Cwmderi Diary 2015: 6 April 2015

The unveiling of the new name

Mark is up a stepladder, fixing a banner in place above the café door; as he finishes, the villagers gathered around applaud. Then Debbie invites everyone in to partake of free sandwiches and Buck’s Fizz.

Anita has a photo of the original Caffi Meic

Anita has brought a photo from 1984, which she tells Siôn should be in the café. There are many locals eating the free food,

"Do you have any healthy snacks?"

and Angela asks if there are any healthy snacks; “There’s nothing wrong with doughnuts!” replies Debbie.

Debbie addresses the multitude

Debbie then stands on the stairs and welcomes everyone, remarking upon the close relationship she and Meic had for a while, and that they had worked together for years. “He would be proud, as the café was always close to his heart,” she says.

Siôn proposes a toast "To Meic!"

Siôn then addresses the throng; “Cwmderi is not the same without Meic; it was a shock for those close to him, but we all have good memories of him.” By this time Anita has changed her mind and leaves, taking the picture with her;

Mark is concerned about Anita . . .

Mark looks concerned and follows her.

. . . but stops to lend a hand to Megan . . .

As he leaves the Deri he sees Megan looking upset and enquires what is the matter. She says she will have to cancel Maenan’s Easter Bonnet competition, as the leaflets have not been distributed, “And Jinx made such a smart job of them.”

Mark has the answer; “Postpone it until Thursday, and I will deliver the leaflets with my round, there’s no need to cancel.”

. . . who is very grateful

Megan is very grateful, calling him, “A saint,” and kissing him. “Careful,” says Mark, “People will talk!”

In the café, Gemma wants to go home, but Gwyneth is enjoying her drink; Angela asks Debbie, “What’s the story with Gemma and Gwyneth? Is Gemma gay now?”

Gwyneth is outraged by Angela's assertion

Unfortunately for Angela, Gwyneth is by this time standing behind her, and snarls, “We live in the same house, so there’s something sexual going on? Are you sleeping with Debs? You’re talking together!” Listening in the background, Gemma gets an idea.

Mark talks while Anita remains silent

Mark finds Anita in the Deri and tries to talk to her;

"If there's any way I can help . . ."

“Bank holidays are not the same when you’re on your own. Mind, I’m happier since Gemma and I finished, but I know how you feel. If there’s any way I can help . . .”

"It's nothing to do with you!"

Anita tells him that she does not need any help, and it is nothing to do with him; “Hiding my emotions is the only way I can carry on,” she says, before walking out.

Siôn worries how Meic's gift will affect his reputation

Britt tells Siôn that Anita is not right, and he replies, “I know Meic hurt her by giving me the money. I should use it to benefit the Deri.

"I feel as if Meic set me a challenge"

“I feel as if he set me a challenge, a chance to do the right thing.”

“Yes, to repay the chapel!” insists Britt, but Siôn wants everyone, including Anita, to see what good has come from this money.

"Give it to Bethania!"

Britt is adamant, “All right, say we’ve spent it on a new boiler – no-one will know we haven’t – then give it to Bethania. Please, just pay the debt, so I can stop worrying about it!”

Siôn is still concerned about what people will think

Siôn is of the opinion that people will think he spent it on himself.

"What is there to look forward to?"

Debbie is depressed, and tells Angela, “What is there to look forward to? Growing old, falling ill and dying!” She enquires how old people are when they get cancer; “I’m 45 in May, and Ricky won’t need me much longer.”

Gemma appears to be plotting something

Angela’s answer is that they need a girls’ night out.

"You don't need anyone to look after you"

Meanwhile, Gwyneth goes into the kitchen to get more sandwiches; predictably, Gemma follows her, and thanks her for standing up to Angela for her. “You don’t need anyone to look after you,” replies Gwyneth.

Suddenly Gemma jumps on her . . .

“Everyone needs someone,” says Gemma, and promptly kisses Gwyneth, who pushes her away;

. . . which infuriates Gwyneth

“What are you doing? Don’t do that again! You had no right!” Gemma puts on an air of contrition;

"Please forgive me," whinges Gemma . . .

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I can’t do anything right. You’re angry with me again. Please forgive me!”

. . . but allows herself a self-satisfied smile

As Gwyneth hurriedly leaves the café, Gemma smiles.

Megan raises the matter of the money . . .

Megan goes to the Deri and compliments Siôn on his inspiring Easter message, and asks if she can leave some Easter Bonnet competition leaflets on the bar. “Given Meic’s generosity towards you, could you sponsor the first prize?” she asks him.

"Meic's money is being spent already"

Just then, Britt comes in, having been shopping, and Megan comments, “I see that Meic’s money is being spent already.”

Britt furiously retorts, “I spend my own money on my children!”

Siôn bribes Megan by promising Easter eggs

In an effort to impress Megan, Siôn offers to have the competition in the Deri, as it is warmer and friendlier than Bethania, and promises an Easter egg to every entrant. “It’s difficult to refuse,” says Megan, smugly.

Siôn also suggests that Anita be asked to judge the entries. Megan’s response is predictable; “I don’t think so – I’ve got years of experience.”

However, when Siôn points out that it would give Anita a boost after what has happened, and is their Christian duty, she changes her tune.

Mark is very helpful to Megan

Then Megan turns to Mark, who volunteers to change the venue on all the leaflets, as well as deliver them.

"My feet are killing me!"

In the café flat, where Debbie is taking a rest, Angela tells her that she is a successful businesswoman, who has simply not yet met the right man. “Why not join the Healthy Eating Club after Easter? It will make you look younger.”

"Do I look old, then?"

Debbie takes exception to this last remark; “Do I look old, then? I prefer chips and doughnuts! I can sort things out myself – I’m used to doing things on my own. Forget your night out! I’m not going anywhere with you!”

"Dani told me that she was making Gwern a bonnet"

Gwyneth sees a Easter Bonnet leaflet and intends to make one for Gwern, but Megan interrupts, saying that Dani told her she was making one; Gwyneth is quite happy, as this will save her a job,

"It's not Dani's place to make it!"

but Gemma interferes, “It’s not Dani’s place to make a bonnet – you give in too easily.”

"You've wasted £50 on eggs?"

Britt is horrified when she finds Siôn has been out and bought £50-worth of Easter eggs, although he assures her that they will recoup it in sales of drinks.

"I know I'm doing the right thing," insists St Sion the Sanctimonious

He is insistent, “I know I’m doing the right thing.”

Then he proposes to spend just £500 of the money on the Deri, while giving the rest to the chapel, an idea which Britt heartily endorses. Then he adds, “Why don’t you take the children for a short holiday, to Newcastle, for instance, while I look after things here?”