2 February 2022

"Have you contacted Andrea again?"

In the Deri, Cassie asks Garry if he has contacted Andrea again;  “You’d better hurry up, or she’ll think you’re not interested.”   

"Perhaps she's lost interest in me"

He replies that it may be the case that she has lost interest in him.   “Good heavens!” comments Cassie, “How old are you – thirteen?”

"There's no point, is there?"

He argues, “There’s no point, is there?   She won’t want to waste another night getting bored with my baggage.”   She tells him to give her his phone, claiming to be an expert on apps.   “How do you know we didn’t just meet in a coffee shop?” he demands,  and she answers that she was not born yesterday;  

Unfortunately he leaves his phone behind

he tells her to just leave it and goes across to a table.

"She can hide it so well . . ."

Elsewhere in the pub, Hywel is explaining to Jinx, “It’s difficult – the problem with Ffion and drinking is that she can hide it so well – 

". . . and she's got cirrhosis!"

“and she’s got cirrhosis!”

"I can't believe I haven't noticed"

This comes as a shock to Jinx, who cannot believe that he had not noticed she was so bad.   

"I can't do it this time"

“I’ve tried to help her over the years, but I can’t do it this time,” Hywel insists.

"You mean I've got to save her?"

“What are you saying?   That I’ve got to save her?” says Jinx, and Hywel appreciates that it is a big responsibility.   “I’m willing to talk to her and to be there for her – 

"I'm not an alcohol counsellor"

“but I’m not an alcohol counsellor,” groans Jinx, then gets up and dejectedly walks out of the Deri.

Cassie has made all the arrangements for him

Garry, who very conveniently for Cassie left his phone on the bar, goes back to retrieve it;  she hands it over, with the words, “The entrance to the park, 3:00pm – Andrea’s looking forward to seeing you!   I’ve done what you couldn’t, because you’re too much of a coward.   Go and change that top – you stink!”

Brynmor has a surprise for Kath . . .

Outside the garage is something covered with a tarpaulin;  Kath irritably informs Brynmor that she is not getting on the back of any motorbike.   “I think I may have found a compromise,” he tells her, 

. . . there is a sidecar for her

and reveals not only a motorbike, but an attached sidecar.   “What do you think?” he asks, “Do you like it?   You can keep me company or the road without having to get on the back of a motorbike.”

"I can't do it, Brynmor!"

She is sorry, but says that she cannot, even though he insists that they will have fun, and he promises to drive carefully;  

"You're safer in a sidecar, anyway"

“You’re safer in a sidecar, anyway.”   She angrily points out that it does not have any steering or brakes, but he explains that it is closer to the ground.   “Listen, I don’t want anyone else at my side, all right?” he pleads,  

"Come with me for one spin . . ."

“So come with me for one spin – and if you don’t like it, you won’t have to see this chariot ever again – I promise.”

"If I can choose exactly how fast we go . . ."

“If I can choose exactly where we go and exactly how fast we go – 

" . . .perhaps – just perhaps"

“perhaps – just perhaps,” is her evasive reply.

"I wanted a word with Ffion about this Ifan business"

Eileen goes to visit Jinx at Cysgod y Glyn, and is told that Ffion is in meetings all afternoon.   “I wanted a word with her about this Ifan business,” she says, “As chair of the governors, it’s my duty to try and resolve the situation, because the school’s good name is being dragged through the mud.”

"Yes, I saw the article"

Jinx confirms that he has seen Kelly’s article, 

"Some parents are considering removing their children"

and Eileen continues, “Some parents are considering taking their children out of school.”   

He advises that she should leave things alone, as Ffion has got a lot on her plate, with the school and worrying about her mother.   

"There won't be any left at this rate!"

“There won’t be any children left at the school if she doesn’t sort this out!” Eileen warns, as she is about to leave the flat.

“Eileen, she’s not in a good place at the moment – she’s struggling, OK?” he says, and she wonders if Ffion is ill.   

"Ffion just needs some space"

“She just needs some space,” he explains, which Eileen regards as rather a puzzling comment.

"Have you heard anything from your mother?"

Gaynor is cleaning windows when Hywel asks if she has heard anything from her mother in Wrexham.   

