A/N: Hello again. I never usually write any fics whilst a series is on TV but this series is making me so nervous that I needed a distraction! And after tonight's episode I needed cheering up!
The TV film, 'One Special Night' with Julie Andrews and James Garner gave me the idea for this story. The chapters will be short and sweet but I promise to update every evening (UK time). The entire story will be set over the course of one night and is set at some point during Series 5. This little fluffy tale may stretch the boundaries of realism a little but in a good way I hope! Enjoy x
"Mrs Hughes, you are not planning to go out in this weather?" Mr Carson asked incredulously, as he looked through her sitting room door and watched her wrapping a woollen scarf tightly around her neck.
"I have to Mr Carson … I promised Mrs Barrass that I would collect the linens this afternoon …" Mrs Hughes explained matter-of-factly.
"Mrs Hughes, I am sure she would understand if you gave it a miss, given the inclement conditions. She lives at the far side of the estate for heaven's sake, there isn't even a proper road to get to her cottage," Mr Carson gasped.
"I will be fine Mr Carson, honestly. I have seen much worse weather. I will be fine," she smiled, as she buttoned her coat.
"Mrs Hughes … let one of the hall boys go and collect the linens. It is dangerous out there ... you'll have to trek through the woods," he worried.
"Mr Carson is not dangerous! My, my, it's just a bit of snow. If you'd grown up in Argyll like me, you would think nothing of it. Anyway, Mrs Barrass doesn't get many visitors and she is quite elderly now. That is the main reason I still get her to mend the linens, it gives me an excuse to pop up there and have some tea with her. She won't take kindly to a hall boy showing up," Mrs Hughes smiled, pulling on her gloves.
Mr Carson shook his head exasperated. He did not think he had ever met a more stubborn or kinder woman. As he looked through the small window in Mrs Hughes's sitting-room, he could see the snow falling heavily. He looked back to the Housekeeper; she was all set to leave, nothing he could say would stop her.
"I'll come with you," he stated, his tone firm.
"Don't be silly! There is no need for that and anyway ... you cannot possibly come with me, we cannot both leave the House and you have too much to do," Mrs Hughes said truthfully.
"Nothing that can't wait an hour or two and it's only the Family for dinner tonight; I can easily finish preparations when we return. I will go and get my coat and hat," he said, as he began to walk towards the door.
Just as he was about to step out into the corridor, he turned to face Mrs Hughes and added,
"I might actually go upstairs and add a few more layers … we weren't all born in Argyll," he said seriously, as Mrs Hughes chuckled.
Daft man, she thought warmly.
######
Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson walked side by side as they headed across the gardens. The two Heads of Staff were respected by all at the Abbey, both upstairs and down, and as they walked through the grounds together, the Great House becoming smaller and smaller in the distance, they presented a professional and respectable image; both walking in step with the other, yet with an appropriate distance between them, as was suitable for colleagues and friends. The snow continued to fall but it was considerably lighter than just minutes ago. It was a pleasant day for a bracing walk.
"You see, I told you it would be fine," Mrs Hughes teased, as she looked skyward.
"Umm … we'll see. The weather can change in the blink of an eye in these winter months Mrs Hughes. You aren't invincible you know. I would have worried myself to death thinking of you crossing these fields and woods on your own," Mr Carson added honestly, blushing as he noticed her kind and touched expression.
"Well thank you for worrying about me Mr Carson, I appreciate it," she beamed.
Mrs Hughes had noticed that Mr Carson had begun to let his guard down a little lately, particularly since their disagreements over the memorial; he seemed more open with her now, softer somehow.
The Butler coughed to hide his discomfort; he had not meant to let his feelings show in such a way, that was quite inappropriate.
"Not at all Mrs Hughes, not at all. It is my job to worry about the staff," he said formally, instantly feeling ridiculous for trying to pretend that Mrs Hughes was simply one of his subordinates. However, he was eager for the Housekeeper not to think him too sentimental or soppy for worrying about her so.
"Oh, so I am one of the staff now am I? And here's me thinking that I was your equal and that you actually cared …" she said, a tinge of sadness to her voice but also more than a hint of exasperation.
Softer but still maddening, she thought. Why did this infuriating man always have to push her away as soon as he showed her, in some small way, that he cared? Mrs Hughes was growing tired of this 'game' they seemed to play, with Mr Carson being gruff with her, only to eagerly want to make up, stating that he despised it when they were not in agreement. Yet he would then begin the whole cycle again with some other barbed comment. He was the one that had insisted on accompanying her today; she would have been quite happy and fine on her own. She clenched her gloved hands at her sides and sighed as she walked, utterly frustrated with the man beside her.
They continued to walk in silence, not looking at the other.
Mr Carson felt wretched; how was it possible for him to make such a mess of things? He always did this; reacting sharply or harshly to her, overcompensating as he worried he had shown too much of his feelings. He hated it when they were not on the same side. He could see how the Housekeeper had tensed beside him; he had hurt her yet again and it pained him to know this. Charles Carson, you think the world of Mrs Hughes, she is a dear friend to you, now put this right, he chided himself.
He stopped walking and after a few steps, Mrs Hughes realised she no longer had the Butler at her side and she stopped too, turning back to look at him. She raised her eyebrows at him, daring him to speak.
Mr Carson looked at her nervously.
"I do care," he said simply, his brow crumpled and his eyes full of emotion.
She smiled, sighing wearily at the daft man.
"I know you do … now come along," she replied, shaking her head fondly at him.
The relieved Butler joined Mrs Hughes at her side once more, as the Heads of Staff continued their walk towards the woods.