26 February 2014 (2nd)

Another anonymous note to add to Jinx's worries

Jinx is on the phone to Ffion, who is away for a couple of days, and tells her that everything is fine;  he does not mention the latest letter, which reads, “Don’t think I have forgotten you.”   When he tells Hywel, he thinks it is the work of a crank.   Hywel has appointed Anita as a CwmFM producer, who will be working with Jinx on the “strippers” programme, which does not go down particularly well with Jinx.

Garry, preparing Dani for her CwmFM interview with Anita

Garry is giving Dani a mock interview, with a hairbrush as microphone in preparation for CwmFM’s interview;  he tells her he will treat her to a meal tonight . . . if she does well.   When Anita comes with her recording equipment to the salon, Dani is nervous, and afterwards Sheryl is put out that she did not mention the salon at all.   Dani apologises, and invites her to the Deri in the evening.

Colin asks Gaynor why she does not want him as a stripper, and she is understandably afraid he will act the fool, but does eventually capitulate.   Later Jinx talks to her and Gethin about the idea;  then Jinx visits the shop. 

Colin:  "You're getting big!  What do they feed you on?  Fertiliser?"

Colin picks up Arwen from her pram, “Come to Uncle Colin,” he says, and underneath her, Jinx is upset to find another note:  “You’re not fit to look after Arwen.”   

This note leaves Jinx highly unsettled, as it involves Arwen

He still suspects Anita, and tells her so, “Sly and underhand, just your style,” he says.   Anita is hurt that he could think that;  Hywel advises him to call the police.   WPC Thomas takes all the details, asking Jinx about his movements, and saying that they will check for fingerprints and question people;  but Jinx is not hopeful of finding the person responsible.

WPC Thomas takes the details and promises to make enquiries

When the audition time comes, only Gwynfor, whose performance we are not privileged to see, and Colin turn up;  of course, Colin cavorts around in an over-the-top manner, causing Gaynor to laugh uncontrollably.

Colin, activating the zip on his trousers — cut to the next scene, quickly

At the Deri, Garry is somewhat put out that Sheryl will be sharing their evening together, but he welcomes her;  he suggests that two therapists in one salon is better than Dani going it alone.   Sheryl says that she is keeping in touch with Wil by Skype.

Meanwhile, Gaynor is discussing a name for the proposed group, suggestions including, “Cwmderi Cockerels,” “Nuts and Bolt Boys,” and Ed throws in the name, “Deri Danglers,” but that is thought too risqué.   Colin comes up with the name “Deri’n Dangos Bois yn Borcyn”, which appears to translate as “Deri Naked Guys Show,” and is hailed as the favourite.

Anita takes Jinx a meal, and he expresses his apologies for accusing her;  he says the perpetrator seems to know exactly what he is doing, but Anita thinks he is taking too many risks.   Ffion phones to check all is well with Arwen, and Jinx says, “Enjoy Fest Noz,” (which appears to be a Breton traditional music festival — it is half-term in Wales.)   He wants to make sure that Ffion does not get to hear anything of this, and Anita promises to keep quiet.

When Sheryl leaves after the meal, Garry chides Dani for not being more considerate towards Sheryl, but Dani stresses that for him she is now just “past history.”

26 February 2014 (1st)

Diane and Gaynor are at the gym, when Diane mentions that the coach there works as a part-time strippagram;  this gives Gaynor an idea, and before they leave for Chepstow races, with DJ, she raises the subject of a male strip group, like The Full Monty, with Hywel;  the purpose being to raise funds for the Soup Kitchen, but Hywel is reluctant to strip off.

The Western Post story which Eileen is very unhappy about

When Angela comes into the Deri, Sioned shows her the Western Post, with the headline, “Brave Grandmother Saves Grand-daughter”;  Angela points out that if Sioned had spoken to her mother, she would have got the truth, that Eileen is furious, because it was published without her permission.   When Angela states that she is glad it is all out in the open now, Sioned again says, “Mam is to blame for all this mess!”   

