7 February 2024

Gaynor awakens

Next morning, Gaynor is still in the same position on the sofa when she hears Hywel coming downstairs;  “Good morning,” he says, 

"Im glad you enjoyed your soirée"

“I’m glad you enjoyed your soirée last night.”

"What were you thinking?"

She reaches for her glass of water as he continues, “What were you thinking, calling the police like that?   Did you really think they would take it seriously?   Gaynor, do you realise the seriousness of what you did?   

"I have a good name to protect!"

“I’m a councillor – I have a good name to protect!”

“OK, Hywel, you’ve made your point,” she groans;  he points out that it is fortunate Maya and Ffion were there to back up his story.   

"It's not the end of the world, is it?"

“Oh, come on, Hywel – everyone takes things too far now and again – it’s not the end of the world, is it?” Gaynor snarls.

“I don’t know anyone who ignores their problems like you do,” he alleges;  

"You're my biggest problem"

she insists that he is her biggest problem and it is a pity she cannot ignore him.

"You can't carry on like this, OK?"

“You can’t carry on like this, OK?” he warns her, 

When he leaves . . .

as he grabs his coat and leaves the house.   

. . . Gaynor goes back to sleep

She considers that the best thing to do is to get some more sleep.

Cai comes in after his run

At Y Felin, Cai has been for a run and is drinking a glass of water when Siôn comes downstairs;  “Are you intending to go over to the Talking Shed?” he asks.   

"I can stay away if you want me to"

“I can stay away if you want me to.”   

"Do what you want, Siôn"

Cai tells him to do what he wants.

“When are we going to have a sensible conversation?” Siôn demands, “I know you think everything is my fault.”

Cai thinks that it would be a good idea for them to have a chat about how things are going to work from now on;  

"Things will have to change"

“Because when Iolo comes home next week, things will have to change.   In practical terms, we shall need a rota – who’s taking Greta to school, who’s putting her to bed.   It will be too much for Iolo – he’ll need time to settle.”

"Not until we've had an honest conversation"

Siôn maintains, “I can’t even think about that until we’ve had an honest conversation.   Do you remember what you said on the phone?   That I was going to pay for what I’ve done?”

"Yes, I remember"

Cai confirms that he does remember and is asked whether he still feels that way.   Cai’s only reply is that he is going for a shower, 

"At least, tell me where you were over Christmas"

but Siôn begs, “At least tell me where you were over Christmas.”

"You'll find out soon enough"

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Cai tells him and on that cryptic note goes upstairs, 

Siôn is worried

leaving Siôn very worried.

Cheryl has finished her shift

Cheryl comes out of the Deri and puts on her Wrexham scarf;  Hywel approaches and has been looking for her.   

“Well, this is where I work, isn’t it?” she remarks.

"I know things haven't been great between you and Gaynor"

“Listen, I know things haven’t been great between you and Gaynor recently,” he begins, 

"If you're here to play peace-maker, I'm not interested"

but she points out she has just finished a shift and is late to meet Mark, so if he is there to play peacemaker, she is not interested.

"I think she's got a drinking problem"

“No, that’s not why I want a word, he goes on,” he explains, as they walk along the road, “I think she’s got a problem – a drinking problem.”

"A lot of middle-aged women like a drink"

“Yeah, well, a lot of middle-aged high-achieving women like a drink,” says Cheryl, but he points out that she was plastered last night, with the police coming over and everything.

"She accused me of trespassing . . ."

“She called them – she accused me of trespassing.   You know as well as I do how difficult Gaynor can be – but I’m worried about her.”   Cheryl cannot see why this has anything to do with her, 

". . . can you have a word with her?"

and is asked, “Can you have a word with her?”

“That would be difficult because we’re not talking,” she tells him;  he insists that someone has to make her see sense and she will not listen to him.   

"Gaynor's a stubborn snob"

“Gaynor’s a stubborn snob – that’s her problem,” says Cheryl,  “I’m really sorry, but I have no idea how to sort that out,” she tells Hywel 

He did not get any help there

as she walks away.

Jason and Rhys are being lectured on poetry

Siôn seems to have taken over the Talking Shed, making it into a poetry appreciation class;   Jason tells him, “Sorry, Siôn, I’ve never been able to make head or tail of poetry.”   

"I thought this was a self-help group"

Rhys, who seems to be concentrating on his phone, feels the same.   “I thought this was supposed to be a self-help group for men,” Jason adds.

