17 August 2021

Gaynor switches off the radio

At Llwyncelyn, Hywel is making himself a cup of coffee to the sound of the radio when Gaynor turns it off, much to his annoyance.   

"Mathew wants to meet"

Then his phone sounds;  “Mathew wants to meet – they want to go ahead full steam with this sale,” he says.

"Until they find somewhere better"

She remarks sarcastically, “Until they find somewhere better – they were like that with Maes-y-Deri at the beginning.”   Hywel points out that there were big problems with that.

"I'm supposed to be on my summer holiday"

Then she discovers that the Jameses want to discuss the situation again;  “I’m supposed to be on my summer holiday!” she moans, “But there we are – little Teleri will go through life thinking Mami amd Dadi will sort all her problems out.”   

"You're a fine one to preach"

He remarks that she is not in a position to preach about the relationship between a mother and daughter, but she insists, “Suffocating children does them no good – neither does giving them everything on a plate.”

Dani suspects she has unwelcome company

Garry is in the Deri flat, sorting out some paperwork, when Dani tip-toes in very carefully, armed with a baseball bat, as she could hear someone.   

"Garry!   Why are you creeping around here?"

She shrieks, “Garry!   Why are you creeping around here?”   

"I could ask you the same thing"

He could well ask her the same thing.

"I've never had any trouble with the shower"

Hywel assures Mathew that the shower is fine, and he has never had any trouble with it.   

"What about the wiring?"

“And what about the wiring – any problems there?” demands Mathew;  Hywel confirms that everything is tiptop, and wonders where all this suspicion is coming from.   “We’re just having trouble finding the last £10,000,” Mathew explains.

"I wouldn't take advantage of you"

“Listen, I wouldn’t take advantage of you, not with Izzy being Gaynor’s daughter,” protests Hywel, “Is there something you’re not telling me?”   

"Gaynor said there are big problems"

He is told that Gaynor has been alluding to big problems in the house, like the shower leaking and the wiring being dodgy.

"Well, Gaynor is lying!"

Hywel can categorically state that nothing is wrong and that Gaynor is lying;  Mathew wonders what she would do that, and Hywel snarls that he would like to find that out, too.

Tesni invents a school friend called Mared

Tesni has been spinning a tale to her mother about spending time with Mared, who was allegedly a friend at school;  “Why don’t you choose something from Netflix like everyone else?” Jaclyn asks, 

"She doesn't have Netflix"

but Tesni says that she does not have Netflix.

“Right, I'm off – don’t wait up,” she continues as she leaves the house.   

It could probably do with a couple of new batteries

Her mother seems to be having trouble with the remote-control of the television, and as soon as she manages to turn it on, there is a knock at the door.

Ieuan has a great proposal for Jaclyn

The visitor is Ieuan Griffiths, who has been waiting for Tesni to leave;  “I thought I saw her prancing by,” he says, “I’ve got a great proposal for you – you do realise how good we could be together?”   

She doubts his intentions

She misinterprets the drift of his suggestion, so he explains further, “It’s a business partnership I had in mind.   

"With your voice and my contacts"

“With your voice and my contacts I think we could be very successful.   Jaclyn, I think I can turn you into a world-famous star overnight.”

Jaclyn takes this with a pinch of salt

Jaclyn is rather sceptical about these claims, 

"Can I come in?"

so he asks if he can come in to elucidate further.

"Nice shirt, Siôn"

Tesni arrives at Y Felin and compliments Siôn on his shirt.   He, in turn, says that she looks lovely, and announces that dinner will be ready shortly;  

A spicy Indian meal is being prepared

“Chicken with cumin, coriander and a bit of chilli – you’re not vegetarian I hope.”

"I have colitis"

She is disappointed to explain, “I’m so sorry – I thought you knew – I have colitis, and I can’t really eat spicy food.   But don’t worry, I’m happy with rice and salad.”   

"I've made a mess of things"

Unfortunately Siôn does not have any salad;  “I’ve made a mess of things – I’m going to the shop,” he begins, 

"Rice is just fine, Siôn"

but she insists that it is fine, she should have told him.   

