Thank you for all the reviews and in general to everyone reading! Sorry I always keep you waiting so long for an update. is acting a bit weird just now, so please let me know if something is wrong with the format etc.
Warning! This chapter contains further Elsie/Simon & Charles/Phyllis interaction & a hint of smut (it's harmless).
27th May 2012 (Five weeks later)
Charles rushed downstairs, already being late. While reading the newspaper he had fallen asleep in the garden. When summer had gripped Yorkshire, Elsie and Tommy had slung a hammock between the two oak trees in their garden and Charles had come to like the thing. It had quickly become his favourite place to be at during the afternoon.
Having been in the pub with Simon until rather late the previous evening he had been robbed of a few hours of sleep, so it was no big surprise that the lecture of the Oxford History of Britain combined with the warm sun and the gentle swinging of the hammock had lulled him to sleep. Elsie had shaken him awake, startling him so much he nearly fell out of the hammock and only just so managed to keep his balance.
"The cricket match begins in half an hour and you are snoring in the garden", she had said, shaking her head.
"Sorry", he had mumbled in reply, quite embarrassed and had hurried to his room to change into his suit.
Now Elsie was waiting for him in the kitchen. She looked up when he entered. "Ready?"
"Yes, sorry for keeping you waiting."
"Not to worry, we'll manage in time", she told him, grabbing her keys and getting up. She stopped next to him, eyeing his tie. "May I?", she then asked, receiving a nod. He watched her hands while they easily fixed his tie. "Better, although I don't understand why you bother dressing up", she commented when she had finished.
"Thank you and I'm dressing up, because that's what I've always done when going to a cricket match if I wasn't playing myself", he said, following her outside, making sure he was walking on the side of the street.
"So you played often?"
"Once a year only, I'm afraid. The house played against the village. It's quite the event… well, was", he corrected himself, staring ahead, a hint of sadness flickering over his face.
Elsie bit her bottom lip. It always were the small things that reminded her how far from home he was and how much he was missing it. And she had a feeling that these moments would always be there, when a memory reminded him of his loss, but she hoped that in time he would live through less of these moments… or be spared them by returning home. But for now it did him good to get extra lessons in history and modern society from Simon. At least he got up to date. "You know, Tommy loves to play whenever he can. I'm sure he would be happy to play with you."
"I'll ask him, although I have a feeling I will have a heat stroke after five minutes if the weather stays like this", he joked.
"You will suffer a heat stroke if you keep dressing like that", Elsie chuckled.
"What are you saying?"
"Well, for a start you could do without jacket, tie and waistcoat", she suggested.
"And what would be next? Shorts and T-shirt?", he laughed.
"You don't have to dress like a teenager", Elsie pointed out.
"No way I would", he assured her.
"Let's take one step after the other, Charles", she said in her best teacher voice.
"Strange, that's what Simon keeps telling me every time when I can't follow him during the lessons."
"I bet it's the thing he says most often then", Elsie teased.
"Elsie Hughes, you are impossible!", Charles exclaimed in fake shock, soon joining in the laughter in which Elsie had broken.
…
The game was already on the way when they arrived. The sun was shining brightly, warming up the air and the light breeze, making Charles feel like he was being baked. He felt sorry for the players. With a side glance at Elsie who was standing on her tiptoes looking for Tommy, he sighed and removed his jacket. "Found him", Elsie announced and grabbed Charles hand, dragging him past the field and through the group of people cheering for Downton's team. "Tommy!", Elsie shouted and waved, her son turning to them. "Hi, mummy. Hello, Charles."
"Hello, Tom, we haven't missed anything, have we?", Charles asked.
"No, it only started a few minutes ago. Why are you late?"
"Well, Charles fell asleep in the hammock and took a bit longer to change", Elsie told her son with a mischievous smile.
"Ok and why are you holding hands?"
Elsie's smile faded in confusion, until she looked down at her right hand that was still holding Charles' left from when she had dragged him over to the spot where they stood now. The tips of Charles' ears turned pink, a flustered cough escaping his throat. Elsie let go. "Sorry", she mumbled embarrassed. "It's all right", he assured her, avoiding her gaze. "Why don't we all sit down and I get us something to drink?", he offered.
