December 2013

Monday 2 December 2013

As Gwynfor watches, a taxi arrives and Darren gets out, greeting Kevin, his brother, who does not seem pleased to see him;  Sheryl comes out of her door and greets him.   He goes to Meic’s, where his mother and father are pleased to see him, although it is a surprise, and tell him he must stay with them.   Then he and Meic go to the Deri, where he is remembered by Ows;  despite Meic warning Kevin not to say anything, he admits to Darren that he raped Sheryl the night before his wedding.   This does not go down well, and Meic has to prevent Darren attacking Kevin.   Darren asks Meic why he was not told that the mother of his child had been raped by his brother.

Sheryl has hurried to see Anita, who advises her not to say anything, or it  could all blow up.   When Darren goes to see Sheryl and Wil in the Deri, Wil is thrilled to see him, and gets a rugby shirt, but Darren tells her he heard what happened from Kevin.

At home, Meic is quiet and Anita knows that something is wrong, so he reveals that Kevin has told his brother about the rape;  Anita is horrified to hear that he actually did rape her, and Meic has kept it from her.   Meic says they should see how Darren reacts.

In the Deri kitchen, Darren confronts Kevin, and asks how his brother could rape someone he said he loved.   Kevin casts doubt on whether Sheryl is the angel Darren thinks she is;  he ought to hear the whole story, and should ask her why she is free, and not in jail for attempted murder.   Darren thinks it is all lies, but Kevin says there are two sides to every story.

When he gets back to Meic’s, Darren demands why they allow Kevin to live there, after what he did, and Anita agrees that he should leave, despite Meic arguing he has nowhere else to go.   Darren is adamant he will not stay in the same house as Kevin, and storms off to Sheryl’s.   Anita is angry that Meic has deceived her as well as Darren;  when Kevin comes back, Meic tells him he has to leave the house, as he did not keep his mouth shut earlier in the Deri.

Sheryl tells Darren that Meic is a good friend, and that Wil is the only thing keeping her going;  she fell in love with Moc, whose only aim was to get to Wil, and he came close to succeeding.   After being assured by Sheryl that Wil is all right now, Darren sits silently, thinking, then gets up and walks out.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Darren sits on a park bench, talking on his phone, in English:  “That’s right, Wil Howarth.”   Dai sees Colin in the street and asks for a favour;  wanting him to look after APD for the afternoon, to be “the boss”, while Dai takes Diane for a surprise in Cardiff.   Colin fancies himself behind the counter, with his brown coat, then he finds some dusty gnomes out the back, and soon the shop window is filled with Christmassy gnomes.   

As Kevin leaves Meic’s, Anita calls him a “pig”, then Sheryl comes in, looking for Darren.   When she finds him in the park, she tells him how charismatic, profession and convincing Moc was, and how he tricked everyone.   Darren says that he understands, but it is obvious he is planning something.

Meanwhile in Cardiff, Dai’s car, T503ATX, parks near “Steele & Kynes, Cosmetic Surgery,” and when Diane hears that the surprise is a consultation there, she is incensed, calling it an insult.   His protestation that he thought plastic surgery was suitable for “a woman of your age” cuts no ice with Diane;  she says the only plastic she wants from him is his credit card.   Later they trudge back to the car, Dai laden down with bags of shopping.

When they arrive back in the village, a crowd has gathered outside APD, and Dai storms in, but calms down considerably when he sees Colin doing a roaring trade, selling the old gnomes to the villagers;  Diane presents Colin with a digital notebook (paid for with Dai’s card).   

Sheryl and Darren return to Meic’s, where they assure him they were doing what they thought best, to protect him, and that the affair has not affected Wil.   They stress that Kevin and Moc are the bad people in all of this, and mention that Sheryl went to rescue Wil.   “Rescue?” says Darren, incredulously.   While Anita and Sheryl are in the kitchen, mending their differences, Meic says he is glad that everything is out in the open now, and Darren agrees;  they will all go to the Deri.

Over a drink, Anita assures Darren that as families can get through anything, everything will be all right now, and Darren says “Yes!”   They drink a toast to “the family.”   Then Darren speaks:  “I’ve listened to all you have had to say, and given you a chance to tell the truth;  it hurts that you forgot about me the moment I left for Canada.   If you think I’m going to let my son be raised by selfish people who have forgotten how to behave, you’ve made a big mistake!   Wil is coming back to Canada with me!”

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Darren continues, “After how you have behaved, you can’t stop me;  I want my son to be safe.”   When Sheryl protests that Wil is all she has left, he says it is a bit late to think of that now;  he has found that his family acted like animals.   By now, voices are being raised, and Ed asks them to keep it down, or leave;  Diane says Darren can stay with them, and they all go, except Meic.   He asks Kevin if he is satisfied now;  Sheryl has been wronged by Moc and Kevin and now faces losing her son.   He says he is ashamed of Kevin, despite Kevin maintaining Sheryl is not the saint he makes her out to be.   

When Darren gets to Dai and Diane’s and has a drink, he insists there is nothing more to discussed, and he will not change his mind;  he says that moving to Canada was the best thing he ever did, and he wants Wil removed from Sheryl, who only thinks of herself.   In all of his Skype conversations with Wil, nothing about this was ever mentioned.   It is such a mess, and he does not want Wil in the middle of it;  then he leaves, to collect his bag from Meic’s, saying it is up to the family to sort it out.

When Anita proposes legal action to prevent Wil being taken, Meic is reluctant, but Anita is determined, going straight to Sheryl’s and encouraging her to fight to keep Wil, as she has by now lost heart.   Anita contacts her solicitor, who advises they have a very strong case, and Wil cannot leave the country without his mother’s permission.   Meanwhile, Darren walks in the dark, past the chip shop, to the premises of Moduron Monk and stands there, thinking, before returning along the High Street;  Kevin sees and runs after him, accusing his brother of not being fair to Sheryl.   Kevin says that he raped Sheryl, so he should be punished, but stealing a child from his mother will not change anything.   When Darren protests that he is Wil’s father, Kevin replies, “Yes, but you went away without him.   If you take him, it will be the biggest mistake you ever made.”

Darren shouts back, “Why should I listen to you, the man who raped Sheryl?”   By this time, the noise has caused Meic to watch from his window, and Sheryl and Anita come out into the street.   Darren continues, “You all make me sick!   I’m not going to waste my energy on a rapist like you!”   Sheryl screams at him that she has consulted a solicitor, and will never allow Wil to go;  Darren replies that she may have to.   

After accusing Anita of going after Sheryl’s leftovers, he snarls, “The Rape, Garry, Moc — I’m sure someone wants to hear my side of things!” then marches into Meic’s house, picks up his bag and strides off down the street.

Thursday 5 December 2013

Sheryl allows Wil to stay home from school;  meanwhile Darren has gone to Meic’s to put his arguments to them again.   He has thought it through and a move to Canada would be best for Wil;  he tells them it is a chance to help Wil, but Anita is angry.   Then he goes to Sheryl, who gives him a frosty reception, and they again argue, but Wil says he wants to go skating with dad.   In the end Darren takes him to the park.

