7 April 2020

"You should get changed, Anita"

Anita, looking very smartly dressed, comes downstairs and is told by Siôn that she should get changed;  “I have changed,” she replies, 

"Doing Community work doesn't mean dropping my standards"

“Doing Community work doesn’t mean that I have to drop my standards!”

"There's an old fleece in the shed"

He advises that she needs to wear practical clothes;  “Where are the walking boots you wore to Pentre Ifan?   And there is an old fleece in the shed – you can borrow that.”

"I'm being punished enough already, Siôn!"

She pompously answers that she is being punished enough without being forced to wear his old fleece as well, and says he will have to excuse her, as she has work to do.   As she leaves, Siôn chuckles to himself.

Dai is looking at the Western Post 

At Bryntirion, Diane is looking at the iPad and smiling;  “Look at this,” she tells Dai, who puts down his copy of the Western Post to look at it.

"One of the best novels I've ever read"

He reads a review of her novel;  “One of the best novels I’ve ever read – enjoyable from beginning to end – Cati27.   Who on earth is she?”   Diane regards this as high praise, and Dai exclaims that someone out there likes it.   

"That won't be the last comment like that"

Diane is confident that she will not be the last.

Jason is wished happy birthday

They wish Jason happy birthday when he comes in with DJ, and his mother presents him with a gift;  

"New girlfriend, perhaps?"

“New year, new start!” he says, and his mother predicts a new girlfriend, perhaps.   

"This year is going to be about me and Ifan"

“No, I don’t think so, Mam – this year is going to be about me and Ifan,” he replies.

"Fancy going clothes shopping?"

Cassie asks Em if she fancies going clothes shopping today, but her daughter does not seem to be very keen on this.   “‘Non-binary’ people wear clothes, don’t they?” Cassie goes on, “We’ll go at lunchtime.”

"This is your way of getting me into a dress, is it?"

“This isn’t your way of getting me in a dress, is it?” Em demands, and is told that her mother would not dare.   Then she enquires, “Would you like a cappuccino from the café?”  As Em goes out of the door, Cassie’s phone rings again.

"If you're trying to sell me something . . ."

“If you’re trying to sell me something,” she begins, 

She receives troubling news

but then realises who it is.   She appears to be receiving troubling news.

Anita is out cleaning the streets

Out in the village street, Anita is picking up litter, something which she does not appear to be enjoying;  as Dai approaches, he comments, “Goodness me, there are some despicable people in Cwmderi!   That’s such a mess!”   

"You're very brave, Anita"

Anita informs him that they are lucky she is there to tidy up, and Diane considers her very brave.

"An opportunity to give back to the community"

“Well, it’s an opportunity to give back to the community,” is the way Anita describes her work, “I mean it, Dai – I don’t see it as a punishment – I see it as an honour, OK?”   

Anita's heel is stuck between paving stones . . .

As she is about to walk away, her high heel becomes trapped between two paving stones, and she cannot remove it.

Dai instructs Diane to grab her shoe;  “I’ll give her a good yank!” he says, but Diane has a better idea, that Anita should remove her foot from the shoe, then she will retrieve it.

. . . and Diane's solution has unfortunate results

However this results in the heel becoming detached from the rest of the shoe, 

"These are my favourite shoes!"

and Anita wails, “These are my favourite shoes!”   Dai wonders who collects rubbish in their favourite shoes, 

"Jason in APD will sort it out for you"

and she is recommended to go and see Jason in APD;  he will sort it out with some glue.

"Hopalong Cassidy!"

As she hobbles towards the shop, Dai describes her as, “Hopalong Cassidy!”

Breakfast cereals for Seren

Dani has selected two packets of breakfast cereal, commenting that Seren is obsessed;  “You have to keep them happy,” Llinos replies.   When Diane comes in, she asks if Dani has seen Anita outside.

“Yes, in her hi-viz – it suits her, doesn’t it?” Dani gleefully answers.   

"It's a terrible thing to have to do"

Diane considers it a terrible thing to have to do, and Dani snarls, “She should have thought about that before breaking my arm – she’s lucky she’s not in prison!”

"Were you there?   No, so you don't know!"

