23 June 2016

DJ is deep in thought

DJ looks at the photo of Dic Deryn, gets out his phone 

He almost phones Dic

and is about to call “Dad”, but hesitates.

"Bacon and mushrooms"

Dai is cooking breakfast;  “Bacon and mushrooms – you like that, don’t you?” he asks Diane, but, without a word, she picks up her bag and walks out.

Courtney opens a card

Courtney opens her card from Jim, then he hands her a box;  

She opens the box

inside are a set of “D” plates (learner).   “How did you know?” she asks, 

"Matilda is ready!"

then receives a text from Eifion, advising that Matilda is ready.

She does not want to be late for school, but Jim insists he has something else to show her.   

"No peeking!"

He blindfolds her and leads her outside;  

Courtney is taken aback

when she sees the car, CA65HCE, complete with a large pink bow, she is very confused.   

 Matilda arrives . . .

At that moment a car horn sounds and Eifion drives round the corner in Matilda, R355ETX, 

. . . with all her embellishments

which has been equipped with flower vinyls and eyelashes over the headlights.

Eifion presents her with the keys;  “Happy birthday!” he says, while Jim demands what is going on.   

Courtney tries to explain

Courtney explains that she was not expecting her father to buy her a car, and that Eifion bought her the one she had fallen in love with.

"Take this shed back to the garage!"

“You had no right to buy her a car!” rants Jim, “She can’t have two – take this shed back to the garage!”   Courtney is adamant that she wants Matilda, and that he should have warned her what he intended to do.   “Oh no – I’m perfectly happy that someone else has bought you a car!” he shouts and marches off.

"I didn't hear you come to bed"

Cadno tells DJ that she did not hear him come to bed last night;  

"If you hadn't forced me to let her stay . . ."

“I didn’t,” he replies, “If you hadn’t forced me to let her stay, none of this would have happened.”   

"The truth was bound to come out"

Cadno maintains that the truth was bound to come out, and that Dai is to blame for this, calling himself Dic.

“If the test comes back positive, when we have children, I promise that I won’t be like him – I’ll be a good father – I like the idea of a little DJ running round the place.   I’ve always wanted them – two at least.   Do you think I’ll make a good father?   A brother or sister for Bobi and Arthur.”

"I've been sterilised"

Cadno is troubled;  “I can’t have any more – when Eifion and I separated, we were worried about the boys and their inheritance.   If Eifion and Angela had any more children, that would put it at risk.   We agreed that I would be sterilized and he would have the snip – but he chickened out!”

"You tricked me!"

DJ demands why she did not tell him this;  “It changes everything – you tricked me!   Not telling the truth is as bad as telling lies, like Uncle David.   I’ve been sitting in the kitchen all night, trying to make sense of it.   The only comfort I had was knowing I had you.   

"I've lost my future now!"

“The past might not matter – at least I had a normal, happy future with you.   Now I’ve lost that as well!”   

Off goes DJ

He trudges off across the farmyard.

Ffion finds Gethin

Ffion finds Gethin at school, and he tells her that Gaynor has given him some marking to do;  

"I don't understand half the questions"

“I don’t understand half of the questions, let alone the answers!” he complains, “I have to go to the bank.”   She accuses him of running away, as he cannot stand being at school a moment longer than necessary.

"A pint and a large whisky!"

DJ, already the worse for wear, arrives at the Deri and orders a pint and a large whisky.   “I’ve been at The Bull, if it’s any of your business!” he tells Eifion.   

"You've done enough damage!"

“You’ve done enough damage already, and ruined people’s lives!   You tricked Cadno, forcing her to be sterilised, but then wouldn’t have the snip yourself!   It affects me now – Cadno cannot have children, and I’ll never be a father!”

Gethin tries to phone Cadno

Gethin has just arrived, and Eifion asks him to ring Cadno, as DJ is ‘smashed’.  As there is no reply, Eifion suggests contacting Dai.   This starts off DJ, “Oh yes, Uncle David – don’t phone him – I never want to see him again!”

"If I want to drink it, I shall"

Eifion replies, “You’ve had more than enough – you can’t handle your beer!”   DJ is determined to drink what he wants.

"What do you expect me to do?"

Dai answers the phone;  “What do you expect me to do?   No, don’t call the police, for goodness’ sake – I’ll be over!”   He picks up his keys and goes.

