19 September 2023

Cheryl deals with the recycling

Cheryl is getting rid of some recycling, including a ALDI breakfast cereal box, when Gaynor comes in, asking her to put on the kettle;  “I’m busy here,” she replies. 

"Someone got out of the wrong side of the bed"

Gaynor comments that someone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.

“No, I’ve just got a lot on – I’m in the Deri, but I’ve got two trims first,” Cheryl answers.   Gaynor picks up the paper and notices that a job advert has been highlighted.

"Fancy a job in the pharmacy, do you?"

“What’s this?   You fancy a job as an assistant in the pharmacy, do you?”   

"I was thinking about you"

She is enlightened that Cheryl was thinking about her.   She maintains that it would be ideal, as Gaynor would be out of the house with a lot of people to talk to.   

Gaynor turns up her nose at the idea 

Gaynor is obviously less enthusiastic, but is told that it is worth a look;  she appears to regard the job as beneath her.

"A walk-in shower might be a good idea"

Kelly is applying a plaster to Dai’s foot and apologises for any pain she is causing;  “Lost your balance, did you?   A walk-in shower might be a good idea.”

"Don't start that nonsense again!"

“Good heavens, don’t start that nonsense again,” he snarls, but she points out that he has to wash;  

"You won't have nurse on call every day"

he will not have a nurse on call every day.   He insists that today was a one-off, so she reminds him that it happened last week as well.   

"Coincidence!"

“Coincidence!” he snaps.

"Something more appropriate?"

“Have you and Diane thought about looking for somewhere more appropriate?”   

"We have a lovely house here, Kelly"

He maintains that they have a lovely house there and strictly instructs her not to say a word to Diane about this fall;  “She’s relaxing on holiday and I don’t want her to think I’m like Humpty Dumpty – leave it!”   

"At least reconsider what the council bloke said"

She agrees to do so, but urges him to at least reconsider what the council bloke said about home improvements.

"No way, José!"

“No way José – not as long as you’ve got holes in your ears!” he tells her.   She reminds him that he has fallen twice in a week and she is just trying to help.   “There’s no need – I’m perfectly happy here – and I’ve got a lot of rugby to catch up with – so forget about it – OK?”

"Are you sure you don't want me to look in Tomos ac Ellis?"

He glares at Kelly, who is obviously not willing to forget about it;  “Are you sure you don’t want me to look in Tomos ac Ellis . . ?”

"How many more times?"

He is becoming angry;  “How many more times?   If you’re not happy with the way I live my life here, 

"You should think about moving out"

“perhaps it’s time you should think about moving out.”   Kelly is surprised by this.

"It's 'niçoise' for lunch"

Sioned finds DJ preparing ‘niçoise’ for lunch.   She reminds him that she said she was going to the deli;  

"I'm coming with you"

“That’s why I washed my hair, because I’m coming with you.”   

"I don't think that's a good idea, Sioned"

He does not think that it is a good idea, especially today.

"Well, tough!"

“Well, tough – because I think it is!” she insists.   He tells her that the Pont Ddu Cycling Club are coming today and it will be flat out.   

"Great – so you will need the help, then"

“Great – so you will need the help, then,” is her reply.

DJ appreciates that she is feeling much better, but is afraid that someone might barge into her;  she is confident that will not happen and points out, “Tamed is supposed to be a joint venture and I haven’t lifted a finger so far.”   

"There is no rush, is there?"

He maintains that there is no rush, and that this could be a regular booking as they cycle through Cwmderi every month.   “Even more reason for me to help you, then,” she answers.

"I shall be worried about you"

He maintains that they have to make an impression, and he will just be worried about Sioned;  

"Well, you don't need to!"

“But you don’t need to worry about me!” she growls.   He cannot help but do so, and wonders if she has more work to do on the ‘chicken factory’.

“I’ve worked on that for the last couple of days,” she says, so he considers it logical to carry on with it today, so that he can concentrate.   He pleads with her, for the sake of the business, 

Sioned is forced to give in . . .

so she acquiesces, reluctantly.   

. . . and she does not like it

“I’ll look forward to seeing you tonight, then,” she says.

"What are you doing?"

