To find Comfort in Friends

This is unusual thought Mrs Hughes, why on earth is Lady Grantham wishing to speak with me at this late hour. Lady Mary had given birth earlier in the day, she had produced a bouncing baby boy; she should be wrapped up in the celebrations of the new bairn, not wishing to discuss house duties or future parties with me, not just yet anyway.

With this came another darker concern, unless of course something had happened to Lady Mary. The thought crippled her with fear, not another daughter, not another death. Lady Sybil had died within minutes of giving birth to baby Sybil and it had engulfed the whole household with sadness. Could this family really be so unfortunate, could two daughters really be subjected to the same fate, surely God could not be so cruel?

Mrs Hughes shuddered at the thought. She was dreading what Lady Grantham would say; but knowing she could put it off no longer she obeyed her Ladyships command. She took a deep breath, regained her composure and tentatively made her way to the front room apprehension overwhelming her.

Lady Grantham was pacing up and down when Elsie appeared in the doorway.

Elsie for a brief moment observed the turmoil her ladyship was under, she realised her worst fears were about to become a reality. Taking a moment to digest what was to happen, she looked at the floor and took a small gulp ready to announce her presence.

'My lady you called.'

Lady Grantham jumped nervously at her presence but took a deep breath, stood up straight and began. 'Ahh yes, would you kindly take a seat.' She had lost all her colouring and was obviously very shaken.

Lady Grantham gestured to the sofa and joined Mrs Hughes sitting nervously opposite her.

Mrs Hughes began to play with her hands on her lap and bit her lip anxiously. She could see that Lady Grantham was clearly apprehensive and deeply saddened by what she was going to say.

Searching for the words, she stumbled slightly. 'I don't really know how to tell you this…'

She regained her composure and sat up straight clearing her throat she slowly and concisely said. 'I don't really know how to tell you this, but, on the way back from the hospital Mr Crawley was caught in a terrible road accident. His car was ridden off the road and overturned into a bush. He was found pinned underneath his car in a very bad way; I regret to say he is no longer with us.'

Mrs Hughes gasped as she placed her hands to her mouth comprehending the words she had just heard. She had expected the worse, but never this. This was so cruel, so out of the blue. How could this happen at such a happy time, he was such a lovely man, he did not deserve this. The family did not warrant this. They had already been exposed to enough death and destruction over the years, how much more could they take. Why when they are finally happy does a tragedy always have to hit? It doesn't make any sense.

'I have already informed Mr Carson and as I'm sure you will expect he is deeply saddened like the rest of us, I'm sure you will not take offence when I ask you to been gentle with him.'

'Of course' Mrs Hughes replied shaken.

'But mainly Mrs Hughes I have called you here to ask a terrible burden of you. I need you to inform the rest of the staff of the situation. I didn't think it fair to put the request to Mr Carson, I'm sure you understand?'

'I understand' Mrs Hughes agreed tenderly.

'I would like the house to be run as much as normal. When Lady Mary and Lord Grantham come home it will be a hard time for us all, if we can act as normal, continue with the day to day running of the house keeping much the same, maybe we can try and move on from this heartbreak. Were a tough family Mrs Hughes, we have been through worse than this and we will get through this, we just need everyone to pull together.'

'I agree and we will.'

'You don't have to tell the servants straight away if you feel it isn't right, but I would request that they are told by the latest tomorrow evening, most certainly before Lady Mary arrives home'.

'Yes of course' she whispered in concern.

'Thank you Mrs Hughes, I don't know what we would do without you'.

'Pardon my intrusion but are you alright your ladyship?' Mrs Hughes asked in warm concern.

Cora lowered her head to the floor and chocked back a tear, swallowing her sadness. 'No, not really, but we carry on, isn't that right Mrs Hughes'.

Mrs Hughes smiled and nodded her head. 'That's right' she whispered. She Curtsied and made her exit.

Elsie collapsed against the wall at the top of the staircase leading into the servant's hall. She placed her hand to her mouth and let out a small cry, her eyes darting from side to side as she tried to comprehend the tragedy that had just been divulged.