Gaynor is very surprised when Lois appears and says she has left University, as she did not like the course, and when Gaynor argues, she says she will not change her mind.   Later she goes to see Colin, who eventually discovers that her reason is that her baby, Gwen, has become public knowledge, and she does not want to be “that schoolgirl who had a baby”.   She cannot face it any more, and wants to come home and live with her father;  Colin tries to persuade her to change her mind, but Lois wants to take a year off, then go to a local college.   Colin is adamant she does not want to live with an old man like him.   When he gets back from his shift at the shop, Lois is cleaning up, and intent on staying with him;  Colin insists, “It’s not going to work — you can’t run away.   When life knocks you down, you must deal with it, not hide.   Back to Cardiff first thing tomorrow!”   

As they play with a rugby ball, Darren tells Wil the advantages of coming to Canada, and Wil admits that “Cwmderi is boring.”   Darren reveals that he has already bought a plane ticket for Wil — for tomorrow — and that his mother will not be coming.   It is not just for Christmas;  “Haven’t you had enough of all that has been happening?” Darren asks, and Wil admits that he has missed his dad.

Meic has gone to see Sheryl, and tells her not to let Anita make her decision for her;  Wil would have a better life and more opportunities if he went to Canada.   “What right have you to tell me what’s best for my son?” Sheryl demands, and Meic asks if anyone has asked Wil what he wants.

When Anita visits Sheryl, she says her solicitor has advised to keep Wil’s passport and birth certificate safe, and not to leave him alone with Darren.   Sheryl panics, as she does not know where they are, and Anita says they could be halfway down the M4 by now.  A few minutes later, Anita calls the police, although Meic has gone looking for them.   As she announces that the police will be there shortly, Meic returns with Darren and Wil;  once again they all argue.   

Wil says, “We were only playing.   Dad asked me to go and live with him in Canada — for ever!”   Both Anita and Sheryl shout at Darren, who tells them that Wil has made his decision.

Wil tells them, “I’m staying in Cwmderi.”

Friday 6 December 2013

Darren prepares to leave, and says he does not want Anita at the airport;  Meic tells him he has been let down and treated shabbily.   Darren says that last night he asked Wil to go to Canada, and he wanted to, but did not want Sheryl to be lonely;  Meic tells him, “Do what is right for Wil — we both know what that is!”

Lois arrives back at the University in Cardiff, and argues with Colin;  when she goes down to the car, Gaynor rings Colin, who asks her to come, despite her worries with Hywel.   He eventually persuades Lois to go to a restaurant at the Bay, but she does not want to eat;  Colin tells her she must make the most of her time there.   Just as she gets up to leave, Lois is surprised to see her mother there, and says that the place reminds her of Gwen.

Wil answers the door to his father and Meic;  Darren asks Wil to repeat what he said yesterday about Canada.   Wil says, “I want to go, but I don’t want to make Mam unhappy;  she has been upset and not smiling lately.”   Sheryl puts on a brave face, and agrees that he should go, then they go upstairs to pack.   When Anita hears from Meic what has happened, she is furious, accusing Meic of orchestrating the whole thing, as revenge for “that business with Moc,” and says he is taking away the only thing that makes her life worth living.

Lois and her parents walk to the Millennium Centre, and she recalls Gwen, weighing 5lb 3oz, how Huw was so pleased and she should have been too.   They walk inside the building, as she remembers how she left Gwen in a cubicle in the ladies’ toilet, although she was supposed to protect her;  Lois thought she could forget her, “But she is always there!”   Colin assures her that Gwen has her own life now, and Lois should move on, one step at a time, starting today.   After a few minutes on her own, Lois announces that they should go — there is nothing there for her any more, and she is going out with her friends tonight.   Gaynor is glad she came, and compliments Colin on how he handled the situation;  she also says that Hywel should be returning home next week.

Sheryl tells Wil that she will come to visit him, and wants him to be sure to phone her on Christmas morning.   Meanwhile, Darren visits the Deri to warn Kevin, “You hurt Sheryl again, and it’s the last thing you’ll do!   The family has been torn apart because of you — just one step out of place…”   Kevin remains quiet in the face of this onslaught.

Sheryl is outside her door, hugs Wil, who is still worried about her, then he says farewell to Mam-gu;  Darren assures Sheryl that this is best for Wil, and they will try the arrangement for six months.   They get into the car, and Meic drives them away, past two other cars, turning by the Deri, outside which Kevin watches them go;  Sheryl walks disconsolately back to her house.

Monday 9 December 2013

In the shop, Eileen receives a text from Angela, wanting to meet this afternoon, so she gives Colin an extra shift, and tells Jim she is going to the cash and carry.   Gemma goes to the business units, where Dani is putting up decorations;  Dani senses that Gemma is troubled about something – “Who is he?” she asks.

Jim tells Sioned that he has bought her mother a first aid kit, after last year’s disastrous Flying Lessons present, so Sioned drags him off shopping for a proper gift.   Sheryl has a visit from Gemma, who invites her out for a drink, but she declines;  then she contacts Wil on the laptop and talks to him for a few minutes, telling him he has left his bag behind, but he is eager to go.   She disconsolately begins to put up the decorations, finds some stars made by Wil, and weeps.

Eileen meets Angela in a restaurant somewhere, where they talk quite amicably, and Eileen says that Sioned has to be told sometime about Angela being her half-sister, but Angela says that now is not the right time.   Sioned and Jim have made some purchases, and Sioned says this is her second Christmas without her dad;  when they need a coffee, inevitably they choose that same restaurant, and Eileen has some explaining to do as to why she is not at the cash and carr.y.   Both Eileen and Angela are aghast when Jim tells Sioned that, “Your mother and my ex-wife have decided . . .” but then they relax when he continues, “. . . to get along better.”   He also mentions, “Being honest with each other,” and that they should not have any secrets.   After Jim and Sioned have gone, Angela accuses Eileen of engineering the whole thing, forcing them togather;  she walks out, saying, “She’s had years of your time – don’t I deserve some too?”

Gemma has confessed to Dani that there is someone she likes, but kissing him led to nothing;  Dani advises that if she likes him, then tell him, as men panic when things happen too fast.   Meanwhile in the café, Colin is going on about targeting a younger audience, perhaps students.   He sees that Mark is not listening to a word he says, so he suggests that they launch themselves as strippers – full frontal night at the Deri!   Mark mumbles, “Yeah, great.”   He then reveals that two women are after him, to which Colin replies that they must be tough if they want to go out with him.   When told one is married and the other is much younger, Colin jokes, and Mark leaves, saying he wishes he was in Colin’s shoes;  “Life’s easier when you don’t have any hope of getting a woman!”

When Eileen returns home, she thanks Jim for not telling Sioned the secret, and he replies that she does not deserve to find out like that.   He stresses that Eileen told him he could trust her, but she is only going to do what she wants.   “How can I trust you?” he says, and as he leaves for Maes y Deri, adds, “Get Angela to come and keep you company!”

