys, and they are a nightmare.

Practical jokers. -Oh.

-I dozed off at one point and they thought it would be funny

to shave it off, or at least half of it.

-Well, I wouldn't worry. It's rather fetching.

Do your boys still live with you?

-Oh, God, no,

although they do come home often enough,

bring their washing and steal food

and put clingfilm

over the toilet bowl. [ Chuckles ]

They have their parcels delivered here

because we're always in.

I've been tripping over a television in the hallway

since I got back home.

It would have been their own fault if it got nicked.

Maybe I'll tell them it was. [ Chuckles ]

♪♪

[ Choir vocalising "Carol of the Bells" ]

♪♪

♪♪

-Why would someone break into four different houses

just to burn something and leave?

-I've absolutely no idea.

-Witchcraft? Some kind of pagan rites?

Isn't it the winter solstice?

-Well, whatever it was,

it's clear that theft wasn't the motive.

There's a brand-new TV in there still boxed.

All it needed was a label saying "steal me."

Let's find out what we can about the bracelet.

If it was dropped by whoever broke in,

it's the only real lead we have.

I'll get these ash samples to the lab,

see if they can tell us anything.

-[ Clears throat ] Sir.

♪♪

-So Archie's definitely gone?

-Well, he's still at the vineyard.

We're just not partners anymore.

-Probably wise.

Always best to remove temptation.

-I wasn't tempted. -Not even a little bit?

-Absolutely not.

-Well, you have more willpower than me.

I could have spread mayonnaise all over him

and eaten him in a sandwich.

-That's very specific.

-Hiya. -Alright?

-Being a widow doesn't permanently dull the senses,

you know, darling.

I still have the occasional itch.

-I'm not sure I want to talk about your itches.

-[ Chuckles ]

-Ah, Kelby. What can I get you?

-Ooh, er, three coffees and a sausage sandwich, please.

-Brown sauce?

Mayonnaise?

-Er, I didn't ask.

Better leave it plain. -Not for you, then?

-It better not be for Humphrey, after I cooked him breakfast.

-No, it's, er, for this young boy we're looking after

until social services pick him up.

-Do you know who he is?

-He says he's Rishi Sunak, but we don't believe him.

-Right.

-I'll get your coffee and sandwich.

-Thanks, Martha.

Actually, better make it two sausage sandwiches.

Ketchup on the second one, please.

-[ Laughs ]

♪♪

-Right.

Well, it seems to me there are two questions we need to answer.

Actually, three.

One, why on Earth would you break into a house

with the sole purpose of burning something?

Two, why those houses in particular?

Why not a neighbour or a house across the street?

And three, why is there a small child sitting next to Margo?

-Oh, Kelby brought him in.

He got caught nicking a sausage roll at the baker's.

He's eaten the evidence. [ Telephone rings ]

-Does he have a name? -DS Williams.

-Well, he gave me a false name to start with.

It took me three sherbet dabs

to find out his real name's Freddie.

-Hello, Freddie. -Alright?

-Won't your mum and dad be worried about you?

-Ain't got a dad.

-Okay. Your mum, then?

-Okey-dokey. Thanks.

That was the lab.

The ash found in all four houses

originated from the same material source --

decent-quality writing paper, traces of ink --

which confirms all four break-ins are linked.

And they think the cloth fibres found at the scene

came from white-cotton gloves.

-What kind of burglar wears white-cotton gloves?

-I know who it is.

It's obvious, innit? -Um, is it?

-A man sneaking into people's houses at Christmas

wearing white gloves.

It's Santa.

-[ Laughs ] -He's got a point.

-That would make sense of the ash, too.

It got caught on his clothes when he came down the chimney.

-So our only credible suspect is Father Christmas.

-Open-and-shut case. Can we all go home now?

-Not quite, Margo. And thank you, Freddie.

No, before we arrest Santa and ruin everyone's Christmas,

let's check all other avenues first.

Such as, what links,

if any, can we find between the four victims?

Anything back on the bracelet we found?

[ Telephone rings ] -Not yet.

-Shipton Abbott Police Station.

-Coffees.

And I got Rishi

a lemonade to go with his sandwich.

-His name's Freddie.

I've got Josh Woods on the phone.

He wants a crime number for his insurance.

-Nothing was stolen.

