JESS WHAT WE NEED THIS CHRISTMAS
Is there going to be a Christmas baby in this year’s festive episodes of Fair City — well just look at the picture to the right, it looks like it, doesn’t it?
It all starts when Victor convinces Sean and the lads to clamp Babs’ car as a prank to ease tensions.
But when Jess gets stomach pains, Babs and Greg are concerned and their attempts to drive Jess to the hospital are scuppered by Victor’s prank.
Following the stunt, Victor has a lot of making up to do while Babs manages to mend fences with Sean, Bob and Bosco.
Later, Babs decides to volunteer at the Community Centre on Christmas Day, contrary to Victor’s plans for a party, so Victor enlists Jess and Greg’s help to throw his own Christmas bash.
He invites one and all to his Christmas Day party but warns them to keep it a secret from Babs. Greg, meanwhile, caves and agrees to Christmas drinks with Steo once he promises not to discuss Jess.
Meanwhile, an overdue Jess finds waiting for the baby’s arrival tough going.
Elsewhere, Hayley decides to let Rafferty sweat a bit longer regarding the job while Anto and Sharon hide their hurt when Hayley reveals she’s spending Christmas with the Raffertys.
James and Hayley, meanwhile, vow not to let the baby issue come between them, but James is secretly concerned.
Elsewhere in the town, Erica confronts Pete about his recent behaviour and urges him to speak with the doctor, but he instead decides to try and kick the painkillers on his own.
Later, Sharon gives Pete a piece of her mind following his recent public outburst. And, shaken by his interaction with Sharon, Pete caves and pops more pills.
And he loses the nerve to come clean about self-medicating when Doug unloads his own troubles.
Hayley, meanwhile, is guilt-ridden over hiding the elopement from Sharon and Anto, so James suggests a prechristmas lunch for both families.
But Anto, Sharon and Rafferty are disappointed to learn James and Hayley are going away for Christmas and when Carol gatecrashes the lunch, Sharon is on edge.
Next week, Christmas week, in Carrigstown, Anto and Sharon worry for Hayley as she prepares to call things off with James.
Later, with Hayley missing, Rafferty tries to reassure an anxious James but Sharon’s worry grows when Carol highlights James’ unpredictable nature.