26 June 2025

"Not until you've sobered up, Dan"

Mark hands Dani a cup of coffee and instructs her, “I don’t want you to go up and see Gabriel until you’ve sobered up,” but she protests that she is his mother.

"I might not be around, Dan"

He reminds her that he might not be around before long;  “If I’m in prison, who will look after him when you’re too drunk to do it?”

"Have Social Services arrived?"

Gwern rushes in through the back door and asks if the Social Services have arrived;  

"Lleucu has phoned them"

“Lleucu phoned them, saying Gabriel is not safe.   She’s angry – 

"She wants to teach you a lesson"

“she wants to teach you a lesson – I don’t quite understand.”

"It's her!   She's the stalker!"

Dani suddenly comes to the realisation, “It’s her!   She’s the stalker!” she exclaims, 

"I'm going to get some answers"

as she picks up her coat, telling them that she is going to get some answers.

"Don't do anything rash, Dani"

Mark urges her not to do anything rash, as they do not know that Lleucu is responsible, but Dani insists, “If she can phone social services, she can stalk me!”   

"You go after her"

When she storms out of the house, Mark tells Gwern to go after her and he will stay with Gabriel.

Tom is back from work (or possibly hanging around Deri Fawr)

Gaynor is looking at the laptop in Llwyncelyn when Tom comes in;  she asks him how was his day 

"We could go for a romantic meal"

and suggests that they could go out for a romantic meal tomorrow night.   

He wonders if they are celebrating something.

"You still want to open the account, don't you?"

“No, I just thought it would be nice on the way back from the bank,” she replies, but he does not look particularly keen.   “You still want to open a joint account, don’t you?   So what’s wrong?”

"Bombarding me with questions already?"

He complains, “I’ve hardly taken my coat off and you’re bombarding me with questions already?   I’m going for a jog.”   

"You're too needy, Gaynor"

As he goes upstairs he  reprimands her, “You’re too needy, Gaynor,” 

She was not expecting that

which puts her in her place.

Dani has arrived at Y Felin to confront Lleucu, 

"You treat him like your personal baby-sitter!"

who angrily informs her, “You forgot about Gwern’s exams – you treat him like your personal babysitter!   I wanted to draw your attention to it!”

"By phoning social services?"

“By phoning social services?” Dani yells.

"He has a life of his own!"

“Yes – he has a life of his own – you’ll thank me one day!”  Lleucu continues.

"You're the stalker, aren't you?"

Dani growls at her, “You’re the stalker, aren’t you?   Don’t deny it!”

She looks triumphant 

"It's what you deserve for being so toxic!"

as Lleucu confesses, “Yes, but it’s what you deserve for being so toxic!   You would have liked it if Dad had died.   At the party in Penrhewl – you said he couldn’t even kill himself properly!”

"So that's what this is all about"

Now Dani can understand what all this is about, 

"You gave him the tablets deliberately"

as Lleucu goes on, “I was stupid to believe you didn’t give him the tablets deliberately.”

"Be grateful your father is still alive!"

Dani snarls at her, “You’re a spoilt brat, aren’t you?   Be grateful your father is alive!”

Gwern stands by helplessly as the argument continues, “You have no idea what Dad and I have been through!”

"What you've done is unforgivable"

This infuriates Dani, who shouts, “I’m sorry – what you’ve been through?   What you’ve done to me is unforgivable!”   She is alerted by Gwern that her phone is ringing.   

Mark alerts her about Social Services 

Mark informs her that Social Services have arrived and she tells him that she will be straight there, 

"You're coming with me"

ordering Gwern to go with her, although Lleucu does not want him to leave.   

Now Lleucu regrets what she has done

She is left alone again, in floods of tears.

He cannot keep away from Ffion 

Once again, Tom’s jog has coincidentally taken him to Deri Fawr;  “I heard you were on your own today – are you all right?” he asks Ffion, “Do you need anything?”

"Yes, I'm fine"

She replies that she is fine, although she is clearly pleased to see him;  

"I thought you might like to do something this weekend"

“I just thought you might like to do something this weekend,” he suggests, “I don’t know, just whatever you want – I thought it would be nice for you to leave the village for a while.”

"That would be nice"

Ffion agrees that would be nice and he wonders where she would like to go;  

"The beach – the mountains?"

“The beach – the mountains – a meal – the fair?”   She tells him to choose, but she does not want to go to the fair;  

"It wouldn't be good for my head"

she does not think that all that spinning would be good for her head.   