-He says he's just realised

he might have lost his gold bracelet.

♪♪

♪♪

-I'm not sure.

-You're not sure? -I just had it on my wrist.

I didn't spend all day looking at it.

-If it is yours, can you explain

what it might have been doing in Mrs. Jones' cottage?

-Maybe she nicked it.

-Or maybe it came off your wrist while you were breaking in.

-I didn't break in anywhere.

-Can you account for your whereabouts last night?

-I told you, I had a party at the Langstone.

Birthday for Snoop Dog.

-Snoop Dog? -Not that one.

Paul Harris. Works at the wool shop.

I tell you why we call him Snoop Dog.

-Doesn't matter.

So you have people who can confirm you were there?

-Yeah. -Till what time?

-Half 1:00, 2:00? -And after that?

-It's all a bit of a blur, to be honest.

♪♪

-Thoughts?

-He got drunk, reverted to type,

wandered around breaking into houses smoking his wacky baccy.

-Except the ash wasn't marijuana.

It was writing paper.

And why would he also break into his own house?

-All I know is, whenever Josh Woods is in the picture,

he's usually guilty of something.

-That he may be, but is he really our housebreaker?

I don't know.

His fiancé, Lucy, seems a little more straightforward.

Let's talk to her again.

♪♪

-♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

-Ooh, the Christmas market.

Mind if we just stop off? -Er, no.

-♪ Well, Santa don't you take too long ♪

♪ Sleigh bells playing a familiar song ♪

♪ Oh, I can't wait for Christmas ♪

-Let me wear your outfit now.

-Yeah! -Come on, please.

-Hello. -Oh!

-How's it all going? -Shouldn't you be working?

-We are. We had four break-ins last night

and we're just on our way to see a suspect's fiancé.

-Not to mention babysitting a mystery boy

until social services get here.

-Oh. -Kelby told me.

Has a taste for sausages.

-It would seem so.

Well, this all looks very Christmassy.

-That's the general idea. -Oh.

-Hello. -Hi.

-It's been quite a year.

-Yeah, it has.

-Glad to see the back of it?

-No.

-Not even the IVF?

-It didn't work.

But we always knew it might not.

-And we broke up.

-And we got back together.

And we moved here, and you bought a boat,

and we've got a duck, and it's Christmas.

-So we're winning? -I think we are.

Don't you? -I'm definitely winning.

I've got you. -Oh, very true.

-Put her down.

She's supposed to be hanging tinsel.

-Sorry.

-Are you joining us tonight, Esther?

-Er, as long as I don't have to sing.

-Singing is compulsory.

-We should go. -Yeah.

See you later.

-Bye.

-Oh, my daughter's at the grotto.

Do you mind? -No, of course not.

-If you don't let go, I'm gonna tell Santa

not to bring you any presents this year

and take back the ones you got last year.

-How's it going?

-They keep pulling on my bells.

-You do know elves are supposed to be happy.

-I will be when I get home.

-Zoe, this is Inspector Goodman I've been telling you about.

-Hi. -Very pleased to meet you, Zoe.

-She's not really an elf. It's a costume.

-Excuse my mum. She thinks she's funny.

-Ha, ha! So, er, do you need anything?

-Yeah. This lot to stop pulling me about.

-Well, if they hurt you, tell someone,

because it's very important.

-What is? -Elfin safety in the workplace.

-Wow.

-He lost it in June.

-What?

-On a Jet Ski in Minorca.

As soon as you mentioned insurance

he started making a list of all the things that we've lost,

or that have broken, in the past year.

-"Watch, microwave, smartphone, gold bracelet."

-You, er, do know that such a claim would be fraudulent.

-I told him that,

but he said he'd get a crime number just in case.

I wouldn't have let him do it.

I'm sorry, but you know what he's like.

-Right, well, we'll, er, we'll send him home.

-We can keep him if you like.

Chuck away the key?

-Nah.

I love the bones of him.

-Right.

♪♪

-Anyone for hot chocolate?

I need a taste test.

-Oh, go on then.

[ Laughs ]

-There's a few cakes too.

-Ooh, thanks, Martha.

-This our mystery boy, is it? -Er, yes.

Social services are supposed to be on their way

but the social worker got held up.

-Well, I'm going back to the café.

Do you want me to take him for a while?

He must need feeding again.

-You hungry?