"Reading poetry can help change our attitude"

Siôn is of the opinion, “Reading poetry can help us change our attitude towards life.   Take R Williams Parry’s classic, ‘Clychau’r Gog’ [Bluebells] – 

‘They come when the cuckoo comes

When she goes, they go too

The wild nostalgic scent, the old enchanting hue’.”

"Put that phone away!"

Rhys is giggling by this point, and Siôn tells them, “I don’t want to sound like a school teacher, but can you put that phone away?”  Rhys apologises and Siôn drones on, 

“Arriving, then bidding goodbye, Ah, their days are few.

"What is then poet saying here?"

“Now what is the poet is saying here?”   

None of those present have any idea of the answer and all shake their heads.   

"Nothing lasts for ever"

“Well, he’s talking about beauty and how unstable it is – nothing lasts for ever.”

"It feels like it sometimes!"

Jason grumbles, “It feels like it sometimes!

Siôn goes on, and on, “It’s a similar theme in ‘Y Llwynog’ [The Fox] at the end of the poem;  

"Like a shooting star"

‘It happened, it ended, like a shooting star’.

Jason quips, “The Penrhewl dogs caught him, probably,” 

"More like Eileen and her 12-bore!"

but Rhys considers it more likely that it was Eileen and her 12-bore.

"Sorry I'm late, boys . . ."

Cai walks in, apologising for being late 

"What have awe got today – origami?  pottery?"

and enquiring, “What have we got today – origami?  pottery?”   

It is explained that Siôn is talking about poetry and Jason displays the book, ‘Cerddi’r Gaeaf’ [Winter Poems]

“R Williams Parry’s better than Prozac, apparently,” Rhys remarks 

"I'm pleased to see you here, Cai"

and Siôn is pleased to see Cai there.

He suggests that they move on to discuss Waldo, the great nationalist and pacifist;  

"What is forgiving?"

“What is forgiving?” he asks, looking at Cai, “Pushing your way through thorns to stand alongside your old enemy.”

Cai is deep in thought

Cai is thinking deeply as he hears these words.

"Hywel kept me talking for ages . . ."

When Cheryl reaches number 7, she says that she would have been there earlier, but bumped into Hywel, who kept her talking for ages.   

". . . about my dear sister's relationship with alcohol"

“About my dear sister’s relationship with alcohol.”   Mark knows that she has always liked wine.

"What's her track record with drinking, then?"

“That’s what I said – he’s worried that she goes too far too often.   What is Gaynor’s track record with drinking, then?”   

"She has done a few stupid things"

He recalls that she has done a few stupid things recently when she was drunk, 

"Well, I was drunk as well"

but he admits that he was also drunk on that particular occasion.

"Something as extreme as that!"

Cheryl continues, “It’s scary, though, that she allows herself to get so drunk that she can do something as extreme as that – no offence!”   

"I'll put the lasagne in the oven"

Mark thinks that he had better put the lasagne in the oven.

On and on goes Siôn 

The five of them are still sitting through Siôn’s monologue, 

“Or the terror I experienced while pitying the girl’s mental weakness 

and the white mouse – the girl on the quay in Rio.”

"I don't know why you're looking at me, Siôn"

“I don’t know why you’re looking at me, Siôn,” says Jason, “I haven’t got a clue what’s going on in this one, either.”

Of course Siôn explains, “TH Parry-Williams is sympathising with the girl’s mental illness.”   

He is getting at Cai again

Cai can see that this is an oblique reference to him, as Siôn goes on, “And in a way, that’s what we’re trying to do here, isn’t it, boys?   Create a safe place where we can listen to each other.”

"The girl in the bar in Thailand!"

Rhys jokingly suggests that Cai could write a poem;  “The girl in the bar in Thailand!”   

"There was no girl and no Thailand"

He is emphatically informed that there was no girl and no Thailand.

"I've had enough poetry for one day"

“Sorry, boys, this is nonsense – I’ve had enough poetry for one day,” Cai  tells them and walks out.   

"Yeah, that's how I feel, too . . ."

Rhys says that he feels much the same way and informs Jason that he will not be in the Deri later 

". . . I've got something much more exciting planned!"

as he has something much more exciting planned.

"We're going to talk about 'Cynghanedd'"

Siôn points out that there is another half an hour to go yet, where he was going to talk about ‘Cynghanedd’, [harmony] and 

Jason is going to subject himself to some of that

Jason is persuaded to stay for a bit of that.

"I'm no worse"

Gaynor is looking at her phone when she hears the door open and reports to Hywel that she is no worse;  

"Did you see anyone in the village?"

she asks if he saw anyone in the village.   

"Well, nobody heard about last night" — yet!

