23 June 2014

Dani is having her hair done by Gemma for the party;  she asks, “You are happy for me, aren’t you?”   Gemma replies, “If this is what you really want, who am I to spoil it?”   Dani suggests her being a bridesmaid, but Gemma did not think she would want a traditional wedding;  “Who would walk you down the aisle? — Moc?”   Then Garry arrives home in a smart suit — “Not bad for an old man,” he quips.

Cadno is expecting to be homeless soon 

Sheryl comes out of the door of her flat and meets Cadno, who has been to the park with the boys;  she says she will soon be homeless, but Sheryl does not have the room to accommodate them.

Sheryl tells Gethin to pretend he does not know

In the Deri, Gethin asks Gemma what they have been summoned there to celebrate, and when Sheryl arrives she tells him, but insists he must look surprised when they announce it.   Dani and Garry come in, and when the last guest, Britt, is there, Garry makes the announcement, “We’re getting married!”   

Listening to the marriage announcement

Dani warns Gethin that it will not be easy, having Garry as a brother-in-law, and Gethin asks her to give him warning of when the wedding is, so he can book a holiday.

Outside, Gemma sees Gwyneth arrive back from prison

Watching Dani being the centre of attention is becoming too much for selfish Gemma, so she goes outside, and at that moment a taxi arrives, with Gwyneth alighting from it.   Scheming Gemma invites her in for a pint, but Gwyneth wants some fresh air first.

Inside the pub, Garry brings round a tray of champagne glasses, and then says, “This is the part of the evening that Dani didn’t know about.   It’s dangerous for a man to buy a ring when she hasn’t seen it,” and produces a ring with a large diamond.

Dani's ring, expertly chosen by Garry, and it was the right size

“Oh Garry, can I put it on?” says Dani, excitedly.   As he puts it on her finger, the pub door can be heard opening, and all the guests turn, with a look of incredulity on their faces.

It appears that the latest arrival is far from welcome

Gwyneth begins, “I’m sorry, I really wanted a pint.”   She is greeted with a stony silence, but continues, “I haven’t come her to cause trouble;  I’m the last person you want to see, but I want you to know I’m sorry for everything.   I hope that you’ll be able to forgive me.”

Britt is about to launch a tirade at Gwyneth

Although Sheryl is busy texting, Britt is the first to answer, “Obviously you’ve been practising that speech!” and Garry has to hold her back;  as part of his plan, he invites Gwyneth to have a glass, and she is happy when he says she can see Gwern after school tomorrow.   When she has left, Dani asks him, “Was that an act, or real?”   He tells her to forget about Gwyneth, as, “Tonight is our night!”

The message which strikes fear into Cadno

Cadno, with her feet up on the sofa, receives Sheryl’s text:  “Gwyneth is in the Deri.   Do you want to move in with me?”   Cadno starts packing frantically, but a few minutes later the door opens and Gwyneth walks in.   

Gwyneth does not want Cadno to go, she needs company

Cadno promises that she will be out of there as soon as she can wake Arthur, but Gwyneth insists there is no hurry, and she can stay for one night.   Cadno tells her what has happened at Penrhewl, with Eifion’s new girl-friend being Angela.

Gwyneth says that Cadno is better off without him, and insists that she can now see things more clearly, and must face up to what she has done;  Cadno appears not to be convinced of her sincerity.

Gemma makes a mock apology to Dani, saying she could not simply throw Gwyneth out, but Dani wants to go back to the flat, as she is worried about Gwern.   

Garry and Dani about to return to their flat

Garry makes the excuse that the babysitter has to leave early, and they go, while Sheryl is talking to Gethin about not wanting Gwyneth working in the salon again.

Garry pays Eleanor £20 for babysitting, and Dani muses, “I’d like to know what’s going through her mind – I don’t trust her.”   “You’re not the only one!” he agrees.   

“What if Gwyneth returning is a bad sign,” frets Dani, but Garry describes it simply as “an unfortunate coincidence”, and assures her that it is going to be all right.

Sheryl has a text from Cadno, saying that she is staying the night, then Britt leaves to check up on Aaron, who is not well.   

