10 June 2021

Mark brings the post for his mother . . .

Mark comes into Maes-y-Deri with some post for his mother;  “They aren’t more bills, are they?” she groans, and he confirms that it is the electricity and council tax.   

. . . then finds the fridge is empty

He is starving, but on looking into the fridge is told that his mother has not been shopping yet.

“Where’s lover boy, then?” Mark demands, and Kath says he is at the dentist, then remembers that there is a delivery for him.   He finds it surprising as he has not ordered anything, 

Mark has been sent a present

and discovers inside some miniature bottles, which Kath says look nice.

"Looks as if a woman is in the mix"

She comes to the conclusion that there is a woman involved, but he has a shift to finish, and will deal with his gift when he comes home.   

She cannot resist having a nose

She goes over to investigate.

"Check your phone, Mathew"

In the shop flat Izzy tells Mathew to check his phone;  

"That's out of our budget"

when he looks at it, he replies that it is out of their budget.   “But it’s the perfect house for us,” she whines, “Three bedrooms – and look at the size of the kitchen!   

"I know it needs work, but . . ."

“I know it needs work, but that’s how you add value – and the garden is south-facing.

He agrees that it looks lovely, but is adamant they cannot afford it;  

"In a couple of years, perhaps"

“We need another £10,000 – in a couple of years, perhaps.”   She regards it as too good and opportunity to miss, and wants to view it at least.   “There’s no point – we’ll only be left heartbroken,” he insists, so she suggests that he could borrow some money he put into APD, and they could pay it back.  

"You could ask your Dad"

He is determined that is not an option, so she says, “You could ask your Dad – now that things are better between you.”   

"Come on – we'll be late for work"

He points out that they will be late for work, and urges her to get a move on.

Siôn continues to organise Tesni's life

In the bookshop, Siôn has found online an a course which he says would be ideal for Tesni;  “Welsh literature, from the middle ages to the 21st century – the reading list is excellent.”

"I prefer something more modern"

She replies that she prefers something more modern, but he reminds her that to appreciate the work of someone like Bethan Gwanas, she has to know with the work of Gwerful Mechain [15thC Welsh female poet];  “The roots of our literature – you can borrow books from here.   You need some confidence.   Now the deposit is £800, 

"I don't want to argue – I'm paying"

“but I don’t want to argue about this – I’m paying.”

Tesni is not enthusiastic

Tesni appears less than enthusiastic about this, but does not want to disappoint Siôn, so tells him that he is really kind.   He says that part of the deal is that she gives him her opinion on the set books.   She smiles and agrees with him.   

"I'll transfer the money to you now"

He will transfer the money to her now, and she looks very worried.

"You don't know where the VAT papers are, do you?"

Kelly is working on the laptop, while Jason is searching for something;  “You don’t know where the VAT papers are, do you?” he asks, 

"Up there, out of Ifan's way"

and she directs him to the shelf, where she put them out of Ifan’s way.

He is going to return to work, 

"Whoa – hang on – it's almost lunchtime"

but she protests, “Whoa – hang on – it’s almost lunchtime.   You might as well stay for lunch,” 

"I'm busy, Kelly"

but he says that he is busy.   She tries to tempt him, “The house is empty!” and when he continues to refuse, she demands, “Right – what’s going on?   

"A sandwich and . . . you know!"

“The  Jason I know would jump at the chance of me making him a sandwich and . . . you know!”

"I'd love to 'you know', but . . ."

He says that he would love to, “You know, but . . .”   She accuses him of acting odd for days, so he might as well tell her what is going on, because she will get it out of him eventually.

“You’re avoiding me,” she continues, and he answers that it is Sara, 

"Oh yes – Sara!"

which she might have guessed.   

"It's awkward, Kelly"

He tries to explain that it is awkward 

"Well, spit it out, Jase!"

and she snaps, “Well, spit it out, Jase!”

"Sara wants another baby – with me!"

“Sara wants to have another baby – with me,” he says;  

Unusually, Kelly is lost for words

Kelly is absolutely dumbfounded.

Brynmor has brought back some doughnuts

Brynmor arrives back from the dentist and has brought them some doughnuts from the shop;  “To celebrate that you’ve got your own teeth, is it?” Kath comments, and she will make a cup of tea.   

"Or something stronger, is it?"

When he notices the miniature bottles on the sideboard, he thinks that she intends something a little stronger, but she inform him they are a present for Mark;  

"From a woman . . ."

“From a woman, I’d say, judging by his smile.”

Brynmor cannot remember any woman raiding a minibar for him, 

". . . and I'm going to find out who"

and Kath is determined to find out who she is.   

"I'm sure Mark can look after himself, Kath"

He points out that Mark can look after himself, but she is going to take no notice of that.

Kelly is absolutely furious

Kelly is shouting at Jason;  

"I refused, didn't I?"

“Why are you shouting at me?   I refused, didn’t I?” he insists.