Tuesday 10 December 2013

When Jim returns to Eileen’s and says it is about time she was honest with him, she shouts, overreacts and gets the DNA letter out of the drawer;  he grabs it and rips it open, saying, “Anything to keep you happy!”   He reads it, and looks absolutely dumbstruck.

Gemma tells Dani that she is not going to talk to “him”;  meanwhile Britt advises Mark that it would be better if he and she were just friends, which removes one of his problems.   Then he asks her, if he he liked someone, should he worry what other people might say;  Britt says there are no problems if he is not hurting someone else.

Eileen says he was not ready to open the letter, and apologises for forcing him to do it;  Jim says, “I don’t know what I would do if I weren’t Courtney’s father . . . but it’s all right, and now it’s over.”   He hugs Eileen, who remarks that it proves that Angela is not as much of a liar as he thinks, and he should give her a chance.

Hywel has just arrived home from hospital, and is in some pain, but he cannot get much rest, as first Britt comes to thank him for what he has done, and then Dai invites him back as joint coach, as the team has been “cleaned up” and there now is a “zero tolerance” policy on drugs.   “The boys will be more pure than the Sisterhood at Bethania,” he says, rather gratuitously.   When he has gone, Gaynor rules that there will be no visitors tomorrow;  she says she did not realise it would be so hard for Hywel, but he insists that saving Arwen’s life was worth every second.

Eifion is hard at work at Penrhewl, cutting logs, and is tired out;  when he puts on his coat there is a bottle of tablets rattling inside, which he looks at, then throws away.   When he gets into the farmhouse, he finds Marian has gone to Bethania, so he heads to the Deri.

Dani advises Gemma that Mark is seen by some as a dodgy bloke, but he is sensitive and would not hurt anyone;  she should give him a chance.   So Gemma goes to Mark’s, and after initial awkwardness, he tells her that he did not want people to think he was taking advantage of her;  Gemma replies that she can make up her own mind – “It’s my decision as well,” she says.   Gemma starts to leave, but Mark calls her back and they kiss.   They talk on the sofa for some time, but Mark has to be up at four, so, after a goodnight kiss, Gemma goes, and Mark smiles.

When Eifion gets to the Deri, Dai is giving a pep talk to the team, and makes fun of Eifion’s tiredness;  later Ed goads him about Cadno’s absence, and not knowing what the name of the new baby is, so Eifion walks out.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Angela comes to the shop and agrees to have a meal with Eileen in the evening;  Sioned arrives and suggests the same thing, but Angela says she is busy, and Eileen will be doing paperwork.   Upstairs in the shop, Courtney comes in, asking if there are any Christmas cards, and Sioned directs her to that drawer, where she finds an envelope;  suspecting it may be her gig tickets, Courtney take a look, only to find the DNA letter, and rushes off.

Kevin sees Sheryl in the street and apologises for putting his foot in it with Darren;  Sheyl responds that Wil can have a better life in Canada, and will not have to see the man who raped his mother.   Debbie comes upon the argument, but Sheryl rounds on her, as it was her fault the accusation was withdrawn, otherwise Kevin might have been in prison.   Debbie reveals that she wanted revenge on Kevin, wanted him to lose everything.   Sheryl replies, “So you put me through hell so you could get the café?   You got what you wanted – I hope it was worth it!”

Dani and Garry are asking Gwern what he wants for Christmas:  a bike, a car, a farm, a garage like daddy’s?   Gwern’s answer each time is, “No.”   When asked what he does want, he says, “Mami.”   After he has gone to bed, Dani maintains that he ought to see Gwyneth in prison, but Garry is dead against it.   Later, Sheryl brings round a present from Gwyneth for Gwern, and when she says that children need their mothers, Garry becomes defensive.   He says that for years that is all he wanted – a mother, but as Gwern has settled so well, he does not want to spoil things now;  Dani insists that Gwyneth is still part of Gwern’s life, and Garry eventually says he will ring the prison.

Just as Eileen is going out, Sioned mentions Courtney finding something in the drawer, Jim looks, and finds the letter gone;  in a panic they rush round to Angela’s.   Meanwhile, Courtney is discussing the matter with Ricky, and comes to the conclusion she has a brother or sister;  Ricky advises her to go home and ask her father.   The others are convinced that Courtney has run away, with Jim and Angela having another row, and they call the police, but before they arrive, Courtney returns to her mother’s.   Jim is forced to admit that he had the DNA test to see if he was Courtney’s father;  Courtney is very disppointed that he thought her father was Ed, and Angela gets into another shouting-match with him.   Courtney says she gets into trouble for lying;  Jim is very sorry for going behind her back, and assures her that she will always be “his little girl.”   When Sioned returns, she berates Eileen and Jim;  Eileen admits that she pressured Jim to get the test done.   Angela is disgusted, and sends them all home.

Sheryl says that she used to admire Debbie for sticking with Kevin, but she had to reveal all the intimate details to the police.   Debbie was only interested in what she could get, and did not spare a thought for what Sheryl was going through.   Now she tells Debbie that she does not care about her;  it is her fault Kevin is still a free man.

Thursday 12 December 2013

As Britt is fitting the children’s nativity play costumes, Sheryl arrives with the Salon’s advert for the next issue of “CwmNi”;  later, in the cafê, Sheryl admits to Britt and Siôn that she complained and caused Britt to be banned from the production.   Siôn is very angry at this, telling Sheryl she has dragged down Britt with her, then Debbie wades in, saying she expects better from a minister, and pulls Ricky from the play.

In the shop, Sioned tells Eileen she is glad everything is now out in the open, and that Courtney has gone to school.   Garry and Dani are discussing how to handle the fact that Gwyneth does not want to see Gwern in the prison;  Dani says it is to protect him, and Garry agrees to have a word with Gwern, as long as Dani is there too.   Garry tells him that Mami will not be able to be home for Christmas, then Dani continues, telling him that Mami loves him very much, and the three of them are going to have a great Christmas.   Garry is very impressed with how good Dani is with Gwern;  “You put a smile on his face,” he says.

After Siôn has spoken to the Church committee, they reverse their decision, and invite Britt back to help;  Siôn says it is not the same without her, then Meic arrives, with the news there is no-one else to play the part of Joseph.   

When they meet, Angela tells Eileen that she thought her mother was on her side;  “I’m not a hobby, I’m your daughter.   Everyone blames me, Jim, Ed, Courtney, then I found you — and you messed it up too.”   Eileen’s phone has been ringing, and when she goes to answer it, Angela throws her bag to the floor, smashing the phone.   Eileen stresses that now she has found Angela again, she wants to be there for her – and for Jim.   Clearing up the contents of the bag, Angela sees a picture of two babies in Eileen’s wallet — John and Sioned, then Eileen produces another picture from underneath it:  the only photo of her other baby, and says she is not going to lose Angela again.   They make up once more, Eileen saying that she has made some mistakes, but they have been through so much together;  Angela gives Eileen her old phone as a temporary measure.

