A chapter where Daphne and Briony's relationship deepens and Briony is introduced to the 'Other side' of Daphne's life.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 16

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

The landing corridor was dark but Briony could see some light escaping from under Daphnes’ bedroom door. Reassured that Daphne was still up she crept along the landing and cursed silently as a couple of floorboards creaked. Daphnes’ door immediately opened as Daphne called softly.

“Who’s there? Is that you Sion? You should be in bed.”

Briony hesitated then realised Daphne was not afraid of burglars, she was just speaking softly to avoid disturbing her guests. Thus emboldened she identified herself.

“It’s me, Briony. I just wanted to talk,” she lied.

Daphne popped her head around the door, recognised the nightie Briony was wearing and eventually she smiled.

“What d’you want to talk about?”

“Us, the future, my divorce, Arfon, the children, us again; do I have to spell it out?”

“I suppose you’d better come in then. Are the children asleep?”

“Yes.” Briony almost choked as she realised she had crossed two important boundaries; Daphnes’ bedroom doorway and talking intimately about their future relationship.

As she entered, Daphne was climbing back into bed then she demonstrated her feminine intuition and patted the bed.

“It’s warmer under the duvet if it’s going to be a long chat.”

Briony smiled gratefully, ‘Daphne was not playing coy or pulling any strings. The invitation to get under the duvet was a clear pointer to other options being available whilst yet offering a clear ‘get out clause’. She sat on the bed then slid her legs under the raised duvet that Daphne was holding and they were quickly lying with the heads on the pillow facing each other. Briony noted that Daphne had behaved more like a school-friend by remaining covered and not sitting up with her back against the headboard as a man probably would have done, leastways; a man without boobs.

‘Daphne could hardly sit up and expose her delicious rack’ Briony surmised, ‘so she had naturally snuggled under the duvet as though inviting Briony to share some delicious intimacy.’

Briony was sorely tempted but restrained from such a precocious advance. Instead, she lay facing Daphne with their knees and ankles touching as she discussed further issues surrounding any future plans. Inevitably sleep overtook them and the last thing Briony remembered was the bedside light being switched off as Daphne’s twisting to reach the switch disturbed Brionys’ comfortable cwtch.
.In the early morning, Daphne woke first to find that they had somehow embraced during the night. Daphne’s arm had snaked around Brionys’ lower shoulder and they had drawn closer so that their breasts were touching. It was a strange sensation for Briony to find herself pressed against another ‘womans’ breasts but somehow it seemed allowable, especially as the incongruence was emphasised by a very different ‘and, to Briony, more interesting’ activity further down Daves’ body. Briony was minded to investigate further but she resisted the urge to touch with her hands. Instead she pressed her knee between Daphne's thighs and savoured the familiar hardness pressing into her soft curved tummy. Dave grunted then responded as any partially conscious man would. Briony reacted accordingly and suddenly Dave woke with a startled squeak.

“Whoah, hold it girl. Not yet, not before your divorce. We can’t, we daren’t.”

A flicker of disappointment surged through Brionys’ thoughts. ‘She so wanted to take him, to have him to herself. He was just so-oo sweet and tender.’

Reluctantly, they separated and Daphne swung her legs out of the bed to reveal that she had only slept in her panties. Consequently the evidence of Daves’ need was clearly obvious. Brionys’ eyes fell upon Daphne/Daves’ erection and she pouted.

“You wanted it as much as me.”

Daphne nodded and smiled.

“Yes, I did but we just can’t. I’m thinking what the lawyers will say in court.”

“How would they know?”

“They’d ask Sion. I’ve seen how lawyers work. If you’d have been in court during Rachels’ divorce from her first wife you’d understand. It was horrible and Rachel has only just started seeing her children again now that they are fifteen and sixteen. They were eleven and twelve when Rachel and her first wife divorced and guess what the judge said; ‘There would be little harm done in just a few years separation from their father.’

I’ve spoken to those kids just recently and the rage is evident, they hate their mother and they love their dad ... transgenderism and all!

Shirley is Rachels’ second wife and she has only just given Rachel a baby. Rachels’ first two dote on the baby. They are moving back with their dad this coming summer as soon as the fifteen-year-old is of age. It’s their choice and they had ructions with the social workers when they declared their intentions. I don’t want you or indeed any child of ours to have to endure such hurt. We have to wait. I’m sorry Briony; I couldn’t face that sort of upset for any kids of mine, or indeed any future wife. Please, let’s just wait. There’s going to be troubles enough when Arfon discovers that you are seeing a trans-person.”

