18 October 2021

Mark tries to quieten the dog

At Maes-y-Deri, the sound of a dog barking can be heard from outside;  Mark shouts, “Shut up – you had your breakfast– what more do you want?”   

He looks around the place

He appears to have fed the animal with cornflakes and picks up his phone;  he angrily leaves another message for Eifion.

"You need to fetch this dog now – understand?"

“You need to fetch this dog now – understand?   Mam and Brynmor are on their way home – just come and get him!”   

"Cassie, can I ask you a favour?"

Then Mark makes another call, this time to Cassie, wanting to ask her a favour.

"Before the end of the month?"

At number 7, Garry is on the phone to his accountant, who is demanding a payment of £3,500;  “Before the end of the month?   It’s going to be hard to get hold of it right now,” he says, 

Iolo detects some financial problems

and Iolo, who is listening, can tell that there are some financial troubles.   “Just what I need mid-divorce!” Garry snarls.

“Are you short of cash?” asks Iolo, and he explains that he has plenty of assets – the garage, the chip shop, 

"Only a fool sells his best assets"

but adds that only a fool sells his best assets.   

"I'm off to work"

Iolo goes off to work and Tyler comes downstairs.

Garry finds marks on his shirts

Garry sorts through the washing to find that his shirts have discoloured marks on them;  “Did you do this?” he demands, 

"I bleached some towels this morning"

and Tyler replies that he bleached some towels this morning.   

"I've got nothing to wear now!"

“I’ve got nothing to wear now!” Garry rages, “I’ll have to buy more clothes – more costs!”

Tyler sympathises, “I know how hard things are when you’re single and have unexpected costs.   

"Do you want a loan?"

“Do you want a loan?”   

"Are you trying to wind me up?"

Garry demands whether Tyler is winding him up, pointing out that he moved all of his clothes out of the Deri – unless there is still some stuff up in the attic.

Ffion visits the bookshop

Ffion comes into the bookshop and Siôn offers her cup of coffee;  

"Columbian Fair Trade coffee"

“I’ve got some new in – Colombian Fair Trade.”   Unfortunately she is in a hurry, having to meet the school’s management team.

"Did you get the e-mail about the set books?"

“Did you get the e-mail about next term’s set books?” she enquires, and when he replies that he did and will be checking his stock, she says that is one thing off her mind.   

"It's been like a circus since Gaynor left"

“It’s been like a circus since Gaynor left.”   Then her phone sounds, 

She rejects the call from Nesta

and when she sees her sister, Nesta’s name, she rejects the call.

"I'm sure Jinx helps at home"

Siôn is sure that Jinx must be helping at home, but Ffion is less convinced;  “Jinx’s idea of childcare is to let them make as much mess as possible, and leave the cleaning to me!   

"He's doing his best . . . but"

“He’s doing his best, and Arwen adores him, but sometimes it’s like having another child in the flat.”

Mark's 'welcome home' banner

Mark, with a suitably nautical cap, comes into the Deri with the banner which he has made, reading, “Welcome Home Mam and Brynmor.”   Cassie is of the opinion that ‘Kath and Brynmor’ would have been better, but Mark stresses that he calls her ‘Mam’.

Cassie advises that the goujons are defrosting and she is going to make rum cocktails;  

"I need to fetch Captain Morgan from the cellar"

“I need to fetch Captain Morgan from the cellar,” she adds, and Mark is surprised that is where she keeps him.   

He just puts up the banner . . .

As he is putting up the banner behind the bar, the door opens 

. . . and the travellers return

and the two travellers come in, much to Mark’s astonishment.

"You're four hours early!"

“You’re four hours early!” he gasps, and Brynmor reminds him that the Titanic was on course to arrive early.   “There should have been a crowd here, but everyone’s working,” Mark apologises.   

"I just want to see you, Mark!"

His mother does not want a crowd, but just to see him.   Cassie comes back with the bottle of rum;  she and Kath look at each other.

