12 January 2022

A day begins at the chip shop . . .

In the chip shop, we see someone donning their apron bearing the slogan, ‘Y Sosban Chips’, 

. . . for Garry Monk

and discover that it is none other than Garry Monk, who does not look at all happy about the experience.

Rhys hopes to ward off the hangover

Elsewhere, Rhys is dropping two tablets into a glass of water to try and cope with his hangover;  

"Do you think drinking is wise?"

“Do you think drinking yourself into a stupor is wise?” his father enquires.

“A lecture won’t help,” Rhys answers, and when Hywel thinks that it was because of their argument that he went out ‘on the pop’, 

"I went out to celebrate"

he continues, “Believe it or not – everything isn’t about you!   I went out to celebrate that I’ve been sponsored.” 

"By 'Oatsters'?   That was quick!"

“By ‘Oatsters’?   That was quick!” Hywel growls, jealously.   Rhys says that the PR woman loved the challenge and want him to film as many people as he can.   “Don’t film anything today – you’re as white as a ghost!” his father warns.

"Perhaps I can make another video . . ."

“Perhaps I can make another video,” Rhys groans, “About depression – 

" . .  drinking six pints of lager doesn't help"

“and explain how drinking six pints of lager doesn’t help.”   Hywel does not consider that a good idea, 

"You don't want everyone on social media to know"

as his son does not want everyone on social media to know that he is ill.   

“Why?” demands Rhys, “I’m not ashamed – talking is important – and if I can help one person.   

"I want my followers to see me at my worst"

“Look, I want my followers to see me at my best and at my worst.   If I’m honest about the bad things, they’re more likely to believe what I say about the good things.   I wouldn’t do it otherwise.”   

His father does not agree

Hywel obviously does not share his opinion.

Garry is looking glum

Inside the chip shop, Garry is looking even more despondent, while Aaron is outside, mopping the pavement.   

Ffion is back, at last

Ffion comes round the corner and is very surprised to see Garry standing in the shop doorway;  

"How long have you been working here?"

“How long have you been working here?” she asks.

"Since I decided to help Britt and Colin"

“Since I decided to help Britt and Colin, who are in Portugal,” he replies, “You know me – anything for the family.”   She never thought that she would see Garry frying chips, 

"Well, it's something to go on your CV"

adding that it is something to go on his CV.   She must go now, as Arwen will be waiting for her;  she wishes him happy frying.

"I'll show you how to turn on the fryers"

“Come on, then, I’ll show you how to turn on the fryers,” Aaron instructs Garry, who grumbles that it is not rocket science.

Cysgod y Glyn is a mess . . .

When Ffion arrives back at Cysgod y Glyn, she finds the place in a state of disarray;  

. . . and there is no-one there

she calls for Arwen and Jinx, but they do not appear to be there.

Siôn visits Penrhewl . . . 

At Penrhewl, Jaclyn is working single-handed when Siôn comes in, and she explains that Eileen is still ill, while Sioned and DJ are making deliveries.   

. . . with a book for Huwi-John 

Siôn has brought a ‘Rala Rwdins’ book for Huwi-John, and Jaclyn wonders what kind of books children that age like.   He reels off several examples of older books, which she says were about when she was a child.

“At least, I won’t have to find out for a while yet,” she goes on, 

"You must be glad that it was a false alarm"

“You must be so glad that it was a false alarm.”   She can tell by the puzzled look on Siôn’s face that Tesni has not told him.

"She thought she was pregnant?"

He is shocked to hear that Tesni thought she was pregnant, but Jaclyn reassures him, 

"There's no need for panic stations"

“She isn’t, so there’s no need for panic stations.   Don’t tell her I mentioned it – she’s with Cassie – promise me you won’t say anything!” she wails, “Things have been a lot better between us.”

"Siôn – don't go!"

Siôn immediately marches out of the farmhouse without another word, 

She makes a call to Tesni 

so she takes her phone to make an urgent call.

Jinx is back at Cysgod y Glyn, where Ffion has obviously been clearing up already, 

"Somebody's been tidying"

and Arwen, who follows him can see that someone has been tidying.   