Siôn leaves a conciliatory message for Debbie, and Britt contacts all the parents to meet at 5:30 at the vestry.   Sheryl goes to see Debbie, who is busy on her laptop, and tells her nothing will change what she did, and she is a constant reminder of the rape.   Debbie warns her that losing Wil is never going to get easier, as she knows from Liam leaving home.   Looking at the café accounts on Debbie’s laptop, Sheryl sees they are in a terrible state, with whole months missing.   “Unless you want to go bust, you will have to sort this out,” she advises, adding that she has had to work at the salon accounts, and Debbie should not let it beat her.   “You’re the owner – show Kevin you’re stronger than him!”

Friday 13 December 2013

Siôn worries that the performance will have to be cancelled, but Britt advises talking to Mark, who says that Debbie should not make Ricky miss out because she is sulking;  he will talk to her.   Mark also sends a text:  “Drink tonight?”   When Garry gets back to his flat, Dani asks him to go with her to the children’s performance at the Deri;  he is not keen, but Dani tells him how she was once an angel at a similar play, and he agrees to go.

Mark goes with Siôn to the café to see Debbie, who insists that she will not change her mind, and as Mark is enquiring how long she has been a friend of Sheryl’s, she sees Meic passing outside and shouts, “Listen to me!” at him.   He responds that Debbie has not lost any of her manners;  then she simply states, “Come to the café after closing.”   When Siôn again asks Debbie to reconsider, she says if he is not buying, he should get out.

Jim goes to Angela’s to apologise for going behnd her back;  Angela suspects Eileen has sent him.  He says that everyone makes stupid mistakes, but this one has really hurt Angela.   In the café, as Iolo tells Siôn that Chester knows everyone’s lines, so he could stand in, Angela reports that Courtney is unwell, so they are left with no Mary either, and Siôn thinks they must cancel.   Britt resists this, saying that Megan and her friends will have won.

When Jim tells Eileen that apologising to Angela was not easy, Sioned reprimands him for what he did, and says she would not have forgiven her father if he had done that to her.   “After all,” she continues, “Mam did run off with his solicitor, and destroyed my life, like this can destroy Courtney’s.   You have no idea how children feel.”   Jim then asks Angela for a favour:  to ask Sioned not to be so hard on her mother, as Sioned is blaming her for the stupid thing he did.   

The performance begins in the Deri, with Britt and Siôn taking the parts of Mary and Joseph, and Gwern is conspicuous in the front row, playing a black sheep.   When the play ends, Gwern runs to his dad’s arms, and Garry realises why Dani wanted him there.   Mark has been waiting vainly for Gemma, when he gets home he texts her, asking, “Where were you tonight?”   After Angela has a quiet word with Sioned, she makes peace with her mother, although Eileen says she deserved a mouthful.   Meanwhile a group is singing round the piano, with Gwynfor giving it some volume.

As Meic has not followed her instructions, Debbie marches to the Deri and tells him he was supposed to go and see her, but he maintains there is nothing to discuss.   She argues that he should do some work in the café as he is taking the money.   She gives him a choice:  either work there or sell his share of the café to her.   When he protests that no bank would lend her a penny to finance this, she replies that she has talked to banks, and they regard the café as a healthy business.   She invites him to think about it and see her on Monday.

Monday 16 December 2013

Siôn and Britt are not talking, and he says he is going to meet the deacons.   When he sees Iolo later, he is told to talk to Britt and tell her how he feels.   Debbie is moaning about Meic, who has been invisible since Friday;  “Typical man,” she says, “Mention business, and he’s off.”

Dani dashes into the garage and says it should be decorated for Christmas, and despite Garry’s protestations that it breaches H&S regulations, puts up tinsel in the office, and Gethin says it looks like Garry’s Grotto.   Next she suggests a personalised Christmas card for all the garage customers, with Garry Dani and Gwern on the front.

Meic is at home, looking through old photos with Denzil and Derek, when Megan calls;  Meic tells her of the ultimatum Debbie has given him, and that he cannot stomach the thought of being with her all day.   As they walk up the alley together, Debbie approaches, shouting, “Oi!” at Meic.   She wants a decision, “Come back to work or sell up!”   Megan pointedly advises her to go back to the café, shut her mouth, and show some respect.   “You’ll get your decision when Meic is ready,” she answers.

When Siôn arrives home, he admits there was no meeting, but he just wanted to avoid talking to Britt;  he insists they have to sort things out, as this tension is not fair on any of them.   He is finding it difficult to forgive her, feeling more concerned about saving face, and because of that he will quit his role at Bethania.   Britt says that Bethania is part of him, but he is keen for them to stop hiding their feelings and talk.   They appear to be making progress, when Britt admits that she needed friendship when she left prison, and almost had an affair;  Siôn demands to know who the man was, and eventually she blurts out, “Mark Jones.”

Gethin is ready to take the photograph, and Dani insists that Garry wear a Father Christmas jumper, which he says will be going to Megan’s shop;  Gwern is in the middle, and Garry grimaces.   He warns Gethin that when Dani feels sorry for him and invites him to Christmas dinner, to make sure he refuses.   “The last thing I want to see is your ugly mug over dinner!”

Meic tells Kevin he has considered packing his bags and going back north, but Kevin advises him to go back to the café, keep an eye on her and find her weaknesses.   When Anita arrives, complaining, he tells her, “Unless you’ve got something new to say, go and bother someone else!”   Then Meic and Kevin walk slowly up the street towards the café, thinking that she will run it into the ground in a couple of months, then they can run it properly.

Siôn says he could understand if it were Hywel or Colin — but Mark Jones?   When Britt accuses him of being “such a snob”, he says she knows nothing about his past, as she was too busy moaning about her children’s home;  he was poor but had morals.   He says that Garry was to blame for pushing Gwyneth to do what she did, and Britt supported him.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Siôn wakes up, after having spent all night at the chapel;  Britt leaves a message on his phone:  “Where are you?   Come home.”   When he finally returns, Britt tells him she has started packing, and will try to find a place to rent in the New Year.   Siôn now realises he drove her into the arms of another man;  Britt says that laughing and joking with Mark made her forget the last few months, and he listened to her.   Siôn suggests they go to the Deri.

Debbie bangs on Meic’s door, and Anita tells her he has gone out;  “Send him to the café when he gets back,” Debbie snaps.   Actually he is in the Deri, telling Kevin that he needed time to think, and that Kevin should come back to his house;  he will deal with Anita.   

Arwen returns home from hospital, looking very well and vociferous;  Ffion and Jinx find that someone has decorated the flat – Ffion knows it was not Jinx, as it has been done tastefully.   Later Anita visits with a present for Arwen, and does not know who put up the decorations;  Jinx does online shopping for a tricycle for Arwen and a watch for Ffion.   Ffion muses that she feared she would not see the day when Arwen was home and they could talk about Christmas presents.

Gemma finds Mark in the café, and apologises for standing him up, as she lost track of time;  she says she will meet him in the Deri at lunchtime.   As she leaves, Meic comes in and Debbie pounces;  “Where have you been hiding?   Your answer had better be good!”   Mei replies that he will not sell, but will come back, with some conditions about hours and duties and that they do the books together.  She says he can start now.

