Chapter 8

"Ma, do I have to?" Charlie asked, looking down at his long trousers in dismay.

Mrs Hughes bit her lip to stop herself laughing at the disgruntled look on his little face.

"Yes, you do. We are going to Church and everyone has to look their very best for Church. And you look so very smart," she said warmly, fastening his jacket.

"They feel funny and I'm too hot," he said, scrunching his face again as he wriggled about where he stood.

"Well it's cold and wet outside and so you'll soon be glad of the extra warmth," she said.

She shook her head fondly at the little boy as she realised that nothing she said was going to improve his opinion of his new trousers.

"What do we have here then? My, you look very smart Charlie, like a proper grown up gentleman," Mr Carson boomed from the doorway.

He had heard the previous conversation between the Housekeeper and the little boy and he thought he might be able to help.

"Do I?" Charlie asked excitedly, thrilled that Mr Carson felt he looked grown up.

"You do indeed. It's the trousers I think. All gentlemen need to wear smart trousers for Church," he added, sharing a knowing, happy glance with Mrs Hughes over the boy's head.

Charlie suddenly began to like his new trousers, as he looked down at his legs. If Mr Carson likes them, they must be a good thing.

"They are new, Ma got them for me," he explained.

"Well, aren't you a lucky little fella then. I hope you thanked your Ma. That was very kind of her," he said, smiling at the boy.

Charlie quickly spun around to face the Housekeeper.

"Thank you Ma," he said sweetly, wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her closely.

"You are welcome pet, now let's get to Church," she said, rolling her eyes warmly as he skipped out of the door to the corridor.

Mrs Hughes heard Mrs Patmore greet Charlie and so she knew he was in safe hands.

"Thank you for that," she said, laughing gently.

"My pleasure. Umm … I thought we may walk to Church together," he said, rather uncertainly.

He was not at all sure how things would work now that Mrs Hughes had Charlie but he certainly hoped that some things would not change.

"That would be lovely," she replied, as a soppy smile appeared on Mr Carson's face.

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Charlie had walked most of the way to Church holding Mrs Patmore's hand, as the Cook walked to Church alongside Daisy. Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes walked a few steps behind them, catching up on a few household matters, as well as discussing some Village events.

As they neared the Church, Charlie ran back to the Housekeeper, taking hold of her hand. It was the first time he had been to Church and he wasn't sure what to expect. Mrs Hughes had pointed out the building to him as they had visited the Village and she had said it could get a little cold inside. She had also told him that they needed to sit quietly in the Church, listening to the words of the Vicar. They should only speak when it came to saying the prayers. He didn't know what prayers were but Mrs Hughes said that he needn't worry and he should just try to remember one word, Amen. He had practiced saying this word many times. He had also enjoyed practicing putting his hands together for when they said these prayers and he knew that at one point, they would get up and walk to the front of the Church. He would hold his Ma's hand for that bit. They should also join in with the singing. Mrs Hughes said they could sing as loudly and as happily as they wanted. He was a little anxious but also excited, even more so because Mr Carson and Mrs Patmore were with them.

Charlie sat in between his Ma and Mr Carson on the wooden bench. He gazed around the building filled with people. During the Church service, when it was time to pray, Mrs Hughes and Charlie put their hands together as they had practiced.

"Well done," she whispered, as he beamed up at her proudly.

He listened and listened, the prayer seemed to last for ages, but he finally heard it and he declared enthusiastically 'Aaa … men' in his loudest voice.

Mrs Patmore turned around from her pew in front to give him a huge wink. Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson smiled at him fondly, as the Housekeeper bent to kiss his forehead.

"Good boy Charlie, that was perfect," she praised, as he snuggled happily against her side.

Later in the service, as they walked back up the aisle to their pew following communion, Charlie was desperate to speak to his Ma. He pulled at her arm and whispered,

"He touched my head!"

He then giggled joyously, covering his mouth with his free hand as he knew he was meant to be silent. Mrs Hughes chuckled too as they sat back down.

"That's what the Vicar does to children. He was giving you a blessing so that God takes care of you," she explained.

"But you already take care of me," he whispered, wondering why he also needed God.

"Yes I do, but God can help a little as well," she said, smiling down at the sweet boy who was now her son. She felt truly blessed.

"Church is funny!" he declared happily, as Mrs Hughes stifled another chuckle.

######

"And this must be Charlie," Lady Grantham smiled, as she and Mrs Crawley walked over to speak to Mrs Hughes. She had not met the little boy yet, although she had been instrumental in allowing him to come to Downton.

"It is Milady. Charlie, this is Lady Grantham. She is the lady I mentioned; she lives upstairs at Downton. Downton is her home. And this is Mrs Crawley," she explained.

"Pleased to meet ya," he said sweetly, as both women grinned warmly at him.

"And we are delighted to meet you Charlie. Are you enjoying living at Downton?" Mrs Crawley asked.

"Yep. I love it. My Ma looks after me and we go on adventures and feed the ducks," he explained, all in one breath.

The women laughed.

"Do you really? Well that sounds wonderful. You have a very nice Ma," Lady Grantham replied.

Mrs Hughes blushed a little but couldn't help feeling touched.

"I know! Ma is the best. Everyone likes her because she is really kind. Ma makes Mr Carson happy too. He always smiles at her," he explained innocently, simply stating what he had observed.

Mrs Hughes began to cough, almost choking. She had no idea where that last comment had come from. Charlie had never said such a thing before! Honestly, where on earth did he get that idea from, she wondered.

The two women laughed warmly again, as Mrs Hughes blushed, shaking her head a little.

"What are you like!" Mrs Hughes gasped, laughing through her embarrassment.

Charlie wasn't sure what he had said that was so funny but he chuckled as well, as the Housekeeper hugged him to her side.

"Well we best be off," Mrs Hughes said, thinking that they best move or who knows what he'd come out with next!

They said their goodbyes and then headed back across to meet Mrs Patmore and Mr Carson. However, they stopped on their way when two of the Village women approached them.

"Good Morning Mrs Hughes and this must be Charlie," Mrs Thornton said.

There was something about her tone that was more nosey than friendly.

"Yes indeed, this is Charlie. Charlie say hello to Mrs Thornton and Mrs Bailey. They live in the Village," Mrs Hughes explained.

"Pleased to meet ya," he replied sweetly. He was getting used to meeting new people now.

"And this is of course, Ethel's son … we remember her alright … don't we Mrs Bailey?" she said knowingly, a note of distain in her voice.

Mrs Hughes needed to get Charlie away from these two women as quickly as possible before they said another word about Ethel but she needed to do so without upsetting the lad or showing any rudeness in front of him to these horrid women. She knew that Ethel being an unmarried mother had been the talk of the Village for quite some time all of those years ago.

"This is Ethel's son yes. And he is a credit to Ethel. She was a wonderful Mam to him but sadly she died and so he is living with me now and I am so lucky to have him. Charlie is a wonderful young boy," she said proudly, bending down to pick him up off the floor.

Charlie smiled joyously, cuddling his Ma as she kissed his cheek.

"Good day to you Ladies," she said, as she turned to walk away.

The Housekeeper heard one of them mutter the word 'bastard' under their breath as she walked away. Mrs Hughes felt quite shaken but she tried not to let it show and she kept walking. Thankfully, Charlie was blissfully unaware that anything was wrong as he wrapped his arms around his Ma's neck and rested his head on her shoulder.

"I love ya Ma," he whispered, feeling very content.

Mrs Hughes felt tears well in her eyes.

"I love you too sweetheart, very much," she soothed, stroking his hair and hugging him even closer.