This chapter describes how the girls manage to avoid Arfon this first time. Sadly, he is a persistant obssessive thug who will keep coming back.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 24

Briony... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion... Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy... Her nine-month--old daughter.
Arfon... Brionys’ abusive and 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.)
Elsbeth... Briony’s sister.
Daphne... Daves’ ‘girlfriend’
Cledwyn... Farmer further down the valley (Neighbour.)
Blodwen... Cledwyn’s daughter.
Rachel... Daphne’s TV friend.
Shirley... Rachels’ GG wife.
Fajita... The maid.
James & Tara... Rachel’s teenaged children (16 & 15)
Billy and Janet... Manager and accountant at Daphne’s club.
Terry... New Zealand Shepherd.
Wendy Old school classmate of Dave and Blodwen.

The Ram 24.

Dave cursed at the news.

“Damn! I’ll be there right away.”

“No, keep away.” Briony urged. “Nobody will make the connection. There’s nobody from the market in this cafe.”

“What about your car?”

“Leave it in the garage, I’ll go back with Blod and my two. Shirley can drive you, James and Tara home. Tell her to drive slowly and if he tries following us, well you know how slow a Landrover and trailer can be on The Forge Road, it’s narrow and steep. He’ll not be able to pass you. I’ll go to Blodwen’s farm, you carry on to Plas Las with Shirley and hers. Make sure you’re a long way behind so that he doesn’t see where I turn off.”

Dave considered the plan, decided the plan was a good one and so he made his goodbyes with Wendy. He quickly set about carrying it out while adding a few garnishments of his own. Blodwen and Shirley collected the Landrovers but they left Blodwens trailer securely locked in Wendy’s compound beside the shop. Only Dave’s Landrover was to tow a trailer. While the girls arranged the trailer equation, Dave visited his lawyers and then the police. He left depositions with both then returned to meet Shirley by pre-arrangement on their mobiles.

“Briony’s with Blod outside the cafe. They’re ready to roll.”

Dave spoke to Blodwen and they arranged for the pair of Landrovers to leave town together, Blodwen and Briony in front without a trailer while Shirley and Dave followed towing Dave's large double-axled sheep box.

As they anticipated, Arfon suspected that Briony was back in Machynlleth because one of his cronies recognised her from the news articles about the shooting. His crony had phoned him the moment he had spotted Briony in the market. Arfon had raced over the mountain road to reach Machynlleth and locate her. Learning that the market was shut he decided to park up at the junction of Heol Maengwyn, Forge road and Newtown road. He had calculated these were the roads Briony would most likely use if she was holed up somewhere local.

His guess proved accurate but he nearly missed her. He only just recognised her in the strange Landrover as it turned off Heol Maengwyn onto Forge Road, the narrow mountain road that took them to Forge, a tiny cluster of houses a few miles outside Machynlleth. He cursed as the Landrover turned and then another bloody farmer’s Landrover towing a bloody great trailer followed behind. Worse still, the woman driver with the trailer seemed to be hopeless with the trailer and it lumbered slowly while the other Landrover slowly disappeared from sight.

Arfon cursed furiously and tooted his horn ferociously but it was obvious that the woman in front was either oblivious or deaf to his desperate efforts. He flashed his lights and drove as close as he dared but it was obvious he would have done more harm to his car than to the heavy metal trailer.

His confrontational efforts only served to slow him further as the woman in front slowed down at a junction and stepped out to explain.

“What the hell are you doing girl!?” Dave cursed. “This bastard is dangerous!”

“I don’t know that. I’m going to suggest he follows the other road.”

“That’s a huge diversion. He won’t fall for that!”

“Well a woman can’t have an idiot like him following her. I can’t reverse this thing with the trailer; you can’t drive so he’ll have to go the other way.”

By now, Shirley was out of the car and walking back to Arfon’s car.

“If you are in a hurry, I suggest you go via the left fork. The road gets rougher but it’ll be faster than following me. I can’t reverse this thing with its trailer and it’s about three miles to the next suitable passing point. I suggest you go that way.”
Arfon cursed and almost snarled.