When Mark and Gemma meet in the Deri, she says it is sweet that older men can get jealous, then Colin appears and cramps their style;  when Gemma leaves, she kisses Mark, Colin sees and overreacts, calling Mark a “pig” and remarking that she is only a couple of years older than Lois.   Colin is not sure if he wants to drink “with someone like you!” and says Ed will kill him if he finds out.   Then Siôn and Britt arrive, and Siôn invites Mark to join them.   Britt tells him that Siôn knows everything, and Mark is somewhat uneasy, as Siôn tells him he has been a good friend to Britt.

Kevin is pleased to see Meic back in the café “where he belongs”, and agrees to move back into Meic’s house;  when they arrive there, Anita is furious that he is back, but Meic explains that he is his son, and needs somewhere to stay.   Meic emphasises to Anita, “You’re only here because I took pity on you, and if you don’t like it, you know where the door is!”

Debbie invites Sheryl for a drink, and says as they are both alone they could spend Christmas together;  Sheryl makes excuses, so Debbie retorts, “Ricky and me are not good enough?   Right, have a lonely Christmas, snob!” and storms off.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

When Eifion comes into the café and orders a full breakfast, Ed, who is already there, leaves, saying, “The stink that’s just arrived is driving me away.”   

Ffion is worrying that Arwen is sleeping more, and Jinx tells her to get some rest, while he watches over the baby.   Gaynor returns home and says she wants to visit Ffion, and Hywel, tired of being cooped up there, goes with her, despite her reservations.

Jim tells Eileen that he is concerned that Courtney is still off school, and he will go and see her, taking a brown envelope from the drawer with him, against Eileen’s advice;  Angela assures him she will be all right in a few days, as it is a monthly problem, and she informs him that his little girl is growing up.   Courtney hears him, and, on receiving the envelope is excited:  “One Direction, I can’t believe it!”   Later Angela complains to Jim that he makes her appear as if she cannot look after her own daughter.

When Hywel and Gaynor reach Ffion’s, they are thanked profusely for all they have done, and Gaynor reveals she put up the decorations and Christmas tree;  as Ffion and Gaynor go to see Arwen, Jinx wishes that Ffion could stop worrying, as she is so tired.   He tells Hywel that saying thanks is not enough, and apologises for feeling jealous that Hywel could help and he could not.   Hywel protests that any father would feel the same;  “Except her real father,” replies Jinx, “I have not heard from Macs, and don’t want to.   Arwen is fine without him!”   Meanwhile, Arwen is very active, and Ffion assures Gaynor they will not forget the sacrifice they have both made for her;  Arwen is by now standing up in her cot.

Sheryl comes to the café to talk in private to Debbie, asking if the Christmas offer is still open, and giving her a bottle;  after initial hostility, Debbie agrees that she is lonely and says they should draw up a list of who cooks what and who buys what.   When Meic comes in to say the cafê is getting busy, and complains about her drinking, she tells  him to get downstairs before someone steals the till.

Jim and Eileen are in the Deri when Angela comes in, saying that Courtney will not stop talking about One Direction.   Jim offers to buy Eifion a drink, but he refuses, as it is Ed who is behind the bar, and leaves.   As Hywel and Gaynor head towards the Deri, Ed calls Eifion, who is across the street, and begins to taunt him.   While he was in Cardiff yesterday, he bumped into Cadno and her two sons;  he tells Eifion that Bobi has grown, and shows him a photo of the baby, but has been told not to reveal his name.   After jeering that he is not much of a father, not knowing his son’s name, Eifion goes for him, just as Hywel sits at the table outside the Deri.   The two of them knock Hywel to the ground, and Gaynor screams at them to stop, then rings for an ambulance, as the fight goes on.

Thursday 19 December 2013

As the brawl continues, and Gaynor shouts at them to stop, Garry appears and tries to break it up, but is on the receiving end of a punch from Ed.   As he reels backwards, they resume, but Garry tries again, with Sioned and Gemma coming out of the Deri.   Eifion tells them that Ed had a photo of the baby on his phone, and that the drugs are making him behave like this.   As Garry walks away, Gethin is watching;  Hywel is taken away in the ambulance.   When Garry gets home, Dani is looking at one of the cards, with “oddi wrth Moduron Monk” inside;  she suspects that Garry has been fighting, but he explains Ed and Eifion would have killed each other, and Eifion said something about drugs.   Meanwhile Gethin tells the police that Garry attacked the other two.

Gemma asks Ed why Eifion alleged he was on drugs, when Sioned comes in, she knows it is true;  he has repeatedly lied to her, and she tells Gemma, “All he does is lie and swallow that poison!”   She also reveals that when she tried to “keep an eye on” Ed, he grabbed and bruised her arm;  “He loses his temper if you look at him the wrong way!” she says.   Gemma says that he has let her down and she is leaving the Deri.

The police arrive at Garry’s, and when they leave, he fears he will be going to prison, as he has a suspended sentence;  he suspects Gethin, but   Dani urges him to keep calm and not to confront him.   There were a lot of other witnesses.   As Gemma leaves the pub, she tells Ed he does not know what honest means any more;  he should grow up and sort his head out.   Angry, he goes upstairs and blames Sioned for making Gemma leave.   Sioned says she is not the one taking steroids;  he shouts, “Why did you have to open your mouth?” and goes to hit her, but she calmly replies, “Go on then.   Hit me, if it makes you feel better.   I’m moving out – there’s nothing for me here.   You want to be a big, macho man, all you are is a pathetic little man.”

Ffion goes to the hospital and sits with Gaynor;  Hywel’s scar has reopened and the doctors are with him.   Ffion says that Jinx can look after Arwen, but she should be with Gaynor, who says that no-one but Eifion is to blame.   Gemma appears at Mark’s house, looking for somewhere to stay, and Sioned goes to Penrhewl, where she tells Eifion that she has at last seen Ed for what he really is.   “You make the tea, and I’ll fetch your bags,” replies Eifion.

Dani tells Garry she is going to collect Gwern, but actually goes to tell Gethin to retract his statement, as they both know the fight was between Ed and Eifion, but Gethin refuses.

Friday 20 December 2013

Hywel is still unconscious and Gaynor is very worried.   Ed tries unsuccessfully to phone Gemma, then Sioned.   Eileen goes to Penrhewl, but Sioned tells her to stop fussing.   Dani has a nail appointment, but Garry wants her to cancel, as he may soon be in prison;  she asks him to take Gwern to nursery.   In the café Meic is talking to Jim when Ed comes in, looking for Sioned;  Jim says that leaving him is the best thing she has done.

Dai and Diane go to the hospital, where they learn that there has been no change, with internal bleeding continuing.   Dai calls it an accident, but Gaynor stresses this was not, as two rugby club members were at each other’s throats, like madmen, under the influence of steroids, and that she knows where they got them.   

