5 January 2023

"These are great, Jinx"

Tesni is looking at some of the pictures while Jinx is putting up decorations in the Deri;  “These are great,” she says, 

She gives him some assistance

and he would like a hand to ensure he is putting the bunting up straight.

"Get a move on, you two"

Cassie comes in and tells them to get a move on, as the children will be arriving in a minute;  “Have you put those pizzas in the oven?”   Tesni will go and check on the quesadillas in a minute.   

"We used to have paste sandwiches"

Cassie recalls that they used to have paste sandwiches at parties years ago.

"You're back, are you?"

Then Cai walks in;  “You’re back, are you?” snarls Cassie, “It will save Ffion having to come here to face the music for you!   It’s a bit early for adults – 

"Unless you count yourself as a child"

“unless you count yourself as a child after your latest antics.”

"I'm not here to cause trouble, Cassie . . ."

He is sorry about the other day and maintains he is not here to cause trouble;  “We’re burying the old year with ‘Mari Lwyd’ – clean slate, Cassie, 

". . . so I'll have a pint"

“so I’ll have a pint.”

The finished Unicorn is revealed

Jinx brings in the finished ‘Mari’ and Tesni says that it is fab;  

It even has lights in its mane

he demonstrates the fairy lights in its mane, 

"It reminds me of Bongo's Bingo!"

which makes Cassie think of ‘Bongo’s Bingo’ at Blackpool.   She had visions of an ugly skull and people singing verses, but Jinx points out that it is just something for the kids before they go back to school.

"The kids are so excited"

Kelly comes in and strokes the Unicorn;  “The kids are so excited – “they’re saying that it’s more exciting than Christmas and New Year combined!”   When Jinx comments that she looks great as well, she says, “You know me – any excuse to put on my glad rags.”

"Get this – the 'Mari Fwyd'!" 

She produces a confection resembling a unicorn, stuffed up to the eyeballs with sweets, which she describes as, “Get this – the ‘Mari Fwyd’!” [Fwyd = Food].

"I'll go to get some more napkins"

Tesni hurries in to advise Cassie that they have run out of napkins, and that she is popping out to get some more.   Cassie points out that the food for her is on the corner of the table.   

Cassie gives Cai an icy stare

Cai, who is still sitting by the bar, enquires if there is any chance of a pint.

Outside Rhys shouts across to ask if they are ready, 

"Happy New Year, Tesni"

and Siôn greets Tesni, who cannot stop, as there is so much to do.   

"The 'foods of the world' are ready"

“The ‘foods of the world’ are ready – pizzas, mezes, cupcakes.”   

"It should be bread, cheese and cawl!"

Siôn, of course, points out that traditionally they would eat bread, cheese and cawl as they went from house to house, not cupcakes.   

"Jinx wanted food that would appeal to the kids"

“Jinx wanted food that would appeal to the kids,” she says, as she heads towards the shop.

“Ignoring the food and celebrating earlier than is traditional!” he moans.   

People are congregating

Meanwhile people are congregating outside the Deri, 

"Foods of the world – good grief!"

and he mutters, “Foods of the world buffet – good grief!”

"Seren, put on your costume"

Dani calls to Seren to put on her costume, as they will be leaving in five minutes.   

The Unicorn puts in an appearance

Suddenly the Unicorn’s head comes in through the door, followed by Jinx, which startles Dani;  he has brought the costume for Gwern to wear, 

"Gwern is sulking in his room"

but she explains that he is sulking in his room and does not want to take part.   He really wanted to dress up as a scary horse, not a Unicorn.

"You'll have to be the 'Mari Lwyd', then"

Jinx concludes that Dani will have to be the ‘Mari Lwyd’, but she flatly refuses, as she is stressed enough already with the buffet and the kids.   He is desperate to find someone to play the part;  

"The very person – you!"

“I know the perfect person – you!” she exclaims.

