21 September 2022 (1st)

Ieuan Griffiths does not look very joyful

Ieuan Griffiths is sitting on the sofa in Bryntirion, looking depressed, when Anita comes downstairs;  

"Couldn't you sleep?"

“I thought you were having breakfast,” she says, “Couldn’t you sleep?”

"I can't believe what I've done"

He grunts, “I can’t believe what I’ve done – well, sleeping with someone on the night of my mother’s funeral.   I woke up in the night and felt like she was sitting at the end of the bed, looking upset.”   

"She looked like she had been eating a lemon"

Anita is sure that he was dreaming, and he continues, “She looked like she had been eating a lemon – how could I have done that?   On the night of her funeral?”

"Well, do you regret it?"

Anita asks if he regrets it, and he stresses that he does not, 

"It should never have happened, Anita"

but it should never have happened.   Anita demands, “Why?   You said that she always manipulated you – 

"You're still allowing her to control you"

“and now you’re still allowing her to control you, even though she’s gone!”

“She hasn’t gone – that’s what I’m trying to say!” he snarls, “It was as if she was watching us all night.”   

"What's he doing here?"

Kelly has just come downstairs and is surprised to see him, demanding what he is doing there.   Anita explains that it was his mother’s funeral yesterday, and that she asked him to stay there in case he was lonely.

As Kelly glowers at her, 

"In case he disappoints his mother!"

Anita adds, “But he’s going home today, in case he disappoints his mother!”

Colin notices something strange . . .

Colin is passing the alley 

. . . a stranger handing an envelope to Britt 

when he notices a stranger handing an envelope to Britt at the other end;  he thinks this is rather strange and goes to confront her, just as she is looking inside the envelope.   

"It's money from Garry"

“It’s money from Garry – he wants to help us,” she says.

"Why do you always do this?"

“Why do you always do this?” he demands, and she wants to know what is the problem.   “How are we going to pay him back?” Colin sighs, 

"I need it for the business"

but is told that Britt needs the money for the business;  she needs to give it another go.

"That's nowhere near enough"

He points out that it is nowhere near enough to reopen the chippy, as the building is badly damaged.   She reminds him that at least the building insurance has covered the flat;  

"I want us to start living again"

“But the business, Col – I want to fix things up, so that we can start living again, not counting every penny!   Col, please.”

He capitulates, and proposes that they can start the process slowly;  he will go to APD later,

"No, I'll go, Colin"

but Britt insist that she will go, as she has not got much to do this morning.   He is taken in by her words, and will see her later.

She immediately phones Sioned 

As soon as he has gone, she takes out her phone and contacts Sioned;  

"Can we meet?"

“Can we meet?” she says.

"Thanks for everything – and sorry"

Griffiths is now dressed and tells Anita, “Thanks for everything – honestly – and sorry.”   

Anita looks unimpressed

She looks unimpressed by his words, so he continues, “You’re a kind and generous woman – you don’t deserve this,” 

Ieuan slinks away

and he leaves the house.

Kelly has been listening

Kelly, who is leaning on the sink, has heard all this and looks disapprovingly at Auntie Anita, 

"I thought I'd started to find some confidence"

 wails, “I thought I’d started to find some confidence, and he comes along . . .”

"Stop, Auntie Anita . . ."

Kelly stops her there;  “Today is a special day – you’re getting your hair and nails done – the works!   

"Don't let anyone else define your self-worth"

Don’t let somebody else define your self-worth, especially him – 

"He'll never change, dead mother or not!"

“He’ll never change, dead mother or not!”

Jinx records his handiwork

Jinx is taking a photo on his phone of his poster on the chapel door, 

"You're taking this seriously, aren't you?"

and Ffion realises that he is taking this seriously.   “I’ve made a promise to Megan, and that’s a big responsibility,” he replies.

"But will it be popular?"

Ffion wonders if Sunday school will be popular,  

"Religion is dying"

and Arwen comments, “As if!   Religion is dying – none of my friends go to chapel.   It’s not really my thing.”

"I was going to ask you to help me"

Jinx regards that as a pity, because he was going to ask Arwen to run it with him;  “You’re right – and we have to find a way to move with the times.”   

"What do you want from me?"

She wonders what he wants from her, and is told, “Ideas on how to attract your friends here – what you would like to do or discuss.”