Sioned tells Angela there are things about Eifion she does not know

She also remarks that Angela is spending a lot of time at Penrhewl lately, and that she ought to tell Angela a few things about Eifion;  Angela reveals that she knows all about those things – Eifion has been open and honest – and she, in turn, offers to tell Sioned a few things about Ed.

At APD, Dai learns from Eifion that the injury to DJ’s nose was caused, not as he told Dai, by a misbehaving sheep, but a fight in Cardiff;  however, Eifion stresses that he is a great cook.   Then Colin comes in, boasting of winning £75 on an online casino, but Dai tells him betting is for mugs;  

Colin's advice is to give Eileen some time

Colin advises Jim to give Eileen some time, before seeing her again.   Dai tactlessly tells Jim he is better off without Eileen, and that he is going on a holiday to Spain.

Colin, about to lose £50 on Roulette

Colin manages to lose £50 on online Roulette, but as Gethin and Iolo head to the Deri, he is this time betting on Virtual Dogs, which apparently nets him £250.   At the Deri after the races, where she tells Hywel she saw many wonderful cars, including a Lambourghini, Gaynor is announcing her plan for a strip group, which Hywel is not keen about, but several others are enthusiastic;  Gaynor does not consider Colin to be suitable, for some reason.   When he gets home, Iolo puts some music on, and invites Colin to show what he can do;  Colin wildly gyrates and starts removing his clothes, shouting, “I need an audience!” to which Gethin replies, “You need a doctor!”

Colin's stripping routine, which amuses Gethin and iolo

Diane and DJ meet Dai at another pub after the day at the races, and reveal that Gaynor has made a serious amount of money there.   When Dai visits the toilet, Diane tells DJ that things are not well between her and Dai, mentioning the Christmas Day episode with Shirley, and she suspects he might go off with someone in Spain.   

Dai, eavesdropping on the conversation between Diane and DJ

Dai hears this from round the corner, and when they get home and Diane has gone to bed, he tells DJ that he wants him out, as a matter of urgency.   DJ smiles knowingly at him and says, “You think I fancy Diane, don’t you?”   He decides to go to bed, ignoring Dai’s demands that he set a date for his departure.

25 February 2014

Gemma and Mark,  at 03:50, after a night on the booze

Mark and Gemma stagger home after their night out at ten to four, singing lustily, and Mark has only half an hour before his shift starts;  he is next seen stumbling along the street, trying to decipher the blurred addresses on his mail, and eventually puts everything from his bag into the post box opposite Bethania, and returns home.

Quick way to end your shift — stick it all in the post box

Gethin delivers a Soup Kitchen leaflet to Meic;  Anita tells him if Gethin can make a go of his life, there is hope for Kevin.   Megan also has a leaflet and is at Siôn’s, moaning about not being consulted about setting up this venture;  she says there is no need for another charity.   

Megan in full flow, explaining how she should be in charge of everything

She persuades Siôn to accompany her to Gethin’s, where she goes on about Gethin not having the courtesy to talk to her first, rushing into it, and needing experience;  she has been involved with charities for years, and does not want Gethin starting another one.   Gethin says, “It’s glory for Bethania you want.   Bean turned to the chapel,” but Megan still maintains she was not a deserving case.   

When she has gone, Gethin tells Siôn that he does not like her attitude – she turned Bean away, and is not interested in helping.   Later Gethin has an idea and rings Megan.

Eleven o'clock, and Meic thinks it is about time that Kevin did something

Kevin is still in bed at eleven, and Meic tells him he should go to the job centre and stop feeling sorry for himself;  as he walks toward the bus stop, Debbie glowers at him, and tells him, “Keep away, Kevin!”

Mark goes to the café, where Debbie complains that he delivered four of APD’s letters to the café.   When Meic comes in, she tells him it is obvious whose side he is on.

Siôn tells Britt that Megan was being unreasonable, aggressive and self-righteous, but Gethin is able to fight his own battles;  Britt thinks that, with his past, there is a dark side to Gethin.

