A short chapter here but a longer one will follow. I am so grateful for all of your reviews. Thank you very much.
Chapter 4
"So Mrs Hughes, why on earth are you not going to the dance tonight?" Dr Clarkson was carrying out some final tests on Mrs Patmore to give her the all-clear, yet it seemed he still had time to ask awkward questions, Elsie thought ruefully. Mr Carson and Anna were also present.
"Aye, that's a good question. Why isn't she going?" Beryl glared at Mr Carson.
Elsie could have died. The last thing she wanted was for Charles Carson to think she was upset about not going to the dance. How desperate would that make her sound? And why were they talking about her and the dance anyway?
"I just have too much work Dr Clarkson. We have this grand ball next week and I really cannot afford a night off". There, she hoped that would stop this conversation in its tracks and a change of subject should help, "So how is Mrs Patmore doing Dr Clarkson?" Perhaps not …
"But Mrs Hughes, we all have the ball next week and you, more than any of us, were looking forward to the dance. You were so excited about it when we talked about it last week and you deserve a night off". Charles looked a little surprised at that. Oh Anna I love you to bits but I could strangle you at this moment, Elsie thought.
"She's right …" It was Mrs Patmore's turn now. "No-one deserves a night-off more than you and anyone who doesn't realise that is a fool indeed", another glare at Mr Carson, who was starting to look decidedly sheepish now.
He hadn't realised that she wanted to go to the dance this much. Oh what an idiot he had been! I mean how on earth hadn't he realised? She had specifically asked him to the dance for heaven's sake. How much more of a hint did he need? But he had been so caught up thinking about the ball, thinking about their work, that he had not realised that this wonderful woman, this dear sweet woman, was actually asking him, Charles Carson, to the dance. And he had turned her down. Oh god, and he'd upset her. He hadn't realised at the time but he could see now how uncomfortable she was talking about the dance. She felt embarrassed because he had turned her down and she had then decided not to go to the dance at all. You are an idiot Charles Carson, a fool. But could they really go together? Would that be proper? Didn't couples usually go to a dance together? He felt his face blush at that thought; and he wouldn't want anyone casting aspersions on Elsie's character ... ... ... Yes of course they could go together. They could go as friends, nothing more. He would put this right and ask Elsie to the dance himself. It would be lovely to spend some time away from Downton with her. He suddenly felt very pleased with himself: he would ask Elsie to the dance.
"Honestly, please believe me when I say I am happy to miss the dance. Mr Carson and I simply have too much work to do". She smiled earnestly at Charles, hoping he'd believe her, and nodded at him for reassurance.
"Oh I am sure Mr Carson wouldn't mind at all if you went to the dance. Would you Mr Carson?" Dr Clarkson smiled and looked at Charles for a response.
"No, no of course not", Charles spluttered. Should he ask her here and now? No, that would embarrass Elsie further. He would wait until they were alone.
Dr Clarkson beamed, "Glad to hear it Mr Carson, very glad indeed. Well then Mrs Hughes, would you do me the honour of allowing me to escort you to the dance this evening?" Elsie turned to look at Dr Clarkson, mouth gaping open in surprise, then she turned to look at Mr Carson. She didn't know who was more stunned, herself or Charles.