Daphne meets the rest of Briony's family and inevitably the wedding list gets longer.

When I am old, I shall wear purple and behave disgracefully.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 38

Briony Davies Nee Lewis ... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy... Her nine-month--old daughter.
Arfon Davies... 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... Blodwens best friend at school. Also Dave’s friend.
Jane... Policewoman at Machynlleth.
Jack Davies... Sergeant North Wales Police.
Joyce... Blodwen’s Partner.
Moira... Bridal boutique owner Newtown
Edward Lewis... Briony’s father.
Jean Lewis... Briony’s mother.
Colin... Llanidloes police officer.
Sarah... Llanidloes Police woman.
Brian ... Briony’s oldest brother
Rachel ... Briony’s oldest sister

The Ram 38.

Edward Lewis rested by his garden gate to ease his foot as he stared sullenly at his wife’s approach. She was accompanied by Colin the Police officer and the older man could also see his two daughters following with the grandchildren. He could not see the police car parked behind the buttress of the old railway bridge thus he could not see Daphne sitting therein.

“That weirdo better hadn’t be anywhere near my house.” He called the approaching group.

Colin immediately responded to establish his clear authority.

“There are no weirdoes anywhere Mr Lewis. Language like that is not conducive to good order.”

“I don’t bloody care about ‘good order’. I don’t want that ... that trans-thingy in my house.”

“There’s nobody in your house Mr Lewis. Your family are all here, outside, on the public road.”

Having established a clear framework in which to work, Colin glanced at Jean Lewis to indicate the ball was in her park. Jean seized the imitative while her husband still digested the news that nobody was in the house.

“I’m afraid there are going to have to be some adjustments around here Eddie.”

“Such as.” He growled.

“Well I want to see my grandchildren growing up even if you don’t.”

“Oh! And how d’you intend to do that?”

“If you won’t allow their father to come here, I’ll go to their home.”

“And how d’you intend to do that? The car is off the road.”

“I can get the car repaired. I’ve still got my licence.”

“Over my dead body. That’s my car. You only drive it as a favour.”

Jean fumed impotently. Her husband was right. He had a tight hold on the purse strings and there just wasn’t enough money for two cars for they lived on a modest pension. Briony spotted the issue and recognised it as yet another instrument that her father used in his life as a control freak. She decided to add some spice to the bubbling pot by whispering in her mother’s ear.

‘There’s no problem with transport Mam, Daphne’ can easily afford a car, she’s got two already and I’ve got my own as well.’

Thus ‘rearmed’ with options, Jean retaliated.

“Transport isn’t an issue. Briony’s new husband has plenty of options.”

“Such as?” Eddie demanded.

Jean realised it was presumptuous to assume that Daphne would provide a car for Jean’s own personal use but Briony knew better. She intervened before Jean could answer.

“Daphne will provide a car for Mum’s use. Daphne will be the registered owner but she can have named drivers only on the policy.

That will exclude you.”

Edward Lewis’s lip curled contemptuously.

“Daphne this! Daphne that! Why isn’t the bloody pervert here to fight his own battles?”

“She doesn’t have any battles with you!” Briony snapped. “She hardly knows you. She’s only met you once and already she knows what you’re like. Why would she want to meet you or have anything to do with you?”

“He’s a coward. Letting women fight his battles for him. Go on! Tell me why he isn’t here!”

Briony sighed wearily. There was no getting though to her bigoted father.

“She’s not here ... did you get that? It's she not he! Daphne is a she! Can't you get that throughh your thick skull!

And she’s not here because you categorically stated you didn’t want her in your house. Why would she want to go where she’s not wanted?”

“She better hadn’t try either!”

Briony lost patience. Her father was being irrational and incoherent. There was no getting through to him. She wagged her head resignedly and cursed softly to her mother.

“There’s no sense in him. There never was. Once a bully, always a bully. I’m leaving. You know how to get hold of me now. I’ll not tell you where I’m living. You only know Daphne’s femme name so you can’t trace our house. Come on Sion, bring Ellairy, are you coming Elspeth?”