Briony sagged back in confusion. She was joyously happy that Dave/Daphne had inadvertently declared his/her intention to marry Briony after her divorce yet she was disappointed that nothing physical had taken place to demonstrate their feelings for each other. If she hadn’t known better, it would have seemed that Dave/Daphne was withholding sex like some sort of bargaining chip. But now she understood and with that understanding, she realised she knew very little of Dave’s life between his fathers’ death and the present. Even Blodwen could give little account of his engagement with the transgendered community. Briony now became anxious to meet Rachel and Shirley.

She lay under the duvet reluctant to rise as Daphne emerged from the shower and dressed to face the day. Briony noted that she put her bra on with a consummate familiarity as she reached easily behind her back to fasten the hook and eyes.

‘She’s got the fluidity and flexibility of a woman,’ Briony concluded as Daphne next ‘rabbit-holed’ her tights and stepped into them easily. Daphne then sensed Briony watching and she turned with an inquisitive frown.

“What?”

“What d’you mean ... what?”

“What’choo lookin' at?”

“I was just looking at you dress. You’re not a man are you? All your actions are totally feminine.”

“Well, I’m not dressing as a man am I? I’m dressing as a woman so naturally I dress as a woman does. I might suggest you do likewise. Any minute Sion is likely to come barging through that door and do you really want to let him catch you in my bed?”

Briony thought about it and grinned.

“It would probably make him happy, it’s what he wants; you as his dad. Seeing us in bed would reinforce his hopes and ambitions.”

“It would also make it difficult for him if he had to testify in court ... did you see your mummy sleeping with Mr Cadwalloder? Remember boy, you’re on oath!”

Briony was reluctant to admit Daphne had a point and eventually she slid out of the bed. After briefly visiting the loo, she sneaked back to her own bedroom and smiled with some relief to see Sion still fast asleep in their shared bed. She slipped past to the bathroom and commenced noisily showering until Sion appeared.

“Are we going to Birmingham today?” Sion asked.

Briony wasn’t sure so she rinsed off, wrapped a towel around her and instructed Sion to take a shower while she checked with Dave.

“Will he be Dave today then?” Sion wondered.

Daphne still wasn’t sure. When she had left, Daphne was in her underwear and tights, but she could just as easily have put Daves’ outer clothes on. After all she had to organise the animal care with Cledwyns’ labourer prior to departing. Her question was answered when she met Dave on the landing, dressed in an asexual chequered work shirt and a pair of vaguely girly ‘skinny type’ jeans.

“I’m starting breakfast then feeding the animals then popping down to Cledwyn to sort out the husbandry while we’re in Birmingham.”

“Oh, then we are going today.”

“Yes. Tomorrow’s New Years Eve. I want you settled into the hotel before seeing Rachel about the convention. You can go shopping all day tomorrow but I’ll be back at the hotel about sevenish tomorrow evening to get ready. The sisters are having a meal before going clubbing. Can you be ready for about elevenish to leave here?” We should be in Birmingham about twoish depending on traffic. You’ll even be able to shop this afternoon.”

Briony turned quickly around and returned to her bedroom to get the children ready. By the time Sion was dressed and Ellairy made ready, Dave had the breakfast on the table. Briony was content with fried eggs and bacon followed by some buttered toast and tea. Sion filled his belly then hurried out into the yard to join his hero feeding the animals and checking them over. They popped over to Cledwyns to organise the next few days care of the animals and when they returned, Briony was all packed and ready. It took Daphne just half an hour to get ready and when she re-appeared in the kitchen Briony was truly impressed.

“Good God girl! I’m going to have to buck my ideas up when I’m married to you. I’d never have recognised you as a man, you’re stunning girl.”

They soon loaded the land-rover and made excellent time. By two thirty, they were arriving at the hotel in Birmingham.
Briony was quietly impressed and savoured the fussing attendance of the staff as they immediately recognised Daphnes’ car.

“Ah lovely to see you again ma-am,” the concierge declared as he snapped his fingers to two porters.

“And it’s lovely to be here again Gordon, as you can see I’ve brought a companion and her children.”

Gordon the concierge was already assisting Briony with her children and suddenly Briony was pleased to realise that she nothing to lift but the rather smart handbag that Daphne had lent her. The check-in at the desk proved to be the briefest of formalities as the reception staff immediately recognised their regular guest.

“Ah! Miss Cadwalloder. Glad to see you again. A week this time is it?”

“I’m not sure yet Marjorie. The snow has made things tricky back home. It depends on the weather after January the third. However, I’m anticipating being here until the weekend if the weather holds. I’ll be phoning home to check every day.”

Briony felt a surge of pleasure at the thought of a week’s shopping apart from New Year’s Day. Daphne handed her the keys and nodded to one of the attending maids.

