28 December 2022

Dai sits, looking rather gloomy

Eileen walks along the street and finds that Dai is sitting on the bench by the alley;  

"I didn't know you were back"

“I didn’t know you were back,” she tells him, and he replies that they arrived on Christmas Day, although it is a shame they did not come home to good news.

"Do you think you could give Sioned a nudge?"

He asks how Sioned is, adding, “DJ is up before dawn trying to fix a fence which doesn’t need fixing.   Do you think you could give Sioned a nudge, Eileen – so we can help them move forward somehow?”   

Eileen will do her best

Eileen will see what she can do.

"The last time you cooked me breakfast . . ."

Garry finds Dani making some toast;  “The last time you cooked me breakfast, you burned the toast,” he remarks, so she says that it is a good job it is not for him, then.   She points out that if he wants a domestic goddess, he should go and look for Monica Galetti.  [Samoan-born New Zealand chef]

"If I'm going to make a habit of staying over . . ."

He suggests, “If I’m going to make a habit of staying over . . .” but she reminds him that he has only been there two nights.   He continues, “Wouldn’t it makes sense to bring a few things over for next time?”

"Hang on, Garry – slowly!"

“Hold on now, Garry – I’ve agreed to give things a go, but slowly,” she warns him, “The children don’t know yet – will Gwyneth say anything?”   

"I hope she won't say anything"

He hopes that she will not, and Dani is still not sure about him;  “Not 100%, anyway.   One step out of line – and watch out!”

He insists that he is not going to step out of line and that she is the boss;  

"I won't even bring a toothbrush"

“I won’t even bring a toothbrush here,” he promises, and kisses her.   

"Go – before the children wake up"

She is keen for him to go before they children wake up.

"I don't know if Rhys or Esther is mire excited"

Hywel is lounging on the sofa in Llwyncelyn when Gaynor comes in, having seen off Esther on the minibus.   “I don’t know whether Rhys or Esther is more excited about Winter Wonderland.   

"Shall we go for a walk?"

“Right, what do you want to do today?   Go for a walk to burn off the calories we ate over Christmas?”   

"A bit cold, isn't it?"

Hywel thinks that it is rather cold, 

"How about going to Carmarthen?"

so she suggests a trip to the sales in Carmarthen;  he points out that it will be busy there, 

"You'll only buy something you don't need"

and imagines that she will buy something she does not need because it is cheap.

"We haven't had much time to ourselves"

“But you know what?   The two of us haven’t had much time to ourselves recently,” she goes on, and he recalls that she intended to FaceTime Lois.

"I'll make some Tapas for lunch"

“You do that and I’ll go through the fridge – we can have some Tapas for lunch – and give Lois my regards,” he says.

"Did DJ tell you Dai and Diane were back?"

At Penrhewl, Sioned is cooking something when her mother asks, “Did DJ get in touch to say that Dai and Diane were back?”   Sioned replies that she got a text to say Merry Christmas, and that is all.

"You should go and sort this out"

“It’s just that Dai is very worried about him – he misses you terribly,” Eileen continues, “I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but don’t you think you should go home to sort this out?”

"I'm afraid to see him, Mam!"

Sioned answers that she is afraid to see him;  

"He's grieving too, remember"

she is told that there is no need for that, as he is grieving, too.   

"What if I can't have children, Mam?"

“Yes, I know that – but he’s already talked about trying for another baby – what if I can’t have children, Mam?   

"There must be something wrong with me!"

“There’s a reason I lost this baby, and it’s the second time – there must be something wrong with me.”

"Why don't you have a chat with Dr Helena?"

Her mother suggests she goes for a chat with Dr Helena, just for some peace of mind.

Lunch is ready

At lunchtime, Hywel has prepared the food and informs Gaynor that there is Pinot Grigio in the fridge.   

"Lois is working at an elephant sanctuary"

“Lois is loving it – she’s working at an elephant sanctuary in Ko Samui – “what a fantastic experience!”   

"What – up to my knees elephant dung?"

Hywel does not fancy being up to his knees in elephant dung.

