19 December 2024

Cheryl is putting up the decorations

Cheryl and Tom are putting up the Christmas decorations at Maes-y-Deri;  

"What do you want me to do next?"

he asks her what she wants him to do next and she replies, “Order the turkey,” but that has already been done 

"Thank you, Tom"

and she thanks him.

"This reminds me of Wrexham"

“This reminds me of Wrexham – Christmas was always a big day,” he goes on 

"Mam always went over the top"

and Cheryl recalls that her mother always went over the top.   

"She'd be glad we're back together"

“She’d be so glad that we’re back together,” he continues, 

"I haven't bought Gaynor a present"

but Cheryl is concerned that she has not bought Gaynor a present.   He wonders if that is a good idea, but she just wanted to give her sister something – despite everything.

"I've paid this month's rent"

Eager to change the subject, he says that he has an early Christmas present for her;  “I’ve paid this month’s rent.”   

His scheming continues

Exactly as planned, Cheryl is very grateful and kisses him.

The inscription reads 'Eisteddfod Cwrt Mynach' 

Out in the High Street, Siôn is preparing his Christmas grotto, which appears to be constructed from an old Bardic Chair from an Eisteddfod (or at least a copy of one).   

"It will be nice — when you finish it"

Anita passes and comments, “It will be nice – when you finish it,” 

He is offended by this

which he finds rather off-putting.

Sioned is frustrated again

Iolo comes to Penrhewl to visit Sioned;  he asks if Huwi-John is ready and notices that she looks very frustrated.   

"Social Services were here last night"

“Social Services were here last night,” she says, “I’ve tried to be as honest with them as I can, but I don’t know what they’re going to do next.”

"Have they threatened to take the children?"

Iolo demands whether they have threatened to take the children and she replies, “Not exactly.”   In that case, he considers that it was just a routine visit, 

"Their father – it must have been him!"

but she is convinced, “Someone phoned them – I know they did!   Their father – it must have been him!   

"If this is how he wants to do things . . ."

“If this is how he wants to do things, I have to fight back – I need to sort things here – change things – 

"It's Jac and Lili who are important now!"

“it’s Jac and Lili who are important now!   Everything else can go to hell!”

Mark is back from Spain

Mark Jones is back in the village;  he is walking past MFC and notices Cassie outside the Deri.   

"I thought you were supposed to be back yesterday"

“I thought you were supposed to be here yesterday,” she complains, 

"There were hassles with everything"

but he reports there were hassles with the plane, customs – and his bags.

He is staying at the Bull at the moment, as his mother said they did not have any room at Cysgod y Glyn.   “And she doesn’t want to throw Cheryl and Tom out of Maes-y-Deri until we get the last rent.   I shall be going back on Christmas Day – flights are cheaper, aren’t they?”

"Come in for a pint"

When Cassie invites him to come in for a pint, he replies that he has not got time – 

"I have to go and speak to Cheryl"

he has to go and speak to Cheryl.

Britt prepares Santa's little gifts

In the MFC flat, Britt is looking at some Christmas presents when Colin comes in, wearing his Father Christmas outfit.   “Come and wrap these presents now, while I fill the next ones,” she says.   

"Profit is everything today, right?"

When he looks at the little gifts, she points out that they are made of quality plastic, “But profit is everything today, right?   The profit we make on the Cae Glas stuff is going to be important – 

"And you're the sales-person"

“and as you’re the sales person today – no pressure.”

"I was born to do this!"

“Pressure?” he answers, “Britt, love, I was born to do this – right, off we go!”

Cheryl walks along the street

Cheryl is walking rather dolefully along the street when she sees Gaynor coming out of the pharmacy and would like to have a word, 

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry"

but is told that her sister is in a hurry.   

"Please, Gaynor"

“Please,” begs Cheryl, “You’re my sister, Gaynor, I’d like to sort things out, if we can.   You’re welcome to come over for a drink on Christmas morning.”

“No – Hywel’s already offered,” is the reply, “And I’m trying not to drink too much.”   

"Perhaps it would be an idea for you to try that"

She walks away, as she goes, commenting, “Perhaps it would be an idea for you to try and do the same, after, well, you know.”

Greta and Huwi are engrossed in the iPad

At Y Felin, Greta and Huwi are busy with an iPad when Siôn comes downstairs in his ‘traditional’ Father Christmas garb.   

"This is the traditional Father Christmas!"

