Cwmderi Diary 2015: 6 October 2015

Mark is on his round

As Mark goes about his duties, Hywel and Sheryl pass Colin outside the shop and tell him they are painting Meilyr’s room.

"Nicky Star-something"

He replies that it is a better name than Debbie’s grandson, “Nicky Star-something!”

Hywel asks if Colin fancies doing some painting, but is overruled by Sheryl; “No, we want to do it ourselves!” Colin reckons she is in no fit state to be up a ladder.

"There's someone here to see you"

As they approach the salon, Dani comes out to tell Sheryl she has a visitor,

Shery's mother, Julie

who pops out from behind a large teddy bear to reveal herself as Julie, Sheryl’s mother. “Give us a cwtch then!” she insists, “I didn’t think you’d be this big – you’re like a balloon!

"You've put on a bit of weight!"

“And how’s lover boy? You’ve put on a bit of weight too.”

"Three for the price of two"

Gwyneth corners Kelly in the café, where she is trying to plan another article; “You need to relax – I have a special offer of three sessions for the price of two,” Gwyneth tells her, but Kelly replies she is too busy to relax.

"It would be a good present for Vicky"

Then she tries her selling on Mark; “This would make a good present for Vicky!” Mark thinks that it is rather a long way to travel from London, but when informed that she is already here, he dashes upstairs.

"Thanks for letting me know!"

“Thanks for letting me know,” he scolds Debbie. She tells him to keep his voice down as they are both asleep, and enlists his help with cleaning in preparation for the Hygiene Inspection.

"Still arguing!"

Vicky comes in, telling them that things never change – they’re still arguing.

"A lot has changed here"

As Sheryl cuddles the teddy, Julie wants to be updated on what is going on in the village; “I’m sure I saw Mark Jones, dressed as a postman,” she says. Sheryl agrees that a lot has changed since she was here, and when Julie says, “Well, you did ask me to come,”

"What, she actually asked her mother to come?"

Hywel looks decidedly disappointed.

"Right, I'll go and get some milk"

Dani seizes the opportunity to go and get some milk, and Hywel has to go to CwmFM. Julie admits she did not know what to say to Dani, as she has not seen her since Brandon died. “And now it’s you and Hywel – and Hywel junior on the way!”

"Ricky will be over the moon"

Mark has been to see baby Nicky, who is still asleep, and remarks that Ricky will be over the moon when he comes back from his school trip.

Wil is settling down well in Canada

Sheryl shows her mother pictures of Wil in Canada; “He’ll have a little brother in a couple of weeks,” says Julie,

"A week next Friday"

and Sheryl corrects her that he will be arriving a week next Friday. “Why are you being induced? Is there a problem?” demands Julie, but Sheryl changes the subject to Tyrone, and is told, “That’s a long and boring story.”

"I was so sorry about Brandon"

Dani returns with the milk, and Julie tells her, “I didn’t have a chance to say earlier how sorry I was about Brandon – he was a lovely bloke – and now you’re married to his brother.” Dani is quick to point out that she did not start going out with Garry straight after Brandon died.

Sheryl suggests that they go home to finish this chat, and Julie is surprised she no longer lives in the flat. “I’ve moved up in the world now,” says Sheryl, and Dani is glad to see the back of Julie.

"This music is awful – bring back Jinx!"

Hywel sees Kelly in the Deri, reading a paper, and jokes, “Stealing stories from the opposition?” Kelly remarks caustically about the CwmFM music playing in the pub, “This music is awful – bring back Jinx, I say!”

"I'm always on the lookout for new talent"

Hywel assures her that he is always looking for new young presenters with their finger on the pulse.

"No chance!"

Without looking up, she replies, “No chance!”

She calls Colin over and asks, “You used to be a CwmFM presenter, didn’t you?” Hywel protests that he said “young presenters”. Despite accusing Hywel of being “ageist”, Colin maintains that he need look no further.

"This place has changed"

As Julie arrives at Llwyncelyn, she exclaims, “This place has changed since Kath lived here! So you and Gaynor have done a house swap?”

"I'm confident that Hywel will win"

Sheryl admits that Gaynor will be fighting for the house, but is confident that Hywel will get it.

"He was called the Village Casanova!"

“Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?” asks Julie, “Settling down with Hywel Llywelyn? He was called the Valley Casanova when I was here!”

"Oh, Hywel has changed"

Sheryl informs her that he has changed, and that next time she comes, she will have to bring Tyrone with her.

"In prison?"

