Here's the next chapter of The Ram

The Welsh Mountain Ram 7.

Briony Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy Her nine-month-old daughter.
Arfon Brionys’ unfaithful husband.
Dave. Welsh bachelor hill-farmer.
Jenny and Lassie Daves’ sheepdog bitches.
Laddie. Daves’ sheepdog.
Jessica and Pansy Daves’ sows.
Angel Daves’ mare.
Daphne Daves’ ‘girlfriend’
Cledwyn. Farmer further down the valley (Neighbour.)
Blodwen Cledwyn’s daughter.
Rachel Daphne’s TV friend.
Shirley Rachels’ GG wife.

Briony woke to feel a gentle tapping on her shoulder. She went to move her head and winced painfully. Her neck was as stiff as a board. The tapping stopped and a voice spoke softly.

“Wakey, wakey lazy bones. It’s nearly six o’clock.”

“Oooh, aah, ouch! My necks stiff. Oww!”

Daphne smiled down at her.

“I’m not surprised sleeping in that position. Just rub it gently; it’ll soon sort itself out.”

Briony tried then winced again, her shoulders were also stiff. Then she felt delicate fingers gently massaging first her atlas bone then the axis bone of her neck. She smiled as she savoured the tingles it sent down her spine.

“Mmmm. That’s lovely, don’t stop.”

“Have to stop darling in a minute darling or our goose will never be cooked.”

“Ooh. Oooh yes, oh that’s better. Thanks, you’ve got gentle hands. Oh that’s lovely, what time is it?”

“I’ve just told you, it’s nearly six o’clock. I’ve just scrubbed up to put the goose in.”

Daphne stopped the massage and turned to the bird she’d brought in while Briony was sleeping.

Briony eventually sat up ... reluctantly. She had wanted the neck massage to go on forever. She watched Daphne preparing the goose then placing it in the Agas’ capacious main oven. She grinned as she savoured the sight of Daphnes’ rounded bum bent over in her skinny jeans.

“She’s not got a bad bum for a girl,’ Briony mused then silently scolded herself. ‘What are you thinking girl! That’s a little boy in those jeans ... I think.’

She smiled inwardly then went to stand but winced yet again as the twinges lanced through her shoulders.

“Oowow. Dammit, I should have gone to bed before I was too tired. Sleeping on that sag-bag thing has bent me all crooked.”

Daphne turned, smiled and held out her hands again after wiping them on the tea-towel.

“Here let me finish off the massage. You’ll feel okay then.”

Briony turned to face the kitchen window and sighed again as the knowing fingers found the exact spot and worked away the aches. She chuckled to herself and Daphne asked.

“What’s so funny?”

“This. Being woken up by a lovely ma- no, woman and only getting my shoulders massaged.”

“What d’you mean?”

Briony stopped herself as she realised Daphne had not caught on.

“Oh. I won’t say any more.”

“No. Go on, I’m intrigued.”

Briony hesitated nervously. What she was about to say could ruin the atmosphere and spoil the whole day. A day that seemed to be starting out with so much promise.

“You won’t be angry will you?”

“Why should I be angry?”

“Well it’s a bit cheeky.”

“Go on, I’ve suffered plenty of cheek.”

“Well, perhaps I better hadn’t say it.”

“You’ve got me intrigued now. My girly brain hates to have a mystery. Go on, tell me.”

“Alright then Pandora. It’s just that normally, if a ... d’you mind if I say man, cos the remark goes better?”

Daphne shrugged and nodded assent. Briony continued.

“If a man wakes a woman up at this time of morning the massage is usually a lot more uuuhhm, you know ... intimate.”

“Well you’re safe then cos’ at the moment I’m in girl mode.” Then Daphne giggled and added. “Unless you’re a lesbian and then I’m the one that’s not safe.”

Briony turned quickly and playfully thumped Daphnes’ chest then realised she had thumped her breast. Daphne winced and staggered back.

“Oooww! Oow that hurt. Owww you’ve bloody hurt me!”

Brionys’’ playful smile changed instantly to apology.

“Oh shit! Sorry. Sorry. I forgot! For one fleeting moment I forgot! Sorry, sorry!”

Daphne slumped onto one of the kitchen chairs by the table and rested her head in her arms on the table as she gasped with pain. Briony stared guiltily and felt angry with herself for being so stupid. If Daphnes’ breasts were still growing, and it seemed that they were, then they would be tender and sensitive. She sat in the chair next to Daphne and gently stroked her neck.

“I’m sorry love. I truly am. That was stupid of me!”

When Daphne recovered, she looked up and Briony was distraught to see tears. Briony had really hurt her by a simple playful thump. Daphne stared at Briony resentfully.

“You see me as a boy, no matter what, don’t you? Even though it’s obvious I’ve got breasts, you still see me as a boy.”

“No! No! Briony protested. It was just a lapse. I forgot. When you massaged me that was such a boy-friend thing to do. Boys do that sort of thing for their girlfriends and when you did it for me I sort of did a mental switch for a moment. I just lost my way for a moment and thought of our relationship as boy and girl. I’m so sorry. I don’t see you as a boy! My god girl, you’re far too feminine and pretty for that. You’re beautiful, you took my breath away when you first appeared last night. No; truly! You’re a girl, all girl! It was just a lapse, honest. You’ve been so protective and considerate I sort of felt I was the girl and you were the boy in this relationship!”