In the Deri, Mark is asleep on the sofa, so Megan wakes him and complains about her lack of mail.   Then she joins Gethin, who had invited her, at the bar, where he explains that he needs her experience, and that Bean has been put under the care of Social Services;  things might have been different if help had been available in the village.   

Megan has been brought round to support Gethin's Soup Kitchen

Megan realises that she was too hasty in condemning the girl, and agrees  that she , and Bethania, will help Gethin with the Soup Kitchen;  Gethin smiles wryly, pleased that he has managed to change her mind.

Meic:  "Control your temper, or you will have to leave Cwmderi"

Kevin, back from the job centre, says that there are no jobs, and that on the way back on the bus he thought what Debbie had said, “Keep away,” which he cannot do, living so close.   He is worried about losing his temper again, and Meic tells him if he cannot control it, he will have to leave the village;  he has no other choice if he wants to protect himself and the people around him.   

So, with a bag on his shoulder, Kevin hugs his father, who says he will settle somewhere new and make a fresh start.   Kevin says he will miss the place, and then slowly walks away up the street, as Meic watches, in tears, from his doorway.

Kevin leaves the village, while Meic watches him go

24 February 2014

Kevin is monotonously bouncing a tennis ball against the wall when Meic takes him a cup of tea and says sulking will do no good.

Nurse Angela tends Eifion's injured hand

Angela is at Penrhewl when Eifion rushes in, having cut his hand;  DJ has not turned up, and he has not stopped working all morning.   Angela applies a dressing, and is about to leave when DJ finally arrives, with a story of drinking too much in Cardiff, being set upon by four blokes outside a chippy in Grangetown, and spending the night in the cells.   Eifion has had enough of him and sacks him, but DJ pleads for another chance, offering him and Angela a posh meal;  he used to cook at a boutique hotel in Donegal.

Investigating an allegation of harassment from Mr Kevin Powell

Debbie is flustered in the café, and then two police officers come in, as they have had a complaint of harassment from Mr Kevin Powell;  Debbie denies any connection with the “Rapist” posters.   She tells them, “People round here hate his guts.   You have no idea how far he’ll go to get his own back!”   The policewoman says that from what they have heard, both she and Kevin need counselling.   

When they have gone, she tells Angela she had nothing to do with the posters, but Angela is suspicious.   Debbie found out that they were selling Sabrina’s share of the premises, then he was flirting with Gwen and “that other woman”.   “Kevin’s crazy, and the cops won’t do anything.   There’s a lot I could tell them about him, and he is aware of that.   I’ve never seen such hatred in his eyes!”

Meic wants Kevin to apologise, but Kevin refuses.

Meic has seen the police go to the café, and hurries home to tell Kevin, who tells him that he has spoken to the police over the weekend.   Meic cannot believe that he has inflamed matters even more, but Kevin insists, “We must get her out of the café – we’ve given that cow enough rope as it is – do you think she has any goodwill?”   Meic says that Kevin must apologise, to defuse the situation, but Kevin is in no mood for apologies;  “Nefi wen!” he exclaims, “That woman’s destroyed my life – I’m not going to make amends – never!   I’m not ashamed of what I did;  if she got a shock, she deserved it!”

When Meic returns to the taxi office, Debbie wants him to tell the police what he saw, but he denies seeing anything;  “And what if he does it again?   Will you deny it again?” she demands.

DJ, in his apron, has prepared the meal for their "first date"

With another twenty minutes before the meal is cooked, Angela arrives, and DJ goes to his date, “With a sheep in the shed,” he says.   Eifion tells her that DJ will make someone a good wife.   

They enjoy an excellent meal, with Angela complimenting the chef

As they talk over the meal, Eifion says that Cadno seems a long time ago now, and he does not miss her.   They are ancient history and he admits it was his fault;  after Bobi was born, all they did was argue, and then there was the affair with Sioned.   As they stand at the sink, he says, “The best thing to come out of this is you,” and kisses her on the cheek.

The beginning of another Cwmderi romance?

Meic suggests that Kevin needs professional help, and Kevin explodes, “She ruined my chances with Gwen and Mari, then the posters and I lost my job, and you say I need help?”   Meic replies that he has really tried to help him, but he does not know what else he can do.