“Damn it woman you’re driving at a bloody snail’s pace!”

“I don’t know this road very well and I’m driving my passenger back to his house. I must ask you to be patient if you have to follow this road.”

Arfon cursed again then had a brainwave.

“Do you know the owner of the car that was ahead of you?”

“No. As I said, I’m new to the area. I’m just doing my friend a favour and driving him home.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

Shirley had to think quickly. She couldn’t tell him the truth or he would quickly put two and two together. She lied smoothly.

“If you must know, he had a bit too much to drink celebrating his sale of some livestock at the market. He’s not fit to drive home. I’m staying with him.”

Arfon fumed but was forced to simply sit and follow the Landrover and its trailer as Shirley slowly wound her way up the mountain road. Eventually they came to the small passing bay and she pulled over. As Arfon hurtled with his engine screaming and gravel spraying up from the road edge, Shirley turned to Dave.

“I think she should have made it by now.”

“She will. Blod knows this road as well as I do. He won’t make it though, if he carries on like that. There will be ice where the Frydwyllt brook spills over and if he hits that at the speed he’s going, he’ll lose it. The ice was there this morning and it’s still freezing this high up. He’s a stupid twat!”

“What’s a twat Uncle Dave?” Tara smirked.

Dave grinned and apologised.

“Sorry love, forgot we’ve got a young lady in the back.”

“She’s no lady,” James riposted as Tara thumped him affectionately.

“Now now children,” Dave retorted in the same humorous vein, “grow up and behave!”

Shirley smiled as the banter continued and she crept slowly as Dave advised her of the known hazards. Then they happened upon a scene that Dave had perfectly predicted. Arfon’s car was stuck in the hedge and he couldn’t reverse out with the ice under his wheels. There was little damage except a few muddy scrapes where he had skidded along and up onto the grassy bank. Then his front wheels had crossed over the diagonal drainage ditch and dropped in the little gully. There was no way he could free his car. Furthermore it was snowing heavily again. Shirley smirked as Dave chuckled.

“Stupid bastard! Maybe he’ll learn now.”

“How do we get past him?” Shirley asked.

“We can’t. We’ll have to haul him back onto the road. Look, he’s already eyeing up my winch.”

It was a somewhat subdued Arfon who approached the Landrover.

“I’m sorry I was so angry earlier, I need a hand.”

“So I see,” Shirley looked levelly at him. I suppose you want us to winch you out.”

“Could you? Please.” He added hastily remembering his manners.

“Yes I could, or rather my friend can. He knows how to operate the winch. This is his car.”

“Thanks. What do I do?”

Dave leaned over and activated the winch then instructed Arfon.
“Pull the hook and wire off the winch as I start to unwind the drum and be careful, it’s greasy.”

Arfon did as told and eventually the wire was attached to the lashing bolt in his bumper. Dave instructed Shirley to set the hand throttle then shouted to Arfon to stand clear. He did so and the winch easily pulled car smoothly out of the hedge. Arfon disconnected it then tried the brakes and engine. They worked satisfactorily and he stepped to Shirley proffering a five pound note.
“No thanks, I’d expect you to do the same. Next time be a little more courteous and drive a bit more thoughtfully. These mountain roads are dangerous but the hazards are different. There’s a couple more spots like this one where the streams occasionally flood the road and when it’s icy you can see what happens. It’s not all about speed and traffic.”

Arfon tried to appear contrite but his abusive nature bridled at Shirley’s censure. The word yes almost choked him as he gave a final reluctant ‘thank-you’ and shuffled off across the treacherous ice.

The four fell apart laughing as they watched him picking his way carefully up the hill obviously anticipating a skating rink at every hairpin. Shirley finally recovered her composure and turned to a still chuckling Dave.

“Blod should be home by now, shouldn’t she?

“Oh heck yes. Long ago.”

As they climbed steadily, the snow continued to get heavier higher up the hill. Where it had been just sleet in Machynlleth, altitude now played its part. Fortunately, several vehicles had passed over the road so there was no identification to be had from tyre tracks.