“OK, I’ll do it!” she decides, which comes as rather a surprise;  

"I'll start a WhatsApp group"

“I’ll start a WhatsApp group to create a vibe,” 

Ffion seems impressed

and her mother appears impressed.

Iolo arrives with some food . . .

Iolo arrives in the shop flat, informing Eifion that he did not have enough time to prepare, so has bought salmon and cucumber sandwiches, posh crisps 

. . . and a couple of cans

and two cans of bubbles (in the form of '7up').

Eifion exclaims, “Wow – you really know how to spoil us, don’t you?   I don’t want to burst your bubbles, 

"I've got better bubbles!"

“but I’ve got better bubbles!”   He takes a bottle from the fridge, explaining that they are supposed to be on holiday.

"Looking out over Loch Maree"

“Eating lunch in a pub, looking out over Loch Maree,” he goes on, 

"They've changed their mind again"

just as Rhys comes in, talking on the phone about 39 Heol Llanarthur;  apparently the buyers have changed their mind again, and the property will have to be put back on the market.

"Some people can't make decisions"

He complains that some people cannot make decisions, and Eifion did not know that he was coming home from lunch.   “I had to escape from the office – people are so selfish!” he moans, 

"Does Anita want to live in number 10 or not?"

“Like Anita – does she want to live in number 10 or not?   She’s afraid of Jaclyn’s ghost or something.”

"I'll only be ten minutes, boys"

Then he notices the bottle of champagne and concludes that this must be a special occasion;  he assures them that he will only be ten minutes and will not disturb them, as he sits down to eat what may well be pasta.   

"We'll keep this for another time"

Eifion thinks that they will keep the champagne for another time.

"Brynmor said the service was very nice"

In the Deri, Cassie goes across to where Griffiths is looking very downcast;  “I heard yesterday went well,” she says, “Brynmor said the service was very nice – it’s awful to lose your mother like that, and she was a strong personality, from what I understand.”

"You're telling me!"

“You’re telling me!” he groans, and she goes on that it is important to make the most of everyone and everything while they are here, as everything can disappear in an instant.

"Very wise words"

This appears to strike a chord with Ieuan, who comments, “Very wise words.”   

"Oh, I'm good at giving advice"

Cassie continues that she is very good at giving advice, but when it comes to herself, it is a different matter.   

"Thanks, Cassie"

He gets up and thanks her as he rapidly leaves the pub.

Sioned comes to see Britt 

Sioned arrives at number 21 to see Britt and is invited to take a seat;  “Like I said, I’ve got the money, so have you got the contract?   I want to see what I’m buying.”

"I thought we trusted each other"

Sioned points out that she knows very well what she is buying, and thought that they trusted each other.   

"I don't usually give anyone this much money"

“I don’t usually give this much money without any paperwork,” Britt insists, 

"I don't know how long that will take"

so Sioned will contact her accountant and solicitor;  she does not know how long that will take.

"If the other buyer wants to do a deal . . ."

“But I have to be straight with you, Britt – if the other buyer wants to do a deal, I’ll have to sell – business is business.”   

"All right – I'll trust you, Sioned"

Britt is anxious to do the deal and decides that she will trust Sioned;  

Sioned will put it in writing

in return, Sioned will make her feel better by writing something down to say that she accepted £10,000 from Britt Evans.

"You have no idea what this means to us"

Britt is happy with that, and says that Sioned has no idea what this means to them as a family – and to her, personally.   

What is that devious Sioned doing?

Sioned is wearing a devious smile as she writes.

Anita does not welcome the visitor

There is a knock at the door of Bryntirion, and when Anita answers it, she is less than pleased to see Griffiths.   “You look very nice,” he says as he comes in with a bunch of flowers, and checks to make sure no-one else is around, 

"I've been such a fool"

“I’m sorry, Anita – I’ve been such a fool – you’ve been such a good friend, and then I treated you the way I did this morning.   Please forgive me – the thing is, 

"You're the only person who likes me as I am"

“you’re the only person I know who likes me as I am – I don’t understand why.”

Anita does not say a word but continues to look at him, as he pleads, “I’m truly sorry,” 

He hands her the flowers

and hands her the flowers.   She will go and put them in a vase, 

"Do you think we can be friends again?"

and he cautiously asks, “Do you think we can be friends again?”