20 February 2014

Diane complains about being woken by the drunkards returning last night;  after Dai berates DJ, who admits he cannot hold his drink, Diane sympathises with DJ.   He says, “It won’t happen again, Uncle David.”

A sample of the leaflets found all over Cwmderi

Diane and Colin look along the street where there are dozens of A4 sized leaflets posted all over the place;  Kevin comes out of the house and sees several of them, bearing his picture and the word “Rapist.” Sioned receives one among the Deri’s post, and when Kevin arrives tells him that it will be bad for business if he is working there.

Sioned looking at another of the leaflets

Gaynor walks into the shop, listening to Mari’s account of her disastrous evening, when Jinx rushes in and shows them another of the leaflets.   Mari is distraught and asks why she had not been warned.   

Mari very worried at what might have happened last night

Colin has won £5 on a scratchcard, and thinks his luck has changed.

Kevin hurries to Debbie’s and tells her this has to stop;  she is quite proud of her handiwork, telling him, “You deserve everything you get!   You can’t trample on everyone and get your own way.

Kevin then turns threatening:  “How many times have I warned you to keep your nose out?”   Debbie’s response is, “How many times must I say you won’t get the better of me?”   

Kevin, in a rage,  gets out of control

Kevin pins her up against the wall and rages against her, when suddenly Meic’s voice orders him to get away from her.   Kevin snarls that it is time she learned her lesson, and lets her go.

Debbie retorts, “Wait until I tell the police,” but Meic says things have gone too far;  menacingly, Kevin faces up to him and says, “You saw nothing — understand?”

At CwmFM, Hywel is singing Anita’s praises, and how the listeners like her, much to Jinx’s dismay;  he opens another letter to find the one word, “Hypocrite” inside.   

Jinx's third anonymous note – he suspects Anita of sending them

Hywel suspects it is merely a joke, but Jinx’s suspicion falls on Anita;  he says she is after attention and accuses her of harassment.   Later he thinks he hears someone downstairs.

Poor old Gwynfor is forced to leave the café, as Meic closes it for the afternoon;  Debbie says she has never seen Kevin like that before, and neither has Meic.

Diane marches Dai and DJ round to the Deri, where they plead for their ban to be lifted.   After all the apologies, Sioned strikes a hard bargain – Dai has to paint the toilets for her, and she warns him not to try and get out of it.   

Sioned negotiates the painting of the toilets as a penance

DJ gives Dai some golf vouchers on the condition that they forget everything and try to get on together.

Colin suddenly shouts for Sioned to confirm what it says on his phone:  he has won £300.   “You’ve got to be in it to win it,” he says (in English).

"How many zeroes are on that number?" Colin asks Sioned

Meic returns home and confronts Kevin;  “What would have happened if I had not come in?   What would you have done to her?   Please tell me you were not going to hurt her.”

Kevin, still angry, replies, “You have no right to interfere.   Do you want me to thank you for saving me?   You’d do the same if you were pushed into a corner!”

“No, I wouldn’t,” says Meic, and wonders what to do next.

19 February 2014 (2nd)

Mark arrives home after a 3½-mile run, trying to keep young and fit for Gemma, who says there is no need to impress her.   When he suggests they go shopping, then a meal, cocktails and a show, she would rather have a quiet night in.

Mark, back from his 3½-mile run

Kevin arrives, uninvited, at the café flat and accuses Debbie of feeding her poison to Mari, as she was acting strangely.   Debbie assures him she will not be happy until justice is done.

Gwen, looking rather miserable, meets Angela who is on her way to “feed the shepherds”;  then Mark asks Angela for advice on how to dress “younger”, and she tells him simply to be himself, and that Gemma will not go off him.   

Angela arrives to provide sustenance for the shepherds

Then she goes to Penrhewl with tea and sandwiches for the workers.   Eifion seems impressed by DJ’s work on the farm, with the lambing going on;  again DJ chats up Angela, and assumes she is the woman in Eifion’s life.