“Well, nobody had heard about last night, if that’s what you’re asking.   I’ll go upstairs out of your way, so you can get over your hangover,” he says, 

He has even brought her a Pot Noodle

showing her the Pot Noodle which he got for her 

"Ah – just what I need!"

and which is just what she needs.   He will go and put the kettle on.

"I'm glad I escaped"

At the curry night in the Deri, Jason is very glad that he escaped from that Talking Shed;  

"It's not fair that Siôn's hijacking it"

“It’s not fair that Siôn is hijacking your sessions!” Kelly laughs, and Jason regrets that they cannot kick people out, 

"It's supposed to be a place to welcome everyone"

as it is supposed to be a place to welcome everyone.   He thanks her for arranging tonight.

“I can’t decide what to have, mind,” says Kelly, 

"Can't go wrong with a chicken tikka masala"

and he recommends that she cannot go wrong with the chicken tikka masala – naan bread, mango chutney, poppadoms, the works.   

"Half and half, every time!"

“Half and half, every time!” she stresses, “Actually, I’m salivating now!”

The arrival of Dani and Jinx . . .

Then Dani and Jinx walk in, 

. . . is not missed by Kelly

something which is immediately noticed by Kelly.   The only vacant table is that next to Kelly and Jason, so Jinx does not want to go there.   

"Oh, no!"

Jason is also looking far from happy about the situation.

Kath is sorry that there is no other table available and Dani refuses to sit at the bar;  

"You're being pathetic now!"

“You’re being pathetic now!” she snarls, “We’re two couples who live in the same village, OK – come on.”

"Right, I'm going home!"

Jason’s reaction is, “You’re joking – well, I’m going home,” 

Kelly reprimands him

but he is overruled by Kelly.   

"I hope you don't mind"

Dani hopes that they do not mind, but Jinx reminds her that they have booked and this is their table.

Jason is of the opinion that this is not going to be a pleasant experience 

"I'm going to get another drink"

and is going to get another drink.   

"Happy curry night!"

“Happy curry night!” mutters Kelly.

"Mam used to go overboard when she was drunk"

As they sit at the table in Maes-y-Deri, Cheryl recalls, “Mam would go overboard when she was drunk – she could never stop after one or two.   ‘Elsie’s on the ale!’ they used to say – and next thing she was dancing on the tables – falling off the tables – 

". . . throwing herself at men she hardly knew" . . .

“throwing herself at men she hardly knew.”

"Do you think the gene gas been passed on to Gaynor?"

“Do you think the gene has been passed on to Gaynor?” Mark wonders, 

"Perhaps we should do something about it"

“If it’s a problem, perhaps we should do something about it.   We could find a counsellor or something.

"It's Gaynor's problem – no-one else's"

Cheryl insists that it is not any of their business;  “It’s Gaynor’s problem – no-one else’s.”

"Two chicken tikka masalas"

Kath brings over two chicken tikka masalas, but now Jason insists that he ordered a jalfrezi, 

Kelly argues with Jason

so Kelly reminds him that he said, “You can’t go wrong with a chicken tikka masala.”   However he argues that he changed his mind.

"Why not just swap with Jinx?"

Dani suggests that Jinx wanted a chicken tikka masala, so they should just swap, 

"I'm not going to eat Jinx's food"

but Jason rather ridiculously replies that he is not going to eat Jinx’s food.

Dani explains the differences between them

Dani points out, “The only difference is they put coconut in the korma and then tomatoes in the masala, and chillies in the jalfrezi.

"Why did your parents name you after bad luck?"

Jason demands, “Why did your parents name you after bad luck, Jinx?” and he answers that his name is ‘Huw’.   

"Isn't he odd?"

In that case Jason assumes that he named himself after bad luck;  “Isn’t he odd?”

“Who you named after, then?” Dani wants to know, “Jason and the Argonauts?   Haven’t you seen that film?   

"I had a major crush on the lead character!"

“I had a major crush on the lead character – he was fit!”

"Yeah – not half!"

Kelly says that likewise she fancied him, “Not half!”   Jason comments that they both have the same tastes in men, which he thinks is strange.   

Jinx is finding this extremely tiresome

Jinx is getting rather tired of this already.

Siôn is reading

Siôn is reading a book, ‘Y Ddyled’ [The Debt] by Llwyd Owen, when Cai comes in and asks if Greta is in bed.   “Look, I’m very grateful to you – you’ve been a big help to Iolo.”   

"That's what families do, isn't it?"

Cai replies that is what families do and refuses a glass of wine from Siôn, pointing out that he does not drink.