When Diane argues that it was an accident, Dani demands, “Were you there?   No – so you don’t know – your best buddy might be lying!”   Whatever happened, Diane advises her not to go anywhere near Anita today, adding that they are having a birthday party for Jason this afternoon.

"Jelly and ice cream, is it?   And a magician?"

“With jelly and ice cream is it?” Dani sneers, “A magician, perhaps?”   

"Who is celebrating?"

As Diane leaves the shop, Angharad has just come in, and wants to know who is celebrating.   “Jason,” Dani replies, “Mami’s throwing a party for him,” 

She selects a birthday card for Jason

so Angharad immediately selects a birthday card.

"No-one sensible wears high heels to collect rubbish!"

Jason is giving Anita’s shoe some attention, as she concedes that Siôn was right;  “No-one sensible wears high heels to collect rubbish!”   He is confident that his repair will last, 

"Don't put too much weight on it"

but advises her not to put too much weight on it.

"I'm not looking forward to going back out there"

“I’m not looking forward to going back out there,” she confesses, but he encourages her to keep her head down, and it will be over in no time.   

Now Angharad arrives at APD

She meets Angharad in the doorway, who presents Jason with the birthday card, 

"How did you know?"

and he wonders how she knew.   

"You know what they say about that little bird"

“You know what they say about that little bird,” she replies, “It never stops talking,” and she encourages him to open it.   Inside, with the usual greeting, he sees there is an invitation join her at the Deri tonight.   “I know that our first date was . . .” she begins, 

"No, it wasn't a 'date', Angharad"

but he points out that it was not a ‘date’.

“Call it what you like – I was a bit full-on – I was very nervous,” she says, “I’d like you to meet the real Angharad.”   He is in the process of explaining that he is not looking for a relationship at the moment, 

"I'm not asking you to move in with me"

when his mother comes in.   “I’m not asking you to move in with me!” Angharad stresses, “Just a couple of drinks – we’ll have fun!”

Diane considers that it would be nice if he went for a date on his birthday, 

"You won't get a better offer than Angharad"

and explains that he will not get a better offer than Angharad.   She maintains that it would do Jason a world of good;  “A handsome man like Jason shouldn’t be home with his mother,” she insists.

"Mam, will you go and check on the sandpaper?"

As an excuse to get rid of his mother, Jason asks her to check on the sandpaper in multipacks, and shepherds her out of the way, telling her that they do not want to disappoint their customers.

"But you're prepared to disappoint me"

“No, but you’re prepared to disappoint me,” complains Angharad.   

"This is just bad luck – wrong place, wrong time"

He explains that this is just bad luck – the wrong place at the wrong time, and he is sorry;  he thanks her once again for the card, 

Angharad is not good with rejection

and she walks out of the shop in a huff.

Em returns with the cappuccinos

Em returns to number nine with the cappuccinos, apologising that she took so long;  her mother looks very serious, 

"You're here – and I'd like to know why"

and remarks, “You’re here – and I’d like to know why.   My solicitor has just been on the phone – Huw didn’t get round to changing his will before he died.   He has left the house to me.   It must be worth a bit.   

"Be honest, why are you here, Mai?"

“You knew he had left me the house, so come on, be honest, why are you here, Mai?”

Em says nothing

Her daughter makes no reply, so Cassie goes on, “You’ve lost your tongue all of a sudden. 

"I thought we were beginning to understand each other"

“I thought we were beginning to understand each other.”   

Em confirms that they are, and adds, “That’s why I came here in the first place, but I’ve lost everything – friends, you and then Dad – 

"I couldn't lose my home as well"

“I couldn’t lose my home as well.”

Cassie imagines that her plan was to become friends with her mother and persuade her to give Em the house as a present;  

"Why didn't you talk to me – instead of this circus?"

“Why didn’t you talk to me?   Discuss it?   Instead of this circus.”

"After all these years, can I have the house, please?"

Em demands what she was supposed to say;  “Mam, after all these years, can I have the house, please?”   Her mother maintains that it would be better than deceiving her, but Em did not want her to think that was the only reason she was there.   

"I was scared you wouldn't accept me for who I am"

“I’ve searched for you for years, but I was scared that you would reject me – that you wouldn’t accept me for who I am.”