“She’s not doing that every day – she gets a chance to travel and see the country – I would never have done that at her age,” says Gaynor, enviously, 

"It would be nice if we went away somewhere"

“It would be nice if we went away somewhere – start the New Year somewhere completely different – no worries – no responsibilities,” and Hywel agrees that it would be nice.

"What's stopping us, then?"

“What’s stopping us, then?” she demands, and he imagines that she is suggesting a weekend city break or something.   He proposes looking at something after lunch, but that is obviously not what Gaynor was envisaging.

"Yes, can't wait"

Kelly is speaking effusively on the phone;  “Yes, can’t wait – OK,” but as soon as she ends the call, she snarls, “Idiot!” at the phone, 

"My stupid editor!"

“That was my editor – my stupid editor!” she tells Jason, “He wants me – get this – to come up with a lighthearted, fun article.

"That's going to go down like a bucket of sick, then"

Jason predicts, “That is going to go down like a bucket of sick, then!”   

"He just wants 'fluff'!"

Kelly protests that she works her socks off and he just wants fluff.   

“Well, no one wants to read anything depressing over Christmas,” Jason maintains.

Kelly moans, “So we just cancel reality this week?   I hate my job sometimes!”   

"But jobs pay the bills, Kelly"

Jason agrees that so does he, but unfortunately, jobs pay the bills.   

"What about job satisfaction?"

“What about job satisfaction?” she grumbles, and he laughs that they cannot afford job satisfaction.

"I'm going to resurrect the 'Mari Lwyd'

As they walk along the road, past the ‘For Sale’ notice which is still outside number 10, Jinx explains to DJ, “I’m going to resurrect the ‘Mari Lwyd’ – it will be a laugh.”

Siôn happens to come round the corner

Then Sioned comes around the corner and cannot avoid DJ;  “So how was your first Christmas at Deri Fawr?” asks Jinx, 

"It was good"

and they both reply that it was good, which Jinx considers a rather strange reply, and goes on his way.

"I wasn't sure I'd be welcome"

There is an awkward pause before DJ says that he had intended to go and see Sioned, but was not sure that he would be welcome after last time.   

"We need to talk, DJ"

She maintains that they need to talk, and suggests that they go for walk.

Cassie refuses assistance from Garry

Cassie brings some more bottles from the cellar, assuring Garry that she is perfectly capable.   

"You're in very high spirits"

“You’re in very high spirits – it’s not like you,” she comments, 

Garry does not answer

“What’s put a smile on that face, then?”

"Singing with a horse's head?"

By one of the tables, Dani is telling Jinx, “It’s rather weird, though – singing with a horse’s head!”   

"It's not a real horse, Dani"

He explains that it will not be a real head, and she is pleased about that;  “People would think you’re a member of the Mafia!”

"Would your kids like to help?"

He will be making the head out of papier maché and a costume;  “It will be for the Sunday school – would your kids like to help?” he asks.   Dani replies that Seren likes arts and crafts, and that she will ask Gwern, who is with Gwyneth at the moment.

"Would you like to get rid of Ifan for a couple of hours?"

Jason comes in, and she invites him, “Would you like to get rid of Ifan for a couple of hours?” 

"We're reviving the 'Mari Lwyd'"

and Jinx explains his plans for reviving the ‘Mari Lwyd’.

"Four nights for the price of three"

Hywel has discovered a house near Dublin with hot tub;  “Four nights for the price of three.”   

That is not exotic enough for Gaynor

Gaynor, however, wants to go abroad, so he thinks that Paris might be a better place to spend the New Year.

“No, I’m not talking about Paris for two weeks,” she tells him, 

"I want to see the world!"

“I want to see the world – travel, experience new things!”   He wonders where exactly she wants to go, 

"I want to visit Lois in Thailand"

and she announces, “I want to go and visit to Lois in Thailand – it looks so fantastic, Hywel, and I need a break.”

"The last couple of years have been difficult"

He concedes that the last couple of years have been difficult, 

"Losing Izzy is the worst thing that's happened to me"

and she groans, “Losing Izzy is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me – and then having to deal with Mam, and that business with Gwen.   I just want to turn my back on that and switch off – we both deserve that.”