"What would Mami say?"

“I don’t know – what would Mami say?” she answers.

"Mami has gone now"

He points out that Mami has gone now and he will miss her terribly – but he is still here and wants to live his life;  

"Even if she's sitting on the end of the bed . . ."

“Even if she is sitting at the end of the bed, watching,” 

". . . joke, Anita!

but he quickly adds, “Joke!   Please, Anita, I know I don’t deserve it, but, 

"Would you consider giving me another chance?"

“please, would you consider giving me another chance?”   

There is no reply

She tries to appear aloof and does not reply.

"Do something to cheer him up, will you?"

In the Deri, Cassie brings Rhys his coffee and notices that Eifion is looking very depressed as Iolo arrives.   “Do something to cheer him up, will you?” she urges Iolo.

"Take me a long way from here – Loch Maree"

“Like taking me somewhere a long way from here – Madrid, Milan – or Loch Maree,” Eifion suggests, and Cassie tells them to go ahead and reorganise it.   Iolo appreciates that is the only way they will get a place to themselves.

"Haven't you been in love?"

“Yeah, well, I live in a full house and Iolo lives with Siôn,” Eifion groans, “Haven’t you been in love?”   

"You'll get over it"

Cassie answers that she has, many times, and that he will soon get over it.

Then she announces that as she is in such a good mood and fancies an early night, 

"You can lock up tonight . . ."

“You can lock up and Iolo can keep you company.   

". . . but only you two"

“Only you two – and if I hear that anyone else is . . .”

"We don't want anyone else"

Iolo assures her that they do not want anyone else;  

Rhys is listening carefully

of course, Rhys is still at the other end of the bar, listening to this.

"I'm sure he'd love the idea"

Jinx has gone to visit Anita, who thinks that Ifan would love the idea of Sunday school.   Then Kelly comes home, 

"Another religious phase, is it?"

and when she is told, comments, “Another religious phase, is it?”   Jinx says that he has put down Ifan’s name, 

"No way – Jase and I are atheists"

but she informs him, “No way – Jase and I are atheists – it’s not fair for a child to get someone else’s beliefs stuffed down their throat.”

"It's an opportunity to teach them about other people"

Jinx explains that it is an opportunity to teach them about the world, other people . . .   

"Y-fronts?"

Then she notices the underpants hanging on the clothes-horse.   “Y-fronts?” she demands, and Anita says that Ieuan is staying with them for a little while, as they have sorted things out.

"He doesn't like going back to an empty house"

“He has lost his mother and he does not like going back to an empty house,” she says, 

"He doesn't like using a washing machine either!"

and Kelly adds that he does not like using a washing machine either.   Jinx takes this as his cue to leave the house.

Anita insists, “I thought you’d be glad that Jinx is protecting the chapel – after all, he’s bound to give the work to APD,” 

"Not a patch on what the would have had"

but Kelly insists that the money is not a patch on what they would have had if the developers had turned it into flats.

"I thought the members rejected it"

Ieuan has just walked in as Anita insists that Kelly’s argument is not valid, as they did not sell it for redevelopment.   He was under the impression that an offer was made but the members rejected it.   

"I'm a member, and I haven't heard anything"

Anita  looks puzzled at this;  “I’m a member, and I haven’t heard anything about an offer.”

"Right, I have to go!"

Griffiths suddenly appears to be in a tearing hurry to go somewhere, and asks if they need anything from the shop, then leaves, while Kelly looks furious.

"I'm sure she's hiding something"

Colin tells Mark that he cannot get it out of his head that Britt is hiding something;  “She’s being honest with you about the money,” says Mark, 

"Only because I caught her"

but Colin maintains that was only because he caught her.   He wonders what would happen if she spent it on rubbish, like she has done before, when she was off her meds.

"Take control of the situation, then"

“Why don’t you take control of the situation, then?” Mark asks, “If she wants to reopen the chippy, show some interest – don’t fight it.   Go over to APD and crack on.   

"You'll have to sort it out if it goes wrong"

“The thing is, you’ll have to sort it out if it goes wrong.”

"The members didn't know about the offer . . ."

