13 October 2022

Jinx is on his way to see Siôn 

Jinx is striding along the High Street when he sees Siôn coming out of the bookshop;  

"Have you seen the advert for Anita's house?"

“Have you seen the advert for Anita’s house?” Siôn rages, “They’re targeting the people over the border!”   

Jinx is not able to explain

He has no time to find out what Jinx wants.

From the other side of the road, Dani asks what he is carrying;  

"No to boring people!"

“A protest against Siôn White? – ‘NO to boring people’!”   He replies that they are Arwen’s pictures which Siôn promised to sell in Y Winllan, or at least, Jinx hopes that he will.

Colin and Brynmor watch 'The Dairy'

As they stand near the garage, looking at the sign pointing to ‘The Dairy’, 

"There's no loyalty these days"

Brynmor complains, “There’s no loyalty these days – that’s what’s killing small shops.”

"It will kill my business in the end"

Two customers come out, carrying their coffees from the machine, as Colin agrees, “It will kill my business in the end, and then they’ll regret it.”   Brynmor points out that you cannot have a chat with a vending machine, and Colin predicts, “Robots will end up running the world!”

"What's wrong with the shop?"

Rhys is the next one to emerge, and Colin shouts to him, “What’s wrong with the shop?”   Rhys says that there is no choice, but Colin reminds him, “Machines won’t ask you how you’re doing, will they?   Or chat about the weather, or have a gossip?”   

"That's a good reason not to go there"

Rhys regards that as a good reason not to go there.

"You won't be able to when you've got a bump"

Sioned has just arrived and is getting more supplies out of the car;  when Rhys offers to help, she abruptly replies that she can carry the box herself.   “You won’t when you’ve got a bump,” he comments, “DJ told me you’re trying for a baby – 

"We should have stuck together"

“perhaps we should have stuck together.   A team like us would be millionaires before long – and our kids would be real lookers!”

Sioned does not share his opinion

She does not relish the prospect and carries the box into ‘The Dairy’.

"I'm struggling with my first essay"

Dani tells Jinx that she is struggling with the first essay;  “It doesn’t help that Seren covered one of my textbooks in glitter.”   He offers to help her, and she answers, “Well, if you can write an essay on the criminal justice system, great.”

He admits he does not have much experience in that field;  “Unlike me, you mean?” she quips, “The essay’s just a bit difficult.”   

"I could babysit for you tonight"

He proposes that he could babysit tonight so that she could get started, but stipulates there is to be no glitter.   

"You're a star, Jinx"

“You’re a star, Jinx – thank you!” she says.

'Cupboard's eye view' of Mark

Mark is delving into one of the cupboards at number 7 in search of a lightbulb 

Brynmor arrives

when Brynmor comes in;  

"You can never find the right bulbs"

“You can never find the right bulbs when you need them,” he grumbles, “These are all bayonets – I need a screw one.   I’ll go over to APD later.”

"I've brought this for you"

Brynmor takes a piece of paper from his pocket;  “I’ve brought you this,” he says, and when Mark sees that it is headed ‘Problem with the Prostate’, 

"I don't need that"

he maintains that he does not need it.

“You’ve promised to go and see the doctor,” Brynmor reminds him, and he says that he is going over to the surgery later so he does not need the leaflet.   “When did you make the appointment?” he is asked, and says that he phoned this morning, so there is no need to worry about him any more.

His electrical repair is unsatisfactory

Mark has now fitted a new bulb, but as soon as he turns it on, it goes off again, so Brynmor enquires whether he should go and get a new bulb from APD.   Mark says that he will go over there later.

Not appropriate in the workplace

Ffion and Cai are engaging in some unprofessional behaviour in the headteacher’s office when the bell rings, 

"Just ignore it"

and he tells her to ignore it.   “I can’t – I have work to do – and so do you!” she instructs him.   

He alleges that he has a free lesson, but Ffion knows better;  

"You're supposed to be supervising 7 Myrddin"

“You’re supposed to be supervising 7 Myrddin,” and when he says that they can look after themselves for a while, as they are self-assessing, she points out that it is called a ‘riot’, and orders him to go.

"The flat will be empty"

“Do you fancy having tea together tonight?” she asks as he is leaving, “Arwen and Jinx are going to an art exhibition somewhere – the flat will be empty.”   