When Mark comes into the Deri, he finds Gaynor looking at her iPad;  “You look busy and serious – what are you doing?” he asks, 

"Mind your own business!"

but she tells him to mind his own business.   “I hope you’re not surfing dodgy sites,” he goes on, 

"I shopped have been a comedian"

“I know – I should have been a comedian.”

"Pint of bitter, please"

Then he goes across to the bar, where Cheryl is on duty;  he thinks today that he will have a pint of bitter, 

"You're usually a lager lad"

which surprises her as he is usually a lager lad.   

The beer pump is not working

However, when she operates the pump, nothing happens.

"Ham and cheese sandwich, please"

DJ is preparing for the onslaught in the deli when Kelly comes in and he says that it has been quiet up till now.   She asks for a ham and cheese sandwich 

"What do you think of this?"

and enquires what he thinks of the house details she shows him.

“A bungalow – three bedrooms and a beautiful conservatory,” she summarises, 

"We're happy where we are"

but he points out that he and Sioned are happy where they are.   

"Not you – Dai and Diane"

“Not you – Dai and Diane,” she goes on, 

"Are they thinking of moving?"

and DJ did not realise that they were thinking of moving.

"Dai had another accident|"

“Dai had an accident this morning – another one.   He’s made his feelings crystal clear about not doing stuff to the house and I can’t see another option.   It’s lovely – no stairs to fall on – a walk-in shower – close to the village.”"

DJ agrees that it makes sense, so she wants any tips on how to persuade him to buy it.   

"He's the most stubborn person I know"

“You’re joking, aren’t you?   He’s the most stubborn person I know,” DJ laughs.

The pharmacy is doing home deliveries

Maya is at Penrhewl, delivering Sioned’s medication, which she describes as, “All part of the service.”   Sioned says that she is OK, but does not sound very convincing.

"DJ wants to wrap me up in cotton wool"

“I’m just bored – to tears.   DJ doesn’t want me in Tamed today – it’s like he wants to wrap me up in cotton wool,” but Maya does not regard that as bad thing.

"This weak, unwell person"

“But he’s not letting me do anything,” she complains, “He did the washing and the ironing, all before 7:00am this morning.   It’s not that I’m not grateful, but it’s as if he sees me as this weak, unwell person – not exactly attractive, is it?”

"He's just looking out for you"

Maya explains that he is just looking out for her, but Sioned moans, “I’m supposed to be his partner – does he realise that?”   She is told of that of course he does;  

"He hasn't touched me in – I don't know how long"

“Then why hasn’t he touched me in – I don’t know how long?” she angrily demands.

"I don't know if he wants to be with me any more"

When she has calmed down slightly, she adds, “I just don’t know if he wants to be with me any more.”

"Had a good day, Dai?"

Dai, watching rugby on the television at Bryntirion, is becoming rather animated when Kelly returns and asks him if he has had a good day.   

"I though you might like to take a look"

“I got this for you – I thought you might like to take a look.

"Joseph of Arimathea!   A bungalow!"

As might be expected, he exclaims, “Joseph of Arimathea!   A bungalow!   You’re not serious?”   Kelly points out that it suits his needs and is a really good price.

"This is my home!"

“The thing is, you see, Kelly, this is my home!”   

"Dai, loads of old people . . ."

She maintains that loads of old people . . . 

"Old people?"

and he takes immediate exception to being called old.

". . . mature people buy bungalows"

“All right – mature people – buy bungalows – I sold one yesterday, it was lush.”

"I'm not three score and ten yet!"

“How old do you think I am?” Dai demands, “I’m not three score and ten yet!”

"Three what?"

Evidently Kelly has not come across that word before;  “Three what?   I think it’s just a good idea, you know, under the circumstances.”

“Yeah, well, you would, wouldn’t you?” he snarls, 

"You and Jason would love to get your mitts on this place!"

“You and Jason would love to get your mitts on this place.”   

Kelly is offended

This time Kelly is the one to be offended, insisting that is not why she thinks it good idea.

Undeterred, Dai continues, “Everyone knows you’re desperate to get your hands on your own place.”   

Kelly is disappointed that he thinks she has an ulterior motive;  

"Thanks a bunch, Dai"

“Thanks a bunch, Dai!” 

Now he has upset Kelly

and he can see that he has upset her.