As they passed Cledwyn’s farm gate, Dave noted the feint, almost indistinguishable ruts already covered by snow down Cledwyn’s lane and confirmed to himself that Blodwen had gone down to the farm. Arfon would have no idea whose tyre tracks were who’s so the single tracks through Cledwyn’s gate would have meant nothing to him. Dave however, knew that the single tyre tracks through the gate and down the lane could only be Bowden’s. He nodded satisfaction as they continued through the snow until they approached his own gate. There he explained to Shirley.

“Take the trailer down to the yard then we’ll come back and make several passes in and out of the gate. That way it will look as though lots of people have passed here today. James can do the same with the eight thousand, ‘bout time he did something useful.”
James’s face lit up like a beacon. ‘Another opportunity to drive the big beast of a tractor.’ Though Dave wasn’t allowed to drive, he would accompany James to give instruction. Shirley followed in the Landrover to add to the track confusion.

After a minute, the entrance was a mess of slush and muddy tyre tracks; it looked as though people had been coming and going all day.

“If he comes back, d’you think he’ll notice?” Shirley asked.

“Doubt it. It’ll be dark soon anyway. Come on, let’s get the shopping in and have something to eat.”

Back in the house they were sat to the table when Blodwen rang.

“I don’t think he clocked where I pulled off. He wouldn’t know which were my tyre tracks and everybody else’s.”

Dave grinned as he added better news.

“Oh your tracks were well covered by the time he passed your gate. The silly bugger slid off where the Frydwyllt Brook spills over the bend. We found him embedded in the hedge. He had to beg for our help.”

“You didn’t help him did you?” Blodwen wondered.

“We had to, we couldn’t get past with the trailer it was too wide.”

“Briony’s here she wants to speak.”

“Hi darling. Is it safe enough to come up now?”

“Yes, but we won’t use the road. That idiot might be cruising up and down looking for some lead. Tell Blod to meet me by the forest gate and I’ll escort you through the snow with the eight thousand.”

Blodwen of course knew exactly where all the gates on both farms were and within minutes her Landrover was parked at Plas Las. Having completed his escort task with Dave supervising, James stepped down of the tractor with yet another fixed grin only meet Sion’s envious glare.

“Where you driving?” Sion asked.

James nodded and Sion turned to Dave.

“Why can’t I drive it?”

“Sorry Sion, you’re too young, the law won’t allow it, and besides, your feet won’t reach the pedals. No can do lad, you’ve got to be sixteen to drive the tractor in the fields and seventeen to drive on the roads.”

Sion was forced to accept the reasons but he still felt that James was usurping his previously privileged position as the ‘only son’. Dave sensed the issue bothering Sion so he explained.

“Don’t worry lad, James will be going home on Friday, you’ll have the whole farm to yourself.”

In the house, Dave started preparing dinner when the girls scolded him.

“There are enough of us to do that. You check the animals.” Briony ordered.

“But I always make my dinner. I’ve been doing it for years.” Dave protested.

“Well not tonight, there’s four competent girls here, gerr’ourra’d’kitchen!”

Dave sniffed and stomped off across the yard to feed the animals, naturally his shadow attached himself to Dave and they spent the time in the barn and paddocks until they heard a call from the kitchen door.

“Dii-iinnner!”

Sion and Dave grinned as they understood the unspoken agreement they had just made.

“Best let the girls take over the kitchen lad.” Dave observed as they trudged through the snow back to the house.
Sion looked up and asked.

“What about Daphne. It’s her kitchen if it’s anybody’s”

“Hmmm. Hadn’t thought of that. I’ll see what she has to say after dinner.”

Sion visibly brightened and when they arrived for dinner he was grinning expectantly. Nobody picked up on it though for Sion often arrived grinning happily after working outside with Dave. As they ate, the mood around the table was joyous and as the girls chatted away whilst clearing away, Dave slipped away un-noticed. Daphne appeared less than one hour later only to be scolded by Tara.

“Oh heck Daphne! I wish you told me you were coming down. I so wanted to see how you do your make-up. I’m bored just moping around the house.”