Siôn is providing more traditional fare

At Y Felin, Siôn has been looking for inspiration online for Welsh recipes, and has some Bara Brith;  

. . . as he sings the old traditional song

he is singing the traditional, 🎵“To ask for permission, to ask for permission to sing.”🎵

In the Deri  the singing is less traditional 

In the Deri, the singing is more raucous;  🎵“Don’t close the door on me!”🎵   

"I'll buy you a short, boys"

Cai, who is still drinking, will buy them all a quick short.   Iolo tells Rhys that getting out will do him good, 

"If that idiot carries on, we'll have a laugh!"

and Rhys predicts that if that idiot Cai carries on, they will have a laugh.

Ffion demands where he has been 

Ffion suddenly appears and demands where Cai has been;  “I went for a walk with an old friend from Llanarthur yesterday.   I’m sorry about that business with Diane – it won’t happen again,” he says.

"I want you to behave today"

reminds him that there are pupils and parents around the place today, so she wants him to behave.   He points out that he is only on his second pint, and promises not to have a session today, although she does not appear to believe him.

The entry of the Unicorn

Jinx comes in with his head-dress and is greeted by neighing noises;  “None of you are brave enough to be the ‘Mari Lwyd’, he snarls.   

"Brave enough or stupid enough?"

Rhys wonders whether he means ‘brave enough’ or ‘stupid enough’.   DJ says that he would not be able to sing with that on his head, but it is pointed out that he cannot sing anyway.

"I've been compared to a stallion several times"

Cai brags, “I’ve been compared to a stallion several times,” and Ffion looks disapproving.   Jinx goes outside, where the people will be freezing, waiting for them.

They go into the street

There is a flurry of excitement as they come out of the Deri, 

The 'Mari Lwyd' performs

with Kelly preparing to take photos with her phone.   Jinx performs for the children, and DJ suggests that they could sing, “Little gee-gee Jinxy,” 

. . . and Kelly captures the photos

as Kelly is poised with her phone.

Rhys wonders how much he charges for a ride, but is warned that he may get a horseshoe up his backside.   

Rhys knocks on Gwyneth's door

Rhys knocks on the door of number 9, which DJ does not think is a good idea.   

"You're not supposed to open it until we've sung"

When Gwyneth opens the door, she is told she is not supposed to open it until after they sing – 

"Well, that's what Dad said"

well, that is what Iolo’s father told him.

They sing a rousing chorus

They burst forth with, 

🎵“Don’t close the door on me, 

Close me out of your life, 

Don’t close the door on me, 

It’s hard to live in this world without you.”🎵

. . . while Siôn looks on with disgust at the spectacle

Siôn, who is heading into the Deri, with his items of food, looks disgusted by this vulgar display.

He moves other items to make room 

He moves some of the plates to make room for his contributions, 

"I thought you were boycotting it"

and Iolo thought that he was boycotting the celebration;  Siôn replies, “I thought you were out in the street, singing irrelevant pop songs,” but Iolo has only come in for the toilet.   

"Glamorgan sausages full of cheese"

“A small contribution to the feast – Glamorgan sausages full of cheese, Bara Brith and Welsh cakes smothered in butter – 

"Someone has to uphold the folk tradition"

“someone has to uphold the folk tradition, haven’t they?” Siôn says.

As Cai continues drinking, 

"To think Diane used to be his mother-in-law"

Anita remarks, “And to think Diane used to be his mother-in-law!”   Cassie considers that Emma has had a lucky escape, and 

Tesni is told to have something to eat

then insists that Tesni should take a break and have something to eat, stressing that her food is on the left.

Does he never stop drinking?

Ffion is looking glumly at Cai, as he continues to drain his glass.   

Glamorgan sausages are very tasty

Tesni selects some food from the left of the table, as instructed, unfortunately where Siôn has now placed his offerings, and says is that it tastes lovely.

They are now singing outside another house

The crowd of children outside has now moved on to the house next door to the Deri, where they sing, 

🎵“Happy New Year to you, and it to everyone in the house.   

That is our wish at the beginning of this year.”🎵

Only the second time I can recall Beti coming out of there

Beti comes out of the door, and tells them that was brilliant.   Jinx thanks them for coming;  “The choir, the children, to everyone for helping and . . .