DJ in a drunken stupor

They manhandle DJ to a sofa, where he collapses in a heap;  Eifion concludes that he and Cadno have argued.   

"I'll punch every one of you!"

DJ comes round long enough to threaten, “If I see Uncle David in here, I’ll punch every one of you!”

The text from Daniel

Gethin receives a text from Daniel;  “Hello Sir!   How’s it going?”   Gethin admits to Eifion, 

"I hate every minute of it!"

“Between you and me, I hate every minute of it, but I want Daniel to be proud of me.”

“The world would stop without mechanics – you’ve got a good job – why work any harder than you have to?” is Eifion’s opinion.   

Dai surveys the task ahead of him

Dai arrives and is told that DJ was like a wild animal earlier.

"She chose that old crock over mine!"

Jim is still moaning to Eileen about Eifion going behind his back   “She chose that old crock over mine!   It looks awful – the car I bought was so much nicer!   I think he’s a bad influence on her – 

"Goodness knows what goes on in that house!"

“goodness knows what goes on in that house!”

"He stopped her sleeping with Mathew"

Eileen stands up for Eifion;  “He stopped Courtney sleeping with Mathew a while ago.”   Jim reckons the reason he did that was that he wanted to do the same thing.   Eileen admits that they did kiss the other day, but there is nothing more to it than that.

Dai exhibits superhuman strength

Dai has somehow dragged DJ back to Bryntirion, 

He is prepared for every eventuality

and provides a drink of water and the washing-up bowl in readiness.   When Diane returns, she comments, 

"He's more welcome here than you are!"

“He’s his father’s son, obviously!   He’s more welcome here than you are – if you can cheat on one wife, you can do it again!”

"Just like you did with Reg!"

“Just like you did with Reg!” is Dai’s angry retort, “You conveniently forgot that!   Come to think of it, I cheated on Sabrina too – with you!   

"You wait until those results come back!"

“You wait until those results come back – they’ll prove he’s not my son!”

Fisticuffs between Jim and Eifion 

Jim is getting physical with Eifion;  “So you tried your luck with Courtney, you little pervert!   

"You're grooming her!"

“That’s why you bought the car!   You’re grooming her over here!”   

So saying he grabs Eifion again, and Eileen tries to separate them, but then Courtney arrives.

"He's done nothing – it was my fault!"

“He’s done nothing – it was my fault!” she shouts, “I wanted a car and he offered me one – I was so happy, I gave him a cwtch and before I knew what I was doing,, I kissed him.   It gave him such a shock, he asked me to move out.”

"I accept it was a mistake"

Eifion adds, “Yes, I know it’s wrong Jim, and I don’t want people jumping to disgusting conclusions, like you.   I asked her to move to the shop with you, but now I accept it was a mistake.   I’m disappointed you think so little of me – I’m her stepfather, and it wouldn’t cross my mind to do anything like that!”

"But I love Matilda, Dad!"

Jim has calmed down by now, and Courtney assures him that she is grateful, but she just loves Matilda.   He hopes that he can get his money back, as he will need to buy petrol now.   

"I've got a Saturday job now"

She announces that she will be able to buy that as she now has a Saturday job in town.

"As long as you don't lose your temper"

“I’m teaching you to drive – right?   So I can prove I’m good for something,” Jim insists.   Courtney agrees on condition that he does not lose his temper, and that he apologises to Eifion.   “At least you’ll never get a parking ticket,” Jim predicts.

“Is there any chance of a slice of cake?” remarks Courtney, “After all, it is my birthday.”

Dai is doing some thinking

Dai looks at the sleeping DJ, 

He covers up his son . . .

and covers him with a blanket;  

. . . and is getting emotional

Dai has tears in his eyes.

22 June 2016

"She's gone to Swansea"

As DJ brings in the vegetables, he asks where his mother is, and is told she has gone to Swansea;  

"No sign of her going home?"

“So there’s no sign of her going home?” he sighs.   

"She went quiet when she saw the photos"

Cadno tells him that Linda went very quiet last night when she saw the photos of Dic.   “Probably brought back memories – although they hardly knew each other,” he comments.

“Enough to make little DJ!” laughs Cadno.

"You should feed a cold!"