"I can't wait, boss!"

Predictably, he cannot resist such an invitation, and will see her later.

"What do you think you're doing?"

DJ is sitting in the Deri, having a cup of tea, when Sioned marches in and demands, “What do you think you’re doing?”   He replies that he is having some lunch, 

"You told Rhys that we're trying for a baby!"

and she continues, “You told Rhys that we’re trying for a baby!”

"I only said we are thinking about it"

DJ explains he only said that they were thinking about it, but she wants to know who else he has mentioned it to;  “Mathew – they’re not just anyone, they’re my friends,” he replies

"So you have to have the OK from the boys?"

“So you have to have the OK from the boys before having a baby with me?” Sioned snarls, and he emphasises that they will be part of the baby’s life.   However, when he reveals that he has also told her mother, hoping that it will help bring them back together, she is even more angry.

"After everything she's done to us?"

“After everything she’s done to us?”   DJ does not think there is anything she would like more than to be a grandmother.   “Just no more gossiping about our personal life, please!” she demands, “And don’t have a pint with lunch – 

"I want you on top form tonight!

“I want you on top form tonight!”   With that she walks out again.

The phone at Penrhewl rings

Eileen is in the kitchen at Penrhewl when the telephone rings;  as soon as Sioned left the Deri, she has called her mother.   

"I thought I should explain"

“DJ said he mentioned about us starting a family – I thought I should explain.”

"Having a child is a big step"

Eileen admits that it would be a shock to the system;  “Having a child is a big step, and it would turn your life upside down.”   

She is not prepared for what Sioned is about to tell her;  

"I'm not going to let you near my baby!"

“I’m not going to let you near my baby!” she growls and terminates the call, 

This leaves Eileen upset

leaving her mother very upset.

Arwen lists the children's ice-cream requirements

At Cysgod y Glyn, Arwen is telling Jinx, “One chocolate, one chocolate and vanilla, and one vanilla – and sprinkles on them all.”   In the background there is the sound of children enjoying themselves, 

"I want Seren to remove this makeup"

and Jinx wants Seren to wipe the makeup from his face.   

"One problem – the mascara is waterproof

There’s one problem with that – the mascara is waterproof,” Arwen informs him.

Ffion is back from school

Ffion walks in, and he announces, 

"Chicken dinosaurs and chips"

“The chicken dinosaurs and chips are almost ready – and there’s ice cream too!”   

"What's going on?"

Ffion wants to know what is going on, and he explains that he is babysitting for Dani, who is doing coursework.

“Babysitting them all?” she says, incredulously, and it is confirmed that Gwern, Seren and Gabriel are there.   

"You were going to an art exhibition"

“You and Arwen were going to an art exhibition,” she protests, but he says that plans change – 

"Arwen's great with Gabriel"

and Arwen is great with Gabriel.

Ffion makes it clear that they have tidy up this mess, because someone is coming for tea, 

Of course the guest is the ubiquitous Cai

and at that moment it is revealed that the guest is Cai.   Jinx did not know that Ffion was entertaining tonight, and Cai makes fun of his make-up;  

"I hope you weren't about to raid Ffion's wardrobe!"

“I hope you weren’t about to raid Ffion’s wardrobe!”

Ffion says that she was not aware that Jinx had opened a crèche, 

"Perhaps we should go tot he Deri instead"

and Cai suggests that they should perhaps go to the Deri instead.   Jinx points out that the food is almost ready.

"Yeah, nice – I like it"

A man comes out of number 10, remarking, in a very English accent, “Yeah, nice – I like it.”   Rhys tells him (also in English of course), “If you need any more information, just give me a ring.”

"Prospective buyer, is it?"

Siôn happens on this conversation, and assumes that it is a prospective buyer.   

"Better be quick, though"

Rhys hands his card to the man and invites him to have a think;  “Better be quick, though – the holiday let market is buoyant round here at the moment, and properties like this are like gold.”

"So this is how you're marketing it"

“So this is how you’re marketing the place,” Siôn sneers, as Rhys wishes the man a safe trip back to Bristol.   

The Bristolian is harangued by Siôn 

“It’s people like you that are driving up house prices – hollowing out communities – turning villages into ghost towns.   

