Elsie Hughes sighs when one of the servants knocks on her door for her to start her day. The housekeeper has already been up for an hour getting dressed and ready for her day serving Earl and Lady Grantham of Downton Abbey.
Elsie checks in with Mrs Patmore before she heads to the servants' dining room.
"Good morning Mrs Hughes." Mr. Carson says from behind Mrs Hughes as they enter the dining room.
"Good morning Mr. Carson. I trust you slept well." Mrs Hughes teases. She would never know how he actually sleeps because the men and women sleep on opposite sides of the house.
"Of course, despite the fact that I was up later than usual waiting for the Dowager Countess and Mr. Crawley to leave Downton. What about you, Mrs Hughes? Did you sleep well?" Mr. Carson asks as he pulls out her chair for her.
"Yes I did despite the fact that my cousin wrote me a letter and it contained some bad news I'm afraid." Mrs Hughes says as she pours herself and Mr. Carson a cup of tea.
"Do you have plans for your half day, Mrs Hughes?" Mr. Carson asks. Mrs Hughes never seems to go anywhere nice on her half day off.
"As a matter of fact I don't have plans for my half day, Mr. Carson. I trust you have plans however. Are you doing anything exciting?" Mrs Hughes asks as she begins to eat breakfast.
"Actually I don't have plans for my half day. I wonder if you'd like to go to dinner with me that night and maybe spend the afternoon together." Mr. Carson says and then takes a large bite of toast.
"What a wonderful invitation. Thank you, Mr. Carson. I'd be glad to take you up on that offer." Mrs Hughes says as she digs her spoon into her porridge.
"Glad to see that you're letting your hair down a little, Mrs Hughes." Mr. Carson teases the lady at his right.