"You're fake and false!"

Cassie urges her to stop these lies, and describes Em as, “Fake and false!”    

Em has had enough and escapes

After a few seconds’ thought, Em leaves the house.

Anita continues her duties

Anita is picking up litter in the alley;  

"I would help you, but I can't be bothered!"

Dani, carrying that dog, remarks, “I would help you, but I can’t be bothered!”   

"You have more experience than me"

Anita snarls, “Are you sure?   You have more experience than me with community work.”   

"I was young, not a 'respectable grandmother'!"

Dani points out that she was young then, not a ‘respectable grandmother’; “It’s embarrassing, really – I know, trust me!”

"And why should I trust you?"

Anita demands why she should trust Dani, and stresses that she is busy at the moment;   

"There's glass on the ground outside the shop – pick it up!"

Dani informs her that there is glass on the ground outside the shop, and that she had better pick it up.   “I’m not answerable to you!” Anita growls, and Dani says she is afraid that Teddy could get hurt.

"Pick it up yourself!"

“If you’re that worried, pick it up yourself!” is Anita’s advice, but is told that is not the attitude;  she should have some enthusiasm.   Anita is by this time becoming angry and warns, “Out of my way, you and that stupid dog, or it won’t be rubbish on the end of these tongs!”   

She threatens little 'Teddy' . . .

She points them menacingly at the dog.

“Don’t threaten Teddy,” says Dani, 

. . . and it looks totally unconcerned

and tells the dog, “Is nasty Anita scaring you?   Shout at him again, and I’ll report you, OK?”   

"You don't frighten me – you and your pathetic dog!"

She is challenged to report her to whoever she likes;  “You don’t frighten me – you and that pathetic dog!”

The birthday cake has only three candles

Diane brings in the birthday cake, complete with three candles, 

"Happy birthday to Dadi"

and they sing ‘happy birthday’ to Jason.   

He extinguishes the candles

Then he blows out the candles as Dai returns, pleased that he is not too late to have a slice of cake.   

"You two can go to the Deri afterwards"

Diane announces that Jason and DJ will be going to the Deri afterwards, although Jason says he is not in the mood.

“It’s your birthday – you should enjoy yourself,” his mother orders him, and DJ maintains that he must have a pint on his birthday.   

Some whispered instructions from Diane

Diane calls DJ to one side to give him some instructions.

Em does not want to talk about it

Em is at the bar in the Deri, looking rather concerned, and does not want to talk to Dani.   

Anita brandishes what she has found

Anita, with a triumphant look, carries in a doggy bag which she alleges is Dani’s.   

"No, Dani uses the toilet!"

Em comments that Dani uses the toilet, but Anita goes on, “I know what your game is – you’re making the dog go outside, so that I, Muggins, have to pick it up!”

"That wasn't Teddy – it's massive, OK?"

Dani points out, “That wasn’t Teddy – it’s massive, OK?” and Em agrees that it looks like something a horse has produced.

"Next time, pick it up yourself!"

Anita is determined, “You can’t fool me – I know what you’re doing, all right?   Here it is – next time, pick it up yourself!”   She deposits the bag on the bar, and turns to leave the pub.   

"You're not fit to be on the streets!"

Dani maintains that she should be locked up, and is not fit to be on the streets.

This inflames Anita even further, and she exclaims, “You know that dog of yours, ‘Teddy’, I think he is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen!”   Dani’s response is to fling the bag at Anita, 

Anita ends up in a very embarrassing position . . .

and some of the contents appear to end up on her hair, causing Anita to scream uncontrollably, while Dani takes a photo of her, in this embarrassing state.

. . . and barges past Jason and DJ

Anita barges her way out of the Deri, past Jason and DJ, who are just arriving;  they carefully avoid the muck on the floor.   

"I'm not feeling very well, Jason . . ."

DJ suddenly decides that he is not feeling well, and is going to leave Jason alone, of course on the instructions of Diane.   

". . . must be too much birthday cake"

He blames eating too much birthday cake, 

"Angharad – I wasn't expecting to see you here!"

then remarks, “Angharad – I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”

"Your mother texted to meet her for a drink"

Angharad is looking for Diane;  “She texted me, asking me to meet her for a drink.”   