Eileen returns home and tells Angela that Sioned does not want to discuss it;  she then invites Angela to accompany her to John’s grave to take some flowers, as she does each Christmas.   At the cemetery, Eileen says that it has been twenty years, and she was so distressed that she had lost another baby, but she could not tell Denzil about her first.  They agree to meet again, but not for Christmas dinner.

Dani calls at the Deri, where there is a sad lack of customers;  she tells Ed that no-one wants a pub where the landlord fights with customers.   She begs Ed to tell the police that Garry was not involved, but he is scared of losing his licence.   When Eifion arrives there, Ed tells him he is not welcome, but he is accompanied by Dai and Jim, with Dai laying down some new rules, after he says it is not looking good for Hywel;  they have been taking drugs, but from now on steroids are banned from the club — “Take them and you’re out!”   Eifion has no problem with this, but Ed looks troubled.   In the café, Meic gives Debbie “an early Christmas present” – a demand for rent for the flat;  he says she cannot expect to live rent-free.   “There’s no hurry — Monday morning will be fine!” he says.

Dani returns home, and Garry asks her to have a word with Gethin to retract his statement;  she says she has already tried, but there are a lot of people who saw what happened.   Eifion goes to the hospital, and is shocked to see Hywel;  then he is told by Gaynor that he should be at the police station, taking the blame.   She warns that if anything happens to Hywel, she will make sure he is punished.

Meanwhile, Ed tracks down Sioned at Penrhewl, and despite her making it plain it is no-one’s fault but his, he pleads for her help in kicking the habit.   She disposes of the steroids, but will not promise anything;  she will help him, but not get back together with him.   Then Eifion returns, and tells them that Hywel has deteriorated;  the infection could destroy the rest of his liver, and he is not responding to the drugs.   “What if he dies?   We could be accused of killing him!”

Monday 23 December 2013

Gaynor is told that Hywel’s condition is deteriorating and that he needs an immediate emergency operation to stop the bleeding.   Sioned returns to the Deri, where Ed tells her that he is scared of hurting someone else, that Gaynor and Rhys are suffering, and that he would kill anyone who put his wife or children in danger.   He begs her to help him control himself.   Gethin taunts Garry that he thought he would be “inside” by now, and Garry responds by telling him there are two more cars to be repaired.

Ffion arrives at the hospital with Rhys, who is blaming Gaynor for everything;  when she says there is nothing they can do, Rhys says. “Yes there is!” and storms off.   Gaynor tells Ffion she could not cope without Hywel.   Britt is at the Deri, and asks Ed to tell the police that Garry was not involved;  again Ed is afraid of losing his licence, and he is also suffering from sudden headaches.   On his way to the Deri, Rhys sees Lois and tells her that Ed was responsible for his father’s condition;  he confronts Ed, who is in imminent danger of hitting Rhys.   Britt breaks it up, and Sioned orders Ed upstairs, while Rhys shouts that he will pay.   Upstairs, Ed realises he lost control again, and says to Sioned, “What have I done?”   He tells Sioned she had better go, as she would be better off with Eifion.   She responds that once the steroids are out of his system, he will be the old Ed again.

Dani goes again to Gethin, and orders him to phone the police, “Say what you have to – that you made a mistake!”   While he is phoning, Britt arrives, but Dani manages to stop her.   After the call, Gethin tells Dani that she would be better off without Garry.

Rhys tells Lois that what his father did is incredible:  he could never do that to save a child, and that it must be so disappointing for him to have a coward for a son – “I couldn’t even hit Ed!”

Back in the garage, it is Garry’s turn to taunt Gethin, “PC Plod doesn’t like timewasters;  maybe I should let you go early, so you can pack toothpaste and a jumper – it’s cold in the cells this time of year!”   Then Garry starts the car, and deliberately envelops Gethin in a cloud of exhaust fumes.

As Ffion is trying to reassure Gaynor, Rhys and Lois arrive;  Ffion tells Rhys to stop taking it out on Gaynor.   Then a doctor comes in with the news that they managed to stop the bleeding;  they need to watch him for a few days, but things look promising.   She says they should come back tomorrow, but Rhys leaves, muttering, “I’m not important enough to see him.”

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Gaynor is reassured by the doctor that Hywel’s blood pressure is now stabilised and he is recovering;  he manages to speak a few words to her.   Outside the shop, Angela approaches Eileen, who tells her that Sioned and Ed are joining her and Jim for Christmas dinner.   Lois gives Colin the bad news that she will not be coming to dinner with him tomorrow;  Rhys cannot contact Gaynor, so they go to the hospital.   When they arrive, they go to see Hywel, who is very pleased to see them, and urges them to get on with Christmas despite his absence.

In the café, Meic arrives to collect the rent, but Debbie says she is too busy to sort it out.   Later, he is back there again, saying, “How many more times do I have to ask?”   Debbie replies, “No!”   He tells her he has no choice but to evict her.   Despite her protestations about being thrown on to the street, he insists, “Two hours to pack your bags;  I want you out!”   Back home, Meic has three phone calls to say that people have cancelled their taxi bookings;  he tells Anita that Debbie has been taking advantage, and he wants her out.

Jim is having a quiet pint in the Deri when Courtney arrives, saying that as Angela will be alone for Christmas day, she wants to organise a surprise for her today;  Jim tries unsuccessfully to dissuade her.   Eileen secretly goes to Angela’s and gives her a pendant, “the same colour as your eyes.”   Angela says she is so lucky to have found her family.   They are soon disturbed when Jim, Sioned and Courtney appear as a surprise;  Jim confides to Eileen that he tried to stop it.   Sioned admires Angela’s pendant and is told, “Mam gave it to me,” which makes Eileen uneasy;  when Courtney and Sioned go upstairs, Eileen is insistent she does not want Sioned to find out that she and Angela are sisters.   “Now is not the time to tell her the truth.   Sioned doesn’t suspect, and I want it to stay that way.”  Angela thinks that finding out would not hurt her.   They all enjoy the party, and Angela says they are all “like family” to her.

When Meic returns to the café, “Like something out of Dickens,” he has had a change of heart and says Debbie can stay until after Christmas.   Debbie asks, “Did three ghosts pay you a visit?   Merry Christmas, Scrooge!”

Colin is resigned to a lonely Christmas, but Lois and Rhys turn up, saying there is no food at Llwyncelyn, which cheers him greatly, and he wishes he has bought more sprouts.

Hywel sleeps in his hospital bed, and Gaynor is sleeping beside him.

Wednesday 25 December 2013

✜ DOUBLE-LENGTH CHRISTMAS EPISODE ✜

Diane’s kitchen is a mess after Dai and some mates had a session last night;  she is going to put flowers on Graham’s grave.   Dai can get nothing right:  he has bought the wrong drink, and gives her a pair of size 22 tights.   Eifion reports to Marian that he forgot to lock up the chickens, and they have been taken by a fox;  she tells him that he has a lot on his mind

Meanwhile, inside a house in a Cardiff street, Cadno and Bobi, together with the new baby, are preparing for Christmas;  Macs comes in unexpectedly, and insists on holding baby Arthur, saying that they will all be together for Christmas, as they are more like a family now.   He would like to go for a walk after dinner, and recalls that he went to Pont Mynach before his mother died.   Cadno remarks that he is her landlord, not her husband, but he reminds her that she is two months behind with the rent.   Bobi’s new car came from Eifion, who left it with Cadno’s brother.   When Macs goes out, she starts packing her bags.