“Please see Miss Briony and the children to our suite I’ve just seen my colleague in the restaurant.”

Daphne made her excuses and Briony heard the rather effervescent greeting in the restaurant even as she entered the lift with the maid. When she got to their suite, the bags had already arrived and the maid immediately started sorting out Briony’s clothes. As Briony searched through her handbag for a tip the maid just turned and smiled.

“There’s absolutely no need for a tip Miss Briony, Miss Cadwalloder sees us all right at the end of each stay. I’ll be your maid for three hours each morning after you’ve finished your breakfast. In the afternoons room service will attend. Which bedroom will you be taking?”

“How many rooms are there?” Briony swallowed nervously.

“This suite had four bedrooms. Miss Daphne prefers it every time she comes, she usually takes the East bedroom; she likes the early morning sun. All the rooms have excellent views. I’m a live-in maid based permanently on this floor so I’ll be next door every night to attend to your children when you’re out. There’s an adjoining door which you can lock.

Briony and Sion toured the suite while the maid attended to Ellairy. By the time Sion had chosen a room and Briony had inspected her chosen room Ellairy was changed and ready to be fed. The maid smiled beatifically when Briony explained that Ellairy was still on the breast.

“Well madam, that’s beautiful but it’s one task I can’t perform. I’m not married yet and I have no children.”

Briony grinned and immediately set about feeding. Sion waltzed in and the maid was about to shoo him away but Briony explained.

“He’s used to it, let him stay. One thing I’d love is a cup of tea.”

The maid immediately disappeared into the kitchenette and reappeared with a tray containing a glass of milk for Sion and a pot of tea with two cups.

“One for Miss Daphne when she appears.” The maid explained.

Briony was glad of the company and nodded to the maid to pour two cups there and then.

“Have one yourself. Daphne’s got some schedules to organise with Miss Rachel and her partner. She’ll be gone a while.”

The maid visibly relaxed and settled primly to share a cup. Sion, having completed his tour of the suite, begged to go and have a wander around the hotel. Briony let him go explaining to the maid ... he wanders around miles of moorland and pasture at home. He won’t get lost.”

The maid turned, smiled and explained to Sion.

“It’s a big hotel. If you get lost, ask any member of the staff for the reception desk. And REMEMBER your room number,” She added for good measure. “You’re on the very top floor!”

Glad to be free to roam, Sion immediately disappeared and was gone for an hour before he returned accompanied by Daphne, Rachel and Shirley. Introductions were completed and Shirley immediately invited Briony to use up the remaining shopping hours. Briony was more than pleased to oblige while Daphne continued discussions with Rachel about the forthcoming LGBT convention after the New Year. It also gave Briony a chance to find out about Dave’s life from aged nineteen to the present.

Briony was delighted with the baby sitting service provided by the hotel.

‘If this is how the other half lives,’ she thought, ‘then bring it on.’

They took Sion with them and left Ellairy in the care of the crá¨che. At first Sion was reluctant until it became apparent that there were some computer games and wee games to be bought mainly on his behalf. The three of them returned foot-sore and loaded with shopping. Daphne met them with a tray of tea while Rachel was busy at the writing desk.

“How did you know to expect us?” Briony asked Daphna.

“The reception desk called me the moment you came into the foyer. They understand my little foibles. I don’t like unexpected callers.”

“Yes, Shirley talked about that. You had a bad time then.”

Daphnes’ face darkened momentarily but the smile quickly returned. It seemed that Daphne was relieved that Briony now knew of the assaults and the beatings Daphne had suffered whilst searching for safe areas to indulge her needs. It was in hospital that Rachel had found her one Sunday morning after a particularly severe attack. She had been visiting another friend who had also been beaten when the consultant had recognised Rachel and asked her to visit Daphne who was feeling frightened and very sorry for herself. When Rachel introduced Daphne to the police officer investigating the attacks, Daphne was at first terrified but slowly the officer and Rachel had calmed her down. Rachel had eventually taken Daphne under her wing and slowly, ever so slowly, Daphne had started to recover her confidence. Briony now realised that Daphne and Rachel were very close friends and they had made it their business to help other transgendered sisters who were slowly emerging from the woodwork. They had helped to set up the small office addressing the ‘Tee’ issues inside the larger office that supported the whole LGBT organisation in the city.

“Until Daphne and I got started, the ‘Tee’ in LGBT was a very small ‘tee’.” Rachel explained.

“Where are you staying?” Briony asked.

“Why here, in this suite. Shirley and I will be sharing the fourth bedroom. That’s the usual arrangement.”

“Oh. Oh sorry, I didn’t realise that.”

