20 June 2023

DI Fielding notices Dani across the road

It appears that DI Fielding is off duty as she comes out of the shop and notices Dani who is emerging from number 7;  

"Do you have a spare half an hour?"

“Dani, how are you?” she asks, “I imagine I’m the last person you’d want to have a coffee with, but do you have a spare half an hour?”

"I'm about to fetch the children"

Dani is about to fetch the children, 

"There's a couple of things I want to explain"

but the DI has a couple of things that she wants to explain, so that Dani will understand.   “Like I said, I’m busy – I’m a single mother,” Dani points out.

"What are the talking about?"

Gwern and Arwen are walking through the alley, and wonder what they are talking about outside number 7;  

The new sign has been erected

it will also be noticed that the new ‘TAMED’ sign is up outside the deli.

“Please give me a chance to explain,” the DI begs;  Gwern insists to Arwen that Fielding should be in jail, not his father.   

"How about that gun?"

When Arwen mentions the gun, he tells her to shut up, but she is insistent that they have to tell the police.

“Just say that you found it,” she suggests, but he ominously replies that you never know when you will need a gun.   “If you don’t phone them, I will,” she threatens, 

"No, you will not!"

but he snarls that she will not, and goes off to football practice.

Hywel is trying get into Gaynor's good books again

At Llwyncelyn, Hywel is putting a vase of flowers on the table, 

He tidies the house

then tidies up the cushions on the sofa.   

Esther is pleased to see him back

When Esther comes in, she is pleased to see him and gives him a hug;  Gaynor, on the other hand, demands why he is there.   He asks if Esther enjoyed herself at the spa, and Gaynor repeats her question.   

"Let's go and find the charger"

Cheryl and Esther go upstairs to look for the charger for the disco lights.

"I want to move back in"

Hywel dolefully explains, “I want to move back in – before you say anything, I know it was all my fault – I haven’t been fair on you and Cheryl,” 

"It's a bit late for that, Hywel"

but Gaynor regards it as rather late for that.

"Can't we try again?"

He maintains that it is never too late and whines, “Can we try again for Esther’s sake?”   

"I don't know if I want to do that"

Gaynor does not know whether she wants to do that, but he goes on, “Do you want to try?   Just once more?”

She agrees that perhaps she does, but insists on small steps.   

"USB Mission aborted!"

Cheryl comes back downstairs, informing Hywel, “USB Mission aborted!”   He will go upstairs and look, 

"You haven't been at school today"

but reminds Esther that she has to do an hour’s reading as she has not been at school today.

He promises that if she does that, perhaps they can have a welcome home meal in the Deri.   

"Can I have a hot dog?"

“Can I have a hot dog?” she asks, 

"You could have chips as well"

and he thinks that she could have chips as well, if she wants.   

"As long as Hywel is paying"

Cheryl is in favour, as long as Hywel is paying.   

"I'm happy to have my family back"

He is happy to have his family back.

"I haven't got all day"

Dani has acquiesced to DI Fielding’s request, but insists on paying for her own coffee.   “What do you want?   I haven’t got all day,” snaps Dani.

"Families are the ones who come out worst"

The DI begins, “Families are the ones who come out worst in these things – I know.   I wanted to tell you that I understand.”   

"Do you feel better after that?"

Dani hopes that she feels better now that she has got that off her chest.

"I was a useless DI . . ."

“No, I don’t – and I never will – I was a useless DI.   I should have caught Gwyneth sooner.”   Dani certainly agrees with that, and Fielding continues, 

". . . and I've decided to go back to sergeant"

“That’s why I’ve decided to go back to being a sergeant.   To get to know the community better.

"That doesn't help me, does it?"

“Demotion – OK, cool – but that doesn’t help me, does it?” Dani responds.   

"I feel terrible about you and your family"

She is told that not a day goes by without the DI feeling terrible about her and her family.   

"People called you 'Failding'!"

“You know – you’re right – you were a useless DI!” Dani confirms, “People called you ‘Failding’, but you’re not responsible for this.   Garry just couldn’t stop the scams – he’s in jail because he deserves to be.”

Fielding is confused, “But you seem to hate me, but not him.”   Dani just wants to forget about stuff;  however, every time she sees the newly-demoted DS, it all comes flooding back, and she deserves to move on.

"You try to move on in a place like Cwmderi"

“But you try to move on in a place like Cwmderi!   If I didn’t have the children, I would have left a long time ago;  but they’ve been through so much, I can’t move them now.”  