Not a pretty sight to see from your bedroom window

As she walks along the street, Gwyneth is closing the bedroom curtains;  Britt sees her, and scowls characteristically.

"Dani won't be in the mood for drinking champagne tonight!"

In the Deri, Gemma is drinking some of the leftover champagne;  Ows remarks, “Dani won’t be in the mood for drinking champagne tonight!”

Gemma smiles.

20 June 2014

Sioned, maliciously gossiping about Dani in the salon

The bitchy side of Sioned is coming out again;  as she is at the salon, she gossips about Dani’s abortion and Garry not being happy about it.   She says that Garry is Dani’s last hope, as she has been through most of the men in the village.   Sheryl remarks that it is none of their business.

Gethin is surprised that Wiliam and Iolo know each other

Gethin walks into the business units with Wiliam, ostensibly there as he works with the homeless at weekends, and wanted to see the Cwmderi soup kitchen.   Iolo, who happens to be there, doing a plumbing job, is disturbed to see him, and after agreeing to a drink in the Deri later, makes a hasty exit.   

DJ gives relationship advice to Iolo

At home, he tells DJ that he is not happy about seeing Wiliam again, but DJ encourages him to do so.

What she has heard about abused babies has deeply affected Ffion

Ffion comes home after school, where they had a visit from a children’s charity, which told of babies, some younger than Arwen, being abused.   This experience has reinforced her desire for another child.   Jinx is still concerned about their being cousins, and Ffion says, “There are other ways, apart from conceiving together.   Is it your turn to be a biological father?”   

"Not being a natural mother would eat me up," says Ffion

However she does not think she could be as loving toward a child she has not actually carried, as Jinx is toward Arwen.   “Not being a natural mother would eat me up,” she tells Jinx, who is adamant that she should not go through another pregnancy, after all the problems she had with the last.

Gemma again visits Dani, and is told that they are engaged;  “I thought you realised that this is not the right time,” she says, but Dani tells her that her mind is made up.   

Dani wants to spend the rest of her life with Garry

“Gwyneth doesn’t matter;  I’m going into this with my eyes open.   I love him and want to spend the rest of my life with him;  if you can’t accept that, I’m sorry.”

Sheryl congratulates Garry on his engagement

As Sheryl leaves the salon, bound for a 6pm introduction to a college course, she bumps into Garry, carrying a bouquet, and hears of the engagement.   When he gets home, he suggests that they organise a part at the Deri to celebrate, but then Dani’s phone rings again, and she finds a photo of Brandon’s bench.   

The anonymous messager has struck again

“It’s as if they know I’m happy, and they try to drag me down again,” she laments, “They need help.”

Garry is angry;  “They’ll get more than help when I find them!” but Dani deletes the photo and tries to ensure it does not spoil their happiness.

Iolo mumbles about having other plans, and leaves

Iolo does actually go to the Deri, where he tells DJ that, “I did something stupid, really stupid, a while back,” but when Wiliam arrives, he makes a weak excuse and leaves again;  back home, he feels frantic, then gets a text from Wiliam.

Wiliam seems more keen than Iolo

Garry tells Ed the details of the party he wants, then Ed hands the list of requirements to Sioned, saying that he will be at a Management Skills Course in London.   

Sioned is pleased she is able to accompany Ed to London

Sioned is keen to accompany him, for a “romantic weekend”, but he tells her she will have to run the pub, until Gemma conveniently offers to organise the party;  “I’ll make sure it’s memorable,” she chillingly reassures them.

Then Gemma has another word with Dani, maintaining that she thinks Gwyneth is behind all the anonymous comments, organised from inside the prison.   

Could it be that a faint suspicion has entered Dani's pretty head?

Dani looks pensive, as if she might have a faint inkling of what is going on.   When Dani has left, Sioned comments, “She’s bound to pick a huge, tacky ring – she never had any class!”

Sioned is bitching about Dani again – the old Sioned is back!

Garry and Dani sit on their sofa, wondering when to tell Gwern the good news, and Garry says that as they will be marrying, he intends to apply for full custody of Gwern.   

