13 June 2023

Griffiths sees Rhys approaching

Griffiths is putting up the details of another property in the window of Tomos ac Ellis when he notices Rhys approaching;  “Good afternoon to you,” he says when his former employee enters.

"Kelly's been keeping tabs on you"

“Kelly’s been keeping tabs on you – the details of bribes from a franchise company that wanted to buy the Deri,” says Rhys, “Come on – the bribes are in there in black and white,” 

He hands over a copy of the evidence

as he hands over a copy of what he has been piecing together.   “Golf passes, a weekend hotel break.”

"These are just 'perks'"

Griffiths prefers to call them ‘perks’, but is informed that Kelly has found out;  

"It looks as if she has hacked into your e-mails"

“It looks as if she has hacked into your e-mails – so she could use them against you if Britt sold to that ‘Pub Right’ company.   

"I saw her dumping the papers"

“I saw her dumping the papers – you should sack her before she does anything else to undermine you – and the company.”

"Perhaps you printed them yourself"

Griffiths smiles, suggesting that perhaps Rhys has printed these out himself, in order to frame Kelly and get his job back.   

"Seriously?   Kelly's deceived you!"

Rhys however is insistent, “Seriously?   Kelly’s deceived you!”

“Have you got any proof apart from these?” he is asked, 

"Irrefutable, unmistakable evidence"

“Irrefutable, unmistakable evidence?   Perhaps then I will consider giving you your job back.”

Rhys walks out

Rhys picks up his papers and walks out of the office, but Griffiths is looking suspicious.

"How many times do I have to tell you?"

At Bryntirion, Dai is studying the laptop, and Diane groans, “How many times do I have to tell you?   I’ve booked it – although I don’t know why you want extra leg-room – it’s not as if you’re six foot four.”

"There we are – sorry I doubted you"

Dai responds, “No-one wants to spend 24 hours in a plane with their knees up to their armpits – there we are – sorry I doubted you.   You’ve done it – good!   And no way José are we cancelling – look at this, plenty of leg room to sit back and enjoy the champers.”

"What's wrong now?"

he looks at Diane’s miserable expression and continues. “What’s wrong now – you don’t look happy.”   

"I'm not looking forward to telling Jason, or Kelly"

She is not looking forward to telling Jason, or Kelly;  “And it breaks my heart having to tell Ifan,” she says.   

"He's used to seeing us on Zoom"

Dai points out that Ifan is used to seeing Mam-gu and Tad-cu on Zoom from the other side of the world.   

She complains that is not the same, and then the doorbell rings;  

"All the excitement's gone to my bladder"

“Go and answer that, will you?” he says, “All the excitement’s gone to my bladder,” 

An outside toilet at Bryntirion?

and he goes out of the back door.   (Presumably Bryntirion has an outside toilet.)

"Amos Goff the councillor has died"

Hywel is the caller, who asks, “Have you heard that Amos Goff, the Llanarthur councillor, has died?   Yes, very suddenly at the Ffos Las races – they say it was a heart attack.”   

"They will be huge shoes to fill"

Diane comments that they will be huge shoes to fill on the council, and he explains that is why he is there. 

"I wanted you to fill his shoes"

“We need to elect someone to replace him quickly – I wanted you to fill his shoes.   Why not?   You’re a strong woman who knows her area – you were a terrific community councillor, fair play.”

"That was years ago"

She reminds him that was years ago, but he insists that she has the experience and dedication;  

"You'd be perfect!"

“You’d be perfect!”   She does not know what to say, and he acknowledges that it is short notice, but opportunities like this do not come around very often.   

"We don't know what kind of people will put their name forward"

“We need you, because we don’t know what kind of people will put their name forward.”   

Diane is speechless 

Diane says nothing.

Siôn is listening to the news . . .

Siôn is working on the laptop and listening to a news summary;  “According to a statement by the council, Mr Goff was a thoughtful, intelligent and diligent man.”   

. . . which makes him think

This makes Siôn think, as the report goes on, “He will leave a huge gap in the heart of the community.   The police are not treating his death as suspicious.”

He thinks that he will stand

As he turns off the radio, Siôn obviously fancies standing for the position.

"The Cardigan Food Festival?"

At number 7, Dani and Jinx are discussing the pizza business;  “Do you think we should start locally?’ she asks, “The Cardigan food festival or Lampeter?”

