4 #4
Nolwenn thinks the request makes sense, coming from a fisherman. If that’s the only issue, she can certainly commit to providing fish-based feed.
Nolwenn: "If you’d like to supply us with fish from your own catch, we can, of course, incorporate it into your cow’s diet."
Ma?lle: "How does the cow get inseminated?"
Nolwenn: "At this price point, we don’t have a laboratory like a clinic would for artificial insemination; instead, we favor natural mating to keep the experience as natural as possible."
The couple looks at each other; it’s a somewhat critical moment for Nolwenn.
Ma?lle: "I don’t mind if Quentin mates with the cow we’ve chosen. Can I be there so it’s a shared experience for us as a couple?"
Nolwenn: "Of course. We have a cozy, comfortable cabin right next to the barn that you can use for the mating. You’re more than welcome to come as a couple—in fact, we encourage it."
The couple doesn't seem to have any other questions at this stage. To help them visualize things, Nolwenn takes a tablet out of her bag.
Nolwenn: "We currently have two cows available that share some physical traits with you, Ma?lle. Would you like to see photos of them?"
The couple nods in unison, bringing a smile to everyone’s faces.
Nolwenn and Louane had selected Alma and Freja because Ma?lle is a tall, beautiful blonde with a somewhat Scandinavian look.
She starts by showing photos of the Danish Red.
First, a close-up of the face, followed by a three-quarter view of the young cow standing on all fours.
Nolwenn watches for the couple's reaction as they remain captivated by the screen.
Ma?lle: "It’s very flattering for me; I’m neither as young nor as pretty as this adorable cow. What do you think, Quentin?"
A tricky question for her husband, though he handles it well.
Quentin: "You certainly were at her age, and you remain very pretty and very desirable, my dear."
Nolwenn: "Just a few details: she had a slightly smaller bust before she started nursing, and her rump is somewhat accentuated by the diaper she’s wearing under her jumpsuit."
Quentin is surprised, so Nolwenn explains that it is necessary for cow hygiene and keeping the barn clean.
Ma?lle: "You’ll have to learn how to change diapers too, darling; I won’t be the only one doing it!"
Nolwenn is pleased that the couple already likes Alma before showing them photos of Freja. If it were up to Nolwenn, she would choose Freja—she has a bit of a soft spot, or perhaps a major one, for her.
Ma?lle and Quentin scrutinize the photos of the young Swede, who is objectively very beautiful.
They look at each other and, without even speaking, seem to have made their choice.
Ma?lle: "We prefer the first cow, Alma. Both are very beautiful and have an intelligent look in their eyes, but Freja is almost *too* pretty. I think Quentin would agree with me that Alma feels closer to us."
Quentin agrees with his wife; it will be Alma.
Nolwenn congratulates the couple on their choice and asks if they want to see the cow before proceeding. The couple declines, trusting Nolwenn.
Nolwenn: "The next step is for me to propose a contract for purchasing a share of the cow and her unborn calf. We’ll set reasonable figures for the sake of formality. You can pay the deposit in cash at our next meeting. That will take place right here at the farm,
after you’ve toured our facilities and met Alma. I’ll introduce you to the farmers who own the place, Gwendal and Louane—Louane is a trained midwife like me, so she knows exactly how to care for her herd."
Not wanting to give the impression that this is the very first calf purchase contract ever concluded, Nolwenn realizes the chalet needs to be finished by the time of the visit. Thinking of the work still ahead for the hardworking Gwendal, she suggests scheduling the next meeting for ten days later.
Just like the previous week, she arrives at the farm after Louane and Gwendal have already finished dinner.
Noticing the couple’s questioning looks as they await the results of her meeting, she teases them slightly before simply saying:
Nolwenn: "Gwendal, you’ve got ten days to finish the chalet before the signing visit with our first calf-buying couple."
Louane kisses and congratulates Nolwenn, while Gwendal gives her a hug. The cider comes out; this good news calls for a celebration.
Gwendal thanks Nolwenn for allowing a ten-day window.
The chalet would soon be finished, but they still needed to arrange for a large bed, furniture, and high-quality linens to ensure everything was perfect.
Gwendal would handle the building work, while Nolwenn took charge of the décor.
Lo?c was invited to dinner the following evening to hear the good news.
A 10,000-euro deposit due in ten days would help fund, among other things, the arrival of new cows from the Basque Country.
Life on the farm continued busily. Now free from Guéna?lle’s training, Nolwenn focused on caring for the cows alongside Louane, as well as seeking out new client couples.
