9 December 2025

Britt hurries along the road

Britt strides from MFC towards the shop 

"The fostering agency have phoned . . ."

where she informs Colin that the fostering agency has just phoned;  

". . . they need a family urgently"

“They need a family urgently for a little boy called Bili.   He only has his mother, poor dab, and she has problems – she can’t cope, she needs time.”

As he carries the tray of very nice looking sprouts, Colin demands, “You haven’t agreed, have you?”   

"He won't be with us for long"

She goes on that he is only six years old and will not be with them for long – until after Christmas, probably.

"I can't bear to think of him on his own"

“Col, no-one else is available and I can’t bear to think of the boy on his own at this time of year,” Britt continues, 

"And there's no-one else available?"

but Colin cannot imagine that there is no-one else available.   

"They're desperate"

“No – that’s why they phoned – they’re desperate.”

He points out that he is busy with the shop and the Christmas fair, not to mention the wedding, and he reminds Britt that she has not stopped, what with MFC and ‘DeriFarw’.

But you didn't discuss it with me first"

She simply replies that she has said OK, but Colin is not happy that she did not discuss it with him first.   “My heart was bleeding,” she tells him, “But don’t worry, I’ll do everything, honest!”

"He's coming this morning"

Colin enquires when the child will be arriving and is told that it is this morning, 

"Call in when you get the chance"

so he is asked to call in when he gets the chance.

"What are you doing here?"

Eleri is working on her laptop when Jinx walks in;  she demands what he is doing there 

"You gave me the key"

and he answers, “You gave me the key to come and fix the tap – don’t you remember?”

"I'd like to know you're coming"

She protests that she would rather like to know when he is coming, before he lets himself in, so he wonders what was the point of giving him the keys, in that case.

“I’m busy, Huw – but as you’re here, make me a fresh coffee, will you?”   

"Writing a letter, are you?"

He can see that she is writing a letter, but she does not want him to see, asking, “Is that all right with you?”   

"There are such things as e-mails"

He remarks that there are such things as e-mails these days and enquires to whom she is writing.

"One of Brynawelon's wrinklies"

“Father Christmas!” she snaps, “I’m trying to write a letter to one of Brynawelon’s wrinklies who had to go to hospital last night – just a personal word of comfort.   He’s on his last legs.”

Jinx comments, “You’re all heart, aren’t you?   

"Perhaps you shouldn't call them that"

“Perhaps you shouldn’t call them ‘wrinklies’ though.”

"Can't you fix the tap later"

“I’m not telling you again – I’m busy – can you fix the tap later?” she snarls, but he says that he came over to check she was still alive.   “Don’t be so clingy,” she complains.

"We have to put ourselves before our work"

He points out that they have been so busy recently, and that sometimes they have to put themselves before their work;  he insists that her letter can wait.

Britt has got out some toys

When Colin comes back to the MFC flat, he tells Britt that he has closed the shop for a minute to see if things are OK.   She tells him that she has done loads;  “His room is ready and I’ve been up to the attic to get some of Chester’s and Aaron’s things.   

"They all have memories and stories"

“I’ve kept all of the kids’ things – there are memories and stories attached to everyone of them.”

"This is Huwcyn"

She comes across a teddy bear, called Huwcyn;  “Teg gave Chester this when he was little – he took him everywhere for years.”   Colin can see that they are things to treasure and it is no wonder that she kept them.

"I'll keep him with me to cheer me up"

Britt thinks that she will keep Huwcyn with her to cheer her up on days when she does not feel too special.   

Bili has arrived

Then the buzzer sounds

Colin goes to answer the buzzer

 and she realises that Bili has arrived.

"I didn't think it would be so hands-on"

Jinx has made the coffee, as Eleri groans, “I didn’t think Brynawelon would be so hands-on.   

Siwsi has turned out to be brill with the wrinklies – 

"Sorry, clients"

“clients.”

"Talking of wrinklies . . . your father"

“Talking of wrinklies, is your father coming home over Christmas?” asks Jinx, “He must be embarrassed about what happened with Kath and Kelly.”   

"Dad's very thick-skinned"

Eleri is doubtful about that, pointing out that her father is very thick-skinned.   

"Where is he in Scotland?"