Eileen comes to visit Courtney, with Jim in tow;  he has brought some food for her.   “They say you should feed a cold,” he maintains.   While he is in the kitchen, Eileen reveals she has not been able to contact Eifion.

"He hates me!"

“He’s not been home at all – he hates me!” laments Courtney, and when Jim comes in, asking if Eifion is looking after her, she announces she has cancelled the party.

"I can't wait to see your face!"

Jim tells her, “I have to go to town to get your birthday present – I can’t wait to see your face!”   Eileen agrees to try to ring Eifion once again.

"Coffee and a slice of chocolate cake, please"

Linda is being served by Gwen in the café when Eifion’s phone rings.   

"All right, give me five minutes"

“Hello, Eileen – talk about what?   All right, give me five minutes.”   Cadno has just delivered vegetables to the café, and introduces Eifion to Linda, 

"Don't forget it's your turn to have the boys"

also reminding him he is due to have the boys today.

Change of plans for Dai

Dai is about to come in, but sees Linda, then thinks better of it.   

"There's someone I have to see!"

She tells Cadno there is someone she has to see.

"Hang on – I haven't done anything!"

Eifion is spoken to sternly by Eileen.   He protests that Courtney kissed him, 

"It's not the first time, is it?"

but she points out that it is not the first time he has taken an interest in a young girl.   “Don’t you dare blame me,” he objects, “I think the world of Courtney – but as a father or brother!   I even stopped her sleeping with Mathew a few months ago.   

"I wouldn't risk it – Jim would kill me!"

“I wouldn’t risk it – Jim would kill me!   Anyway, we can’t share a house any more.”

"If she moves out, Jim will smell a rat"

Eileen warns him that if Courtney suddenly moves out, Jim is certain to smell a rat, which makes Eifion think.

Dai hides behind the counter at APD when Linda comes in;  

Dai moves so fast, he is just a blur

however, she notices him trying to sneak out and calls after him.   Jim hopes she is not going to cause trouble.

Diane is surprised to see Linda there again, 

"Oh, that would be lovely!"

and invites her, Cadno and DJ to dinner at Bryntirion tonight.   Linda thinks that would be lovely, 

"Dai's busy tonight, but I don't know what he's doing"

but Jim interrupts to say Dai will be busy tonight, although he cannot remember why.

DJ hears of the unwelcome invitation

At Penrhewl, DJ receives a phone call from his mother, advising of the invitation;  

"Cadno says yes!"

he is very reluctant, but on Cadno’s insistence, he agrees.   “What about the boys?” he enquires, but she assures him that Eifion is having them.

Linda appears quite pleased with herself

At the other end of the phone call, Diane tells Linda that Dai will be over the moon about the meal.

"You don't want her living with Angela, do you?"

Eileen urges Eifion not to let one mistake spoil everything;  “She’s even thinking she will have to go and live with Angela!” she warns.   Eifion does not want this, and cannot have the boys while he is at his friend’s house.   

"They prefer Courtney to me!"

“They love Courtney,” says Eileen, and he suspects they prefer her to him.

“Maybe I did overreact,” he concedes, “Everyone does something stupid sometimes.”   

"Remember, you were in jail at her age"

Eileen reminds him that at Courtney’s age, he was jailed for rustling sheep, and emphasises that Jim will not find out.

Dai does not like the sound of this

Dai arrives home to find Diane laying the dinner table;  “I know you’re not comfortable with people you don’t know, but Linda’s lovely – and she’s family!” he is told.   

"I'm tired – I've had a busy day!"

Dai’s protestations that he is tired and has had a busy day make no difference.

He tries to make himself scarce

When Linda, Cadno and DJ arrive, Dai tries to hide away, but is dragged out by Diane.   

"I'm sure we met years ago"

“I’m sure we met years ago,” begins Linda, “On a rugby trip in Paris – 1987, was it?”   Turning to DJ, she continues, “That’s when I met Dic, your father.   We met in a bar after the game.”

Dai seeks solace in a bottle

“I don’t remember anything like that!” snarls Dai, and retires to the kitchen.   

"Stop this nonsense!"

Diane follows him and demands what is going on, telling him to stop this nonsense.   He asks why she is making such a fuss, and she wants to know why he is so nervous.

"Go away and leave us alone!"

