14 June 2023

"Sleep well, Dad?"

Hywel has taken sanctuary in the shop flat with Mathew and Rhys, who ask if he slept well.   “Not that much,” he replies, 

"It's usually for after a big night out"

and Mathew remarks that the sofa is usually for a KO after a big night out.   

"Not a middle-aged man who's been kicked out"

Hywel completes the sentence for him, “Not a middle-aged man who’s been kicked out.”   Rhys tries to suppress a smile.

"What are you doing today?"

It is now time for Mathew to go to work, and Hywel wonders what Rhys will be doing today;  “Griffiths has given me my job back,” he answers, which his father regards as good news.   “Not really – less responsibility, less money – 

"Kelly sitting at my desk, looking smug!"

“and having to suffer Kelly sitting at my desk, looking smug!  Happy days!” he complains as he leaves the flat.   Hywel is grateful that he has been allowed to stay there.

"His temperature has come down . . ."

Dani is checking Gabriel’s temperature, and is relieved that it is now normal;  

". . . after keeping Mam up all night"

“After keeping Mam up all night,” she comments, as he plays happily with his dinosaur.

"You're not the only one"

“You’re not the only one,” says Mark, so she apologises, and does not know how many ‘babygrows’ he went through during the night.   Mark assures her that it is all in the wash and there is a coffee on the way for her.

"It's a shame he disturbed your dinner with Jinx"

“It’s a shame he disturbed your dinner with Jinx,” Mark goes on, but she dismisses it as just two friends spending time together.   “But you spend hours working together as it is – 

"You m musty enjoy his company"

“you must enjoy his company,” he continues, and Dani explains that he is easy to talk to.

"I don't want any more complicated men in my life"

“I don’t want any more complicated men in my life,” she says, but Mark would not say that Jinx is a simple character.   “I don’t want a relationship – 

"We have a laugh and he's nice"

“we have a laugh and he’s nice.”

Siôn approaches Hywel 

Hywel is walking past MFC when he is accosted by Siôn;  

"If `I was co-opted on to the council . . ."

“If I was co-opted on to the council, I’d be happy to give my translation services for free – the council correspondence is full of mistakes.”   

"The person with the best qualities will get the job"

Hywel assures him that the person with the best qualities will get the job.

"But I've served the community for years"

“But I’ve served the community for years,” Siôn stresses;  Hywel does not have time for this now and walks away, 

Dai and Diane are out for a walk

seeing Dai and Diane approaching along the street.

"About the council, Diane . . ."

“Diane, have you got a second to talk about the council?” he asks, and she had been hoping to talk to him about that.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Hywel"

Dai intervenes, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but Diane and I will be sipping the best Hunter Valley red wine before the new councillor sits down in that chair.”   

"You haven't changed your mind?"

Hywel cannot believe that Diane has changed her mind about putting herself forward, so Dai emphasises, “Diane doesn’t intend to put her name forward – we’re going back to Australia – the flights are booked and everything.”

"Go on, tell him, Diane!"

Hywel says that he must have misunderstood, and Dai urges Diane to confirm this, but she tells Hywel, “The truth is, I’m in two minds.”

"We're going back too Australia!"

“What?” Dai explains, “You’re not!   We’ve talked about it and we’re going back to Australia!”   

"You're beginning to sound like a councillor!"

She insists that their circumstances have changed so he rages, “Good grief, you’re beginning to sound like a councillor already!   Why didn’t you tell me?”

"I'm not having a tantrum!"

“Because I knew you would have a tantrum,” she answers, and he loudly shouts that he is not having a tantrum, but that she has made a U-turn.   She maintains that she just needs more time, but Hywel points out that there is a rush and names need to be in by the end of the week.

"Crikey Moses!" 

“Crikey Moses!” shouts Dai at the top of his voice, as Diane explains that she just wants to make sure she is doing the right thing.   

"I can't wait for ever, Diane"

Hywel reminds her that he cannot wait for ever, and Dai glares at her.

Mark is quite domesticated 

As he folds the washing, Mark comments, “Kids pick up all sorts,” 

"Well, I'm glad he's better"

and Jinx, who has visited number 7, is glad that the child is better.   “He was up all night – Dani and I had to do shifts.   They’re both upstairs now, catching up on sleep.”