“Oh yes – eventually,” she squeals, “I mean, did you consider it?”   He denies that he did, 

Here come the cause of the argument

then the argument is interrupted by Sara coming in from the garden and saying that Ifan wants his father to see the den he has made.   She asks if she is interrupting something.

"What the hell, Sara?"

Kelly shouts, “What the hell, Sara?” 

"Oh – you've told her"

and it is obvious that Jason has said something.   

"Do you seriously think it's in any way appropriate?"

“Do you seriously think it’s in any way appropriate to ask my boyfriend to have a baby with you?”

"It's an arrangement for Ifan's sake"

Sara explains that it would be an arrangement for Ifan’s sake.   “You know, I think it would be confusing for him – and everybody else!” shrieks Kelly, 

"I'd be willing to pay Jason"

and Sara emphasises that she would be willing to pay Jason.   

Kelly laughs

He could play as big or small part as he wants in the child’s life.

"She's worked it all out already!"

“You see,” snarls Jason, “She’s worked it all out already!”   Sara says that she could give £2,000 to them, 

"And where are you going to find £2,000?"

but Kelly wonders where she is going to find £2,000.

"It just does not feel right"

Jason maintains that for some reason it does not feel right, but Sara points out that it has come as a shock, 

"But when you get used to the idea . . ."

and when he gets used to the idea he may feel differently;  “Just think about it – a little sister or brother for Ifan.”

Kelly cannot understand why she would want to bring another baby into a broken home, anyway.   Sara maintains that their present arrangement is working, 

"You think it's working?"

which makes Kelly laugh.   “OK, it’s not conventional,” she concedes, and Jason would not have chosen it for his child.   

"Just think about it, Jase"

Again, Sara urges him to think about it;  

Jason and Kelly glare at each other

Jason and Kelly look at each other without saying a word.

"The book is on your reading list"

Siôn has left a book for Tesni, as it is on the reading list for her course.   He predicts that she will love it;  “It’s a detailed study of women’s lives in Wales at that time.”   

"I've locked myself out of number 10"

Aled comes in, but unfortunately for Siôn he is not looking for a book;  he has locked himself out of number 10, and wants to borrow Tesni’s key.

"I'm sure you're very proud of Tesni"

“I’m sure you’re very proud of Tesni, doing this course,” Siôn goes on, which is news to Aled, 

"I wanted to register before saying anything"

and Tesni explains that she wanted to register before saying anything.   She tells him that it is an online course, 

"But Tesni's ready, aren't you?"

and Siôn adds, “Welsh literature – it’s a lot of work, but Tesni’s ready, aren’t you?”

Aled does not believe it

Aled looks rather sceptical about this and congratulates her;  he will bring the key back later.   Siôn returns to the subject of literature;  “Sioned – an unforgettable classic, if you ask me.   Take it home if you like.”

Brynmor is talking wedding preparations

Brynmor is talking to Kath about preparations for the wedding, but she is more interested in what Mark is doing with his phone;  

"That phone is driving me nuts!"

“That phone is driving me nuts!   You’re like a child!” she complains, just as the phone rings, and he takes it upstairs to answer.

She listens from the bottom of the stairs

Despite Brynmor’s urgings to leave him alone, she goes to the foot of the stairs, to see what she can hear.   Mark’s voice can be heard, “I’ve finished work – I’ve got a day off tomorrow – I thought I could take you out.”

"Kath, leave him alone!"

Brynmor growls, “Kath, leave him alone!   Come here and help me!” but she takes no notice, as Marks phone call ends with him saying that he cannot wait, and will text her in the morning.   

"He's meeting her tomorrow"

She passes on this information to Brynmor.

Tesni is worried

Tesni is continuing to look concerned 

"Is the Archdruid still around?"

as Aled comes back, enquiring, “Is the Archdruid still around, or what?”   When told that he has gone to the shop to get some coffee, Aled comments, “Well, you need loads of it to stay awake here,” and gives back the keys.

"Welsh course – what's going on, Tes?"

“So, a Welsh course – are you serious?” he asks, “What’s going on, Tes?   Come on – I know you – you like TikToks and make-up, not books.”   

"I've made a mess of things"

She whines that she has made a mess of things;  “Siôn wants me to do this course – I couldn’t say no because he insisted on paying – 

"I've used the money to pay off my credit card"

“but I’ve used the money to pay off my credit card.”

He thinks this is hilarious

Aled regards this as very amusing, but she insists that it is not;  “I’ve bought loads of make-up to hit my target this month – and I’ve only recruited one person.   What am I going to do?”

"You should tell the truth"

He recommends that she should tell the truth;  “You have to tell him at some point – he’s going to notice that you’re not doing the course, isn’t he?”   Now she looks even more worried.

"Congratulations, Kath – have you got a date?"

Ffion meets Kath in the alley and congratulates her on her engagement;  “Have you got a date for the wedding?”   