"Yes – a fairy called Mam!"

Ffion comes in and announces, “Yes  a fairy called Mam!”   

"Arwen wanted to go swimming"

Jinx apologises that he was going to tidy up, but Arwen wanted to go swimming.

Arwen cannot find her Lego, which her mother has put in a box, 

"Mam – I was making a film set"

and she complains, “Mam – I was making a film set!”   

"'Welcome home' would be nice"

Ffion remarks that a welcome home would be nice, so Arwen says it, but without much feeling.

Ffion has brought her something, which she discovers is a Harry Potter sweatshirt;  

"Thanks – you've got taste for once!"

“Thanks – you’ve got taste for once!” Arwen exclaims, 

"You should go and dry your hair"

and she is told to go and dry her hair.

"How is Val, then?"

Jinx enquires about Val, and is told, “Her mouth is fine!   

"We all make mistakes, don't we?"

“I don’t want to talk about Cai – it’s old news.   We all make mistakes, don’t we?   I want to know how things have been going here.”

He is pleased that she is back, and she promises to cook him a special meal to say thank you;  “And it won’t be a ready meal from the freezer –there’s not much left in there.”   

"If you want to turn into Nigella . . ."

Jinx comments there is nothing wrong with frozen food, but if she wants to turn into Nigella, he will not say no.

Cassie is listening to Rhys' problems

Cassie is doing her nails and watching Rhys’ latest heart-baring video;  “Nothing’s happened – I just wake up sometimes feeling pants.   

"I suffer from depression . . ."

“As some of you know, I suffer from depression, which isn’t great – but it isn’t the end of the world, either.   It doesn’t help that I went on a bender last night in a cheeky little club in town.   I had a top night, but – 

"I'm paying for it today

“urgh – I’m paying for it today.”

There is a knock on the door of number 9, so she turns off her tablet.   

"Is Tesni here?"

The caller is Siôn, who is looking for Tesni, and is informed that she has gone to work.   Cassie invites him to have a cup of tea, but he turns to leave;  “It sounds serious – what has she done?” she asks.

"You know, don't you?"

“You know, don’t you?   That she thought she was pregnant?” he demands, and at first she denies all knowledge, 

"She's not pregnant, so there's nothing to worry about"

but then confesses, adding that Tesni is not pregnant, so there is nothing to worry about.

"Everyone knows – except me"!

“You know – her mother knows – everyone except me!” Siôn snarls as he leaves the house.

"There's batter on my chip, Garry!"

Garry has just served Hywel in the chip shop when he complains that there is batter on his chip, and he wonders if the fat was too hot.   “There’s nothing wrong with the chips,” Garry growls, 

"You didn't offer salt or vinegar"

and it is pointed out that Hywel has not been offered salt or vinegar.

"I'll offer something else in a second!"

“I’ll offer something else in a second!” Garry threatens. and Hywel recommends Aaron to have a word with his staff, or the place will go to the wall.   

"There are some chips on the pavement"

Then Hywel notices that some chips have been spilt on the pavement outside, 

Aaron hands Garry the brush and dustpan

which gives Aaron the opportunity to instruct Garry  to clear them up.

"Are you working here?"

As he obediently does so, Mathew is approaching and is also surprised that he is working there;  “Does Dani know?” he asks, 

"It's none of her business!"

and Garry maintains that it is none of her business.

Siôn is deep in thought

Siôn is sitting in the Deri, idly toying with a drinks mat, when Tesni comes in;  

"I know that you're angry"

“Listen, I know you’re angry – Mam phoned me – I’m sorry,” she says, “I shouldn’t have been so blasé with the pill – I promise to take it on time.”

"It hurts that you turned to your mother and Cassie"

He replies that he is not angry about that;  “It just hurts that you turned to your mother and Cassie.   I’m your partner – and some things are private. I don’t want everyone knowing our business.”

"They're not 'everyone, Siôn"

Tesni stresses that they are not everyone;  “But, I am sorry – the test was negative and I didn’t see the point.   I should have been honest, I know – I’m at fault – 

"I didn't know how you would respond"

“I just panicked because I didn’t know how you would respond if I told you I was pregnant.   I was worried that you’d flip!”

