As the episode unfolds, Siegfried Farnon (played by Samuel West) gracefully lifts a Christmas tree, embodying the festive spirit. Helen Herriot (Rachel Shenton), meanwhile, engages in a cheerful conversation with Audrey Hall (Anna Madeley) about their impending Christmas feast. Audrey learns from the butcher that securing a roasting joint might be a challenge but hints at a potential solution, mentioning a brief errand she needs to run. James (Nicholas Ralph) arrives, adding a touch of holiday charm with holly branches in hand.
Over at the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Headquarters, Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) shares insights into the complexities of diagnosing mule ailments, acknowledging the subtlety of their symptoms. Duggins (Jake Hayward) elaborates on the indicators of colic in these animals, just as Major Robertson (Adam Best) interrupts for a private word with Tristan. Robertson unveils a secret project, tasking Tristan with procuring the finest and fastest breeding pigeons by Christmas. The urgency is clear: only the best will suffice.
Audrey strikes a deal with Esme Taylor (Becky Simon) and checks in on Christopher (Owen Phillips), who has a pet passion for snails. She recounts Siegfried's own quirky pet – a rat – to Christopher. Siegfried returns triumphantly to Skeldale House with the towering Christmas tree, while Audrey announces her success in acquiring a goose for their festive dinner, explaining the coupon-related circumstances behind her acquisition. James harbors hope that Jimmy might be walking by Christmas, prompting Helen to propose a tea party at Heston for Jimmy's birthday, coinciding with Christmas Eve. Audrey eagerly volunteers to bake a birthday cake.
Tristan enters the scene, inquiring about the tree outside, and divulges the details of his pigeon-related mission. Siegfried emphasizes the pigeons' invaluable role during the last war. Suddenly, Audrey steps out to discover a fox confined in a box, with Christopher lurking nearby. She questions him curiously about this unexpected development. Siegfried advises Tristan to seek Enoch Sykes for the required pigeons.
A radio broadcast disrupts the tranquil scene, announcing the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse during operations against a Japanese attack on Malaya. Tristan and Helen recognize the Repulse as Edward's ship, prompting Siegfried to suggest informing Audrey, who promptly returns with news of their intriguing new patient. Siegfried delivers the grim news about the Repulse, while James cautions that they should await further details. Tristan offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting the situation might not be as dire as it seems. Helen concurs, emphasizing the uncertainty of the moment.
Audrey diverts Siegfried's attention to Christopher and the fox, switching her focus to preparing the potatoes. Tristan and James attend to the tree, ensuring it stands proudly in its place. Siegfried gently reminds Christopher of the dangers of handling wild creatures, enhancing the narrative with a touch of warmth and wisdom amidst the holiday preparations.
Christopher caught a glimpse of its tail and immediately sensed something amiss. Siegfried, however, dismissed it as mere mange, a minor inconvenience that could be readily rectified with some medication. Yet, he emphasized that once treated, the creature must be released back into the wild. Christopher proposed releasing it deep within the woods, far from any farms, offering to accompany Siegfried. Siegfried agreed and informed Audrey of their plan to return the fox to its rightful habitat. As they departed, Audrey watched them go, her thoughts drifting to Eddie (Conor Deane).
The next morning, Siegfried joined the others in the bustling kitchen. Tristan returned, holding a newspaper that carried somber news about the Repulse. He informed Audrey that fears loomed high, with estimates suggesting half the crew might have perished. The list of casualties would be published in the coming days. Audrey tasked them with picking up a goose from Miggins on the 21st.
In a private conversation, Tristan, James, Siegfried, and Helen discussed the possibility that Eddie might not have survived. Tristan perceived Siegfried as dwelling on the worst-case scenario, while Siegfried advocated for maintaining their routine. Tristan then visited Enoch Sykes (Duncan Preston) to address concerns about his pigeons. Enoch accused him of clandestine espionage, but Tristan revealed the birds' feces had a greenish hue, hinting at gastric issues. Enoch denied any problems, but Tristan noted the feces' almost luminescent appearance and offered to take samples. He suggested they discuss the breeding program once the issue was resolved. Enoch mentioned Ripley's odd behavior and agreed to let Tristan take him for a day.
Helen tried to console Audrey, but Audrey, though appreciative, asked Helen to visit Heston instead. At Heston, Helen and Jenny (Imogen Clawson) discussed Edward's ship, while Richard (Tony Pitts) inquired about Audrey, speculating that Jimmy might soon talk. They also chatted about the upcoming tea party. Meanwhile, Tristan returned with a pigeon, briefing Siegfried on their potential health issue. Siegfried noted with concern that the pigeon was lifeless. James and Tristan planned to investigate further later.
Frustrated, Siegfried hindered Tristan's attempts to dissect the pigeon, prompting Tristan to enclose it in an envelope for lab analysis. Audrey scanned the newspaper, anxiously searching for her son's name, which thankfully was absent. Tristan received a call from Enoch, which he abruptly ended by pretending to be Siegfried. He promised Siegfried he would call him once he received the lab results. Additionally, Tristan confessed his struggle in finding a breeder.