"I've got a friend coming over"

“But you could do me a favour – would you mind going out for a few hours tonight?   I’ve got a friend coming over and I’d like some privacy to discuss something – 

"Just something personal"

“just something personal.   I can keep an eye on Greta.”

"Remember I'm here for you as well"

“No problem,” Siôn replies, “But remember that I’m here for you as well.”   

Siôn continues to be troubled

Siôn is puzzled by this development.

Now a childish argument over naan bread

The meal in the Deri is almost over, with one naan left, so Jinx suggests sharing it with Jason, 

"It's always nice to find a surprise in your pocket"

who will not agree with him.   “Why don’t you stick it in your coat pocket?” Jinx asks, “It’s always nice to find a surprise there!” (alluding to the Rohypnol planted in his pocket)

Kath brings hot towels

Fortunately, Kath arrives at that moment with hot towels , 

"Oh, that's lovely"

one of which Jason drapes over his face.   

"If you had come to that spa day with me . . ."

“If you had come to that spa day with me, you could have had hot facials all day,” remarks Kelly.

He insists that he does not like people he does not know touching him, 

"Which spa is that?"

and Dani wants to know which spa this is.   “Plas Ysgaw,” [Elder Mansion] says Kelly and Jason recommends that she could take her mother or Auntie Neet with her.

"I'll come with you"

When Dani volunteers to accompany Kelly, 

Jinx is not happy about that

Jinx is rather upset;  she says,“I’ve heard good things about that place – I’ve never been, but . . .”   

"Yeah – come with me, why not?"

Kelly invites her to come.   

Neither of them are happy now

Now both Jason and Jinx are looking concerned.

"I'm sorry, Hywel"

Hywel is in the kitchen at Llwyncelyn, cooking a meal;  Gaynor comes in, rather more conciliatory, to apologise for last night.   “I should not have let myself get into such a state – I’ve got no-one to blame but myself.”

"I'm glad to see you're taking responsibility"

He accepts her apology and is glad to see that she is taking responsibility.   

"It was just a moment of madness"

She adds, “And I’m sorry for phoning the police – it was a stupid thing to do.   It was just a moment of madness, that’s all.”

"There's a behavioural pattern here"

Hywel challenges this;  “No, it wasn’t a one-off, was it?   There’s a behavioural pattern here.”   

"You're spoiling things now, Hywel"

She maintains that he is spoiling things, but he goes on, “Can’t you see?   The longer you ignore something, the worse it will be in the end.”

She does not want to discuss this now, so he begins, “You don’t want to acknowledge . . .” but then changes his mind, 

"You're not my problem any more"

“I don’t know why I bother – you’re not my problem any more,” and walks out of the room.

"Thanks for everything, Steve"

When Siôn creeps quietly back into Y Felin, he hears Cai saying, “Thanks for everything, Steve – you’ve been great help – and you’re sure I can keep the key a bit longer?”

Steve agrees to this, adding, “So you’re going to be taking him there?”

"I want to show him what I've been through"

“Yeah, I want to show him what I’ve been through – and hopefully after tomorrow I can finally move on.   Thanks.”   

Siôn slips away

Siôn quietly slips away, out of sight.

Kelly and Jason are back at Bryntirion

Kelly and Jason arrive back at Bryntirion;  as Jason goes to the fridge, 

"Go on, then – spit it out!"

Kelly urges him, “Go on then – spit it out!   You’re annoyed about something – what’s wrong, Jase?”

"You didn't have to agree to take Dani"

He sits down opposite her;  “You didn’t have to agree to take Dani, did you?   A spa!”

"What do you want me to say?"

“What do you want me to say?   Sorry, Dani, I don’t want you to come with me to the spa day because you’re seeing Jinx.”   He replies that she could have made an excuse, but she continues, “I don’t want her to come, either – the whole situation is really awkward, 

"She's coming with me – end of!"

“but she’s coming with me to Plas Ysgaw, OK – end of!”   She goes upstairs, 

Jason is left alone

leaving Jason on his own.

"I'm having a herbal tea"

Dani and Jinx get back to number 9;  “I’m having a herbal tea – do you want one?”   

"It doesn't make sense, Dani"

He wonders why she agreed to go to the spa day with Kelly, arguing that it does not make sense for her to put herself in that position.

"I really want to try the place"

“I really want to try the place,” is Dani’s reply.   He points out that she will have to spend the entire day with Kelly and maintains that she is looking forward to it.   

"There must be more to it than that"

He thinks that there must be more to it than that;  he was under the impression that the two of them were OK.

"I don't trust her"

“We are, but I don’t trust her,” Dani replies.