Taking a deep breath she made her way down the stair case trying all the while to conjure up the courage to approach Mr Carson. To make sure that he was ok. If she was feeling like this, how on earth is he coping with the news?

Mr Carson's parlour door was ajar. For a short while Elsie peered in to observe him, it broke her heart to see him in this way; he was hunched over his desk engulfed in tears.

She tentatively knocked on the door and opened it slightly. 'Mr Carson may I come in.'

Mr Carson at hearing the crackling in her voice and the soft gentle tone looked up. Seeing the tears etched in her eyes he solemnly said 'I take it you know.'

Elsie nodded and made her way into the room closing the door behind her. Tears were in her eyes, in her voice at the calamity that has just occurred. She was crying for yet another young life, yet another family sadness, but mostly because of the obvious impact on Mr Carson.

'Why our family?' Mr Carson asked tearfully.

Elsie had heard him use this term before and it had angered her then, they were not their family, far removed from that in fact, but seeing the pain he was in made it easy to let the comment go. The remark on this occasion had actually had the opposite effect. Enlightening Elsie even more to just how much this family meant to him. She began to feel his pain and held back her tears.

'I haven't got the answers Mr Carson but something I have learnt that in life God works in mysterious ways. My mother always used to tell me that he tends to place the heaviest burdens on those who can carry the weight and I truly believe that. Don't you think that that is a testament to this family, to Lady Mary. Lady Mary is a strong woman, she will get through this. We just have to be there for her, for them all.'

Mr Carson nodded his head in solemn agreement.

Mrs Hughes continues 'I don't think it would be appropriate to tell everyone tonight we must let them enjoy the pleasures that a new life can bring. Life is so very precious, I'm starting to appreciate that more now than ever.'

Mr Carson nodded again 'You think that over the years you would start becoming numb to death, but it just gets harder and harder, as one life comes another is taken away.'

Mrs Hughes began to well up at the power of his words. She reacted the only way her body and soul would let her.

With an overwhelming urge to comfort him Mrs Hughes bravely asked 'Mr Carson, would you object if I were to hold you?'

Mr Carson looked up at Elsie with tear stained eyes, he looked like a feeble child and she wanted so much to console him.

'I would like that very much.'

Elsie slowly approached Mr Carson and placed her arm around his back, she held him close to her body just below her breast, cradling him like a mother consoling her child after a fall, feeling like the most natural thing to do.

Mr Carson buried his head into her and breathed in her scent, she began to rub his back gently. Mr Carson closed his eyes as Mrs Hughes looked to the celling holding back her tears.

Mr Carson responded by placing his hand to her check and stroked it gently almost cupping it.

She closed her eyes at the sensation, she did not think at this moment, lost in the feeling she tilted her head into his hand, giving into him, gently kissing his hand.

Mr Carson continued to stroke her check while she all the while tenderly placed kisses on his palm.

Mr Carson gazed up in admiration for this woman, her beauty was overwhelming, the hold she had on him overpowering and he became transfixed by her, by the sensation the comfort; her neck, her lips kissing him, her hands caressing his back, consoling him. This was the most intimate they had ever been and they were enjoying the tenderness and the comfort they felt for these fleeting moments.

Mr Carson moved his other hand to embrace the other side of her face and gently coaxed her down to him.

Mrs Hughes looked into his eyes affectionately. Lovingly he placed a tender kiss on her lips, she responded kissing him more fully. They were gentle soft kisses, but prolonged and heartfelt, she stroked his neck and brushed his face while doing so soothingly and lovingly. Tearful kisses, tears for the family, tears for Mr Carson, tears for their love.

Wanting more but knowing enough comfort had been made Mrs Hughes lips still close to his mouth whispered, 'I think I must say goodnight Mr Carson'.

With that she closed her eyes and placed a prolonged kiss on his forehead and slowly turned away.

'I will inform the staff in the morning', she said back turned to him.

Unbeknown to her Mr Carson had still not let go of her hand. As she turned to leave she noticed the heavy grip stopping her from making her exit, she turned to look at him.

'Don't leave me tonight' he whispered, 'we both need comforting.'