“And leave Glastonbury until next year?” jokes Jinx, 

Mark comes in

just as Mark comes into the house, 

"What do you think of Councillor Mark Jones?"

asking what they think of the idea of ‘Councillor Mark Jones’.   

Jinx replies that he has never heard of him and cannot imagine him on the council.

"I didn't think you were the type"

“I just didn’t think you were the type to . . .” but Mark insists that if it is a choice between him and a boring idiot in a suit, and Dani assures him of her vote, arguing that no-one knows Cwmderi like he does.   He was born here and raised here – 

"Man of the People – like Che Guevara"

he will be the ‘man of the people’ like Che Guevara.

This convinces Mark and he is determined to phone Hywel to put his name forward.   

Jinx is incredulous

Jinx looks rather incredulous at the prospect.

Esther is wearing gloves

At Llwyncelyn, Esther has just got back from school and is wearing gloves, which Auntie Cheryl has knitted for her;  

"I used to flog them to make extra cash"

“Wrexham colours – I used to flog them to make extra cash,” Cheryl explains, “Mam taught me – I can teach you, if you want,” she tells Gaynor.

"You have netball practice tonight" 

Esther is also keen to learn to knit, but is reminded that she cannot do it tonight as she has netball practice and Ela’s mother will soon be here to pick her up.

"You're not going to believe this"

Hywel comes into the room, speaking on the phone and then tells Gaynor, “You’re not going to believe this – guess who’s put his name forward to be a council member?   Mark Jones!”   

"Postman and former school caretaker"

Gaynor explains to Cheryl that he is the postman and former school caretaker.

"I'm not sure that he can even read"

“Can you believe it?   I’m not sure that he can even read,” Hywel goes on;  

"Of course he can, if he's a postman"

Cheryl points out that of course he can if he is a postman, and Gaynor remembers that he did a few shifts in MFC as well, so Cheryl can see that he is not afraid of hard work.

`

"Scamming and sponging"

Hywel’s opinion differs;  “Scamming and sponging off his mother is the only thing Mark Jones has done,” and Cheryl accuses him of being a bit of a snob.

“No, I’m just saying he wouldn’t feel comfortable in the council chamber,” he says and Cheryl maintains the reason for that is because they are all cronies and snobs, 

Gaynor agrees with this evaluation

with which Gaynor agrees whole-heartedly.

Not a good idea to leave that, Kelly . . .

After being invited to the Deri by Anita, Kelly very inadvisedly leaves her handbag on the table as they go to the bar.   

. . . with the likes of Rhys around

The devious Rhys is waiting for his opportunity and quickly slips across to look in her handbag, 

He finds details of passwords

finding a diary or notebook containing details of passwords.

Kelly wonders what he is doing

In the process he accidentally knocks the bag off the table, which attracts Kelly’s attention;  she demands what he is doing.   

"It fell off the table, Kelly"

He maintains that her bag fell off the table and he was just putting it back.   She does not look as if she believes him, and obviously does not notice that the notebook is missing.

He then goes running to Griffiths

He immediately takes it to Griffiths, proudly presenting the list of passwords;  

"If that's not evidence, I don't know what is!"

“If that’s not enough evidence, I don’t know what is!” he says.   Griffiths is outraged to see all his passwords listed;  “Yes – Kelly, your faithful little worker,” Rhys sarcastically comments, “Are you going to sack her, or what?”

"I shall have to talk to Anita first"

Griffiths regards this as a delicate situation and insists that he will have to talk to Anita first.

"Diane and Mark have put their names forward"

As they come into the Deri, Hywel informs Siôn that Diane and Mark Jones have put their names forward, and when Siôn expresses surprise at Mark’s name, 

"Cross-section of society"

he adds, “Yes, why not?”   It would be nice to have a cross-section of society.”

"Someone's changed his tune"

“Someone’s changed his tune,” pipes up Cheryl, “He keeps changing his mind – but then, he’s a politician, isn’t he?”   

Hywel glowers ar Cheryl

Hywel is developing quite a dislike for Cheryl, and leaves the pub.

"I don't think I have any alternative"

Elsewhere, Griffiths informs Anita, “I don’t think I have any alternative but to sack Kelly.”   

"I'm sure there must be an explanation"

Anita is sure that there must be an explanation;  “But it’s her handwriting – you said so yourself,” he goes on.