“Relationship?” Daphne frowned nervously. “What relationship?”

Briony did a sudden take as she realised she had rather revealed her growing feelings. It wasn’t Dave or Daphne she was growing feelings for, it was the relationship where she felt protected and safe. Daphne was so considerate. Briony realised she was truly getting in deep. She reached out and took Daphnes’ hands in her own then gently raised them to her lips as she kissed them.

“I, I’m sorry. I’m growing fond of you!”

Daphnes’ tearful eyes widened nervously.

“Look Briony, please don’t mess with me, don’t wind me up. Is it Daphne or Dave you’re growing fond of?”

Briony hesitated for in truth she wasn’t sure.

“I don’t know, sometimes they seem like the same person then sometimes I see one or the other. I’m falling for the dual person, and yet I’m falling for the relationship.”

Daphne frowned uncertainly then she wagged her head.

“Listen love, I’ve never been in a relationship. I’m terrified of getting involved and then the whole thing blowing up in my transgendered face. I’ve heard so many awful stories from my trans friends, I’m afraid to get involved. I keep my emotions on a tight rein and I’m afraid ever to reveal ‘the real me’; mainly because I’m still unsure and undecided who ‘the real me’ is. I’ve never ever been with a man ... or a woman for that matter.”

Brionys’ eyes widened in surprise and Daphne noted her reaction.

“That’s right; it’s true. I’m a virgin in every respect. I’ve no idea how to respond, or which way to go.”

Briony smiled in an effort to encourage Daphne.

“Why don’t you just let yourself be yourself? Just let your emotions take you where they want to go?”

“My emotions might just take me to a place I shouldn’t be or don’t want to be. Transgenderism’s a pretty complicated situation; well it is for me anyway. I don’t know if a relationship might complicate it further.”

“Or simplify it.” Briony added softly.

Daphne squinted suspiciously as she pursed her lips thoughtfully.

“Are you trying to tell me something?”

It was Brionys’ turn to suck her lip as she debated revealing her growing feelings.

‘Would she bolt like a rabbit?’ Briony wondered, ‘or would blow up in my face?’

“Would you be annoyed if I told you?”

“I’d like to know what it is you’re looking for.”

“If I tell you please tell me you won’t be angry. If you are angry, could you tell me when I’m leaving here; that is after the snow clears.”

“I’d try,” Daphne conceded, “I can’t make any promises. If you think it’s that bad, don’t tell me.”

‘Here goes nothing,’ thought Briony.

“Well. I have grown rather fond of you. You’ve been so kind and considerate and you’ve been wonderful to Sion. It’s obvious he adores you.”

“He adores Dave. What will he think of Daphne?”

“That would be for after, after we’ve sorted things out.” Briony added nervously.

“Sorted what?” Daphne pressed.

“Well, I’d like stuff to go further. I’d really like to see if we could make a relationship work.”

“Good God girl, you’ve only just left your husband. Don’t you think this is a bit sudden? How would Sion see it?”

Briony sniffed dissmissively.

“Sion hates his father, he’s terrified of him. He’s seen the man beating me and he’s had some pretty awful thrashings as well. He’s already told me he’s afraid for Ellairy.”

Daphne fell silent. Things were moving too quickly for her. She wagged her head in despair and made her excuses.

“I’d better go and see how Angel’s getting on.”

Briony watched her stumble into the snow covered yard then she sat staring at the kitchen wall. She wasn’t sure what to make of Daphnes’ reactions.

‘The girl hadn’t said yes or no so it was obvious there was some sort of hope.’

Daphne entered the loose box to find Angel progressing satisfactorily. She felt the mares’ belly and the foal was still active within so it was all proceeding as before. A quick circuit of the other animals finally brought her to Peter the rams' pen. The ram stamped his forefoot and bleated gruffly as Daphne bent over.

“Well my boy. Seems like only you and Laddie are real men around here. I hope you’re going to look after us.”

“She fed the ram some high protein nuts and it ate greedily from her hand. That done, she took a long walk around the paddock to check the penned flock. In the daylight she would have to feed them and then release them into the lower pasture. There was still a substantial amount of grazing under the snow and the animals knew how to find it. Satisfied with everything, she returned to the farm house to find Briony nursing Ellairy It was seven o’clock and any minute Sion would appear asking about presents. As Daphne stamped the snow off her boots in the utility room, Briony strolled from the kitchen to meet her with Ellairy busy at her breast.

Briony was pleasantly pleased when Daphne failed to respond in anyway and continued with normal eye-to-eye contact whilst explaining about Angel the mare.

“She’ll be foaling soon. All the signs are good and she’s started contractions. I’m just having a cup of coffee to warm up and I’ll be back in the barn. If Sion wakes up, bring him over.”

Briony smiled, nodded and returned to settle in one of the Windsor chairs by the Aga. Daphne was just finishing her coffee and Briony had just finished feeding Ellairy when a small tearful face appeared around the passageway door.

