8 October 2026

Garry has a problem

As Gwern comes walking along the High Street, he find that Garry is having an angry conversation on his phone;  

"I need that car today!"

“No – I need that car today!   You’ll get it back later and do the MOT.   Well, just fix it, then!”

"What's wrong now?"

Gwern enquires what is wrong now, but his father replies that it is nothing he cannot sort out and marches off.

"No work today?"

In Tamed, Dani goes to sit at a table with Iolo, surprised that he has not got any work to do today, which he regards as cheeky.   

His phone sounds and, when he has taken one look at it, he puts it down again.

"Sexual health clinic"

“It’s the sexual health clinic,” he whispers.   

"Everything will be all right"

Dani tries to persuade him that everything will be all right and encourages him to answer it.   

"Yes, I understand"

He does so;  “Yes, I understand,” he says, 

It is not good news

then looks sheepishly at Dani.

Esther is on her way to school

Esther comes downstairs and is about to head to school, but Hywel would first like a word with her;  

"Remember that bank card?"

“Stay where you are – do you remember that bank card I gave you?   Have you bought anything apart from school dinners?”

"This app says otherwise"

She replies that she has not, so he shows her that the app on his phone says otherwise.   “It shows everything you’ve been buying – you’ve been spending a fortune in the shop by the school.”

"That pick-n-mix is so addictive"

She comes up with the excuse, “Well, it’s not my fault – that pick’n’mix is so addictive.”   

"I thought I could trust you with money"

Her father reminds her that she is in year 7 and that the only reason he opened that account for her was because he thought he could trust her with money.

“You can trust me!” she exclaims, 

"Not according to the app"

but he maintains that is not the case, according to the app.   Now he will have to give her cash instead and demands the return of the card, which she is not happy about.

"Why do you want to borrow it?"

“Why do you want to borrow it?” asks Britt, so he explains that his car failed its MOT.   The next question is, “Where are you going that’s so important?”

He describes it as, “Business – crikey, Britt, do you want me to fill out a from?   

"Can I borrow the car or what?"

“Can I borrow the car or what?”   The buzzer sounds and Garry admits Gwern, 

"Where are those keys?"

then looks around for Britt’s car keys.   She rushes in to stop him, insisting that she needs the car today. 

"Have you sorted your problem?"

Gwern enquires whether Garry has sorted his problem, 

"No!"

to which he shouts, “No!” and rushes out of the flat.

"What on earth's going on?"

“Is someone going to tell me what on earth’s going on,” sighs Gwern.

"I don't know if you remember me"

At Maes-y-Deri, Iolo is practising how he is going to inform his many ‘contacts’.   “This is Iolo Davies-White from Cwmderi.   I don’t know if you remember me – I might have said I’m a plumber.”

"Get to the point, Iolo!"

Dani has been unloading the washing machine and tells him, “Get to the point – tell them that you have Chlamidia,” 

"I can't start a message like that"

but he insists that he cannot start a message like that.   “They don’t want a prologue,” she goes on, 

"I have to go and service Hywel's boiler"

so he says that he has to go and service Hywel’s boiler.

Dani is undeterred;  “You’re not going anywhere until you text every sexual partner you’ve had!” 

"I didn't get his name or number"

He is very much aware of that, but explains, “I met a guy on a night out in town at the start of the summer – I didn’t get his name or number.”   She asks what he does know about the guy.

"A law firm in Cwrtmynach"

“All I remember is that he works for some law firm in Cwrtmynach,” he says 

"Text the rest of them"

and Dani agrees that she will get working on the case, telling him to text the rest of them.

"Th car won't be back in time"

Garry is in Tamed, speaking on the phone again;  “I know the doctor doesn’t want to discuss it on the phone, but, like I said, the car won’t be back in time.   

"I'm not raising my voice!"

“I’m not raising my voice!” he shouts, just as Hywel comes in, “Just forget it!”

"Are you making new friends?"

“Goodness – are you making new friends?” Hywel asks.

"What's the point?"

“What’s the point of running a café if there’s no-one here to serve?” Garry moans.   

"I haven't had a chance to talk to you properly"

Hywel has not had a chance to talk to him properly since hearing the news about this illness.

Garry dismisses it with, “Worse things happen in this world,” insisting that he is fine.

"I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing"

Hywel knows that with these things he is afraid to say the wrong things and ends up saying nothing.   

There is still no sign of anyone behind the counter, so he proposes that as he has a new coffee machine at home, Garry could come and judge his skills as a barista.

"I don't need your charity!"

“I don’t need your charity!” Garry growls and walks out.

"Sorry to disturb you, but . . ."

Iolo’s next attempt is, “Sorry to disturb you, but I’ve tested positive for Chlamidia.   I think you should know;  best wishes, Iolo.”

"That's very polite"

Dani comments that it is very polite and he sarcastically wonders if he should add a kiss as well, so she tells him to just send it.

"Are you going to see Morgan again"

“Are you going to see Morgan again?” she asks, but he intends to go into hiding, certain that he is the last person Morgan wants to see.

"It doesn't scream 'romance', does it?"