Cassie has the rum

“It’s not every day someone comes home from a cruise,” says Cassie, 

"No, two cruises!"

but Kath is quick to correct her that it was two cruises.

“We did the Baltic one, as you know, and then we went on to the Mediterranean.   We had a day trip to Santarini, didn’t we, love?   That’s a Greek island – they call it the Pearl of the Aegean.”

"Cwmderi's most valuable Pearl!"

Brynmor interrupts her monologue to point out that he had the honour of going there with Cwmderi’s most valuable Pearl.   She drones on, “Well, if you’re going to the sea, you have to make sure you have the right woman next to you.”   

Cassie knows that was aimed at her

Cassie can see that this is meant as a dig at her.

Ffion is dismayed to see the state of the flat

Ffion returns to Cysgod y Glyn to find the place in a terrible mess, and as she surveys the scene of carnage, her phone rings again;  

She rejects another call from her sister . . .

it is another call from Nesta and again she rejects it.   Then she sees a scribbled note from Jinx, 

. . . then finds a note from Jinx

that he and Arwen have gone to see the rabbits in the field.

However, within a few seconds there is another call, and this time she answers it, “There’s no peace to be had from you today!”   

Ffion receives some bad news

Her face falls as she is given some bad news.

"It took me half an hour to get him to go to sleep!"

Dani has been trying to have a doze on the sofa when Garry bursts in.   She tells him to be quiet;  “It took me half an hour to get him to go to sleep!” she growls.   

"I want to look in the attic"

He just wants to look in the attic to see if his old clothes are still there, but receives the disappointing news 

"Oh – I had a clear-out"

that Dani had a clear-out and took a few binbags to Apêl Maenan.

“Perhaps they are still there – you never know,” she suggests, 

"I'm not quite that desperate!"

but he maintains he is not quite that desperate.   

"Have you sorted out that standing order?"

Then she asks, “Have you sorted out the standing order for the rent?”   

"I'll do it in the next few days"

He says that he will do something about that in next few days, 

Dani tries to get some more sleep

and she tries to get some more sleep.

Kath displays her holiday photos . . .

Downstairs, Garry finds that a screen has been erected and photos from the cruises are being displayed;  he is not in the least interested.   

. . . much to the chagrin of Mark and Cassie

Mark and Cassie are also beginning to find this very tedious, 

"We had a private suite on board"

as Kath goes on about the private suite they had on board the liner and the lovely fluffy towels.   Then they come to the continental breakfast, 

Brynmor attempt to shut Kath up

and Brynmor is trying to stop Kath, who is in full flow.

“They want to know, don’t they?” she demands, 

"Anyone want some more rum?"

but Mark asks if anyone wants some more rum.   

"Those goujons will be ready"

Cassie gives an excuse that the goujons will be ready, 

"She's a bit jealous"

and Kath maintains, “She’s a bit jealous.”

She reminds Mark that Cassie thought she was going on the cruise with Brynmor.   Cassie explains, “That was a misunderstanding,” 

"Kath, leave it!"

and Brynmor urges Kath to leave it.

"Probably bored out of her brains, just like me!"

“Cassie’s not jealous – she’s probably bored out of her brains, just like me!” snaps Mark, “There’s nothing more boring than other people’s holiday photos – let alone three months’ worth!”   

Kath takes umbrage . . .

This is not appreciated by his mother, 

. . . and opens some crisps

who sits down and opens a packet of crisps.

Iolo is clearing out the cupboards

Iolo is clearing out the cupboard, warning Garry that it is not the OCD, but simply budgeting.   

"Squid Ink Pasta and Truffle Oil?"

He discovers, “Squid Ink Pasta and Truffle Oil – do you shop at Fortnum and Mason?”   

"I like eating fine things"

Garry replies that he just likes eating fine things, then Iolo finds a jar of olives, and is astounded by the price – 

"£12 – and its a month out of date!"

