4 January 2021

"Just something to do with my venture"

At number 10, Gerwyn is preparing to go to work when Tesni receives a text message;  “Just something to do with my venture,” she says.   Her father regards it as the mysterious venture they all not allowed to know about;  

"Any exciting developments, Tes?"

Jaclyn asks how it is going, and if there have been any exciting developments.

“Yes, but I can’t say anything yet,” is the cryptic reply.   

"She's being recruited as a spook"

Gerwyn suspects that she has been recruited as a spook, although Jaclyn doubts if there is much demand for MI6 in Cwmderi..

“Right, I’m off,” he says, “Have you told Tes about the special family meal tonight?   To celebrate that Mam is still with us, you know.”   

"He means I was in a coma last year"

Jaclyn tries to pass this off as reference to her being in a coma this time last year.   

"I'v got an important meeting"

Tesni wonders if it has to be this evening, as she has an important meeting, and she has to go now.   She leaves via the back door.

“I’d better get going too,” Gerwyn comments, 

"Now I'm the manager . . ."

“Mind you, now that I’m the manager, I won’t get told off for being late!   See you later.”

"I've got you a little something for tonight"

In the alley, Tesni meets Griffiths, who is as usual equipped with his briefcase;  “I’ve got you a little something for tonight,” he tells her, pointing to a box, “Are you looking forward to it?”   

Tesni is a trifle hesitant

She confirms that she is, but suggests that perhaps, as it is the first time, it should be afternoon tea somewhere – instead of dinner at his house.

He is perfectly willing to change the plan, but should leave it to him to  arrange everything;  

"Afternoon tea at the Glyndwr"

“Afternoon tea at the Glyndwr – I’ll order a taxi for 3:30.”   

"Not a taxi"

Tesni would prefer them not to get a taxi, but he explains, “It comes with Champagne, and I don’t want to lose my licence.   There we are, then – see you later – don’t forget about this.”

He leaves this box for her . . .

As he picks up his briefcase, we see the box, tied with a yellow ribbon;  

. . . but Gerwyn happens to be passing . . .

Gerwyn happens to be passing and notices Griffiths walking away, 

. . . and sees Tesni with the box

then Tesni with the box.   He puts two and two together, 

Tesni does not notice him

but his daughter does not see him.

Gaynor is house-hunting

At Llwyncelyn, Gaynor finds some promising properties online, but Hywel thinks it is an odd time to put a house on the market;  “I know about New Year, new start, but not many people view houses in January.”   

"I want to push on with this, Hywel"

She insists that she wants to push on with this, 

"What's the big rush?"

and he enquires, “What’s the big rush?   We haven’t discussed the budget yet – we don’t know what we can afford.”

"We'll get a good price for this place"

“We’re both earning good money, and we’ll get a good price for this place,” she answers, “I fancy the coast – South Ceredigion, perhaps.   

"Look at this lively place in Llangrannog!"

“Look, there is a lovely place here in Llangrannog – look at the view!”

He argues that they cannot move too far because of work, and she hopes that he is not getting cold feet;  

She has an appointment at Tomos ac Ellis 

“Because I’ve arranged an appointment with Tomos ac Ellis at 3:30.”

Kelly has briefly slipped upstairs

In the café, Kelly has left a note – ‘back in five minutes’, 

Tesni is having a coffee

and Tesni is sitting, drinking a coffee as her father comes in.   

"What were you doing with Ieuan Griffiths?"

“What were you doing with Ieuan Griffiths earlier?” he asks, 

"Council Grants for new ventures"

and she lies that she was asking about Council grants for new businesses and ventures.   He was under the impression that things like that were on that website, and she says she thought she would get some inside information from him.

"He gave you that, did he?"

Gerwyn points at the box on the table;  “He gave you that, did he?” and she accuses her father of spying on her.   

"There are pamphlets and a printout"

She quickly manufactures the excuse that it contains pamphlets and a printout, and Gerwyn considers that Griffiths has gone to an awful lot of trouble.