Debbie, upset to hear of the valuation of the café premises

Kevin again visits the café flat, this time with an estate agent to value the premises, now that Sabrina wants to sell her share;  Debbie objects, “Where am I supposed to live?” to which Kevin responds, “That’s your problem.”   

She later goes looking for Kevin, and bursts into the Deri kitchen, shouting, “Where is he?”   Ed tells her he does not want her problems there, and she says he ought to sack Kevin, “He’s not safe to have around.”   When she has gone, Sioned reveals that he did lock her in the shop years ago, but that was because of his stroke and breakup with Sheryl, “And there was an accident,” she adds, not revealing that she caused it.

Arthur, becoming rather fractious

At Penrhewl, Angela is watching Arthur, and wonders how Cadno could leave her children;  Eifion encourages her not to forsake Eileen, and says that Sioned hates not getting her own way.   She needs a sister to teach her to share, and if anyone can get the two of them back together, it is Angela.

Mark has obviously been shopping, and is wearing what he thinks is a trendy jumper;  he finds Gemma in the Deri, and Dai rudely remarks on his new look.   Mark refers to Dai’s middle-aged spread, and Sioned chips in with, “That’s better than a mid-life crisis.”   Dai remembers when he was “quite a catch” in the sixties, with his drainpipe trousers and Vespa 180;  the girls were queueing up at the Mumbles on a Sunday night.   Then Gemma tries to persuade Mark not to try so hard – she likes him as he is.

Gemma:  "You're trying too hard;  I like you as you are."

When DJ comes in, Mark tells him, “If you’re anything like your father, you’re trouble!   Dic Deryn was a character – the local women were never safe!   The elastic of his pants was very slack!”

Debbie again confronts Sioned, asking her, “How can you feel safe after what he did in the shop?   We must keep an eye on him!” but Sioned ignores her.

By now Mark is wondering why DJ came back from Ireland;  is he an Irish Traveller?   Has he got gypsy blood?   

Sioned orders the two arguing customers out of the Deri

DJ has downed several drinks in quick succession, and is starting to get roused;  as they shout at each other, landlady Sioned orders the pair of them out of the Deri.   When Dai objects to her action, she bans him as well.

Dai warns DJ, “When Diane hears about this, you’ll be on the first boat out of Fishguard tomorrow morning!”

19 February 2014 (1st)

Gethin discovers an unconscious person outside Moduron Monk

Gethin arrives at the garage to find someone sleeping on the pavement outside;  when he cannot wake them, he calls an ambulance.   

The girl is taken to hospital

A small crowd gathers as the ambulance arrives, Gethin says it is the girl who came to Megan’s shop last night.   He tells Siôn that he should have taken her side rather than Megan’s;  years ago, he was sleeping on the streets of Swansea, when Dani found him and looked after him.

Gethin says something should be done to help homeless people

In the café, Gaynor and Mari are chatting when Kevin comes in and asks Mari what she would like to eat for dinner.   Hearing this incenses Debbie, who tells Gaynor she should warn her friend to keep away from him;  “He is not fit to walk a dog, let alone have a date!” she says.   Meic and Kevin plan an elaborate meal, and Meic tries to advise Kevin what to do – romantic music and candles; when Kevin questions whether he is doing the right thing, Meic says he has to start believing in himself.

Anita arrives at CwmFM, talking about the homeless person on the street. and when Jinx is reluctant to start his programme, Anita takes over, saying she is more sensitive than he was last week.   She invites calls on, “Are we as a society losing touch with each other?”   

Anita invites calls about the problems of society

Jinx sits the other side of the desk looking depressed;  after the programme, he finds another letter, opens it and reads “Keep your mouth shut.” 

Jinx's latest item of hate mail

When he returns from the hospital, Gethin is still worrying about the girl, and reports to Siôn that she is called Bean, who has no home or family, and Social Services are being involved;  “The Gethin who shivered in a thin sleeping bag with an empty stomach would hate the Gethin I am now!” he tells Siôn.   Apparently Bethania already runs a food bank, but Gethin says they need to find a way to go to those people, to make a difference, somewhere in the middle of the village, near those who need it.   Siôn agrees that this is the way to go.

