New Year's Eve

A/N A piece of fluff…..hope you like it

Tidings of joy

'Ah, Carson there you are!' Lord Grantham greeted his butler.

'Milord.'

'Carson, as you know my family and I will be spending New Year's Eve at Crawley House. Mrs Crawley and Dr Clarkson, I should say Mr and Mrs Clarkson of course, are hosting a party before moving into their new home. We have just been invited to spend the night there.'

'Very well, milord,' Carson answered, not sure what the news would mean for him and his staff.

'Of course Bates, Baxter and Anna will be joining us, and I decided Mr Moseley can act as Mr Branson's valet and as an extra footman.

Carson hid a smile, he was sure Lady Grantham had made that decision, knowing how close Miss Baxter and Moseley had become.

'Of course, milord.'

'Yes. So I suppose that means you and the remaining staff are off duty this new year's eve, Carson. I suggest, or rather my wife and lady Rose suggested, you allow them to visit the celebrations in the village this evening.'

'That's very generous of you, milord,' Carson answered.

'Thank you, but I'm afraid there's a but, Carson. I am sorry, but I'll have to ask you to remain at the house. Someone must be present. You will not be all alone though, Nanny will remain here as well with Master George and Miss Sybil. Perhaps you can share a cup of cocoa with her.'

'I understand milord. It isn't a problem for me, I assure you. I have enjoyed quite enough fireworks in my day.'

'Well, that's settled then!' Lord Grantham said, smiling contently. 'Thank you Carson, I suggest you bring the staff the good news!'

o-o-o-o

As Mr Carson had expected, the staff were over the moon when he made the announcement before dinner.

'We are allowed to go? All of us?' Edward exclaimed.

'Even Mrs Patmore and me and the kitchen staff?' Daisy wondered.

He answered them with a bright smile.

'Yes, Daisy. His Lordship as allowed all of you to join the festivities in the village. It is promising to be quite the spectacle, I've heard. Only Nanny and myself will stay home.'

'Oh, won't you be joining us Mr Carson?' Mrs Patmore asked.

'No Mrs Patmore, his Lordship asked me to remain at the house. And no, I don't mind at all.'

Mrs Patmore couldn't quite picture the dignified butler dancing around bonfires or singing jolly tunes in the pub; she was unaware of his career on the stage. So she nodded in understanding.

'I'll make sure you have plenty of my chocolate biscuits and Daisy's apple pie,' she promised him. 'And some eggnog, perhaps?'

'I'll be grateful for the biscuits and pie, but no eggnog, thank you Mrs Patmore,' he answered.

'It would be very unwise to get intoxicated when one has to guard the house and your eggnog would be a dangerous companion.'

'I see,' the cook grinned, remembering all too well the spectacle Mr Barrow had made at the staff's Christmas dinner after a few glasses too many.

'Come on Daisy, we've got work to do,' she took the assistant cook to the kitchens with her.
Mr Carson looked around the table. Mr and Mrs Bates were sorry to miss the village party but they'd be together; they suspected their services would not be needed well before and after midnight, and they would have time to welcome the new year in private. Miss Baxter and Mr Moseley seemed to have similar ideas. The maids were discussing hats and what to wear, and the footman were wondering whether they'd have the opportunity to steal a few kisses or even more from some pretty village girl. Well, that could be expected.

Only the housekeeper just ate her soup, seeming to be in thoughts.

'Are you all right, Mrs Hughes?' he asked her.

'Oh yes, very much so Mr Carson. I feel a bit sorry for Nanny having to stay here, that's all.'

'What ever for? That's her job. And she certainly isn't the only one, I'll remain home as well,' he frowned.

She looked up at him, blue eyes smiling.

'Yes, but then you don't mind at all, and I bet Nanny does. She is a young woman after all.'

'She is, but her job is to look after the children. If it makes you feel better, I will keep her company for half an hour or so?' he offered grudgingly.

'Oh, that won't be necessary,' Mrs Hughes quickly assured him. She lifted her napkin to hide a smile at the mental picture of that scene. She could almost feel the awkwardness, poor Mr Carson and poor, poor Nanny!

She knew he had made the suggestion only to please her and so she rewarded him with a sweet smile.

'But it's very kind of you, Mr Carson,' she said.

'Good,' he murmured and began to eat, ignoring the warm feeling that smile had given him.

o-o-o-o

The next day Mrs Hughes was doing her rounds on the second floor and heard someone cry when she passed the nursery. Now, crying sounds from the nursery weren't unusual at all, but she was sure these sounds were produced by a grown up person.

So she pushed open the door and peeked inside.

There were Master George and Miss Sybil, both lying in their beds having a peaceful nap, and near the closets, folding up tiny clothes, sniffing and wiping her eyes, was Nanny. The young woman spent most of her time in the nursery, she took her meals there with the children as well so she didn't have much interaction with the other staff. But Mrs Hughes liked her and often walked by for a chat. She suspected Nanny would like to talk to a grown-up person now and then, and she was fond of the little ones, especially Miss Sybbie, and the affection was mutual.

'Nanny, what's wrong?' Mrs Hughes asked, entering the nursery.

The younger woman startled and scooted upright.

'Nothing at all Mrs Hughes. I'm having a cold, that's all,' she explained.

But the housekeeper shook her head.

'You're not having a cold or you wouldn't be around the children,' she said, smiling gently.

'So please tell me what's wrong, Nanny?'

She shook her head. 'It's nothing Mrs Hughes really, I'm just being silly.'

Mrs Hughes picked up a stuffed toy from the floor, put it on the small table in the corner and sat down in one of the chairs near the fireplace. She mentioned Nanny to sit in the other chair, and the

'Nanny, tell me what's bothering you,' she asked again.

Nanny rubbed her face.

'I'm so sorry you found me like this Mrs Hughes. Like I said, I'm just being silly. I am the nanny and I have to look after the children, it's my job but…may I be honest with you?'

The housekeeper nodded.

'All right then, as long as you promise not to tell anyone else…'

She hesitated and threw a glance at Mrs Hughes, finding only kindness there.

'…but it's just that I'd have loved to go to the village on New Year's Eve, ' Nanny finally confessed, her voice barely audible, cheeks flushing pink.

'I know it's impossible, of course. Master George is too young to travel and Miss Sybil isn't old enough to be without supervision in a strange house and with a party going on…I know Lady Mary and Mr Branson wanted them to be present, but lady Grantham talked them out of it and she's right of course…' she said.

'I'm sorry to bother you with this Mrs Hughes. I must sound terribly ungrateful, the Crawley family are good employers.'

'That's right Nanny, and you're not bothering me. I'm glad you trust me enough to speak your mind.'

Mrs Hughes rose from her chair and smiled at the other woman.

'Good day to you Nanny,' she said and left the nursery.

o-o-o-o

'Out of the question!'

'But Mr Carson…'

'Impossible, I say! Nanny's place is with the children, that's what his Lordship is paying her for! And besides, who would look after the children with Nanny out of the house? No, no. I will have no more of this nonsense Mrs Hughes!' and he walked out of her sitting room, shaking his head over such silliness.

That went well, Mrs Hughes smiled to herself. When Mrs Patmore had once said the housekeeper could wind Mr Carson around her little finger she had denied it of course, but the truth was she knew exactly how to handle him.

So she didn't mention the Nanny-situation again for the rest of the day and acted as if nothing had happened. One more day until New Year's Eve; plenty of time.

TBC….?