When Jaclyn comes in, Tesni takes the opportunity to escape, 

"I've managed to move the meeting"

but not before she has told her mother, “If you want to make that meal, I’ve managed to move the meeting to this afternoon now.   Kelly will be back in a minute – she’s just popped upstairs.”

"I'm not sure about this venture"

“Listen, I’m not sure about this new venture,” Gerwyn warns, “I saw her earlier with Ieuan Griffiths – and he’s a creep!”   Jaclyn is also worried, 

"We have to trust Tesni, Ger"

but maintains they have to trust Tesni, as she has had a difficult year, and feels a bit lost.

"A bit lost like you, is it?"

“Like you, is it?” he replies, 

"I meant no college, no job, no boyfriend"

and she explains that she meant no college, no job, no boyfriend, things not working out for Tesni.   They have to support her as much as they can.

Tesni announces her new business

Tesni passes the shop and sees Aled inside;  “I’ve ventured into the world of business on my own,” she informs him, 

"I'm meeting one of my clients today"

“I’m meeting one of my clients today, as it happens – you can say congratulations, if you want.”

Aled does not like the sound of this

Aled is not sure that it is something to celebrate, but she points out that it means extra money, and Lisa does not have to know everything.   “And you’re meeting him face to face, not just ‘sexting’?” he queries, “So where are you meeting this man?”

"You're worse than Dad"

She accuses him of being worse than her father, and he wonders why she will not say.   “I don’t know where – the client’s arranging it,” she replies, “But don’t worry, I’m not going to his house.”

Aled warns her not to go, but she is quite adamant that she will be fine;  

"I don't trust those men you're meeting"

“I just don’t know if I trust those men you’re meeting,” he growls, but she is fed up with people telling her what to do, 

""Just chill – I can handle myself!"

and tells him to just ‘chill’.   She is confident that she can handle herself.

Gerwyn sees Aled across the road

Gerwyn is working on a car in the garage when he looks across toward Apêl Maenan and notices Aled;  “Have you got a minute?” he shouts, 

"Do you know anything about this new venture?"

“Tesni says she’s starting some new venture – do you know anything about it?”   

"Sorry, I can't help"

Aled replies that he does not, and is sorry that he cannot be of assistance.   Gerwyn concludes that he is probably worrying about nothing, but asks Aled to let him know if he hears anything.

Tesni wants to see what is in the box . . .

Tesni arrives home and is eager to see what is in the box;  

. . . an expensive dress

she finds a long, black, probably expensive, dress and looks rather apprehensive.

Some time later, she has put it on

Some time later, when Jaclyn is there, she comes downstairs wearing the dress;  

"I thought it was a business meeting"

her mother was under the impression it was a business meeting, 

"I want to make an impression"

so she explains, “This is the vibe they like, and I want to make an impression.   It’s OK, Mam – the woman I’m meeting is lovely.”

Jaclyn does not believe her

Jaclyn gets up and demands, “I’ll ask you again – where are you going, dressed like that in the afternoon?   And where did you get that dress?   It’s a bit low cut!”   Tesni’s phone rings, and she apologises to the caller that she is on her way.

"Who was it?"

Her mother wants to know who it was, and is told that it was Steph, who wanted to know where she was:  “We’re just going to discuss some ideas,” Tesni insists, and then her mother demands where the meeting is taking place.   

"Why do you always spoil things for me?"

“I’m trying to do something for my future, like you wanted me to do,” Tesni complains, “Why do you always spoil things for me?   Don’t worry, I’ll go out the back way,” and she flounces out.

They have paid a visit to Tomos ac Ellis 

The door of Tomos ac Ellis opens as Hywel and Gaynor emerge, both carrying property details;  Cassie also happens to be coming out of the Deri, and remarks, “Oh, so it’s true – you are leaving us.   I’m surprised to hear that – 

"One or two will miss you"

“I’m sure one or two will miss you.   And Hywel, I’m sure you’ll miss a lot of people – 

"But you've always got your phone!"

but you’ve always got your phone!”