"I'll die of thirst at this rate"

Mark goes downstairs to the cellar to see what is taking Cheryl so long, quipping, “I’ll die of thirst at this rate!”   She cannot work out what is wrong with the pump, and he suggests there may be a kink in the line, 

"That seems to be all right"

but this does not appear to be the problem.

"It would have to happen today"

“It would have to happen today, wouldn’t it?” she groans, “When your mother and Cassie are away.   They’re on a jolly in Swansea.”

"The pressure is wrong"

On further investigation, Mark realises that it is the pressure at fault, and he adds, “I’m not just a pretty face, you know, I’ll sort this out for you.   Go and serve – people are waiting.”

"You do know what you're doing?"

When she wonders if he knows what he is doing, he replies that he used to run the place;  she warns him that she does not want a repeat of last time, but he is adamant that was caused by a dodgy barrel.

"See things from his point of view"

“All I’m saying is, perhaps try to see things from his point of view,” advises Maya, “The cardiac arrest was a huge shock for him – to see a person you love go through something that horrific.   

"You don't remember most of it"

“It was probably harder for him than it was for you – you don’t remember most of it, but DJ, he was there.   He thought he was going to lose you, right there on the pitch.   Give him some time – he’s not going to get over this just like that.”

"I'm scare he'll never want to sleep with me again"

“I’m just scared he’s never going to want to sleep with me again,” Sioned fears, “What if it’s put him off?   Seeing me hooked up to all those tubes and machines – and having this thing in my chest.   What if he just doesn’t think I’m sexy any more?   

"What if the spark's gone?"

“What if the spark’s gone and we can’t get it back?”

"I promise you'll get it back"

Maya promises that she can, 

"Do something about it"

adding, “But if you’re worried, do something about it – 

Sioned knows what she will do

“sooner rather than later.”

"It's on the house, Mark"

With the pump now working correctly, Cheryl refuses any payment for Mark’s drink;  “You were helping me out.”   He maintains that it is handy, knowing the tricks of the trade.   

"So when did you live here?"

“So when did you live here?” she asks, and he recalls that it was a quarter of a century ago, when they won the lottery.

"There isn't a penny left"

“Don’t get too excited – there isn’t a penny left,” he regrets, “Dad poured it all into this place.”   

"I've never met a lottery winner"

Cheryl does not think she has ever met a lottery winner, and he remembers, “Dad nearly fainted when his numbers came up.   He made us stay up all night, guarding the ticket with a baseball bat.   He was afraid someone would steal it before we claimed the money.   

"We turned the living room into Fort Knox"

“We turned the living room into Fort Knox for the night – we’d been skint for so long, Dad wasn’t taking any chances.”

"I know what it's like to be skint"

Cheryl knows what it is like being skint, and he goes on, “I bet your parents didn’t force you to hide behind the sofa when the bailiffs were hammering at the door.”

"Helping myself from the supermarket"

She says that she did mess things up when she was caught helping herself at the local supermarket;  “But don’t tell anyone – I’m serious, Mark – I was young and stupid – I don’t want people here thinking any less of me.”

"We've all been young and stupid"

“I won’t say anything – we’ve all been young and stupid,” he assures her and she trusts him to keep his word.   He invites her to have a drink with him – on the house, but she will not as she is on duty.

“I would never get myself a drink without paying,” she insists, “In case anyone thinks I’m taking advantage.”

"A small G&T – or a large one?"

He offers to buy her one instead;  “A small G&T – or a large one?” and she will go for the latter.   “Things turned a bit serious there for a minute,” he comments.

"There are some Garibaldis"

Dai tells Kelly that there are two cups of tea – and some Garibaldis;  “Look, Kelly – sorry about earlier – lecturing and shouting like that.   It’s not you – it’s me.   

"All this talk is getting me down"

“All this talk about bungalows and stair lifts, raised toilet seats – it’s all getting me down.   

"This isn't Dai Sgaffalde"

“This isn’t me – it isn’t Dai Sgaffalde.   He’s a big strong man who does everything for himself.   Crikey Moses!   It’s all downhill for me now.   It isn’t safe to go to the toilet now, let alone have a bath!”

"Things change as you get older, Dai"

Kelly understands that it is frustrating, but points out that things change as you get older.   “I don’t want to get older!” he snaps and she acknowledges that no-one does.