She looked askance at Daphne who threw up her hands in apology.

“Sorry Bri’ I forgot. You won’t mind will you?”

Briony thought about it for all of half a second then grinned.

“Not at all. The more the merrier. Shirley’s good company and she can guide me around the shops. By the way, where’s your baby?” She asked Shirley.

“With her Nan; my mother. She dotes on her, thought I’d never give her a grandchild then Rachel came along and I discovered the sort of men I liked. My mum absolutely adores Rach’, she’s often down Canal Street in Manchester having lunch with us. She likes the scene and the vibrancy. She rarely comes out at night though and she often baby-sits our Dorothy. They share the same name, Dot is named after my mum. Her other name is Angela after Rachel’s mum, she also loves her grandchild. Angela Dorothy does not go short of doting Grandmothers, she’s spoiled rotten.”

They spent the meal chatting about the transgendered scene in Birmingham until the time came for Rachel and Daphne to get booted and saddled for the clubbing scene. Briony naturally flitted between Rachel’s room and Daphne’s as she double checked on the different make-up regimes. Naturally, Sion showed a similar curiosity and after both tee-girls were reasonably respectable, Sion was allowed to watch as they put their faces on.

“I wish I was coming with you,” Sion declared as his mother started to get ready. “You and Daphne look really nice; and Rachel and Shirley. Will you be dancing?”

“Yes darling but it’s a grown up club. Sorry, but this is one place you cannot go. The maid will be baby-sitting you and Ellairy and we won’t be home until ... well I don’t know.”

Briony turned to Daphne and asked.

“What time will we be back?”

“Oh, I don’t know, early I suppose.”

Briony turned with exasperation to Sion and wagged her head in amusement before turning again to Daphne.

“What d’you mean by early. Is that early with regard to the evening’s activities, or early tomorrow morning?”

“Early tomorrow morning darling,” Daphne replied, “probably about seven or eight o’clock in the morning.”

“My God girls! Are you up on your heels all that time?”

Rachel turned and grinned as she confirmed.

“You betcha’ girl. A tranny wouldn’t be seen dead off her heels while clubbing.”

Briony smiled, shook her head and continued getting ready. Sion appeared at Daphne’s shoulder and peered into the large mirror.

“Are you staying up all night?”

“Yes darling. We’ll be home for breakfast.”

“I wish I could stay up all night.”

“I’ll bet you do. But I’ll bet more that you will be asleep by midnight.”

“Okay then. I’ll speak to Fajita the maid. She’ll keep an eye on you and we’ll see.”

“How will we know?”

“Oh I’ll know. When we’re having breakfast here tomorrow morning I’ll soon find out. Now let me finish putting my makeup on.”

Sion fell silent and watched as Daphne showed the same expertise as Briony. When she stood up Sion grinned.

“There we are, nearly finished.”

“You look exactly like a beautiful girl. I wouldn’t know you were; you know.”

Daphne bent down and kissed Sion on the cheek as she replied.

“Why thank you darling. That’s just about the nicest thing you could say. Mmmmwahh!”

Sion blushed then turned to look in the mirror. He saw the scarlet lipstick mark and wondered whether to wipe it off or not.

“I’m going to keep it on as a sign that you love me.”

“What all the way through until breakfast?” Daphne grinned. “You don’t need any signs that I love you kid. Your Briony’s son and that’s enough to make me love you. Still keep it on if you want. I’m just going to touch my lipstick up and fix it so I don’t leave any more telltale signs.”

Sion watched Daphne apply the fixer and then asked.

“What does that do?”

“It stops my lipstick coming off like it did on your cheek.”

“Can you put some on my kiss mark to make it stay?”

“Check with your mum first.”

Sion scampered off and returned with the requisite permission. Daphne applied the clear liquid and made Sion wait. Seconds later the kiss mark was secured. It would stay until morning. Sion grinned and boldly marched into Rachel and Shirley’s room.

“Look. Daphne kissed me. She loves me.”

Fortunately Rachel and Shirley were also just about ready so there were no embarrassing incidents. Nevertheless, Briony scolded him.

“We’ve told you before young man, don’t just walk into a lady’s bedroom. Knock and wait!”

“Sorry mummy. I forgot. Daphne just walked in earlier.”

“Daphne and Rachel are good friends and they’re both girls. You are a boy.”

“And a cracking kid as well.” Daphne added as she fitted her final piece of jewellery.

“Well, are we all ready?”

They all nodded and Briony phoned Fajita the maid. She appeared almost immediately through the adjoining door and prepared Sion some drinking chocolate. After farewell kisses, the four girls minced out of the room and strutted to the lift.