This short story was published in the next Big Finish Short Trips collection - The Ghosts of Christmas.

Well, Cavan Scott and Mark Wright have finally managed it. A short story that moved me emotionally.

The three parts of this story see the Brigadier at different points in his life at Christmas. The first sees him invited to the Doctor's country house sometime after The Green Death. There are touching moments between them and they set off after Christmas dinner to foil another invasion.

Later in life, sometime after Battlefield it seems, the Brigadier is with Doris for Christmas playing host to his nephew's family. We find that every year he sets a place for the Doctor despite the fact he's never come.

The final part sees the Brigadier completely alone. Doris has died and his great-nephew's invitation unaccepted. Waking he finds the Doctor, the 8th, has finally managed to arrive for Christmas, along with Charley Pollard. Not only this but the Doctor has arranged for Benton, Mike, Liz, Osgood and Jo to join them. We find that Corporal Bell has died and there are references to Bambera, Ancelyn and Sarah Jane (who they cannot contact). As they settle down at the table I must admit a tear came to my eye.

I think it must be all the more powerful for knowing that Nicholas Courtney is no longer with us - and nor is Elisabeth Sladen adding depth to the absent Sarah Jane - and this idea of his UNIT friends reuniting one last time is incredibly touching and very well written.

A beautiful use of this form and one I would highly recommend.