Cwmderi Diary 2018: 24 September 2018

Hywel arrives at Julie's house

Hywel’s car pulls up outside Julie’s house in Swansea;

His arrival comes as a surprise

he rings the doorbell, and she is very surprised to see him.

He comes straight to the point

“Sorry to land here unannounced – Esther is in the car – can you take her, Julie? Not just for today, but for a while?”

"I've got clients, Hywel"

Julie protests that she has clients, but he insists, “She’ll be safer with you – I’m begging you, please.” Julie does not know what is going on, but they cannot discuss it in the street, so he and Esther go into the house.

"He only decided this morning that they were going away"

Rhys tells Gaynor that his father only decided this morning that they were going away; “He just said they were off on holiday.”

"It's strange he didn't say anything"

Gaynor looks rather suspicious about this, and thinks it is strange that he did not say anything, but at least he is taking responsibility for Esther.

"Have a meal with me tonight"

Gaynor was planning on cooking a meal this evening, and has bought a mountain of food, so invites Rhys to share it with her. But on second thoughts, she adds, “You’ve got better things to do then keep a middle-aged woman company.”

"Of course I'll come"

He agrees that he will come, and she is very pleased.

"How do you make a profit from that?"

Kath has just had several parcels delivered, and Ricky wonders how she makes a profit from selling stuff from eBay on eBay;

Kath explains her method

she explains, “You buy things for a cheap price, then you take some fancy photos of them, you change the description to make them sound more posh –

"And sell them for double the price!"

“and then sell them for double the price!”

Ricky has the idea of renaming the cakes

He suggests that giving the café’s cakes better names would help them to sell,

"Shame you don't use that brain for university"

and Kath maintains that it is a pity that he does not use that brain for university. He is quite happy working in the café, and she reckons that she likes both taxi-driving and this reselling business.

A card with Sheryl's photo

Hywel comes across a card with Sheryl’s photo on it, and Julie reports that Esther is colouring;

"You can't just turn up like this, Hywel"

“She’ll be no bother to you,” he argues, but she protests that he cannot expect to turn up there and want her to take in Esther with no warning; she has already had to cancel this morning’s client.

"I want to sort myself out, that's all"

“My head’s all over the place – I just want to sort myself out, that’s all,” Hywel continues,

"You must put Esther first!"

but she insists that he has to put Esther first. “That’s what I’m doing,” he goes on, “I want what’s best for her.

"I'm in no state to look after myself"

“I’m in no state to look after myself, let alone a little girl. It will only be for a few weeks, until I get myself sorted.”

Julie points out that she has her own life, she has work,

"If it's a matter of money . . ."

so he offers her money, but she refuses it, and repeats that Esther is his responsibility – he should be caring for her – he is her father.

"Spend time with her – before it's too late"

She implores him, “Spend time with her, talk to her – before you turn round that little girl will have grown up, she’ll be a woman, and then it will be too late!”

"Sorry, I didn't ask how you're coping"

He then realises that he has not asked her how she is coping, and she replies that she has to try and carry on;

"Don't waste this chance!"

“You’ve got a chance now to form a relationship with that little girl – don’t waste it!”

Sioned is an angry Deri Deithio customer

Sioned is complaining that the taxi she ordered from Deri Deithio did not turn up, and when Garry offers her a taxi free, she protests that she is too late for her meeting.

"It's gone downhill since I sold it to you!"

Chester remains quite calm as she continues to moan, “Deri Deithio has gone downhill since I sold it to you!

"You'll get a bad reputation – like Chester!"

“Be careful, or you’ll get a bad reputation, just like Chester!” before she stalks out.

Kath confirms that Sioned got the time wrong

Kath has checked the computer, and confirms that is Chester was right, not her;

Garry praises Chester

Garry is impressed that Chester did not lose his temper, and comments, “That is how to run a successful business.”

"Instead of Rocky Road – Ricky Road!"

In the café, Ricky explains his innovations to Kelly; “Instead of Rocky Road – Ricky Road!” and she is all in favour of this.