"I would never do that"

He insists that he would never do that, but she did not know, and they had not discussed having children;  

"If I had been pregnant . . ."

“The last thing I want to do is fall pregnant – one day, yes, perhaps, but not now.   If I had been pregnant, what would you have done?”

"I would have supported you"

He assures her, “I would have supported you – it’s your body – you decide what happens to it.”   

"You're amazing, Siôn!"

She smiles and tells him he is amazing;  “Let’s make a pact – let’s agree to tell each other everything from now on,” she proposes, and he nods his approval.

"Rhys is very honest"

Ffion is looking at Rhys’ video and comments, “Fair play to him – he’s very honest.”   

"It's not easy"

Jinx agrees that he is speaking from the heart, which is not easy.   Ffion wonders where Arwen is, as her food is getting cold, and Jinx has enjoyed the meal that Ffion has prepared for him;  he jokes that he will expect this every day.

"I haven't bought the pudding yet!"

Then Ffion announces that there is pudding;  “But I don’t know what it is – I haven’t bought it yet!   I’ll go to the shop – 

"Make sure Arwen eats her dinner"

“make sure Arwen eats before I get back.”

Garry despairs at his substandard batter

In the chippy, Garry’s latest batch of batter appears exceedingly watery;  Cassie has just come in and remarks, “There’s no need to ask how your first day is going.”

He growls that he hopes she is not there to laugh at him;  

"That sour face is a clue"

“I came to see whether you’re OK,” she answers, “That sour face is a clue.”   

"I hate being here!"

When he moans that he hates being there, 

"We all have to do things we hate"

she tells him, “Tough – we all have to do things we hate – it’s a matter of attitude.   If you’re going to act like it’s the end of the world, you might as well say, ‘stuff this!’   This place is a stepping stone to better things – let people laugh – 

"If the tide turns!"

“they won’t be laughing when the tide turns.”   

"You're a Monk!"

“You’re a Monk – you’re never on your backs for long.   Show some oomph!   

"I'll have cod and chips"

“Right, I’ll have cod and chips.”

"With a lot of vinegar?"

“With a lot of vinegar?” he asks, sarcastically.

"Is it safe to come in?"

Tesni is collecting up glasses in the Deri when her mother comes in;  “Is it safe to come in, or are you going to throw those at me?” she enquires.   

"Siôn was OK about it"

Tesni replies that Siôn was OK about it;  he was angry, but not about the false alarm;  “It was because I told you and Cassie first – but if I had been pregnant – get this – he would have supported me, whatever I decided.   A lot of men would have freaked out, 

"Siôn – he's special"

“but Siôn – he’s special.”

Jaclyn thought she had spoiled everything, but Tesni points out, “People thought I was mad when I started seeing him – including you – but how lucky am I?   A man who makes me feel so safe – and we’ve agreed to be honest about everything from now on.”

"Are we still friends?"

She agrees that she is still friends with her mother, 

"Half of shandy coming up"

and will get her half a shandy.

"You've put your food in the bin!"

Ffion clears the table after the meal, but finds in the food bin that Arwen has dumped her lunch.   

"I don't like vegetables"

“I don’t like vegetables!” Arwen explains, and is told that she cannot just put good food into the bin.   “I had a slice of cold pizza,” she goes on.

"You're eating rubbish like that?"

“Pizza!   I made you a nice meal, and you’re eating rubbish like that?” Ffion exclaims, 

"My pizzas are not rubbish!"

much to the annoyance of Jinx, who maintains that his pizzas are not rubbish.   “I don’t want her living on them!” snaps Ffion.

"Jinx was here for me when you disappeared!"

“Hey, don’t have a go at Jinx!” Arwen warns her, “He was here for me when you disappeared!”   

"I went to look after your Gran"

Ffion contests this, explaining that she went to look after Gran.   “You like her more than me,” is Arwen’s next allegation;  “You came back once in two months, Mam.”

