Chapter 10

A/N Thank you for your kind reviews! I thought this would be the final chapter, but many unexpected events turned up… I hope you like it, x george.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Dr Clarkson placed his stethoscope first on Mr Grigg's chest, then on his back and told him to sigh deep, meanwhile listening carefully. Being very content with what he heard, he unhooked the instrument from his ears and patted the patient's shoulder.

'I have to say Mr Grigg, you have made a great improvement. Well done, I can see you followed my instructions and worked hard to get better.'

'Thank you Doctor,' Mr Grigg answered, but he didn't seem to be happy with his clean bill of health. Dr Clarkson frowned.

'Is there anything I can do for you?' he asked.

'No doctor, but thank you,' the man almost sighed.

Something was wrong there, but before he could ask any further questions Isobel intervened.

'We'll leave you to your rest then Mr Grigg,' she said kindly and pulled Richard's sleeve.

In the drawing room, after Janet brought them tea, he went to sit beside her on the sofa and put his arm around her shoulders. She smiled and snuggled up against him, and they shared a sweet, lingering kiss. When they finally broke apart she leaned against his chest and his fingers played with the loose curls in her neck.

'What's bothering Grigg, Isobel? I have a feeling you know.'

'He desperately wants to talk to Mr Carson, asked for him every day, and Carson refuses to see him,' she explained with a sigh. 'He is angry about the situation, and he's cross with Elsie because she intervened and arranged it all behind his back. He is beyond stubborn in this and he won't budge. Elsie is at her wit's end.'

'Can't she make him see reason?'

'He hardly talks to her these days. Poor thing, I feel so sorry for her.'

'I suppose it's up to you then,' Richard mused.

'Me? What could I do about him?' she looked at him, eyes wide with surprise.

'I don't know, I trust you to find the right way, eventually.'

To have tea they would have to let go of each other, neither wanted to, so they stayed wrapped in each others arms while tea ran cold on the tray.

'I wrote letters to theatres and theatre companies, to inquire about a job for Mr Grigg,' Isobel told him some time later, 'and I've received two answers that seem promising.

I trust he will be alright, it's Elsie and that stubborn butler I worry about now.'

'As I said, you'll know what to do Isobel. You know how Carson feels about the family, and you being Mrs Crawley gives you just that extra bit of authority. So you make the most of that, go over there and be Mrs Crawley. You have to more or less order him to say goodbye to Grigg. '

'I think I see what you mean…' she said slowly.

'I know you would… but Isobel?'

'Hmm?'

'Don't call at the back door, or you'll spoil the act.'

She laughed.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Four days later found Isobel in Elsie's sitting room again. She'd made sure to wear the most elaborate hat for a morning call, called at the front door and informed Carson she came to see her Ladyship.

He ushered her into the drawing room but when Cora arrived, they made their way to the nursery. Much to Isobel's delight, the Nanny West problem had been tackled by Barrow, albeit for the wrong reasons. But the woman was gone and Kate, one of the maids was appointed to look after the children until a proper replacement was found. Kate was a farm girl and her only qualification in child care was the fact that she was the eldest in a family of nine children. Not a bad qualification Isobel thought, as she watched the scene in the nursery.

Kate and Miss Sybbie were on the floor, building a tower with soft cotton blocks that fell down over and over again, much to Sybbie's delight and attached over George's crib was a string from which hung several stuffed toys. The baby was waving his arms, playing with the toys and sporting a big toothless grin.

'Hello Kate, and children,' Cora smiled.

The maid scrambled to her feet. 'I'm sorry your Ladyship, Mrs Crawley, I was just playing with the children a bit before they're having their lunch,' she said, apologising.

'Well done Kate. We can see they're enjoying themselves. You may take an hour off now, Mrs Crawley and I will give the children their lunch.'

o-o-o-o-o-o

With both children tired after their play, well fed and tucked into bed for their nap by their grandmothers, Isobel said goodbye to Cora and went to find Carson. Pulling herself to her full height, straightening her shoulders and putting a stern look on her face, she informed him about Mr Grigg's impending departure, leaving no doubt that was his last chance to meet the man. Satisfied to see him slightly confused, she turned and made a show of leaving through the front door, only to enter the house again through the back door, where Alfred helped her slipping into the housekeeper's sitting room unnoticed.

Elsie was at her desk, booking the invoices for household necessities. Washing powder, starch, household soap. Black yarn, white yarn, worsted and pins. Pins, again? Really, those maids had to be more careful. Wax, shoe polish and brass polish.

'Are you busy?'

She was, but gladly left her paperwork for a quick word with Isobel, and she knew she could be honest with her friend.

'I am, but do come in. Has something happened?'

'I just spent an hour with George! And I told Carson about Mr Grigg's new job and that he will be leaving tomorrow morning on the eleven o'clock. Richard had an idea how to finally push him into changing his mind, perhaps it'll work.'

'I hope so,' Elsie said with a faint smile.

'So do I. Richard and I will take Mr Grigg to the station tomorrow, will you be there? After all, if it hadn't been for you he'd still be in the workhouse.'

'I'd like that.'

'Good, I'll leave you to your books then and we'll meet tomorrow.'