Yeah.

♪♪

♪♪

-You look like a girl who needs cake.

-Thanks.

Just catching my breath before we start.

-You looking forward to it?

-Not if this morning is anything to go by.

I've already been pulled about by a load

of ankle-biters demanding to see Santa.

-You'll be fine once you get going.

All those smiling little faces excited to see

Father Christmas.

Or not.

-I'm dreading it.

-Then why do it in the first place?

-Mum said I had to get a job

or she wouldn't get me driving lessons.

-That doesn't sound unreasonable.

-No, but why couldn't she get me something normal,

or at least indoors?

-Oh, so that's what you're kicking against.

You don't like it because it's Mum's idea.

My daughter is exactly the same.

Has been since she was old enough to have an opinion.

If I suggested something, she'd disagree on principle.

It's perfectly natural.

-She's so annoying.

-I don't doubt it.

But I suspect not quite as annoying

as my daughter finds me.

-Sorry, I didn't mean to...

-Don't be.

It's the way of the world.

The thing to remember, though, is no matter how hard done

by you're feeling,

you should try to see it from other people's point of view.

Right or wrong, your mum is only trying to teach you that

if you want something out of life, you need to work for it.

That's not a bad lesson to learn, now, is it?

And then there's all those little ones

who've been excited for weeks, knowing that today is the day

they're going to see Santa Claus,

and they're going to tell him what they want to find

under the tree on Christmas morning.

And the last thing they deserve is to be greeted

by a grumpy elf.

Hmm? [ Chuckles ]

Shall I tell you a mum's secret?

The more you complain about something, the more fun

it is for us.

So if you really want to get her back,

tell her you're really enjoying it.

She'll be mortified.

♪♪

♪♪

-Okay, I've tried everything.

I can't find any link between the houses

that were broken into,

apart from the fact that they're all houses

and people live in them.

-Anything back on the bracelet?

-No. -What's this?

-They sent over all the paperwork

for the station review.

Anything not closed by the Christmas break

will be included in the Q1 figures.

-What does that mean?

-Well, it means that with these break-ins,

our clear-up rate will begin at minus four.

We're screwed.

-Great.

Mm. Where's the munchkin?

-Oh, Martha took him to the café for something to eat.

I think he's got hollow legs. -[ Chuckles ]

-Well, I'll check in, make sure she's okay

and maybe get some coffees while I'm at it.

I've a feeling we're going to need them.

♪♪

-Hi.

-Freddie.

How's the food?

-Wicked. -Wicked.

Well, I'm starting to think we're doing you a disservice,

creating the illusion that running away from home

is far more fun than it ought to be --

a world festooned with sweets and sausages in various forms.

-Take no notice.

He just likes using big words. -Yes.

All the same though, we need to get you home, okay?

So what happened?

Had a fallout with your mum?

-She's well annoying.

-Yeah.

-Well, mums can be annoying sometimes,

but it's usually because they care about you.

-Don't feel like it.

-So what did she do that was so bad?

-She took my phone off me.

-Golly.

I didn't even have a phone when I was your age.

-Well, if you did, you'd be annoyed

if someone took it off you.

-Dare say I would.

-Now I can't talk to my granddad.

-Are you close to your granddad?

-We're best friends.

-Hmm.

-I'm sure you love your granddad,

and it's not fair that you can't talk to him,

but I'm still not sure that's a reason to run away from home.

-I'm not running away.

I'm thinking.

-Oh, you're thinking?

Well, you know that when the lady from social services

gets here, you'll have to tell her where you live.

-Why?

-Well, because if you don't,

there's a good chance they'll take you into care.

-And you don't want that to happen, do you?

However annoying your mum is.

-Can't I just stay here?

-Well, as much as we'd enjoy that too,

it's just not really possible.

-Why not?

-Well, as a policeman, I am...

well placed to quote on elements of the law

and I can report that kidnapping children

is incontrovertibly frowned upon.

-Big words again.

-You wouldn't be kidnapping me, not if I wanted to stay.

-I'm sorry, it's not really up to you, or us.

-Well, it should be.

-DI Goodman?

Thought I recognised the name.

-Ah, Mrs. Owen.

-Hannah Owen.

Social services.

Hello, Ryan.

-Ryan? -You know him?

-I work with his social worker.

We've been helping the family deal with a few issues.