"I want everything to be perfect"

He is anxious that everything should be perfect, 

"I'm not here for the food"

but she makes it very clear that she is not there for the food.

The children are watching a film

Garry has been giving some much appreciated attention to the children, and Dani is surprised that they let him out of their sight;  “Thy’re watching a film,” he tells her, “You did the right thing, you know.”

"I had nowhere else to go"

Dani replies, “I didn’t have much choice, did I?   The kids were crying and wanted Dadi, and I had nowhere else to go.”   He asks if she wants him to stay there tonight – 

"I can sleep on the sofa tonight . . ."

quickly adding that he will sleep on the sofa – 

". . . so you can catch up on sleep"

to give her a chance to catch up on her sleep.

"Someone had better phone DI Wilkinson"

“Someone had better phone DI Wilkinson, to tell him,” he adds, but Dani is against this idea.   

"You must let the police know you're safe"

Tyler, who has just come in, tells her she must let the police know she is safe.   

"Britt's willing to look after the children"

Garry has a text from Britt to say that she is willing to look after the children.

"Is there anyone you haven't told, Garry?"

“Is there anyone you haven’t told, Garry?   Should I put a billboard outside?” Dani demands, and contests Garry’s claim that Britt can be discreet.   “Do you know what?   The children aren’t leaving the flat!” she declares, 

"We have to tell them, Dani"

but Garry continues to insist that the police must be informed.

"The fewer people who know, the better!"

“No – the fewer people who know, the better – end of!” Dani shouts.

Hywel arrives back at Llwyncelyn 

Hywel returns to Llwyncelyn and confronts Gaynor;  

"Why did you do it?"

“Why did you do it?   You intentionally went out of your way to lie to Izzy, to ruin the sale.”

"How would you feel if I sold my house to your son?"

She demands, “How would you feel if I sold my house to your son?”   He argues that he has not tried to hide anything, but is infuriated that she did this because 

"I didn't consult you for once in my life?"

he dared not to consult her for once in his life.

"I'm never at the top of your priorities!"

“For once?   Hywel, I’m never at the top of your list of priorities,” she grumbles, “I’m never important enough to be included in your big plans!”

"Is it any wonder?   Look at you!"

“Is it any wonder?   Look at you – I don’t know you any more!” he snarls.   

The answer is a bottle of wine

Gaynor seeks solace in a bottle of wine, which she seems to be doing with some regularity lately.

Ieuan Griffiths' 'mood board'

Ieuan has produced his ‘mood board’, as he calls it, with pictures of various females, and Jaclyn says that he must be joking.   “I’m completely serious – this time next year we could be millionaires,” he alleges.

"You see me like Susan Boyle?"

“That’s how you see me, is it?   Like Susan Boyle?” she says, 

"She holds two world records"

and he points out that Susan Boyle holds two world records.   

"Who's that in the top corner?"

“And who’s that in the top corner?” is the next question.   Apparently that is Hazel, his ex-wife, who does not sing, but has style, presence and confidence.

"You could learn a lot from Hazel"

“You could learn a lot by following her example,” he recommends, “A bit of ‘va-va-voom’, and we’re halfway there!   Right, we need to get a set of songs together – some of the favourites perhaps.   

"I could get you a gig by next week!"

“With the contacts I have in nightclubs and the world of entertainment, I could get you a gig by next week.”

"I can't stand up for too long"

Jaclyn protests that she cannot stand up for too long, as she is still getting over the accident, and he insists that her back-story will be excellent.   This is the final straw 

"I'm not sharing my back-story with anyone!"

and she is adamant, “I’m not sharing my back-story with anyone!”

He assures her that she will be sitting down anyway – they could do it all online;  “That’s how ‘Megan Thee Stallion’ started, and everyone knows her!”   Jaclyn has never heard of her,

"She's prominent in the rap world"  

and is told that she is prominent in the ‘rap’ world.   This does nothing to impress her.

"I'll leave you to think about it"

Ieuan points out that it is not only trendy and cool people who are successful now;  “The world’s your oyster, Jaclyn.”   She maintains that things are moving too quickly for her, so he will leave his ‘mood board’ with her so she can think about it.