Tom smirks

He looks very pleased with himself.

In the deli, Rhys asks Kelly what else she wants them to organise today;  

"Some sort of entertainer for the children"

“Some sort of entertainer for the children,” she replies and Jinx has a couple of ideas about that.

Hywel happens upon this meeting;  

"So this is where you're hiding"

“So this is where you’re hiding.   Well, Eleri has shared the news – and I have to say, as a company, we are very happy to support the carnival.   

"We ned to discuss the branding"

“We just need to discuss the branding.”

“You what?” says Kelly 

"As the biggest sponsor . . ."

and he goes on to point out that as the biggest sponsor, they should have more publicity than any other business.

"It was a mistake to accept their money"

Jinx immediately regards it as a mistake to accept money from Quantum Hydro Works;  “I thought you’d have the common sense to know it was a mistake!”

"The carnival will be a disaster"

Hywel maintains, “The carnival will be a disaster, if you're arguing over something like branding!”

"Sort it out!"

Kelly announces, “I’m going to excuse myself now, before I say something I regret – sort it out!” and she marches out of the deli.

Colin has been modelling an animal

Gaynor has gone to visit Colin in the MFC flat;  he is busy with fruit, which he has cut up in order to model an animal.   He asks what she thinks that is and when she answers that it looks like a cat, 

"No – it's a chimpanzee!"

he insists that it is a chimpanzee.

“I’m competing at the carnival,” he tells her, 

"It's a competition for children, Coloin"

but she informs him that it is a competition for children;  he had not heard that and maintains that he has a pretty good chance.

"What's wrong"

Then he invites her to sit down, as he can see that there is something worrying her.   

"It's Tom"

It’s Tom,” she begins, 

"I'm not the best person to give you advice"

but he does not consider himself to be the best person to give her advice on her love life.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” she complains, “He says he’s forgiven me for the engagement business, but he’s keeping his distance.   

"He's there – but he's not"

“He’s there, but he’s not – he’s so quiet – things are so awkward.”

"It's a surprise"

Tom shows Ffion his phone and tells her that it is booked, but he will not tell her what they are doing.   “It’s a surprise and I’ll pick you up at ten,” he says.

"What am I supposed to wear?"

As she enquires what she is supposed to wear, 

We have not seen Arwen for ages

Jinx comes in with Arwen, who we have not seen for some time.   “We’re not interrupting, are we?” he asks and Tom replies that he was about to leave;  

Ffion thanks Tom for calling

Ffion thanks him for calling.

"What was he doing here?"

When he has gone, Jinx wants to know what he was doing there;  Ffion answers that he was checking how she is.   “I don’t know why you spend time with him – 

"There's something strange about him"

“there’s something strange about him,” he maintains, but she says that he has been very kind to her.

"Don't you think it's time for you to go home?"

“Listen, Jinx, I’m so grateful for everything that you’ve done, but I feel a lot better now.   Don’t you think it’s time for you to go home?”   Now Jinx feels as if he has been abandoned.

"Do you think I'm needy?"

“Do you think I’m needy?” Gaynor asks Colin, “I am, aren’t I?”   

"Passionate, perhaps – or stubborn"

He cannot agree with that and would never describe her as ‘needy’;  he suggests, “Passionate, perhaps, or stubborn – well you want to give 100% to everything.”

"We're going to open a joint bank account"

She moans that she is trying to prove that she is serious about the relationship;  “We’re going to the bank tomorrow to open a joint account,” 

"That's not the most romantic thing?

but he does not consider that opening a joint bank account is the most romantic thing.   

He wonders where is the fun and the romance, “And the . . . you know . . .”   Gaynor wonders what he is suggesting, 

"Do something that proves how much you love him"

so he advises, “Do something that proves to him how much you love him.   

"Now help me with this chimpanzee"

“Right – help me make this look a bit more like a chimpanzee.”

Dani is back at Maes-y-Deri . . .

When Dani gets back to Maes-y-Deri, 

. . . where the social worker is with Gabriel

Judith from Social Services and a police officer are there.   

It is unlikely that Polo mints will do much good

Mark hands her a pack of Polo mints in an effort to mask the smell of alcohol.

"I'm going to check on Lleucu"

Gwern proposes to go back to check on Lleucu, but Dani cannot believe that he is serious.   “I’m worried about her – she’s been through a lot too,” he insists, but Mark tells him that the social worker would like to speak to him as well.   Mark will go to check on Lleucu instead.

"Dani Thomas?"