Haven't we, Ryan?

-Don't want to go home.

I want to stay here.

-Well, your mum's very worried about you.

-She won't let me talk to my granddad.

-Well, we can all go and talk about that together, can't we?

♪♪

[ Telephone rings ]

-Shipton Abbott Police Station.

She's on the other line at the moment.

DI Goodman's just popped out.

Can I take a message?

-Okay. Thank you.

-This is very strange.

-What is?

-I can't work out if it means anything or it doesn't.

-And I can't help you if you don't tell me what it is.

-Well, I hit a dead end trying to find a link

between the houses, like the Inspector said,

so I did a cross-check

against any previous crimes at those addresses.

-And?

-It's happened before.

-What has?

-Those exact four house, they were all burgled

at the same time 50 years ago.

♪♪

-He said he had a falling out with his mum.

-One of many, I'm sorry to say.

He lost his dad a few years back.

Mum got a new boyfriend.

He reacted quite badly, became a bit disruptive at school.

They contacted us and we've been keeping an eye on things.

-He mentioned his granddad.

-The one real constant in his life.

They're very close.

Look, his mum is trying really hard.

He'll be fine when I get him home.

-Bless him.

-I'll make sure he's okay before I leave.

♪♪

[ Engine starts ]

♪♪

-Do you think he'll be alright?

-Let's hope so.

♪♪

[ Door closes ]

-Oh, sir, we found something.

All four houses were burgled before,

all within three days of each other.

-What?

-Christmas week, 50 years ago.

-1973.

-Only that time, things were stolen.

-Why did none of them mention this?

-Well, the Owens and Josh Woods

didn't live there then and neither did the Beckers.

They inherited the house from her mother.

-Kathleen? -She grew up in that house

but it's a long time ago. -Mm.

♪♪

Coins...

games console...

TV.

One of these is a gold bracelet.

-Coincidence? -It cannot be!

I don't believe in them.

Kelby, was anyone arrested for these burglaries?

-Um...

one suspect arrested and questioned,

released without charge.

Ernest Buchanan.

The detective in charge, DI Foster,

cites a lack of evidence.

-Anything else?

-Only that they were opportunistic thefts.

Windows left open, back doors and the like.

Oh, and he adds at the bottom

that they weren't looking for anyone else.

-Sounds like they knew who it was but couldn't prove it.

-Mmm.

-Oh, Frank Becker phoned while you were out.

Left a message.

He said he doesn't know what it means,

but the TV in the lounge wasn't ordered by his sons

or anyone else in the house.

It just appeared, after the break-in.

-Looks like it was Santa after all.

-[ Laughs ]

Maybe that's exactly what it was.

If the bracelet isn't a coincidence,

then neither is the TV.

I wonder...

Kelby, find out what you can about Ernest Buchanan.

Is he still alive? Did he go on to commit other crimes?

We need to check the other two crime scenes.

♪♪

-Coffee.

-Like what?

-A jar of coins.

Has one just appeared anywhere?

Or a game console.

-No.

You haven't found anything in the house

that you thought didn't belong here

or you didn't know where it came from?

-No. -Josh?

-Josh? -No.

Oh, except for you know what.

-I told you. In your dreams.

-[ Laughs ]

Ta-da! I saw it on the side.

-It's nothing to do with me.

-Josh.

Thank you.

♪♪

-Okay, what's the first ever Christmas present you remember?

-I think the first main present

I remember was an Easy-Bake Oven.

-You got an oven for Christmas?

-Not a real one, you gurt noodle.

A little toy one.

Green, it was, with little light bulbs inside.

-But could you actually cook in it though?

Well, I mean, you couldn't do a Sunday roast,

but you could do cakes.

-That doesn't sound safe, letting kids cook.

-We didn't worry about things like that when I was young.

We rode bikes without helmets,

we spent all day on the beach without sun screen.

We didn't even have seatbelts in the car.

-What happened if you had an accident?

-It was Mum's job.

Put her arm across you.

-That is wild. -[ Laughs ]

How about you?

-Ooh, first one I proper remember is getting all four

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters.

-You see, that's the difference in our generations.

We got presents to prepare us for the life ahead.

You got turtles.

-Yeah, but they fought crime, though, didn't they?

So that prepared me for being a policeman.

