20 December 2022

Gwyneth collects her Christmas veg . . .

As Gwyneth comes out of the shop, carrying a box, Colin asks if she has everything;  

. . . but seems to have an aversion to sprouts

“Yes, apart from sprouts!” she pointedly replies, and Colin relates to Eileen that Gwyneth and Gwern are having an early Christmas dinner.

Colin maintains that it is not Christmas without sprouts;  

"Fried with orange juice and garlic – beautiful!"

“No – I love to fry them with orange juice and garlic – beautiful!”   Gwyneth frowns as she tells him that sprouts are not coming near her kitchen.

"You can't finish work today"

Eileen, who has said nothing up till now, does not seem to be interested in Colin’s recipés, but announces, “You can’t finish work today.”   

"But I've already booked the train"

He protests that he is off to Newcastle tomorrow morning, with the train already booked.   

"You'll have to change your plans"

“You’ll have to change your plans,” she insists, “It was a foolish idea, finishing just before Christmas with it so busy.”

He stresses, “You agreed that I could finish today!” but she says that things have changed and she cannot cover his shifts.   She has to be there for Sioned.   

"You are joking?"

“You are joking?” he demands, “You two haven’t done anything together for ages!”

"Tell her you won't be there until Christmas Eve"

Britt is unmoved;  “I’m serious – you’ll have to phone Britt and tell her you won’t be in Newcastle until Christmas Eve.”

"I've made you some lunch

At Deri Fawr, DJ opens the curtains in the bedroom and informs Sioned that he has made lunch for her;  “Cream of mushroom soup – 

"Are you going to sit up?"

“are you going to sit up?   I’ll make these pillows a bit more comfortable for you.   Fresh bread from the oven, too?”

"I can't face eating anything – sorry"

Sioned is sorry that she cannot face any food at the moment, 

"I'll warm it up for you later"

and he will warm it up for her later if she likes.   As she tries to go back to sleep, 

A parcel is coming today

DJ’s phone buzzes and he finds a message from HavannaBaba.com, advising that their parcel is out for delivery today, which causes him some concern.

"Tesni wants to meet for a couple of drinks"

In the shop flat, Mathew tells Rhys that Tesni wants to meet for a couple of drinks later, and Rhys demands why she is texting Mathew about it.

"Leftovers from last night"

Mathew notices that he is eating another takeaway and Rhys explains that it is leftovers from last night.  “Don’t have too many treats before Christmas, or the big day won’t be special,” Mathew warns him.

"I burn everything I eat"

“I’m lucky – I burn everything I eat,” brags Rhys, 

Mathew thinks he looks rather corpulent

but Mathew is very sceptical about that.   “OK, I haven’t trained as much as I’d like – I’ve been busy, meeting targets at work,” Rhys explains.

"With a mince pie in one hand and sherry in the other?"

Mathew predicts that it will be fun to see who wins the Santa race, and Rhys rather disparagingly comments, “Who can run the fastest with a mince pie on one hand and sherry in the other.   No chance that I’m taking part!”   

"You've done what?"

Mathew points out that it was not a question, but he has put Rhys’ name down for it.”

The school inspection is finally over

Ffion and Cai come into Cysgod y Glyn, carrying box files;  she thanks him for his help 

"This donkey is expecting his prize"

and he replies, “Mind you, this donkey is expecting his prize – there’s plenty of lunch hour left.”

"I'm shattered, Cai!"

Ffion is shattered, both mentally and physically, but Cai suggests, “The inspection is over – you can burn all these files.   

"Oh – it's the inspector"

Then her phone sounds, and she finds there is a call from the OFSTED inspector;  “Hello, is everything OK?   Has the report been completed?   Yes, I’ve organised a staff meeting tomorrow afternoon – 

"So I had better prepare for bad news?"

“so I had better prepare for bad news, then?”  

This sounds ominous

She has a worried look as she terminates the call.

"That food smells lush!"

At number 9, Tesni comments that the cooking food smells lush;  “It reminds me of Christmas at home – and Dad interfering with the cooking.”

"Typical man"

Gwyneth regards that as typical behaviour from a man;  “This Christmas is bound to be difficult for you,” 

"I'll get out of your way now"

but Tesni has a lot of happy memories and will now get out of Gwyneth’s way.   “Would you like to join Gwern and me?” Gwyneth asks, and Tesni insists that it is for her and her son;  she wants to go to the Deri anyway.

