9 August 2022

Ffion is back – but who drove the camper van?

Ffion walks very solemnly into Cysgod y Glyn, followed by Arwen, 

"Are you going to talk to me now, or what?"

who pleads, “Are you going to talk to me now, or what?   Mam, please – I’ve said how sorry I am.”

“It won’t change what happened, will it?” her mother replies, and Arwen acknowledges that it was all her fault.   

"Look, Arwen, there's nothing you can do"

“Look, Arwen, there’s nothing you can do, OK, so just . . .” continues Ffion, who is close to tears.   

Arwen goes to her room

Arwen retreats to her bedroom.

Ffion looks at the guitar in the corner . . .

When Ffion looks down to see Jinx’s guitar in the corner 

. . . and bursts into tears

she cannot stem the tears any longer, and we are led to assume that Jinx has perished.

The scheming Gwyneth

Gwyneth is making herself a drink when Cassie comes downstairs;  “I thought you would have a lie-in,” she comments, 

"I've spent enough time lying on my bed"

but is told by Gwyneth that she has spent enough time lying on her bed over the last two and a half years.   “Has it been that long?   Doesn’t time fly?” says Cassie.

"Time doesn't fly for everyone"

“Not for everyone, Cassie!” Gwyneth reprimands her, “You have no idea how much I’ve looked forward to making my own coffee, just how I like it.”   

"Remember poor Jaclyn"

Cassie agrees that they have to appreciate every minute, remembering poor Jaclyn.   

"I can't believe she was killed just over the road"

“I can’t believe she was killed just over the road,” Gwyneth lies through her teeth.

"Dylan was released recently"

Cassie cannot imagine what the children are going through – and Dylan, of course;  “He was released recently.”   Gwyneth feigns surprise, 

"That's rather a coincidence"

and regards it as rather a coincidence that he came out the same time Jaclyn was killed, but supposes that it will all come out in the investigation.

“Have the police found anything?” she asks, and Cassie does not know of anything, but is glad that they are around, 

"I've been scared to be in ther house on my own"

as she has been scared in the house on her own, knowing that there is a murderer out there.

"We can look after each other"

“We can look after each other,” Gwyneth reassures her.   Cassie hopes that they find the swine before long, and is asked if anything else has been going on around there.

"You know Garry and Dani have split up?"

“You know that Garry and Dani have split up?” Cassie replies, 

"And Dani had a baby with Dylan!"

and Gwyneth already knows that Dani has had a baby with Dylan, which makes her laugh.   Cassie emphasises, “Garry’s had a hard time – he regrets the affair with Jaclyn – I want you to know that Garry and I are close mates – I know your relationship with him isn’t perfect, 

"Leave me out of everything"

“but I want you both to leave me out of everything.”

"I've got a lot of catching up to do"

Gwyneth abandons her coffee and says that it sounds as if she has a lot of catching up to do;  she puts on her coat remarking, “I’ll get some more milk and then we can have another coffee.”   

"Are you ready to face everyone?"

Cassie wonders if she is ready to face everyone.   

"Are they ready to face me?"

“The question is, are they ready to face me?” is the reply.

Tegwen chases after Rhys

As Rhys walks through the alley, Tegwen emerges from the shop flat and wants a word with him;  

"I've got an idea for a new enterprise"

“I’ve got an idea for a new enterprise,” she begins, but at that moment his phone sounds.   “A women’s rugby team,” she continues, 

"Sorry, I forgot"

but Griffiths is complaining on the phone and Rhys has to hurry to Tomos ac Ellis straightaway.

"I have to go – see you later!"

“Griffiths is angry that I haven’t sent some letter, so I have to go – see you later!” he says as he dashes off, leaving Tegwen disappointed.   

He is surprised to see Gwyneth . . .

Rhys has only gone a few steps when he notices Gwyneth coming out of the shop 

. . . who goes across to number 9

and returning to number 9.

"I've tried apologising to him"

At Y Felin, Cai insists, “I’ve tried apologising – I lost the plot, that’s all!”   Iolo points out that the problem is not simply the fact he punched Eifion, but the homophobic prejudices that are in his head, which he regards as disgusting.

“All right, I’ll change my attitude, then,” answers Cai, “I didn’t really mean what I said – it just came out.   

"Apart from his naff shirts"

“I don’t have anything against Eifion – apart from his naff shirts!”

