A/N: Hello again. Another story from me ... I promise to update this story regularly but I am not going to be able to update this every day as I did with my other stories. I have a busy work period ahead. However, I could not shake this idea from my mind and so I thought I may as well write it! Hope you enjoy x
Chapter 1
"Mr Carson would you like to join me for a cup of tea?" Mrs Hughes asked, as she popped her head around his pantry door.
"Mrs Hughes … it has been a while since we had tea in the afternoon … do you think we have time?" Mr Carson asked cautiously.
"Mr Carson … let's make time!" Mrs Hughes replied, a mischievous smile on her face.
Mr Carson beamed with joy; how could Mrs Hughes make even a cup of tea sound such fun?
"Well Mrs Hughes … if you insist on bringing out the rebel in me … we may as well have apple pie as well!" Mr Carson chimed excitedly, rising from his seat as he gave the housekeeper a little wink.
"Mr Carson you are quite the devil this afternoon … you get the apple pie and I shall make the tea … let's reconvene in my sitting room in 5 minutes …" Mrs Hughes giggled.
As Mrs Hughes left his pantry, Mr Carson chuckled happily to himself. He had always loved spending time with his friend and colleague; she was the only person with whom he could truly be himself. However, since their summer in London, he realised that the two had become even more relaxed in each other's company. He smiled as he remembered her words, 'We are getting on Mr Carson … you and I … we can afford to live a little …' Despite his natural seriousness and pomposity he was determined to live out those words. Why shouldn't he and Mrs Hughes enjoy their twilight years?
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Mrs Hughes hummed cheerfully to herself as she poured the tea. She was becoming more and more light-hearted in her banter with Mr Carson. She had always enjoyed gently teasing him and he did make her laugh, although not always intentionally! However, over the last few months they had increasingly become more at ease and less formal with each other. She did not dare allow her mind to wander; not daring to think of anything more than their lovely friendship. All she knew was that she enjoyed his company very much and she was delighted that they seemed to be spending more and more time together, just the two of them. She was broken from her thoughts as the proud Butler appeared through the door way, holding two enormous slices of Mrs Patmore's finest apple pie.
"Mr Carson … perhaps you should have just cut the entire apple pie in two and been done with it?" she teased, grinning cheerfully at Mr Carson.
"Now Mrs Hughes … I am a growing man … we can't be having just a little slither of pie … that really would not do …" he jested merrily.
"Oh I see … well there'll be no fear of either of us wasting away with portions like that!" Mrs Hughes chirped in return.
"Mrs Hughes … I can take them back to the kitchen if you would prefer …" He replied, pretending to walk back out of the door.
"Don't you dare!" she squealed, reaching out and grasping his arm.
They both broke into blissful laughter, gazing at each other with such fondness. As their giggles subsided, Mr Carson realised that he was still grinning at his friend. He could not seem to look away. She had the most beautiful smile, he thought sincerely. He suddenly became aware of himself and shook his head lightly with a smile. This seemed to rouse Mrs Hughes, who in that moment, became aware that she was still holding his arm.
"Oh … I am sorry Mr Carson … the thought of that apple pie seemed to make me all giddy for a second …" she smiled nervously, biting her lip, and swiftly withdrawing her hand.
"Yes … yes … it seemed to have the same effect on me Mrs Hughes …" he smiled fondly, a little flustered.
"Right ... well let's enjoy this delicious pie whilst it's still warm …" she said, trying to get them back on an even keel.
"Yes … good … good idea …" Mr Carson mumbled, as they both sat down, at either side of her desk, and silently but gleefully, enjoyed their dessert.
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"And what are you smiling at Mrs Patmore?" Mrs Hughes asked, as she approached the Cook in the kitchen.
"Nothing … nothing at all … it simply warms my heart to see my good friends happy … that is all …" Mrs Patmore smiled.
"Well that's a little mysterious … are we talking about Daisy?" Mrs Hughes asked with a smile. Her friend shook her head with a knowing grin.
