Chapter 3
The family were relaxing after their meal. They all sat comfortably on seats, whilst Tom played with baby Sybil on the sand. The Dowager Countess was holding court, regaling her son and daughter-in-law and Mrs Crawley about her recent stay in London. Lady Rose and Lady Edith were chatting amiably and Lady Mary was handing over baby George to the nanny.
Most of the downstairs staff were relaxing a short distance away, sitting on rugs on the sand. Mrs Hughes sat laughing with Anna and John, and Mrs Patmore. She had removed her shoes and stockings and was enjoying the feel of the sand beneath her feet. She repeatedly glanced over at Mr Carson, who continued to serve drinks to the family. Surely they could let him enjoy some free time as well, she thought. He was the only one of them still working. However, she knew Charles well and unless he was officially dismissed from his duties, he would continue to serve. She hoped he would not be too long.
Charles glanced over at Mrs Hughes; she looked so content as she sat on the rug, chatting to her friends. He heard Alfred mutter something and watched as his colleagues from downstairs all laughed. He could see that Mrs Hughes had taken off her shoes, as he marvelled at her bare feet and legs as they rested on the sand.
"Mr Carson, you have worked quite long enough today, please go and join the others," Lord Grantham said kindly.
"Are you sure, M'Lord?" Charles asked. The Butler had been uncertain about the servants having free time at the beach, it did not seem correct with the family present, but Lord Grantham had insisted.
"Quite sure," Lord Grantham responded.
Charles placed his final tray on the clearing table and started to make his way over to the downstairs staff. He felt as if he was intruding, he knew that the staff were not as relaxed when he was present; they regarded him as stuffy and old. Nevertheless, as he approached, Mrs Hughes noticed him, and the genuine and delighted smile on her face at seeing him approach put pay to any misgivings he might have had about joining the downstairs staff.
"Mr Carson, come and join us," Elsie said eagerly, patting the rug beside her, intimating for him to sit down next to her.
"I'll get you a beer, Mr Carson," Alfred said cheerfully.
"Oh, thank you Alfred," Charles said happily.
Charles, realising he was overdressed, took off his jacket, waistcoat and tie and placed them on the nearest table. This less formal attire was at odds with the Charles Carson everyone knew but even he realised that he would look ridiculous sitting on the beach in his full butler's uniform. In just his black trousers and crisp, white shirt, he sat down next to Elsie, giving an exaggerated groan as his long body finally hit the ground.
"You realise, I may never be able to get up again," Charles joked, as he settled next to Elsie. She took him by surprise, when she reached across his chest and unbuttoned the top couple of buttons on his shirt,
"That's better," she smiled, patting his chest through his shirt. She did this so naturally but then realised this was quite an intimate thing to do and became rather flustered.
"Sorry Mr Carson, I am not sure what came over me there," she giggled nervously, smiling at Charles, who was enjoying this attention.
"There's a seat over here Mr Carson, if you would prefer?" Lady Mary said, pointing to the seat beside her. Elsie held her breath, she didn't want him to go and sit with the family.
"No thank you Lady Mary, I am very comfortable here," Charles confirmed, smiling at Elsie and gladly taking his beer from Alfred.
He leaned in to Elsie and whispered, "Apparently, you don't fully enjoy the beach unless you sit on the sand and drink beer from a bottle," Charles jested, taking a swig from his beer.
"Is that right?" Elsie said blissfully.
Elsie stared up at Charles. He was very handsome, she thought, even more so in just his shirt and trousers. He looked very rugged as she watched him roll up his sleeves, displaying his muscular arms covered in greying, soft hairs. Elsie and Charles were sitting quite closely together as they sat on the rug, even closer once Sarah, one of the new maids, plonked herself between Elsie and Beryl, meaning Elsie had to budge even further towards Charles. Their bodies were touching and she could feel the heat from his sturdy chest against her side. Charles took several deep breaths as he adjusted to the delightful feeling of having Elsie's beautiful body resting against him. He placed his arm behind her on the sand. Elsie was trying, with great difficulty, to join the conversation with the others. It was very distracting, and highly unusual, to have Charles so close to her. Charles, for his part, could not take his eyes off the pretty, feminine frame next to him.
They watched happily as Jimmy and Mr Molesley attempted to build sandcastles, with Jimmy's rushed effort collapsing in a heap, setting off a wave of laughter amongst the staff. Daisy and Ivy could be seen, making their way back up the beach; they had been down to the water's edge, paddling in the waves.
"How about a game of catch?" Alfred suggested, as Daisy and Ivy rejoined the group. The men all started to rise, enthusiastic about a bit of competition.
"Surely, women can play to?" Anna asked.
"We can play girls against boys if you like?" Jimmy suggested gamely.
"Definitely!" Daisy answered as she started to round up Mrs Patmore, Ivy … even Lady Rose and Lady Edith joined in.
"Come on Mrs Hughes, you have to play too!" Daisy said, as she grasped Elsie's hand and pulled her up off the sand. Elsie laughed; it had been years since she had played any sort of game. Charles chuckled too as he watched her being dragged away by Daisy.
"Come on Mr Carson, you too, we can't let these ladies win!" Jimmy shouted.
Charles laughed merrily, pulling himself up from the sand. He noticed all of the other men had taken their shoes and socks off, so he did the same. Tom Branson, caught up with him, as they made their way towards the other players.
"Now you make sure you mark that young Scottish lass over there, Mr Carson, I hear she is a terror at games!" Tom joked, pointing towards his favourite Housekeeper. Charles chuckled, he simply could not remember when he last had so much fun.
After Alfred had explained the rules to everyone, basically that each team had to try and keep the ball, passing it between their players, whilst the other team tried to steal it from them, he shouted 'Play!" and the game began. The men were far more competitive, running and diving across the sand to get the ball but the women, whilst not as daring, were much better at keeping the ball once they had it! There were smiles and laughter all round as the game continued. Then suddenly Beryl threw the ball towards Elsie. Beryl threw it so hard it went flying over Elsie's head, so she had to quickly take several steps backwards to try to catch the ball. She collided with Charles who had been standing just behind her and they both went tumbling towards the sand. Elsie shrieked joyfully as Charles put his arms around her to try to avert their fall but it was too late and they both fell together, crashing into the sand. They both laughed hysterically, as they lay in a happy heap on the sand. Charles flat on his back, with Elsie clutched to his chest. The other downstairs staff looked on with wide grins and knowing looks.
"Oh dear me … we need to get up Mr Carson," Elsie said, through tears of laughter, pushing herself off his chest and sitting up on the sand. Charles beamed at her, still laughing. He rose speedily and helped her to her feet, both still chuckling, with Elsie brushing the sand from her skirt and blouse. They were both a little breathless and blushing after such an unexpected but enjoyable moment of intimacy.
"Well Mrs Hughes, you were right when you said the beach was fun!" Charles said joyously.
"Oh, Mr Carson, there is a lot more fun to come …" Elsie said flirtatiously, her eyes twinkling at Charles. His mouth went quite dry at her teasing, as he grinned back at her.
"… you haven't even had an ice-cream yet!" she smiled.
A/N: Thank you for the reviews- they are much appreciated.