Judith from social services introduces herself to Dani, “I’m here to investigate reports of a child in danger.”

"I don't know when Iolo will be back"

Mark asks Lleucu when Iolo said he would be back, but she does not know the answer.   He will phone to find out.   

"Do you think I'm a terrible person?"

“Do you think I’m a terrible person?” she demands, “You do.”

"I don't think that, Lleucu"

He sits down beside her and assures her that he does not think that.

"Dani has been very supportive"

Gwern says that Dani has been very supportive, especially since he came out of prison;  “And she helped me after Seren died.”   It is appreciated that he has been through a difficult time, 

"We are worried that she has been drinking"

but what is worrying social services is that Dani has been drinking.

When asked if that is true, Gwern maintains that he does not know;  “You haven’t seen her drink lately?” and he says that he has not.   “What about the smell of alcohol on her breath?”

"She had one small gin"

Now he says that she had one small gin, but that was because Gwern’s friend upset her.   “I have reason to believe that she's drunk more than that,” is the considered opinion of social services.   “Mrs Thomas?”   

"Is that right, Miss Thomas?"

She turns to look at Dani, who again acknowledges that she has had more than one, 

"I'm not drunk"

but insists that she is not drunk.

"She gave Dad those tablets on purpose"

At Y Felin, Lleucu continues to explain to Mark, “She gave those tablets to Dad on purpose, you know.”   He does not think that is true, but Lleucu is insistent that she must have.

"It's natural to find someone to blame"

Mark knows that it is perfectly natural to find someone to blame, after everything that has happened over the last few months.   “Exactly like Dani – but there’s no-one to blame.”

"I just want Dad to come home!"

“I just want Dad to come home!” Lleucu sobs, “Do you think Gwern will forgive me?

"You need to reach some kind of understanding . . ."

Mark does not know the answer to that, but maintains that all of them – her father, her, Dani and Gwern – need to reach some sort of understanding, 

". . . or I don't know where it will end"

or he does not know where this will end.

"Gabriel should stay somewhere else tonight"

The social services worker would be happier if Gabriel stayed somewhere else tonight;  “Is there any family who can take him?   Or I could organise urgent care.”

"He belongs at home with me . . ."

Dani is panicking;  “No - please – I just can’t – he belongs at home with me – 

". . . and its almost bedtime!"

“and it’s almost bedtime anyway.”   

"It's only for one night"

It is emphasised that this is just for tonight and they can discuss the matter further in the morning, when everyone has had a good night’s sleep.

"I could phone Colin"

Gwern comes up with the idea of phoning Colin to see if he will take Gabriel.

Tom has a sneaky look at his phone

Tom is looking at his phone when Gaynor calls to him and quickly hides the phone away.   “I’ve got a bit of a surprise for you,” she announces, “Have you got plans over the weekend?   

"We're going to the most romantic city in the world"

“Because we’re going to the most romantic city in the world – Paris.”

Tom looks less than enthusiastic 

He does not look exactly enamoured by the news as she goes on, “I’ve booked everything – a five star hotel – 

"And there's champagne in the room"

“and there’s champagne in the room.”

He wonders what he has done to deserve this and she says that she just wants to show him how much she loves him;  “And I’m sorry if I come across a little bit needy sometimes.”   

"You don't need to do this"

He says that she did not need to do this, but she begs him to agree to it.

Rhys and Hywel come into the Deri

In the Deri, Kelly has just been served with a drink when Rhys and his father comes in;  

"I'll pay for that, Kel"

Rhys offers to pay for Kelly’s drink, so she imagines that he has a guilty conscience.

He announces that he and his father have come to an arrangement;

Hywel hands over the other £500

Hywel hands over the other £500.   

"For the small price of what this time?"

Kelly suspiciously demands, “For the small price of what this time?   The Quantum Hydro Works theme tune to open the carnival?”

"We want you to put on the best carnival possible"

Hywel is insistent that they want her to put on the best carnival possible 

"Quantum Hydro Works will be a 'silent sponsor'?

and Rhys points out that Quantum Hydro Works will be a ‘silent sponsor’.   “There’s nothing wrong with asking for a bit of publicity,” Hywel comments.

"This is supposed to be a community carnival, right?"

Kelly is quite adamant, “This is supposed to be a community carnival, right?   Not a posh corporate do.”   Hywel suggests that he thought he could be on the committee, 

"You've got to be joking!"

so she laughs, “You’ve got to be joking!”

Even Rhys thinks that this is taking it a little too far, 

"Nope!"

but his father describes it as another pair of hands.   Kelly’s verdict is still, “Nope!”   