Sioned is inable to rearrange her meeting

Sioned is on the phone, trying to rearrange the meeting, but is unsuccessful; she orders an Americano to take out,

"I was hoping to host a promotional evening for Cae Glas"

and complains, “I was supposed to have an important meeting to host a promotion evening for Cae Glas produce, but thanks to Chester, I missed the meeting and lost the contract.”

Britt leaps to Chetser's defence

Britt, who is sitting nearby, overhears this, and protests that Chester is doing his best.

"We're thinking of having 'pop-up' evenings here"

Kelly explains that they are thinking of having pop-up evenings here in the café; “I would give you a good deal on the place, as you’re a local business, like, and you will be able to keep all the profit on the food. What do you think?”

"I'll have a word with Mam"

Sioned will talk it over with her mother.

"I thought you two hated each other"

When Sioned has left, Ricky says, “I thought you two hated each other,” and Kelly replies that they do, but he has a lot to learn about business.

Kath is about to make a hasty retreat

Kath emerges from the business units, carrying her eBay parcels, but she retreats inside when she sees Garry;

"Have you heard from Elgan?"

he asks Gaynor if she has heard from Elgan.

"Did Hywel mention he was going away?"

“Did Hywel mention to you that he was going away?” she enquires, and he answers that he knew nothing about it.

Chester receives unwanted instruction

Britt is harassing Chester in the taxi office, telling him he should write everything down while the customer is on the phone, but he snarls that Sioned told him the wrong time. “There’s a way of treating customers,” she rants,

"Sioned is dragging Deri Deithio's name through the mud"

and when Garry comes in, she advises him, “Sioned is dragging Deri Deithio’s name through the mud – and Chester’s!”

Garry has confidence in Chester

Garry informs her that Chester needs to be left alone, and given time to find his feet – he can prove himself – and the more he proves himself, the more responsibility he will get.” He then instructs Chester to wash a taxi,

but Britt insists he is supposed to be helping with a delivery at the Deri.

Kath removes some parcels . . .

As soon as Garry is out of the door, Kath retrieves her parcels from the cupboard, and Chester demands what she has there. She replies that it is none of his business,

. . . and Chester locks the cupboard door

so he looks inside and then locks the cupboard door.

Julie plays with Esther

Esther is getting on very well with Julie, who asks if she usually has a nap at this time of day; Julie will make up the spare bed for her.

Hywel almost talks to Esther . . .

Hywel attempts to talk to Esther, but when he sees what she is colouring,

. . . but then walks away

he walks away. Then there is a thud and she cries loudly;

Julie picks her up from the floor

Julie rushes in to see what is the problem, and finds the child lying on the floor.

“Did you fall? Have you hurt yourself?” she asks,

Hywel seems rooted to the spot

while Hywel stands there, looking lost.

"It's my fault now, is it?"

Britt is very abrupt with Chester in the Deri, when he accuses her of making him nervous; “It’s my fault now is it? It was Sioned’s fault earlier!”

Kath urges her not to be so hard on the boy, and confidentially informs Chester that she liked the way he handled Sioned this morning;

"I would have given her a slap – and your mother!"

“I would have given her a slap!” she says, “And your mother!”

Chester remarks that she took a long time coming back from Llanarthur this morning, and she explains she had to go the long way round for some petrol.

"What were you sneaking out of Deri Deithio?"

Then he asks what she was sneaking out of Deri Deithio, and she says she would never sneak anything, but is storing a few things there, temporarily.

"Don't let it go to waste, Chester!"

Britt brings Chester a left-over meal, and tells him not to let it go to waste.

"I had to read Teddy Teifi to her"

Julie has put Esther to bed, after having Teddy Teifi read to her;

"I wanted to help her – but I couldn't"

“I couldn’t react,” Hywel admits, “I knew she’d fallen – I wanted to help her – but I couldn’t!

"What sort of father can't go to help his own daughter?"

“What sort of father can’t go to help his own daughter? I love her, but I can’t do this! I’m so afraid that Social Services will take her from me – I’m serious.

"There isn't anyone else I can turn to!"

“There isn’t anyone else I can turn to!”

"You did say a week or two, didn't you?"

After a moment’s thought, Julie checks that he did say a week or two, and agrees that she will look after Esther; he assures her that she will not be out of pocket,

"You focus on sorting yourself out"

but she just wants him to focus on sorting himself out. Hywel is very grateful.