“Now then – don’t laugh – this is Father Christmas’s traditional European costume.”   

"Why don't you wear red, then?"

Iolo demands why he does not wear red, just like everyone else.   

He objects to the commercialisation

“Because I’m not going to give in to that drinks company’s unscrupulous marketing!” snarls his father.   

"I'm not doing this, Dad"

He sits down at the table and wants Iolo to help him practise, but Iolo refuses to participate in this;  meanwhile, 

Greta and Huwi are laughing 

Greta and Huwi are watching, very amused.

“Well, hello there – what’s your name?” Siôn asks, with a traditional father Christmas voice. 

"You're not Father Christmas – you're in green"

“Well, you’re not Father Christmas, are you, because you’re dressed in green,” Iolo replies.   Siôn explains that this was Father Christmas’s original colour, which Iolo regards as boring.

"What present do you want from Father Christmas?"

“If you’re not going to take it seriously, how about you, Huwi?   What present do you want from Father Christmas?”

"To stay here with you"

After a moment’s thought, Huwi replies, “To stay here with you,” and Siôn is surprised that he does not want to go back to Penrhewl.   He enquires  why the boy does not want to go back home, 

"Is it because your Mam's not here?"

wondering if it is because his mother is not there.

"Yes, I want to move on with the process . . ."

At Penrhewl, Sioned is on the phone;  “Yes, I want to move on with the process today.   Yes, I’m happy with that price and I’m willing to be flexible.   The important thing is that it happens as soon as possible – 

". . . yes, I'm completely sure"

“yes, I’m completely sure.”

Mark arrives at Maes-y-Deri 

Mark arrives at Maes-y-Deri and Cheryl opens the door, warning that Tom could be back at any moment.   

"I'm not frightened of him"

“I’m not frightened of him, Cher,” says Mark, “I had to come back, once I heard that you were back with him – why, Cheryl, after everything you’ve said about him?   I understand that things went wrong between us, 

"Are you doing it to teach me a lesson?"

“but I never dreamed it would lead to this.   Are you doing it to hurt me or teach me a lesson?   Because honestly, I cant think of any other reason why you’d be with him.”

"I'm with Tom because I love him"

“I’m with Tom because I love him,” she answers, but Mark does not for a moment believe that.

"You're not stupid!"

“That would make you stupid – and you’re not stupid!” he exclaims.   

"Believe what you like"

Cheryl tells him to believe what he likes, so he offers his opinion on what is happening.   

"I think he's got his claws into you"

“I think he’s got his claws into you and now you can’t think straight.”

"Well, you're wrong"

She smilingly informs him that he is wrong, but he seriously doubts that.   “Tell me – why are you calling him Tom now, instead of Dave, then?   Open your eyes – he’s controlling you the way he wants to.”

Then the door opens . . .

She will not accept that explanation and Mark pleads with her, before it is too late, but then the door opens.   

. . . and Tom is not happy

Tom is not at all pleased to see Mark there.

Siôn strides along the street

Siôn’s ‘traditional’ version of Father Christmas comes striding down the street, 

"Siôn, why are you green?"

which attracts Anita’s attention;  “Siôn, why are you green?” she asks 

"This is traditional and original"

and once more he explains that this is Father Christmas’s traditional and original colour.   This comes as a surprise to Anita.

Here come Colin and Britt 

Meanwhile, approaching from the direction of MFC, are Colin in the more familiar red uniform and Britt as his little green elf.   

"Is it traditional to have two grottos?"

Anita continues, “Is it traditional to have two grottos as well?”

"You're dressed as The Grinch!"

Colin takes one look at Siôn and exclaims, “What on earth?   You’re dressed as The Grinch!”   

"This is traditional"

Offended, Siôn insists that he is Father Christmas, while this is the traditional uniform.

"I'm Father Christmas today!"

Colin is adamant that he is Father Christmas today and there is no point in having two of them.   Siôn protests that he has gone to a lot of effort to do this properly;  “The last thing we need is some cheap Father Christmas who doesn’t respect tradition!”  Anita is watching this argument with some confusion.

Britt has to put her oar in;  “All right – who the hell do you think you are?   There’s nothing you can do to stop Colin!   

"We are all here to make money?"

“We are all here to make money – and that’s what we’re going to do!   You, Siôn, were going to do something really boring – just like you have – and I said we’d sort it!”

How about taking turns?"

Anita shouts across the road to them to stop, suggesting that they should work out a timetable and do an hour each, alternately, which should please all of them.   