"That's a good idea", Elsie agreed. "Tommy, join me on the tribune?"
"I'd rather stay here, close to the pitch", Tommy answered.
"Ok, enjoy the game", Elsie replied, turning to the tribune. "I'll join Simon over there, in the front row", she told Charles.
"What would you like to drink?", Charles asked.
"Water would be great. It's getting hotter the longer you stay outside", she sighed.
"I agree." Charles cleared his throat. "Would you mind terribly if I left my jacket and tie with you?"
"Yes, unless you decided to also hand me your waistcoat", Elsie told him with a cheeky grin.
"Fine, the waistcoat too", Charles gave in and removed his tie and waistcoat. "Thank you."
…
Simon smiled brightly when Elsie approached him. "Hello, Elsie", he greeted her and made room for her next to him. "How are you?"
She sat down with a sigh. "Well, I'm not made for this heat, otherwise I'm quite well. What about you?"
"I'm ok, but I agree about the heat. We all hope for a warm summer and what we get is a heat wave followed by rain", he said.
"And what about your book? Are you getting on?"
"I am, thanks to Charles. He is a great help. I'm still wondering what imaginary sources I will give for my information. And he is doing fine with our extra lessons to fit into modern times, although he takes a few things badly, I think."
"What things?", Elsie asked concerned.
"The world wars. He hates to think of the suffering those wars put the people he holds dear through. Downton did suffer casualties and I'm certain he knew all of those who died in the Great War."
"You won't tell him names, will you?"
"No, I won't. But sooner or later he will come across the war memorial… or even worse, the graveyard. It's one thing to know the people you knew can't be alive anymore, it's certainly another to know exactly when they died", he explained.
"I agree. He'll need some very good friends when the time comes."
"He has you and I daresay you are better than a very good friend", Simon pointed out.
"I don't know about that."
"You invited him into your home and helped him in these first few weeks more than anyone else. You are a very kind woman, Elsie."
A round of applause and cheering from the spectators interrupted their conversation. "Oh, I think Downton just got ahead", she said, clapping with the others.
…
On his way to the club's house, Charles rolled up his sleeves and allowed himself to open two buttons of his shirt. The bar was empty, so that he could quickly get his order. With a glass of water in each hand, walking over the grass to the tribune almost felt like he was butler again, waiting on Downton's guests at a garden party. Most people would have found it odd that he missed being a servant, but he did. It was a good and decent life. This new life he was having now consisted of many uncertainties. He could fit in, no matter how much that sometimes collided with his views, but he would never belong.
"Lost in thought?"
Charles almost jumped and spilled the water, but years of training helped him to prevent that from happening.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you", Phyllis apologised.
"No harm done", he replied.
"How are you?", she asked with a warm smile.
"I'm fine, thank you. And you?", he answered, offering her his arm.
"Oh, gentleman, huh?", she chuckled and accepted.
"I'm old fashioned", he told her.
"You don't seem to be, just very polite and proper."
"Is that what you think of me?", he asked curiously.
"I don't know you well, but yes, that's what I think."
"Well, that's not bad, is it?", he wondered.
"No, it isn't. Were you worried about my opinion on you?", she asked lightly, not thinking that it would sound serious to him. He cleared his throat, looking at his feet. "I'm not sure, to be honest", he admitted.
"You needn't worry, Charles", she assured him.
"Thank you. That's a run for Downton", he said happily. "They are doing well today."
"They most certainly are", Simon agreed. Charles hadn't even realised that they had already arrived at the tribune. He handed Elsie the water. "Thank you, Charles."
Charles sat down next to her, making room for Phyllis. They had to sit close, but for the moment the match was more interesting. Downton scored another run.
"If they win at least bearing the heat was worth it", Phyllis said.
Charles studied her face for a moment, then handed her his glass. "It seems you need", he offered.
