18 July 2014

Diane can now hear Dai's snoring again

Dai finds Diane sleeping on the sofa;  her improved hearing brings the disadvantage that his snoring is preventing her from sleeping.

Colin has also spent the night on an uncomfortable sofa

Mark finds that Colin has spent the night on the sofa in the Narberth pub, as Tessa locked him out of the room.   The landlord complains that he has seen “Dancing Queen” come out of Colin’s room, and takes a dim view of his using the room, meant for the two of them, for a “Roman Orgy”.   

Mark steps outside for a breath of rather damp air

While Colin argues, Mark walks outside and sees the nearby church; he goes inside, where he is alone, and looks at the display of poppies to commemorate the First World War.   

Mark hears a voice behind him

As he sits thoughtfully on a pew, he hears a voice, and there is a young man sitting behind him, who says, “It sometimes helps to pray, doesn’t it?” and asks who Mark is worried about.   When Mark tells him it is his son Liam, in Afghanistan, the man continues, “War is a terrible thing, especially for families.”

Mark comments that he cannot imagine what things were like back then, but concedes that Liam is doing something which he enjoys.   The stranger replies, “It is important that soldiers know that people are thinking of them;  I hope you receive good news soon.”

And then the stranger has disappeared

Mark turns to thank him, but there is no-one there.

Diane goes to Anita’s, saying she she is not so grateful for getting her ear sorted out, as she has not had any sleep.   Anita remembers that she used to fancy the PE teacher at school, and Diane liked the boy who closed the gates on the level crossing;  she concludes they are just a couple of old women, talking about men.   

A couple of old women, talking about men

Anita’s horoscope says she should rekindle an old flame, but thinks of them – Meic, Moc, DJ, Colin.   She suspects that Colin still fancies her, and he is good company.

Colin is faced with the evidence

The landlord is still haranguing Colin, having found the handcuffs under the bed, which proves, he says, that a woman has been there.   He demands that they pay for the room, as it was not intended for “Miss Dirty Dancing”!   

Mark has returned and looks at the pub’s First World War photos, suddenly saying, “What on earth?”   

Mark is convinced he was talking to Ifan Penri in the church

He insists that the man in the photo was the one he was talking to in the church.   The landlord says it might have been his grandson, but Ifan Penri has been dead nearly a hundred years.   

The Landlord reaches the logical conclusion about these two

Mark is adamant it was him, and the landlord comes to the conclusion, “You’re both mental!”

Meic brings tea and toast for Debbie

Debbie had fallen asleep in front of the laptop, and has not wanted to eat or drink anything, but suddenly the phone rings.   She answers, and is immediately reduced to floods of tears;  Meic assumes it is bad news.   

She is overjoyed to hear Liam's voice

But when she says, “It’s so nice to hear your voice, Liam!” he is relieved, and when she puts down the phone, they hug.   She says she must immediately tell Mark the good news.

Mark knows, even before Debbie can tell him

As the landlord addresses Colin, “Oi, Frank Sinatra!” and hands him the bill, Mark’s phone rings;  seeing that it is Debbie calling, he answers, “Liam is OK, isn’t he?”   Debbie cannot understand how he knows already.

Colin wonders if "talking to the dead" could be part of their act

After settling the bill, they leave the pub, and Colin comments, “This means you can converse with the dead!” but Mark urges him to show some respect.

When Mark gets home, Debbie is sceptical;  “So you really think a First World War ghost told you Liam was OK?”   

Colin is flattered that Anita seems to have regained her enthusiasm

Meanwhile Anita visits Colin and says she might come with him to his next gig, hoping to rekindle their relationship.

Rumours are rife in the Deri;  “Ows told me that Ed has left;  there was a big row and the police were here,” Anita tells Dai and Diane.   Dai is concerned about losing one of his best rugby players.   

Diane reading about the Nos Da Sleep Clinic

Diane is insistent that Dai visit the Nos Da Sleep Clinic, as she suspects he has Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, and might stop breathing while asleep, which Dai dismisses as rubbish.

When everyone gathers in the Deri, Diane says that Dai will have to lose weight and cut down on alcohol.   

"What's Tessa like? — in a word, HANDCUFFS!"

Colin cannot help but boast about the “groupie” whom he acquired last night;  Dai asks what this Tessa was like.   “In a word – handcuffs!” replies Colin.   This sort of talk puts off Anita from pursuing him;  he reckons that good looks diminish with age, but if you are a comedian, you are funny for life.

There is applause as Debbie and Mark come in, and then Meic proposes a toast, “To Liam for his bravery and the fact he’s safe.”

The assembled customers toast "Liam"

Mark thoughtfully adds that they should all remember all the young men who did not come back from the First World War.