"The best plate of rice I've ever had!"

Tesni tells Siôn, “That was lovely – the best plate of rice I’ve ever had!”   He says he might make up for that with pudding, then his phone sounds and she urges him to answer it.   

"Sioned probably want to discuss the statue"

“Oh, its Sioned – she probably wants to discuss the statue,” he groans, 

"It's the Zoom meeting tonight"

but then realises, “It’s the Zoom meeting tonight – I’ll say I’m not available.   

"Tonight is supposed to be our night"

“Tonight is supposed to be our night – mind you, I am the secretary, and I prepared an argument in favour of one of the Mabinogi characters.”   

She instructs him to go and get his laptop;  

"How long can you bang on about some statue?"

“After all, how long can you bang on about some statue?”

"Are you going to join this meeting or not?"

Gaynor is still imbibing her wine, and asks Hywel if he is going to join the meeting or not.   “I’m a councillor – of course I’m going to join!” he irritably replies.   She remarks that she actually knows what his plans are tonight, which makes a change.

"You shouldn't be taking part, after that wine"

He is of the opinion that she is in no condition to take part, after all that wine, but she simply tells him to shut up.   

Ieuan Griffiths is simply a little symbol in the corner

They are greeted by Sioned, and Ieuan Griffiths is also attempting to join the meeting, with little success.

"He's ashamed to show his face!"

Hywel mutters, “He’s ashamed to show his face after that Owain Glyndŵr fiasco!”   

Sioned explains the rules to the participants

Sioned tells all the participants to put up their hand if they want to contribute.

Britt is determined to get in first

Britt starts by making it clear that she does not want the statue near the chip shop.   

Colin is just out of the shower . . .

In the background, Colin, who has obviously just come out of the shower, can be seen, wearing only a towel, wandering across the room.

. . . and needing a snack . . .

“People dump their rubbish on statues,” Britt goes on, and Siôn tries to point out the unintended background activity.   “I know how people are, Siôn,” she adds, as Colin opens the fridge, and Sioned also interrupts.

. . . and a drink

“I’ve seen it happen, Siôn – once there’s a statue, people completely forget how to use bins!   

"I've seen more than my fair share of it"

“I’ve seen more than my fair share of it.”   

"I think we all have!"

Sioned comments, “I think we all have!” as Colin is now drinking a bottle of water.   Britt will not be silenced, demanding why it has to be an historical figure.   

Now he is eating an apple

He polishes an apple on his towel and takes a bite.

Siôn proposes that they think of characters from the Mabinogion, for example Pwyll and Arawn.   Britt demands, “Who the hell is Arawn?” 

"He was the king of Annwn"

and is told that he was the king of Annwn, from the Mabinogion.   “Come on – we need a real person – someone who made a contribution to the village!   

"Someone like Brandon!"

“Someone like Brandon!” Britt rages, as Colin meanders across the room.   “Brandon did more for Cwmderi that this Arawn!”   Siôn naturally contests this claim, and she presumes that it is because Brandon was a Monk.

"Britt, will you tell Colin to put some clothes on?"

Gaynor finally manages to exclaim, “Britt, will you tell Colin to put some clothes on, please?” and he realises that they are looking at him.

"I thought you were on the phone!"

“I thought you were on the phone!” he tells Britt, 

He makes a very hasty exit

and scampers out of sight.   Britt offers her profuse apologies.

"It's about time that smug look was wiped off his face"

Tyler enquires if Dani has heard from Dylan;  “I wish I had seen his face when he was arrested!   It’s about time that smug look was wiped off his face.   But there we go – life has to go on.”

"We might not have much life left, Ty"

Dani fears, “Well, we might not have much life left if these people find us.”   Tyler is confident that Garry will not let that happen, and they should tell the police.   

"The police will protect you, Dan"

She tells him to stop going on about it,  but he insists that the police will protect her, and in any case they will not find Dylan’s gang when they are out looking for her.

“Where’s the Dani I know?   You’re stronger than this – don’t let them win” he urges.

