Disclaimer: Downton Abbey and its characters belong to Julian Fellowes.

They all knew that when His Lordship came down to the servant's hall two things could possibly happen: big news or a demand disguised as a favour. And on that afternoon, in late November, a favour was the case for his visit.

'There's going to be a grand Christmas charity event this year. We are opening the house to the village and all proceeds will benefit the school. So I thought…well, Lady Grantham did, that a servant's choir to sing carols throughout the evening would be wonderful entertainment!' Robert said with a big smile on his face.

Everyone had a look of surprised apprehension as they eyed each other, trying to gauge what the others were thinking.

'A servant's choir, milord?' Mr Carson was the first to break the silence.

'Yes...a choir...with you...all.' His Lordship tried to make himself clear.

'Yes, my Lord, but...would that be wise? After all, no one here is a singer. Wouldn't we bring shame upon your House with our...untrained voices?' the butler said, a bit uncomfortable with the prospect.

'Oh, I quite like the idea, milord.' Mrs Hughes joined her master in his excitement. 'I think we all together can manage one or two tunes, at least.'

Carson, who was still doubtful, glared at the housekeeper from under his impressive eyebrows. "I'm not sure, milord...I fear...'

'Fine, Carson! I understand obviously some of you may sing like a skinned cat. Those who do will just watch. But I am sure that in unison it can't be that bad.' Robert smiled, and brushed his hands together. Case closed.

'But, who will organise us, and who will chose the ones to sing...the carols...vocal training...' Carson was still not quite ready to give up.

'Well...I've been thinking about that and that brought me to the days of the old African war...' the Robert began, looking directly at his valet. 'Bates used to sing some jolly tunes to cheer us up and he used to teach some of the younger men to sing together, put on some acts...and things like that to entertain us. And may I say, he had a voice that reduced most men to tears.'

All eyes faced John now. Most grinning in amazement at the new discovery about the so respected valet. The man could sing!

'Milord...I'm afraid that was a long time ago,' John tried to excuse himself. 'I haven't sung in years...and I was not that good.'

'Nonsense! I hear you singing in church, you are very good,' Anna interrupted her husband's attempts to weasel out of this.

'Anna...' the valet whispered between his clenched teeth, raising his brow, begging his wife to keep quiet about it.

'It's settled then. Bates will be organising. And singing!' With that the master left the hall and the servants relaxed once again, turning their eyes back towards John in question.

Thankfully for him, work still had to be done in the house and soon he was left alone reading his paper, with Anna mending a dress by his side.

'Who do you think will sing the best?' she asked him as she focused on a stitch.

'I'm not doing it, Anna.'

'Why ever not?!'

'Because I am not and that's that,' he said decisively, raising his voice a little. 'I'm sorry...I just...I should have been asked first. Those singing days were a long time ago and they are over now. I was young and...I was a different man.' He faced Anna, bringing his hand to hold one of hers. 'I don't want to do it.'

'Well...you won't do it then...but I think it's a shame.' She looked down the hallway to be sure they were alone. 'You sing so well in church and you don't even believe in all that and...you sing so beautifully to me,' she smiled.

'Well, that's different. I can sing my lungs out to you but I won't for anyone else.'

'But you did for the men at war.'

'Yes...no. I mean, once. Not anymore.'

'Alright, but you'll have to face his Lordship's disappointment after you tell him. He was so happy to have you in on it.'

'Well, he might as well start finding someone else. Mr Carson, for instance. With his voice like thunder he will add some respect to the choir and even sing a baritone solo with any luck,' John chuckled.

'Maybe...but by the horrified look on his face, that won't happen in a thousand years!' They both laughed before returning to their respective tasks. Soon the day would darken and they would be free to go to their home and enjoy the rest of night together.

XXXXXXX

'Anna,' his voice surprised her. It was no more than a whisper and when she turned he motioned her to come to him. She approached him, eyes questioning, he told her, again in a barely audible voice, to go in his room. He looked both ways before closing the door behind them.

'Anna!' he now sighed, relived. 'I need a favour.'

'Of course, milord,' she smiled.

'So, you see...Bates, he told me he won't do it.'

'Yes, he really doesn't want to.' Anna pursed her lips in disappoint.

'Yes, but you see…I need him to.' Lord Grantham rested a heavy hand on her shoulder and she froze, unsure of what to do. 'I need you to...persuade him to do it.'

'But milord, Mr Bates is a very-'

'Very stubborn man, I know that.' He let out a small dry laugh. 'But I really need you to do that, and I know you can. Bates...he can't say no to you.'

'I wish that was indeed true, milord.'

'But if you ask him...persuasively...' He widened his eyes to make his point.

'Uh, I can try.'

'Because...more than him being a good singer, and all that, I want him to do it for the old times. Do you know he used to sing tunes for soldiers who missed their wives?' Robert walked slowly towards his bed and sat down. 'Men used to cry, missing their loved ones, afraid they wouldn't go back to them and Bates...he would sing to them. Sweet, sentimental tunes. Catchy tunes. Those one sings when one's in love. He sang to me as well, while I missed my wife and daughters, and that made me feel so much better. That's why I want him to do it.' He sighed and his eyes grew misty at the end of his emotional speech.

'I'm sorry but...why don't you tell him that yourself?'

'I think you might have a better way of saying it. We're Englishmen, after all.' He gave her a melancholy smile and Anna promised she would do her best.

Robert knew she would and he knew she would manage to convince her husband to do so. In the end, his Lordship would be right.

TBC