"It's early days yet"

“There was nothing in the post, but it’s early days yet, isn’t it?” she replies, adding that Rhys has taken Esther to the park;  “I thought you’d be pleased he’s showing an interest in her.”

Hywel sneers, “Rhys is only interested in himself!” 

Rhys has posted this on Instagram

as his phone sounds and he finds an Instagram photo of Rhys with Esther, captioned, ‘The lucky big brother.’

"Hashtag Hypocrite!"

He shows Gaynor as he snarls, “Hashtag hypocrite!”   She urges him not to be too hard on Rhys.   “He hardly talks to his sister, and now he’s posting photos of her,” he growls, 

"Parading her in front of everyone!"

“Parading her in front of everyone because of the colour of her skin.   Once he get enough ‘likes’, he’ll dump her!”

"It's better than the Deri"

In the park, Garry and Andrea are walking;  “It’s nice here,” he says, and she agrees that it is better than the Deri, with people staring and gossiping.   

"Avoid your ex-wife's home"

He confesses that was his fault:  “Tip number one when arranging the first date is to avoid your ex-wife’s home.”   She admits that she was nervous as well, 

"I've been on a date there before – with Mark Jones"

as she had been there on a date before – with Mark Jones.   

He had suspected that from something that Mark told him;  “He said you were a nice woman – and he was right.”   She wonders if he said anything else about;  

"Don't tell me you're married?"

“Don’t tell me you’re married?” he says.

"No, but I'm HIV positive"

“No,” she confirms and then adds, “I’m HIV-positive,” and Garry initially does not know what to say;  he asks how long she has known 

"I've lived with it for years"

and she answers, “I’ve lived with it for years – I take medication to keep it under control – I have a blood test every six months, otherwise I live a pretty normal life.”

"I hope you don't mid me asking"

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how did you get it?” he goes on, and she she explains that she had a boyfriend, who she found was HIV-positive, but he was trying to keep it secret.

“I had a test myself, and then a new chapter of my life began.   I’m sure you’ve got hundreds of questions now – like ‘where’s the nearest exit?’ probably.”   

"Do you want hot chocolate?"

Garry has only one question;  “Do you want hot chocolate?”   

Not quite the question she was expectng

She looks surprised, but optimistic.

Kath, despite her misgivings, is ready to go

Kath is installed in the sidecar, and is on the receiving end of various comments, such as, “I thought you would be driving, Kath!” from Cassie.   

"I've never see anything so undignified!"

Megan comes out of the shop protesting that she has never seen such an undignified and distasteful sight.   

They are all ready for 'lift-off'

Cassie replies that everyone gets their kicks in different ways.

Brynmor checks that Kath is comfortable, 

"It's like being in the bumper cars at the fair"

and she remarks, “It’s like being in the bumper cars at the fair.”   

"Hope you know where the ejector seat button is!"

Hywel, who has also come to witness this spectacle, hopes that she knows where to find the ejector seat button.

"What the hell is going on?"

Mark happens to be passing and demands, “What the hell is going on?   I hope you’ve driven that one of those before!”   Brynmor boasts that he was in the Dragon Rally in 1964, but Mark reminds him that was nearly 60 years ago.   Cassie predicts that his mother is going to have fun.

“Drive carefully, mind – you’ve got a precious cargo there!” Mark cautions Brynmor, 

"I never go over 120!"

who replies that he never goes over 120.   Then he mounts the bike 

Off they go on their adventure

and they proceed slowly past the Deri, as Mark shakes his head in disbelief.

Andrea and Garry sit in the park

As they sit on a seat in the park with their hot chocolate, 

"You have guts – sharing that"

Garry says that Andrea has guts;   “Sharing that with someone you hardly know.”   

"It's important to be honest from the start"

She replies that it is important to her to be honest from the start.   He explains, “My life has been quite complicated – it’s not easy, forgiving and moving on – 

Garry is beginning to feel more at ease . . .

“but the next step seem to be OK, now.”

. . . and so is Andrea

She smiles and confirms that it is, 

He is very unimpressed with their drinks

while Garry complains there is not much chocolate in their drink, and neither is it hot.   Andrea thanks him for not running away;  “That’s what most men do when I tell them,” but Garry maintains that he is not like most men, and he is not going anywhere.