"Thank you", she said, gratefully sipping the cool liquid.
Tommy came towards them. "Mum, may I have an ice cream?", he asked.
"You certainly look like you need one", Elsie laughed, stroking back Tommy's wet hair. "Did I miss you joining the senior team?"
"No, I just didn't want to miss anything, so I ran around a bit", Tommy explained.
Elsie got a five pound note out of her purse. "Here."
"Thanks, mummy", he said happily and ran off.
…
It was early evening and Charles found himself balancing three pints through the pub. Downton had won the match and the pub was full with celebrating cricket fans. Phyllis had somehow managed to get them a table. Charles placed the pints on the table, letting himself half fall into the chair next to Simon. The ladies were sitting opposite of them. "Elsie, are you sure you don't want anything else than water?", Simon asked.
"Yes, thank you. I'm not really the beer type", she told him.
"Well, to Downton then", Simon announced and lifted his pint.
Charles only sipped at his beer, not feeling like drinking for the moment. It had cooled down, but of course with so many people in the small pub the air was stuffy.
"You look tired, Charles", Phyllis said gently.
"I was rather late at the pub yesterday with Simon and have a bit of lack of sleep", he told her.
"Lack of sleep? After snoring peacefully in the garden?", Elsie teased.
"I wasn't asleep for long", Charles protested.
"I'm only teasing you", Elsie tried to calm him. "Maybe we should all get going?", she suggested. "Phyllis and I are expected at school tomorrow and you know how things get with the summer break upon us."
"You made that sound quite dramatic", Simon laughed.
"If you would know…", Phyllis sighed. "I agree with Elsie. We really should be going."
Charles took a large gulp of his beer. "May I walk you home, Phyllis?", he spluttered.
While Simon grinned at Charles offer, both Phyllis and Elsie looked at him surprised. "Ehm, thank you, but it's not too late and the sun hasn't set, I'm sure I'd be all right", Phyllis stuttered.
"Of course", Charles replied a little crestfallen. "I should go with Elsie", he added quickly.
"I can do that", Simon offered. "If that's all right with the ladies."
"I don't mind", Elsie assured them.
"Me neither, I was just surprised by your offer", Phyllis explained herself.
A half-smile spread over Charles face. "Shall we go then?", he asked, getting up and moments later leading them outside.
…
Elsie and Simon were walking comfortably side by side towards Elsie's house. They were chatting a bit about his book and how the idea of it had developed. "You know, when I studied history I was fascinated with all sorts of wars. I suppose that doesn't make me appear in a very positive light, but I couldn't help myself. As much as I despised the suffering people were put through, I admired those leading and more so those left behind. I wrote a lot about the home front which did lead me eventually to the big houses such as Downton", he explained. "When I first set foot in Downton, I was taken aback for a moment. I realised that these old buildings not only have a history or are a tourist attraction. They once were a home to a family and their servants. While studying facts sometimes I forget that these all were real people."
"With Charles they are made all the realer now", Elsie said.
"I agree, but enough of me and my work. What about you?", he asked.
Elsie laughed. "What about me? Well, what should I tell you?"
"Anything you'd like to share", he told her.
"Well, I like to travel, but in the last years I focused on my work and my son entirely. My life is very ordinary."
"The sudden death of your husband must have thrown you and Tommy off the track", Simon said carefully.
Elsie took a sharp intake of breath. "Yes, it did."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that", Simon apologised.
"It's all right", Elsie told him. "No harm done."
"Well, here we are", Simon stated.
"Thank you for accompanying me."
"You are more than welcome."
Elsie smiled at him. "Good night."
"Good night, Elsie", he said gently, putting his hands in his pockets and turning to leave.
"And Simon", she called out and he stopped immediately, waiting for her to continue. "I'm glad I've met you."
"I'm glad I've met you too and I hope to see more of you", he told her honestly, before disappearing down the road.
…
Charles was proud and relieved that Phyllis eventually had agreed to let him walk her home. They were strolling through the south end of the town. Charles had no idea where she lived, but Phyllis gently led the way. "May I ask you something?", Phyllis asked.