“But let’s face it – you’ve got an added complication now.”   

"Why arthritis on top of everything?"

He wonders why he has to have arthritis on top of everything.   “You’re kicking against it, which is brilliant,” she tells him, 

"You have to adapt"

“But it won’t miraculously disappear so you have to adapt.”

"You make me sound like a plug!"

“Adapt!” he exclaims, “Crikey, you make me sound like a plug – I don’t want to adapt!”   Kelly assures him that everyone is trying to help him 

"It would be really good if you could help yourselF"

and it would be really good if he could help himself, too.

“Easier life, better life,” she suggests, 

"A bungalow will make you feel younger"

“You know what?   I think a bungalow will make you feel younger, not older.”   

"You're not just saying that?"

He thinks that she is just saying that, but she insists, “No, I’m not just saying that – 

"You'll have more time to watch rugby . . ."

“think about it, Dai.   You’ll spend less time worrying about the stressful bits – climbing the stairs, getting into the bath.   You’ll have more time to – I don’t know – watch the rugby, go for a pint, have a meal in the Bull, 

". . . and eat Garibaldis"

“eat Garibaldis, right?”

"You're the best barmaid in this place"

“Do you know what?   You’re the best barmaid in this place,” says Mark, but Cheryl is not very impressed, 

"The other two are twice my age"

as the other two are twice her age.   However, she would not like them to hear that, in case she got the sack.

"They'll never sack you"

He is confident that they would never sack her;  “You’re exactly what a barmaid should be – you’re jolly, you enjoy banter.”   She says she is not used to compliments, but he maintains that he is just telling the truth.

"You're all right, Cheryl Thomas"

“You’re all right, Cheryl Thomas – do you know that?”   She replies that he is not bad himself and asks what he wants to go with that that pint – 

"Plain or prawn cocktail?"

“plain or prawn cocktail.

"Right, the viewing's booked . . ."

With the laptop in front of her, Kelly says that a viewing has been booked;  

". . .Mr Ashurst, you're on the calendar"

“Mr Ashurst, you’re on the calendar.”   

"You will come with me, won't you?"

He asks if she will come with him, 

"Of course – I need the commission"

and she replies, “I need the commission – of course I’ll come with you.”

He is very grateful to her, although he is not promising that he will like the place.   

"I'm going to help you find the perfect place"

“You don’t have to like it,” says Kelly, “I’m going to help you find the perfect place for you, OK?”

"Not a word to Diane, remember"

After thinking about it, he concedes that it does make sense;  “But not a word to Diane, remember.”   

"You'll have to tell her at some point"

She reminds him that he is going to have to tell her at some point – he cannot keep it from her.

"After she's had a few cocktails"

“I’ll say when the time is right – after she’s had a few cocktails or a jug of sangria,” he proposes, “But leave that to me, OK?”   

Kelly winks at him

Kelly winks at him.

"You're supposed to be keeping an eye on the bar"

Cheryl is rolling a barrel across the floor of the cellar when Mark appears;  “You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on the bar for me,” she reminds him, but is told that they have run out of crisps.

"A bit of muscle works wonders"

He gallantly volunteers to help her carry a heavy barrel, commenting, “A bit of muscle works wonders!”   

"I've seen more muscles on a cheese wire"

She jokes that she has seen more muscles on a cheese wire, adding that he is making a habit of helping her out of a hole.

"I like helping you"

“I like helping you,” he says, “And I’ve enjoyed your company this afternoon, too.”   

"I've enjoyed this afternoon"

She agrees that she has also enjoyed the afternoon, 

He is about to kiss her . . . 

and he moves towards her to kiss her, at which point she backs away, 

. . . but she is in a hurry to escape . . .

demanding what he is doing, and escapes back to the bar.

. . . back to the bar

By this time he has forgotten the crisps and pursues her;  upstairs, she simply tells him to leave, attracting the attention of some of the clients.   

"I'm sorry if I upset you"

Mark apologises for upsetting her, 

"Just go, Mark, please!"

but she insists, “Mark, just go, please!”

He reluctantly leaves . . .

He does as she asks 

. . . and Cheryl is very upset

and Cheryl appears very upset.