A/N: I debated posting this, given the horrors that happened in Paris, but for those who don't want to continue reading there is no need to move forward now, this won't disappear any time soon and you can always come back to it should you wish. And for those who do want to continue reading because it may be helpful in some way (I can only hope that it is) then this is for you. A bit more innocuous than the last few.
July 1920
The staff finished their breakfast hurriedly. Scrapping chairs and swishing dresses cluttered the morning air. Snippets of conversation got lost in the haste:
"He's asked to be dressed by -"
"Tell me you've got another button -"
"-going into town later today, I'll fetch it for you."
The last voice belonged to Mrs. Hughes. Carson whipped his head around so fast his neck cracked.
She looked up to him in surprise, smiling lightly, "There's no need to worry. I've ordered something and it's finally arrived."
"And why can't they bring it here?" He asked.
"I fancied the walk." She said leaving the table.
Fervently he wished she'd stay and have a chat. What was it she bought? Why a walk? Could he go with her? But she had her chores and he had his and with Mr. Branson returned in disgrace they all had their worries.
As the day finished, much as it had began, in worrisome haste, Carson found himself alone at his desk drinking a small sherry. His ears pricked at any sound coming from the room next door. She was munching away at her toast, he thought testily. That bloody toaster - why had she bought it? He wanted to go to bed. But he was waiting for her - to walk her up the stairs - and she couldn't be taking a longer time.
Didn't she know she was holding him up?
And really, she should be in bed.
Setting down the now empty sherry glass, Carson strode out his door towards her sitting room. He knocked twice. No reply. Checking that the light was indeed on, seeping through the crack under her door, he slowly made his way into her room.
He found her exactly as he had pictured, siting at her table, a half eaten piece of toast in front of her, except she was sound asleep.