Briony’s sister nodded her head, gathered her sons and gave her mother a final embrace.

“Let me know when you want to see Briony, and tell us if you’re coming to the wedding.”

Edward Lewis bellowed angrily.

“She’s not going to any bloody wedding to that freak!”

Finally Jean snapped.

“I’ll go to any bloody wedding I want, and you’ll not stop me!”

This final rebellion was the last straw for the man. He lurched forward on his injured foot and swung a punch that caught his wife on the temple she collapsed like a felled ox and Colin sprang forward to prevent any further abuse. For a moment they scuffled violently until Colin finally overpowered him and managed to clamp a pair of handcuffs on the rampaging father. Edward Lewis cursed and roared but to no avail. With his hands firmly cuffed behind him he could do no more violence. Briony and Elspeth were already tending their unconscious mother. Colin looked down as he gasped for breath after struggling with the old man. Jean’s condition worried him and he signed to Daphne in the patrol car.

“Call an ambulance!”

At first Daphne did not understand Colin’s urgent hand signing but eventually she got the message after cursing herself for being a ‘bit thick’.

The patrol car radio was switched on and it was a simple matter to raise the station in Llanidloes. Daphne waved confirmation then took the first aid kit and rushed to the scene. On seeing her, Edward Lewis tried to launch a kick but Colin anticipated it and brought his truncheon down hard on the man’s knee.

“No you don’t! You’ve done enough damage for one day!”

The truncheon blow brought the older man to his knees and Daphne was free to kneel beside Jean. She checked her pupils and sagged with relief.

“There doesn’t seem to be any serious damage. No blood from the ears or nose and her pupils are the same size. This is a nasty bump on her head though; she must have struck the kerb as she fell. She’s just unconscious I think, but there’s no certainty, that lump’s quite nasty. Let’s just pray.”

“It was a hell of blow!” Colin replied.

“That’s the last straw!” Briony declared as she held a frightened Sion and Ellairy close to her. Elspeth was also comforting her two sons who had also been shocked at their grandfather’s violence.

“Come on Sis, were going; I’m not subjecting my kids to this sort of violence.”

Colin looked up and wagged his head.

“Nobody can go anywhere just yet girls. Firstly I’ll need statements and secondly I’ve got the only car.”

Elspeth cursed softly and glared at her father while Briony comforted a screaming Ellairy. Then Daphne cursed louder.

“Dammit, she’s arresting! Help me! Lay her out level on that flat bit.”

Colin and Daphne gently eased Jean’s unconscious form to a flatter, level bit of verge and commenced resuscitation. Briony and Elspeth simply stared in horror and silently thanked God that Daphne and Colin seemed to know what they were doing.

Soon Sarah’s little ‘Panda’ Police Car arrived with a sergeant and control swiftly ensued while Colin and Daphne continued sharing the resuscitation until the welcome wail of the approaching ambulance signalled help. They loaded Jean into the ambulance and declared Newtown A&E as their preferred destination. That done, the legal ramifications followed and Edward Lewis was formally arrested. Eventually the sisters and Daphne were released to go to Newtown A&E. When they got there, the news was not good.
While falling from the blow, Jean’s head had struck the kerbstone and she had a hairline fracture to the back of her skull.

“We’re going to keep her in her coma for a week or so until the pressure on her brain eases.”

Both sisters exchanged horrified looks and fell into each other’s arms. Daphne did her best to comfort all four children until calm returned and the sisters set about phoning their siblings. The message to each brother or sister was more or less the same.

“Yes, she’s in a coma and Dad’s been arrested.”

It then remained for the three of them to decide how to share the vigil. Once again, Daphne turned up trumps by booking a hotel room at the local ‘Travel Lodge’ and then they decided on a roster comprising a day in Newtown while the other’s stayed at Plas Graig Las because it was the nearest house.