Dani has her doubts about crossing Gwyneth

Dani thinks this may not be a good idea, as it may encourage Gwyneth to ruin things for them.   Garry replies that he must do it straightaway, before she worms her way back into Gwern’s life.   Dani is keen for a wedding in the next few days, but Garry wants to organise something special, possibly at Christmas;  “Leave it all to me,” he says.

19 June 2014

Dani is up in the night, unable to sleep

Unable to sleep, Dani is up in the middle of the night, pacing around and worrying;  Garry comes to find her, assuring her she has no need to be afraid of anyone or anything.   She reveals that she is not afraid of Gwyneth or the messages – she is scared of losing him.   “You won’t lose me – I’ve never felt like this about anyone else,” he comforts her.

Gaynor explains that she wants a new challenge

Hywel has a problem with his stomach, but blames it on the steak last night;   Gaynor is still in a very prickly mood, and he tells her that she does not like failing, but she is a clever, intelligent woman.   She replies, “What I need is a new challenge, I need to try new things,” and thinks she might enter the cookery competition.

Looks like a nice bit of bacon for Eifion's breakfast

Eifion watches Angela frying bacon for his breakfast;  she asks him what needs doing on the farm, but he assumes she would not be interested in the mucking out.   “We make a good team,” he tells her, and adds, “I won’t let Cadno get the better of me!”

Jim wants advice about dumplings

In the shop, Jim is wondering what to cook, but Eileen is hoping that Gwyneth will not get her job back in the salon;  Jim admits, “I’m scared of that woman – she’s bonkers!”   

Jinx has not been told about "Cwmderi Kitchen"

Then Jinx comes in, so Jim asks what would be the best thing to cook for the competition, traditional or something fancy.   Jinx looks at him blankly;  “Cooking?   On the radio?   I don’t think so,” he says, and is then told that Hywel has organised it without consulting him first.

Garry assures Dani that it is all right to be scared sometimes, and he states categorically, “You are the one I want, and nothing on a stupid website, or anything Gwyneth might say, will change that.   You’re everything to me!”

Garry is speechless, hearing Dani's suggestion

As he turns to go, as he is late for a bank appointment, she suddenly blurts out, “Let’s get married!” which, predictably, stops him in his tracks;  he is speechless, and Dani mumbles, “Sorry, wrong time!   You’re late, so forget it!   See you later.”   She thinks she has blown it.

Note Hywel's medication as he talks to Jinx

Hywel, with two tablets dissolving in a glass of water, tells Jinx of his plans, with two competitors a week, cooking in their own kitchens, and the final in the Deri.   He tells Jinx, who is not entirely happy about the idea, that this is a chance to prove he can handle a big project.

Not long afterwards, as Dani sits disconsolate, feeling sure she has failed, Garry returns unexpectedly;  “What you said before . . . you know . . .”

Hesitantly, Dani poses her question . . .

Dani summons up her courage, and speaks:  “Garry Monk, will you marry me?”

. . . and Garry gives his unequivocal answer

“Dani Thomas . . . yes!  yes!  yes!  yes!” he replies, and she bursts into tears.

Ah!   Isn't it romantic?

Gaynor is having her hair done in the salon, and Sheryl reckons that Jim’s hands may be good for mixing cement, “But meringues and soufflées?”   

Gaynor fancies a change of direction, and suggests the same for Sheryl

When Gaynor reveals that she is thinking of changing direction, as she is in a rut, she also encourages Sheryl, as she is such a good listener, to think about a counselling course.   When she gets home, Gaynor tells Hywel she might open a haute cuisine restaurant, but he does not think that would do much for her stress levels.

Eifion looking forward to an afternoon's fun . . .

Angela has been working hard in the farmyard, and Eifion says he prefers her in smelly overalls to Cadno any day, and adds that Marian is out this afternoon.  

. . . but obviously he has been working Angela too hard

A few minutes later he goes into the farmhouse and finds Angela fast asleep, exhausted by her toil.

The website viewed by Sheryl

Sheryl closes the salon, and looks at a website on her laptop, which appears to feature “councillors” rather than “counsellors”, then makes a phone call.

A toast, "To Mr and Mrs Monk!"

