Jean huffed as she slammed the door behind her, realising then just how isolated she was. Home Farm was miles from anywhere. She didn't know the area and she could hardly go back inside and ask inebriated Graham for help. He had made his stance quite clear, but perhaps it hadn't helped that she had lost her temper. She'd been warned about that too many times in the past.

She took out her phone and tried to search maps for local villages. Connelton, Robblesfield, Hotten and Emmerdale.

Emmerdale. She settled on, looking for directions. 8 miles. In her flat pumps, they would get absolutely soaked on this ground.

She moved out of the drive and braced herself, turning in the direction of the post that read, Emmerdale to the left.

"Ey! Ey! Where you off to?" Called out a raggedy looking man from a beaten up truck.

Jean continued walking, heeding her mother's warning about strangers.

"Sam! Yer frightenin' er." Warned the woman next to him, as he stopped the truck. "Let me, eh?"

Lydia jumped down from the seat and wandered toward Jean.

"You look like yer lost?" She began gently.

Jean stopped as Lydia caught up with her. She seemed friendly enough, there was nothing particularly threatening about her. How could there be, wrapped up in a thick bright coat, woolly hat and knitted gloves and scarf. Yet still Jean remained on her guard.

"Yer shouldn't be walkin' on yer own out 'ere. Not on Christmas Eve o'all things."

"I'm not. I'm on my way to the village."

"Oh? Seein' family?"

"No. He's not here."

"Who isn't?"

"My...brother." Jean stumbled on her words. It seemed the safest thing to say. "I thought he lived round here. Turns out he doesn't."

She shrugged, "haven't seen him for years."

"Oh," Lydia looked aside, puzzled, "well our Sam knows everyone in t'village. What's his name? Might know him?" She asked urgently, but with genuine interest. There was something striking about this young girl and her accent, the twang barely disguised her posh and prim tone.

"Tom." Jean bluffed, "I probably got the village name wrong."

She turned to walk on.

"Well, yer can't go wanderin' round for hours. Get in t'back, we'll give yer a ride t'village."

"You're okay." Jean replied.

"We're not leavin' yer." Warned the man, "our Samson'll make room for yer, won't yer, son?"

A sweet faced teenage boy poked his head out of the back window. At once Jean felt more at ease. They had children. Her shoulders relaxed.

"Come on up." He gestured, holding out his hand for Jean to take.

"Thanks." She replied uncertainly, climbing in beside him as Lydia boarded the truck in the front.

"T'village, then." Sam declared and the truck pulled away, rattling down the country lane to the village.

Having reached their destination, Sam pulled the truck to a clattery stop.

"Yer sure yer'll be alright?" Lydia asked, looking at Jean worriedly as she watched the girl shuffle toward the gate.

"I'll be fine. Thanks. See you." She offered as a awkward response.

"Yer need owt, come and ask. Wishing Well cottage." Lydia instructed, gesturing.

"Thanks again." Jean added, before making her way out of the yard.

"She were a bit weird, weren't she?" Samson remarked.

"Hmm." Lydia mused, watching after her. "but we shouldn't judge, now." She patted his shoulder, "don't know where she's come from, do we?"

"Nor, s'pose not."

"Go on, you get inside, get us a brew, eh? I'll help yer dad."

"Thanks Lydia." Samson replied warmly, as Lydia collected the rest of the Christmas goods from the back of the truck.

"Yer lookin' out?" Sam commented, noting Lydia's dazed expression.

"Nor. Don't mind me."

"Thinkin' about 'er? T'lass?" Sam suggested curiously.

"Summat about her." Lydia mused, adjusting the crates in her gloved hands, "reminds me o'someone."

"Aye, well, all look t'same round 'ere." Sam chortled jovially, wandering back toward the cottage, "me dad'll be pleased wi'this lot. Fit for us Kings."

"Aye, we'll 'ave a lovely Christmas." Agreed Lydia, "love you, Sam Dingle." She kissed his cheek and he blushed, trembling.

"Ey, yer soppy." He shook his head, obviously pleased and Lydia headed inside with the boxes.