"I hope it will be pretty soon"

Kath replies that it has not been decided yet, but she hopes it will be pretty soon, and remarks on the amount that there is to do.   “That’s half the fun!” says Ffion, 

"Let's see the ring, then"

and wants to see the ring, which she finds very impressive, but Kath thinks it is a bit flash for her.

"Is it from that collection in Edward's?"

“Is it from that collection in Edward’s in Carmarthen?” Ffion asks, “I’ve seen it on their website – I was looking at the earrings in that collection – but it was more expensive than I could afford.   

"Extremely dangerous for the bank account!"

He must think a lot of you to spend so much – Edward’s is a lovely shop, but it’s extremely dangerous for the bank account!”

Tesni is giving more make-up tips . . .

Tesni appears to be recording some more make-up tips, 

. . . but quickly grabs a book

but quickly puts the phone away when Siôn returns;  

"You've started the book, then"

“Oh, you’ve started the book then,” he says;  she informs him that there is an order on the website 

"We need more 'Na, Nel!' books"

and that they need more ‘Na, Nel!” books, which she has listed on the form.   

Then she summons up her courage and begins, “Siôn, about the course . . .” 

He has bought her a notebook

she gets no further than that, as he has bought her a note book for jotting down things while she is reading, 

She does not continue with what she was saying

and then she loses confidence to say what she intended.

She explains that she is feeling uncomfortable because of what has happened in the family;  Siôn assures her that it is important to talk, and she says it is strange without her father at home.

"Write down your feelings"

“Being an adult doesn’t mean you don’t miss your parents,” he goes on, “Write down your feelings – it helps to have things in black and white – and if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

Kelly explains her predicament

Kelly is telling Auntie Anita of the predicament in which she finds herself.   

"You should be the one to have a baby with Jason"

Anita does not know what to say;  “If anyone has a baby with Jason, it should be you.”

"That's what Jason said – kind of"

Kelly answers, “That’s what Jason said – well, kind of,” and Anita imagines that they are going to try straightaway.   

"I don't know if I want another one"

Kelly is against this;  “I don’t know if I want another one – I don’t know.   Before Paul, I wanted the nuclear family – 2.4 children, a partner who respected me – someone like Jason.   But I don’t know if I feel like that any more – and this baby with Sara might be Jason’s only chance of having another child.”

"I'm frightened of losing him or pushing him away"

She has not told Jason this because she is frightened of losing him or pushing him away, 

"It's lying that pushes people away"

but Anita insists that lying is what pushes people away, she must tell him.   “Just talk it through.”

"I haven't even asked how you are"

Kelly apologises for not even asking how Anita is;  “I’m fine,” she answers unconvincingly, but Kelly knows her very well, like the back of her hand.  

"He spends all his time in that bookshop – with Tesni!"

 Anita confesses, “Siôn spends all his time in that bookshop – with Tesni!”

"Whoa, now – you don't think . . ?"

“Whoa, now – you don’t think . . ?” says Kelly, and Anita points out that he even wants to pay for her to do a course to continue her education, and Kelly sighs, “Siôn the saviour!”   Anita complains that he never paid for a course for her.

"There's a problem with the insulation delivery"

At APD, Mathew comes in and is told that there is a problem with an insulation delivery, which he will deal with;  

"Dad can only give us £7,000"

he also has some good news.   “Dad is lending us the money – but before you get too excited he can’t afford £10,000 but will give us £7,000.”

"Oh – we're so close!"

Izzy is disappointed that they are so close, and Mathew is quite aware that she is going to hate him for asking this question;  

"Could you ask Gaynor?"

“Could you ask Gaynor?”

"She'll never lend me money after last time!"

Izzy rejects this suggestion out of hand;  “No way – she’ll never lend me money after last time!   And the last thing I want to do is ask her for a favour.   Mam won’t give us a penny – 

"We should forget about the house"

“perhaps we should forget about the house and look for something cheaper.”   

Mathew looks disappointed

Mathew walks out, looking discouraged.

Kath looks depressed

Kath is at the bar in the Deri, also looking miserable;  

"How much do you think this cost?"

“How much do you think this cost?” she asks Cassie, taking off her ring.   

"Complaining he didn't spend enough on you?"

Cassie cannot believe that she is complaining that Brynmor did not spend enough on her, 

"£15,000!"

and Kath tells her “£15,000!”

"You've landed on your feet there!"

Cassie is quite astonished at this, and remarks that Kath has landed on her feet;  she wonders what is wrong.   

"This is worth more than everything in my house!"

“Who has £15,000 to spend on a ring?” she demands, “This is worth more than everything in my house, Cassie!” 

"It's romantic, though, isn't it?"

but is told that it is romantic, and she has no reason to complain.

"Why has Brynmor hidden how rich he is?"

“It’s not about the ring – why has Brynmor hidden how rich he is?” she goes on.   

"You're complaining because he's got too much money?"

Cassie points out that she is complaining because the man has too much money.   

"I can't marry someone I don't know properly"

Kath worries, “What if Brynmor isn’t the man I think he is?   I can’t marry someone I don’t know properly.”