"Race you to the swings!"

She asks if he wants to go on the swings, and he will race her to them.

"I've retired, Eileen"

Eileen’s next stop is Llwyncelyn, where Gaynor is quick to point out that she has retired so she cannot help;  

Eileen does not want to face Jason

“No-one wants to go head to head with a parent in such a public way,” Eileen complains, but is simply told that she will have to sort it out.

“That’s what I want to do, but Jinx says she’s not in a good place,” she continues;  

"I'm trying to deal with the council"

Hywel interrupts to say that he is trying to deal with the council and tells her not to bother Ffion.

Gaynor wants to know what is going on, 

"She has enough on her plate at the moment"

and he prevaricates, “It’s just that Ffion has enough on her plate at the moment,” 

"She's drinking again, isn't she?"

so Gaynor immediately concludes that she is drinking again, and warns him not to get dragged in once more, after the mess she made last time.

“She’s only just started in the job – what am I supposed to do now?” demands Eileen, as she angrily turns and walks out of the house.

Has social distancing come to an end?

Garry and Andrea are walking along the High Street, arm in arm, past the chip shop;  “I haven't been on the swing since I was ten,” Garry laughs, and as they are approaching the Deri, asks, “Do you fancy a drink?   We can sit outside if you like.”

"Next time, perhaps – if there is a next time"

She declines the offer, but says, “Next time, perhaps – if there is a next time.”   He makes it quite clear that he is in favour of a ‘next time’ 

Garry's answer seems quite clear . . .

and they kiss in full view of the camera, with no trickery.   

. . . and Mark is surprised

This does not go unnoticed by Mark, who is walking past the health centre.

"I know you have history with Andrea"

Andrea waves to Garry as she goes, and he runs after Mark;  “Listen, I know you have some history with Andrea – I don’t want you to feel awkward.”   

"It was just a couple of dates"

Mark dismisses it as just a couple of dates, and says it is a long story.   

"So no hard feeling, then?"

“No hard feelings, then?   Do you want a pint?” Garry offers, “Or are you having a quiet night in front of the box?”

The happiest Garry has looked for a while

Garry is smiling broadly as he lets himself into the chip shop flat, but Mark, heading along the back street, appears concerned.

"Is there any curry left?"

Ffion is back home from school and apologises to Jinx that she is late;  “That last meeting went on rather a long time – is there any curry left?”

Jinx breaks his silence;  “I saw Hywel earlier – and he told me.”   

Ffion is worried

She looks worried;  “You’ve been drinking again – why tell Hywel and not me?”   She protests that Hywel had no right to open his mouth, 

"He's worried about you – and so am I!"

but Jinx reminds her, “He’s worried about you – and so am I – you’ve got cirrhosis!”

"There's nothing to worry about"

As usual, she insists that there is nothing to worry about, 

"What else has he told you, then?"

and wonders how much more Hywel has told him.   

"He tried to help you and now it's my turn!"

“That he’s tried to help you in the past, and now it’s my turn,” is the reply.

"I'm not expecting anything from you"

“Well, don’t worry, because I’m not expecting anything from you,” she declares.

“So I’m worrying too much, am I?” demands Jinx, 

"Will you say that to Arwen when you're on your deathbed?"

“Will you say the same thing to Arwen when you’re on your deathbed?   She has expectations of you.”   Ffion seems quite convinced that there is nothing for him to be concerned about, 

"I'm not drinking!"

and clearly spells it out that she is not drinking.

“How many times have I heard that before?” he groans, and she maintains that Hywel has misunderstood.   “Perhaps me moving back and  living here has been too much for you.”   She assures him, as she has so often donebefore, that it is under control.

"Textbook addict in denial!"

“That’s textbook addict in denial!” he snarls, and she accuses him of being dramatic.   “Do you deny that you need help?” he asks, 

"Of course I do!"

and of course she does, so he informs her, “I’m not going to relive the mess I left behind last time.”

"I can't help someone who doesn't want help!

She pleads with him not to go, but he replies, “I don’t want to leave you, but I can’t help someone who doesn’t want help!”   

