A/N: Hello again. I was determined to take a complete break from writing for a couple of months but following the adorable beach scene I really could not help myself (and I blame Mona Love for encouraging me!) Therefore, here is my little Chelsie prediction for Series 5. I will endeavour to post a chapter every evening and this will be a fairly short fic (nothing like my 60 chapter previous effort!) Hope you enjoy and, as always, reviews encourage me to keep writing x
Chapter 1
"Good morning Mrs Hughes …" the Cook sang happily, as she popped her head into the housekeeper's sitting room.
"Good morning Mrs Patmore …" Elsie replied.
Beryl continued to hover at the doorway and Elsie knew only too well why her friend was loitering.
"It was a lovely day yesterday wasn't it? I do enjoy being by the seaside …" Beryl smiled.
"It was indeed … most enjoyable … now if you will excuse Mrs Patmore … there is so much to do now that we have returned to Downton … I must get on …" Elsie smiled, as she darted out of the door.
Beryl shook her head lightly as she watched her friend disappear down the corridor. The Cook was not going to let this go easily. She had seen her two dearest friends holding hands; holding hands in public no less, and what's more, Beryl thought knowingly, the entire downstairs staff had seen them too.
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"How are you today Mr Carson?" Thomas said, his usual smirk on his face.
"I am well Mr Barrow … although I would be very much better if these suitcases were all deposited in the appropriate bedrooms upstairs … therefore if it is not too much trouble … please continue with your work rather than concerning yourself with my welfare …" Charles said testily.
"It is certainly not too much trouble Mr Carson … in fact I feel quite invigorated after our trip to the beach yesterday … I am sure you feel full of energy yourself … it was quite a day and you seemed to enjoy it … as did Mrs Hughes ..." Thomas said slyly.
Charles felt his hackles rising. Of course he understood exactly what Thomas was referring to but he was determined not to rise to the bait. He took a deep and calming breath and replied,
"The suitcases Mr Barrow … now ..."
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"Daisy … could you make me a tea tray to take up for the Dowager … I am not sure where Mrs Patmore is …" Elsie asked.
"Yes of course Mrs Hughes … and I think Mrs Patmore has gone to speak to the gardener about the vegetables for tomorrow's dinner …" Daisy explained.
"Oh I see … " Elsie replied, as she took the opportunity to sit down for a couple of minutes, as Daisy prepared the tray.
Elsie felt quite exhausted. It had been non-stop at the London residence and although the day at the beach had been a welcome change, it had proved a tiring day, particularly the return journey. She could not help but notice the stares, giggles, and teasing comments from the downstairs staff as they travelled by train back to London. She had not thought twice about holding Charles's hand; it had seemed such a natural thing to do. Yet she had seen how uncomfortable Charles had been on the train journey and it only served to make her feel very anxious indeed.
"Mrs Hughes …" Daisy said, interrupting Elsie's thoughts.
"Yes Daisy?" Elsie replied.
"I don't wish to speak out of turn … I respect you very much … but I just wanted to say … I think you and Mr Carson … well I think it is wonderful … it is just absolutely wonderful …" Daisy beamed, as she placed the tea tray down on the table by Elsie.
Elsie looked at the girl flabbergasted. She hardly knew how to respond.
"Daisy … I know you mean well … but there really is no Mr Carson and I … well … not in the way you mean … yesterday … we were just … on the beach ... we were just ... you see we are simply colleagues ... friends ... oh dear ... please ignore my babbling Daisy ... I must get this up to the Dowager …" Elsie said, utterly flustered as she scooted out of the room, blushing furiously.
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Elsie walked immediately into Mr Molesley in the hallway. The poor man unwittingly proved to be the final straw for Elsie.
"Mrs Hughes I wanted to say … I am so very happy for you ... for you and Mr Carson ..." he smiled.
"For goodness sake ... so help me … for the final time ... there is no Mr Carson and I ... we just held hands! That's all ... we held hands ... have you never held hands with another person Mr Molesley?" she shouted, staring furiously at him.
Mr Molesley looked quite stunned and spluttered in reply,
"... well yes ... I believe I have ..."
"... and did you marry that person Mr Molesley? Did you have a great romance with them? All because you held hands ..." she continued. She knew she was being irrational but she was at the end of her tether.
"... well no ... no of course not ..." he replied.
"Then why on earth do you assume that Mr Carson and I holding hands should mean that we are now betrothed?" she asked defiantly.
Mr Molesley looked like he had walked into a lion's den. He was utterly perplexed and unsure how to respond.
"I am not sure … I watched you holding hands in the sea … and I thought …" he blustered, being cut off once more by the irate Housekeeper.
"That's just it Mr Molesley you did not think … you did not think at all … now be off with you!" she said indignantly, as the startled valet scuttled off down the corridor.
Elsie bit her lip as she watched him scamper out of sight. She knew she had behaved appallingly, not to mention scaring him half to death. She really could be quite petrifying when she wanted to be. The poor man had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time and she would be sure to apologise to him later. For now, she hung her head in sadness. How could such a tender moment on the beach have turned so dreadfully wrong? She was sick with worry about Mr Carson, who had been avoiding her ever since. Tears welled in her eyes as she climbed the stairs to deliver the tea to the Dowager.
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Charles stood at the door to his pantry. He had heard the end of the conversation between Elsie and Daisy and then he had stood astounded as Mr Molesley was at the wrong end of Elsie's Scottish temper. He closed his eyes tightly and nipped the bridge of his nose, trying to stop the wave of nerves that had threatened to overtake him since the train journey back to London yesterday. As for the journey back to Downton this morning, he had barely been able to look at Elsie, never mind speak to her. He could feel his face redden as he listened to Elsie's awkwardness with Daisy and her embarrassment and anger with Mr Molesley. As she disappeared upstairs, Charles leaned back against the cold stone wall of his pantry, wondering what on earth he had been thinking when he took her hand in full view of all of the downstairs staff.