Beth and Eric think their son Ian is taking them out for their 30th wedding anniversary dinner - but find instead that he and his boyfriend Gordon have organised a surprise party at their house. And the gang's all there.

What more could you ask from a party? The buffet table is groaning with food, the champagne is flowing and Christine has brought a homemade trifle as a present.

Beth and Cathy think they are doing their good deed for the day when they drop Christine off at the hospital reception, but while Cathy manages to slip away, poor Beth doesn't get off so lightly and is committed to a visit post-op.

With a long list of demands from Christine, Beth and Eric return later with her supplies to find that instead of being sore and exhausted after surgery, she has been sleeping off her dinner. It emerges the operation has been postponed until the following morning.

As nurse Heather weathers Christine's demands, Colin arrives followed by Michelle and Alan. The ensuing group discussion leaves Christine very worried about her chances of survival.