Christmas on Coronation Street is often a time when writers like to… add fuel to the family fire, and this year, the Metcalfes are the focus of one of the most chaotic Christmas scenes.

On the surface, Sally is pouring all her energy into turning the house into a “dream home” for Joanie – who is still struggling between the grief of losing her mother Lou and the fear of being abandoned again.

The lights are carefully hung, the tree is meticulously decorated, the presents are neatly wrapped; it looks like the perfect Christmas postcard, but underneath there is a whole mess of emotions that no one dares to touch.

Sally believes that if she is patient enough, gentle enough, she can use love to make up for the void in Joanie’s heart.

Tim stands by, both supportive and worried, knowing that his wife is easily caught up in the illusion that “if you just try, everything will be okay”. Not to mention, the vague promise of Joanie “seeing her mother for Christmas” hung in the air like a bombshell, and every time it was discussed, the faces of the entire family visibly stiffened.

Just as the atmosphere was trying to maintain some warmth, bad news hit Joanie: she was banned from an important outing with her friends, involving a “senior” girl Joanie greatly admired. The ban might have stemmed from a perfectly reasonable adult concern – an unsafe environment, an untrustworthy friend, or simply Joanie getting into trouble at school – but for a child living in a state of “everything can be taken away,” this was the last straw.