The loan application has been refused

Mathew receives bad news from the bank;  “Unfortunately your application for a loan has been unsuccessful.”   Izzy comes into the Deri, asking how his meeting with Hywel went, 

"Mam was right, wasn't she?"

and assuming that her mother was right.

"Hywel has never had a problem with the shower"

“Hywel’s never had a problem with the shower, and the wiring looks OK,” is his reply, “I had to tell him about Gaynor in the end – she’s made it all up – 

"There's nothing wrong with the place"

“there’s nothing wrong with the place.”

Siôn is vigorously arguing his case

Siôn is still arguing that that Arawn is an iconic character who does not get enough attention;  “And Annwn’s ‘Dogs of Hell’ are some of the most descriptive things in the four tales.”   

"This area is full of myths and legends"

Tesni smiles as Britt protests at having a statue of a dog.   “This area is full of myths and legends – we should embrace the opportunity to show them off,” Siôn rambles on.

"We should have a vote"

Britt calls for a vote, and some of the participants are becoming heated, 

"Why don't we ask the community?"

so Sioned proposes that they ask the community and see what suggestions there are;  

"Can you set up the website, Hywel?"

she asks Hywel to set up the website, and and then winds up the meeting.

"That was a total farce!"

Siôn regards it as a total farce, but Tesni quite enjoyed his performance;  

"I like a man with a bit of fire in his belly!"

“I like a man with a bit of fire in his belly!”   He acknowledges that he has plenty of that, 

"We'll forget about the film, shall we?"

and she goes on, “We’ll forget about the film, shall we?”

Gaynor looks rather the worse for wear

Gaynor is looking rather dishevelled when her daughter marches into Llwyncelyn;  “You’ve gone too far this time, Mam!” she exclaims, 

"I've had enough of this nonsense!"

“You listen for once – I’ve had enough of this nonsense!   You’ve got everything – but when things go right for me and I’m happy, you can’t stand it!”

"I've already had one row today!"

Gaynor moans that she has already had one row today, 

"An old, bitter, spiteful old woman like you!"

and Izzy’s reaction is, “Good!  I don’t know how he puts up with an old, bitter, spiteful woman like you!   I’ll never forget this, Mam!” and with that she leaves the house.

Back to the wine bottle

Gaynor’s answer to this is to empty the wine bottle into her glass and start drinking again.

"They want to go to the park tomorrow"

Garry has managed to get the children off to sleep, and says they want to go to the park tomorrow;  

"Just stay here like Agorophobes, is it?"

“So what’s the plan, then?   Just stay here like some Agoraphobes, is it?   They need some normality, Dan.”

"They're fine where they are, Garry!"

She insists that they are fine where they are;  “You need to start living, too – open the salon,” he suggests, but she is determined not to go back to the salon.

"There will be an officer outside the door, Dan"

“If you tell the cops, there will be an officer outside the door and you’ll be safe,” Tyler reminds her.   Garry and Britt will also be keeping an eye on her, so she finally agrees, 

"But I'm not ready to go back to the salon"

although not being ready to go back to the salon.

"DI Wilkinson, please"

Garry makes a phone call;  “Can I speak to DI Wilkinson, please?”   

"He'd never let anything happen to you, Dan"

Tyler tells Dani that Garry would never let anything happen to her, 

"Is this the Garry Monk Appreciation Society?"

and she is surprised by what appears to be this ‘Garry Monk Appreciation Society’.

Tyler says that he has seen another side to Garry the last few weeks;  “He’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

The empty goes into the bin . . .

Gaynor deposits the empty wine bottle in the bin 

. . . and a new one comes out

and selects another to replace it;   

Gaynor pours a generous measure . . .

she pours a generous glass and, hearing a message alert, sits down in front of the laptop.   

. . . then is reminded of her meeting tomorrow

She has a meeting with Mr and Mrs James at 10:30 tomorrow.

Shaking her head, she takes a swig of wine, then sets about composing another Twitter message;  “Nothing worse than parents mollycoddling their children.”   

She sniggers as she adds a few words . . .

She laughs to herself as she adds, 

. . . bringing a personal touch to the message . . .

“Take Teleri James’ parents for example.”   

. . . and appears happy with the result

She sends the message and closes the laptop.