"Special buffet in the Deri"

Kelly continues for him, “What the ‘Mari Lwyd’ is trying to say is that there is a special buffet for you all inside the Deri – and if you go through and out the back, Auntie Kelly’s special Pinata is waiting for you – go!”

Everyone rushes to get the food

They all rush into the Deri, and Jinx apologises for running out of steam there;  she describes him as, “Amazing!   I’m proud of you, Jinx.”   Dani looks askance at this strange comment, but Kelly answers, 

"He's amazing with the kids, isn't he?"

“He’s amazing with the kids, isn’t he?”   Dani agrees that she is lucky to have him.

"Sambucas for you, boys!"

As everyone descends on the buffet, Cai is promising Sambucas for all the boys.   

Tesni is seized by a sudden pain

Tesni suddenly feels very unwell.

Kelly is still taking photos . . .

Cai makes fun of Jinx, shouting ‘Ee-yore!” and Kelly wants another photo of the supergroup of singers, 

. . . of 'The Three Tenors'

who think they should be called ‘The Farmyard Trio’ or even ‘The Three Tenors’.

"I'm Jason – do you come here often?"

Kelly turns to be confronted by Jason;  he says, “I don’t think we’ve met – I’m Jason – do you come here often?   I haven’t seen you properly since yesterday,” but she explains that she is taking photos and doing interviews.   “OK, I understand, Wonder Woman, I’ll see you later,” he tells her.

Cai simply cannot stop

Cai knocks back yet another short, then has to head to the toilet;  “He’s drunk already, is he?” asks Jason.   

Greta is enjoying herself

Greta appears to be licking the cream off one of Eileen’s cupcakes.   Kelly looks around, but cannot see Jinx.

"I haven't smelled anything so bad in my life!"

Cai comes back from the toilet, loudly proclaiming, “Eurgh, boys!   Who the hell is in the toilet now?   Whoever it is, they stink!   I  haven’t smelled anything so bad in my life!”

"Were you in the Gents just now?"

At that moment Tesni also comes in;  “Tesni, were you in the gents just now?” he demands, and and she explains that the ladies toilet was full.   He goes on, “You?   Wow!”   Tesni explains to Cassie that she has eaten something, 

"A pretty girl making such a terrible stink!"

but Cai is not finished yet;  “Who would have thought that such a pretty girl could make such a terrible stink?”   

"She has serious Colitis"

Rhys tells him to shut it, and Siôn points out that she has serious colitis;  “I didn’t know she has Golitis!” Cai slurs, “I don’t even know what that is!”

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Ffion wants him to go home, but he still continues protesting, “I didn’t know she was ill – why didn’t you tell me?”

“Cai, just go – you’re a liability!” Ffion growls at him, and he staggers out of the pub;  

Arwen follows him out

Arwen gets up from her seat, grabs her coat and follows him.   

Tesni quickly leaves the Deri . . .

Tesni is feeling exceedingly embarrassed and also quickly leaves;  Rhys will go after her.   

. . . and Ffion feel very awkward

Ffion is also feeling extremely awkward.

"Don't take any notice of him"

“Tesni, don’t take any notice of him – he’s an idiot, calls Rhys, but she acknowledges that it is true, and now everyone knows how disgusting she is.

"I'm so embarrassed, Rhys"

He insists that everyone is worried about her, but she is not going back there now;  “I’m so embarrassed, Rhys.”   He maintains that it is Cai who should be embarrassed, as he is at least 50, 

"Only now he realises girls go to the toilet"

and only now has he realised that girls go to the toilet as well.

“A bit too young to be friends with you,” he jokes, “He was hammered and thought that someone else having to go to the toilet was hilarious – that’s tragic!”

"I should have used Mam's money more sensibly"

“But I should have used Mam’s money more sensibly, and got the treatment when I had the chance,” Tesni groans.   Rhys reminds her that she has the rest of her life to change her mind, but for now, 

"It's about time you had some fun"

as she said the other day, it is about time that she had some fun.   

"Would you like a drink at Tes's Tavern?"

