Cwmderi Diary 2014: 11 December 2014

"Someone's been asking after you . . ."

Gethin is eating his lunch in the Deri when Garry joins him, saying he had a phone call from someone, asking for Gethin, and hands over a piece of paper with the location of a broken down car, at Allt y Wern.

". . . and has broken down at this location"

Gethin is scared that it is “the boys”, but Garry assures him,

"You're a big boy"

“You’re a big boy, I’m sure you can look after yourself.

Colin hears about the escaping sheep

At the shop, DJ tells Eileen that they have been rounding up sheep all morning, after someone left a gate open, up near the woodland, and nowhere near the public footpath. Colin looks guilty, and says that it is a spot where courting couples go.

"Sîon Corn!" says Arwen, excitedly

Ffion, Jinx and Arwen are at the café, before visiting Penrhewl to see Santa – “Sîon Corn!” says Arwen.

Gabriela wishes she had never told Siôn

Gabriela is telling Siôn that she regrets telling him about Meic being her father, and says that she is going away. He still insists that if she does not tell Meic, he will, but Gabriela tells him it is none of his business.

Cake for Meic's best customer

Meic brings over, “A free piece of cake for my best customer,” and wants her to come to Penrhewl to film the Grotto there, as he would be lost without her. Gabriela tells him that she cannot, as she is going to London, ready for the flight home tomorrow, but Siôn interrupts to say he will drive her to the station.

Gethin is discomfited at finding no broken-down vehicle . . .

Gethin arrives at the scene of the breakdown to find no-one there;

. . . and when he gets a silent phone call . . .

then his phone rings, but nobody speaks.

Arwen, filmed at the Penrhewl Grotto

At the Penrhewl Grotto, Arwen seems very pleased with Santa DJ,

She is most intrigued by the present handed to her

who presents her with a gift, while Meic and Gabriela film the proceedings.

"There is still a magic about Christmas"

Meic remarks that there is still a magic about Christmas, and says that Gabriela’s family must be missing her, but she tells him that there is no-one there now, since her mother died seven months ago.

Meic invites her to spend Christmas with him and Anita, but she declines; “We’d be glad to have you – you’re a good friend,” says Meic.

Eileen has worked out where Colin's trees came from

At the back of the shop, crowded with Colin’s inflatables, Eileen asks where he got the Christmas trees, and Colin vaguely answers, “From a friend of a friend, you know?”

Colin's misdeeds are discovered

Eileen knows the score; “They look like the trees from Penrhewl’s woodland; you might as well admit that you went to Penrhewl – and left the gate open!” When Colin protests that he has not hurt anyone, she continues, “They spent all morning rounding up sheep, and they’re not your trees! As well as stealing, you were trespassing!”

When Colin insists that everyone should have a Christmas tree, Eileen demands that the farm get back every penny.

Gethin is further disturbed by what he sees

When Gethin arrives back at the garage, he is disturbed to see a defaced photograph of himself on the wall.

Arwen feels utter disdain for Dai and his disreputable Grotto

Arwen’s next call is at Dai’s substandard Grotto, where she looks very dissatisfied with him and the standard of his gifts. Jinx is concerned how they will explain two different Santas to Arwen.

Gethin tells Ffion, "Go back to Jinx and Arwen"

Ffion sees Gethin passing, and chases after him, ostensibly to book an MOT, and asks him what happened. Gethin replies, “Not now – go back to Jinx and Arwen, your place is with them.”

In the Deri, Meic is saying his farewells to Gabriela; “I don’t know what I would have done without you, all the downloading and editing.” Gabriela urges him to send her a copy of the finished article; “If I have time to finish it,” he answers.

Gabriela gives Meic a farewell hug

“Keep in touch, and thanks for everything,” says Gabriela, and hugs him.

Dai grumbles as usual

As she prepares to go, Dai bursts in, demanding why Meic filmed the farm Grotto and not his.

Siôn reprimands Gabriela . . .

Siôn tells Gabriela, “I hope you can live with yourself, preventing a sick man from getting to know his daughter!”

. . . but nevertheless she leaves

As she leaves the Deri, Meic waves to her.

Hywel once again turns up at Sheryl’s flat, grateful that she had not revealed all to Gaynor, and admitting,

"I acted like a teenager. . . "

“I’ve been totally irresponsible, and acted like a teenager, but I can’t think of anything except you!”

"Teenagers usually get over their crushes"

Sheryl is dimissive; “Teenagers usually get over their crushes! There is no future for us – it will never work! I want you to go now!”

Eileen diverts the £50 to Penrhewl

As Britt hands over £50 for the trees to Colin, Eileen intercepts it and passes it on to DJ. Britt then announces the grand switch on of the lights on the tree outside, and the customers troop out.

"No-one there? That's very odd!"

Meanwhile, Gethin sits disconsolately at the bar, and Garry asks about the breakdown, only to be told there was no-one there. “Very odd,” ponders Garry, and when Gethin enquires whether anyone came to the garage while he was out, Garry says he cannot remember.

“Oh yes, there were two lads,” he says, but when Gethin becomes even more anxious, reveals that they were a tyre rep and Gwynfor, who was collecting his car.

"Why would I do that?"

“Are you winding me up?” Gethin asks, to which Garry replies, “Why would I do that?”

One might expect Gethin to recognise Garry's number, 07865-056950

As Gethin moves to the other end of the bar, he receives a text; “Be careful.”

Carol-singing outside the Deri

Outside, the assembled multitude are singing “Hark the herald angels sing” and then the lights are switched on. Meic drops his tripod, and Dai comments scathingly, “It’s a good job he’s not filming the rugby – he’d miss the tries! Dead wood, not Hollywood!”

Presumably one of these mythical buses is due

Gabriela, waiting at the bus stop, immediately intervenes, telling Dai,

Gabriela puts Dai in his place

You should be ashamed of yourself, being so horrible!” and accompanies Meic home.

Hywel never gives up; "Can I buy you a drink?"

Hywel sidles up to Sheryl; “Can I buy you a drink?” Sheryl refuses, and tells him to go home to Gaynor. “I prefer being here with you!” he simpers, and she tells him, “If you won’t go home, I will!” and storms off.

"There is something I must tell you"

Back home, Meic sits down to rest, and Gabriela has something she must tell him. She had always believed that her father died when she was young, but her mother told her that she was pregnant and left for Patagonia without telling the father.

"This is my mother, Mair James"

Producing a photograph, Gabriela continues, “Her name was Mair James, and she met you in the 1970s in London, when you were a photographer and she was a secretary. You’re my father, Meic!”