“A thumbs-up emoji doesn’t really scream ‘romance’, does it?” he groans, although Dani describes him as ‘cute’.   “He probably thinks I’m the biggest idiot he’s ever met.”

Dani thinks she has traced him down

Dani has completed her research and asks him whether this is the guy, 

"Is this him?"

showing him a photo on her phone.   She explains her methodology;  “There’s only one law firm in Cwrtmynach and only one of them isn’t over 60.   The only problem is I can only find a landline number.”

"Ring the number instead, then"

Iolo realises that he cannot text and is instructed by Dani to ring the number instead.

Hywel is outside . . .

Garry answers the buzzer at Cysgod y Glyn and finds that it is Hywel, who wants to know whether he has a minute.   When Hywel comes in, he comments, “You look as if you need a strong coffee,” and hands one to Garry, 

. . . and has brought coffee

confessing that he is not used to the new machine yet and he cannot promise it will be as nice as Tamed’s.

"It tastes like instant"

Garry’s evaluation is that it tastes like instant, so is told that at least he does not charge as much as Eileen.   

"Who stole your porridge?"

“Look, are you going to tell me who stole your porridge today?” asks Hywel.

"I had more privacy in prison"

“There’s no peace to be had in this place,” groans Garry, “I had more privacy in prison.”   Hywel reminds him that her there are people who care about him.

"Prostate Cancer – that's pretty nasty"

“Prostate cancer – that’s pretty nasty – I remember my uncle having it,” so Garry asks if he has been for a check-up.   I thought about it, but don’t they have to put their finger up . . ?”

"A couple of uncomfortable seconds"

“A couple of uncomfortable seconds to save your life?” Garry demands, “I’d say it’s a good idea.   I was fortunate to catch it early, but I should have gone for treatment months ago.”

"I'm supposed to get the results in hospital now"

Hywel asks what is the prognosis;  “I don’t know – I had urgent tests and I’m supposed to get the results in hospital now.”   

Hywel wonders what he is doing still there.

"Drinking your bad coffee"

“Drinking your bad coffee!”snarls Garry, “Then my car failed its MOT and I can’t borrow Britt’s car.”   

“Have you missed your appointment?” Hywel wants to know, 

"I'll take you, then"

“I’ll take you, then.   I understand, because I found a lump once and it was an awful experience.   

"It's better to know where you stand"

“It’s better to know where you stand.”

Iolo has serviced Hywel's boiler 

Iolo comes downstairs at number 21, having serviced Hywel’s boiler, when his phone rings;  

"We met on a night out"

“Thank you for phoning back – it’s Iolo White – we met on a night out.   I don’t know how to say this, but . . . I’ve got Chlamidia and I think I might have given it to you.   

"I just wand to let you know"

“I just wanted to let you know and I thought it would be a good idea for you to . . .”

He does not know he has an audience

He realises that the call has been ended, then receives a shock when Esther, 

"Oh!"

who has crept into the house unnoticed, 

"What have you given the person on the phone?"   

asks, “What have you given the person on the phone?”

"It's just a turn of phrase . . ."

He is lost for words, muttering that it is just a turn of phrase.   “How long have you been standing there?   I’ve been irresponsible– but now I’m taking responsibility,because I . . . 

". .  you wouldn't understand"

“You know what?   It doesn’t matter.   You wouldn’t understand.”

"I do understand"

Esther protests that she does understand;  “I’ve been irresponsible as well.   I’ve wasted money on sweets and now Dad is angry.   

"Does taking responsibility make it right?"

“Does taking responsibility make things right?”

Iolo confirms that it can help, so she thanks him for his advice and leaves the house again.

"Good luck, Garry"

Garry and Hywel arrive back after the appointment;  Hywel wishes him good luck and promises to take a test himself.   

"No better support than family"

He is always available if Garry needs to talk;  “And there’s no better support than the support of family.”

Gwern is watching

What they do not know is that they are being watched by Gwern, who is over by Tomos ac Ellis.

“I know what Britt’s like, but she thinks the world of you,” Hywel continues, “You need the support of family – 

"Family – and Gwern"

“and Gwern – but don’t do this alone.”   

He gives Garry a hug

He hugs Garry, who then goes into the Deri.

Hywel is going into his house

Hywel is opening his front door when Gwern comes across;  “Oi!’ he shouts, “What was that about?   

"I have a right to know!"

“He’s my father – I have a right to know.”

"You ask him, then"

“You ask him, then,” suggests Hywel, “It’s not my place to tell you where we’ve been.”

"What's wrong with everyone?"

“What’s wrong with everyone?   I’m an adult – don’t treat me like a child,” protests Gwern, 

Hywel says no more

but Hywel simply goes into number 21.   “That’s right – walk away!” Gwern rages.

Garry sits int the Deri

Garry sits solemnly in the Deri;  

"What are you doing?"

Dani asks him what he is doing there on his own.   

"The cancer is stage three"

He announces, “The cancer is stage three – it’s got worse.”   Dani sits down beside him and asks if it has spread.   “Not to other parts of the body, no, or the lymph nodes.”

"Is there a treatment?"

She regards that as a good thing and wants to know if there is a treatment.   

