 |
| Wilko is deep in thought at his kitchen table |
Wilko is looking at a white rose and thinking, when Dani comes downstairs, in his house;
 |
| Dani comes downstairs |
“Do you want me to put it on your suit?” she asks, but he has not yet decided what he is going to wear. “OK – I don’t expect you to be a full-on Don Corleone godfather, but it would be nice if you looked the part,” she says, “I’m really grateful that you agreed.”
 |
| "Not just because Jaclyn's doing my head in" |
He has reached a decision, but before he can say anything, Dani goes on, “Not just because Jaclyn’s doing my head in, but . . .” Then her phone sounds,
 |
| "Oh, I have to phone the organist" |
and she adds, “Oh, I have to phone the organist to check she’s happy with the tunes of the hymns.”
 |
| "I can't be a godfather" |
At last he manages to interrupt, “Dan, look, I can’t be a godfather – it wouldn’t be right. Work would see it the wrong way, you know – conflict of interest.”
 |
| "Do they need to find out?" |
She wonders whether they need to find out,
 |
| "I should do things by the book" |
but agrees that he ought to do things by the book. Now she has to sort out those tunes,
 |
| He is relieved |
and he breathes a sigh of relief.
 |
| "Don't say you swallowed her lies as well?" |
“Don’t say you swallowed her lies as well?” snarls Hywel,
 |
| "She poured out her heart to me" |
and Jinx explains that Ffion poured out her heart to him – he cannot share the details, so Hywel will just have to trust him.
 |
| "You've spoiled the surprise now!" |
Then Gaynor comes downstairs and Hywel moans, “You’ve spoiled the surprise now!” but she protests that she could not stay in bed any longer.
 |
| "I've phoned Eileen" |
Jinx says that he had better go; “I’ve phoned Eileen, so you don’t have to talk to her,” and Hywel regards that is good news at least.
“I was looking forward to lounging in bed with you all morning,” he groans,
 |
| Gaynor has a theory . . . |
but Gaynor has found the hidden birth certificate and letter.
 |
| . . . based on the signatures |
She comments, as she displays them to him, “My mother’s signature on the birth certificate, next to the solicitor’s signature on this letter . . .”
 |
| "Why did you ask me to hide them" |
He demands why she asked him to hide those if she was going to look for them. “Never mind about that, now – don’t you see?
 |
| "The signatures are so similar" |
“How similar the signatures are – it’s the same surname.”
 |
| "The name isn't uncommon, Gaynor" |
He irritably points out, “The name Thomas isn’t very uncommon, is it?” but she draws his attention to the various letters of the signatures which are very similar, and considers it likely that they are related.
“Perhaps that solicitor is my mother’s daughter,” is the next allegation,
 |
| "If I'm right, she's my sister!" |
“And, if I’m right, she’s my sister!”
“Don’t you realise how ridiculous that sounds?” he demands, “You’ve gone too far now –
 |
| "I'm starting to think you're losing it!" |
“this is an obsession – I’m starting to think you’re losing it!” Just leave it alone!”
 |
| She is not persuaded |
She continues looking at the documents.
 |
| Eileen is going sort out the food |
Eileen is at number 10, having put the cake in the car and will go and sort things out at the Deri,
 |
| "I'm not going to the christening" |
but she tells Tesni, “I’m not going to the christening – something’s come up at home.”
 |
| "I want to look my best to say my vows" |
Then Jaclyn comes downstairs in her finery, and Eileen says she looks very smart; “I wanted to look my best to say my vows,” she replies.
 |
| "I didn't know you were religious" |
Eileen did not know that she was religious, and leaves by the back door.
 |
| "You'll have to take plenty of photos, Tes" |
“You’ll have to take plenty of photos, Tes,” Jaclyn instructs, and Tesni looks disparagingly at her mother.
 |
| Hywel apologises |
Hywel has had time to think and apologises to Gaynor for his outburst. “For what – for telling the truth?” she answers, “You’re right, this is ridiculous – Wales is a small place, but it’s not that small.
 |
| "What's happening to me, Hywel?" |
“What’s happening to me, Hywel?”
He considers that it is only natural after everything she has been through. “I feel like everything’s out of control,” she sighs, and he advises that she should keep her mind alert, and take control of her life.
 |
| "Why don't you meet someone for a cup of tea?" |
He suggests that she goes out for a walk, or meets someone for a cup of tea.