She is getting very close

They are uncommonly close to each other as she begs him not to go.

Arwen is calling for Jinx's assistance

Arwen’s voice can be heard, shouting for Jinx, “My Alexa’s gone nuts – she’s got an Australian accent!”   

Ffion is panicking

He walks out of the room, leaving Ffion in a state of panic.

"Sorry I didn't tell you earlier"

Hywel apologises to Gaynor that he did not tell her about Ffion earlier;  “It’s her mess!” she snaps, and he is taking out the rubbish 

Rhys and Esther have had a great time at the park

when Rhys and Esther (whom we have not seen for ages) come in from their outing to the park.

"I beat you again!"

“I beat you again!” Esther shouts, and Gaynor can see that someone had fun in the park;  she tells Esther to go and get changed and she will get some food.   

"Thanks for taking her out"

Gaynor thanks Rhys for taking her out, and he says that is what big brothers are for.   

He makes a quick escape from his father

Hywel glowers at him, so he makes himself scarce.

Ffion scans the alcohol on the shop shelf

Ffion surveys the bottles of spirits lined up in the shop and cannot make up her mind;  

"Small bottle of vodka, please"

she asks Llinos for a small bottle of vodka, explaining, “One of the teachers is having a birthday – she loves vodka.”   

Then she changes her mind . . .

Then she changes her mind, “Make it a large one – she deserves it.”   

. . . and has a large one instead

Ffion looks guilty as she watches Llinos ring it up on the till.

Kath has returned intact . . .

Kath returns to the Deri, in all her leather gear, and Cassie asks, “Where’s Evel Knievel?   Did you enjoy it?” 

. . . and has completely changed her tune

Kath seems to have been converted, enthusing that it was fantastic;  “I was flying, I can tell you – that sidecar was up in the air!   He said I’d be swept off my feet – and he was right.   A large vodka, please, and a brandy for Brynmor.”

"Tell me – is it better than sex?"

“Tell me, Kath – is it better than sex?” Cassie enquires, 

"Not far off!"

and after some serious thought, Kath maintains that it is not far off.

Jinx is obviously still sorting out Alexa

Ffion hurries back to Cysgod y Glyn, 

All than vodka goes down the drain . . .

where she removes the cap from her newly-purchased bottle and pours its expensive contents down the sink.   

. . . and is replaced with water

Then the bottle is refilled with filtered water, 

Whatever is Ffion playing at?"

and Ffion sits down to anxiously wait for Jinx’s return.

"Where's Esther?"

Rhys asks his father where Esther is;  “Gaynor’s taken her to bed – she’s shattered.”   

"I wanted to show her how many 'likes' she's had"

Rhys just wanted to show her how many ‘likes’ she has had – everyone loves her.

"Just like they love you!"

“Just like they love you!” growls Hywel, 

"Taking your multi-racial sister out"

“They love how open-minded you are – taking your multi-racial sister out.   You don’t usually pay her any attention – it’s easy for you to use that little girl when it suits you!”

Rhys does not want to listen to any more of this, 

"You only hear what you want to hear!"

but his father goes on, “No, you only hear what do you want to hear – you live in your phone, where everyone ‘likes’ what you do.”

Rhys accuses him of being a cynic, but he shouts, “I see things as they are – don’t you dare use Esther like that again!”   

Hywel's words seem to have had no effect

Rhys chuckles as he looks at his phone.

She hears Jinx coming up the stairs

Ffion is still sitting in front of the vodka bottle 

"What are you doing, Ffion?"

and when she hears Jinx coming in, she drinks from it, so he demands, “What are you doing?”   

"Don't go, Jinx – please help me!"

She begs him to not go, but to help her, 

She pours the alleged vodka down the sink

and she pours the bottle’s contents down the sink.   This has the desired effect, 

"I'll stick with you, Ffion!"

as Jinx assures her, “Ffion, I’m not really sure what you’re doing, but I’ll stick with you.”   

The first good cwtch we have seen for months!

He hugs her closely, as he continues, “But if you want my help, 

"You have to promise to be honest and open with me"

“you have to promise to be honest and open with me, OK?”   

"I will!"

She vows that she will, and he hugs her again.