Jinx enquires how Dani is, 

"Dani's shattered"

and as Mark adds two bras to the pile of clean laundry, is informed, “She’s shattered – I’ll make her some lunch now,” 

"Do you need some help?"

and he refuses any assistance from Jinx, who seems reluctant to leave the house.   

"Was there anything else?"

Mark appears to resent his presence.

"I've been wanting to help more in the community"

In the Deri, Siôn is telling Megan, “I’ve been wanting to help more in the community for a while – now that I don’t have Y Winllan, perhaps I’ll have the time.”   

"We're lucky to have you, Siôn"

She says that Cwmderi is lucky to have him and he goes on that he has been thinking about Bethania as well;  

"Perhaps it's time we restarted the food bank"

“Perhaps it is about time we restarted the food bank.”

She agrees that there is more need for it than ever and she can help if he is sure he can shoulder the burden.   He boasts that he is more than ready to do that.

Kath is examining the curtains

Mark comes into the Deri and finds his mother examining the curtains;  “I’m just checking to see if there’s any damp on these cheap curtains,” she tells him, “I want to put my own stamp on this place.”

"Who's stolen your chips, then?"

She can immediately see that he is depressed, and demands, “Who’s stolen your chips, then?   Come on, out with it – something’s wrong.”

"I don't know where I fit in any more"

He groans, “I don’t know why, but since Jinx has been on the scene, I don’t know where I fit in any more.”   

"Are Dani and Jinx 'messing around'?"

His mother is surprised to hear that Dani and Jinx are ‘messing around’, and he confirms that they are spending a lot of time together.

"But if they get closer and – you know . . ."

“But if they continue to get closer and – you know – get together, where do I stand?”   

"You're a gooseberry!"

Kath points out that is obvious – he is a gooseberry.   

"But we're like family"

“But Dani, Gabriel and the children – they’re like family – we work together like a team.”

"But you're not family, are you?"

She reminds him that they are not family and that blood is thicker than water;  he concludes that he has simply been playing ‘happy families’ with the people who do not really need him.   “I must have been naïve,” and his mother agrees that he has been.

"Will you spread the word?"

Siôn will go and get contributions for the food bank if Megan will spread the word;  “The more people that know about it, the better – and the contributions should come to me.”   

Megan goes off to do so

Megan hurries off to do his bidding and he approaches Kath, advising of his intention to reopen the food bank in Bethania.   

"Perhaps you could contribute spare stock"

“Perhaps the Deri could contribute any spare stock, once the place has changed hands.”

"There won't be any spare stock, John"

“I don’t think there will be any spare stock, John – once I’m in charge, there won’t be any waste – sorry,” she replies.

"If you're thinking about getting rid of Mark . . ."

When Dani comes in, Kath warns her, “If you’re thinking about getting rid of Mark, just do it straightaway – don’t hang around.   

". . . nobody likes being a spare part"

“Nobody likes being a spare part in their own home.”   

Dani is confused by this

Dani seems very puzzled by this.

Gwern is searching

At number 7, Gwern is searching through the boxes of toys, looking for something, 

"Why would Gabriel want an X-box controller"

and Arwen sneers, “Why would Gabriel want an Xbox controller?”   He complains that Gabriel always gets his stuff, 

"The baby's taking his toys!"

and she teases, “Ah, Gwern’s upset because the baby’s taking his toys!”

"You're a spoilt only child!"

“It’s all right for you, a spoilt only child!” he retaliates, but she moans that her mother is the head teacher 

"I don't get away with anything"

and she does not get away with anything.

He comes across a locked cashbox

In one of the toy boxes he finds a locked cashbox, so Arwen tells him to try the key they found in the garage some days ago.   Surprisingly enough, it opens the box 

What is inside shocks them

and they are astounded at what they find inside.

Mark looks at his social media campaign

In the Deri, Mark is looking at his mobile, encouraged by Dani;  “I told you to put stuff on social media – 

"'Man of the People', down with the kids"

“‘Man of the People’, down with the kids,” she says, and he never thought that people would be so supportive.   Even Gaynor has shared it;  “And me – and Jinx,” adds Dani.