Audrey learned that the fox had returned. As she approached, the fox darted away. Undeterred, she decided to feed it. The fox eagerly ate and subsequently climbed into one of the cages. Upon Tristan's return, he discovered that Enoch had paid them a visit.
Enoch yearns for the return of his cherished pigeon, a task that falls upon Tristan's shoulders to communicate, albeit unwelcome. Enoch accuses Tristan of bringing a curse, claiming the pigeons are perishing since his arrival and warns fellow breeders of the supposed doom. Meanwhile, James' thoughts wander to Jimmy's gifts, while Tristan receives the lab results, his eyes widening in astonishment at the revelation of lead poisoning. Audrey, on the other hand, receives a card from Edward, though it arrives posthumously, sent before the tragic event. As she exits, Siegfried murmurs that they should never have kindled her hopes.
Audrey embarks on a search for the fox, clutching a letter from Edward, who mentions a friend named Paddy Grainger, invalided back home. Edward entrusts her with a mission to deliver a bottle of rum and some shortbread to him. Enoch confronts Tristan anew, revealing two more pigeons had succumbed earlier but insists they are now fine, his conviction unchanged that Tristan is to blame. Tristan postulates it could be contamination in the feed, noting Enoch's mobility issues last time. Enoch dismisses it as mere lumbago.
Determined, Tristan inspects the loft once more, noticing paint flakes peeling from the ceiling. Enoch demonstrates how he tossed food to the pigeon, inadvertently causing paint chips to cascade into the loft. The realization dawns on Tristan that Enoch's actions were the culprit. He believes an apology is in order from Enoch.
Later, Tristan informs Siegfried of Enoch's generosity in lending six of his finest pigeons for Doncaster, vowing to make it back for Jimmy's party. Helen ponders if they should cancel due to Audrey's state. The following morning, Audrey's cries for Siegfried echo as she discovers the injured fox curled in the shed. Siegfried posits it was bitten by a dog, blaming it on animals losing their innate fear of humans. He declares euthanasia the kindest option due to the infected wound, but Audrey balks, challenging his authority over the fox's fate.
After her stormy exit, Helen inquiries about Siegfried's conversation with Audrey. Tristan returns to Robertson with the pigeons, receiving a photograph of men deployed last week. Robertson informs Tristan of his new role as an instructor, grounding him temporarily. Audrey visits Paddy Grainger, presenting him with the rum. Paddy reveals Eddie gave him his rum ration as he didn't fancy it, adding his arm was crushed in a winch accident—a place he shouldn't have been, only lending a helping hand. Audrey, aware of his shared past with Edward in the ship's engine room, seeks his honesty on a matter of grave concern. They both admit to daily newspaper checks, with Paddy confessing he wouldn't have survived had he been in the engine room during the ship's fateful hit.
He proceeds to extol Eddie's virtues, which leaves Audrey distressed to the point of needing to excuse herself. Helen assesses her cake with a sense of satisfaction, deeming it presentable. James suggests they might as well open their presents, just as Richard enters, bearing gifts. He unveils a farm toy he's acquired for Jimmy. James, meanwhile, reveals a tiny vet's bag he crafted especially for Jimmy. Richard expresses his conviction that Jimmy is destined to become a farmer, sparking a disagreement that Helen hastily quells. Audrey reappears, only to discover the fox confined in a cage. Siegfried cautions her that the creature's condition remains precarious, possibly teetering on the brink of survival. Audrey is tormented by guilt over having fed it, her mind haunted by visions of Eddie clinging desperately to a piece of debris or an isolated island, unable to signal for help. She refuses to contemplate his demise, clinging to the slimmest hope that he will return home.
James and Helen awaken on Christmas morning, while Siegfried keeps vigil over the fox as Audrey sleeps peacefully nearby. Tristan answers a long-distance call for Audrey, and upon waking, Siegfried imparts that the fox's condition seems stable, perhaps even showing signs of improvement. Tristan bursts in, breathless with excitement to relay the contents of the phone call. Audrey's heart lightens upon hearing Eddie's voice, and the rest of the family descends to share in the reassuring news. Audrey informs them that Eddie, though injured, is doing well in a Singapore hospital. Amidst the festivities, they realize Siegfried has overlooked the goose. Tristan tells Siegfried that his latest recruits have been deployed, confiding that he was relieved to learn he'd remain in Doncaster. He acknowledges the gravity of sending these men into harm's way, while part of him clings to the hope that everything will turn out alright.
Richard expresses a willingness to let Jimmy pursue his passions, while Audrey reflects on the past few weeks, deeming them the most challenging of her life. She offers heartfelt thanks to everyone. After dinner, the gathering takes on a festive air as they play a game. Audrey glances outdoors, her heart warming at the sight of snow gently falling.
