Cwmderi Diary 2018: 2 November 2018

Dai is fixated by the photo

Dai is still looking at the photo, but hides it under the paper when Diane comes in; she is with DJ, assuring him that she and Dai will help with the party today.

"Kath needs help in the Deri"

DJ says that Kath needs some help with the decorations in the Deri, so Diane agrees she will do that;

"Dai can get the balloons"

“And Dai can go to get the balloons – Non will be over the moon, won’t she, Dai?”

Dai is preoccupied

but he has other things on his mind.

“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been in a grumpy mood all morning,” Diane demands, but he replies that he is fine. DJ has to go to work, or Sara will start complaining again.

Dai thinks about a plan of action . . .

Left alone, Dai thinks about the photograph and decides what he is going to do;

. . . then leaves the house

he puts on his hat and coat, and leaves the house.

"It went as well as could be expected"

In the Deri, Kelly remarks to Megan as they come in, “It went as well as could be expected,” and Megan looks very tearful;

"Have you been to a funeral?"

Gwyneth enquires if she has been to a funeral, and is told that they had a small ceremony to bury Llewelyn’s ashes in the garden.

"His last resting place is under the cherry tree"

“It was lovely – we both said a few words,” Kelly tells her, and Megan relates that his last resting place is under the cherry tree where he liked to lie down in the summer.

Garry is very scathing about whoever killed the cat

Garry cannot resist adding a comment, “It’s terrible to think someone killed him, and drove away without saying anything,”

"They don't want to relive it, Garry!'

Gwyneth agrees with him but doubts that Megan and Kelly want to relive the incident.

"You're lucky you have such good friends"

“You’re lucky you have such good friends supporting you, Megan,” Garry goes on, and again offers his condolences.

Ffion has an aching shoulder

Gaynor goes to visit Ffion, who is suffering from an aching shoulder;

Gaynor has some good news . . .

“I’ve had a meeting with the governors, and you won’t be facing an official disciplinary,” she announces,

. . . which is a great relief for Ffion

which is a great relief for Ffion. “Paul Jameson has been suspended, and Aaron Monk will be back in school on Monday.

"But there is one condition"

“But there is one condition – the governors want you to take more time off. They felt you came back to work too soon after what happened with Gethin, and I agree with them.”

"But I'm fine!"

Ffion protests that she is fine, but is instructed to come back after Christmas; “Take time to focus on yourself and Arwen.”

"You haven't picked up the balloons!"

DJ leaves an exasperated message for his father; “Where are you? The balloon man phoned to say that no-one had picked up the order! He’s waiting for you!”

"If it isn't delivered, we have problem!"

But when he sees Non coming into APD, he changes his tone; “If that order isn’t delivered by the end of the day, we’ll have a problem.”

"No, I don't want to go to the Deri . . ."

Non thought that she could have lunch with her fiancé, but when she suggests some pumpkin soup at the Deri, he does not agree.

". . . what I fancy is fish and chips!"

“Do you know what I fancy? Fish and chips!” he tells her, “I haven’t had chips for ages, so we deserve a treat –

Non finds this rather strange

“and I think we should eat it here. I’m expecting a phone call about an order.”

Ffion is in some pain . . .

In the shop, Rhys bumps into Ffion, whose shoulder is painful; she explains that she slept awkwardly or something.

. . . but is dubious . . .

She looks somewhat apprehensive when

. . . about Rhys' offer to help her

he says that perhaps he can help.

"How about a meal in the Deri tonight?"

As they come out of the chippy, DJ asks if Non fancies a meal in the Deri tonight,

"I'd prefer a night at home"

but she would prefer a night at home.

Kath helps herself to a chip

Kath is passing, with Mark, and she snaffles one of DJ’s chips. When told that Non wants a night in tonight, they are both adamant that she should go to the Deri.

"If I had my time over again . . ."

If I had my time over again, I’d be out every night!” Kath declares, and Mark warns her that her knees will seize up, and she will not be able to get off the sofa.

"We can stay in when we're old and married"

“We’ll have plenty of time to stay in when we’re old and married,” says DJ, and Non is finally persuaded. DJ asks her if she will go to the shop for a couple of bars of chocolate for dessert.