Debbie makes a threat against Kevin

Debbie marches round to Kevin’s, and warns him, “Stay away from her!  That woman’s in danger and I can save her.”   When he tells her to keep her nose out, she continues, “You’ll never be allowed to forget what you did – I’ll make sure of it!”

In the Deri, Gaynor hands Ffion a sign for her door, reading “Ffion Llywelyn — Head Teacher”, and Ffion wonders why she is putting herself through all this;  Gaynor replies it is because she likes a challenge.

Ffion, amused by her new "Head Teacher" door sign

Mari arrives at Kevin’s, and they engage in rather stilted small-talk;  Kevin seems out of his depth, and when pouring cream on her cheesecake almost sets his tie on fire.   By the end of the meal, Mari is having second thoughts, and when he asks if she will come over again, unconvincingly replies, “Er, well, maybe.”   Kevin appears somewhat crestfallen.

Dani arrives at the Deri rather subdued, and Sheryl assumes that all did not go well at the competition;  then she bursts out, “I’m through to the next round!   Isn’t it exciting?”

18 February 2014

Courtney is eating her breakfast and asks Angela, “Were you going to tell me you were adopted?”   Angela is in a rush to leave, and says they will talk later.   Instead of going to school, Courtney visits Eileen, saying she cannot face her friends, and Eileen says things have not been easy for her either.   They look at Eileen’s old photos, and Courtney says it will be some time before she can think of Eileen as “mam-gu”.

Angela comforts vociferous little Arthur

Angela arrives at Penrhewl to find no-one there, except little Arthur in his cot;  she is concerned that he is not being looked after.   She tidies up the place, which is in disarray.   

Nurse Angela diagnoses that Eifion has been overdoing it with the lambing

When Eifion comes in, exhausted by all the lambing season work, she orders him to have a cup of tea, but before she can make it, the school rings to tell her Courtney is not there, so she rushes off to find her.

Tea and a ham sandwich for the newcomer

A young girl comes into the charity shop, and later Megan sees her outside and takes her a cup of tea and a sandwich;  the girl is “on the streets” and Megan offers to phone a charity to find her somewhere to stay, but the girl refuses.   Later, just as Megan is putting the takings into a yellow bag, she comes back into the shop, saying she could spend the night there;  Megan will not allow that.   The girl asks, “Do you know what it’s like on the streets?   I’m alone, with nothing and no-one;  I’m not asking much, just a pound or two.”   

Megan upset, as Gethin steps in to calm things down

Megan tries to get her to leave, and as the girl shouts, “Don’t you even have a conscience?” Gethin intervenes, telling her that this is not the way to get help, then comforts Megan.

In her quest to find Courtney, Angela calls at APD and mentions that Eifion needs help at Penrhewl, so Dai sees an opportunity to get rid of DJ.   Angela finds Courtney at Eileen’s and takes her back home, where she says there will be no more secrets, but Courtney has heard all this before.

DJ's job interview at Penrhewl

At Penrhewl, DJ is telling of his work experience, at a horse breeding farm in Donegal, and how he and his father have tarmacked half of the roads in Ireland.   Dai is rather too enthusiastic about what a good worker he is, so Eifion wonders why he wants to get rid of him.   Dai suggests, “Bed and Board and £150 a week?”

Dai reports to Diane that he has got rid of DJ, who was going to send him to an early grave, and has the idea of a month in Spain, so they can relax.   Diane says that is impossible, with APD and her fitness regime with her personal trainer, and Dai comments, “The Olympics are not for another three years!”   Then Dai is disappointed as DJ walks in, saying it was not a good idea to live on the farm, and he will make them “Chicken Cacchiatore” for dinner.   When Diane tells DJ he can stay as long as he wants, Dai is aghast.

Gethin takes Megan to the Deri, and over a drink points out that the girl did look pretty desperate;  Megan says that she was only after money, probably for drugs, and it gave her such a shock.