The beach.
The sound of waves in the distance.
Menna is not wearing gloves; she is wearing one of Anest’s dresses and is carrying a bag of pebbles.
Anest and Menna are either side of Iola, they walk along the beach, Anest and Iola are in their big coats.
Menna The stone circle. Up on the path. That wasn’t there when I lived here Auntie Iols?
Iola What now?
Anest The doctor put them there for tourists. Nonsense ti’n bod. They look ancient but they’ve only been there since two thousand and six. People love a story don’t they? Same as all that bloody mer man nonsense.
Menna Granddad?
Anest He had another family over in Ireland.
Menna What?
Anest They all did. She probably put her foot down one day and never let him back.
Iola Nonsense.
Anest What’s more likely, he’s a cheating bastard, or part-fish?
The threesome walk.
Iola Are you okay Menna?
Menna Yes, I think I might.
Beat.
I think I might get some chickens.
Anest takes a pebble out of Menna’s bag.
She gives it to Iola, Iola puts it in one of her coat pockets.
Anest Coed Y Brenin will, sell you a couple of hens.
Anest pulls another two pebbles out and puts them in her own pockets.
You’ll probably need to get someone in to fix the whatyoucall.
Beat.
Run.
As they walk and talk, Anest goes into the bag and pulls out more pebbles, putting them into her own pockets as well as handing them to Iola.
Iola And a dog. / Need a dog.
Menna I don’t want a dog.
Anest hands some more pebbles to Iola.
Anest You’ll need a dog.
Menna What for?
Iola Foxes. Go for the chickens.
Anest Yes you’ll need a dog.
Iola and Anest continue to fill their pockets with pebbles.
Anest Get a proper dog. Not a bloody poodle / or anything.
Iola Na!
Menna I’m not going to get a bloody / poodle Mam.
Anest I know what you’re like.
Menna I won’t get a … poodle.
The plastic bag is empty and the reality hits Menna although she fights her emotions. She scrumples the bag up.
Long silence.
Menna (fighting tears) What kind of dog … should I get then?
Anest A collie / or something.
Iola Border collie.
Menna Border collie right.
Iola Damp nose and a clean bum!
Menna Damp nose and clean bum okay.
Pause.
Anest Anything else love?
Menna I – um … I, know how to work the oven don’t I? Yes.
Menna cries as Anest hugs her.
Anest Dwi’n caru ti [Do een carry tee – I love you].
Menna Dwi’n caru ti hefyd [Do een carry tee he- fid – I love you too].
Menna sobs into Anest’s shoulder. Iola puts her hand on Menna’s back. Menna turns and hugs Iola.
Menna I love you Auntie Iols.
Iola Caru ti bach [carry tea ba ch – love you little one]. You know, I used to be so intelligent.
As the twins leave Menna, Iola turns around with her finger in the air.
Give the chickens, seashells; helps them make the eggs.
Beat.
Still have my uses!
Menna holds her hands to her mouth as the twins leave and Anest pulls a skipping rope out of Iola’s pocket.
Iola waves as Anest ties it around Iola’s waist and then her own.
The sound of the waves increasing as used in all the underwater scenes.
The twins are alone.
Anest and Iola now hold each other tightly.
Anest Cold.
Iola Over soon.
Anest Can’t see.
Iola Don’t let go.
Anest I won’t.
Iola Keep going.
Anest Oh! It’s so cold.
Iola Have you tied us? / Are we tied?
Anest Yes, yes we are.
Anest holds her tight. Lights darker, sound of waves louder.
Iola Don’t let go.
They hold hands.
Anest Let’s not be scared.
Beat.
Keep walking.
Beat.
Keep walking.
Lights darker, sound of waves louder.
Iola It’s cold.
Beat.
I know it’s cold. But, if you tell yourself it’s not cold. It’s not cold.
Iola It’s not cold.
Anest Not cold.
Slowly, the twins smile.
Iola It’s not / cold.
Anest It’s not cold.
The twins laugh.
Iola It’s not cold is it?
Anest It’s not cold.
Iola It’s quite nice actually.
Anest It is. It’s nice.
With broad smiles the twins walk into the waves together.
Sound of waves increases.
Lights down on the twins.
Blackout.
The End.
Ti’n bod / Ti’n wybod – You know?
Yna fe – Isn’t it?
Ty Felin – Yellow House. In small villages, houses are known by names rather than numbers.
Ceffyl Dŵr yw e – He’s a water horse.
Dyna ddigon – That’s enough.
Dere – Come.
Eisteddfodau – Are cultural events, where singing, poetry, dance and music are performed in Welsh. Schools, communities and counties hold them – with the National held once a year.
Ardderchog – Excellent.
Bopa – Aunt.
Ydw! – Yes.
Pryd hi’n byw gyda’ chi? – When she lived with you?
Ie, wir – Yes it’s true.
Da iawn bach – Well done.
Bach – Little one (term of affection).
Calon – Heart / love / girlfriend / boyfriend.
Ie – Yes.
Dwi’n caru ti – I love you.
Dwi’n caru ti hefyd – I love you too.
Duw, duw – Good God.
Ti’n Pwdu nawr – You’re sulking now.
Yn y felan – In the doldrums.
Cantre Gwaelod – The Lowland Hundred – a Welsh city under the sea.
Trysor y Mor – Bounty of the sea.
Twmwyn haul – Sunstroke.
Iawn – Okay / Good.
Coed y Brenin – Kingswood.
Canu nawr – Sing now.
Ti’n gweld – You see.
Fi’n teimlo’n saff yn dy ddwylo di ti’n gwbod – I feel safe in your hands you know.
Un – One.
Dau – Two.
Tri – Three.
Aderyn du – Blackbird.
Ti’n eisiau panad? – Do you want a cup of tea?
Pen tost – Sore head.
Fi sy yna – It’s me here.