"Don't give her the sack, Ieuan"

Anita pleads with him not to give her the sack, 

"It undermines me and the company"

but he points out what she did undermines him and the company.   “But the thought of her being unemployed again – it just breaks my heart,” she exclaims, 

"Just let me have a word with her"

“Please, just let me have a word with her.”

Another freshly-baked pizza

As she retrieves a pizza from the oven, Dani has thought of a joke about pizzas;  

"Why did the mushroom get invited to parties?"

“Why did the mushroom get invites to parties?” 

Jinx has heard that one multiple times

Unfortunately Jinx has heard that one many times before and is quite aware that the answer is ‘because he is a fungi’.

"No, cancelling them is fine"

Then he receives a phone call, cancelling the order of three pizzas, 

"But they're all ready, Jinx"

which are already waiting for collection.   “Yes, of course you can cancel it – no problem,” and he tells Dani to take them home tonight;  “It will spare you cooking tonight.”

"I'll have one and put rocket on it"

She is not sure that she and Mark can eat three, so Jinx will have one and will put rocket on it.   Dani reminds him that the salami needs to be used up as well.

“You’re welcome to eat yours here, and keep me company while I clean,” he says, 

Mark wants an Hawaiian Pizza . . .

and at that moment Mark comes in through the door.

“Are you still all right to put the children to bed for me tonight?’ Dani asks him, and he says that he will pick them up from Britt’s after dinner.   He has come for an Hawaiian Pizza, 

. . . but is presented with a free Pepperoni one

but is delighted when she informs him that there is a free Pepperoni one for him, to thank him for putting the children to bed.   Dani sets about using up the rocket and salami.

"You should be ashamed of yourself"

Anita accusingly tells Kelly, “I recognise your handwriting – and I recognise the notebook as well – you should be ashamed of yourself!   

"Ieuan wants to sack you"

“Ieuan wants to sack you.”

Kelly knows that this is Rhys’ doing;  

"Someone had to do something!"

“Someone had to do something to stop the massive corporation buying our local!” she croaks, seeming to have almost lost her voice.

"You shouldn't have gone against your employer"

Anita agrees with the sentiment, but points out that she should not have gone against her employer;  Kelly understands what she is saying, 

"You have to apologise"

but queries, “Is Griffiths really going to sack me?”   Anita does not know the answer to that, but insists that Kelly has to apologise and that she cannot do anything like this ever again.  

"I appreciate the stand you took for the village"

“Between you and me, I appreciate the stand you took for the village,” she adds and then Griffiths approaches.

Griffiths waits for Kelly to say something

“Right, everything’s been sorted,” Anita assures him, and urges Kelly to speak.

"It will never happen again, I promise"

“I’m really sorry and it will never happen again,” Kelly tell him, without much sincerity.   He warns that she will have to tread carefully during this trial period, to see if she deserves to keep her job.   

"Trial period?   You what?"

“I will be setting weekly targets – and if you don’t hit them, 

"Someone is willing to jump into your seat"

“I know someone who’s willing to jump into your seat.”

"Good as gold and super efficient!"

“I’ll be as good as gold and super efficient – promise,” she answers.   

"So we all understand each other"

Anita is glad that they now all understand each other, but Griffiths does not look so sure.

"I take it you've broken the bad news to Kelly"

When he returns to the bar, Rhys is quick to comment, “I take it you’ve broken the bad news to Kelly – a brandy to celebrate?”   

"After everything she's done?"

He does not look so happy when he is told that Kelly is not going anywhere for now;  “After everything she’s done?”

"She's too valuable an asset to lose"

“I deal in real estate – and Kelly is too valuable an asset to lose,” Griffiths points out.

"I've got a valuable asset, too"

Rhys stresses that he has got a valuable asset, too;  “All those e-mails between you and Pub Right.   They’re safe and I’m not afraid to use them – all the bribes and freebies in black and white.”   

"Keep your voice down"

Griffiths urges him to keep his voice down, but he refuses.

"You're looking at an official audit"

He continues his threat, “Fixing sales with a large company – you’re looking at an official audit of Tomos ac Ellis.   You’d get a huge fine and lose your good name.”

"I'll give you a job – as office boy"

“All right!” Griffiths agrees, “I’ll give you a job,” but the smile is wiped from Rhys’ face when he goes on, “As an office boy – printing and making the tea – and the wage will reflect that.”

When Rhys protests that is not fair, he is informed, “Life is not fair, is it?   Do you want this job – or not?”   