"Safe journey back to Bristol"

“Yeah, safe journey back to Bristol!”

"What's wrong with you, Siôn"

Rhys wonders what is wrong with Siôn;  

"A local family should live here!"

he emphasises that a local family should live there.   “Any local is welcome to buy it,” Rhys replies, but Siôn shouts that the price is too high and they cannot afford it.

“I have a duty to get the best possible price for Anita,” insists Rhys, and Siôn mutters that he also wants the best possible commission.   

"There's nothing you can do about it"

“The person who offers the most gets the house – and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Rhys summarises.   Siôn shakes his head and walks away.

Brynmor is preparing dinner . . .

Brynmor is preparing the meal at Maes-y-Deri and has carelessly left the leaflet on the table;  

. . . and Kath picks up the leaflet

Kath picks it up and he has to quickly think up some excuse.   

"I got it from the surgery"

“I got it from the surgery – I went there to pick up my prescription.”

Kath immediately thinks the worst

As always happens, Kath is jumping to conclusions, so he continues that he had a problem many years ago, it was treated and now everything is fine.   

"You've never mention this before"

“You’ve never mentioned this before,” she says, 

"Well, it's the past now"

and he dismisses it as something from the past.   

“And you think it’s back now?” she demands, and he says that he is fine.   

"I shall look after you"

“Of course you’ll be fine, because I shall look after you – are you in pain?” she asks, “You have to go and see the doctor – the sooner you sort this out, the better.”

"I'll contact the surgery"

She goes as far as picking up the phone, to contact the surgery, 

"I haven't got cancer – right?"

so he has to stress, “I haven’t got cancer – right?” 

"I got it for Mark"

then finally confesses, “I got it for Mark – he noticed that he was peeing a lot, and that might mean he has an enlarged prostate or something – but he’s been to the doctor and he’s in the right place.”

Kath leaves a message for Mark

Kath is still holding the phone, and straightaway makes a call;  “It’s Mam here, listen, can you pop home, please?   Brynmor wants some help with some DIY.”   She looks at Brynmor.

"Sounds as if the children are having fun"

As they sit at the table in Cysgod y Glyn, Cai remarks that it sounds as if the children are having fun, and Ffion thanks him for the flowers he brought.   “Yes, the selection in the shop has improved,” says Jinx, “A lot better than the garage – 

"Sorry, only two chicken dinosaurs each"

“sorry, there are only two chicken dinosaurs each – I didn’t know we had company.”

"The kids used to have them"

Cai nostalgically comments that his children used to have them, but he does not see a lot of them lately.   

"The children suffer when their parents have affairs"

Jinx observes, “It’s the children who suffer when their parents have affairs,” then realises he has not offered Cai any ketchup, 

Jinx is somewhat lavish with the ketchup . . .

and pours a large amount of it all over Cai’s meal, 

. . . much to Ffion's displeasure

much to Ffion’s displeasure.

"Well, thanks a lot, Siôn!"

A very disgruntled Anita bursts into the bookshop;  “Well, thanks a lot, Siôn!” she rages, “You spoiled the sale of the house by shouting at that man!”   

"I just explained very calmly"

Siôn points out that he did not shout, but rather explained to him very calmly what the consequences are when people buy houses as holiday homes.

“Rhys said you made some speech on the High Street – 

"I hope you're happy, because he's pulled out!"

well, I hope you’re happy, because he’s pulled out!” she goes on, 

"Has he?   Good!"

and Siôn is indeed very happy to hear that.   He thinks that perhaps someone local can buy it now.   

"Wy don't you just mind your own business, Siôn?"

“Why don’t you just mind your own business, Siôn?” Anita asks, “You don’t know everything – and you’re some hero now as well, are you?”

"I campaigned a lot when I was young"

He recalls that he campaigned a lot when he was young;  “I haven’t heard any campaigning – but I have heard plenty of rubbish – you’re a hypocrite, Siôn!” she says, as she walks out of the shop.

Jinx explains various eating idiosyncrasies 

“Gwern refused to eat the chicken dinosaurs because they’re for babies, and Seren because they touched the peas,” Jinx informs Dani, “But Gwern did eat the ones Seren left – and everyone was happy.”