“£12 – and it’s a month out of date!”

Garry is told that he would save a fortune if he shopped carefully, 

"It's none of your business what I eat!"

but points out that it is none of Iolo’s business what he chooses to eat.   “I don’t have to live on beans on toast quite yet!”   

Then he 'does himself a mischief'

He appears to turn awkwardly, and cries out in pain;  

"I've just twisted my ankle!"

“I’ve just twisted my ankle – stop fussing!” he yells, “Just leave me alone!” and he awkwardly climbs the stairs.

"Stop ignoring my calls!"

In the Deri, Mark picks up his coat and again tries to contact Eifion to take away the dog;  “Stop ignoring my calls!” he moans, “If you’re not outside Maes-y-Deri in ten minutes, 

"I'll castrate you and the dog!"

“I’ll castrate you and the dog – understand?”

"That was the best thing I've ever done"

Brynmor comes over to speak to Mark;  “I want you to know that taking your mother on these holidays was one of the best things I’ve ever done.   Thanks for the welcome home – except for that mess earlier.”   

"Thanks for looking after Mam"

Mark appreciates that Brynmor has been looking after his mother.

"I think I should have a word with Cassie"

Then Kath reappears in a more conciliatory mood;  “I think I should go and have a word with Cassie,” she says, 

"Yes, you should, Mam"

and Mark makes it clear that he also thinks she should.   He is popping out for a moment, 

"Stay here until I come back"

and tells his mother to stay there until he returns.

Kath taps on the door

Kath taps on the door leading to an area we have never seen before, but there is no reply, 

She puts down a small bag

so she leaves a small bag on the nearby table.   As she is about to go back to the bar, 

Cassie has the goujons

Cassie comes out, with the goujons on a tray.   “I found these in the back of the freezer – I hope they’re all right,” she says.

“About earlier,” Kath begins, “I think you misunderstood things – 

"I'm sorry if I bored you"

“I’m sorry if I bored you showing the photos of this cruise.”   

"Everything has been last-minute"

Cassie replies that it has been a long day and everything has been last-minute.

“Mark made the banner but I’ve done everything else – but I’m not complaining – I wanted today to be special for you.   Look, the only thing you need to understand is, 

"I'm happy for you both – honestly"

“I’m happy for you both – honestly.   You were supposed to go on the the cruise from the start – I was crazy to think otherwise.”

"We all do crazy things sometimes"

Kath concedes that they all do crazy things sometimes, and Cassie makes it quite clear, “I was not crazy for Brynmor – I liked the idea of sitting on a terrace, sipping cocktails on a ship in the sea –but there we go – 

"I can go to a bar in Swansea Marina"

“I can go to a bar in Swansea Marina!”   

"I could come with you"

Kath says that she will probably go there too.

An 'evil eye' pendant

She points out the small bag on the table and Cassie finds an ‘evil eye’ pendant, which Kath explains is supposed to protect from curses and things like that;  “And to remind you that I’m keeping an eye on you!” she adds.

Ffion's bag is packed

Ffion has packed a bag for her journey when Siôn comes up to the flat to advise her that all the books are in stock, 

"You weren't lying about Jinx and the cleaning!"

and he can see that she was not lying about Jinx and the cleaning.   

"Mam's ill and I have to go to North Wales"

“I’ve got more important things to worry about – Mam’s ill,” she tells him, “They don’t know what’s wrong – she needs a lot of care and Nesta wants me to go to North Wales so she can have a break.”

Siôn comments that she is not the only one, after what Ffion said about the management team.  

"I had hoped to spend time with Arwen"

“I had hoped to spend some time with Arwen this weekend, but I’ve promised to go up tonight,” she says.   

"What about Arwen?"

Siôn wonders what she is going to do about Arwen.

“I can’t take her with me – it’s not fair on her, or Mam – she’s so ill,” Ffion replies, and Siôn would volunteer to help, but is leading a course in Aber.   

