Thankfully the telegram had not been bad news, Mr Mason had informed his son that their longtime neighbor had given birth to healthy baby girl and so William had a little bounce in his step that following morning. As he finished polishing the last of the large silver serving spoons he decided he would go into the village and buy a small gift for the newborn and he'd take Daisy with him to ensure the gift be pink and frilly enough. Mrs Hughes was happy to see him in such a light mood and became even happier when he shared the good news.

In life however good news can often be partnered with the not so good and that afternoon the downstairs staff found themselves again sitting in the servants hall with long faces as they carried the heavy weight of his Lordships words. England was at war and it would take with it so many men. Mothers would no doubt hold sons closer to their bosoms, fathers would slap their shoulders with more intensity, it seemed that the ground they all walked was made of shattered glass, each foot step placed cautiously trying to absorb less reality, less pain.

As the weeks went by more and more men were called to service, to sacrifice for King and country and William was beginning to feel more and more left out. He had written to his father about the desire to volunteer but always received a resounding no in response.

He stomped around between the servant's hall and the kitchen which more often than not gained him stares from an impatient cook. Daisy tried to give him her attention and understanding but even she had to remind him to calm down as Mr Carson only had so much patience.

He felt awkward and useless and after dinner he decided to go and have a talk to Mrs Hughes, surely she would understand and perhaps agree to write to his father. He knocked gently on the door and waited to be invited in.

"Come in" called Mrs Hughes

William walked in and quietly closed the door behind him. "I'm sorry to disturb you Mrs Hughes but might you have a moment for a talk?"

"Of course William" she pointed to a chair "Sit down and tell me what's on your mind" as she herself sat down the chair beside her desk.

Mrs Hughes already had an idea of what was bothering the young lad as she'd seen him brooding about more and more as each day passed. He more often than not had a scowl on his face instead of a smile and Mrs Patmore had told her of his constant mumblings and that frankly he was disturbing Daisy a little too often.

Mrs Hughes herself had worried about him, about his desire to go to war and she had sent a prayer to heaven each night that he be speared such horrors. She had of course learnt from Mr Carson that the Dowager Countess had apparently invented some story about Williams ill health and managed not have him called to duty.

William sat down and placed his hands on his knees looking straight at Mrs Hughes and took a deep breath.

"Mrs Hughes I was wondering if you might help with my father?"

"I'd be glad to help if I can. What is it that you need help with exactly?" She asked in the most casual manner possible.

"Well I'd like to volunteer for the war Mrs Hughes, make my mark like all the men. I want to volunteer, it's my right"

"I see and what does your father have to do with this?"

"He says I can't but he can't say that.. Can he?" William looked for assurance.

"No William he cannot" Mrs Hughes put up her hand to stop William from talking "however he is your father and you've been taught to respect him have you not?"

William nodded "Yes Mrs Hughes but-"

"William don't be in a rush to go off to war, it's not something to be taken so lightly. There is very a very high certainty of horrific injury" she didn't want to mention the horrible reality that death was also a true possibility. "When they need you they'll call you, don't doubt it"

William nodded his head again "Yes Mrs Hughes I understand but I don't see the point in waiting, I want to serve now not when things are ending"

"Do you think the war is going to end in a few weeks time? Because if somehow you are privy to such information please let me know so I can share it with the many mothers who against their will are losing sons" Mrs Hughes arched her eyebrows waiting for the answer.

"No Mrs Hughes" William answered sheepishly.

"Then I suggest you wait. You will be called William though I wish on my heart that it never be so. Be patient." Mrs Hughes tone allowed for no more discussion.

William knew when he was defeated, perhaps it was meant to be this way but how he wished it wasn't. He stood up and placed the chair back where it belonged.

"Thank you for your time Mrs Hughes" and with that he gave her a small smile and made his way out.

Mrs Hughes leaned against her chair and let out a slow sigh as she wondered truly how long the Dowager Countesses' request of delaying Williams calling to war could last. She was not one to throw herself at the feet of any member of the family but at this moment she was truly thankful to the Dowager for too many men were dying or returning with such gruesome injuries and they all had to be replaced.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by another knock at the door which she recognised as Mr Carson's.

"Mrs Hughes I don't mean to interfere but I just saw William come out from here and was wondering if he was alright?"

Mrs Hughes held back the tender smile that threatened to show itself for the bear of a man who had a soft side that only she was privy to "He suggested to me that I talk to his father"

"Oh?" Carson raised an eyebrow " Is he not well? Mr Mason?"

"No he's fine. William is pining to go off to war and his father won't agree to it, I think he believed I could somehow convince him"

"I see. I assume you didn't agree?" asked Carson.

"I didn't say no outright but I told him to be patient"

Carson understood "You know ever since Thomas left I think he feels he must do the same"

"I hadn't thought of that, then again it's not just Thomas, quite a few of the young men from the village have left, some of their own free will" Mrs Hughes remembered the postmasters son voluntarily leaving just last week.

"Well let's just hope that the Dowagers request sticks" Carson pursed his lips together and then made his way out.

Yes thought Mrs Hughes we can only hope.

W&W&W&W&W

William stood outside under the night sky feeling rather despondent. There was nothing left for him to do but wait but he couldn't avoid but feel anger that Thomas had been able to walk away and was now no doubt fighting alongside other courageous men.

His thought drifted off to Riley, he had been thinking of the horse lately since he had heard that horses were being used in the war. Riley was a draught horse and in his younger days was immensely strong. William gave a little chuckle thinking back to when he last saw Riley, he'd found the horse trying to scratch an itch on his rump against the barn door, no he'd definitely not do out in battle.

His thoughts then drifted to his mother. If she were alive there would never have been any letters telling her that he wanted to go and fight, he wouldn't have dared put her through that agony. Still, he wondered what would she have done had he been called to serve, really there was nothing she could have done apart from asking her husband to try and find a way out of it, but they were people of the land and neither of the Masons would've dared to approach his Lordship for help.

William felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach thinking about his mother, he missed her so, he missed her hugs and sweet words. There was no doubt she had spoilt him with love and in other little ways and it was she who encouraged his piano playing when he had taken an interest as a small boy.

He heard the back door open and turned to see Mr Carson join him.

"It's a lovely night out" Carson stated

"It is indeed Mr Carson, My Dah would be standing outside having a nice cup of tea. He started doing that after my Mum died, says it makes him feel closer to her" William explained.

"With the stars shinning as bright as they are I don't doubt it" Carson reflected.

They stood side by side, the stoic butler and the gentle footman, being that they were both so tall anyone could have exchanged them for family, an uncle and a nephew perhaps.

"You did a fine job with the silver William, thankyou" Carson spoke up

"Oh that's fine Mr Carson"

Carson looked out into the night as he spoke "I hope you understand that I cannot permit you or any of the staff to go wondering of your own accord. Not only is it a disobedient act it is also irresponsible. Your life was placed in my responsibility William, all the staffs life is. When you are employed by me, by your Lordship, we have a duty to your parents to ensure your safety"

William turned to face Carson "I do understand Mr Carson and it won't happen again. Thankyou"

Carson nodded his acknowledgement of Williams words "Very Well. I'm going to get back inside, don't be too long outside"

"Yes Mr Carson".

William stood outside a few minutes longer and then went back inside to organize the outing to the village. He knew most of the family would be out tomorrow afternoon so they should be allowed to escape for a little while. He had thought of asking Daisy first but thought better of it and decided to ask Mrs Patmore first.