Gwyneth maintains, “I think Gwern would like your company – 

"One condition – you help peel the potatoes"

“on one condition – that you help me peel potatoes.”

"There are no trains to Newcastle on Christmas Eve"

In the shop, Mark is selecting some apples as Colin moans that there are no trains to Newcastle on Christmas Eve;  “I’ll have to drive.”   

"I don't have much choice, do I?"

Mark points out that he will be shattered and that is dangerous, but Colin does not consider that he has any choice.

"Go up over the New Year"

“Go up over the New Year – that’s what I would do – you could go to Scotland to celebrate Hogmanay,” Mark goes on, but Colin wants to spend Christmas with Britt and Aaron, not here on his own.   “Come over to mine, then,” Mark invites him, “I don’t know what Tyler’s plans are.”

Colin is to be accompanied by a 20-pound turkey

“Well, I’ve ordered a big turkey from Penrhewl to take with me – a 20-pounder!” Colin complains, 

and is told by Mark that he cannot take that on a long journey, as he will get salmonella.

"Look, I'll cook it – with all the trimmings"

“Look, I’ll cook it with all the trimmings, Mark volunteers, “We’ll have loads of cans and you can have your favourites from the box of chocolates.

Garry tries to wrap presents 

On a table in the Deri, Garry is attempting to wrap parcels and mutters, “This is going to look very shabby under Britt’s tree.”   Dani reminds him that it is what is inside that is important.   

"I don't want them to think I've done a slapdash job"

“I don’t want them to think that I’ve done a slapdash job – that they’re not important to me,” he continues.

"Why can't men wrap presents?"

This has the desired effect;  “Why can’t men wrap presents?” she demands, “Pass it here!”   

"You're an angel, Dan"

He smiles triumphantly and describes her as an angel.

Mark comes in and apologises that he has not got anything for Garry, 

"These are going up to Newcastle with Colin"

who points out that these parcels are going up to Newcastle with Colin.   

"Change of plan!"

“Oh – change of plan!” Mark announces, “Colin is spending Christmas with me now – Eileen is insisting that he works until Christmas Eve.”

"Britt is looking forward to seeing him!"

“Britt is looking forward to seeing him!” moans Garry, “Colin will have to drive, then.”   

"You go with him and share the cost"

Dani makes the suggestion that it would be expensive, unless Garry goes with him and shares the cost.   “I want to share Christmas with Gwern and Seren – I don’t want to miss her birthday!” he insists.

Mark very generously offers to accommodate both Dani and Garry at number 7 for Christmas dinner;  “We’ve got a 20-pound turkey.”   

"You leave Britt to me!"

Garry decides that Colin is too soft, and declares that they should leave Britt to him.

Jinx emerges from the shop with some coffee

Petra is just passing the shop when Jinx comes out;  “Well, this is a nice surprise,” he says, 

"I've come for some decent coffee"

and she has also come for some decent coffee from the shop.   He apologises for not replying to her messages, 

"I've been busy with the pizzas"

with the excuse that he has been busy with the pizzas.

"Let me know when you have a window in your diary"

She invites him to let her know when he has a window in his diary, 

He sees Ffion going into the Deri . . .

and at that moment Jinx’s attention is attracted by Ffion and Cai going into the Deri.  

. . . and suggests that they go for a drink

“Would you like to go for a drink?” Jinx asks, and they both head in that direction.

"That was lovely – especially the stuffing"

Tesni has very much enjoyed her meal, especially the stuffing, but Gwyneth confesses that she has been cheating and it was out of a packet, with some butter added.   

"Mam always use to have tips like that"

“Mam always had tips like that – she called it ‘cutting corners’,” recalls Tesni.

"Jaclyn made the best chips in the world"

Gwern joins in to say that Jaclyn made the best chips in the world, and Tesni gives him a Christmas present, for the best best boy in the world.

"I know Christmas won't be easy for you, but . . ."

Gwyneth hopes that all this food will not affect Tesni’s condition, and continues, “Listen, Tes, I know this Christmas won’t be easy for you, but I’m here, OK?   

". . . if you need anything"

“If you need anything – someone to cheer you up or just to relive a memory – because memories are important – they keep things alive.”   

"Thanks for everything, Gwyneth"

Tesni thanks Gwyneth for everything.