Griffiths is venting his displeasure

They are interrupted by the angry voice of Griffiths, bellowing, “Where have you been?   I’ve been waiting 15 minutes!   The taxi’s gone!   

"There's no point going to the Glyndwr now!"

“There’s no point going to the Gwyndwr now – you’ve spoilt everything!” 

There is quite a crowd of witnesses

He is unaware that he has quite a large audience, including Gerwyn who has just come upon the scene.

"I'm paying for your services!"

They quite clearly hear Griffiths declare, “I thought you’d be professional – I’m paying for your services!”   

"Paying – for what?"

Gerwyn is outraged by this allegation;  “Paying – for what?   You were obviously going somewhere together, dressed up like that.”   

"We were going for a drink to celebrate"

Griffiths mutters that they were going for a drink to celebrate the New Year and to thank Tesni for doing some work for him.

"She didn't mention she was working for you"

“She hasn’t mentioned any work she was doing for you,” Gerwyn continues, just as Aled also arrives;  “It’s him, isn’t it?   He’s your client!”

"Pervert!   You're old enough to be her grandfather!"

On hearing this. Aled exclaims, “Pervert!   You’re old enough to be Tesni’s grandfather!   Now leave her alone!”   

"You said you didn't know anything about a client!"

Gerwyn is furious that Aled told him he did not know anything about a client, but he protests that he tried to stop her. 

Griffiths intend to make himself scarce

Under the misapprehension that the matter is now sorted, Griffiths attempts to make his escape, 

"You're not going anywhere, good boy!"

but is informed by Gerwyn in no uncertain terms, “You’re not going anywhere, good boy!”   

Jaclyn prevents this from developing into fisticuffs

This is when Jaclyn also arrives, and persuades both Gerwyn and Tesni to go home, 

Griffiths is warned to stay away from Tesni   

but not before he has cautioned Griffiths, “Stay away from my daughter – do you hear me?”

"I won't miss that kind of behaviour when we move"

Gaynor remarks, “I won’t miss that kind of behaviour when we move away,” 

"What's wrong with that Griffiths?"

and Hywel wonders what is wrong with Griffiths, who is supposed to be a councillor.

"People who live in glass houses, Hywel!"

Cassie pipes up, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, Hywel!”   

"I have no idea what she meant"

Gaynor asks what that was about, but he pretends that he does not know.

"How long has this been going on?"

Inside number 10, Gerwyn rages, “Griffiths, your ‘client’!   How long has this been going on?   Answer me, Tesni!”   

"We won't be angry, Tes"

Her mother presumes that this is the new venture, and assures her that they will not be angry, but Gerwyn cannot promise that.

Jaclyn points out that she is obviously upset, 

She remains tight-lipped

and still there is no reply from Tesni;  “Right, I’ll have to go and have a word with Aled,” her father decides, 

"No, Dad – you won't understand!"

but she tells him to wait, and says that he will not understand.   

He agrees to listen to her

Jaclyn answers that they will do their best, so he sits down.

"I've started an escort business"

“I’ve started an escort business,” she begins, and her father describes her  as a ‘whore’, 

"Hanging around old men for money"

as there is no other word for hanging around old men for money.   She protests that she does not sleep with them, and he wonders if that makes it OK.

"Some kind of girlfriend experience"

“I just give them some kind of girlfriend experience,” she maintains, 

"It pays well"

“Texting, talking on the phone – it pays well.”   Her father realises that is how she could afford nice Christmas presents – 

"You're selling yourself!"

because she is selling herself.   Again she protests that she has not slept with anyone;  “It was just a bit of innocent fun.”

"Where were you going with him?"

Jaclyn asks where she was going with him, and Tesni whispers, “Afternoon tea at the Glyndwr - what’s wrong with that?”

"When he asked for 'extras'!"