“Oh I’m sorry darling, yes I should have realised. It can’t be much fun stuck here on your own without friends your own age. Next time you can watch provided Shirley and Briony agree.” Daphne promised. “Where are the others?”

“In the drawing room. The women need a fourth for cards. Briony’s been feeding Ellairy while they waited for you. The boys are playing video games. I’m at a loose end. I’d loved to have watched you getting ready!”

“You’d need a chaperone darling. You’re still under-age to be visiting a Trans’ lady; alone; in her boudoir.”

“Sion’s seen you.”

“Yes but Briony was with us and then it was only after I had my skirt and blouse on.”

“Well I would only want to see the make-up bit and maybe help you choose a dress. That’s a lovely one by the way.”

“Why thank you darling.” Daphne replied as she kissed Tara on the lips. “Mwwaahh!”

Tara tensed momentarily then relaxed as Daphne stepped back again. Daphne sensed Tara’s youthful uncertainty.

“Don’t be afraid of me love. I’m not some sort of monster. I don’t attack little girls or something. Just think of Daphne as an auntie.”

Tara smiled, threw out her arms and almost leapt to embrace Daphne.

“Thanks Auntie Daph’. I just wasn’t sure how to treat you.”

As Tara wrapped her arms around Daphne she felt Daphne’s breasts pressing against her neck. She glanced up from Daphne’s reciprocated hug.

“Are they really real?”

“Yes love. Next time I change you can see but I want Briony and Shirley there. You have to remember I live on the edge of censure and condemnation.”

“That's not fair, I know you're really nice. Anyway, watching you get ready would be fun. I could borrow one of your smaller dresses.

“What size are you love?”

“Ten to twelve but I can get into an eight if it’s stretchy.”

“Well I’m a twelve to fourteen but there might be the odd little dress that could go with a belt.”

“Oooh that would be fabulous. You’ve got a brill wardrobe. Thos red ones I saw are lush!”

“Well, the one with the rouched ribbing should fit you, it’s a tubular stretchy style and I got some waspie belts to emphasize your waist. I’ll tell you what, while I’m playing cards, you can go and rummage through my wardrobe. We’ll just tell the other girls where you are.”

Tara let out a squeal of delight. Since first seeing the wardrobe she’d been dying to have a really good look. They joined the card players and Daphne explained. Briony and Shirley agreed to the deal but with one rider.

“No make-up and no underwear. Just dresses and stuff you understand.”

“I’ve got my own make-up and who’d want to swap underwear? Ugh!”

“There’s packs of brand new underwear up there darling and some of it’s rather tasty.” Briony warned.

“Well her bras are too big for me,” Tara giggled.

“Yes but her panties aren’t, Daphne’s got slender boy hips. She fits into size ten or even eights if they’re stretchy enough.”

Tara squealed with amusement as she riposted.

“What! All of her? And how would you know Auntie Briony?”

“Don’t be rude girl!” Shirley admonished her.

“No Shirl’ let her know. It’ll scotch any rumours.” Daphne pointed out as she turned to Tara. “Young lady, Briony and I have not slept with each other, we have not had intercourse. She only knows my knicker size because she had to borrow some emergency clothes after the accident before Christmas. As to bra sizes, any girl can make a reasonable guess at another girls bra size now mine is a thirty four to thirty six C or B depending on the cup type and style. There, it’s no secret now is it? Now off you go and indulge yourself. Remember, abide by Briony’s rules, she is eventually to become mistress of this house.”

“Gosh Auntie Daph’, you make it sound like some sort of dynastic noble family.”

“Go on. Be off! Enjoy yourself and let us see your final selection. You can take a pair of tights from the stock and they’ll be yours to keep. As to the dresses, if it’s one of my favourites, you can’t keep it but we’ll be going shopping in Birmingham this weekend anyway. You can indulge your teenaged fantasies there. Go on.”

Tara circuited the room hugging and kissing all four women then she skipped joyously upstairs to Daphne’s bedroom.

‘Licence to dress!’ She told herself. ‘Thank you, thank you Auntie Daph!’