"You have no idea what Eifion's been through"

“You have no idea what Eifion’s been through!” Iolo rages, “Something like this happened to him before in the rugby club – some horrible bloke called Howard.”   Cai presumes that he got some hassle for being gay, 

"Not hassle – homophobic abuse!"

but is told quite emphatically, “No – homophobic abuse!”

"You know what it's like with changing room banter"

Cai tries to explain, “Look, right, I’m not homophobic – but you know what it’s like with changing room banter.   You say horrible things about all sorts of people – that doesn’t mean you believe it.   

"Come on, Iol – I'm trying here"

“Come on, Iol – I’m trying here.”   

"Well, try harder – and clear up!"

He is told that he should try harder, and clear up.

"Tell me about this new enterprise"

When Rhys comes back along the street, Mathew and Tegwen are outside the shop;  “Sorry I ran away earlier – tell me about this new enterprise of yours,” he says.

"I want to start a women's rugby team"

“I want to start a women’s rugby team in Cwmderi,” she says, and Mathew regards that as a stupid idea, but Rhys is all in favour, 

"Thank you, Rhys"

which pleases Tegwen.   “I thought because you used to run a gym 

"You could ask your former female clients"

“you could ask your former female clients if they’d be interested,” she goes on.   

"Ffion used to play rugby"

He will do that and advises that she should ask Ffion, as she used to play rugby.

Gwyneth comers out of number 9

Gwyneth again emerges from number 9, 

"She's just been released from jail"

and Mathew remarks, “You could ask her – she’s just been released from jail – when did she get out?”   

"She probably escaped!"

Rhys would not be surprised if she escaped.

"You should keep clear of her"

Gwyneth walks towards them, and Mathew recommends that Tegwen should keep clear of her.   

"Familiar faces – and a new one"

Gwyneth greets them, “Nice to see familiar faces – and a new one.”   

"Tegwen, my girlfriend"

Mathew introduces her to Tegwen, and she comments that it is nice to be back in the village as she continues along the street towards the Deri.

She looks up at the Deri flat . . .

She pauses, looking up at the pub and the flat above, 

. . . and looks determined

then wears a determined look as she goes towards it.

Ffion is dealing with the washing

At Cysgod y Glyn, Ffion brings in the laundry basket and shouts to Arwen, “Have you taken the charger?”   

"I didn't mean to scare you"

She is quite astonished when Jinx comes into the room, and cannot believe it.   He did not mean to scare her, 

Ffion is overjoyed to see him . . .

and her look of terror quickly changes to one of great joy.

. . . and rushes to give him a cwtch

She rushes forward and embraces him;  “Jinx, are you OK?” she demands, and he answers that he is a bit fragile, 

"At least I'm still here"

but at least he is still there – through some miracle – and public transport.   “I wouldn’t have left you, but I had to bring Gwern home,” Ffion explains.

"Jinx – I thought I'd never see you again!"

Then Arwen comes in, also delighted to see him;  “Jinx, I was scared I’d never see you again!”   He replies that she cannot have much faith in him, 

"Mam said perhaps you would never come home"

and she goes on, “Mam said perhaps you would never come home.”

"Just preparing us for the worst"

Ffion argues that she was preparing them for the worst, just in case, and thought that they would have kept him longer in the hospital, to get stronger.   

"There was a shortage of beds"

He says that there was a shortage of beds, and in any case he will recover much better at home.   Arwen volunteers to look after him.

“I’m going for shower and then I’m taking you two out for dinner,” he tells them, 

"I'm grounded"

but Arwen points out that she is grounded.   

"How about I make us a special pizza?"

Jinx comes up with another suggestion, “How about I make us a special pizza?   How does that sound?”

Dani is catching up with the vacuuming . . .

Dani is vacuuming in the Deri flat when Gwyneth walks in;  

. . . and is not pleased to see Gwyneth 

she looks rather frightened, and is surprised that Gwyneth has been released.  

"How's Gwern?"

“How’s Gwern?” is the first question, and Dani says that he is at football practice.   “I sent him a few messages to say I was coming home – but I didn’t get an answer,” 

"I expect it's a bit of a shock"

which Dani puts down to the news being a shock.

"And the little one – Gabriel?"