She agrees that he is right, and does not want him to mention anything about this to anyone;
 |
| "Some squiggles made by a Biro" |
“I’m so ashamed that I tried to search for answers in some squiggles made by a Biro.”
 |
| "I'm going to the park" |
Arwen announces to her mother, “I’m going to the park with Begw and Jess, OK?”
 |
| "Not dressed like that, you're not!" |
Ffion is not happy about it when she is dressed like that (she certainly looks very much older than 10).
 |
| "We need to spend some time together" |
“Look, we need to spend some time together, we? I never see you these days,” Ffion points out, but the reply is that Arwen’s friends are fun,
 |
| "But you're boring! |
but her mother is boring.
 |
| "Is that what was behind that vodka business?" |
“Is that what was behind that vodka business?” asks Ffion.
“I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about – there’s no need to be uptight – I’m late, I’m going!” Arwen declares,
 |
| "Where did you get those shoes?" |
but her mother forbids her to go out dressed like that, and wonders where she got those shoes. “The Internet,” is the answer.
Ffion appreciates she has not been around much lately, and is determined that is going to change,
 |
| "I hate you!" |
but Arwen growls, “I hate you!” and marches out of the flat.
 |
| "See – she hates me!" |
“See – she hates me!” wails Ffion.
 |
| "For five minutes, perhaps" |
Jinx points out that she may hate her mother for five minutes, perhaps.
“What if I did the wrong thing by going to North Wales and leaving her for so long?” Ffion worries.
 |
| "Read that – page 17" |
Jinx picks up the latest edition of Cwm Ni, and recommends that Ffion should read page 17, while he makes another cup of tea.
 |
| Bethania is suitably adorned |
The doorway of Bethania has been equipped with a banner with Gabriel’s name,
 |
| "I can't allow animals into a place of worship" |
and as Dani and the family approach, Megan warns that she cannot allow animals into a place of worship. Dani snarls, “Oh, Megan, you know what? With the money I forked out for this christening,
 |
| "I could bring half the sheep from Penrhewl!" |
“I could bring half the sheep from Penrhewl!”
 |
| Megan appears to have lost that round |
They go into the chapel, dog and all,
 |
| Jaclyn ans Tesni arrive . . . |
as Jaclyn comes clattering across the road, and is instructed by Megan to sit behind the family. “We are family, Megan,” Jaclyn informs her;
 |
| . . . and go inside |
she and Tesni go inside.
 |
| "No, Jaclyn made these" |
In the Deri, Eileen is putting out the trays of food and Gaynor remarks that she has been busy; “Oh no, not me – Jaclyn,” Eileen says, adding that she will not be going to the christening,
 |
| "I still have nightmares about Angela on that scaffolding" |
as she still has nightmares about Angela on top of that scaffolding. [Christms Day 2018, when Angela carried Huwi-John up to the top of the scaffolding surrounding Bethania] Cwmderi Diary 25-12-18 (2nd)
Gaynor asks how long it has been since Huwi-John’s christening, and is told that it is about four years – three years since they lost Angela.
 |
| "We have a lot in common, don't we?" |
Gaynor sympathises that she has suffered a lot recently; “We have a lot in common, don’t we?”
 |
| "DJ will be wondering where his lunch is" |
Eileen has to leave, as DJ will be wondering where his lunch is.
 |
| Wilko has a small box . . . |
Wilko comes downstairs in his house, carrying a small box; he sits down and looks at it,
 |
| . . . a musical box . . . |
then opens it to reveal that it is a music box.
 |
| . . . containing a keyring . . . |
He takes out a keyring
 |
| . . . and two photographs |
and photographs of two children,
 |
| He looks up at his jacket |
then looks up at the jacket hanging on the door; he is deep in thought.
 |
| Ffion looks at her daughter's article |
Ffion is looking at the article, entitled ‘Portread o’r Pennaeth Newydd’ [Portrait of the New Head] and asks Jinx if he arranged it.
 |
| "Siôn though it would be more interesting" |
He replies that was Siôn White; “He thought it would be more interesting if it came from the new Head Teacher’s daughter.”
 |
| "He must have given her a lot of help" |
She assumes that Siôn must have given her a lot of help; “Why isn’t it possible that Arwen did it?” Jinx wonders, “Why can’t the girl think her mother’s amazing?”
 |
| Ffion is becoming emotional |
and already tears are coming to Ffion’s eyes.