"And you – were you happy?"

Dani wonders if he was happy;  

"Well, Ffion and Cai seem to be an item . . ."

“Well, Ffion and Cai seem to be an item – I don’t understand it – 

". . . that guy's such  low-life!"

“that guy is such a low-life!”

"I love this song, by Gorky's"

Then he hears a song which is playing;  “I love this song – ‘Doesn’t it just make you want to cry,’ and explains to Dani that it is ‘Gorky’s’ [Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – Monkey – were a psychedelic folk and alternative rock band which formed in Carmarthen, in 1991].

Petra comes in with a bottle . . .

Suddenly Petra bursts in, with a bottle in her hand, 

. . . and is introduced to Jinx

and is introduced to Jinx;  Dani points out to Jinx that they have not done much work, but he is glad that someone has a social life.   

"I like your choice of music"

He compliments Petra on her choice of music, and she describes a song as a classic, especially for someone who’s heartbroken;  

"They're my favourite Welsh band"

“They’re my favourite Welsh band – apart from ‘Datblygu’, of course [hailed as the first truly modern Welsh-language group].”

Jinx reels off some of their most famous songs, and she says they are the reason she wanted to learn Welsh;  

Is there some kind of instant attraction?

she seems to have proved a hit with Jinx, who will go now as he does not want to interrupt their studies.   Petra comments that she likes his nail varnish, 

Dani seems to think so

and Dani can see that something is happening there.

"Typical Mark, poor dab!"

Kath wails, “This is typical Mark, poor dab – Stacey always flew through everything, 

"Mark was always up against something"

“but Mark was always up against something – and now this.”   

"It might just be an enlarged prostate"

Brynmor tries to stop her panicking, as it could simply be something like an enlarged prostate.   

"It's important to get an early diagnosis"

He stresses that the important thing is to get an early diagnosis, and at that moment the door opens.

"What do you want me to do?"

Mark asks what Brynmor wants him to do, 

"Be honest!   What did the doctor say?"

and his mother replies, “Be honest!   What did the doctor say?   I’m worried sick, Mark.”

"He did some tests and that was it"

Mark lies that the doctor did some tests and that was it;  “I’m not going to share the details, Mam – it’s too embarrassing, but he’s given me the all clear.”

"How could the doctor have done that?"

Brynmor wonders how the doctor could have done that;  “Did he take your blood for the PSA test?”   Mark maintains that there was no need for that, 

"You haven't been to the doctor at all"

and Brynmor realises that he has not been to the doctor at all.

"No, I haven't . . ."

His mother is now even more worried as he concedes that he has not been to the doctor;  

". . . I don't want to be pulled from pillar to post again"

“Because I don’t want to be pulled from pillar to post by doctors again.   I went through that with the kidney, didn’t I?”

"And they saved your life!"

Kath emphasises that they saved his life, 

"I can't face it again"

but he maintains that he cannot face it again, and agrees with Brynmor that he is scared.   “I feel ill every time I think about it – that’s why I’m just going to carry on and pray that everything is fine instead of ‘potching’ with everything.   I don’t want to hear any more about it, all right?”   He walks out of the house, leaving his mother and Brynmor very concerned.

"The last thing you wanted was chicken dinosaurs"

As they lounge together on the sofa at Cysgod y Glyn, Ffion says that she is so angry with Jinx;  “The last thing you wanted after a day at school was chicken dinosaurs and chips – and a house full of kids!”   

"And I do like ketchup"

Cai says that he likes kids, and it is a shame that his own are so far away.   He adds that he also likes ketchup.

“Tonight was supposed to be a bit more intimate,” she goes on, and he points out that there is still time, but footsteps on the stairs can be heard.   

Why did they not hear Jinx coming upstairs?

Just as they kiss, Jinx appears in the doorway, 

He finds their behaviour nauseating

looks disgusted and walks out again.

Not the sort of activity one would associate with Siôn White

Outside number 10, Siôn, who has acquired a tin of spray paint, is defacing the ‘for sale’ sign;  

"What on earth are you doing?"

when Anita approaches, he looks quite pleased with his artwork, 

"The Campaign continues!"

and informs her, “The Campaign continues!”   

Anita is not impressed by his handiwork.

She is not impressed.