"Of course, and Jinx"

“Of course, and Jinx,” he growls, 

He finds a 'horrible comment'

“What?   I don’t believe this – some idiot’s posted something horrible about me!”

"Someone who grows and smokes cannabis . . ."

Dani grabs the phone and reads out the post;  “I’d like to know how on earth somebody who grows and smokes cannabis can be a councillor.”   

"I messed about with it for a while"

He concedes that he messed about with it for a while, as it was the only thing that eased the pain in his foot, and suspects that it was Colin.

"Just deny it, Mark"

Dani advises him to just deny it, as there is no way of proving it, but he argues that the damage has been done and people will be gossiping.   

"So long, career on the council!"

“So long, career on the council!”   She is determined that she will find out who has done this and will see him later at home.

"Drop off contributions at Y Felin"

Siôn comes in with a bundle of leaflets and announces the forthcoming food bank at Bethania;  “We’ll be open soon, but in the meantime you’re welcome to drop off your contributions at Y Felin.”   

"Siôn White, your wannabe councillor"

He hands one of his leaflets to Rhys, who remarks, “Siôn White, your wannabe councillor – come on, it’s obvious – the suit and slogans are already out – ‘Acting for the Community’.   You’re not trying to help people who are struggling – 

"Stuff yourself with council vol-au-vents"

“you want to raise your profile, so you can stuff yourself with council committee vol-au-vents.”

Siôn shakes his head in disbelief;  

"I set up the food bank in the first place"

“That’s not true – I set up the food bank in the first place – it’s needed more now than ever,” and he walks away

Mathew is studying his phone

Diane comes in and heads straight for Mathew, who is looking at his phone;  

"Dai was very upset after helping you"

“I want a word with you – Dai was very upset the other day after helping you in the flat.   

"He heard what you and Rhys said"

“He heard what you and Rhys said – that he was a nuisance and more trouble than he was worth.   And he has really taken it to heart.”

"He thinks the world of you"

Mathew is very upset as she continues, “Although he doesn’t own the business any more, he still talks about the old days and asks Jason what you’ve got on.   He thinks the world of you.”

"I think highly of Dai"

Mathew insists that he thinks highly of Dai, and in that case, Diane has a favour to ask him;  “Something that will show Dai how much he means to you – and the rest of the village.   

"A 'Lifetime Achievement Award'?"

“Can you arrange it that the club present Dai with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at next week’s prize-giving?”

"I haven't done much with the club for a while"

Mathew is not sure whether he can oblige, as he has not done much with the club for a while.   “Perhaps receiving the award will help Dai stay here, instead of running back to Australia,” Diane suggests, 

"Everyone knows how mcc he's done for the club"

“Everyone knows how much he’s done for the rugby club over the years.”

"He deserves real encouragement"

Mathew argues that Dai deserves real acknowledgement, not just a sweetener to persuade him to stay here.   Diane stresses, “But receiving it now, and knowing that you’re part of it, 

"It will make up for upsetting him"

“will help to make up for the fact that you upset him – don’t you think?”

Then she adds what she hopes will clinch the matter;  

"I won't forget the favour"

“If I’m appointed as councillor, I won’t forget the favour – I’m sure a lot of jobs would find their way to APD.”   

Mathew has been put in rather a spot

She leaves him to mull over her suggestion.

"Do you think they're real?"

“Do you think they’re real?” asks Arwen, and Gwern does not know the answer;  “Who would hide guns in a toy box?” she demands.

"It might have been Tyler"

He thinks that it might have been Tyler;  “I know he did some dodgy jobs for Dad – I heard them talking about it.”   

"We have to tell the police"

Arwen insists that they have to tell the police, but he disagrees and then her phone sounds;  she finds that it is her mother.

"I'll do it when I get home . . .`"

“I’m at Gwern’s,” she says, “I’ll do it when I get home – 

"OK – chill out!"

“OK, chill out!   It’s not supposed to be in until Monday, anyway.   Fine – I’ll be there now.”   She leaves the house 

"I'll hide it in the shed"

and Gwern says that he will hide the box containing the guns in the shed.

But first he has a bit of practice

When she has gone he tries aiming one of the guns at things and pulling the trigger.