“She always shares the cake with me – when I grow up I want to be exactly like Mam,” he reads, “But this is the best one –
 |
| "When Mam plays Monopoly, she always cheats!" |
“when Mam plays Monopoly, she always cheats! It’s in print now, so it must be true.
 |
| "She's just a ten-year-old who wants to be sixteen" |
“You see – she loves you! She thinks you’re one in a million. She’s just a ten-year-old girl who wants to be sixteen.”
 |
| "I don't deserve her, do I?" |
Ffion realises, “The truth is, I don’t deserve her, do I? All that fuss the other day – I was behaving like a little girl who needed attention, when my little girl needed me! I’m the one who needs to grow up.”
 |
| "Everyone needs attention" |
He reminds her that everyone needs attention – adults and children – and it is important to make time for that. He calls to Arwen,
 |
| Arwen brings in the Monopoly |
who brings in the game of Monopoly, and he asks, “Do you fancy a game?”
 |
| Ffion is smiling again |
Both Arwen and Ffion smile.
 |
| Wilko listens to the strains of 'Calon Lan' |
The DI walks towards Bethania, from whence the sound of a Welsh hymn to the tune ‘Calon Lan’ can be heard;
 |
| He picks up an order of service . . . |
he picks up an order of service from outside the door and looks at it.
 |
| . . . and almost walks into a passing car |
As he turns to walk away, he is almost hit by a passing car,
 |
| After some thought . . . |
which makes him think again;
 |
| . . . he goes into Bethania |
after some further hesitation, he goes into the chapel.
 |
| Gaynor takes Eileen some plowers |
Gaynor has gone to Penrhewl, taking Eileen a bunch of flowers;
 |
| "Would you like to stay for some soup?" |
she is invited to join Eileen to have some soup. “DJ’s been held up at a sale, and I would appreciate some company – it will only take five minutes to warm up. How are you coping?”
 |
| "Grief seems to make you question everything" |
Gaynor does not know the answer to that; “Grief seems to make you question everything, doesn’t it?” she sighs, “Your place in the world – your relationship with people.”
 |
| "I know just what you mean" |
Eileen knows exactly what she means, having lost two children; “With John, I didn’t get the opportunity to get to know him, but that love was solid and pure somehow.”
 |
| "Are you glad you got to know her?" |
Gaynor asks if she is glad that she got the opportunity to get to know Angela after years apart, and Eileen finds it difficult to answer that.
 |
| "I don't think we ever managed to bridge the gap" |
“I don’t think we ever managed to bridge the gap properly, after the adoption.”
 |
| "My relationship with Izzy was not always an easy one" |
“As you know, my relationship with Izzy was not always an easy one,” says Gaynor, “Perhaps it’s just the relationship between a mother and a daughter.”
 |
| "Sioned's not easy to live with, either" |
Eileen thinks she is probably right, because Sioned is not easy to live with, either.
 |
| "It must have been a shock when Angela turned up" |
“I’m sure it was a shock to you when Angela turned up after all those years,” Gaynor goes on,
 |
| "I forgot about the soup" |
and Eileen realises she has forgotten the soup.
 |
| "It tasted horrible, didn't it?" |
At the Deri, Sioned is replacing the cake in its box, which Tesni thinks is a good idea; “It tasted horrible, didn’t it? Mam must have measured the ingredients wrong or something,” Sioned agrees, “I’m so sorry – you’ll get a refund.
 |
| "If anyone asks, it fell on the floor" |
“If anyone asks, it fell on the floor, all right?”
 |
| Jaclyn is already losing her inhibitions . . . |
Jaclyn, who is already feeling the effects of alcohol, thanks Dani;
 |
| . . . fuelled by another top-up |
“Gabriel Aled Jac!” she says, pouring herself another drink.
 |
| "Am I forgiven for asking Marc?" |
Dani wonders if she is forgiven for asking Marc to be godfather. Jaclyn exclaims, “Yes, of course – he won’t be around long anyway – we’re both in the same boat.
 |
| "You don't need a man!" |
“Every man in our lives has left us – you don’t need a man!” she rants, as Wilko listens,
 |
| "You're a tip-top mother!" |
“You’re a tip-top mother!”