"Of course", Charles replied.
"Have you ever been married?"
Charles licked his lips nervously and then shook his head. "No, it never came to it."
"So you remember your life before the accident?"
"Beg your pardon?", Charles asked confused.
"You suffered from amnesia after the accident, at least that's what Elsie told me."
"Oh, yes, yes, I did, but it got better", Charles told her.
"Was there never anyone… special in your life?", Phyllis asked carefully, not wanting to step on a sensitive nerve.
"There was someone, but she chose someone else and that was that." Charles sounded hurt talking about it.
"When was that?"
"I was barely twenty", he said.
"Twenty? And you never had another relationship since then? How old are you now? Fifty?", Phyllis asked shocked.
"I'm 56", Charles corrected. "And no, I haven't had another relationship. I dedicated myself to my work."
"Have you never fancied anyone?", Phyllis dug deeper.
"Fancied? I suppose I did fancy a few, but it was only attraction to looks and I never acted on it, never tried to find out what more there was to the person. After my fiancée left me for my best friend I never opened up again to love", he told her.
"I'm sorry", Phyllis whispered.
"I was never unhappy", he assured her.
"I believe you that. It's just… I think you would have made a fine husband and also a good father", Phyllis admitted a little embarrassed.
"I would have liked to be a father and to have a woman I had shared everything with", he said a little melancholic.
"It's not too late to find someone", she suggested.
"I don't know. I think that ship sailed a long time ago", he admitted. "What about you?"
"Oh lord, you really don't want to hear about my failed relationships", she assured him. "I always end up with some arse. I can't get it right."
Charles chuckled. "It's not too late to find someone."
"Fair enough", Phyllis laughed. "I live here, top floor", she said pointing up at a three floor high house.
"Well, good night then", he said softly.
She smiled sweetly at him. "Good night, Charles." Then she took him off guard by standing on her tiptoes and kissing his cheek. "Thank you." It had been over thirty years since he had experienced anything like that moment. He watched her turn to him one last time in the doorway, smiling and waving at him, her long dark hair escaping the bun and her dark brown eyes reflecting the light from a nearby street lamp that had just been turned on. Charles knew that warm feeling building inside of him. He had felt it before, after he had been out for the first time with Alice. In his younger years he had called it love, but now he knew that he had only loved Alice after knowing her longer and better. No, this what he experienced now was a crush, an attraction, a fondness and which he felt a little ashamed of, a desire.
…
Elsie came home early on Monday. She had taken a lot of paperwork with her, deciding that she could focus better in her office at home than at the one at school. "Charles, are you there?", she asked, walking to check the garden when she didn't get a reply. He wasn't there. With a shrug of her shoulders she made herself a cup of tea and went to her office. Half the cup had been drunk when her phone bleeped.
Becky 12:58 Guess who I met this morning at the groceries?
Elsie 12:58 No idea… Carlisle?
Becky 12:59 Hell no! It was Michael Gregson… What a handsome bloke…
Elsie 01:00 He is nice, so please, whatever you do, don't screw it up…
Becky 01:00 No worries, Els. Message you later x
Elsie shook her head. She didn't understand why Becky always chose Elsie's colleagues to date, but now she had at least picked the nicest of them. The phone bleeped again. "Bloody hell!", Elsie muttered under her breath. She picked it up and was surprised to see Simon's name on the display.
Simon 1:02 Hello Elsie, how did the Monday go? I hope not too much of the "drama before the summer"? I wondered if you had time for dinner sometime this week…
She bit her bottom lip, her thumb ghosting over the keyboard. She hadn't been on a date in a long time and that was clearly what Simon hoped for. He was a nice and a handsome man and she could talk with him, but she wasn't sure if anything more than friendship could develop between them. It wasn't that she thought falling in love with was out of the question. She wondered if she was ready to fall in love again. Elsie didn't want to be alone for the rest of her live, but it felt to be too soon. Becky most certainly had a different opinion on that and she meant well, hoping to ensure her older sister wouldn't wake up one day and feel lonely. But Elsie, no matter how nice or attractive the men around her were, she could only see them as friends and she felt that this was changing. And she found herself afraid of it. Deciding that it was best to reply later when she had thought about it, she put aside the phone and returned to her paperwork.