"It's up to you, then"

Hywel says that it is up to them and walks away.

"Be a good boy for Colin, OK?"

Dani is talking to Gabriel;  “Right, be a good boy for Colin, OK?   And I’ll see you in the morning.”   

Gabriel nods his agreement

He nods his head.   Colin stands anxiously nearby, then takes the boy’s hand, promising to look after him.

"We'll have a lot of fun together"

“We’ll have a lot of fun together, won’t we, kiddo?” he says, 

"Everything will be all right, Dani"

then assures Dani, “Everything will be all right, you’ll see.”   Dani tells her son that she loves him 

Off they go

and the pair of them leave the house;  they will see Dani in the morning.

"Look after her for me, Gwern"

Colin tells Gwern to look after Dani for him, then their two visitors also leave the house.   

Dani stares, uncomprehendingly 

Danny is left staring blankly into space, unable to believe what is happening.

Not again – what is he after this time?

Tom has sneaked to Deri Fawr again and Ffion demands what he is doing there.   “Are you on your own?” he wants to know, 

"Jinx and Arwen are upstairs"

but she points out that Jinx and Arwen are upstairs.

"I have to cancel our plans"

He has bad news for her;  “I’m sorry but I’m going to have to cancel our plans this weekend – I don’t want to, but Gaynor has organised a trip to Paris as a surprise.”

"That's nice for you"

Ffion is visibly disappointed;  “That’s nice for you,” she groans, 

"I'd rather spend time with you"

but he says that he would much rather spend the time with her.   “You could have sent a text to say that,” she remarks, but he maintains that he wanted to see her.

A toilet is flushed upstairs

The moment is interrupted by the sound of a toilet flushing upstairs, so he tells Ffion that he will bring her a present from Paris and quickly slips out of the house.

Dani is still drinking

At Maes-y-Deri, Gwern is pleading with Dani to stop drinking, but she takes no notice.   

"Where's the social worker?"

Mark returns and wonders where the social worker has gone.

Gwern explains, “She left – and so did Gabs – he’s staying with Colin tonight, but he’ll be back tomorrow – so there’s no point in falling out over this.”   Mark confirms that the boy loves Colin.

Then Lleucu slips in . . .

Then, in through the open door comes Lleucu;  

. . . and is ordered to get out

Dani wants to throw her out immediately, but Mark intervenes.   “I brought her here – so we can sort things out.”

"I'm so sorry, Dani!"

Lleucu sobs that she is so sorry and should have not phoned them;  

"Now I've lost two children because of your family!"

Dani’s response is to shout, “Now I’ve lost two children because of your family!   Do you and your father enjoy ruining peoples lives?”

"Who's made grieving much worse!"

Mark reminds her that Lleucu is only a child;  “Yes, a child who’s made grieving so much worse!” Dani rages, “You sent men to my house – and a ‘star’ balloon.   

"You're sick – do you know that?"

“You’re sick – do you know that?”

"Yes, she's far from innocent"

Mark is very much aware that Lleucu is far from innocent in all this, and Dani realises that she organised for her to go to Malcolm’s house.   

"Were you trying to get him to attack me again?"

“Were you trying to get him to attack me again?”

Lleucu repeats that she is sorry, but Danny shrieks, “Sorry – and everything’s fine now, is it?   

"Just go, Lleucu!"

“Just go, Lleucu!”   

Mark intervenes to prevent injury

Mark steps in to prevent her attacking Lleucu.

"You should have stayed here, Mark!"

She turns her anger towards Mark;  “You should have stayed here – Gabs could have slept in his own bed!” 

"It's not Mark's fault"

but Gwern tells her that it is not Mark’s fault.   

Another swig of vodka

She screams at Lleucu to get out, then pours out some more vodka, despite Gwern begging her not to do so.

"Stop blaming everyone else!"

Mark has reached the end of his tether and turns on Dani;  “Stop!   Stop blaming everyone else!   It’s not because of us three Gabriel isn’t here tonight – it’s because of you – 

"You're completely irresponsible and drunk!"

“because you’re completely irresponsible and drunk!   It’s true and it’s about time you took responsibility for the way you’re behaving, Dani!   

"Sort yourself out, will you?"

“Sort yourself out, will you?   Or Gabriel will be gone for more than one night!”

He storms off upstairs

He storms off upstairs, 

"Leave me alone!"

while Dani screams at Gwern to leave her alone, 

So she is left alone

which he does.