Then she is asked about the little one, Gabriel;  “Yes, he’s great – a handful, but he’s having an nap now – 

"I like to have a routine"

“I like to have a routine,” says Dani.   Gwyneth offers that if she ever needs a babysitter, 

"I'm very familiar with routine"

she is definitely familiar with routine, commenting that every second is precious when they are growing up.

“And that’s why I don’t want to miss another second with Gwern – do you mind if I stay here until he comes back from football.”   Dani predicts that he will need time to get used to the idea that his mother is back.   

"But I'm his mother!"

“I’m grateful to you for raising him, Dani, but I’m his mother!” Gwyneth adds, rather menacingly, 

Dani reluctantly agrees

so Dani has little choice but to agree.

Then Gabriel cries, and Dani goes to him, 

Gwyneth looks with distaste at the teddy bear . . .

while Gwyneth looks around the room and picks up a large teddy bear 

. . . with the 'DAD' T-shirt

wearing a T-shirt emblazoned ‘DAD’.   She again wears that grim, determined look.

No sooner has Cai set foot in the Deri . . .

When Cai walks into the Deri 

. . . then he is told to get out

he is immediately informed by Eifion, “Out!   You’re banned!”   Cai confirms that he is not staying, 

"I just wanted to giove you this to say sorry"

but just wanted to give something to Eifion to say sorry.   

"I don't want it!"

“I don’t want it!” snarls Eifion, but is urged by Cassie to give him a chance.

"Every team needs a decent fly-half"

“I’ll leave it here in case you change your mind,” says Cai, “Every rugby team needs a decent fly-half.”   Cassie finds that it is a year’s membership of the Cwmderi Rugby Club, which she regards as a good thing.

"So you can punch me again?"

“What – so you can punch me again, but on the rugby pitch this time?” Eifion growls, and Cai insists that he is not like that other bloke, Howard.   He has been told by Iolo and is really sorry for what he did;  he invites Eifion to think about the membership before he turns and leaves the Deri.

Then Eifion decides that he is also going;  “See you tomorrow!” he says.   

"You're on shift until tonight"

Cassie reminds him that he is covering the shift until tonight.   

"Oh – didn't Britt tell you?"

“Britt’s given me the night off – didn’t she tell you?” he replies, and Cassie is definitely not happy.

"Can I leave this on the bar, Cassie?"

Mathew comes in with Tegwen, who wonders if she can leave a poster on the bar to see if there is anyone interested in starting a women’s rugby team.   “You won’t see my name on it,” Cassie groans, and she is told that you are never too old to play rugby.   

"I'm too glamorous!"

“I’m not – I’m too glamorous!” is Cassie’s retort.

Mathew is sure that there are plenty of ‘Margaret Alfonsos’ in the village, 

"You mean Maggie Alphonsi!"

and is corrected by Tegwen, “You mean Maggie Alphonsi.” [former Rugby Union player]  Mathew remarks that he saw Gwyneth earlier, 

"She's waiting for Gwern to come home"

and is informed that she is upstairs, waiting for Gwern to come home – they have a lot to catch up on.

Cassie adds, “And by the way, you’re all invited to Gwyneth’s welcome home party at the end of the week – 

"It was Gwyneth's idea, not mine"

“don’t look at me like that – it was Gwyneth’s idea, not mine.”   

"Who organises their own welcome home party?"

Tegwen thinks that it is rather strange, a person organising their own welcome home party, but Cassie explains that it is Gwyneth.

"You're supposed to be resting, Jinx"

Jinx is busy preparing pizza dough, but Ffion warns him against overdoing things, as he is supposed to be resting.   

"Life is too short"

“You know what?” he answers, “Life is too short – from now on I’m going to throw myself into things that make me feel good.”

"You had an epiphany in the water, then?"

She can see that he had an epiphany in the water, but he does not remember much;  “I saw her inflatable and I thought she was in there – I remember thinking I had to get Arwen out of the water, 

"The rest is just a blank"

“but the rest is just a blank.”

Ffion points out that the next minute he was on the beach, not moving or breathing;  

"I was scared that you were dead, Jinx!"

“I did CPR on you immediately – I was so scared that you were dead, Jinx!   All those first aid courses came in handy in the end.”   

"You've given me a second chance at life"

Jinx is very grateful to her for reviving him and it feels as if he has been given a second chance at life;  “To look at things again – almost like a reset button.”   