"What are you – a slave driver"

Garry has gone to Penrhewl to see Eileen and demands, “What are you – a slave driver?   Colin has the right to have time off.”   She does not say anything, so he continues, “Britt will be in pieces if he can’t go up there.”

"And Siôn and I don't matter, do we?"

Eileen cannot keep silent any longer, “And Sioned and I don’t matter, do we?   As long as Colin’s and Britt’s Christmas isn’t ruined!” 

She bursts into tears . . .

and she dissolves into tears, 

. . . which comes as a shock to Garry

which Garry had not been expecting.

Cai tries to reassure Ffion 

As they sit in the Deri, Cai tells Ffion, “Remember, all the problems the inspectors will raise will date from Gaynor’s period at the school.”   

"The finger will be pointed at us"

Ffion stresses that now she is at the school and they run it, so the finger will be pointed at them.

"If we enact the recommendations quickly . . ."

“If we enact the recommendations quickly, no-one can fault us,” he continues, 

"How did it go?"

and Jinx, who is passing, asks how the inspection went;  “We’re discussing it now, if you don’t mind,” Cai tells him.   

"See you later, Ffion"

Jinx will see Ffion later, 

"Ffion deserves an early night"

but is told, “Perhaps not – Ffion deserves an early night tonight,” which is not appreciated by Jinx, 

Jinx's mind seems to be elsewhere

who returns to their table and gives Petra her drink.

“What was that about?” she enquires, and he dismisses it as nothing, 

"Two teachers talking shop"

maintaining that there is nothing more boring than two teachers talking shop.   

Petra is feeling doubtful

Petra looks across at Ffion and feels rather insecure.

"Everyone is stressed at this time of year"

At Penrhewl, Garry appreciates that everyone is stressed at this time of year, 

"Tell Colin to catch the next train to Newcastle"

and Eileen asks him to go and to tell Colin that he can catch the next train to Newcastle.

"There's a solution to every problem"

Garry urges her not to let things get the better of her;  “There’s a solution to every problem,” 

"Not to this one"

but she feels that there is not to this particular problem.

“Life is so cruel, isn’t it?” she says, 

"What's happened, Eileen?"

and he realises that something has happened.   

"Sioned – she's lost a baby"

“Sioned – she’s lost a baby.   It’s not going to be easy to help her through this for the second time – it’s so unfair.”   Garry is truly sorry to hear this news.

“Don’t mention this to her – hardly anyone knew that she was pregnant,” she goes on, 

"Sioned told me – we have history"

but he says that Sioned told him, as they have history.   “Do do you understand now why I want Colin here?” she asks.

"Sioned is important now – not the shop"

“Sioned is important now, not the shop – no-one would blame you for closing until Colin gets back,” Garry advises, and she agrees that he is right.   

Eileen is in tears

He leaves the farm, with Eileen in tears.

"I ought to ring Eileen"

Ffion thinks that she ought to ring Eileen, who is head of the governors, but Cai points out that the inspectors meet the governors after the staff, and tries to persuade her to forget about the school.  

"Start relaxing and enjoying yourself"

“Start relaxing, thinking about Christmas and enjoying yourself,” he says.

She comments on something that is strange;  “Well, not strange – nice – 

"I haven't thought once about having a drink"

“I haven’t thought once about having a drink to help me get through it – I just haven’t craved it.   It’s much easier to deal with stress with a clear head.”

"I have a whisky every night"

Cai is not ashamed to admit that he has a whisky every night to help him sleep.   Ffion recalls that it was a time when she would have rewarded herself with a huge drinking session;  

"I'm so glad you were appointed"

“But not this time – and a lot of it is thanks to you for helping to shoulder the burden.   I’m so glad you were appointed.”   He agrees, and emphasises that he would not change anything.

They get up to leave the Deri, 

"I ought to go"

 Jinx tells Petra that he also ought to go, to tidy the flat.   

"Ffion can do it – it is her place"

She answers that Ffion can do it, as it is her place, but Jinx stresses that she has just had the inspection and he wants to support her.

“I can see that – don’t you want to find your own place?” Petra wonders,   “It’s not common – a man and woman living together, if they’re not in a relationship.”   

"She has really bad 'downers"

Jinx tries to explain that Ffion has really bad ‘downers’, and he wants to be there for her;  he
thinks the world of her.