She asks, “Would you like to have a drink at ‘Tes’s Tavern’?”

He wonders if she is going to call it that, so she also suggests ‘The Beer Box’ or ‘The Sherry Shed’, or even ‘The Bijou Bar’.

Cai is vomiting loudly . . .

On the corner by the back of the erstwhile chip shop, Cai is throwing up, 

. . . and this is being videoed by . . .

and this is being videoed by Arwen on her phone;  

. . . none other than Arwen . . .

she is making sure to capture every nuance.   When he feels slightly less bad, he walks away along the back street, 

. . . who looks very pleased

while Arwen looks with satisfaction at what she has recorded.

Later, Ffion is at Y Felin, looking for Cai, but Siôn reports that he is not there, and he thanks Ffion for the lift home;  “Thank you for giving me an excuse to leave,” she answers, 

"It's so nice to be able to drive again"

“It’s so nice to be able to drive after having my licence back.”   Siôn remarks that she also has a new car, and she declines the offer of a cup of tea, explaining that she must get back to Arwen.

"I'm not his mother, am I?"

“Cai can look after himself – I’m not his mother, am I?” she snarls.   

"As soon as I saw that purple Unicorn!"

Siôn maintains that he knew that today would be carnage, the moment he saw the purple Unicorn.   He thinks that he ought to text Tesni to see how she is.

"He promised he wouldn't go overboard"

“I can’t believe that he did such a thing – he promised me that she wouldn’t go overboard!” she moans, and Siôn points out that he promises a lot of things and is out of control.

"It didn't bring much luck today"

“The whole purpose of ‘Mari Lwyd’ is to bring good luck – well, it didn’t bring a lot of luck today – and what does that bode for the rest of the year?”   Ffion maintains that things cannot get much worse, and she leaves the house.

Jinx is having problems

Kelly discovers Jinx by the foot of the stairs in the Deri, struggling to remove the Unicorn head;  

"Do you want a hand with that?"

“Do you want a hand with that?” she enquires, “Do you know what?   

"Can I have a selfie with'My Little Pony'?"

“Before I help you take it off, can I have a selfie with ‘My Little Pony’?” 

This is not quite right . . .

Initially, she is not happy with the arrangement of its mane, but then, 

. . . but this meets with her approval

as they both say, “Gee-gees!” she presses the shutter.

Then the head is removed . . .

Then she assists him to remove the head, 

. . . and he feels that his head has been in space

and he says that it feels as if his head has been in space;  “You do sort of look like that, too,” Kelly agrees, 

There is some glitter on Kelly's cheek

as he find some glitter on her cheek.

Oh, oh – it is that look again

They yet again look into each others eyes 

"You need to go into the bar, Jinx"

and she tells him that he needs to go into the bar to enjoy the day he has worked so hard to create;  “Because, you know what, Jinx?   You’re amazing!   I’m proud of you!”

"I've been thinking about you, Kelly"

Then as she turns away, Jinx holds her hand and tells her, “I’ve been thinking about you – to be honest, I can hardly think of anything else.   I think . . . I may be wrong, but I think you feel something as well . . .”

"No . . ."

Kelly stops him there;  “No,” she says unconvincingly, 

". . . don't go there, Jinx"

“Just don’t – just don’t go there.”   

She returns to the bar . . .

He looks puzzled as she returns to the bar.   

. . . and emphatically kisses Jason . . .

Heading straight towards Jason, she kisses him decisively, 

. . . which causes Jinx some anguish

as Jinx watches with disappointment.

Jason is very surprised by this sudden display of affection and comments that it was nice;  

"Why, Kelly?"

“Why?” he wants to know, 

"Love you, Jase"

and she tells him that she loves him.   “I love you too,” he replies, and they kiss again.

"It's been a day and a half, Jinx!"

DJ thanks Jinx for organising the ‘day and a half’, and there is a rousing cheer, 

There appears to be a tear in Kelly's eye . . .

but there appears to be a tear in Kelly’s eye 

. . . as she looks at Jinx

as she looks across at Jinx.