A week later, Jean was brought out of the coma and found to have some small speech impediment. Apparently the blow to the temple had done some small damage and the surgeons could only wait and see. The rest of Jean’s sons and daughters arrived and unanimously declared support for their mother. To a one, they all expressed their anger and frustrations with their father. Daphne was surprised and pleased to learn that they did not blame her for anything.

Daphne had secretly expected to be blamed for precipitating the situation but it seemed that every one of Jean’s children had endured the brow-beating and hectoring to the point of finally getting out, leaving home, escaping the oppression. Briony’s oldest brother put it best as he explained one afternoon to Daphne in the Mount inn in Llanidloes.

“We were all like refugees escaping to other countries. We were only thankful that Briony escaped as well. And as for that husband of hers, we’ll she’s well rid of him. They’re a bad lot, all the Davies boys.”

He paused to sip his pint and studied Daphne thoughtfully before plunging in clumsily. Daphne smiled inwardly, the man was not being abusive or intentionally rude he just needed answers.

“So Daphne; now, what about you? You function sexually as a man but you think of yourself as a woman, am I getting that right?”

Daphne frowned then smiled indulgently.

“That’s not entirely right, but it’s as close as makes little difference. Little difference that is if people don’t interfere. If you described me like that to your friends, I wouldn’t be offended.”

“I can’t say I understand it; I mean you look like a girl and an attractive one if you don’t mind me saying so. It’s complicated isn’t it?”

“Amen to that Brian. You’re right it is complicated.”

“Now this wedding; it’s true is it that you’re both getting married in bridal gowns.”

“Uuhhm ... yes. You’re not upset by that are you?”

“Well I won’t say I was enamoured of the idea at first but, well, the more I get to know you, the more it seems to be acceptable. I mean, here, now, in my old local pub, nobody seems to have noticed anything. A couple of my old pals have walked from the bar to the gents and they’ve all given me the eye. I can tell what they’re thinking. ‘Hey-up, Brian’s chatting to a smart piece. Wonder who she is?”

“Well thank you for the compliment but I must emphasise I am not available, I’m a one woman, woman. It’s Briony I’m engaged to.”

“Oh! Yes! Sorry, I wasn’t implying anything, honest. No nothing like that.” Brian reddened with embarrassment but Daphne set him at his ease.

“Yes. Briony said you were a decent man, that’s nice.”

“Well, thanks, I must confess I was worried at first when Briony told me but, well; you’re a nice bloke ... sorry, woman! You know she’s asked if I’ll give her away after the trouble with Dad don’t you.”

“Well actually, no, I didn’t. Are you happy to, I mean, I’ll be wearing a bridal gown identical to Briony’s.”

Brian grinned then replied.

“Well actually, I was worried you might be offended; you know, a man in a morning suite.”

“No. Not at all Brian. I’d be delighted if you gave her away. She’s been agonising over this since we decided to get married.

I’m just glad you’re okay with our wishes.”

“That’s a deal then. I get to give my younger sister away. I think mam‘ll be really pleased about that.”

“Adds a bit of normality does it?” Daphne grinned as she recognised Brian’s empathy.

Brtian reddened slightly as he spotted the potential for offence. He was glad that daphne had broached the issue first.

“Well, to be honest yes. It’ll calm mam’s nerves. It will also mean my daughters can be bride’s-maids.”

Daphne let out a snort of amusement.

“Ha! Ha-ha. Oh what a web dear Briony weaves! How old are they?”

“Charlotte’s fourteen, Samantha’s sixteen. They’re simply dying to be brides-maids at a gay wedding. Apparently, it’ll add huge kudos to their street-cred at school.”

“I hope they don’t think this is going to be a circus, it’s a solemn occasion for Briony and me.”

“Oh I’ll make sure they behave, anyway; once they’ve met you they’ll realise you’re not some sort of ‘Man-in-a-frock’ freak. I have to congratulate you girl; that is if you’ll let me. You’re a very attractive woman.”

Daphne felt a tear welling up as she struggled for words.

“Tha — thank you Brian. That’s the nicest thing you could have said. Thank you; I promise I’ll always look after your sister and her children.”

