The games people play

Hey! Thanks for your reviews for my other fic, you guys are amazing and very welcoming! I've written some sections of this story so now I'm just putting them together to write something half-presentable! Had a bit of fun with this as I love Thomas' and Miss O'Brien's friendship in the first couple of series and would love to see how they'd react with new servants mixing things up and how they'd interfere with Carson and Mrs Hughes, and so this is set sometime around then. Hope you enjoy it! Please R&R xx

"What do you mean?" Demanded a peevish looking Mrs Hughes.

"You asked that three times now, Mrs Hughes, and the answer remains the same. I meant what I just said, we'll have two new footmen, maids and a valet staying with us whilst His Lordship's visitors are here next week."

"I know! But what I don't get is why!"

Their debate had attracted the attention of the rest of the staff sat at the table, which wasn't surprising as it was the main topic of conversation that morning.

"We have enough servants to see to them, so why are we taking on their ones as well?!" Mrs Hughes asked. In another situation she probably wouldn't have minded, but she was still put-out that Carson hadn't decided to inform her of the issue until that morning, yet he'd known since the week before last.

"The maids and valet are new to service and His Lordship has offered our assistance to their education. We're to oversee their progress while they're staying, I think was the phrasing."

Anna smiled. "I think it'll be nice, to meet new people. It might be fun, and we can help teach them a lot."

"Myself particularly, so it seems." Bates replied. "The valet has been…assigned to me. I'll have no free time until they leave."

Anna's face fell. "So you won't be able to come into the village with me on Wednesday?"

"I'm afraid not." Bates smiled sadly, the disappointment in him poignant at her dejected gaze. Wanting to lighten her mood as much as his own, he added, "Still, who wants an old, limping fool cramping their style?"

Anna sighed. 'I do', she thought miserably.

The discussion soon died down and some of the staff with a lot of work had departed early, but most were still left sat at the table.

"You don't mind terribly them coming here, do you, Mrs Hughes?" Carson muttered, his voice heavy with concern.

"No," She relented. "I just wished you told me earlier, that's all."

Carson sighed. "I know and I apologise. Are you very angry at me?"

She wondered if he was being sarcastic, but his eyes were wide and there was an innocent look of worry there that made her heart lurch with endearment. "Of course not, Mr Carson." His gaze flew around the room nervously, which didn't go unnoticed by the observant Housekeeper. "What?" She asked apprehensively.

"It's just…well, Mr Bates will be overseeing the valet's progress, but as all the maids are under your jurisdiction…"

Mrs Hughes just stared, at him, dumbfounded. "Please tell me you're joking." She demanded.

"I'm afraid not. Unless, of course, you feel you won't be able to look after them sufficiently."

She was about to snap back defensively when she caught sight of his teasing smile. "Of course I can. I'm just being awkward." She admitted.

"Well, I think you've got a heart of gold."

She looked up at him immediately - he noticed she was looking surprised and slightly taken aback – and he found himself trying not to smile as her cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

Mrs Patmore, who'd arrived to chivvy Daisy into the kitchen, and Miss O'Brien who was sitting to Carson's left, had both noticed the exchange between the two senior staff. Although the two were never the best of friends, they exchanged a look of amusement.

Neither the Housekeeper nor Butler looked like they were going to break the silence between them any time soon, and so Mrs Patmore decided to save them. In the only way she could think of. "For goodness sake Daisy, what are you doing with that flour?! You're meant to be sifting it not creating a snow storm on me work surface!"

Most of the staff had dispersed by now or were busy watching Daisy's gabbled apologies, but having known what she was doing, Miss O'Brien, was watching the senior members of staff, and watched with amusement as the two used Mrs Patmore's admonishment as a sign to rise from the table, and the pair attempted small talk about their schedules for the day. No one but Miss O'Brien noticed the small smiles and sparkling eyes that still lingered in their expressions. However, her ponderings were soon interrupted by a sour and slightly petulant voice to her right.

"You been listening to a word I've said?" Thomas demanded, setting his cup down with a huff. "Honestly. You women. Why do I bother?"

She raised her eyebrows. "You don't."

He smirked. "True."

"Mr Carson might be though."

Although he continued to look bored, she knew that his interest was piqued as he observed the departing Butler for a moment, eyes slightly narrowed. "What are you trying to suggest Miss O'Brien?"

"Don't play coy, Thomas, it doesn't suit you." He smirked again in response. She lowered her voice and continued, "Surely you've noticed it too? Him and Mrs Hughes. Their smiles when they look at each other, or the way they hold their gaze for a moment too long after they greet each other, or the way they glance at each other when they think the other's not looking…" She trailed off as she caught sight of Thomas' disgusted expression. "What?"

"Never knew you were a romantic, Miss O'Brien." She huffed a defensive response, but he just interrupted and said, "Yes, I have noticed that stuff actually."

She smiled triumphantly.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Thomas smiled enigmatically. "Depends on what you're thinking."

"That something needs to be done."

Which was too true.

Because watching Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson pretend they weren't in love was a bit like watching the Dowager Countess of Grantham trying to have a polite and friendly conversation with Isobel Crawley. It happened dreadfully slowly, was awkward to watch and you had to resist the urge to say, 'Honestly, don't bother'.