"One pepperoni, two rocket and pesto"

In the pizza shop, Jinx brings Hywel’s order;  “One pepperoni and two rocket and pesto,” 

"How about doing a podcast?"

then asks, “Can I pitch an idea?   How would you feel about doing a podcast, especially with our shared experiences in CwmFM?”

"OK, we'll talk about it"

Hywel likes the sound of that and that they will talk about it over the weekend;  

"They're a peace offering – I hope"

he explains that the pizzas are a peace offering – at least he hopes so.

"The cheek of some people!"

Dani rushes in, moaning, “The cheek of some people!”   

"I enjoyed myself last night"

Jinx attempts to tell her that he enjoyed himself last night, but she sounds enraged;  “I can’t believe people can be so horrible to Mark!”   

"And I enjoyed myself"

Then she admits that she enjoyed their evening as well.   

Jinx proposes that they will have to do it again sometime;  

"Not orders that other people have cancelled"

“Not eating orders that other people have cancelled, but I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.   Mark didn’t seem too pleased to see me when I called round earlier – perhaps he sees me as a threat.   

"Mark?   Feelings for me?"

“Has he got feelings for you?   I get the sense that he’s not very happy that we’re friends.”

Hywel comes back to Llwyncelyn . . .

Hywel arrives at Llwyncelyn with the pizzas, 

. . . but no-one is there

but is disappointed to find the place deserted.

Everything is under control at number 7

When Dani gets home to number 7, Mark reports that Gwern is out and Seren is upstairs, playing with Gabriel.   “She’ll shout if he’s doing something he shouldn’t.”   

"You're more in control than I am"

Dani can see that he is more in control than she is.

"How are you finding Gwern at the moment?"

She wonders how he is finding Gwern at the moment, 

"He's a bit quiet"

and he answers, “He’s a bit quiet at the moment, but it’s only normal after everything he’s been through.”   There is a lasagne in the oven, if Dani wants it, 

"Unless you've already eaten with Jinx"

“Unless you’ve already eaten with Jinx,” he adds, and she says that will be lovely.

"Was it OK with you that he popped round?"

“He said he’d called round earlier – was that OK with you – that he popped round to see how I was?” Dani asks, 

"He felt a bit awkward"

“He just felt a bit awkward, you know, as if he wasn’t welcome here.”

"What does he expect – a red carpet?"

“What does he expect – a red carpet and a cream tea?” demands Mark, “I was in the middle of folding clothes, you were asleep and I wanted to make food.”

"I don't know what I'd do without you"

She is very grateful to him, and does not know what she would do without him.   He emphasises that it is no problem and that he enjoys looking after her.   

"So what is the problem?"

“So what is the problem?” she asks.

"You won't need me here any more"

“It’s you and Jinx;  if you two – you know – you won’t need me here any more.”   

"There is no 'Jinx and me', Mark"

She points out that there is no ‘her and Jinx’, they are just enjoying each other’s company.

"That's how every relationship starts"

He maintains that is how every relationship starts;  “Before you turn round, he’ll move in here, raise your children, fold Gabriel’s ‘babygrows’!”   

"My grandad or something"

Dani accuses him of getting ahead of himself;  “I know we’re not family, but since Tyler’s gone you’re like my big brother . . . or grandad or something.”   

"I'm not that old!"

He argues that he is not that old, but she insists that he is always there for them, 

"We shall always need you"

and they will always need him.

“Anyway, you’re the only man I know who can fold ‘babygrows’ properly!” she laughs, 

"Are we OK?"

“Are we OK?” and he agrees that they are.   When she suggests that he could put the bins out, 

"I'm not sure whether grandad can cope"

he is not sure whether grandad can cope with that.

Gwern comes in through the back gate . . .

Gwern comes in through the back gate and goes straight to the little shed in the garden, where he has hidden the cashbox.   

. . . unlocks the box . . .

He opens it and removes one of the guns, 

. . . and points the gun

which he pretends to fire.   

He hears someone coming

Then he hears Mark coming out with the rubbish, so quickly replaces the box and hides out of sight.

Mark closes the door

Mark sees the door open and closes it, putting a brick at the bottom of it, then goes back into the house.   

Gwern locks up the box . . .

Gwern locks up the box and covers it with an old towel, 

. . . but puts the gun into his pocket

but retains one of the guns, putting it into his pocket.