"So you can see things clearer now?"

She is aware that he can see things clearer now, 

"Yes, much clearer"

and he agrees, “Much clearer.”

"Such as?"

As Ffion gazes at him with scarcely restrained passion, she asks what he can see more clearly, 

"Well, pizzas, obviously"

and he disappointingly replies, “Pizzas, obviously,” 

But something else is occupying his thoughts

but it is clear that he too has other things on his mind.   She goes to check on Arwen.

"I'm glad he's doing well at school"

Gwyneth is glad that Gwern is doing well at school, but is still obsessed with his screen, like all children;  

"What's for dinner?"

then he arrives back from football and asks what is for dinner.   He is stunned to see his mother there, 

He backs away from his mother 

and backs away from her.

Dani tells him to give his mother a chance;  “Dani tells me you’re doing well at school,” says Gwyneth, “They’re not still picking on you because I was in jail?”   

"That was ages ago"

He replies that was ages ago.

"I deserved to be punished"

She confesses, “I made a huge mistake selling those drugs and I deserved to be punished – but the worst thing was waking up every morning knowing I couldn’t protect you.”   

He says that it is all right because she is there now, and she suggests reading a story to him.

"I can read, you know – I'm not a little boy now"

“I can read, you know,” he answers, disparagingly, “I’m not a little boy now.”   She tells him to go and get changed and then they can have a chat.

"That's typical!"

Back at Y Felin, Eifion informs Iolo , “He’s paid for a year’s membership in the rugby club,” which Iolo says is typical.   

"He has apologised"

“Do you think he’s trying to buy my forgiveness?   He has apologised.”

"He has to change his attitude"

Iolo maintains that Cai has to show that he has changed his attitude, and it takes more than a rugby pass to do that.   Eifion suggests that they go for a pint, anywhere other than the Deri;  “I’ve seen too much of that place!” and they leave for the Bull.

"The sea levels have risen"

Jinx has been doing some reading in the hospital;  “Remember that beach where I got into difficulties?   The tide there didn’t use to be so dangerous, but since the sea levels have risen . . .”

"Because of 'climate change' and everything"

Ffion agrees that it is happening because of ‘climate change’ and everything.   It has made him realise that he has to change the way he lives his life – and change the way he runs the pizza business – by being more ‘green’.   

"I could grow my own vegetables"

“I thought I could grow my own vegetables – spinach, rocket, all kinds of herbs.”

"You don't have a garden, Jinx"

Ffion points out the rather basic fact that he does not have a garden;  “No, not yet,” he answers, 

"And make deliveries on a bike"

“I thought I could make deliveries on a bike.”   She reminds him that he has only just been discharged from hospital, but he stresses, “It would be better for the environment and for me – 

"Nothing like the freedom of the open road"

“there’s nothing like the freedom of the open road.”

"When will we see you?"

“With the gardening and the cycling, when will we see you?” queries Ffion, then calls Arwen for her dinner.

"Perhaps next time you could teach me"

Gwern is playing his game while his mother sits on the sofa with him;  “You like this game, don’t you?   Perhaps next time you could teach me to play it.   How long has Dylan been living here?”   

"Dylan's 'all right'"

Gwern answers that it has not been very long, and that he is ‘all right’.

"Therte's nothing I wouldn't do for you"

“You do know how much I love you, don’t you?   There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” his mother continues, although Gwern seems to be taking little notice.   

"I'm going to make it up to you, I promise"

“I’m going to make it up to you for all the time I was away, I promise.”

Footsteps can be heard on the stairs 

"Since when have you been here?"

and Dylan walks in, eyeing Gwyneth very suspiciously.   “Since when have you been here?” he growls at her, and she says that it is nice to be out, as he will know himself.

"I was very sorry to hear about Jaclyn"

“I was very sorry to hear about Jaclyn,” she goes on, “It must have been a terrible shock – you two were so close.”   

Gwern is sent to bed

She suggests to Gwern that it is time he went to bed, and when he has gone, 

"I mwan it, you know – I'm sorry about Jaclyn"

she tells Dylan, “I mean it, you know – despite everything that happened between us, I’m sorry about Jaclyn.   

Is that a hint of a smile?

She smiles as she walks from the room, 

Dylan looks very determined

but Dylan, with his hair tied incongruously in a ‘bun’, looks very determined.