Jinx wonders whereabouts in Scotland he is, but Eleri neither knows nor cares;  “After he went behind my back with Kelly and the job at Brynawelon, 

"I don't care where he's gone"

“I don’t care where he’s gone – and I hope he stays for a long time.   It’s lovely to have the flat to myself again and it’s nice too have a spare room without anyone snoring in it – it will be handy.”

"Handy for what?"

Jinx wants to know what it will be handy for, 

"Indian head massage"

so she improvises, “I’m going to start an Indian head massage business,” then laughs when he says that he thinks that is amazing.   

“I’m joking, Mr Gullible,” she chuckles, “I love the fact you believe everything I say – 

"I just like personal space, Huw"

“I just like personal space, Huw.”

He is afraid that she will be on her own over Christmas, but she informs him that she does not do Christmas, then wonders whether he is going to fix the tap or what.   

"I'm sure APD will have the parts"

He is sure that APD will have the parts which he needs;  he will see her later.

"No, Mathew isn't here"

Howard is on the phone in APD;  “No, Mathew isn’t here – he’s gone to price up a job in Llanarthur – I’ll get him to phone you back.”  

"Parts for repairing taps?"

Jinx comes in and is directed to the parts for fixing the tap, then notices a box of Christmas decorations on the counter.

He finds the discarded decorations

“That’s old tinsel and things – Math was supposed to take them to the dump – it’s Sioned’s old stuff.   I’m not into this Christmas – it’s for children and families, really, isn’t it?   We never made a fuss when I was young, so I’m not bothered.”

"No-one should spend Christmas on their own"

Jinx is convinced that no-one should spend Christmas on their own and remarks that those decorations are OK.   

"Any plans for Christmas?"

Howard wonders if he has plans for Christmas;  

"Perhaps"

“Perhaps,” he mutters 

He takes the box with him

and takes the box away with him.

The Christmas Fair is planned

Rhys is sitting in the deli and tells Kelly, “Tamed and Cae Glas are separate – you and me with Y March Gwyn  and Ceffyl Du and a few other said they want a stall, too – and the brass band is booked.”

"The last thing I want is for things to be awkward"

She thank him for organising, but there is something else;  “Just . . . about last night– it’s not fine, Rhys.   The last thing I want is for things to be awkward between us.”   

"We're all good"

He protests that they are all good, 

"I'll make you dinner tonight"

so Kelly proposes that she should make him dinner tonight, just to thank him for being such a pal over the last few weeks.   

"I'm out this afternoon"

“That sounds lovely, but I'm out this afternoon, says Rhys, “Can we do it another time?”   

"I really do have to go"

Rhys looks at his phone and apologises that he really does have to go, 

"There's something else going on"

but Kelly is aware that there is more to it than that.

Jinx returns to decorate the flat . . .

Jinx is back at Cysgod y Glyn and this time Eleri is not there;  he has a Christmas tree and the box of decorations.   Taking off his coat, he gets to work, 

. . . and he has a present for Eleri

but first puts a present on top of her laptop, 

He notices something . . .

then notices a Post-it note, 

. . . HM Prison, St Clears . . .

with the postal address of His Majesty’s Prison, St Clears, 

. . . which he finds puzzling

which he thinks is rather strange.

The foster-child has arrived

In the MFC flat, Britt is sitting on the sofa with Bili, who is engrossed with his iPad;  

"How are you settling in, Bili?"

Colin comes in and announces that he has a big tub of ice cream.   “Sorry I took so long, but everything is arranged now – Llinos is covering in the shop.   How are you settling in, Bili?   Bili the kid.”   

There is no reply

There is no reply.

"He cried so much, Col"

Britt and Colin go into the kitchen where she informs him that she is heartbroken because he cried so much.   

"Are we doing the right thing?"

Colin demands whether they are doing the right thing, as the child is so vulnerable and they are so busy.   She insists, 

"We've done the only thing we could"

“We’ve done the only thing we could, Col – you try with him, go on.”

Britt will make sandwiches

She says that she will make some sandwiches now, but Bili does not show any interest.   Colin sits down on the sofa 

"I'd prefer a massive bowl of ice cream"

and tells Bili, “Do you know what?   I don’t feel like sandwiches.   I’d prefer a massive bowl of raspberry ripple, what do you say?”   