Gaynor pours a glass of wine

When Rhys gets back to Llwyncelyn, Gaynor is running late, but is confident that the meal will not be long. She gives him a glass of wine,

"Will Elgan be eating with us?"

and he asks whether Elgan will be eating with them, or if he is working late.

"He's left me – the relationship is over!"

“You obviously haven’t heard – Elgan’s left me – the relationship’s over,” she informs him. “It happened last week – don’t feel obliged to stay here to keep me company – I’m not really in a fit state to cook.”

"Let me do the cooking"

Rhys takes over the cooking.

"Jim Doughnut!"

As they clean up the café, Ricky comes up with more suggestions; “Nicky-bocker Glory! Jim Doughnut!” Sioned comes in with the news that her mother has agreed to host the evening here, on Thursday night, if that is convenient.

"We only have to agree the terms"

They only have to agree the terms.

"£100, all in"

Kelly immediately tells her, “£100 – to include full use of the kitchen, and three staff members who will wash up.”

"Trust me, Ricky!"

Ricky cannot understand how they will make a profit, but she insists, “Trust me, Ricky, this makes totally good business sense.”

"Can you go and keep Chester company?"

Kath asks Ricky to go over and keep Chester company, as he has been a bit lonely;

"You'll be working late on Thursday!'

Kelly tells him to finish his shift early, “As, with a bit of luck, you’ll be working late on Thursday!”

It is a done deal

Sioned returns with the news that her mother is happy with the price, and they will finalise the details over the next few days.

"I'd like the place looking 'special'!"

Sioned would like the place looking ‘special’ and Kelly agrees, with a smile,

The smile soon evaporates

which quickly turns into a grimace when Sioned leaves the café.

Chester is looking at a flyer for the fitness sessions,

"Come on – it will be a good laugh!"

and Ricky asks him if he will be going tomorrow; “Come on, it will be a good laugh – nobody takes it too seriously.” Behind the bar, Garry agrees that it would be a good idea, but Chester replies that he can make up his own mind.

"You're going to turn into 'Billy No Mates'!"

“Go on and enjoy yourself – you’re going to turn into ‘Billy No Mates’ if you stay in every night!” Garry continues, and Chester moans that people will not leave him alone.

Kath is looking for the cupboard key

Kath comes in and enquires if he knows were the key to the cupboard is; “Oh, the cupboard where you keep your parcels?” asks Chester, and Ricky is outraged that she is hiding her eBay parcels at Deri Deithio.

"What's it worth?"

Chester finds the key, but asks what it is worth; “Or perhaps I should just tell Garry now?” he suggests.

He makes an easy £10

She offers him £5, but only when she increases it to ten does he hand over the key,

"Not a word to anyone, mind!"

and she warns them not to tell anyone a word.

"Dad would have loved that!"

As they finish the meal at Llwyncelyn, Rhys says that his father would have loved that.

"Remember those movie nights?"

“Remember those movie nights we used to have?” Gaynor reminisces, and Rhys recalls that his favourite was The Godfather; “Your father used to insist on making those ‘healthy’ pizzas – they weren’t very nice, were they?” She says, and feels a bit better after eating.

"Thanks for keeping me company"

She thanks him for keeping her company; he has reminded her of some good times, and he assures her that there will be more of them to come.

More of Esther's things arrive . . .

Hywel carries the rest of Esther’s accoutrements as far as the front door, and Julie comments on the amount of stuff children have these days.

. . . and are taken into the house

As she takes the bags into the house,

"Dad's going away now . . ."

Hywel talks to Esther; “Look, Dad’s going away now –

". . . and I won't be coming back"

“and I won’t be coming back. Don’t worry, Gran will look after you – it’s what is best for everyone.”

"It's only for a week or two"

Julie returns and assures him that he is doing what is best for Esther’s sake; “Nobody can do any more – anyway, it’s only for a week or two.”

"Be a good girl for your Gran"

Hywel tells Esther to be a good girl for her Gran, who predicts they are going to have a lot of fun together. “We will phone Dadi later to tell him what we’ve been doing, shall we?”

As he gets up to go, she assures him that everything will be all right;