Dani and Garry sit in bed with glasses of champagne;  she tells him he is a kind, loving and honest man, and he thinks he may be going soft in his old age.   After drinking a toast to “Mr and Mrs Monk,” Dani points out to Garry that although she is sure did the right thing about the abortion, nothing would make her happier than having his baby in the future.   
Garry replies, “There’s plenty of time – I’m not on a pension yet.”

"I'm going to make you the happiest man in the world!"

When she promises she will make sure he is the happiest man in the world, Garry assures her, “I already am!”

18 June 2014

Gaynor rushing about, while Hywel relaxes

Gaynor is panicking, having to be at a meeting in Carmarthen in an hour, and issues Hywel with a list of instructions, such as the washing, shopping, vacuuming and defrosting the chicken.   

Needless to say, he totally ignores his orders and goes to the Deri.   

Neither Jim nor Gethin are impressed with the food

When he arrives, Gethin is complaining about his food and Jim is wondering how much longer he must wait for his meal.    “Oi!” he addresses DJ, “What’s happened to my pie?”

Jim and Dai get into an argument about cooking

Jim tells Dai, who comes looking for him, that it is not his fault the Deri has such a terrible chef, and says that living with Eileen has given him some cooking tips;  “A tenner says I can make better gravy than this with one hand tied behind my back,” boasts Jim.   

Hywel thinks that a cookery competition is just what CwmFM needs

Hywel, who finds his steak “hard to digest” thinks that a cookery competition could be organised by CwmFM, after Dai brags about his Carbonara.   Gethin is is also game to have a go.

Gemma is busy, threading tiny beads on to necklaces, as she has an order for fifty of them, hears from Dani of her intention to ask Garry to marry her.   

Gemma looks decidedly not keen for Dani to propose to Garry

Gemma seems remarkably unenthusiastic about this idea, and tries to dissuade Dani;  she argues that after aborting Garry’s baby, people will think it strange that she wants to marry him.   It is not sensible to make such a big decision when she is vulnerable.   But Dani’s mind is made up – “I’m really nervous, but really excited!” she says.

Gaynor gets very irate with Hywel for not doing as he was told

As Hywel is talking to Gethin and Iolo about teamwork, Gaynor phones him, having returned early and found he has carried out none of his tasks.   When he has hurriedly done the shopping, he returns home to find Gaynor in a terrible state, as she has forgotten to complete an urgent report, and has been reprimanded like a naughty schoolchild.    She shouts at him for getting the wrong teabags. and bursts into tears.  

Gaynor has never been made to look this small

She tells him she is exhausted and has not been sleeping.   Hywel tells her she must give up her job, as he does not want her ill again.

Gemma starts to get on Dani's nerves, telling her what to do

Gemma is still going on at Dani, warning that Gwyneth is dangerous and will try to use Gwern to influence Garry.   Dani insists that she has nothing to worry about as Garry is there for her;   Gemma emphasises that she is also there for Dani.   Then Gemma asks, “What if Garry says no?”   She can see that Dani is very agitated, and afraid that the murderer of her ex is about to return, to find Dani looking after her son, so that it why she wants to get married to Garry.   

In the end Dani tells Gemma to go

By this time, Dani has had enough, and tells Gemma to get out.   As she leaves, Gemma has a final comment, “Think about it, you’re in no condition to make such a decision!”

Iolo gets chatting to Wiliam, who is "in insurance"

DJ has an evening off, and asks Iolo if he wants to go to a club;  once there, Iolo gets chatting to a boy name Wiliam, who is in insurance, and is there with a group of his colleagues.   

"Wiliam is not interested in girls?"

DJ reckons that he is “in with that Mandy”, but Wiliam says he is not interested in girls, causing immediate interest from Iolo.   

Wiliam and Iolo chatting, with DJ "on the pull" in the background

However, Iolo seems reticent, even when Wiliam says, “I really like you,” and adds his number to Iolo’s phone;  “I’m sure I’ll see you again.”

"I can't do this," says Iolo, and makes his escape

But Iolo loses his nerve;  “I can’t do this,” he tells DJ, and hurries back home.