“He hasn’t come mummy!”

Briony held out her arms to comfort him and he flung himself into them. Daphne was relieved that Sion hadn’t seemed to notice the ‘strange woman’ in the kitchen and she slinked out after mouthing. “I’ll just check on Angel,” before slipping un-noticed out of the kitchen.

She returned several minutes later to find Sion still distraught and crying his eyes out. This time she checked her appearance in the mirror beside the back door then announced her arrival while Sion was still burrowed into Brionys’ embrace.

“Oh dear, dear, dear. What’s wrong young man?”

Sion twisted around and stared uncomprehendingly at the stranger.

“Who, - who are you?” He sobbed.

“Why I’m Daphne young man and I presume you are still Sion.”

Sion nodded uncertainly then turned to look up at his mother.

“Where did she come from mummy?”

Daphne answered before Briony could speak.

“You don’t have to worry where I came from young man, it’s what I’ve got to tell you that matters.”

Sion stared, puzzled as Daphne explained.

“You’ll be pleased to know that Santa has prepared a very, very special present for you.”

Sions’ face brightened and the tears dried up.

“What?”

“Well, you get dressed young man, and I can show you. Mummy can come as well.”

Sion was upstairs in a flash and Briony asked Daphne how things were.

“She’s started. I just felt the hooves and head engaging. She’ll be bearing soon. You’d better hurry him up and bring some warm coats; it’s still dark and cold.”

Briony quickly followed Sion upstairs and Daphne collected some more lamps, cloths and warm soapy water. When Briony and Sion returned she was standing at the back door ready to lead them to the stable.

Sion eagerly took one of the swinging lights and trudged curiously in Daphnes’ footsteps. Briony was surprised at how much snow had fallen again. The tracks they had cleared earlier were now just shadowed canyons under the new snowfall. They entered the stable to find Angel neighing softly as Daphne was pleased to find the foals hooves and nose already showing. She firstly calmed Angel with soft words then stepped slowly to Angels’ rear. It was obvious to Briony that both horse and woman were old hands at this as Daphne washed her hands and invited Sion into the loosebox.

When the boy was beside Daphne, she gently showed him the foals’ hooves and nose as Angel contracted again to inch her foetus out. Daphne softly explained what was happening and Sion was mesmerised by the magic. In the lamp-light, Daphne gently took Sion’s hand and laid it on the foals’ hooves as she explained.

“Now Sion, Angel will need a little help giving birth to her foal and you and I are going to do that. What you’ve got to do is gently keep a steady pull on the hooves. Can you do that?”

“I think so. How hard do I pull?”

“Not very, you mustn’t hurt Angel; she’s already suffering enough cos’ giving birth is a very painful process.”

As she explained, Daphne gently pulled Sions’ wrists to demonstrate how much force. Sion nodded and with eyes alight with excitement, he pulled gently. The foal slipped further out and Sion could now recognise the head.

“It’s coming!” He almost squeaked.

“Yes, now I’ll catch it as she starts to come quicker. Once the head and shoulders are clear, the foal will virtually fall out.”

Even as Daphne spoke, Angel gave a final soft neigh and expelled the foal in one smooth slippery wet motion. It almost caught Daphne unawares as she was explaining to Sion.

“Ooo-ops! Nearly lost it then. Now let the foal come down as I lower the body and legs.”

Sion lowered the head and front hooves gently as Daphne lowered the bulk of the body. Then carefully cleared the mouth as Angel gave another soft winey and turned around to lick the foal. Within seconds the foal responded with a soft cough and raised its head as Angel started to lick its face. The head bobbed eagerly in response to the mothers’ stimulation and Daphne looked on with satisfaction while Sion just stood entranced by what he had just seen and shared. Sion then turned to Briony.

“She’s had a baby ... just like Jesus on Christmas day!”

“Shhh, darling not so loud, don’t startle them.”

Daphne explained gently.

“She’s a very good tempered mare. She’ll not be startled by Sions’ voice, though the foal needs to be calm and quiet for the first few hours as she finds her feet.”

“Is it a girl then?” Sion asked.

“Yes.” Daphne relied, “she’s a little girl, are you happy to have a girl?”

Sion looked puzzled. “Me?”

“Yes, you. This is Santa’s present to you. You said you wanted a pony didn’t you?”

Sion was speechless with disbelief as he turned to his mother.

“Is she really mine mummy?”

Briony glanced uncertainly at Daphne but Daphne quickly averted the care question.

“She’ll stay up here on the farm with her mother and you can come to see her whenever you want. When she’s older, I’ll teach you how to ride her.”

Then Daphne addressed Briony.

“She can stay up here as long as Sion wants a horse. Angel’s getting a bit long in the tooth and we need a younger mount to share the summer flock patrol duties. He can come out with me on summer rides, provided you’re happy.”

Briony was speechless then tears started again, tears of gratitude and joy. Sion was too engrossed in stroking the still wet foal to notice his mothers’ tears. Then Daphne bent down to attend as Angel nuzzled both foal and boy.

Sion was in heaven.