After their pre-Christmas encounter in Manchester, both Robert Carne and Sarah Burton return to Kiplington. Sarah hopes that Robert will call on her, but she spends Christmas day with Joe Astell and a fine single malt. Lydia's father may have found a solution that will allow her to return to school. The selection of the building site for the new housing estate is fast approaching. Alfred Huggins unwisely suggests to Carne that he buy some of the land but Robert, despite his dire financial position, flatly refuses to do so. It also leads Robert to make injudicious comments on the honesty of some of his fellow councilors. It all leads to tragedy. As for Huggins, he certainly pays a price for attempting to manipulate the land market.
—garykmcd