"Hormone therapy"

“Hormone therapy,” he answers, “An op, radiotherapy.   I’m OK.”   

"Take one step at a time"

She advises that he should take one step at a time and stay positive.

"Has it passed the MOT?"

Britt appears, asking if his car has passed the MOT, 

"I have to go"

but he maintains that he has to go and will not say any more to her.

"I'll go and find for myself"

Neither will Dani tell her anything, so she decides that she will go over and find out for herself.   

"He needs some peace"

Dani says that he needs some peace, but this makes no difference to Britt.

"The cancer has got worse"

In desperation, Dani sighs, “OK, fine – the cancer has got worse – it’s stage three.”

"I didn't know he had tests"

Britt appears stunned;  “I didn’t know he’d agreed to have tests – 

"He's going to have treatment?"

“does that mean he’s going to have treatment?”   Dani nods her head.

“Why did he tell you first?”   

"He just needed to tell someone"

Dani assumes that he just needed to tell someone.   

"But why you?"

Britt snarls, “And he chose you over me?”

Dani confirms that she told him to talk to his sister before having the tests.   “So you knew he’d changed his mind and didn’t say?”   

Dani stresses that was what Garry wanted.

"You have no idea"

“You have no idea what the last few months have been like for me – I’ve been praying – does Gwern know?   

"Go and tell him!"

“Go and tell him!” growls Britt, as she jumps up and dashes out of the Deri.

"Did Iolo say the boiler was fixed?"

When Esther comes downstairs, Hywel asks if Iolo said the boiler was fixed.   

She replies that he did not actually say so, but as far as Hywel can see he did put it right.

"Dad, I'm sorry"

“Dad, I’m sorry – I am – and, to prove it to you, I promise not to buy any more.   

She hands over the sweets . . .

She hands over her bag of sweets.

 . . . which are put in a drawer

which he places in a drawer;  

"It's important to take responsibility"

“It’s important to tale responsibility sometimes, isn’t it?” she adds.

"Do you fancy a board game night""

It comes as a surprise to Hywel when she suggests, “Do you fancy a board game night?”   He thought that she regarded board games as boring, but would love to.   

"I do love you, you know"

“Listen, Esther, I do love you, you know,” he goes on, but she tells him not to be soppy.

He insists that he is very lucky to have her;  

"Lucky enough to have my bank card back?"

“Lucky enough to let me have my bank card back?” she enquires.   He tells her to go and get those games.

"It's not your fault, Gar"

Britt has gone to Cysgod y Glyn, where she is trying to console Garry;  he apologises to her, but she insists that it is not his fault.   What if I’ve left it too late?” he wonders, 

"You're doing the right thing now"

but she seems convinced that he is going to be all right and that it is natural to be scared.

“But you’re doing the right thing now – and that’s what matters.   

"You're going to live with me"

“From now on, you share everything with me – and you’re going to live with me while you’re being treated, because I’m going to look after you – and I’m not taking no for an answer.

"We always come out the other side"

“You and I have been through a lot and we always come out the other side – 

"That's what's going to happen this time"

“that’s what’s going to happen this time, OK?”

"People deal with things differently"

At Maes-y-Deri, when told about the cancer, Gwern wants know what is wrong with his father;  Dani replies that people deal with such things differently.

"He doesn't give a damn about me!"

“He doesn’t give a damn about me!   I’ve been worried for months – and now that he’s willing to have treatment, he doesn’t have the decency to tell me.

Dani explains that he did not want to get Gwern’s hopes up;  “As if!   He just wanted shut me out again!”   Dani points out that he has a lot on his mind, 

"Not me, obviously!"

but Gwern shouts, “Not me, obviously!” and walks out of the house.

"You're taking responsibility"

Iolo sits on the stairs at Y Felin, muttering to himself, “You’re taking responsibility – you’re taking responsibility.”   He dials Morgan’s number;  

"Look, Morgan, it's Iolo"

“Look, Morgan, it’s Iolo.    I’ve taken the test and it’s positive.   Can we have a chat about this face-to-face?   

"If you fancy meeting up"

“If you fancy meeting up – let me know.”

"You were wrong about Garry . . ."

Britt arrives at Maes-y-Deri, informing Dani, “You were wrong about Garry – 

". . . he's in pieces . . ."

“he’s not handling the news well at all.   He might not show it, Dani, but he’s in pieces.   

". . . nut everything is sorted"

“But don’t worry – everything has been sorted.   

"I'll be looking after him from now on"

“I’ll be looking after him from now on – I’m his sister.”   Having said this, she leaves the house.

Esther sneaks downstairs . . . 

During the night, Esther comes downstairs, 

. . . after her sweets

turns on a light and goes straight to the drawer in which her sweets were put.

The back door opens . . .

As she takes them out, a shadowy figure can be seen opening the back door, which has been left unlocked.   

. . . and she shouts for her father

When she sees the door open, she screams for her father, 

The intruder has escaped

who wastes no time in coming down, but by then the intruder has fled.

“There was somebody there!” she tells him, 

The stable door is bolted

so he runs to the door and rather belatedly locks it, 

"It's all right, Esther!"

trying to assure her that it is all right.