At around two she heard the front door being opened and closed. She knew by the sound of his steps that it was Charles who walked passed her office on his way to his room.
"Where have you been?", she asked, startling him. He leaned against the door frame. "Hello to you too", he said.
She judged him over the top of her glasses for that reply. "Hi."
Charles smiled. "Monday is not your favourite day, is it?"
"No, how did you know?", she answered sarcastically.
"I was out looking for a job", he told her.
Elsie blinked surprised. "Ok, were you successful?"
"Well, I didn't get employment as butler, but as barkeeper in the pub. The owner was looking for a second pair of hands and I offered mine", Charles said.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but back in your days it would have been below your dignity to work in a pub, right?", Elsie inquired.
"As a well-trained butler of a house as grand as Downton, most certainly. But times have changed. Being a butler now would be odd to people while working in a pub is ordinary."
"You might find something else", Elsie pointed out.
"You forget, I have no qualifications nor is my school career comparable to the one everyone these days gets", he reminded her.
"You are not stupid, Charles, whether or not you didn't go to school for long. You could be a journalist or write a book to earn money", she suggested.
"Writing a book would most certainly take too long and I don't know what on earth I would write about. And now don't say I could write a novel about a man from 1912 stranding in 2012. Simon already made that suggestion and I don't like it."
Elsie raised her hands in mock surrender. "I agree with Simon, but I won't say anymore."
"Thank you, that is most appreciated", Charles said. "Another thing: The pub owner, Mr. Kent*, said that if I work well I can move into the small flat above the pub. His son used to live there, but has moved out recently. Like that I wouldn't take advantage of your hospitality any longer."
Elsie firmly laid her pen aside and took off her glasses. "Charles, you can do as you wish, but I'd like to remind you that we have become good friends over this past month and you can stay as long as you want without being a bother."
"Don't tell me you'll miss me", he joked.
"Oh, I will, Charles, very much. And it costs me nothing to say it", she replied without hesitation.
Taken aback, Charles swallowed hard, looking into her eyes. "Thank you", he managed to say. "That means a lot to me."
She gave him a small smile, before breaking their eye contact and putting her glasses back on. "I have to admit though, I won't miss your cooking", she said quietly, but loud enough for Charles to hear. He shook his head and laughed. "I meant well", he defended himself.
"I know you did, but serving me burned Shepherd's Pie was not exactly a good way of thanking me for the shopping trip", Elsie said, grinning at the memory of Charles placing the burnt food on the table with big puppy eyes and sagged shoulders.
"Yes, I know that. But the flowers worked", he reminded her, before leaving her to her work. The flowers had worked. A huge bunch of dark pink roses symbolising gratitude had most certainly worked.
Elsie opened her calendar, checking what she was signed up for before the summer break, tipping on one event scrabbled down for next week, making a decision. "Charles?", she called out again. "Could you make sure you are free on Friday next week?"
"Why? What is next Friday?", he shouted back from his room.
"There's a summer party at school with the seniors", she told him.
"I'm not sure that's the right place for me to be at", he replied thoughtfully.
"Oh, come on, the staff will be there, Becky will come, I'm going to ask Simon and Phyllis is performing with the school band", she said, hoping that dropping Phyllis name would do the trick. There was silence for a moment before Charles' voice boomed through the house again. "Fine, I will come."
Elsie smiled triumphantly. "Great." She grabbed her phone and typed her reply for Simon.
Elsie 2:14 I'm afraid I'm not available this week for dinner, but there's a summer party next Friday at school… Would you like to go with me?
Simon 2:15 I would love to come. Let me know when I should pick you up.