She takes out her card

Fielding leaves her card, 

"If I can help in any way in the future . . ."

promising, “If I can help in any way in the future, give me a ring.”   

Dani is reluctant

Danny is reluctant to take the card, but is warned that she might need it, so she puts it in her pocket.

The weather forecast is for more rain

At Bryntirion, Dai is watching the weather forecast with disgust, as it is predicting more rain.   

"I like to see a man in a suit"

Diane comes in, commenting that she likes to see a man in a suit.   

"Nefi wen!   Look at that weather"

“Nefi wen!” he exclaims, as he turns off the television, “Look at that weather!   Land of song?   Wales should be the land of rain!   More and more rain – but there is one comfort – this time next week we’ll be sunbathing in Australia!”

“It’s winter over there,” she reminds him, but he knows that their winters are much better than the summers in Wales, 

He is having arthritis problems . . .

then tries to remove the top from a jar of sweets, but has to call for Diane’s assistance.

. . . but Diane has no trouble

She opens it without any trouble, and he groans, “It’s come to something when my wife has to help me open jars – 

"There we go – I'm an old man"

“but there we go, I’m an old man.”   Diane tells him that she wants less of that. But he insists that it is true and he has to accept it.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself"

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” she reprimands him, “I’m not going to leave my family and friends and fly to the other side of the world 

"With a misery guts like you!"

with a misery guts like you!”   

"Getting cold feet, are you?"

He hopes that she is not getting cold feet, and stresses that the decision has been made for them both, 

"You're not a young girl, either"

because she is not a young girl, either.

"Can I look for my pencil case?"

There is a knock at the door of number 7 and Arwen comes in, asking if she can look for her pencil case, then wants a drink.   

She searches in a few places

As Dani goes to get it, Arwen searches the room, with the aid of the torch on her phone.

"I don't think it's under there"

“I don’t think it’s under there,” says Dani, 

"It might have rolled"

as she is peering under the sofa, 

"I could have a look upstairs"

then Arwen suggests that she could go upstairs to look, but is forbidden to do that, as Danny is already late picking up Gabriel.   “Come back when Gwern’s here,” Dani suggests.

Diane thanks Mathew for organising

Out in the street, Diane is thanking Mathew for organising the presentation tonight;  

"It will mean a lot to Dai"

“It will mean a lot to Dai.”   Mathew is looking forward to seeing him later.

"Siôn's withdrawn his name"

Hywel comes along the road and informs Diane, “The road’s clear for you now – Siôn’s withdrawn his name.”   

"We're returning to Australia"

She is disappointed to hear this and explains that she has a problem;  she and Dai are moving back to Australia next week for definite – as it is the right thing to do.

"Dai's health comes first"

“There’s nothing I would like more than representing Cwmderi on the county council, but Dai’s health comes first.”   

"Has he thought about what's best for you?"

He wonders if Dai has thought about what is best for her, insisting that little Ifan will miss his Mam-gu.   She agrees that she will miss him, but they are used to keeping in touch via Facetime.   

“According to Dai, there’s no other option.”

"There are always other options, Diane"

Hywel maintains that there are always options, but she is anxious to go and wishes him good luck with finding someone else.   She will see him at the prize-giving tonight.   Hywel does not look at all enamoured about the prospect of Mark Jones being only remaining candidate.

Gwern throws down his bag . . .

Gwern comes back into number 7 and throws down his bag;  Dani reminds him, “What have I said about dirty football kit?” 

. . . but then follows Dani's instructions

and he reluctantly hands it over to her.   

"What were you and Fielding talking about?"

He wants to know what she and Fielding were talking about earlier;  “She was just checking that we were OK,” Dani replies, “I said that we’re trying our best to move on.”

"Arwen was here about a pencil case"

Then she remembers, “Arwen was here – something about a pencil case – she wanted to go upstairs, but I told her to wait until it you were home.”

"Burgers for dinner . . ."

As he goes upstairs, Dani reminds him that there are burgers for dinner;  

". . . I got you that barbecue sauce"

“And I got that barbecue sauce you like.”

"Perhaps we should have a hot tub at Llwyncelyn"

After their meal in the Deri, Hywel says he is pleased that the hot tub in the spa impressed them;  “Perhaps we should have one of those in Llwyncelyn.”