"Ivy? Anna? Miss Baxter?" Mrs Hughes continued.
"We both know exactly who I am talking about Elsie Hughes … there is only one person that could make Mr Carson sing in his pantry … and that's a fiery Scottish lass with a swing in her step …" Mrs Patmore chuckled.
Elsie rolled her eyes and gave an embarrassed murmur.
"Honestly!" she said, as she walked happily back to her sitting room.
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It was the next day at breakfast and Thomas Barrow was up to his usual tricks.
"Mr Barrow that is quite enough!" Mr Carson reprimanded, as the Under-Butler attempted to make fun of Daisy. He was the only one in the room who thought it funny to mention Alfred at every given opportunity.
Mrs Hughes gave Daisy a warm and reassuring smile as the young girl continued to serve breakfast. Mrs Patmore gave Daisy's hand a little squeeze and whispered, 'Don't mind him …"
"Honestly that young man … even I am getting to the end of my tether with him …" Mrs Hughes whispered to Mr Carson.
"He is walking a fine line … there is no doubt Mrs Hughes … and I will not have him upsetting Daisy … I simply will not allow it …" he said adamantly.
Mrs Hughes looked up at her Butler with the most heartfelt smile. He was so protective over Anna and Daisy; both girls were like daughters to them. Mrs Hughes immediately blushed at that thought; she did not mean that Mr Carson and she were … well were parents … of course not … she simply meant that they both wanted to shield the two girls from any harm or upset. She smiled again; Mr Carson never looked more endearing to her than when he allowed his loving side to emerge. He really was a big old softie.
"Thank you Mr Carson …" she smiled adoringly.
"Thank you?" he asked, not quite understanding her meaning.
"Yes … thank you for caring so much for Daisy … and the others …" she beamed, smiling with much devotion at Mr Carson.
Mr Carson, unused to such sentiments, became very flustered and embarrassed. His cheeks flushed pink, and he suddenly became lost for words. Mrs Hughes giggled as he struggled to regain his composure. Mr Carson, despite his blushes, smiled soppily at Mrs Hughes.
"Thank you Mrs Hughes … no one looks after us all more than you …" he replied, his voice barely a whisper.
"Oh now ... eat your breakfast you old fool!" Mrs Hughes joked light-heartedly, as Mr Carson gave a relieved laugh. He was far more comfortable with her teasing than with her compliments, despite how much he genuinely appreciated both.
"A letter for you Mr Carson …" said Mr Bates, as he delivered a couple more items of post to the downstairs staff.
"Thank you Mr Bates …" Mr Carson said, placing the letter on the table. Protocol dictated that letters should not be read at the table, although Charles could not help but be intrigued by the writing. It was not familiar to him. However, he gave it no further thought as he finished his breakfast and chatted happily to Mrs Hughes and Miss Baxter.
After breakfast, Mr Carson made his way through to his pantry. Mrs Hughes was heading back to her sitting room, having collected her teacups from the kitchen. She liked to display them with her other china on the shelves in her room. As she walked past Mr Carson's pantry, she noticed the Butler standing as still as a statue in the middle of the room. His expression was one of utter shock. Without hesitation she walked into the room,
"Is everything alright Mr Carson? You haven't had bad news?" she asked, her voice full of worry for her friend.
Mr Carson's jaw had dropped open, as he stared dumbfounded at Mrs Hughes, and then at the letter in his hand, and then back to Mrs Hughes. He could not speak. He could barely breathe.
"Mr Carson what is it? You look like you have seen a ghost …" Elsie breathed, her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest. She had never seen such a look of terror on Mr Carson's face.
He stared at her, a million thoughts running through his mind. He could not comprehend what was happening; this made no sense to him at all. He felt quite nauseous as he stared at the kind face of his friend. He held the letter out in front of him and finally found some words,
"The letter … it's from Alice … she's alive …" he said astonished.
They both jumped at the sound of the teacups shattering on the stone floor.