"Mam has been meddling again!"

Jason is not taken in for a minute by this story, and DJ slips away.   Jason apologises for her wasted journey, pointing out that his mother was meddling again, 

"You might as well have a pint, now you're here"

but she suggests, “You might as well have a pint now that you’re here.”

"Can we just sort this out, Mam?"

Em arrives back at number 9 and asks her mother if they can just sort this mess out;  she pleads that this does not have to change anything.   

"You didn't want me – you just wanted the house!"

“You didn’t want me – you just wanted their house,” Cassie insists, but Em replies that the last few days have been so good, 

"Forget about the house – it's not important"

and tells her mother to forget about the house, as it is not important.

"It was important enough for you to deceive me"

“It was important enough for you to deceive me,” Cassie reminds her, 

"But we've come so far, Mam"

but Em argues that they have come so far, they have got to know each other again;  Cassie replies that they do not know each other at all, and thinks that Em should go.   

"I don't want you under the same roof as me"

“I’m sure you’ll find somewhere else – I don’t want you under the same roof as me – so you can stay until the morning.   I thought we were doing so well.”  She does not want any more lies, and will not listen to Em’s protests.

"I can still smell it, Siôn!"

Anita comes downstairs, after having had a shower;  “I can still smell it!” she moans, but Siôn says she is imagining things.   

"It's completely disgusting!"

“It’s completely disgusting!’ she whines, 

"Well, you should have thought of that!"

and he points out that she should thought of that before taking dog mess into the Deri.   Her excuse is that she was angry.

"Amazing time, but lush to be back!"

Siôn is looking at his phone, and remarks that there is something on the Cwmderi ‘wall’ – about Kelly;  “Amazing time, but lush to be back – home, sweet home.”

Anita cannot believe that Kelly is back, but has not contacted her;  “I’ll phone her later, and invite her over for dinner.”   

"And there's something else on here, Anita"

Then Siôn notices something else on the ‘wall’, which he shows to Anita.

"Oh, look at the state of me!"

It is the photo which Dani took;  “Oh, look at the state of me!” Anita shrieks, 

"I won't be able to go back to the village ever again!"

“I won’t be able to go back to the village ever again!   Dani’s gone too far this time, hasn’t she?   Of course she took the photo!   

"This isn't over – not by a long way!"

“Right then – this isn’t over, not by a long way!”   Siôn dreads what she has in mind.

Jason is tired of Angharad's ramblings

In the Deri, Angharad is talking nineteen to the dozen, about the ‘disaster dates’ that she has had, and which do not seem to interest Jason.   

"I think things are going a little better this time"

“But I think things are going a little better this time,” she continues.   

Jason finds he is under surveillance

Then Jason turns to see that he is being watched by his mother.

“I don’t want to disturb you,” she alleges, 

"Are you just going to stand there, Mam?"

and Jason wonders if she is just going to stand there, 

"Come on, Diane"

but Dai manages to lead her away.

"She still treats me like a little boy"

“I’m 45, and she still treats me like a little boy,” complains Jason, 

"We could go somewhere else, if you like"

and this is Angharad’s cue to suggest that they could go somewhere else.   

He agrees, to escape from his mothers gaze

He agrees that anywhere else would be preferable to being under his mother’s surveillance, and quickly puts on his jacket.

Then he receives a very pleasant surprise . . .

It is at this opportune moment that Kelly puts in her long-awaited reappearance.   

. . . but Angharad obviously does share his pleasure . . .

As Jason comes face to face with Kelly, Angharad views her with some distaste, 

. . . particularly when Kelly kisses him

especially when she steps forward and kisses Jason.

"If desperate women throw themselves at you!"

As they look into each other’s eyes, Angharad decides that she is going, with the barbed comment, “It’s not your fault if desperate women throw themselves at you!”

"How was I to know that she'd turn up?"

This has not gone unnoticed by Diane, at the bar;  she growls, “How was I to know she’d turn up?”

"You're back!"

Kelly greets Jason, and he, rather unnecessarily, says, “You’re back!” and she replies that so is he.

What we have all been awaiting for several weeks 

“Happy birthday, Jase,” she smiles, and they kiss.