Season Three
Christmas Special
Everything in italics are my own invention or stage directions.
After Sybil's near-fatal illness following childbirth, Cora and Robert separate. Cora moves into Grantham House in London (inviting Sybil, Tom, and the baby to join her), a result of the building tensions in their marriage. The separation lasts at least one year, but Cora makes the trip to Duneagle with the family to keep up appearances.
Tom and Sybil have stayed at Downton while the rest of the family are at Duneagle.
Pg 257 Family is at the train station leaving for Duneagle. Violet sees Tom and Sybil talking to Robert.
Violet: Do you think it's wise? To leave them here unsupervised?
Cora: What do you mean?
Violet: Well, you don't suppose they'll attempt to stage a leftist coup while we're gone? And we'll return to find Downton converted into some sort of commune?
Isobel: Well, I've invited them to dinner tonight.
Violet: Oh well. That's one day taken care of of. Only nine to go.
Isobel: Tom is not a revolutionary; you should know that by now.
Violet: Tom is not the one I'm worried about.
Pg 292
Tom and Sybil's bedroom. Edna walks in.
Tom: What in the -?
Edna: I thought you might want to know Mr. Barrow is feeling much better.
Tom: Thank you. But you should go.
Edna: I just wanted to tell you what a lovely day I had. Shall we meet for lunch tomorrow? In the Grantham Arms?
She kisses him before he can say anything.
Sybil walks in.
Sybil: I don't think Mr. Branson will be able to meet you tomorrow; he'll be otherwise engaged.
Edna: M'lady, I -
Sybil: I do not care how you finish that sentence. My husband already asked that you go. Please go.
Edna walks out quickly.
Tom looks slightly terrified. Sybil glares at him for a moment before laughing, pecking him on the cheek.
Pg 293
Phone Call that Mary and Anna are coming back early. Sybil appears at the entrance to staff kitchen.
Sybil: Mrs. Hughes, I'm sorry to barge in but could I have a quick word?
Cut to Mrs. Hughes' office. Sybil has told her the story.
Mrs. Hughes: Oh my.
Sybil: That was one of the thoughts I had at the time.
Mrs. Hughes: Well, she'll have to go.
Sybil: Oh yes.
She chuckles.
Sybil: Poor Tom. He looked so awkward from what I saw through the door. And then when he saw me he looked positively terrified. It was sweet really.
Cut to Carson's office
Carson: She WHAT?
Mrs. Hughes: Before you get going, Lady Sybil already explained it was one-sided.
Carson: Regardless, she'll have to go.
Scene between Tom and Mrs. Hughes. In rewrite, conversation is between Mrs. Hughes and Sybil.
Sybil: Would you write her a decent reference?
Mrs. Hughes: raised eyebrows
Sybil: It's hard to be a working woman and I don't want to be the reason one is hungry. It's more for myself than for her.
Mrs. Hughes: I will. Though I don't think she's cut out to be a housemaid. May I say something, if you don't mind m'lady?
Sybil nods.
Mrs. Hughes: Edna tried to make Mr. Branson ashamed of his new life, but he's done well and he should be proud. I am.
Sybil smiles.
Sybil: You know, there's something I always wondered about. Why didn't you say anything to anyone after the garden party, the one before the war?
Mrs. Hughes opens her mouth to speak but no words come out.
Sybil: I know you saw; he didn't let go of my hand after we let go of Gwen's, after she spun of both around she was so happy she got that job. And I didn't let go of his. If you had said something to Carson or my father, Tom would have been gone the next day. Why didn't you?
Mrs. Hughes: I didn't think...Oh I don't know.
Sybil smiles again.
Sybil: Well, it may be quite delayed, but thank you for your discretion.
Mrs. Hughes: You're welcome, m'lady.