"As long as I go first!"

Siôn agrees to this – with the proviso that he should go first.

"It's quiet at the moment, Col"

Colin takes exception to this, but Britt points out that it is quiet at the moment, anyway.

Mark looks at Cheryl

MarWhile Tom makes two cups of tea, Cheryl and Mark sit, looking at each other.   “This is a bit unexpected,” says Tom, 

"Is there anything I should know?"

“I thought you’d be away for longer.   So is there something I should know?   

"It's unusual to invite an ex"

“It’s a little bit – what shall we say? – unusual, to invite an ex over to the house.”   Cheryl replies that she did not invite Mark.

"It was my idea to come over"

“No, it was my idea to come over here,” says Mark and Tom enquires whether there was any particular reason.   “I just wanted to see how she was,” Mark answers.

“We’re very happy, aren’t we, Cher?” Tom insists and she agrees.   “Sorry, I haven’t offered you a cup of tea – 

"Cher, would you like Mark to stay?"

“Cheryl, would you like Mark to stay, as he has gone to such trouble to come here?”   

"I think you should go now"

She thinks that Mark should go now – please.

"OK – I'll go"

Mark has a little choice but to comply with this request;  

Tom is happy with his performance

Tom appears quite satisfied with the way he has handled this encounter.

"When do I get my present?"

Siôn is exhausted after his exertions and sits down on his chair;  a local girl comes to ask, “When do I get my present?” and he tells her to hang on a minute.   

"Why are you green?"

“Why are you green?” she wants to know, but he points out that she did not use the correct Welsh word, as in fact there is supposed to be a ‘mutation’ there.

“The reason why I’m green is . . .” 

She purloins one of his presents . . . 

then he stops, as the girl has helped herself to one of his presents, 

. . . and does a runner

which she throws to her friends and they all run away, 

"Did you see that, Britt?"

much to the amusement of Colin.

A confrontation is developing

From our vantage point in front of the Deri, we can see Mark approaching past the bus stop and Tom coming in the other direction;  

"I don't want any trouble"

Mark insists that he does not want any trouble.   

"Neither do I"

“Neither do I – that’s why I’m here,” says Tom.

"Tom, Dick or Harry?"

“Right, what do you want, Dave – or Tom, Dick, Harry – whatever I’m supposed to call you?”

Tom just wants to make sure that they understand each other;  “I don’t think you realise how deep the relationship is between Cheryl and me.   

"We're meant to be together"

“We’re meant to be together – we need each other.”   Mark laughs as he continues, “Only a foolish man would try to come between us.”

"Are you threatening me?"

“Are you threatening me?” asks Mark, “The relationship can’t be that strong if you have to threaten people stay away.”

"Cheryl just took pity on you"

Tom maintains that he does not have to threaten Mark;  “You know, Cheryl didn’t love you – she took pity on you – I can understand why as well.”   

"Enjoy your pint"

Mark walks away. towards the Deri and Tom hopes that he enjoys his pint.

Siôn comes into the deli

Siôn, in his regalia, comes into the deli, where Sioned is looking at some paperwork;  

"Why green?"

she also asks, “Why green?”   He points out that it was a good idea at the time 

"Would Huwi-John like to stay with us over Christmas?"

and was going to ask her mother whether Huwi-John would like to stay with them at Y Felin over Christmas.

Sioned demands why this is, 

"He can come over to Penrhewl to open his presents"

but is told, “Don’t worry – he can come over to Penrhewl for a few hours to open his presents.”   She says that she will think about it, 

"You shouldn't go behind my back"

adding that he should not go behind her back with things like this, insisting that it is happening too often around there.

He remarks that the Christmas Fair is going well out there, but Sioned is not interested.   “Sioned, we are doing this for your mother – to make some profit before she gets out of prison.”   

She goes outside . . .

She goes outside the shop, 

. . . where we see that Eleri has another employee

where someone from Tomos ac Ellis is putting up a ‘For Sale’ notice.

“Have you discussed this with your mother?” Siôn asks her, but she insists that this is none of his business.

Britt does not miss much

From across the road, Britt has noticed what is going on, 

"Raising money for Mam's appeal is a waste of time"

as Sioned says that raising money for Mam’s appeal is a waste of time.   “Selling this place will sort everything.”

“What do you mean – for your mother’s appeal?” demands Britt, 

"Yes, Mam and Siôn arranged it"

so Sioned explains that her mother and Siôn had the idea of this Christmas Fair today.