That brings a smile

Bili’s begins to smile, as Colin remarks, “I knew ice cream would put a smile on your face

"Champagne to go, please"

Jinx is at the Deri, ordering a bottle of champagne to go from Simon, behind the bar, 

"Are you celebrating, then?"

when Rhys comes over, commenting, “Are you celebrating?”

Jinx hopes so, but does not know yet;  

"It's hard to know where you stand with women"

“It’s hard to know where you stand with women sometimes, isn’t it?” Rhys sighs, “Can I ask you something?   I’m just trying to make sense of something.   You know Kelly better than most people in the village, don’t you?”

"Kelly's a complicated woman"

Jinx would not go that far, but does say that Kelly is a complicated woman;  

"Is there something going with Howard?"

“Do you think there is something going on between her and Howard?” is Rhys’ next question.

“Howard?” exclaims Jinx, “Well, to be honest, no.   

"There is some history of course"

“There is some history, of course.”   Simon brings over the contactless terminal and Jinx is surprised by the price of the champagne.   

Jinx objects to the price

“Typical – the day I decide to buy champagne, it’s not available in the shop!” he moans.  

He reluctantly pays with his phone, then returns to his conversation with Rhys, 

"Another one, please?"

who is eager to know about this ‘history’ he mentioned.   

"It's rather delicate"

“You don’t know?   Let’s sit down – it’s rather delicate.”

"We're so happy to have you here"

As Colin eats his ice cream, he tells Bili that they are so happy to have him there – and just before Christmas as well.   “You’re almost like a Christmas present for us.   

"We could pick a Christmas tree"

“Perhaps, if you fancy, tomorrow or the day after we could go and pick a Christmas tree together.”

Bili notices the Teddy

Then he notices Bili looking at the teddy bear;  “Have you ever seen a teddy bear as old as this before?   It’s very old – it’s prehistoric, aren’t you, Huwcyn?” as he introduces the teddy to Bili.   

"He's a very special little bear"

“He’s a very special little bear – he needs to be looked after because he’s a little bit shy, a bit vulnerable – here you go.   

"He needs a lot of love"

Be careful with him, because he needs a lot of love.”

Rhys is impatiently waiting

When Howard comes into the Deri he finds that Rhys has been waiting for him;  “I’ve been out on a job – is there a problem?” he says.

"You threatened to rape Kelly!"

“Yes, you!   You threatened to rape Kelly – you’re disgusting, do you know that?”   

"How did you manage to do that?"

Howard urges him to keep a cool head, explaining that he and Kelly have put that behind them.“How did you manage to do that?” Rhys demands.

"You have no idea how sorry I am"

“I apologised, good boy.   You have no idea how sorry I am for what I put her through – and if Kelly can forgive me, I don’t know why it’s your business.”

"I don't know how she could kiss you last night!"

Rhys snarls, “I don’t know how she could kiss you last night!”   

"That shows how incredible she is"

Howard agrees that neither does he know, but that shows how incredible she is – she believes that someone can change.

“Do you fancy her?” Rhys wants to know;  as Howard emphatically denies that, Kelly walks in.

"Whoa, whoa – what's going on?"

“Whoa, whoa!” she instructs them, “What’s going on?”   Rhys shouts that he cannot understand how she can be in the same room as Howard.

"OK, enough – this stops now!

“OK, enough – I don't know how this started, but it stops now!” warns Kelly.   Howard is about to leave, but she stops him;  

"I've come for a drink and that's what I'm going to do"

“I’ve come for a drink and that’s what I’m going to do.”

"Enjoy yourself, then"

Rhys jumps up to leave instead, hoping that she enjoys herself, 

"Don't be so childish, Rhys!"

so she squeals, “Don’t be so childish, Rhys!   Howard and I understand each other, OK?  I thought we did as well.”

"Shall I go after him?"

Rhys still storms out of the pub, with Howard offering to go after him;  

"There's no point – what a mess!

she tells him, “There’s no point – he’s being an idiot – what a mess!”

Eleri comes back

At Cysgod y Glyn, Christmas music is playing and Jinx has done some tasteful decorating when Eleri returns to the flat.   

"Merry Christmas!"