"Are we seeing each other or not?"

Petra asks, “Tell me, Jinx, are we seeing each other or what?   I just get the feeling that you’re not serious about me.”   

"We get on well and like the same things"

He says that they get on well together and like the same things.   

"I suspect your heart is elsewhere"

She adds, “I’m not the type to wait for a guy to decide whether I’m good enough.   I’m not sure if we understand each other – I suspect your heart is somewhere else.   Decide who you want – I’m not going to be a second choice for anyone.”   

Petra walks out on him

She gets up and walks out of the Deri.

A new pram has been delivered . . .

We have our first glimpse of the downstairs floor at Deri Fawr;  DJ is pushing a large box in through the front door.   With the sound of cows outside, 

. . . and DJ is dejected

he walks across the room, past a pile of Christmas presents, 

He sits down and cries

sits in the armchair and begins to weep.

"No, I'll have a lager"

Back in the Deri, Mathew joins Rhys, but does not want to drink what he has, preferring a lager.   He comments that Rhys has changed his trainers quickly;  

"I saw you jogging"

“I saw you jogging – you’re worried about losing that Santa race.”   

"A former client asked me"

Rhys gives the excuse that a former client asked him to go for a jog, but Mathew laughs.

"It's supposed to be a laugh, boys"

“Chill out – it’s supposed to be a laugh!” exclaims Dani, who is sitting nearby.

"Glory, Glogi, Glogi!"

Tesni comes in, announcing her arrival with, “Glogi, Glogi, Glogi!   Are you ready to relive Lapland, boys, Cwmderi style?” 

"We're bringing Lapland to us"

and she shows them a picture on her phone of what she has ordered.   “If we can’t go back to Lapland, we’re bringing Lapland to us,” she informs them, 

"The best Christmas ever!"

“And I’m going to make sure this is the best Christmas ever!”

"You're free to go, Colin"

Garry comes in to report to Colin, “I’ve spoken to Eileen, and as long as you’re back by Wednesday, you’re free to go.”   

"I've almost persuaded Britt to come home"

However, Colin replies that he has almost persuaded Britt to come home, and Aaron can stay with a friend.

"I've booked Christmas dinner in a hotel for you"

“You can’t do that – I’ve booked Christmas dinner in a hotel for you!” protests Garry, but Colin points out that he cannot wear his new slippers in a hotel – or play charades.   

"You won't have to lift a finger"

Dani interrupts to tell Colin that it will be lovely – he and Britt will not have to lift a finger.   Garry insists that it will be a day to remember, and that Colin should go and get packed, 

"Don't forget to take my presents"

not forgetting to take the presents from him.

"Enjoy playing Siôn Corn?"

he walks across to the bar, Dani comments, “Enjoy playing Siôn Corn?”  [Santa Claus]   

"I want everyone to have a Christmas to remember"

He maintains that he just wants everyone to have a Christmas to remember, and she accuses him of going soft.

"I heard the delivery guy"

Sioned is sitting up in bed when DJ comes in;  he was not sure if she would still be asleep.   “I heard the delivery guy,” she tells him, “and I got the e-mail.”   

"I'll send it back tomorrow"

DJ will send the pram back tomorrow.

“I’m sorry this has happened,” Sioned says and he insists that it is not her fault or anyone else’s.   

"But why?   What caused this?"

“But why?   What caused this?” she wails.

He finds a rather inappropriate comparison

“Look, when a lamb or calf doesn’t develop properly, the mother aborts it,” he rather unwisely says, “What I’m trying to say is perhaps there was nothing wrong and it was simply bad luck.   We have to focus on something else – we can try again.   

"You're young, and have plenty of time"

“You’re young, and have plenty of time before your clock starts ticking.   We can get this place in order before trying for another baby – create a comfortable home.”

"Are you saying I got pregnant at an inconvenient time?"

“Are are you saying I got pregnant at an inconvenient time?” she angrily demands, but he maintains they must try to move on, and it helps as there is plenty to do on the farm.

Sioned gets out of bed

Sioned gets out of bed, despite the doctor telling her that she needs to rest;  

"I'm sorry if I upset you"

DJ is sorry if he upset her, but she starts packing her bag.   

"I'm going home to Penrhewl"

“I’m going home to Penrhewl – at least Mam understands what I’m going through.”