Diane drives to the cemetery, leaves her handbag on the seat, and while she takes the flowers to the grave of Graham Francis, it is stolen;  she finds a woman on a bench who befriends her, taking her home, to cancel her cards.   The woman, Shirley Hopkins, has an expensive house, financed by her four husbands;  she says she has been in the right place at the right time, and grabs every opportunity.   Diane invites her to spend the day with her and Dai.  

As Cadno is almost ready to take the children and leave, Macs returns, dressed as Father Christmas, having made plans for them, objects that she was going back to Penrhewl without telling him and blocks the stairs to prevent her leaving.   She pushes past him, he loses his balance and falls headlong down the stairs, ending up unconscious at the bottom.   In a panic, she picks up her bags and the baby, and with Bobi beside her, walks away along the deserted street, realising when she arrives at a bus stop that there is no service on Christmas Day.

When Diane and Shirley get home, Dai is in the doghouse for burning the turkey, which looks “like it’s been to the crem”, and Shirley tells him he has been “a naughty boy!”   She says her second husband, Hubert, once bought her a filing cabinet, handy as divorce involves a lot of paperwork.

Eifion answers the phone, to find it is Cadno, who says, “I want to come home!”   He arranges for a taxi to bring her home and when she arrives, Marian is very glad to see her and Bobi.   They walk out in the field, and Eifion asks why she kept the children away from him;  he wants her to stay, and for them to be a family again.   Cadno says that when he betrayed her, she hated him, but now she no longer does.   They eat dinner, and plan that tomorrow they will collect all the stuff from Cardiff, including Bobi’s favourite car.   Eifion wants their relationhsip to work, but they must be honest with each other.   Cadno says she thought she was doing the right thing, but got it wrong.   When a police car arrives at the farm, she thinks they are looking for her;  in fact it is about stolen quad bikes.   Eifion eventually extracts the truth from her, that she has been living at Macs’ and thinks she has accidentally killed him.   While they are outside, Macs arrives at Penrhewl and talks to Marian, but when she goes upstairs to Bobi, Macs abducts baby Arthur, driving away with him as Eifion and Cadno return.   After the police have been and taken the details, Cadno remembers Macs mentioned Pont Mynach, so Eifion drives her there.

After Dai has given her Gym membership as a present, and she says he regards her as “Two Ton Tessie”, Diane goes out to Anita’s, and while she is gone, Shirley turns on her man-eating charms, and ends up in a passionate clinch with Dai;  as might be expected, this is when Diane comes back.   With all the exertion, Dai collapses in pain, but Diane has seen this act before and dismisses it.   They do eventually call an ambulance, and find it was an attack of angina.   Diane cannot believe that Shirley “tried it on” with Dai, but she reveals she was talking to the old man at the cemetery as that is where elderly widowers go, and they do not have ex-wives wanting their money.   When Diane goes in to see Dai, she berates him, saying that if he had suffered a heart attack, her last memory of him would have been, “You snogging Zsa Zsa Gabor!”

Eifion and Cadno reach the bridge and find Macs there;  Eifion says he is lucky the police are not there.   Macs reveals that he took Cadno to hospital and was present at the birth;  he says he thought he meant more to Cadno.   He has lost everything, family, friends and job and was driven out;  he says he could have been a good father to Arwen, and begs Cadno to come back to Cardiff.   

“What planet are you on?” shouts Eifion, and asks Cadno, “Do you want your son in the arms of some nutter?”   When Macs hands baby Arthur back to his mother, Eifion warns him, “Come near my children again, and I’ll kill you!”

Later, Iolo runs across the bridge, finds Macs and tells him he is taking him home.   Meanwhile at Penrhewl, Cadno says she has made so many wrong decisions that she is going away “for a while” to get herself together, and leaving the children with Eifion and Marian;  she has ordered a car, and despite Eifion’s protests, Cadno departs from the farm.

Thursday 26 December 2013

Mark wakes up and tells Gemma he has “a head like a bucket!”   Angela goes to ask Debbie to come shopping with her;  Ricky does not want to go to his father’s, as “someone else is keeping him busy.”   Mark has no food in the house for Ricky, so Gemma volunteers to get some from the Deri, as she has been scoffing it.

In the Deri, Ed is bewailing the quiet day he had yesterday because he landed Hywel in hospital.   When Gemma arrives and tells him where she has been, he demands what she means by “staying with” Mark, as he is old enough to be her father;  Gemma reminds him he is old enough to be Sioned’s father, and says she does not want to be under the same roof as a “druggie.”   She tells Sioned that Ed is two-faced, and leaves with a bag of food.

When Colin gets to Mark’s he is told Mark has had the best Christmas for years;  as he tidies up the mess, Gemma returns, closely followed by Angela and Debbie, who says she heard he has a “lodger,” and that Ricky does not want to cramp his style.   Mark finds Ricky in the café, helping himself to a plate of food, and explains that he was lonely at home;  Ricky says it is “A bit weird, but nothing about Mam and you surprises me any more.”

Colin comes into the Deri and tells Ed that it is, “Jingle all the way at Maes y Deri with Mark and Gemma,” which angers Ed.   Back at Maes y Deri, where Gemma is preparing dinner, Ricky tells Mark, “You’ve got no chance!”   Jim goes into the Deri, saying that Eileen is watching The Sound of Music, again.   As they walk towards the pub, Gemma thanks Mark for the roof over her head and for making her laugh, but he is apprehensive, saying that people will talk;  as they enter, Angela and Debbie are back from the sales.   Then Colin dangles his santa hat, festooned with mistletoe, above Mark’s head, saying, “Don’t be shy!” so Gemma emphatically kisses him, while every eye is upon them.   

This rouses Ed’s ire, and he drags Mark to the other side of the room, snarling, “I’m not happy about this set-up.   Gemma’s like a daughter to me, and I don’t want you anywhere near her – understand?”   Back behind the bar, Ed tells Sioned he wants something to calm him down, and goes upstairs;  he rifles through several drawers, until he finds a hidden bottle of tablets. 

Mark tries to downplay what Ed said to him, Angela maintains that if Gemma is happy, that is her business, but Jim thinks it is not right.   Gemma explains to Courtney that she is with Mark, because she could not stay at the pub, and Courtney is fine with it.   Debbie approaches Mark and refers to Gemma as “Lolita,” while Colin starts singing, “O come, all ye faithful,” being joined by Gwynfor and all the rest.   Sioned goes upstairs and finds Ed with the tablets on the table in front of him;  “I don’t want to,” he says, and Sioned clears away the tablets.   He hugs her and says, “Thank you.”