"I know a man in Rhos"

Cheryl regards that as brilliant;  “I know a man in Rhos who sells them on the cheap – pity it’s too far.”   Gaynor can imagine them in their bathers in the hot tub at the end of summer, 

"With Hywel in his Y-fronts!"

and Cheryl adds, “With Hywel in his Y-fronts!”

"I shall have to look into it"

He maintains that the prices have been reasonable since lockdown and that he will look into it;  

"What – Y-fronts?"

“What, y-fronts?” laughs Cheryl.

"We shall have to support the game tomorrow"

He changes the subject to the friendly rugby game tomorrow which they need to support;  

"I'n a football fan"

Cheryl, with her Wrexham tattoo, is a football fan, but will try anything once.

Gaynor realises that they are supposed to be going shopping tomorrow and suggests that Hywel could carry the bags for them.   

"Can I have salted caramel ice cream?"

Esther is more interested in the salted caramel ice cream which is available and Hywel will go and get one for her.

"He must have had a personality transplant!"

Cheryl thinks that he must have had a personality transplant, and Gaynor comments, “Just be glad he’s making an effort with you, at last.”   

Not another barman in the Deri!

Hywel, who is at the bar, where yet another barman is on duty, looks over towards them, trying to suppress his anger.

Howard takes off his boots

Howard comes into the farmhouse at Deri Fawr and receives a shock when he sees Arwen waiting for him there.   

"You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

“You nearly gave me a heart attack,” he shouts, and she says that she is worried about Gwern.   

"What has that got to do with me?"

“And what has that got to do with me?” Howard demands.

"He's got a gun"

“He’s been acting weird and he won’t answer my texts,” she explains, “And he’s got a gun.”   

"He's trying to scare you"

Howard does not for a moment believe that, alleging that he has made it up to scare her.

"I've seen it – can you talk to him?"

“I’ve seen it!” she announces, “Can you talk to him?   Please, Howard – I’m worried about what he’s going to do – he doesn’t have anyone else.

"You kids are a bloody pain!"

“You kids are a bloody pain – do you know that?” he shouts, “After this you can leave me alone – understand?”   He picks up his keys and they leave the house.

In the Deri, they are playing a guessing game with Esther, who is trying to find a coin in one of their hands.   

"If you find it, you can have it"

“If you find it this time, you can have it,” says Cheryl, 

Esther does find it

and indeed she does.   

"Are you going to tell Dad about your present"

“Are you going to tell your Dad about your present?” she goes on, 

Gaynor looks apprehensive

and Gaynor sighs that it will only be a matter of time before he finds out

Esther has had her ears pierced . . .

Esther reveals that she has had her ears pierced, 

. . . and Hywel is most disapproving

about which Hywel does not approve.   “I knew we said that we would wait until she was in secondary school, 

"She really wanted them"

“but she really wanted them,” Gaynor explains.   Hywel insists that they are coming out tonight.

"I had mine when I was five"

Cheryl does not consider it a big deal;  “I had mine when I was five,” 

"Yes, exactly"

and he sneers at that.   “What’s that meant to mean?” she asks.

Gaynor points out that she has said she is sorry and Esther does not want him to be angry with them.   

"Stay out of this, Sheryl!"

He tersely replies, “Stay out of this, Sheryl!” and then realises what he has said.   

"I'm going to get the presentation ready"

“Right, I’m going to get things ready for this presentation for Dai,” he says and leaves them.

"What was that about?"

Cheryl wonders what all that was about, and Gaynor enlightens her, “He thinks that common, council estate girls get holes when they are in primary,” 

"He thinks what?"

which Cheryl finds difficult to believe.

Dai comes in

Mathew comes in, accompanied by a smartly dressed Dai, with Diane;  

"Here's the man of the moment"

“Here’s the man of the moment!” announces Cassie, but none of the rugby boys appear to be present.   

"Large brandy, please"

Dai orders a large brandy.

Gaynor comes over to the bar to try and make peace with Hywel;  she argues that she did not think.   

"Why would that be important?"

“Think about what?” he demands, “About what her father wants?   Why would that be important?” and she slinks away again.

Dani glances across . . .

Dani is walking past the cash machine and the deli 

. . . so see Arwen and Howard getting into a car

when she notices at the other end of the alley Arwen and Howard getting into his 4x4, which she finds rather strange.   

How fortuitous that she has the DS's card

She takes the card from her pocket and dials DS Fielding’s number.

"A man who's contributed so much . . ."

A few more people have gathered in the Deri as Mathew declares, “A man who’s contributed so much to life in Cwmderi and the club – in his own unique little way – 

". . . our very own Dai Sgaffalde!"