"All the work Britt has put in!"

“You said this was for Cae Glas!” shouts Britt, with Colin emphasising the amount of work Britt has put in to get her share of Cae Glas profits.

"You were thinking about yourself the whole time"

Now Siôn understands;  “You were thinking about yourself the whole time – that’s so typical of you!”

"A convict, who deserves everything she gets!"

Britt forcibly points out, “I wouldn’t waste my time raising money for a convict, who deserves everything she gets – I can tell you that!”   

"Hey, you're talking about my Mam!"

Sioned strongly objects to Britt speaking about her mother like that, while Iolo attempts to calm matters down, with no success.

"Convict?   Just like your brother?"

“Convict!” snarls Siôn, “Just like your brother – and what about your nephew?   

"Ooh, that will get Britt going!"

“It wasn’t that long ago that he got out.”   Colin warns Siôn to stop this now, but he takes no notice;  “Are Chester, Catrin and Aaron coming home for Christmas?   Or are they stuck in a cell somewhere, too?”

Colin is furious

Colin is becoming angry, 

"I'm only telling the truth!"

but Siôn points out that he is only telling the truth.   

"Then the missiles start flying"

Colin and Britt pick up various cushions from the two grottos and begin walloping Siôn with them;  

It is difficult to keep up with the action

he responds in kind, 

The children are 'gobsmacked'

much to the amusement of the watching children 

Someone is videoing the violence

and a local villager who is recording this on his phone.

"You haven't heard the last of this!"

As Iolo tries to drag his father away, Siôn shouts, “What’s wrong with you?   You haven’t heard the last of this!”   

Britt removes Colin from the fray

Britt is also trying to manhandle Colin back to the MFC flat, 

The children have enjoyed the spectacle

with all the children laughing at this entertainment.

"There's nothing I can do, is there?"

Inside the Deri, Mark is complaining to Cassie, “There’s nothing I can do, is there?   She’s obviously made her decision, for better or worse.”   

"You're not just going to accept it?"

Cassie reminds him that he has come all the way back from Spain to try and change her mind, and wonders whether he is going to accept it – just like that?

"I'm not accepting it"

He replies that he is not accepting it;  

"We have to do something!"

Cassie is adamant, “She is in a relationship with a lying swine – we have to do something!”   He has already asked Cheryl whether Tom was forcing her to be there – and she said that she wanted to be with him.   

"She'd deluding herself!"

“Well, she’s deluding herself!” is Cassie’s reply.

"I can't drag her out of the house, can I?"

“Well, I can’t just drag her out of the house, can I?” Mark groans, “If she says she’s happy with him, there’s nothing we can do,” 

"We'll find a way"

but Cassie is confident that they will somehow find a way.

"You've put all the decorations up"

Back at Maes-y-Deri, Tom finds that all the decorations are up;  Cheryl says that it has been quite therapeutic.   

"I hope he didn't upset you"

He kisses her and hopes that seeing Mark earlier did not upset her.   

"Mark and I are old news"

“Mark and me are old news now,” she answers.

“Well, it will be soon – and Gaynor, Cassie and everyone who’s been negative towards us.   

"I've sorted a flat for us in Wrexham"

“I’ve sorted a flat for us in Wrexham – we can leave this hole and go back to where we were happiest.”

"Don't you miss Wrexham?"

Cheryl’s face falls at hearing this news, so he wonders what is wrong;  she says this has just come out of nowhere.   “Don’t you miss Wrexham?” he asks, “The people around here don’t understand us – 

"We're meant to be home, aren't we?"

“we are meant to be home, aren’t we?”

She is having some doubts about that, 

"We have so much to look forward to"

as he goes on that they have so much to look forward to.   

"We'll need £2,000 deposit"

As he looks at the presents under the tree, he casually comments that they will need £2,000 deposit on the flat.   “As I’ve paid this month rent, among other things, I’ve got no way of paying it all, 

Now he is taking over her money as well

“would you be willing to use some of that £5,000 you got from Cassie?   You’ll get half back immediately, of course – it will be great – a new chapter for us.   

"Wrexham is where we're supposed to be"

“Wrexham is where we are supposed to be.   You know that in your heart, don’t you? 

"What do you say?"

“What do you say?”

Cheryl is not at all happy

She tries to put on a brave face and tells him, “Yes,” but it is easy to see she is not at all happy at what is happening.