“You don’t honestly think that all Ieuan Griffiths wanted was a cup of tea and some Bara Brith, do you?” Gerwyn demands, “What were you going to do then, when he asked for extras?   Charge more, is it?”   Tesni whimpers that she would have come home.

Jaclyn agrees that he is right;  “Anything could have happened to you.   Did he give you that dress?”   

"I don't want that meal!"

At that, Tesni jumps from her chair and rushes upstairs, warning them that she does not want that meal;  neither does she want to see them.

Gaynor puzzles over what she heard

“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” muses Gaynor, back at Llwyncelyn;  “What did Cassie mean?”   

"She obviously knows something about you"

Hywel says that he has no idea, but she goes on, “She obviously knows something about you – are you having an affair with her?”

He laughs at such a suggestion, but she recalls, “You’ve told plenty of lies in the past, haven’t you?   

"Answer the question, Hywel!"

“So answer the question!”   He categorically denies that he is not having an affair with Cassie.   

"It was a very strange thing to say"

“But it was a very strange thing to say, don’t you think?   And what else did she say?   ‘I’m sure one or two will miss you’.”

"I've had a lot of friends over the years"

He points out that he has had a lot of friends over the years;  “Yes, you have – wives, girlfriends – 

"She was talking about someone specific"

“but it was as if she was talking about someone specific, by the tone of her voice.”   

Hywel accuses her of imagining things, and she concedes that she may be doing this;  

"I'm going to ask Cassie myself"

“Do you know what I’m going to do?   I’m going to ask Cassie myself,” Gaynor proposes, but, predictably, 

"No – don't do that, Gaynor!"

he does not want this to happen, and tells her to sit down.

He has no alternative but to tell her

“I’ve got something to tell you,” he admits.

"What did we do wrong, Jacs?"

At number 10, Gerwyn does not know what to say;  “What did we do wrong?   An affair with a married man – and now this.”   Jaclyn says that it is not his fault, and that he has always been there for Tesni.   

"I couldn't have done a very good job"

“I couldn’t have done a very good job,” he groans.

"I haven't been there for her"

Jaclyn tells him that it is her fault;  “I haven’t been there for her – or anyone else – recently.”   

"We couldn't control what she was doing"

He stresses that they could not control what Tesni has been doing.   

"But if I'd given her more attention"

“But if I’d given her more attention,” she begins;  Gerwyn reminds her of how stubborn their daughter is.   “You saw her – she didn’t seem to understand the danger she could have been in.”

They agree that Tesni has had a scare, and that is why she reacted the way she did.   “What if something had happened to our little girl today?   I would never have forgiven myself,” frets Jaclyn.   

"We'll make sure nothing like this happens again"

Gerwyn promises that they will make sure nothing like this happens to her again.

"Sexting?   Teenagers do that!"

When it has been explained to her, Gaynor is outraged;  “Sexting?   Teenagers do that!”   Hywel enlightens her that all ages do it.   “But why do you have to do it?” she demands.   He regards it as just a bit of innocent fun;  

Gaynor is not receptive to his argument

“What?   Texting a woman you don’t know about your sexual fantasies?” she exclaims, “Are you still doing it?”

"You make it sound so . . . dirty!"

He urges her not to make it sound so . . . dirty, dismissing it as just flirting over the phone.   She wants to know if there is more to it than this childish ‘sexting’.   

"We've chatted online"

He confesses that they have chatted online;  “I’m not keeping it a secret from you,” but she cannot understand why he has to do it, 

"Who is it, then?"

and then asks who it is.

Hywel is reluctant to give any names, maintaining that it does not matter, but Gaynor is becoming increasingly angry;  

"Who is she – or is there more than one?"

“Yes it does matter!   Who is she – or is there more than one?   Is it Cassie?”   He realises that he will have to give an answer, 

"It's Lisa Morgan"

and informs her that it is Lisa Morgan.

Gaynor is absolutely dumbfounded

Gaynor looks at him with incredulity, then picks up her glass of wine.