“it’s my pleasure to present a lifetime achievement award to our very own Dai Sgaffalde!”

"There is a round of applause"

There is a round of applause and Dai looks very pleased with himself;  he receives the award and begins his speech.   

"Nefi wen!"

“Nefi wen!   I don’t know what to say after all those compliments.”   

"You're not usually lost for words"

Hywel comments that he is not usually lost for words.

“The wise keep silent – but I was never wise, and I haven’t been quiet for a while,” Dai resumes, 

"This has touched my heart"

“But this has touched my heart.   One short story – perhaps some of you have heard it before – it was the late 60s.   The young Dai was playing for Cwmderi up in Cwmtwrch – we won of course!

"Why don't you go and train with the Whites or Scarlets?"

“Clive Rowlands, Wales coach at the time, came up to me after the game and said, ‘Dai why don’t you go and train with the Whites or Scarlets?’

Diane thinks he might be elaborating a little

“I thought Cwmderi – Scarlets, Wales – who knows?   Clive could see the potential, you see.   But no, the young Dai refused and stayed in his own village – Dai was a home bird.   

"This is still where my heart is"

“This is where my heart was, back then – and this is where my heart still is.   

"This means a lot"

“Thank you all – this means a lot.”

"Don't forget the women's game tomorrow"

Mathew reminds everyone about the women’s game tomorrow at 1:00pm;  Diane is grateful to him for arranging the presentation, which appears to have had the desired result.

"Why's are you moving to the other side of the world?"

Hywel goes across to Dai;  “If this is where your heart is, why are you moving to the other side of the world?”   Dai maintains that every good thing must come to an end, 

"Does Diane feel the same way?"

but is asked whether Diane feels the same way.

"She's sacrificing a lot for you"

“She’s sacrificing a lot for you – she was looking forward to representing her area on the council, and she would have done a special job – but there we go, it all comes down to love,” says Hywel, 

Dai looks increasingly guilty . . .

while Dai looks increasingly guilty, “One sacrificing everything for the other.”

. . . and then quietly slinks off home

Cassie has noticed that Gaynor and Cheryl have gone home;  “I don’t think they meant any harm, letting Esther have her ears pierced,” she remarks, 

"These North Walian do things without thinking"

“These North Walian girls tend to do things without thinking.”

"You should know – you're one of them"

“You should know – you’re one of them,” he replies, but she points out that she is a woman, not a girl.

"I phoned as soon as I could"

Dani walks along the street in the company of DS Fielding and says that she did not see where they were going;  “I phoned as soon as I could – I don’t trust him.”   The officer is still waiting for Ffion to phone back, 

Howard comes into sight

and at that moment Howard comes round the corner by MFC with Arwen.   

"Are you all right?"

He goes into the shop while Dani asks if Arwen is all right;  

"He's not answering my texts"

“Where’s Gwern — he’s not answering my texts?” she demands.

They want to know what she was doing with Howard and whether he gave her more cider.   

The DS goes to confront Howard

The DS goes across the road to MFC, and Arwen asks if Howard is going to be in trouble.

“I was looking for Gwern – we were supposed to meet after football,” she explains, “I was worried when he didn’t turn up.”   

"Fielding will want a word with you"

Apparently Gwern is now at home at number 7, playing with his Xbox, but Arwen is advised not to go there now, as Fielding will want a word with her.

Dai sits, deep in thought

Dai sits at Bryntirion, gazing in a mesmerised fashion at the award he has received;  

"Why's did you come home without telling me?"

Diane comes in, asking, “Why did you come straight home without telling me?”

"We're cancelling the flights, Diane"

He solemnly informs her, “We’re cancelling the flights, Diane.   Perhaps the sun and heat are good for my arthritis, 

"This is our home"

“but this is our home.   

"But you need the sun, Dai"

She sits down and reminds him that he needs the sun.   He agrees that indeed he does, 

"But I also need this place"

“But I also need this place – take Dai Sgaffalde out of Cwmderi and plonk him on the other side of the world – and what you have?   Dai Bondi?   

"I belong here, in the wind and the rain . . ."

“No – I belong here, Diane, in the wind and rain – 

". . . with you, Diane!"

“with you, Diane!

"Before Hywel finds a useless donkey to replace you"

“Now put your name down for the council, before Hywel Llywelyn finds a useless donkey to replace you.”   

Diane is very relieved

She is greatly relieved by his decision.