Griffiths has met Rhys in the Deri;  “Listen, the offer for Bethania – the members didn’t know about it.”   Rhys is adamant that they did, as they spoke to Megan, 

". . . she didn't tell them"

“She was supposed to tell the members, but she didn’t,” adds Griffiths.

"She said they'd had a vote"

“She said they’d had a vote,” Rhys protests, but Griffiths shakes his head, recalling that Megan has always been a strong woman, 

"She had to be, to be married to Reg Harries!"

and that she had to be, to be married to Reg Harries.   “Do you think they’re still interested in the place?” Rhys wonders, and Griffiths will have a word with them to see what is possible.

"We lost a lot of money because of her"

“In the meantime, what are we going to do about Megan?” he asks, “We lost a lot of money because of her – she’s not going to get away with this!   

"Megan 'Pillar of the Community' Harries"

“I’m going to make sure everyone knows what sort of woman Megan ‘Pillar of the Community’ Harries is!”

Colin is calculating

Britt returns to the house as Colin is doing some calculations;  he asks if she went to APD, 

"No, I didn't get a chance"

and she says she did not get a chance.   “Well, I went to see Mathew and I’ve started to price things up for the chippy.”

"£10,000 is nowhere near enough"

She stresses that £10,000 is nowhere near enough to do up the chippy, and so he proposes that they should take a breath before borrowing more money.   “Or use it towards another business,” is her suggestion, 

"I've bought Sioned's share of Cae Glas"

“I’ve bought Sioned’s share of Cae Glas.”   

Colin is shocked into silence 

Colin is speechless.

"This is pretty good"

In the Deri, Eifion is pouring another drink for Iolo, who says, “I’m not a champagne guy, but this is pretty good.”

Eifion muses, “Yes, you can taste pears on a sunny day – and there are undertones of vanilla and blackberries – 

"I'm trying to impress you"

“I have no idea what I’m talking about – I’m trying to impress you.   Because I want to impress you – I know a lot of people around here think I’m an idiot – and perhaps I am.”

"Well, not lately, anyhow"

Iolo says that he has not thought that;  “Well, not lately, anyhow.”   Eifion continues that he does not think he is an idiot when he is with Iolo, 

"I'm conformable with being myself"

but is comfortable with being himself.   Iolo is similarly happy.

“I’ve been thinking,” Eifion goes on, “With Mathew and Tegwen looking for somewhere to live – and the fact that we can’t get any peace – 

"What if we tried to find somewhere as well?"

“what if we tried to find somewhere as well?”

There is a banging at the door 

Then there is a banging at the door, so Eifion shouts that they are closed;  a voice replies, “It’s Cassie here!” so they open the door, 

"I thought you were never going to open the door!"

only to find that it is Rhys, trying to approximate Cassie’s voice.   “I thought you were never going to open the door!” he says, 

"We've come here to get away from you"

and Eifion complains that they have gone there to get away from him.

Rhys says he is really sorry for spoiling things for them today, 

"I promise to be out of the flat two nights a week"

and promises to be out of the flat two nights next week so Eifion and Iolo can have the place to themselves.   

"Pint and a whisky chaser, please, barman"

“Pint and a whisky chaser, please, barman, he says.”

"You don't care how I feel, do you?"

Colin is very angry;  “You don’t care how I feel, do you?   While I was going on about deep fat fryers and structural engineers, 

"You had no intention of spending a penny on that!"

“you had no intention of spending a penny on that!”

"I was afraid you'd tell Eileen"

She argues that she was afraid that he would tell Eileen, and he cannot believe that Eileen does not know.   

"You've deceived your business partner and your husband?"

“So you’ve deceived your new business partner as well as your husband?” he rages, 

"You've been planning with Sioned and some solicitor!"

“You’ve been planning all this with Sioned and some solicitor!”

"No solicitor"

“Just her and me – no solicitor,” Britt replies, and he hopes that they have some kind of contract.

"You've given her £10.000, willy-nilly?"

“Don’t tell me you’ve just given Sioned £10,000, willy-nilly?” 

Britt gives him the slip of paper . . . 

and she produces the slip of paper given to her by Sioned.   

. . . which he peruses

Colin takes one look;  

"This is your contract?"

“This is your contract?” he demands, 

"I'm going out!"

throws down the paper and marches out.