17 December 2018 (2nd)

The rest of the class have gone to the pantomime

Aaron comes in to find his mother busy with the sewing machine;  “You’re supposed to be at school,” she tells him, but he replies that the rest of the class has gone to the pantomime, and she forgot to give him the money or complete the form.   

"No I didn't!"

She denies this, and bursts out laughing, as she so often does these days.

“You can help me with these costumes,” she says, “What colour would a wise man wear?   Red?   No, purple!”   

"Have you started shopping, Mam?"

Aaron has found his Christmas list, and wonders if she has started shopping.   

"Yes, that's nice"

She drapes some purple material round his shoulders, and appears pleased with the result.

"Come and stay with us – you're always welcome here"

Then her phone rings;  “No, you’re not disturbing me at all,” she says, “She can’t do that – come and stay with us – you know you’re always welcome here.   OK, see you in a minute.”

"I knew Colin was going to come back"

Aaron jumps to a conclusion, “Thank goodness – I knew Colin was going to come back in the end!” but he is deflated when his mother tells him that was Neville, whose landlady has thrown him out just before Christmas.   

"He's not staying with us again – no way!"

“He’s not staying with us again, all right?   No way!” shouts Aaron.

She points out that he does not have anywhere else to go, 

"We're going to have so much fun!"

and they will have so much fun;  “I could listen to him sing all day – he’s got a voice like velvet!  

"Come on, help me tidy up!"

“Come on, don’t just stand there, help me tidy up!”

Jason sees a letter addressed to him . . .

Jason comes into Awyr Iach to find it empty;  he notices a letter on the desk, 

. . . containing his new credit card

opens it and finds a credit card, which he slips into his pocket, 

"It's more junk mail"

telling Sara that it is more junk mail.   This surprises her because she had to sign for it, so then he changes his story, saying it is a surprise Christmas present for her;  

"Vouchers, so you can treat yourself"

“Vouchers, so you can treat yourself.”

Then he suggests that they should have some biscuits with their tea, 

Sara gives him some money for the shop

and she gives him some money to go to the shop;  “They do give change, and you’ll get it back,” he assures her.

"I'm phoning so I can start using my credit card"

As he comes out into the street, he makes a phone call;  “I’m phoning so I can start using my credit card.”

"I want that money today!"

In the café, Dai is also on the phone, to Iori, warning him that he wants the money today, but Iori puts his phone down.   

"Are you still grieving Mrs Mac?"

Diane comes in and mistakes his depressed mood as grieving for Mrs Mac.   

"Sweet, aren't they?"

Watching from behind the counter, Ed comments to Kelly, “I think we’ll be like that when we’re older – sweet, aren’t they?”   Kelly is still angry, and he goes on, “How long are we going to be like this?   You’ve hardly talked to me since last week – it came out wrong – every day I appreciate what you did for me.”   

"You've got a funny way of showing it"

She replies that he has a funny way of showing it.

Diane fancies some alcohol, but the café does not have a licence; 

"This won't be much of a Christmas party"

she remarks,  “This won’t be much of a Christmas party.”   Ed is amazed that this is the APD Management Team Christmas party.

"I think you'd be better off in the Deri"

“I don’t want to lose customers, but I think you’d be better off in the Deri,” Kelly points out, but Diane says that they were there yesterday to remember Mrs Mac, and it is not easy for Dai.

"There's no need to tell everybody, is there?"

“There’s no need to tell everybody, is there?” Dai mutters, but she maintains it is nice to see a man showing his feelings;  

"Remember, I'm always here for you, Dai"

he must remember that she is always here for him.

"I hope he doesn't throw that back in her face"

Still listening, Kelly hopes he does not throw it back in her face;  
Diane continues, “The secret to a relationship is it to support each other – and be honest, isn’t it, Dai?”

"I knew Iori wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut!"

This time it is Dai who jumps to a conclusion;  “I knew Iori wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut!   It was a mistake to work on that cheap stall of his.”   This, of course, comes as news to Diane, and he realises she has not been talking to Iori.   

I was only helping out – and I got a £100 fine!"

“I was only helping out, but the bloke from the council came and I got a £100 fine!”

"I've been trying to close down his stall!"

Diane is furious as she has been trying to close down Iori’s stall;  “And you’ve been helping him?”   

"Ooh – the sweet is turning sour!"

From their position behind the counter, Kelly sees that the sweet is turning sour.   

"Tell me you didn't give him your name!"

Diane groans, “My name will be mud if this gets out – please tell me you didn’t give him your name!”   

"No, I gave him yours!"

Dai replies that he gave her name.

Kelly giggles, “Ooh, messy!   Do you still want to be like them when we’re old?”   