“That might be difficult – he’s in prison!” her mother tells her. “The customs stopped him in Dover with 10kg of cocaine hidden in the van, in crates of fruit and veg. He had been getting away with it for years. I’m glad he’s locked up; I was happy at the start, but after a while he wouldn’t let me out of his sight, and wanted to control my life. He was too sly to hit me, but it was all mind games, and almost drove me crazy. But once you’re in the trap, it’s not easy!”

Sheryl asks if Rhiannon knew about this, as she could have phoned and they would have helped. Julie admits that she did not want Sheryl to know, and now that he is out of her life she does not want to talk about him again.

"You and the baby are the most important now"

“You and the baby are the most important now.”

"I have a heart problem"

Sheryl then confesses that the reason for being induced is that she has a heart problem.

Colin fancies this radio presenter's job

Colin is promoting himself; “I used to love presenting for you,” but Hywel argues he will be too busy in the shop for a morning slot. “Eileen’s very flexible with my shifts,” counters Colin,

"I really want a female voice"

but then Hywel says he wants a female voice.

"Oh, Jinx was a woman, then?"

“Oh, Jinx was a woman, then? I never realised that! Sexist and ageist – I get it – don’t phone us, we’ll phone you!” Colin walks off in disgust, upon which Gwyneth, who has been listening to this exchange, approaches Hywel.

Gwyneth makes her application

Hywel reads the notes she has made on a beermat; “CWMFM – C – community, W – willpower, M – miss (as in female) or possibly melody.”

“I can start immediately – give me a chance!” she pleads, and he agrees to give her an audition.

"What about the FM, then?"

When he leaves, Colin sidles over and enquires what the FM stands for.

Dani is feeling uncomfortable

In the café Dani tells Kelly, “It’s odd when you see someone who went out with your ex.”

Kelly adds, “And is your best friend’s mother!” The baby monitor on the counter broadcasts Vicky’s voice, asking her mother to bring a can upstairs. Kelly is confused, and asks Dani,

Kelly tries to unravel the web of relationships

“Hang on – Mark and Debs are Ricky’s parents . . .”

Dani informs her, “Vicky’s dad is some bloke from London, I think.”

Kelly then enquires, “Didn’t you used to be married to Mark?”

"That was only to win some money!"

but Dani is at great pains to point out that was only to win money in a competition and nothing serious. Kelly concludes, “Flipping heck! The Joneses – modern family! That’s it! That’s the headline for my article!”

The café seems to have run out of food

Wanting to celebrate, Kelly goes to the counter for a sandwich, but is told they have run out of tuna, Dani had the last bag of crisps and all the cans have gone.

"Mam, look after Nicky for an hour!"

This is when Vicky comes down, wanting Debbie to look after Nicky for an hour while she goes out. Mark is working hard in the kitchen and Debbie wants to visit the cash and carry.

"They want to reduce the strain on my heart"

Sheryl explains that they want to reduce the strain on her heart, then Hywel returns and seems desperate to get upstairs and start stripping the wallpaper.

"Is your mother staying?"

He mutters to Sheryl, “Is your mother staying? Why didn’t you tell me you’d contacted her?”

“I wanted her around when Meilyr is born – and when he’s growing up!” This does not please Hywel,

Julie is enjoying this

but makes Julie, who is listening, smile broadly. “He hasn’t got another grandmother,” continues Sheryl.

"Ooh look! I can have a week off work!"

Then Julie receives a text to tell her she can have a week off work, and Hywel looks more downcast. “I can borrow some clothes from Sheryl,” she tells him, “It’s a good chance to go on a spending spree. Now Hywel can give me a guided tour – I’m going to be spoilt rotten here!”

As soon as she gets upstairs, she shouts, “It’s like Southfork Ranch up here!”

"You couldn't afford a taxi yesterday!"

Vicky has returned after meeting a couple of friends and is reading a magazine. “You’re very flush today – you couldn’t afford a taxi yesterday!” comments Debbie, and is incensed when Vicky reveals that she borrowed it from her mother’s purse, and will pay it back.

"We need to discuss some rules!"

“I’ve been slaving here all day, while you’ve been spending my money!” rages Debbie, “We need to discuss some rules. First, I’m not a cashpoint, second, I’m no-one’s slave! I’ve got an inspection on Thursday, so don’t take me for granted!”

"I've had a hard week too!"

Vicky protests that she has had a hard week too, having the baby early and being thrown out. Debbie dismisses this as, “You had a one-night-stand and ruined your life!” and when accused of being high and mighty, replies,