Linda asks if there is anything she can do, and Dai replies, “Yes, go away and leave us alone – now is not the time!”   Diane wants to know what he means, and Linda explains that this is not how things were meant to be.

"He's your father, not Dic!"

She announces to DJ, “He’s your father, not Dic!   He said his name was Dic that night in Paris – that’s all I had – a name, Dic Ashurst, but it was him, without a doubt!   

"I've never seen the man in the photos"

“I’ve never seen the man in the photos – there’s no chance he’s your Dad!”

"You're a selfish coward!"

DJ is furious;  “There’s no chance Dai’s my father – because he’s a selfish coward, who only cares about himself!”

"Think a son of mine would be a farmhand?"

Dai is equally vitirolic;  “Do you think I want to be your father?   I’m a successful businessman in the village – do you think a son of mine would be a farmhand – under your thumb?” he rants at Cadno.

"The way she dressed in France . . ."

“This mother of yours – the way she dressed in France, half of Paris could be your father!   She wasn’t fussy!” Dai continues, and DJ confronts him for saying such a thing about his mother.

"I know what happened"

Linda calmly says, “Leave him alone.   He can say what he likes about me – I know what happened.”

“Prove it!” challenges Dai, 

She produces a DNA test kit

and she takes from her handbag a DNA test kit.

When Eifion returns home, Courtney apologises for still being there, but he has changed his mind;  

"You don't have to go!"

“You don’t have to go, youve had enough upheaval without me kicking you out, 

"It must never happen again!"

“but it must never happen again!   Bobi and Arthur are staying tonight.”   

Courtney is very relieved

Courtney smiles and breathes a sigh of relief.

DJ swabs his mouth

There is a strained silence at Bryntirion as DJ hands over the swab to Linda.   Dai argues he will not take the test;  

"I only agreed to do it to get rid of you!"

“I only agreed to do it yesterday to get rid of you,” he moans.   However, it does not take long before he buckles and agrees to comply;  

Then he capitulates

“I hope it proves we’re not even related!” he snarls.

Without a further word, DJ and Cadno walk out, followed by Linda, 

Diane finds this very unsettling

who apologises to Diane.

"I've made you a sandwich"

Courtney has made a sandwich for Eifion, who surprises her by asking, 

"Do you still want Matilda?"

“Do you still want Matilda?”   She does not expect him to pay, but he hands over the money;  

"Go – before I change my mind!"

“I managed to get the price down to £300, and with any luck it should be ready tomorrow.   Go – before I change my mind!”

Garry is becoming desperate

In the Deri, Garry asks a customer, “You don’t happen to know a mechanic looking for work?”   

"I'd better have it ready tomorrow, then!"

Courtney comes in and presents him with the £300, telling him that her birthday is tomorrow, and asking him not to mention the car to Jim.

"I'm going home to do some more work"

She then informs her father, who has arrived with Eileen, that she is feeling better, and heads home for more revision.   

"I'm so lucky with her – she's never any trouble!"

“I’m so lucky with her – she’s never any trouble.   Not all parents can say that!” he remarks proudly to Eileen, who smiles knowingly.

"What a load of claptrap!"

Dai tells Diane, “What a load of claptrap!   That woman is completely cuckoo!”   

Diane is brooding – then . . . 

Diane remains silent, then addresses him;  “You were married to Alys in 1987 – and were unfaithful to her!

. . . she questions his fidelity

“How many rugby trips have you been on since we married?   How many times have you been unfaithful to me?”

'Never!"

He protests that he never has, but she adds, “I caught you with another woman on that sofa!   Goodness knows what you got up to on foreign soil!   

"You've broken your own record tonight, DIC!"

"I always knew you were good at lying to save your own skin, but you’ve broken your own record tonight, DIC!”

"I didn't  know until I saw Dai!"

Back at Penrhewl, Linda insists that she did not know the truth until she saw Dai in the village, but DJ is unmoved;  “I want you out now!”   When she insists she did not intend to do that, 

"Oh, it just happened to be in your bag?"

he answers, “Oh, the DNA kit just happened to be in your bag, did it?   “You don’t know the meaning of love – just get out!”

She leaves, and as Cadno tries to console him, 

"I'm not letting her – or him – near me again!"

DJ turns on her;  “Don’t touch me!   If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t be here!   I’m telling you one thing – I’m not letting her – or him – near me again!”