-You know, sometimes, Kelby,

I don't think you're half as daft as you look.

-Thanks.

♪♪

-How'd you know that?

-Call it a lucky guess.

-Well, it weren't coins.

I mean, I didn't think anything of it.

Kai's a builder.

He's always leaving cash lying around.

I banked it.

To cover the mortgage that's just gone up, again.

-Can I ask how much you found?

♪♪

Kelby.

Ernest Buchanan? -Er...

Born December 29, 1953, widowed in 2019,

one son, er, nothing further on record of him,

not even a parking ticket.

Oh, last known address, Upper Denbury.

It's about eight miles away.

-Occupation?

-Jeweller.

-White gloves.

-Indeed. -So...

-So...

1973.

Let's say a 19-year-old Ernest Buchanan

wasn't so much a burglar as an opportunistic thief.

Breaking into what is now the Owen house,

he stole a glass jar containing £55 in coins.

♪♪

Later the same week

I think he stole a gold bracelet from Kathleen's cottage.

As Kathleen has an allergy,

I'm guessing it was her mother's.

♪♪

♪♪

Followed by the game console from the house

that now belongs to Josh Woods and fiancée Lucy.

♪♪

♪♪

-And finally, the TV from the home of

Frank Becker's mother-in-law.

-Okay. So what if all these years

later, Ernest Buchanan had some kind of crisis?

For some reason yet to be established

he was overcome with guilt, with an undeniable desire

to put right the wrongs of his past.

We know he never offended again.

I don't think the gold bracelet was dropped there by accident.

I think it was put there on purpose.

♪♪

♪♪

Then someone must have knocked it on the floor.

[ Cat meows ]

♪♪

One down, three to go.

The TV was simple enough.

-New for old.

And Frank Becker thought the TV turning up

was another prank by his two boisterous sons.

-Yes. Then, the game console.

♪♪

Which was a little harder to replace like for like,

so instead he bought a tablet.

-Which Josh saw but just assumed

it was a Christmas present from Lucy yet to be wrapped.

-Exactly.

♪♪

-Flipping 'eck, Kai.

-And the jar of coins?

-As Hannah said, her husband Kai is a builder

who has a habit of leaving cash lying around.

She found £569, which I bet is exactly

what £55 in 1973 would be worth today.

So Ernest Buchanan returned

to the scene of his former crimes

to replace the things he'd stolen.

-But why would he go to all this trouble after half a century?

-I'm dying.

I have cancer.

They tell me it's stage four,

which apparently means I'm riddled with it.

And it's strange how discovering you've only got a few months

to live helps to reacquaint you with God.

It's no time to be making enemies.

[ Laughs ]

-No.

-[ Chuckles ]

My father was a very religious man.

He found comfort in it, and, er, I thought I might.

So I picked up a Bible,

which is something I haven't done for a long time.

I suppose I was looking for a way to make sense

of what's happening.

Anyway, I found something.

Sort of leapt out at me when I was flicking through.

It's a story about an old king called Hezekiah,

and he was dying.

And a prophet called Isaiah said to him,

"Put your house in order, because you are about to die."

[ Chuckles ]

That seemed like sensible advice.

Have a bit of a tidy up before...

And it's funny, as I read it, I heard it in my dad's voice,

like he was telling me what to do.

-And that's what you were doing?

Putting your house in order?

-Yeah. [ Chuckles ]

I always felt guilty, taking those things from those people.

So why not put it right,

and make my peace with the universe before I leave it?

And have a bit of fun at the same time.

-And the ash?

The ash you left at all the houses.

-That's a thing my dad used to make us do

when we were children.

Write our sins on a piece of paper

and then burn it to show remorse.

-If you were trying to show remorse, Ernest,

you left it a long time.

-I know.

Life keeps you busy though, doesn't it?

Your priorities change and time just goes.

One day you go to sleep a boy of 19

and you wake up a 70-year-old man

looking back at all the stupid things you did.

-Don't you have family?

-No, I lost my wife, and my son.

-I'm sorry.

-My son's widow, she got herself a boyfriend eight months

after my son died, and...

I thought it was too soon, and then we argued and...

I said things that I regret now.

The boyfriend didn't last, of course,

but the damage had been done.

-Your daughter-in-law --

does she know that you're not well?

-No, no. No, she doesn't know.