"We did go up to see your Mam"

Jinx reminds her that they went up to see Ffion, upon which Arwen accuses her mother, “You dumped me – and now you’re having a go at me!   

'Co back to the Gogs – and stay there!"

“Go back to the Gogs [colloquial name for North Wales inhabitants] and stay there!”   

Ffion is left speechless

She marches off to her room, leaving Ffion open-mouthed.

"Hair of the dog, is it?"

Rhys arrives at the Deri, and Tesni asks, “Hair of the dog, is it?   

"Everybody's talking about it"

“I saw your video – it’s gone viral – everyone’s talking about it.”   

"Most of the responses have been positive"

He is glad that most of the responses have been positive, although that there are some idiots saying stupid things.   She considers it awesome that he opened up;  “It takes guts to talk about depression.”

Mathew does not agree

Mathew who has also arrived at the bar, does not seem to share this opinion, as Rhys says, “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do – and I want everybody to know there’s more to me than having a laugh.   

"I like to break taboos"

“There’s another side to me that likes to break taboos.   We need to talk about depression – break down barriers – spread the word.” 

Mathew pipes up, “Rhys, all you did was have a session – now you’re talking as if you’re some kind of Messiah!”   Rhys considers that is what he is in a way, and Mathew cannot believe that he is serious;  

"You'll disappear up your own backside"

“If you carry on like this, you’ll disappear up your own backside!”

"At last that's over!"

Garry is back up in the flat after a long shift;  “At least, that’s over for one day,” he groans, and Aaron informs him that the takings are OK, somebody must have done something right.   

"£10 an hour is what she said"

“£10 an hour is what she said, so that’s £80 for me,” Garry continues.

"Mam wants you to pay the rent upfront"

Aaron breaks the news, “Mam wants you to pay the rent upfront – £70, today!”   

"So I've killed myself for £10?"

Garry is not happy that he has killed himself for £10, but Aaron points out that is what Britt has decided;  “It’s embarrassing, to be honest, – forget about it now – she won’t know.”

Garry is adamant that if his mother wants the rent upfront, that is what she will get;  

"Where does she keep the wine?"

“But if she wants me to behave like a lodger, I’m going to help myself – where does she keep the wine?   Not the stuff on top of the fridge – the proper stuff.”   

He seems to like that one

When he locates a bottle of which he approves, he invites Aaron to share a glass;  

"Not going to watch Uncle Garry drink on his own, are you?"

“You’re not going to watch Uncle Garry drink on his own, are you?”   

"All right, then, go on"

Aaron agrees to join him.

Ffion is feeling inadequate

Ffion tells Jinx that Arwen wants him to say good night;  “I tried to talk to her about what she said, but she just turned away.   I had no idea she felt like that – has she said something?”   

"Arwen's just being dramatic"

Jinx says that she is just being dramatic.

"It sounded as if she meant it"

“It sounded as if she meant it,” Ffion goes on, but he maintains it was just because her mother wanted her to eat the veg.   “What if it’s more than that?   What if I made a big mistake going up north, instead of staying here?   I could have said no.”

Jinx argues that she could not have left Nesta to do everything on her own;  

"I'd do anything for her!"

“But I don’t want Arwen to think that I like Mam more than her – I’d do anything for her – and now she hates me!”   

"You're being silly now, Ffion"

He asks who is being dramatic now, and urges her to stop being silly, 

She finds that rather harsh

which she regards as rather harsh.

Siôn is doing some research . . .

Siôn is sitting in the corner at the Deri, looking on his phone at the Welsh version of the ‘NHS111’ website, particularly the section entitled, ‘Vasectomy – can it be reversed?’   

. . . and looking concerned

He looks worried, and as Tesni approaches, he puts the phone away.   She wonders what he was looking at;  

"You've had tour head in that phone for half an hour"

“You’ve had your head in that phone for the last half hour.”

"I don't want you to walk to Y Felin on your own"

He dismisses it as nothing important, and has come to take her home, not willing to allow her to walk alone all the way to Y Felin.   

"What have I done to deserve you, Siôn?"

“What have I done to deserve you?” she wonders.