Non must watch her diet

She reminds him that she has to fit into a wedding dress soon; “I’ll look like a whale if I eat chips and chocolate every day! I’ll get us a couple of apples.”

"It's your job to make sure she's there"

Kath stresses that all the preparations have been made and it is DJ’s job to make sure that Non is there. She volunteers Mark to collect the balloons, as Dai has not turned up there.

Apparently, Dai has travelled to Brecon

Dai is in fact outside Aberhonddu [BRECON] School, and marches in through the gate, carrying the photo.

"I have to go and help with the party preparations . . ."

Debbie is leaving the salon early, because of the party tonight; “All you have to do is brush Mrs Ellis’s hair and spray it –

". . . Mrs Ellis is only a five-minute job"

“a five-minute job,” she instructs, and Gwyneth reluctantly agrees.

Megan comes in, and says that she may go to the party later, as it will be a good reason to get out of the house.

Dai speaks to a member of staff at the school

Inside the school, Dai shows the photograph to a member of staff, who gives him some information.

Rhys is employing his massage skills on Ffion

At Hywel’s house, Rhys has set up his treatment table and is administering some massage to Ffion;

"You're all knotted up"

he tells her her muscles are knotted, and is confident that after years of training he will be able to relax her. He did a sports massage course,

"I can't pretend this is a sports injury"

but she comments, “I can’t pretend that this is a sports injury.”

Hywel finds the situation embarrassing

Hywel walks in, and is most apologetic;

"Why didn't you say you had such a talented son?"

“Why didn’t you say you had such a talented son?” she asks. Embarrassed, Hywel retreats to the kitchen, as the massage continues.

Dai is in a churchyard . . .

Dai has arrived in a churchyard

. . . where he finds the grave he is looking for . . .

and eventually finds the right grave;

. . . that of Mererid Evans . . .

he looks intently at the inscription on the gravestone, which reads, “In memory of Mererid Evans, who died 15 February 2015,

. . . and her daughter, Non

and her dear daughter, Non Evans, who died 7 June 2009.”

Dai has found the answer he was seeking

He looks in astonishment at the inscription.

"Why don't we have Spag Bol at home?"

Non is still not keen to go to the Deri, but suggests that they could have Spag Bol instead. DJ insists that she can have the pumpkin soup she was talking about, but Non says she is tired;

"A night in my pyjamas in front of the box"

“A night in my pyjamas in front of the box would suit me.” He insists that they at least go inside,

Llinos gives the signal . . .

where Llinos warns the assembled multitude that they are coming.

. . . and there is a welcoming cheer

There is a cheer from everyone as they walk in;

"No-one has ever done anything like this for me"

“No-one has ever done anything like this for me before,” Non gasps, and DJ assures her that no-one has loved her before like he does. “I can’t believe you all kept it quiet,” says Non.

"Do you know where your father is?"

Diane asks DJ if he knows where his father is; “Do you think he’s had an accident?” but DJ maintains that Dai just wants to make a point.

"I didn't expect this"

“I knew he wasn’t willing for us to get married so soon, but I didn’t expect this!” DJ tells her, “Whatever’s happened, I don’t want him spoiling Non’s night.”

Mrs Ellis is preaching on Sunday

Gwyneth has managed to finish off Mrs Ellis’s hair, and Megan will see her on Sunday; “I’m looking forward to a good sermon,” she says. Gwyneth is eager to put her feet up, and is asked by Megan about Gwern.

"Gwern's looking for his dinner, I expect"

“He’s looking for his dinner, I expect,” she replies.

"It's rather untidy in here"

Megan remarks that the salon is looking untidy, and Gwyneth says that it is hard to do everything, with Debbie only working part time.

"How about I work a few hours a week?"

“How about I work for you for a few hours a week – you obviously need a helping hand, and I need something to do,” Megan suggests;

Gwyneth does not seem to welcome this idea

this takes Gwyneth by surprise. Megan needs a reason to get out of the house every day – she is on her own at Apêl Maenan, and cannot chat to anyone there.

"I could talk to the women from the chapel here"

“I could talk to the women from the chapel here – perhaps I could even persuade more to attend,” she continues,

"It would help me get over the loss of Llewelyn"

“To be honest with you, I think coming here would help me get over the loss of Llewelyn.”

