AN: Hello, again!I'm very happy to have received a lot of feedback! Love you! But if you have an account in here I'd love it if you could review with it. I'd like to answer. I'm posting ina bit of a hurry, so I'm sorry about all the possible mistakes. A big thanks to m beta!
Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes. But it's the only thing that I know. When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes, It is the only thing that makes us feel alive
~Ed Sheeran, Photograph
Manchester:
Isobel walked towards her front door. Who on earth could be on the other side? Could it be someone from Downton? Had someone come after her?
She waited for a second, hesitating, before opening the door. A wave of relief washed over her, as she saw who was standing in front of her.
"My, my. Isobel Crawley. I'm not sure I believe my eyes. You've come back!" The elder woman greeted her.
A laugh escaped Isobel's mouth as she stepped away from the door. "Elizabeth Stuart. How long has it been? 4 years?", she asked as her old friend stepped in.
"Almost", she answered and took off her coat. The maid had come up from the kitchen after hearing where she had been and took the coat from Elizabeth's hand.
"This house hasn't changed at all...but we certainly have..."
Both women smiled and embraced each other.
"Elizabeth...how did you know I came here? I haven't told anyone", Isobel asked, still in disbelief that her friend was standing her, in front of her.
They had met through Reginald. Elizabeth's husband was also a doctor and they had once been best friends.
"Edward saw you today, walking around, but he wasn't quite sure it was you. But Isobel. What on earth are you doing in here? You should have written to us! Are you just checking up on things or...did you come back for good?"
Isobel led them into the library where her half empty teacup was waiting. There was no way she could lie to Elizabeth. That woman knew instantly if someone was trying to lie. "I'm very sorry to disappoint you, dear, but I'm afraid I didn't come back for good", she started, but then turned to the maid.
"Could we have some more tea, please?" Isobel addressed her. "Of course, ma'am", the girl answered and disappeared back into the kitchen.
"The thing is that...I just needed to get away from Downton for a while..."
"Did something happen? Has the family abandoned you?", Elizabeth asked. They had exchanged many letters over the years and she had gotten the picture that her new family had taken very good care of her after Matthew had died.
"No. Nothing like that. They've all been wonderful...", Isobel started and sat down onto a settee. Elizabeth followed her, so that they were now facing each other.
Isobel stayed quiet for a while but then decided to brake the news about her engagement to her friend. She hadn't told her anything about Dickie in her letters, but it would come out sooner or later.
"I was about to get married but I'm afraid I got cold feet about it and came here to sort out my thoughts".
Elizabeth was staring at her with wide eyes. That was the last thing she had expected to hear. After Reggie had died Isobel had sworn that she would never even consider about marrying again. But it was about time that she had found happiness again.
"And who is this lucky man you've ran away from? " she inquired after a while.
"His name is Richard Grey...or Lord Merton. He is Mary Crawley's God father..."
Elizabeth raised her right eyebrow. "Please, tell me more..."
Soon Isobel had told Elizabeth everything, starting from the very first time she had met him to the point when she had decided to leave Downton, while they were both drinking fresh tea. Elizabeth was a good listener and that was exactly what she needed. Someone who would listen her worries without trying to interrupt or judge.
When Isobel was done with her confession she felt so much more better.
"Oh my...your life has certainly changed. Look at you! You're still practically engaged to a Lord, but what did the family say about your leaving?" Elizabeth asked.
"I wouldn't know. I didn't say anything to anyone. I only left a letter", Isobel answered.
"Oh, Isobel. They must be worried. You shouldn't have done it this way. Why didn't you tell anyone?" She inquired further.
To be honest Isobel had started to feel a bit guilty for leaving without telling anyone. What if she had, after all, caused unnecessary worry over herself. "I didn't want anyone to follow me or try and change my mind. You know me Elizabeth...this is how I am...", she replied.
"But enough of me and my life. What about you? What are you up to these days? And what about Edward? Still working at the hospital?" She asked and decided to change the subject.
"Well you know Edward. He'll be working in there until the last breath leaves his Body", Elizabeth said and set down her empty teacup. "Guess what. You should have dinner with us tonight. Edward would be over the moon, for he hasn't seen you in ages! Will you come?"
"Yes. I'd be delighted."
The Dower House, the day before:
Lady Mary and the Dowager countess were drinking tea the next day, and thinking about how they were going to find their cousin.
"She could be in London...", Mary proposed, but Violet shook her head. "I don't think so. She isn't too fond of London and where would she be staying?" Violet asked.
"No. She's not in London. Isobel in some place she's familiar with", she added.
Both women sipped their tea. "What if she's in Manchester? I believe she still owns the house. It would be quite natural for her to go there. It is her old home after all", Mary said.
"Yes...I suppose you might be right. She would be totally out of place in London, but she knows Manchester. She might even have some old friends in there."
"But I don't think any of us have the address."
Mary started thinking and put down her cup. "Murray might have the address. He's the one who found them, after all. You should give him a call. And then...someone should go there. Isobel won't answer any letters, that's sure," Mary pointed out.
The Dowager looked thoughtful whilst holding the teacup in her hand. "That could be the solution, but I think it would be better to wait for a while. Maybe Isobel will come back in few weeks. In a month perhaps. But if she doesn't, then maybe you should be the one to go to Manchester... Now, take some cake, dear."
Mary took one peace and sipped her tea again. "Actually...I may have an idea."
Violet raised her eyebrow. "You don't usually sound that mysterious. Please, tell me, too", she said and took a peace of cake.
Manchester:
It was almost eleven o'clock, when Edward Stuart was walking Isobel back home. Her house was located only few streets away.
The dinner had been wonderful. There had been just the three of them. All of their children had their own families now so usually it was only the two of them. So Isobel's return was a welcome change.
Edward had known her since she had been twenty-two years old and had gotten married. He and Reginald had known each other since medical school. They had soon become best friends and when Matthew was born he became his God father. On his last days, Reginald had asked him to take care of Isobel and Matthew. He had known that his time was running out.
Edward had last seen Matthew in his wedding to Mary Crawley. They had quite obviously been a perfect match. Faith certainly knew how to be cruel. Little George had lost his father and Isobel had lost her only son. He knew that Isobel and Reginald had wanted more children, but God had decided otherwise.
However Isobel was looking very good. She was holding his had as they walked towards her house. She had told him about Lord Merton. He was sad, of course, to hear that his family didn't want her to be part of them. Isobel deserved to be happy.
"Do you love him?" he questioned her. People of their age should not marry out of any other reason.
"I think you mean Lord Merton... I don't know, really. I guess...I was starting to...and now I dont know what I feel..."
They were now standing in front of the house. The night was clear and quiet.
"I think you'll know after a while. If you love him you should fight for him. You are a strong woman, Isobel. Don't give up this easily", Edward affirmed. He took her hand to wish her good night. "I hope you enjoyed your evening. I certainly did."
She smiled at him. "Oh, stop it. I'm not that good company, but I did enjoy my evening... And thank you, for your words...", Isobel said and turned to her front door. "I think it's time for me to go sleep. I'm not so young anymore."
"Yes. I think it's time or Elizabeth will miss me. Good night, Isobel", Edward responded.
Isobel rose the few steps to the door and opened it. "Good night, Edward."
Am I out of touch?
Am I out of my place?
When I keep saying that I'm looking for an empty space
Oh I'm wishing you're here
But I'm wishing you're gone
I can't have you and I'm only gonna do you wrong
Oh I'm going to mess this up
Oh this is just my luck
Over and over and over again.
~Imagine Dragons, Shots
tbc
AN: Thank you for reading! Remember to review:)
