1921.
Cora sat up in bed. She wanted to get away. She felt as if she had been cooped up at Downton for the whole war. They had all gone to London for the season in 1915, but it was most unproductive, with all the young men away. They had decided that it was not worth bothering about. The rest of the time she had spent at home. Robert had been helping to train new recruits so he was often out. The girls, she knew, could do with a break. Mary and Edith had been fretting over Matthew and Sir Anthony, and Sybil had thrown herself into helping the nurses downstairs. Robert had allowed his home to be used as a hospital and had generously allowed it to remain so after the war to help soldiers recuperate. They would be leaving this summer and Cora would prefer not to be the one to sort everything out.
Also things had calmed down regarding staff. At one point Carson and Branson had been the only men around the house! Bates was still helping his Lordship, so he went to the training camps with him. Everyone else had signed up. Thomas had been killed during the battle of Passchendale, so he was not coming back. William had returned but was severely shaken by the experience. Branson had not gone due to his political ideas. He had stood his ground and been a great help to the family, Cora thought. He was probably in need of a holiday too. He had added the duties of Footman to those of Chauffeur and was often seen scampering around the house trying to do everything. To start with he kept getting lost in the house and Carson often moaned at him for incorrect dress (he was still wearing his chauffeur's uniform, minus the jacket) and odd things like presentation of cutlery. His incompetence had become a private joke between him and Sybil, so he took to placing her cutlery upside down, in the wrong order or at squiffy angles. The whole family, at one point or another, wondered why Sybil grinned every time she sat down at the table, or why her fork was the wrong way up.
Cora had a determined smile on her face when her husband walked in. Robert took notice of this and purposely didn't say anything until he had crossed the room and climbed in beside her. "What is it?"
"Darling, I was thinking we should all go on holiday. It's been far too long and I think the girls would like a break."
Robert rolled his eyes; he knew she was plotting something. "Where would we go?"
"Rome maybe? We were going to go there anyway, but the war broke out. Or Paris? We could stay at Rosamund's apartment."
"Abroad? I don't think so."
"Why not?" Cora retorted with equal annoyance. "The Skelton's went over for Christmas in 1919. Surely in 1921, we will be fine."
"Cora. I don't want to, besides, we've got staff interviews to worry about, the hospital to move out, not to mention Mary and Matthew's wedding!"
"We could get that sorted out over there. I bet she'd love a Paris gown."
"No."
"Well, why don't I take the girls and go shopping. You can stay here." A new idea struck her, "We could even take the car!"
"Cora"
"Let's at least ask Mary."
Robert sighed. "Ok. We shall ask Mary." He blew the candle out and snuggled down. "Cora" he suddenly questioned
"Yes"
"When on earth did we decide we were going to Rome?"
To her father's dismay, Mary had been delighted at the prospect of a Paris gown. She too had felt confined at Downton. Branson had also been consulted and assigned to accompany them. His work would be more or less the same with the addition of entertaining Sybil, who had come flying through the door whilst Cora had been talking to Branson. Sybil skidded to a halt when she saw them but it was enough for Cora to despair of what her youngest would be like by the third dress shop. Sybil had thrown him a mischievous grin at the prospect of being 'entertained'. The only person who moaned was Edith. Over dinner one evening she chimed up "Why do we have to go to Paris?" The emphasis on the last word was twinged with disgust.
"Where do you want to go, darling?" Cora asked with no intent of changing their plans.
"Somewhere different, like Amsterdam"
"Why?" Mary joined in, "What's the attraction? Paris has so much more to offer."
"But Amsterdam is now very popular with people like ourselves."
"Oh, Edith," Sybil was trying hard not to giggle, "just because Sir Anthony was there last week doesn't mean he will still be there in July."
Edith glared at her. She had forgotten that she had told Sybil about Sir Anthony being there.
"Let's hope he is, for that way he will not bore us in Paris." Mary retorted.
"Maybe another time, dear." Cora tried to keep the peace between the two of them, but got a reprimanding glare from Robert to inform her that there will not be a Next Time.