…
Friday, 8th June
Grantham School's summer party had been one of the first things Elsie had put in the school's calendar every year since she was headmistress. The sixth form usually enjoyed it immensely. Every year they organised a stage program and involved the staff. The older teachers weren't too fond of being made fun of in creative speeches or having to sing or dance, but Elsie managed to convince them year after year that it did the students good after their finals.
Charles left at 7:30 to pick up Phyllis. Not long after Simon arrived. He was dressed in a light grey suit and rather looked like he belonged to what was left of England's nobility with his signet ring and slicked back hair. "My, you look like a lord", Elsie complimented him.
"And you like a lady", he countered with a broad smile.
"Thank you", Elsie said, blushing only a little. She did feel beautiful in her dark burgundy dress and with her curly hair. It had taken her ages to get it like that, not to mention the rather prefect eyelid line.
"Isn't Tommy coming?", Simon inquired.
"He's staying at his best friend's house. Only sixth form students and adults allowed", she told him. "Shall we?"
Simon nodded and waited patiently until she had locked the door. Then he offered her his arm, leading her out of her front garden and to his car. She wasn't surprised that he drove an old-timer, although what kind of old-timer it was, she couldn't tell. Simon opened the door for her and offered his hand to help her to get in. The engine buzzed softly when he turned the key and drove off.
…
Elsie had just found a free table and sat down, Simon taking care of getting them something to drink, when Becky plumped for the chair next to Elsie. It would have looked inelegant no matter what she was wearing, but with the rather elegant black dress it did look even more so. Becky let out a sigh and stretched her arms forward, her back cracking loudly.
"Are you all right?", Elsie asked, both eyebrows shooting heavenwards.
"I was on duty last night and didn't get much sleep today", Becky replied.
"How are things with Michael?"
"Good, we were on our first date on Wednesday. He invited me to come tonight, so technically this is our second date", she said, grinning.
"You really like him, don't you?"
"Yes, I do, Els. Oh god, I haven't had serious feelings for a man in ages. I mean I'm not in love, way too early for that, but I really don't want to screw this up", she said excitedly.
"I'm happy for you and you won't screw it up", Elsie assured her.
"Thanks. And how are things going with Charles?", Becky asked.
Elsie sighed. "Nothing is going on with Charles. I'm here with Simon. And I think Charles rather likes Phyllis."
Becky's smile faded, but she quickly put it back on. "That's nice."
"You don't seem happy about it", Elsie stated.
Becky shrugged her shoulders. "I just think you and Charles have a certain, you know, chemistry between you."
"Ok, and what is your opinion on Simon?", Elsie asked seriously.
"Well, he is nice. But somehow I feel destiny intended to get you and Charles together", Becky admitted.
Elsie laughed. "I never thought of you as romantic."
"I'm not, but sometimes life throws something at us and we fail to see it and stumble upon it when it's too late."
"Becky Hughes, the philosopher", Elsie teased.
"Yeah, make fun of me. At least I will have the pleasure of saying "I told you so" when you wake up one day and realise that you want to be with Charles", Becky warned her.
Elsie shook her head at her sister. "Let's change the topic before I investigate on what you have drunk before you came here."
"You are just as impossible as I am", Becky laughed. "By the way, is Simon the one driving that old Bentley?"
"Is that what it is?"
"God, Els, what is it you know about cars?", Becky groaned.
"I know how to drive them well enough, thank you very much", Elsie defended herself.
Becky was prepared to comment on that, but was stopped by Simon and Michael arriving at their table, joining them with the drinks.
Just before the show started Charles joined them. He was wearing a dark suit and looked rather annoyed.
"Where have you been?", Becky asked. "You didn't take that long to walk Phyllis here, did you?", she wondered mischievously.
Charles glared angrily had her, making Becky immediately apologise. "Sorry, bad timing", she mumbled, taking a large sip of her drink.
"If you must know, Phyllis and I arrived about fifteen minutes ago and ran into the members of the school band who jumped to hasty conclusions thinking I was her boyfriend", Charles mumbled through clenched teeth. "I spend the next ten minutes being called all sort of things I'm not sure I understood, but Phyllis was clearly embarrassed. This is so not how I imagined this evening to go. Don't you teach your students when they should be quiet and show some respect?"