"I'll have to ask Jinx"

“I don’t have a choice – I’ll have to ask Jinx,” she rather reluctantly decides, 

"It's only for a weekend"

and he points out that she enjoys spending time with him;  after all it is only for one weekend.

Mark is looking for Eif

Mark comes round the corner by Cwm Delhi with the dog on a lead;  he sees Jason outside APD, but learns that he has not seen Eifion, 

"He hasn't bothered turning up for work!"

and complains, “He hasn’t bothered turning up to work today.   Who’s your new friend?”   When informed that the dog is owned by Eifion, 

"Would you mind doing me a favour?"

Jason asks him, “Would you mind doing me a favour, please?  

The dog listens intently to his instructions

“When you find Eifion, can you remind him that he works here, too?”

Mark is about to abandon the dog . . .

Mark notices the collecting box, marked ‘Help give stray dogs a brighter future’ and tethers the lead to this.   

. . . but it whines pitifully at him

He tells the dog to stay there and walks away but it whines pitifully at him, so he goes back.   

"If you come with me, you have to be quiet!"

“Listen, if you come with me, you have to be quiet!” and they head back to Maes-y-Deri.

Garry limps into the kitchen . . .

Garry limps back downstairs and finds the jar of out of date olives;  

. . . finds a spoon . . .

he takes a spoon from the drawer 

. . . and begins to eat his out-of-date olives

and begins to eat them.

"Are you sure you don't mind, Jinx?"

“Are you sure you don’t mind looking after Arwen this weekend?” Ffion asks Jinx, “I know it’s last minute.”   

"We can go for another nature walk"

He is quite sure they will be fine, and can go for another nature walk, as well as finishing some of the craft things they have started.   

"Make sure you clear up afterwards"

She stipulates that they should clear up afterwards, and he assures her that it will be like Mary Poppins, although when he clicks his fingers, the place is not magically transformed.

"I want this place clean when I come back"

“I want this place clean when I come back,” she insists, “You know whether the Hoover is, don't you?”   He advises that she had better get started before it gets dark (although it is not explained how she is travelling to North Wales, as her car has been sold and she has lost her driving licence).

She points out there is plenty of food in the fridge, and if he has any problems, he should phone her.   

"One more thing – where is the Hoover?"

As she leaves, he advises, “Ffion – stop stressing,” then adds, “Just one more thing – where is the Hoover?”

"You are joking, aren't you"

Ffion hopes that he is joking.

The heavy cases arrive in Maes-y-Deri 

Brynmor drags the cases into Maes-y-Deri and Kath immediately detects a strange smell, like the smell of a farm;  

Mark still has the cornflakes

Mark comes in through the back door, again carrying the packet of cornflakes, and his mother demands the source of the smell.

He comes up with the unlikely tale that the flowers on the table came in a special compost.   

Kath is suspicious

“Flowers, a welcome home party – you’re spoiling me,” she says, 

"Put on that DVD, Brynmor"

and tells Brynmor to put on the tango DVD, recalling that they had so much fun.

"Don't you want an early night?"

“Don’t you want an early night?   You must be exhausted,” Mark asks, but what Brynmor would really appreciate is a decent cup of tea.   

Brynmor finds a squeaky toy

He sits down in the chair, and finds that there is a squeaky dog toy already there.   

"That belongs to Dani's baby"

Mark explains that it belongs to Dani’s baby, and Kath proposes putting something stronger in the cup of tea.

Kath has a bottle hidden in the shed . . .

“I’ve hidden something in the shed!” she says, conspiratorially, 

. . . and Mark is very keen to fetch it for her

but of course Mark is very anxious that he should fetch it from there.   She wonders what is going on, as he is being so obliging today.

Kath demonstrates her tango skills . . .

Mark encourages Brynmor to turn up the sound of the tango, in case the dog makes a noise, 

. . . while Mark is careful not to forget his 'dog food'

and the box of cornflakes is taken outside again.