-Don't you think you should tell her?

-Well, I thought about it, but why pass on my problems to them?

Maybe some things are better left as they are.

So, what now?

Do you need to take me in?

-Even if he put things back,

rather than taking anything, it's still forced entry.

-Yes.

-So do we pursue with CPS or not?

-Well, we'll go through the process because...

because we have to, but it'll never go to court.

I think we could push for a caution.

-You know without a conviction, we've got four burglaries

that won't qualify for the review.

-Well, sometimes there are more important things

than a pie chart, I suppose.

Like a real pie.

A pie of the ginger and cinnamon variety

cooked by the woman I love

and about to be served with a hot mulled wine

at the Christmas market, right about now.

-Sir.

Can we stop somewhere on the way?

-♪ Out in the field that I know well ♪

[ Doorbell rings ]

♪ Oh, how I'm cold ♪

♪ Will you let me in? ♪

-Wash your hands, darling, your tea's nearly ready.

-♪ If you could hear me speak ♪

♪ Where would I begin? ♪

-Jane Buchanan? -Yeah.

-♪ Time, it is passed now ♪

♪ And I roam free ♪

♪ Is it wrong to wish you still need me? ♪

♪ Is it wrong to wish you still need me? ♪

[ Ringtone playing ]

-Hi, Granddad. -Oh!

-Mum found out I was calling you,

so she took my phone off me.

But now she's just given it me back.

-Hi, Ernie.

How you doing?

-Oh, you know, love, rolling with the punches.

-Police came round.

They said you've not been well.

I wish you'd said.

-No point both of us worrying, is there?

-It's been too long.

-Yes, it has.

-Want a chip, Granddad?

-Oh, ta.

-Can we finish the story now?

-Yeah, course we can.

You comfortable?

-Yep.

"Mr. Scrooge?" "Yes," said Scrooge,

"that is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you.

Allow me to ask your pardon."

♪♪

-Excuse me. Sorry.

Excuse me. Sorry.

Come on. Gosh, it's busy.

Oh, thank you.

-Oh, can I? Please? -Mm-hmm.

-Ooh, how was it?

-Loved it.

-Mm-hmm. [ Chuckles ]

-What's she talking about?

♪♪

-Oh, hiya.

How's Ryan doing? -Really good.

He's got his phone back, he's talking to Granddad,

and he and Mum have made their peace.

-Oh, that's brilliant news.

-You and Humphrey were so good with him.

He talked about you all the way home.

-Ah, that's nice.

-You don't have kids?

-No, it didn't really happen for us.

-Oh.

Well, if you ever feel you have the time and the energy to do

for other kids what you did for Ryan today, here's my card.

We're always looking for foster carers.

-Inspector. -Ma'am.

-Are an inspector's wages so bad these days

that you can't afford a coat?

-Oh, I can't really do coats.

Too many pockets.

Last time I wore one,

I missed three trains trying to find my ticket.

-I spoke with Sergeant Williams.

She talked me through the outcome of the break-ins

investigations, and your desire to pursue a caution

with the man responsible, and why.

-Yes, ma'am.

-Which will put you at a disadvantage

with regards to your review.

-Unfortunately, yes, it will.

-In the circumstances I think it prudent

that we don't start to collect your figures until January.

-Circumstances, ma'am?

-It's Christmas, Inspector.

-So it is.

-See you in the New Year.

[ Mugs clink ]

-Hi.

♪♪

-Feeling alright?

-Everything is absolutely perfect.

♪♪

-♪ Silent night, holy night ♪

-I've been thinking.

Today's been a bit like "A Christmas Carol" -- you know,

Scrooge and the spirits of Christmas Past,

Present and Future.

-Oh?

-We had a bit of a strange case today,

which was all about righting the wrongs of a Christmas past.

Then in the Christmas present,

a young boy was reunited with his granddad.

If we could only know what our Christmas future holds.

-♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

-Happy Christmas.

-Happy Christmas.

[ Applause ]

[ "Haul Away For Rosie" plays ]

♪♪

♪♪

-♪ When I was a little lad, or so my mother told me ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-o ♪

♪ That if I didn't kiss the girls ♪

♪ My lips would grow mouldy ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-o ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-o ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie ♪

♪ Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-o ♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

-Merry Christmas, sir. Merry Christmas, Sergeant.

♪♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