"I'd prefer to stick with what we've got!"

He would prefer to stick with what they have got, if that is all right with her.

Colin has located old Christmas decorations

At Llwyncelyn, Gaynor is trying to work, but Colin is resurrecting old Christmas decorations;  

"I'm trying to work. Colin"

“Decent ones, I mean, not some posh candles and bits of orange – that’s boring.   This box is full of treasures – 

"I could wake you on Christmas morning with this!"

“I could wake you up with this on Christmas morning, to let you know that Santa has been,” he laughs, blowing a little plastic kazoo.

He has Christmas dinner all planned

Then he continues, “About Christmas dinner – you don’t have to worry about a thing – I will be cooking, and we’ll have a whopper of a turkey – a ten-pounder!   or would you prefer goose?”

Gaynor replies that she does not want either, and he is afraid that she has turned vegan;  

"Do you remember Ann Owen, who lives near Llanrwst?"

she explains, “I won’t be here – I’ve been invited to stay with a friend – do you remember Ann Owen who lives near Llanrwst?   She hasn’t been well lately, and she wants some company.”   

"Well, have a nice time there"

He is very disappointed, and she suggests that they do something nice today instead;  

"It's nice to have fun sometimes, isn't it?"

“It’s nice to have fun sometimes, isn’t it?”

Neville does not receive a welcome from Aaron

Neville arrives at the chip shop flat, and is very grateful for the accommodation;  Aaron is not at all pleased to see him.   When asked if he is looking forward to Christmas, 

"I was looking forward to Christmas!"

he replies, “I was!”   He refuses to switch on the kettle, grumbling, “He can make his own tea!”

"Can I give you a guitar lessons?"

Neville is sorry for landing on them like this, and offers to give Aaron some guitar lessons, but is told he does not want to play the guitar.   

Now Neville takes over the modelling duties

Now Britt gets Neville to wear the purple, and forgets all about Aaron.

"How did you manage to pay for those vouchers?"

At Awyr Iach, Sara wonders how Jason managed to pay for these vouchers;  “You must have spent quite a lot if I had to sign for them!   Just tell me how you got the money.”   

"I got it from Mam"

He lies that it was from his mother;  “I told her I couldn’t afford to buy you a Christmas present and she wanted to help out.   I don’t need to pay her back until I’m better.   

"Please let me do this"

“I know you don’t want a present, but please just let me do this.”   

She apologises for asking so many questions, and as he is about to leave for APD, 

"The new debit card arrived this morning"

she reveals that the new debit card from the bank arrived this morning;  “Just tell me when you’re ready to have it – right?”   

"I'm happier without it for now"

He insists that he is happier without it for now.   “Do you think I should phone your mother to thank her?” she asks, 

"It's embarrassing, Sara"

and Jason replies that it is embarrassing, and she has been hassling him about christening Ifan.

"Gatecrashing Huwi Penrhewl's christening!"

She thinks it rather amusing, gatecrashing Huwi Penrhewl’s christening, but he advises her to stay out of Diane’s way.

"That was lovely, Kelly!"

Dai and Diane have enjoyed a lovely meal at the café, and Diane adds, “It’s a shame about the company!”

"Don't you think this has gone on long enough?"

Ed asks them if this has not gone on long enough;  “You don’t want to let Iori, of all people, spoil your Christmas.   Kelly and I were watching you earlier – if we’re half as happy as you two, we will have done all right.   

"Fred and Ginger, Posh and Becks, Dai and Diane"

“I’m serious – Fred and Ginger, Posh and Becks, Dai and Diane.   Don’t let Iori come between you.”

Dai is given some mistletoe . . .

Ed picks up a sprig of mistletoe and hands it to Dai;  he admits to Diane that he is really sorry, she agrees, 

. . . and harmony reigns – for now

and under the mistletoe they kiss.   

"There's hope for us all!"

Ed tells Kelly that there is hope for them all.

The street entertainers at work

In the space recently vacated by Iori’s stall, Colin and Gaynor, suitably adorned, are playing an approximation of ‘Jingle Bells’ on their kazoos, 

"You can't busk there!"

but this does not meet with the approval of Diane.   “You can’t busk there!” she shouts, and they point out they are not collecting money, only raising cheer.

Diane says that she expects better from Gaynor, but they start on ‘We Three Kings of Orient are’.   

Neville strums away on his guitar

In the chip shop flat, Britt is sewing while Aaron appears bored out of his mind.   They are being serenaded by Neville, who suggests that they go to the Deri for lunch, and he will pay;  

Then they decide to go to the Deri

Britt is all in favour of this.   “Nev, we’ll have to arrange another gig for you in the Deri,” she suggests, “You were amazing last time!”

