I have to admit, I am quite astounded by your response to this fic! I love you guys so much! And thank you for not sending hate mail, which I really was expecting. Hey does anyone else ever wonder if Mr Fellows or the actors read fanfic? That would be soooo coooooll! I hope you enjoy Ch3!

Mrs Hughes practically ran through the door and up the stairs to her room where she slammed the door so hard her book jumped off her bedside table and landed with a loud thump. She then lent against her door and took great shuddering breaths to calm herself down and to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.

'How could I have gotten it so wrong?' She wondered. She wandered over too her wash basin and wet a cloth to press onto her forehead. Her mind still felt foggy as if she couldn't quite process it all. She kept replaying her conversation with beryl over and over in her head until she felt like screaming. If they truly were in a relationship, she couldn't believe he could be so cold as too leave Beryl to work with Lady Mary. Especially if beryl had begged him not to go. She knew he'd always been slightly removed from his and others emotions but this was harsh even for him.

"Mrs Hughes?" Anna's voice came through the doorway

"Anna? What is it?" Elsie asked as she opened the door to find Anna standing there wringing her hands and looking rather worried.

"Its Mrs Patmore. She won't stop shouting and banging pots around. Daisy has completely gone to pieces and we have guests this evening. If things don't calm down soon...we might not have a dinner to give them." She hurriedly explained. This was what she loved about Anna, she was always so efficient and never beat around the bush.

"Does Mr Carson know about this?" She asked stepping out of the room and quickly shutting the door

"That's another thing Mrs Hughes, we can't find him." Anna said as they hurried down the stairs together

"What do you mean you can't find him? He's the butler!" Mrs Hughes exclaimed

"He's no where to be found. I've got Lily and Jane out looking for him" Anna said

As they got closer to the kitchen they could hear Mrs Patmore cursing loudly and Elsie quickened her steps. What she found in the kitchen was a complete disaster. There was a light dusting of flour coating everything, including Mr Bates jacket. Daisy had collapsed into a heap next to the oven and appeared to be crying her eyes out while Mrs Patmore was thrusting pots into all sorts of different directions.

"What in heavens name is going on here?!" Said Elsie in amazement

Daisy picked her head up and tearfully said

"Mrs Patmore has lost it! She's gone mad Mrs Hughes!"

"Anna, take Daisy upstairs and calm her down please. Mr Bates, can you supervise the removal of all this flour and Mrs Patmore...you better come with me" Elsie directed sharply. She then grabbed Mrs Patmore by the elbow and whisked her off to her sitting room where she then sat her down and locked the door. She took a deep breath to steady herself, Beryl was not easy to handle when she got emotional.

"Would you like to tell me what happened in there?" She said carefully, expecting her to erupt at any minute.

"I'm sorry Elsie, I was just fed up with Charles and then that idiot girl went and put salt into the cake rather than sugar." Beryl sighed. Elsie blinked in surprise. This wasn't her best friend!

"So you threw the flour around?" She asked causing Beryl to chuckle slightly

"No, I banged a pan on to the table and the flour just sort of jumped off the table. It was an accident I swear it!"

"Then how did it end up over everything?" Elsie asked, getting more and more confused by the second.

"Little Tommy came running in and skidded in it. Mr Bates laughed, so Tommy threw some at him. The rest is history." Beryl explained and Elsie fell into her chair, howling with laughter.

"Oh Beryl, you do manage to cause such scenes" she said between gasps for air.

"I know Elsie, and I'm truly sorry. I guess I just let my emotions get the better of me. What with Charles leaving, Daisy still upset about William, Vera Bates, and that awful man always finding something to complain about at meals I guess I'd just reached breaking point." Beryl said, looking dejectedly at the rug.

"Its all right Beryl, we all have our breaking points and I suspect most of us are nearing ours at the moment. Besides, its not as though Mr Carson will fire you, you're much too highly valued in his life" Elsie said soothingly

Beryl snorted "If you or I were that highly valued in his life I doubt he'd be leaving."

"I'm sure he wishes he could stay with you Beryl...unless you haven't told him?" Elsie asked curiously

"Told him what exactly?" Questioned Beryl suspiciously, frowning in Elsie's direction.

"That you're in l-"

"Would someone please explain why the kitchen is cookless, kitchen maidless and the house maids appear to be sweeping up flour?" Mr Carson called through the door causing both woman to jump.

"Coming Mr Carson." Elsie called back, and went to open the door for him.

"Mr Bates asked that I tell you that the kitchen is fit for use again and daisy will be down shortly." He informed them. Beryl got to her feet and headed for the door

"Best I get started on dinner then" she said as she disappeared.

"I better get some more flour out of the store cupboard for her, please excuse me Mr Carson" Elsie said as she started to follow Beryl out.

"Just a minute Mrs Hughes" Mr Carson said, reaching out to take hold of her elbow "I uh..wanted to um...apologize for being so short with you earlier"

Elsie turned to find him looking sadly at her and her anger with him melted away. She cupped his cheek gently before saying

"That's quite alright Mr Carson. I probably shouldn't have shouted at you earlier either. Friends again?"

"Friends again." He confirmed and she turned to go. Pausing outside the door she said

"Charles? Fix it with Beryl please"

I know its rather greedy to once again ask for reviews...but I need to know if you're happy with the direction these characters are taking me! So please review?