“Merry Christmas!” he greets her.   She demands what he has been doing and he replies that he is sharing some festive spirit, 

"I've got you a present, too"

as the lights on the Christmas tree are turned on.   “I’ve got you a present, too,” he adds.

"I've told you I don't do Christmas"

“I’ve told you I don’t do Christmas – you let yourself in again when I wasn’t here,” she moans, “I’ve had a long day and I really don’t appreciate you sneaking in without permission – 

"Clear this up while I'm in the shower"

“so I want you to clear this up while I’m in the shower!”

"I was only trying to do something nice"

He protests that he was only trying to do something nice, but she makes it clear that she does not want this rubbish in her flat – 

"And I want the key back"

and she also wants the key back.

Rhys, heading to the brewery . . .

Rhys is heading back towards the brewery 

. . . encounters Kelly, coming out of the Deri

when he sees Kelly emerging from the Deri;  he sarcastically asks whether she had a nice drink 

"Grow up, Rhys!"

and she snarls, “Seriously?   Grow up, Rhys!”

"Kel, how can you be all right with him?"

“Kel, how can you be all right with him after what he did to you?” Rhys demands.

"I've accepted he's not the person he was"

“I’m not all right with him after what he did to me – I’ve just accepted that he’s not the person he was, right?”

"And that makes it all right, does it?"

“And that makes it all right, does it?” sneers Rhys.

Kelly walks towards him;  “Do you know what?   There’s a lot you don’t know about my past – 

"In comparison with other men, Howard is all right"

“and in comparison to the other men I’ve had in my life, Howard is all right – because he’s done the one thing they didn’t – he’s apologised.   And I believed him when he said sorry.   

"I don't want to talk about it again, OK?"

“I don’t want to talk about it again, OK?   End of discussion – because it’s triggering!”

"I'm sorry, too, Kel"

As she turns to walk away, Rhys tells her that he is sorry too;  “Not just about this today, but because you’ve had such a tough time with men.”

"Thank you"

She is in tears as she thanks him and walks away.

"It looks a lot better in here"

Jinx has cleared everything up by the time Eleri returns from her shower, remarking, “It looks a lot better in here.   

"Don't say you're sulking?"

“Don’t say you’re sulking?   I made it clear how I feel about Christmas.”

"Why are you writing to Jason?"

He asks her, “Is there something going on?   Why are you writing to Jason?” as he show her the Post-it note.   “He’s Father Christmas, is he, in prison?”

"Jason?   Don't be soft!"

“Jason?   Don’t be soft!” she replies, grabbing the note from his hand, “I told you, I’m writing to the relative of a Brynawelon client.”   He points out that she did not mention a relative this morning, 

"There is such a thing as confidentiality"

but she reminds him that there is such a thing as confidentiality.

“Have you been going through my stuff?” she enquires, so he replies that he just happened to notice it as he was tidying.

"I understand you don't like Christmas"

“OK, Eleri, I understand you don’t like Christmas, but I do and I’d like us to spend the day together.   

"Is that so terrible?"

“Is that so terrible?”   

"Why didn't you say that, then?"

She wonders why he did not say that, instead of filling the flat with that cheap tat.

“So can we spend Christmas together?” he asks 

"Yeah, why not?"

and she grudgingly agrees.   Then he gets the present and gives it to her.   

"It's an Advent Calendar"

“It’s an Advent Calendar – I know you usually don’t like chocolates, 

"These chocolates are posh"

“but these are posh – and everyone needs and Advent Calendar at Christmas.”

She kisses him 

She says that it is lovely and kisses him, so he suggest that they could open the champagne and start again.   

She retrieves a hidden letter . . .

While he is fetching the glasses, she searches through a pile of documents on the chair

. . . and secretes is about her person

and retrieves a letter.

Then, changing her mind, she proposes that they keep the champagne for Christmas Day, as she fancies a nice bottle of red;  

"I'll get some wine"

“I’ll get it, don’t worry – it’s the least I can do after being so difficult.   I won’t be long.”

She leaves Cysgod y Glyn . . .

She walks out of the house 

. . . heads straight tot he postbox . . .

and crosses the road to the postbox;  taking the letter from her pocket.   

. . . looking at the letter . . .

Before posting it, she looks at it 

. . . addressed to . . . GARRY MONK!

and we see that it is addressed to Garry Monk, who is apparently prisoner number 327.