Gwyneth does not want to refuse

Gwyneth does not seem entirely keen on the idea,

"I'll be in touch to sort out my hours, boss!"

but Megan says she will be in touch to sort out her work hours.

DJ gives his father an ultimatum

DJ leaves another message for his father; “Where on earth are you, Dad? Look, if you’re not here in half an hour, don’t bother turning up!”

"I'm glad you could come, Megan"

Non is pleased that Megan could come, and Diane is still concerned about Dai.

"No, I have no idea where Dai has got to"

Jason stresses that he has no idea where Dai has got to, and Diane wonders whether to call the police.

"What do you tell the police?"

“And what do you say? That he hasn’t turned up to a party?” Jason demands.

Then she remembers that Jason did not bring the books over;

"Sorry, I'll bring the books over tomorrow"

he is sorry that he forgot and promises to bring them over tomorrow. He explains that Sara is still waiting for the babysitter.

"Now I understand why you didn't want lunch here"

“Now I understand why you didn’t want lunch in the Deri,” says Non, “Aren’t Dai and Iolo coming?” DJ tells her that Iolo has tickets for the rugby in Cardiff. “I don’t care, as long as you and I are together,” she assures him.

"You and me against the world!"

He replies that is how it is going to be from now on; “You and me against the world!”
and he kisses her.

Ffion pays for her treatment

When Hywel comes downstairs, the massage session has ended, and Rhys is told by his father that he should print some flyers;

"You could create a website for me"

“Or you could create a website for me,” Rhys replies. Ffion thinks that is a good idea, as he could get loads of clients,

"I don't have time"

but Hywel says he does not have time; after some pressure from Ffion, he agrees to come up with a few ideas.

"The old man needs a push to get back to work"

When he goes to make a cup of tea, Rhys confides that he does not really need a website; “But the old man needs a push to get back to work, and perhaps this will help him.

"I'm great . . ."

Ffion joins Hywel in the kitchen and asks how he is; he replies that he is great,

". . . or that is what people want me to say"

or that is what people expect him to say.

"They don't want to hear that you're stressed"

“They don’t want to hear that you’re stressed,” sighs Ffion, and he adds the word ‘lonely’.

"I'm concerned I can't be a good parent"

“If I was on my own, wouldn’t mind, but I’m concerned that I cannot be a good parent,” Hywel regrets, “I wasn’t a good father to Rhys.”

"You're more mature now, Hywel"

She points out that he is older now – more mature than when Rhys was a child. “And I’ve learned a lot about princesses recently – it’s a huge responsibility, and I want to make sure I do it right.”

Ffion assures him that he is doing great; “It will be good for you and Esther to get back into a routine – we’re worried about you.”

"Unless you've got a million or two stuffed under the mattress . . ."

He is not sure that he is ready to go back to work, but she points out, “Unless you’ve got a million or two stuffed under the mattress, you’ll have to go back eventually – princesses are expensive to keep!”

Mark gives a speech

Mark is giving a speech in the Deri; “That’s when I realised that Non was one of the proper Joneses. I’d like to wish you both all the best –

"DJ, you found a good one there!"

“DJ, you found a good one there – someone I’m proud to call my sister! Someone who’s willing to do anything for anyone –

"My left kidney's proof of that"

“my left kidney’s proof of that.”

He proposes a toast, “To the happy couple,”

Mark does not forget the new baby

and then he adds, “I’d like to raise a glass to Jim and Eileen, who have just welcomed a baby boy.”

Kath says rather pointedly to Non, “Perhaps we’ll be welcoming more children to Cwmderi before long,”

"Let's take it one step at a time"

but DJ prefers to take one step at a time.

He also thinks that he should say a few words, and Ricky comments, “Yes, seeing that his father hasn’t bothered to turn up!” DJ thanks them all for celebrating here today, and for helping to organise the surprise.

"No-one is as lucky as me . . ."

“I think we all know the importance of families – and no one here is as lucky as me –

". . . because I'll have Mark Jones as a brother-in-law"

“because I’ll have Mark Jones as a brother-in-law! I’m sorry, I’m not very good at things like this – I never know what to say, and everything comes out wrong. But I do know one thing –