When she walks away, Tesni comes over to compliment Dani;
 |
| "Giving Gabriel her name has worked" |
“Giving Gabriel her name as a middle name has worked!”
 |
| "No – Jac was my best friend at nursery" |
Dani lets her in on the secret to that Jac was her best friend in nursery, but Tesni should not mention that.
 |
| Arwen is watching her mother's technique |
At Cysgod y Glyn, Ffion throws a six, then asks Jinx if there is any more popcorn left;
 |
| "Er, no, I can't see any" |
he cannot see any more so she tells Arwen that it is her turn.
 |
| "I told you she's cheating again!" |
“I told you – she’s cheating again!” Arwen exclaims, “You owe rent to Jinx!”
 |
| "I didn't realise!" |
When Ffion argues that she did not realise, she is told, “That’s what you always say – you’re such a cheat!” She has to pay £300 to Jinx.
 |
| Arwen receives a message |
Then Arwen receives a message on her phone and her mother says that she can go and meet her friends if she wants.
 |
| "And let you win? No way!" |
“And let you win? No way!” is the stern reply.
 |
| This amuses Jinx |
Jinx smiles.
 |
| "I've taken up enough of your time, Eileen" |
Gaynor refuses the offer of another cup of tea, remarking that she has taken up enough of Eileen’s time.
 |
| "Someone who understands" |
“It’s nice to have a chat with someone who understands,” Eileen tells her, “It’s early days, you know, things will get better in time.”
 |
| "You are glad Angela came back, aren't you?" |
Gaynor will live in hope and, as she is about to leave, enquires, “You are glad that Angela came back into your life, aren’t you? Even though things have been difficult and despite the grief?”
 |
| "Sometimes it's better to leave things in the past" |
Eileen knows what she is expected to say, but replies, “I’m not sure – sometimes it’s better to leave some things in the past.”
 |
| "I've never been so embarrassed in my life!" |
The door slams and Sioned and comes back: “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life!” she rages, “That cake, Mam – it was horrible! Ask Tesni – I had to throw it in the bin!
 |
| This is very bad news for Eileen |
“Covid must have affected you more than you thought!”
 |
| Gaynor rather fancies that jug, so helps herself |
Gaynor, who has already helped herself to a small brown jug on the table,
 |
| "I think I'd better go" |
thinks this may be an opportune moment for her to go.
 |
| "At this rate, we won't have a business left!" |
“I’ll have to check to make sure the other produce isn’t ruined!” Sioned goes on, “At this rate, we won’t have a business left!”
 |
| "Just take your mother home, Tesni!" |
Dani is clearing up after the party, and tells Tesni, “Take your mother home, and I’ll be happy!”
 |
| Jaclyn is woken from her stupor |
Jaclyn is asleep in the corner, and is told that she has worked so hard today that they will let Dani clear up.”
 |
| "You, Tesni, are worth your weight in gold!" |
Her mother unsteadily picks up a glass, and slurs, “You, Tesni, are worth your weight in gold.” She staggers out of the pub.
 |
| "Jaclyn was wrong" |
Wilko creeps up behind Dani, and maintains that Jaclyn was wrong; “I’ve been wanting to say since I heard Jaclyn talk about men –
 |
| "I'm not going to leave you" |
“I’m not going to leave you.”
 |
| "You almost left me in the chapel today" |
She reminds him that he almost left her in the chapel today, as she was more worried about what the sergeant would say, and he apologises for that,
 |
| "Work has always come first" |
explaining that his work has always come first.
“But perhaps I’m starting to realise now that work isn’t everything – I chose you, and Gabriel.
 |
| "From now on, I'll be there for you" |
 |
| "I won't let you down" — famous last words! |
“I won’t let you down – I give you my word.”
 |
| Hywel is doing laptop repairs |
Hywel is tinkering with a laptop when Gaynor comes back home and says she took his advice; he wonders if she met anyone interesting.
 |
| "When I take control I feel much better" |
“Yes – and you were right, when I take control it makes me feel much better.”
 |
| She takes out the pilfered milk jug |
She takes from her bag the small brown jug she purloined from Penrhewl and admires it.
No comments:
Post a Comment