If Charles hadn't been so intimidating when he was angry, everyone at the table would have been busy holding back laughter. "I'm sorry, they can be quite forward. What did they call you?", Elsie asked understandingly.
Charles thought for a moment. "Sexy… Hot… British George Clooney… What does that even mean?"
Becky was the first one to burst into laughter. "He doesn't know George Clooney. That is adorable."
Michael was laughing quietly while Simon pressed his lips tightly together to keep his composure. Elsie was biting her bottom lip, but when Charles glared once more at Becky and folded his arms across the chest and pouted like a young boy, she couldn't help, but burst into uncontrollable giggles.
"Here, that might help", Michael offered and handed Charles a glass of whisky which he emptied in one go. "Thank you", he grumbled.
"Ladies, the show starts", Simon informed them, making them realise that it had gotten quiet around them.
"Stop laughing!", Elsie whispered between giggles.
"Why me? You stop! I can't stop if you don't", Becky whispered back.
"Neither can I", Elsie snorted. They both decided to put their hands on their mouths to be quiet. By the time the school band started playing they had calmed down just so, avoiding to look at Charles who still looked rather unhappy. The band announced their first song: You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC.
Elsie had a feeling that would be the second shock Charles would suffer from, especially since they were not sitting too far away from the stage and the giant boxes. While the students started to rock both the stage and the school yard, Charles stared ahead with wide eyes, his eyebrows almost reaching his hairline.
"What is this?", he asked Elsie.
"You don't like it?", she replied, knowing very well that he most likely didn't.
"It takes getting used to. I'm not sure the text is age appropriate", Charles commented and got up, returning with a double whisky.
"Not that I'm not grateful for this, but why are you offering strong alcohol at a student's party?", Simon asked quietly, while Charles enjoyed his drink.
"I was against it, but the head boy and girl assured me there would be strict controls so no students, no matter how old, would get a hand on the strong stuff and they were backed up by the younger colleagues. So far it worked", Elsie explained.
"You trust your students a lot", Simon pointed out.
"Well, I've known most of them since they were ten", Elsie reminded him.
"It's Phyllis now", Charles whispered excitedly, his breath smelling heavily of whisky.
"And now", the guitarist said. "Please welcome our secretary on stage. Without her both students and teachers would be utterly lost sometimes. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Baxter with Summer Love Song*."
Phyllis was dressed in a dark green knee length dress and had put her hair up. She seemed a bit nervous, but when the first notes went smoothly she warmed up to the stage and managed to get the crowd partying.
"She is a good singer", Becky said. "And a very beautiful lady", she added, aiming it at Charles.
"She most certainly is", Charles agreed quietly, a small proud smile on his face.
…
Once more Charles had walked Phyllis home and found himself at the door to the house she lived in. Both were a little tipsy. They were laughing about the incident with the band earlier this evening. "They only complimented you, Charles", Phyllis laughed.
"How was I supposed to know? It sounded utterly ridiculous", Charles chuckled.
"But I agree with them, except maybe for the George Clooney part. You look much better than him", she admitted.
Charles looked down at his shoes. "Have I told you how pretty you are?", he mumbled.
She reached for his hand and squeezed it gently, stepping towards him. "Would you like to come upstairs?", Phyllis whispered. She was so close to him that her warm breath tickled his face.
"I shouldn't. We both drank a bit and…"
"We are not drunk", she interrupted him.
"Maybe not, but I absolutely don't want to take advantage of you", he said gently.
"I got it", she replied sadly, letting go of his hand and unlocking the door. Charles needed a moment to understand. "No, Phyllis, I didn't mean it like that."