“Yes, I’m really glad about that. That lad was having a hell of a life. He worships you though.”

“Sion? Well, yes; I’d like to think so, but I think it’s the tractor and his horse.”

“No, it’s not just that, he really does worship you. My wife’s a psychiatrist and she’s been chatting to him. It’s Daphne this and Daphne that and Daphne all the time, truly, that lad loves you and that endears you to us, as a family that is. My wife was truly worried for the boy. My brothers are pleased too, if they’d had daughters who were old enough, they’d have wanted them to be brides-maids as well.”

“How old are they, and how many.”

“Edward’s girl is seven and Fred’s twins are ten.”

“So why d’you think they’re too young?” Daphne wondered.

“Well, and I hope you’re not offended by this, but we thought they might not understand, you know, the groom in a bridal gown.

They’re a bit young. What d’you think?”

Daphne wagged her head in amusement.

“Sion seems to manage and he was only eight when we met. He handles both Daphne and David with equal aplomb. He's actually watched while Dave changes into Daphne. Your daughters are unlikely to meet Dave because he lives mostly on the farm now.

Don’t misjudge your children Brian. Kids can be pretty adaptable. Besides, I don’t think your nieces will thank you for denying them the chance to wear pretty dresses. In my book every little girl is just bursting to be a brides-maid. I know I was.”

Brian exploded into laughter at this remark then as he recovered his composure he leant across and pressed his stubbly cheek against Daphne’s smooth one.

“Oh Daphne! You say the funniest things. That was a gem, and I bet you’re serious as well, weren’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

“Well then we must have a family gathering. I’m afraid you will be totally outnumbered. We are like a tribe. Our mum, three brothers, three daughters and their spouses; not to mention a whole host of children but you must meet your nieces to be. I think they’ll be both fascinated and enamoured by you. Could I suggest the Easter weekend.”

Daphne finally let the tears flow as she nodded agreement to the Easter weekend.

“I — I don’t know how to thank you Brian. After meeting your father, I was truly worried about the rest of the family. I’ve been totally wrong in my thoughts. I just don’t understand how you could have all turned out so nice. Was he truly a monster, your dad I mean?”

“He wasn’t very nice Daphne, and the girls got it worse than the boys. They were almost prisoners what with curfews and discipline.”

“Yes, that’s what Briony said. Well our children will be free to roam all over. But your smaller nieces will meet Dave if they stay at the house. I would love you to come to the farm for Easter. All of you that is, there’s plenty of room.”

Brian smiled victoriously.

“I was hoping you’d say that; and the way Briony talks about your house, the whole family are itching to see it. Well the girls are anyway. They always like to poke about other people’s houses.”

Daphne smiled knowingly.

“The 'Cooks tour' ... yeah. It’s a girly thing Brian; don’t even try to go there. It's all about nests and security, nests and security.”

Brian nodded thoughtfully and finished his pint.

“You're a lovely girl Daphne. I’m glad Briony’s had some good luck for a change. After her problems with dad and then Arfon, she deserves some good luck and that good luck is you. Come on, let’s meet the sisters, I’m glad we had this chat.”

They left the pub together and met the girls by the town-hall rooting through some stalls and the farmer’s market.

The sisters turned as one and were relieved to see Brian and Daphne laughing as they approached. Elspeth turned to Briony and her other sister Rachel as she grinned.

“First hurdle cleared I think girls. Let’s go back to mam’s.

Thus it was that Daphne acquired a de-facto family overnight. The rest of the winter was spent fine-tuning the wedding arrangements and organizing all the nieces as brides-maids. During the constant to-ing and fro-ing to Moira’s boutique, the nieces got to know Briony’s strange partner well. When they came down to Newtown piecemeal on different dates before Easter for fittings and arrangements, they stayed at Plas Graig Las and they got to know the house well. They also met Dave and each evening after he and Terry had finished work on the farm, Dave had to show each of families and particularly the younger girls how Dave changed into Daphne. This produced endless giggles at first until Daphne emerged in all her finery. Then the girls were gob-smacked.