"We're going to have the best Christmas ever!"

Neville maintains that they are going to have the best Christmas ever, and Britt seems to be under the impression that Chester will be home as well.   Aaron is merely a hanger-on.

The kazoo artists have moved along the street . . .

The street musicians have moved to a position outside Tomos ac Ellis, and Gaynor has had enough.   

. . . and are the cause of raucous laughter from Britt 

Across the street they are aware of Britt laughing uproariously at them;  

Neville is introduced to Gaynor 

when they come over, Neville is introduced to Gaynor.   Upon being informed that she is Colin’s ex, 

Colin is developing an intense dislike of Neville

Neville comments, “Another one?   Unlucky in love, is it?”

"I'm going home"

Aaron decides he is going home as he has a bad stomach, but Britt is determined that she is going to the Deri.   

"You can come home with us if you like"

Colin says that Aaron can come home with them, and he seems very keen to do so.

"What are you doing, Sara?"

Sara is writing a gift card to Jason, and when he comes in, he wants to know what she is doing;  

"By the way, I phoned your mother"

“By the way, I phoned your mother – she’s changed her mind about a communal christening, but she does want Ifan christened.   I told her that there’s no hurry.   

"She was busy with the APD Christmas party"

“She was busy with the APD Christmas party.   I’d better fetch Ifan, or he’ll think I’ve forgotten about him.”

Jason is deep in concentration . . .

As soon as she is out of the way, Jason takes out his credit card, 

. . . as he places a £1,500 bet . . .

and on the computer places a £1,500 bet;  

. . . and a few seconds later . . .

after watching the virtual roulette wheel spin, 

. . . has lost the lot!

he is informed that he has lost, and at that moment, 

"Here it is – and I haven't peeped!"

Sara comes rushing back in, having forgotten to take his Christmas present with her.   

He swears that he had not looked at it, 

"I trust you, Jason"

and she replies that she trusts him.

Jason entertains the Deri's customers

In the Deri, Neville is singing and playing the guitar once more.   

The champagne is already going to Diane's head

Dai tells Diane, “If Lady Ashurst wants fizz, fizz she gets!”   Diane shouts for Neville to sing some more, and invites Britt to come and share the champagne.

"Another bottle, please, barman"

Neville asks for another bottle, proposing a toast;  

"For giving me a room at the inn!"

“To the brightest star, for giving me a room at the inn.”   

Britt calms Dai’s fears by reassuring Dai that the champagne is on the house, 

"The bells are ringing out for Christmas Day!"

and they all join in singing, “And the bells are ringing out for Christmas Day!” with Britt going over the top as usual.

"Mr Marriage Counsellor!"

In the café flat, Kelly says, “Dai and Diane should be grateful to you, Mr Marriage Counsellor – it’s a shame everyone’s problems aren’t as easy to sort out.”   

"I'm sorry – I'm an absolute idiot"

Ed replies that they might be, and produces some more mistletoe;  “Kel, I’m sorry – I’m an idiot.   I’ve got an absolutely amazing girlfriend, and what do I do?   Complain that she helped me!”

"Yes, you are an idiot!"

She agrees that he is an idiot, and he confesses that he would be nothing without her;  

But then she deploys the mistletoe

now she picks up the mistletoe, and they kiss.   “Dai and Diane, eat your heart out!” Kelly comments.

"Gaynor's decorations are so boring!"

“That’s what Christmas is all about – but Gaynor’s decorations are so boring,” complains Colin.   

Aaron is overwhelmed by the attention

Aaron is very grateful that he is there, and Colin notices that his stomach is better, as they sit down to lunch.   

"You're a salt and vinegar chap, aren't you?"

He swaps his packet of salt and vinegar crisps with Aaron, remembering that it is his favourite flavour.

"What's the deal with this Neville and your mother?"

“Tell me – what’s the deal with this Neville and your mother?” Colin enquires, and is told that she says they are friends.   “She’ll get fed up with him before long, you’ll see,” Colin predicts.

"He's staying over Christmas"

Aaron reveals that Neville is staying with them over Christmas, and Colin pretends that he and Britt are simply having a break, 

"I'm here for you, if you want me to be"

but assures him, “I’m here for you, if you want me to be.   If you want anything, you only need to ask.”   

"Can I stay here tonight?"

Aaron immediately asks if he can stay there tonight, and they agree, 

"A movie night, and a pizza later?"

with Gaynor proposing a movie night and a pizza later, if he fancies that.   Colin adds that they can stuff themselves with chocolates, as it is Christmas.   

At last, Aaron has a reason to smile

Aaron looks happier than he has done for weeks.