Friday 27 December 2013

Meic has collected up his unwanted Christmas presents for the sale at the Deri which Sioned has organised in aid of the Maenan Appeal.   When Anita complains about the smelly cheese in the fridge, he has an idea.   Sioned tells Ed to take it easy, and she will run the bar, but when he finds out about the sale, he is not happy.   Meic calls at the café flat, secreting malodorous cheese crumbs in the curtain hem and behind the radiator, before taking the rest to the sale.   Sheryl looks at the card from Wil, then receives a text from Sioned, inviting her to the sale.   Ffion is working on the laptop in preparation for the school inspection, and Jinx feeds Arwen;  he is not keen on this sale, but Hywel has asked him to present the CwmFM show from there.

At the Deri, Mark tells Britt how well he is getting along with Gemma, then sells Sioned some Christmas lights (which did work three years ago), Meic comes in with an ironing board, and Megan decides the Punch needs more of a “kick”’ so adds some more alcohol.   Siôn has been to see Hywel, and tells Ed that he is going to be all right, but Ed says, “No thanks to me;  I’ve never felt so guilty.”   He adds that he has to make amends for what he has done.   Outside, the food stalls have been set up, with Colin selling “fried” chestnuts as they did not roast in time, Gethin and Iolo, hotdogs.   Jinx interviews them live on air, then leaves Ed in no doubt that he is not there to support him.   

Inside, Ffion arrives with a load of candles, saying that teachers get thousands of them.   Britt takes exception to this, as one of the candles came from Chester, and she tells Ffion she is lucky to get anything;  they do not get presents in the chip shop.

After Megan has addressed the throng and thanked them for coming, and Sioned for organising an “excellent event”, she staggers back, presumably under the influence of the punch, collides with Ed and spills drink down his shirt;  to Sioned’s immense relief, he does not lose his temper, but retains his composure.   When he has changed the shirt, he tells Sioned that this has been an amazing day, and admits he has been difficult to live with;  she agrees wholeheartedly with this.   “I could never have got through this without you,” he says, and kisses her.   Back downstairs, he announces that the Deri will double what the Appeal has raised.   Sioned has printed pictures from Megan’s camera;  Megan says that the pictures of Meic and her look like two young lovers, much to Anita’s disgust.   

Sioned and Ed finally get the lights around the door to work.   Britt gives Siôn a late present, a jumper;  Colin has been given some wax strips, so Sheryl applies one to his chest – he shouts in agony!

Ed thanks Sioned for everything, and kisses her;  all the lights go out.

Monday 30 December 2013

Gaynor is panicking, with Hywel coming home tomorrow, and the school inspection looming.   She has no garlic, and has to go to the school, as she has enlisted Mark to help with some decoration;  Lois has a phone call from Rhys, who is suffering the after-effects of a night out with his college friends in Carmarthen, then goes to the shop for garlic.   She tells Colin that she is worried about Gaynor, who is getting obsessive, but Colin says she likes being busy;  he is trying out the walking poles she gave him, in the shop. 

Ffion calls at the café and remarks on the strange smell;  they will not have any customers if it continues.   Meic says if Debbie cannot look after the flat, she will have to move out.   Mark comes home and gives Gemma an expensive necklace and bracelet;  she says giving her jewellery is like her giving him, a postman, a stamp collection.   Later Ffion calls on Gaynor, insisting on putting the kettle on, but Gaynor seems unable to rest and must be busy all the time.   When Lois returns, she says she will deal with everything, while Gaynor goes to the school.

When Dani walks out of the café because she cannot stand the smell, Debbie resolves to find the source, but Meic insists he will investigate.   She is suspicious, and finds him removing the cheese from its hiding places.   Meic reports that he found something unpleasant down the sink, but Debbie tells Mark that he was hiding cheese, because he wants her out, but, “I’ll embarrass him so much!”   

Dani remarks to Gemma that her jewellery is very expensive if they are “just friends,” but Gemma thinks it may be more than that.   Upon being invited to the Deri tomorrow night, Gemma says that she would not be welcome there;  Dani advises her to do what is right for her.   In any case, Ed must be sorting himself out, as Sioned has moved back in.   Ffion tells Colin in the shop that Gaynor looks pale, but he simply refers to her as “superwoman.”

At school, when Mark arrives, Gaynor snaps at him and later loses her temper, telling him to leave her alone.   He persuades her to go home, as she is overdoing things, and he will sort everything out there.   When she gets home, Lois has put the meat in the fridge, there is a pizza in the oven and she has cleaned the kitchen.   Gaynor’s response is to blame Rhys for not being there to help;  then she sits at the bottom of the stairs, hyperventilating, and looking likely to burst into tears.

Tuesday 31 December 2013

Most of the village are at the Deri, celebrating, but Courtney says her mother wants to be alone, so Sioned goes to get her, telling her that no-one should be alone on New Year’s Eve;  eventually, Sioned persuades Angela to come to the Deri. 

Gaynor is still busy, preparing the meal for Hywel, then he arrives and they all fuss over him.   While Hywel tells Rhys that this has affected Gaynor, she is fussing in the kitchen, and finds to her dismay that the roast potatoes are burnt;  she has a panic attack, and Lois wants to call an ambulance, but Gaynor forbids it, and tells her not to say anything to Hywel.   Lois does tell Rhys that she thought it has a heart attack.

In the Deri, Courtney admires Sioned’s make-up, so she agrees to give her a make-up session, together with Angela;  Courtney is very pleased with the result, and takes a photo of the three of them;  when she goes down to show Eileen, they are glad she gets on so well with Eileen.   Sioned says, “When I was her age I couldn’t stand Mam, only Dad, as I could twist him round my little finger.   There’s something about Christmas that makes you think of the people that are really important.”   More details of Angela’s unhappy childhood come out, including her adoption, and when Sioned assumes she has never seen her real mother, Angela tells her that she does not understand;  crying, she says, “I have no choice any more;  Eileen is my mother.   We’re sisters!”

Sioned’s immediate reaction is, “You’re off your head!”   Angela tries to explain that Eileen, having a baby at sixteen, did not have any choice, but Sioned shouts, “I thought we were friends;  you need help, and I don’t want to hear another word!”   Despite Angela’s protestations that it is the truth, Sioned continues, “This is nuts – worse than that, it’s sick!   Whatever game you’re playing, I haven’t the patience;  you’ve made a fool of yourself!”   Then they have to pretend that nothing has happened, as Eileen comes to see where they are.

Lois has prepared the dinner, venison (“Poor Rudolph,” says Hywel,) and after dinner it is not long before Hywel goes to bed;  Gaynor says she has a bug, so will sleep in the spare room.   Lois and Rhys open a bottle.

Back downstairs in the Deri, Sioned is very quiet, as Ed counts down to the new year, then he kisses her, Garry and Dani kiss, and Dani tells Garry and Gethin that their new year resolution is to be nice to each other.   Angela hugs Courtney, then Eileen hugs Angela, while not looking happy.   Jim encourages lusty singing, then Eileen says it is time to go, and she hugs Sioned, who is still confused.   Ed tells Sioned, “Thanks for believing in me – the new year will be a better one,” and kisses her.

As Gaynor lies on her bed, the fireworks explode outside.