"You've got your shawl?"
"Yes, Mama."
"And extra stockings? It's a bloody marsh in that part of Yorkshire this time of year, and it won't do to get your feet damp."
"They're right here, Mama."
"Good. Your nightgown?"
"You packed it just now, Mama."
"Right."
Sophie Lang hid her smile as her mother prowled alongside her bed, arms folded firmly over her bosom and her lips pressed tight in anxiety. The girl didn't quite understand why her mother was so fretful- she was only going away for a week, two at most, and Downton Village was hardly the far end of the earth- but she took it as a sign of love, and bore up accordingly.
"Everything will be fine, Mama. Cousin Alfie will see me back in one piece, I'm sure."
"He'd better," Mama said darkly. "His life rather depends on it."
Sophie laughed and flipped her Da's old suitcase shut, doing up the clasps with quick fingers. Her mother seemed to deflate at the sight and rounded the foot of Sophie's bed to take the girl in her arms.
"God, why did I ever agree to let you do this? I'll be out of my mind until you're back." She murmured, her arms tight around her daughter's back. Sophie smiled fondly and gave her mother a squeeze, breathing in her familiar scent.
"I want you to promise me that you'll not talk to any of that family in Downton, Sophie. If any of them are in the village, you're not to speak to them. Don't you even look them in the eyes- just keep your head down."
Sophie frowned, puzzled; for her entire life her mother and father had gone to great lengths to impress upon her that there was no difference between her and a Duchess, save for circumstance. To hear Mama demanding this sort of deference from her was odd.
"I thought you said all that bobbing and cringing belongs in the Dark Ages?" she asked, and Mama sighed and let her go.
"It's not because of that. Just stay clear of them, understood?"
"Shouldn't be too hard- I'll be with cousin Daisy and the baby for most of the time. Can't imagine any of their sort dropping by for tea." Sophie teased. Mama just shook her head, looking sad, and reached up to tuck a lock of Sophie's hair behind her ear.
"If there is trouble, find Mrs. Hughes. She'll look out for you."
"Mama, it's not a snake-pit!"
Her mother froze, opened her mouth as if to say something, and closed it again, eyes troubled. She turned away, tucked a few last things into Sophie's carpet bag.
"Come along, your train leaves soon."
Sophie took up her bag and borrowed suitcase and trailed after her mother as she stepped into the living area. Da was crouched in front of one of the bookcases and he looked around at them as they came in; and Sophie saw he was almost as tense as Mama.
"You've got everything, Mouse?"
"Yes. Mama acts like I'm moving in with 'em, the way she fusses." Sophie smirked; her mother shot her a glare.
"Pardon me for worryin' about the wellbeing of my only child." She snapped, and Da reached out to touch her waist as he stood.
"Easy, Sarah."
He had a few books in his big worn hand, and Sophie smiled as he passed them to her for her inspection; brand bloody new, the lot of them, volumes Yeats and Tennyson and a crisp copy of Dracula. She looked up to find her father peering sadly at her, his smile faint.
"You ought to have your own copies, seeing as you're going out on your own for the first time." He murmured.
"Aw, Dada, thank you."
She swallowed against the sudden tightness in her throat as her father leaned forward to kiss her brow, there and gone again in a moment.
"Come on, Mouse- your mother's right, you've a train to catch."
The three of them donned their coats and hats, Sophie pausing to slip Da's gifts into her bag and take one last look around their tiny flat before following her parents out the door. Da took the suitcase at once, despite her protests, and offered his free hand to her mother. They walked arm in arm together, as they had done for as long as Sophie could remember, and the sight was a fond one for her.
The walk to the train station was a quiet one, none of the Langs wanting to break the fragile peace. As they entered the chaos of the station, however, Sophie's heart thundered in excitement, and it was all she could do to keep from dashing to her train- her train, truly, as neither her mother nor her father would be with her on this trip. She would miss them, certainly, but one could hardly think on that now, with so many others rushing about to places unknown and her about to join them!
"I can manage, Da, thank you."
She accepted the suitcase from her father's hand and stood uncertainly before her parents, exhilarated and frightened. Mama's eyes were glistening, and suddenly Sophie found herself being drawn back into her mother's strong arms, face hidden against her shoulder. A moment later and Dada was there too, his arms around them both with Sophie squashed between, just as they used to do when she was tiny.
"Remember what we've told you." Mama whispered, her voice thick.
"Keep safe." Dada murmured. Sophie's eyes stung and she swallowed hard, determined to keep face before the strangers swarming about them (there were, she noticed, several girls her own age glancing their way). She was sixteen, nearly grown, and tears were for children.
"I will." What else could she say? She could hardly ask the same of them. Sophie shifted a bit, and her parents reluctantly released her. Mama gave a lopsided smile and touched Sophie's cheek.
"My brave bobbin. Give my love to your cousin."
"I will Mama."
She kissed them both and walked to her compartment with her head held high, determined not to look back, knowing she'd never make it in with her dignity intact if she did. She made it all the way to her seat in the cramped second class compartment before she broke, throwing open a window and leaning out to see her parents standing there, so small in the smoke and madness. Her mother was crying, Sophie saw, and her father had an arm around her waist. They waved when they saw her, and Sophie waved back as the train lurched forward and began to carry her away.