"It's ok. I never get the good man", she told him. He could hear that she was trying to hold back tears. Taking a deep breath, he decided that he wouldn't let this chance slip and ruin everything. "Phyllis", he whispered, closing the space between them and gently grabbing her by the shoulders to turn her around. Her eyes were glistening with tears and one escaped. She looked anywhere but at him until he raised his hand to her cheek and brushed away the tear with his thumb. He leaned slowly in, giving her the opportunity to step away, but she didn't. The kiss was gentle and short and had its effect on Charles, but he broke it and leaned his forehead against hers. "I don't want to get this wrong. We haven't known each other long and I think I'm confused", he whispered, unbeknownst to her referring not only to them, but his entire situation. While Simon had helped him being less helpless in this world, he still struggled with it and was homesick. But these thoughts faded when Phyllis kissed him deeply, running her hands through his hair. The alcohol helped him to have the courage to allow himself getting lost in the kiss. When she stopped and stepped back, he immediately missed her touch. "Good night, Charles."
He looked at her both confused and astonished. Was she offering him time to sort his feelings? Before she could close the door, he jumped forward and slid inside, the door falling shut behind him.
Phyllis raised her eyebrows at him. "Changed your mind?"
"May I?", he breathed nervously, not familiar with this side of him.
"Come here", she whispered, taking his hand and pulling him into another kiss. Holding his hand she led him up the stairs. She lived on the top floor and Charles was glad when the stairs lay behind him. Charles surprised himself with his sudden forwardness, not taking one look at the flat, but having only eyes for Phyllis. Kissing passionately, they walked through to her bedroom. He was in his socks, boxer shorts and open shirt before he had a chance to unzip her dress. His eyes drank in the sight of her. It was no surprise to him that there was no corset, but much more revealing under things. He certainly didn't mind in this moment. His hands wandered over her soft, pale skin, exploring curves, his lips tasting her.
Later, she was cuddled into his side, his arms holding her safely. He thought himself stupid for living three decades without giving into the natural need to be close to someone, to feel loved and safe. It had turned him grumpy, stern and even unforgiving at times. The life of a butler was lonely, no matter if he had friends, and Charles remembered very clearly that he had never wanted to be lonely when he was young. That was why he had run off to London and had started a stage career, because this life would have allowed him having a family. Had someone asked him what his greatest mistake was, he had the answer now: Choosing to dedicate himself to a job that cut him off from his wishes of a family.
"Charles?", Phyllis whispered, waking him from his brooding. "Will you please still be here when I wake up tomorrow morning?"
"Of course I will, why ever wouldn't I be?", he asked with a frown, but Phyllis had already drifted off to sleep. He kissed her hair and closed his eyes, relaxing and falling asleep with a content smile.
…
"It was a lovely evening", Simon said when they had reached the door to Elsie's house.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it", Elsie replied happily.
"Good night then", Simon said. "May I give you a kiss?", he then added shyly.
She blushed, but smiled. "You may."
He gently kissed her cheek. "I know you need time and I promise I won't push you", he said quietly.
Elsie squeezed his hand. "I'd like to let you know that I think I'm ready for something new."
Simon smiled. "You are a wonderful woman, Elsie."
"Thank you, Simon. I'll text you tomorrow", she informed him.
"I can't wait!", he announced.
She watched him walk to his car and waved when he drove off. Taking a deep breath of the mild air she unlocked the door and stepped inside. She felt happy. There were no lights on. She kicked off her shoes and went upstairs, knocking on Charles door. When there was no reply, she carefully opened the door. The room was empty. Her good mood faded a little. She wasn't sure why it bothered her that he probably spent the night with Phyllis, but it did. With a sigh, she walked to her room, trying to ignore the tight feeling in her stomach. Was she jealous? How ridiculous. In the end she decided that it was the alcohol and Becky's teasing that made her feel bad about Phyllis and Charles and went to bed.
*father of Jimmy Kent who is a DC and will appear again later together with Thomas
*Summer Love Song by Brooklyn Hyland, a very teenage song I believe a school band would pick for a member of staff to have a bit of fun (our school band would most certainly do such a thing)
Sorry... I know this is not what you want to read, but I promise I have a plan. Charles/Phyllis just popped up because of some speculation going on in the fandom on tumblr when Miss Baxter was introduced, but we harldy knew anything about her. Charles/Phyllis was suggested then.