Buoyed by her initial success, she aimed primarily for couples of Breton heritage, who would likely be more receptive to the deep-seated motivations shared by the four partners.
She had a young couple in mind. The woman suffered from endometriosis, which was directly affecting her fertility.
Keen on a healthy, organic lifestyle, they seemed reluctant to rely too heavily on medical intervention, fearing they might lose themselves in a somewhat dehumanized process.
The woman was of Scottish descent and had red hair—reminding Nolwenn instantly of Abbie and making her wonder if the two could be sisters.
With great tact, Nolwenn broached the possibility of an alternative to the highly clinical medical path she had described to them, while being open about the fact that such a method was not officially authorized in France.
The couple’s names were Ana?s and Théophile Lagadec—a quintessentially Breton surname.
At this point, Théophile jokingly assured Nolwenn that they lived in Brittany, not France—hoping that distinction might put her mind at ease.
The remark made Nolwenn smile. Back in her parents' day, whenever tourists—still a rarity at the time—arrived in Brittany for the summer, her parents would exclaim: "Look, here come the French!"
Nolwenn felt she could go a little further with her explanation. She proposes a private meeting with the young couple at their home, and they agree. She will see them very soon.
It is now Sunday; the ten days have passed, and the day has arrived for Ma?lle and Quentin’s visit to the farm.
Gwendal, Louane, and Nolwenn have prepared everything to ensure the visit is a success.
The barn is spotless, as are the cows—Alma and all the others alike.
It was agreed that the couple would arrive at 7:00 PM to meet Gwendal and Louane, then watch Alma being milked and fed.
The other cows are to be milked and fed a little earlier than usual so that Louane and Nolwenn can devote their full attention to their visitors.
Nolwenn has been ready since 6:30 PM; she waits for her visitors on the doorstep.
They arrive a few minutes before 7:00 PM, clearly eager.
Nolwenn welcomes them and introduces them to Louane and Gwendal, who have also come out into the yard to greet the guests.
Nolwenn senses an immediate rapport between Ma?lle and Louane, and feels that the carpenter-farmer and the fisherman-teacher also hit it off the moment they shake hands.
Everyone goes inside for drinks. The conversation initially centers on Brittany and their respective lives—farming on one side, fishing and teaching on the other.
They discover a few mutual acquaintances; in short, they are sizing each other up.
Louane soon suggests that Quentin and Ma?lle visit the barn—the very reason for their trip.
Everyone heads down to the brightly lit barn.
Traditional Breton music is playing for the occasion, and the cows are all wearing halters and bits to ensure they don't disturb the visitors; only their bells jingle when they move their heads.
Louane leads the group and positions herself in front of Alma’s stall.
Quentin and Ma?lle admire the nameplate on the door and the door's finish.
Louane opens the door, revealing Alma sitting on her bedding at the back of the stall.
Louane asks Ma?lle and Quentin if they would like to watch her diaper change before Alma heads to the milking parlor.
Ma?lle agrees, while Quentin seems more interested in the milking parlor; Gwendal leads him there to show him around before Alma arrives.
Nolwenn leads Alma out of her stall and toward the changing area, followed by Ma?lle and Louane.
Ma?lle watches closely as Alma is changed, asking questions about the diapers and the plastic cover.
She practically marvels at the beautiful Danish cow’s perfect, hairless genitals.
Her diaper is wet but quickly cleaned; cream is applied, a fresh diaper is put on, and the back legs of her jumpsuit are fastened.
Alma is helped down from the changing table and guided to the milking parlor.
She seems intrigued to see so many people—and especially new faces.
She enters her stall docilely, and Louane secures her before unzipping her jumpsuit to free her milk-heavy udder.
Louane attaches the milking equipment, and the process begins.
Quentin seems very interested in Alma’s udder—noticeably larger than Ma?lle’s breasts, though certainly enhanced by the milk swelling them.
Seeing the milk flow, Ma?lle asks if it will be possible to buy the milk Alma produces to feed the calf after it is born.
Louane confirms that this is not only possible but included in the price, and that Ma?lle can come pick it up directly from the farm.
Meanwhile, Gwendal and Quentin discuss woodworking techniques, as it turns out Quentin is currently restoring an old wooden sailing rig.
Once milking is finished, Louane puts Alma’s milk in the fridge; then everyone walks Alma back to her stall to watch her bottle of grain feed being placed in the stall door.
Ma?lle and Quentin find the system ingenious and, through the bars of the gate, watch Alma quickly drink her bottle.