Rhys has little choice but to accept

Rhys unenthusiastically nods his head.

"What have you put on it?"

As they eat their pizzas in the shop, Dani says that it is really nice and wonders what else Jinx has put on it.   

"More like what I haven't put on"

“More like what I haven’t put on it – I put everything on except sweetcorn; he answers, “I know you don’t like them, but do do you do love anchovies and pineapple – but not together.   You like olives, but not the black ones.”

"How do you know all this?"

She enquires how he knows all this, 

"The way you speak when preparing orders"

and he replies that it is the way she speaks when preparing orders.   

"Like a running commentary, is it?"

“Oh, it’s like a running commentary, is it?   I don’t know I’m doing it – it’s so embarrassing!” she gasps, but he really likes it.

"Have you thought about making a cooking programme?"

“Have you thought about making a cooking programme like you used to do on CwmFM?” Dani asks, but he thinks that those days are behind him now, which she regards as a shame, as he has a lovely voice.   There follows a rather awkward silence, which is broken by Dani’s phone ringing;  

She has a call from Mark

it is Mark advising her that Gabriel has been sick again, 

"Sorry I have to go, Jinx"

so she has to rush off.   She tells Jinx she thought the child was all right now.   She has enjoyed herself this evening, 

He is disappointed 

as Jinx also appears to have done.

Hywel is looking at his laptop when Gaynor and Cheryl return from the Deri, in a rather raucous mood;  “Keep your voices down!” he reprimands them.

"The fun police are waiting for us!"

“Oh no – the fun police are waiting for us!” exclaims Cheryl, and Gaynor maintains that they are not hurting anyone.   He grumbles that they are not much of an example to Esther, 

"And we all know why that is"

and they all know why that is.

"Because I'm a bad influence, is it?"

“Because I’m a bad influence, is it?” Cheryl demands, 

"What's all the noise?"

and Esther has been woken by the noise.   

"The snob's angry with me!"

“The snob’s angry with me!” Cheryl tells her, and Hywel objects to this name-calling.

"You're doing it in front of my daughter"

“You’re doing it in front of my daughter, and Gaynor – and Siôn, earlier on!” he rages, but Gaynor emphasises that she was only teasing.

"I want her out!"

“Well, I’ve had enough – I want her out!” he shouts, “You’re not welcome here any more – go and get your stuff!”

"I thought this was Gaynor's house"

“Sorry, can I just check – I thought this was Gaynor’s house,” says Cheryl, and Esther is adamant that she does not want Auntie Cheryl to go.

"You have to go now!"

Hywel will not change his mind, but insists that there will be no arguments, and she has to go now,   “Calm down, Hywel – you’re upsetting Esther now,” Gaynor protests.   

Hywel knocks down . . .

He gets up and in his haste knocks something from the sideboard on to the floor – 

. . . Gaynor's mother's ashes

Gaynor’s mother’s ashes.   This is most upsetting for Gaynor and Cheryl – and indeed for Esther.

"They're looking for a new councillor"

At Bryntirion, as Dai sits watching the television, Diane remarks, Have you heard they’re looking for a new councillor?   Rumour has it that Siôn White has put his name forward – and Mark Jones.”   

"I don't care if Angela Merkel put her name forward"

This makes Dai snigger, and he replies, “I don’t care if Angela Merkel put her name forward, OK?”   

"You should show more interest in your community"

Diane reckons that he should show more interest in his community, but he maintains that this is not his community any more.

"We're going back to Australia"

“We’re going back to Australia – you should be enjoying Cwmderi while you’re here, not worrying about some blinking council.   

"What have you made for dinner?"

“Right, what have you made for dinner?   I hope it goes nicely with a bottle of Australian Shiraz.

Diane composes a text message . . .

Diane picks up her mobile phone and composes a message to Hywel;  

. . . asking to discuss the matter with Hywel 

‘I’d like to discuss it further – phone me.’

Hywel is going to sweep up the ashes

Hywel apologises profusely, maintained that he did not mean it and will make sure that he can sort it out, as he brings in a brush and dustpan.   

"This is my house – I want you to leave!"

Gaynor forbids him to touch the ashes, and adds, “Cheryl’s right – this is my house.   I want you to leave!   Go!”

"Come on, Esther"

When he tells Esther that they are going, 

"I'm staying here"

she refuses to accompany him;  “I’m staying here!” 

He leaves the house, alone

so he picks up his keys and leaves the house.