Hywel asks when she is thinking about going, 

"As soon as possible!"

and she replies, “As soon as possible!”   He wants to know what will happen to Esther, as he is not letting Rhys look after her.   She has the answer that;  “Esther will come with us – 

"We're not too old for an adventure, are we?"

“come on, Hywel, it will be an adventure, and we’re not too old to go on an adventure, are we?”   

Hywel is not so enthusiastic

He appears to be not entirely persuaded.

"Why doesn't that bit fit there?"

In the Deri flat, Garry is struggling with assembling a toy;  “Why doesn’t that piece fit there?’ he moans, and she replies that he is not wearing his glasses, which apparently he cannot find.

"They make you look intelligent"

“Shame – they make you look intelligent,” is Dani’s riposte.

The sound of footsteps on the stairs can be heard 

"Martin's here – about a Jag"

and Cassie informs Garry that Martin is in the bar, something to do with Garry buying a Jag.

“A Jag?” says Dani, 

"A late Christmas present for myself"

and he says that it is a late Christmas present for himself.   

"What's wrong with your car, then?"

“OK, what’s wrong with your car, then?” she demands, as he looks for his keys.

"It depends on the deal"

“There’s nothing wrong – and I might not buy this one – it depends on the deal,” he says.   

She points out that he went off to Newcastle skint, but now he wants to buy a Jag, which he stresses is secondhand.

"Where's the money coming from?"

“You spoiled the kids over Christmas, too – where’s the money coming from?” Dani enquires.   

"You know better than to ask, Dan"

Garry answers that she knows better than to ask.   

"No lies – or there's no point"

“But I am asking!   If we’re giving things a go, you have to be honest with me.   No lies – or there’s no point.”

Cassie shouts upstairs, “Garry – Martin doesn’t have all day!” 

"I can't say any more now"

so Garry tells Dani that he cannot say any more now and goes downstairs.

Kelly finds the hidden teabags

Kelly is searching the kitchen cupboards for the teabags, which Diane has moved, when Jason comes home, with Jinx.   “I insisted he came over, 

"I think we've found the answer to your problem"

“because I think we’ve found an answer to your problem,” says Jason, “The fun, light-hearted article.   Jinx is going to resurrect the ‘Mari Lwyd’ for the new year – so you can help each other.   You’ll get your article, and he gets free publicity, like.”

"I don't know, Jase"

Kelly is hesitant about this, 

"Just admit that I'm a genius!"

but he is adamant, “Come on, just admit that I’m a genius!”

Jinx explains his plan

Jinx elaborates that he is going to get the children to make the horse and a costume, and is going to ask the choir to sing around the village and in the vestry.   “It’s just a celebration.”

"It needs to be an event, like"

Kelly maintains that if she is going to write an article about it, it needs to be an event, like, 

There is that look between them . . .

and concludes that it is a possibility.   

. . . again

Once again they look into each other’s eyes.

"Please don't lose your rag, Hywel"

Gaynor tell Hywel, “Please don’t lose your rag – I’ve started booking flights to Bangkok – tomorrow – and then from Bangkok to Ko Samui to see Lois, 

"We can even volunteer with Lois!"

“and we can even volunteer with her!”   

"When is the flight home?"

He wants to know when is the flight home, but she has not yet organised that.

“I know you want to go on this holiday – but at least let me think about it!” he protests, 

"The flights are too good to miss"

but she insists that he has to make a decision tonight, because the flights are too good to miss.

“I know its short notice, but . . .”   He stresses that there are a lot of things to sort out, like passports and money.   

"Stop making problems!"

“Stop making problems!’ she admonishes him, “We have to live in the moment – see what happens – 

"Thailand – or Cwmderi?"

“Thailand – or Cwmderi?”   

Hywel is floundering . . .

With perhaps a little reluctance, 

. . . but thinks he had better agree

he agrees that they had better start packing.

"I just wanted someone else to suffer"

Out in the fields of Penrhewl, Sioned explains that she was angry, upset and wanted someone else to suffer.   