Briony’s sisters and sisters-in-law could not wait for the Easter get-together.

It came shortly after the vernal equinox and the house rang to the sounds of the Lewis families as the children particularly, availed themselves of the several servants’ bedrooms on the second floor. The matriarch, Jean Lewis, had not ever had the luxury of having all her children and grand-children together at one time and the occasion brought her to tears on the Sunday afternoon when Daphne was there all day because Dave had no work on the farm.

The rest of the Lewis family had gone for a short walk before lunch with Blodwen as a guide while Rachel, Shirley and Joyce were helping Daphne prepare lunch. It was Daphne who discovered Jean sitting alone in the warm sun of the drawing room bay window as she wept softly with joy and wondered just how far towards the distant mountain of Plyn Limon that Daphne’s estate spread. Daphne was passing the open door as she returned from the cellar with some wine when she realised Jean was crying. Quietly, she put the bottles down and crept un-noticed into the drawing room to stand undetected behind the unsuspecting Jean. After a few uncertain moments, Daphne realised Jean was shedding joyful tears so she sidled up silently to ask her softly but suddenly.

“Penny for your thoughts Mrs Lewis?”

Jean span around in surprise then smiled as she met Daphne’s compassionate expression. Embarrassed slightly, she tried to swallow her emotions.

“Wha - !. Oh yes, I was just thinking. Briony’s a really lucky girl to have found you.”

Daphne grinned as she replied.

“Uuhm, I think you’ll find it was me that found Briony. She was the one stuck in the hedge. I’m the lucky one here.”

“How so? Briony’s got little to offer.”

“Oh come, come now Mrs Lewis. This is your own daughter you’re talking about! Briony’s got huge benefits to bring to our marriage.”

Jean sat more upright as she fixed Daphne with a steady eye.

“Go on, explain. What’s Briony got to offer?”

For a few moments Daphne was at a loss for words as she wondered how a mother could be so judgemental and critical of her own daughter. Finally Daphne gathered her thoughts and replied.

“What, d’you mean by ‘What’s Briony got to offer!’? By that, I presume you mean what has she got apart from me loving her dearly?”

Jean riposted.

“Love doesn’t hold a marriage together, Briony’s soiled goods; she’s already got two children and a broken marriage. She’s also very strong willed.”

Daphne drew her breath as she silently counted some of Briony’s contributions to the forthcoming wedding and union. She could hardly believe her ears so she listed the material factors.

“Well firstly she’s brought me a ready-made family complete with grandparents, aunties, uncles, in-laws and not to mention almost a dozen nephews and nieces. Please realise Jean, I’ve never had an extended family or any brothers and sisters. It's also a very nice family who treat Daphne very well. That counts in spades for me.

Secondly she brings a rare beauty. Well I think she’s beautiful and I’ve watched lots of other men’s eyes following her.

Thirdly she’s a lovely person and she brings me much joy. She’s kind and forgiving; well I find her so. Who else would be nice to a transgendered misfit like me?

Fourthly she’s a bloody good cook. D’you want me to go on?”

Jean fell silent then turned tearfully.

“I was just testing you. I do love her, I love all my children but Briony’s had a tough time. Thank you for finding her, thank you for giving her a second chance.”

Daphne bent down and gave Jean a hug.

“Thank you for having her. Without you she wouldn’t be here. Without her I’d still be a lonely bachelor living only for money and transgenderism.”

“But you were having a good life. Briony’s told me all about your wild other side. The clubbing and the club you own.”

“Yes. It was pleasurable; it still is pleasurable but a pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled.”

“You’ll look after her though won’t you. She’s told me about the shooting. I know they weren’t specifically aiming for you but I worry for her.”

“I can only do my best. She’s got my love, she’s got my protection and her children will inherit when I’m gone. Though that’s a long way off. I can give her no more.

“Thank you Daphne. It’s comfort to know she’s settled and happy. Ah. Here they are coming back.”

She pointed out of the bay window at the group accompanying Blodwen.