10 December 2014

Eifion is revelling in this easy lifestyle

As Angela prepares to go to work, Eifion continues his pretence;  “I’m not much use, am I?   If only I could get a good night’s sleep.”   

"You need to go for a scan"

Angela encourages him to go for a scan, as they need evidence to support making a claim against APD.   “You shouldn’t have to suffer because of them,” she says, 

More toast – what an easy life

but as soon as she leaves, he jumps up and puts more bread in the toaster.

Cadno negotiates the inflatable figures

Colin’s inflatable santas and snowmen are taking up pavement space outside the shop, and Diane urges that they be removed, as they are an accident hazard.   

Colin manages to sell some of them

Colin manages to sell some of the snowmen to Diane and Cadno, who is dressed as an elf for the Penrhewl Grotto.

Jim appears to be surprisingly artistic

In APD, Jim is painting a box for use in the Grotto, but is accused by Dai of taking advantage of parents and children.   Jim replies, “Just like you do, with the Rugby Club Grotto,” but Dai insists the rugby club one is an institution, adding, “There’s only room for one Grotto in Cwmderi!”

Siôn puts up the bargain lights

In the Deri, Siôn is positioning the lights he bought from Colin, while Iolo argues, 

“The more free nuts the customers eat, the thirstier they’ll get.” 

Britt bring plenty of supplies

Britt returns from the cash and carry, laden down with mince pies and sausage rolls, 

The lights in action – just before they went "Bang!"

then Siôn switches on – after flashing a few times, there is a bang and they go out.   “Colin!” shouts Siôn, accusingly.

"The world has gone doolally!"

Dai remarks that the world has gone “doolally” as Diane brings back the snowmen;  

Diane has bad news for them

then she opens a letter, to find that it is from Eifion’s solicitor, indicating that Eifion will be suing for “up to £5,000” for the “accident”.   Dai is furious, and Jim says that some people are out for all they can get.

Colin gets an ultimatum from Eileen

Despite the fact that he has managed to sell three santas to Bet, Eileen tells Colin to send back some of the inflatable figures, or the cost will come out of his wages.   

Colin is becoming emotionally attracted to the inflatable figures

Colin says, “I’m starting to enjoy their company, and feel upset about them going back to a dark storeroom.”   Siôn comes in with the dud lights, complaining, “They almost set fire to the Deri!”

The Penrhewl Grotto

In the Penrhewl Grotto, Jim tells Cadno, “Angela and her partner have a solicitor to do their dirty work for them!” and he reckons that Angela is only doing this because he refused to pay for Courtney’s skiing trip.   Then DJ in his santa suit calls for help as a cow is giving birth, but as Jim  would be useless, 

Santa and the elf have to attend to some obstetrics

Cadno has to go and assist, leaving Jim and Angela in charge of the Grotto.

Eifion is becoming ever more convincing

When Diane goes to visit Eifion, he puts on a show of being in excruciating pain, explains how he can only sleep on the bedroom floor and that the doctor has never seen anything like his back.   When she asks if she can do anything, he replies, “I want to get what I’m owed!”

Diane suggests that they could do without solicitors, and arrange an out of court settlement.   

"You do have public liability insurance?"

“You do have public liability insurance, don’t you?” asks Eifion, and when Diane looks sheepish, he adds, 

"Ooh-er!" thinks Diane

“I don’t care how we do it, but this is your mess!   I want my money!”

Eileen, initially unwilling to intervene . . .

Diane’s next stop is Eileen’s, where she asks if Eileen will try and persuade Angela to stop the accident claim.   Eileen does not want to get involved, 

. . . is convinced by Jim's impending banruptcy

but Diane points out that it might result in Jim going bankrupt, which brings Eileen round to her way of thinking. 

Madge buys three rolls of wrapping paper . . .

Siôn takes exception to Colin using the Deri to sell rolls of wrapping paper to Madge, 

. . . and Britt takes some tinsel off his hands

but Britt buys £5-worth of tinsel, although, as she points out to Colin, she does not yet have a tree.

"We could do with a tree," says Britt

Of course he assures her that he can get one for her, and it so happens that Iolo has just finished his shift, so he is roped in to help Colin.   

I cannot remember a Grotto there, the last couple of years

As they leave to get Iolo’s van, there is the sound of banging outside, where they find Dai erecting the rugby club grotto, which he says is in that position every year.   

Siôn pronounces it to be a danger to the public – unless he gets a cut

Siôn demands a share of the proceeds, or the authorities might get to hear of this flimsy structure, possibly posing a hazard to children.   Dai grumbles, “I never had you down as a blackmailer, Mr Siôn Whiter than White!”

"She and her boyfriend want to steal all our money!"

Eileen visits Santa Jim at the Penrhewl Grotto and asks, “Do you know what I want for Christmas?”   Jim gruffly replies, “You’ll be lucky to get anything if she and her boyfriend steal all our money!’

When Angela states that Eifion had an accident, Jim’s response is, “We can’t expect Angela to think of anyone but herself!”

Iolo is getting cold feet . . .

Colin and Iolo emerge from a conifer plantation, carrying two trees.   Iolo is already worried;  “This is stealing from Penrhewl!” but Colin says they will not miss the trees.   “What’s a couple of Nordic Spruces between friends?   And it is the season of goodwill,” he tells Iolo.

. . . but Colin tells him what's what

As they try to jam the trees into Iolo’s van, a car passes, and Iolo starts panicking, but Colin persuades him to get driving, and they leave the area, with bits of Christmas tree protruding from the rear doors.

Somewhat fraught atmosphere in the Deri

Dai orders a pint in the Deri, “While I can still afford it.”   He addresses Eifion, who has manages to hobble all the way from Angela’s next door, “Don’t expect anyone in the village to give you a job ever again!”

Angela will not have a bad word said about Eifion

Then he tells Angela when she comes in, “Don’t start celebrating – you’re not getting a penny from us!”   

"Haven't you told him yet?"

Eifion asks, “Why should I suffer because APD is irresponsible?   It’s not my fault if you forgot to pay your public liability insurance!   Haven’t you told him yet, Diane?”   

Dai looks questioningly at Diane, and she appears rather embarrassed.