"I've been suffering as well, Sioned"

DJ replies that he has been suffering as well;  the only time he does not think about it is when he wakes in the morning, and then it will hit him again.

"Dad says that is natural"

“And then your day is ruined,” she appreciates.   He sees babies everywhere, but his father has told him that is natural.   Dai and his first wife lost a baby as well, at 11 weeks.   

"Perhaps if I hadn't gone the the Deri . . ."

“It’s changed everything, hasn’t it?   The way I lost the baby was just . . . perhaps if I hadn’t gone to the Deri, this wouldn’t have happened.   Everything was fine – one moment he was there and everything was fine, and then I just started to bleed.”

"Everything has changed now"

DJ puts a reassuring arm around her;  “Everything has changed now,” Sioned sobs, “It’s as if he never existed.”   DJ emphasises that he did exist, but she continues, 

"Is it odd that I talk to him?"

“To you and me, perhaps – but he’s gone!   Is it odd that I talk to him?”   

"Perhaps we could plant a tree in memory"

DJ says that he does the same sometimes, telling him that Dadi loves him;  “Do you think it would be an idea to have somewhere to go when we want to be with him?” he suggests, “Perhaps we could plant a tree – in memory –an oak – up in that top field.”   

"Are you sure to should be at Penrhewl?"

Sioned agrees that would be lovely, and he asks, “Are you sure that it should be at Penrhewl, not Deri Fawr?”   

"My roots are at Penrhewl"

She says that her roots are at Penrhewl, and the farm will always be there.

DJ assures her that he misses her, and that she feels the same about him, so he urges her to come back to Deri Fawr.   “I’m not ready yet – I just need some space, that’s all,” she tells him, “What if I can’t have children?”

"I shall love you, no matter what"

He makes it very clear that he will love her, no matter what, and she reveals that she has made an appointment with Dr Helena tomorrow, 

"I want too go on my own, DJ"

but she wants to go on her own – she needs the space.

"When do I get a spin in the new Jag?"

Garry comes back into Deri, and Cassie is interested in when she will be getting a spin in the new Jag;  

"Daylight robbery!"

“Not for the price Martin wanted – daylight robbery!” he growls.

"We have a proposition for you"

Kelly and Jinx follow him in;  “Cassie, I’m not going to beat around the bush, but we have a proposition for you.   

"An afternoon full of fun"

“How would you like to celebrate the ‘Mari Lwyd’ here on January 5?   An afternoon full of fun;  Jinx will take the ‘Mari’ around the village with the kids first, and then a big knees-up in here – a singsong, drinks, nibbles.”

"What sort of food?"

Cassie asks what kind of food will be required, 

"Cawl – and nibbles"

and they decide that it should be cawl, together with nibbles.   She predicts that it will be a lot of work, but Jinx insists that it does not have to be anything posh, but is something which would bring the community together.

"Every time I help the community . . ."

“Every time I help the community, I end up killing myself,” Cassie points out. 

"We'll be here to help!"

Kelly insists, “We will be here to help,” 

"We?"

and will not expect Cassie to do everything on her own.

"Article in the Western Post . . ."

“But there is something in it for me as well,” Kelly adds, “Article in the Western Post – 

". . . bigging up the Deri, big time!"

“but I’ll big up the Deri, big time!” she promises.

"Do you promise to help me?"

“Do you promise to help me out and not expect me to do everything?” Cassie checks, and Kelly readily does that, so she agrees she will do it, which comes as a great relief to Kelly, 

"I'll be back in two minutes, Cassie"

who clatters away out of the Deri, with Jinx chasing after her.

"Thanks for helping out, Kelly"

He calls to her and thanks her for agreeing to help out;  

"I don't think everyone will agree"

she points out that it was her idea and predicts that it will be a laugh.   He is doubtful that everyone will agree, 

"Everything you do turns out amazing"

but she insists, “Everything you do turns out amazing,” and he invites her for a drink.   

"No, I have to get back to Ifan"

She says she has to get back to Ifan, but will text him.   

She walks away along the street . . .

As she walks away along the High Street, 

. . . with Jinx looking admiringly — and who can blame him?

Jinx looks at her, appreciatively.