Elsie nodded, and suddenly looked so sad Isobel came back from the door to give her a hug.

'He'll come around love, I promise,' she whispered. 'He's by far the most stubborn man I have ever met, but in the end he'll have to admit you were right all along. And if he doesn't, I will personally make him see.'

'Thank you Isobel,' she smiled at her, 'you are the most stubborn woman I have ever met so if anyone can, it's you.'

'Stubborn, me?' Isobel chuckled. 'No more than you are, Elsie. See you tomorrow.'

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

While the train puffed its way out of the station, taking Mr Grigg to a new life, Dr Clarkson, Mrs Crawley and Mrs Hughes stood on the platform, still somewhat baffled by the scene they had just witnessed. Mr Carson emerging from the clouds of steam and finally shaking hands with his former friend, willing to make peace with their shared past at the last possible moment.

Isobel watched Elsie from the corner of her eye, glad to see her obvious relief. She found her hand and squeezed it.

Elsie smiled at her and then went after the butler.

'Mr Carson, shall we walk back together?' they heard her say. He didn't answer, but politely moved to the railway side of the platform so she could walk on the safe side.

Isobel watched them until they were out of sight. She smiled happily and turned to Richard. 'Your plan worked brilliantly,' she beamed at him, 'he actually came and spoke to Mr Grigg! Elsie can handle him from now on I'm sure. Thank you so much Richard, for thinking along with me!'

'My pleasure, Isobel. But I still say you knew what to do yourself.'

'As long as I don't use the back door,' she affirmed.

He offered her his arm and they left the platform. When they reached his car he cleared his throat.

'Isobel, may I invite you to have lunch with me? I have taken the liberty to book us a table at the Thirsk Grand. There's something I'd like to discuss with you, but if you're busy otherwise, it's no problem,' he asked her, looking slightly nervous.

'I have nothing to be busy about now that Mr Grigg has left,' she answered with a sad smile. 'I'd be happy to accept your invitation Richard.'

He opened the door and helped her into his car.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

They had walked along the platform, and Elsie'd had trouble keeping up with Mr Carson's much longer strides. Just when she decided to ask him to slow down a bit, he noticed, 'Oh, I'm sorry Mrs Hughes,' and adjusted his steps to hers.

'We're back to Mrs Hughes now?' she remarked. That seemed to finally alarm him. He suddenly stood still and slowly, a pained expression washed over his face.

She watched his expressions with interest. Stone faced butler he may be, but around her he'd never been able to keep up the mask. She saw surprise, confusion and then realisation. Shame and pain followed and she took his hand.

'Oh Elsie,' he whispered. He looked as if he were to fall apart and she looked around for a place to sit and talk. The small pub near the station would have to do, she decided and pulled Mr Carson inside the shabby establishment. 'Two coffee's please,' she told the landlord, a greasy and tired looking elderly man.

She took off her coat, it was warm inside, and again took Charles' hand in hers.

'Elsie, I'm so sorry,' he whispered. 'I am. Please forgive me.'

She squeezed his hands. 'Then tell me about Mr Grigg and what happened in the past, Charles! I need to understand that.'

He remained reluctant. 'It's all so long ago,' he began, but then the landlord interrupted and brought them two steaming cups of surprisingly good coffee.

Elsie thanked the man and frowned at her companion.

'Out with it, Charles! Now!' she hissed.

And so he told her about Alice and all the pain, grief and anger his love for her had caused, and how Charlie Grigg played a role in that sorry tale. How he had been furious with her for her meddling and had locked her out.

'I was so angry with you Elsie. Fishing through my wastepaper basket, visiting Grigg behind my back and even bringing him to Crawley House, where Mrs Crawley was mourning her son. I didn't understand you and I told you so, but I have had time to think since then. It was all about Alice, and I blamed Grigg for the pain it caused me.'

He took a sip of his coffee and she just listened.

'For years I wasn't able to let it go but then you intervened. I was livid with you, but Mrs Crawley made me see things from a different perspective. When I apologised to her about Grigg being at her house, she told me she hadn't realised there was any kindness and energy in her anymore. That opened my eyes. And I remembered how you stayed with her and looked after her, the first days after Mr Crawley's death, and then I realised what a fool I had been. You are a treasure Elsie, and I do not deserve you.'

'Why not?' she asked.

'Because Alice was always between us, and I never even knew that until I spoke to Grigg. Now at last her ghost has left me. I have done you wrong Elsie, I see that now. I have never opened up to you. I let you share my bed and even then I didn't realise how important you are to me. I'm so sorry my dear, please forgive me. '

Elsie didn't know how to react. She was important to him, but he didn't know that until an hour ago? She had spent all those nights in his bed, believing he loved her, while his mind had been with Alice all the time?

'Do you mean, all you wanted from me was…a body to replace Alice's?' she finally whispered, barely audible.

'No! No Elsie, you don't understand, I was saying how I always thought about how life with Alice would have been, blaming Grigg for taking her from me. I never knew what really happened, he told me today, and he….'

Tears sprang to her eyes. 'I see Charles, I apologise for my meddling. Good day.'

She rose and put on her coat.

'No Elsie, wait!' he tried. But she turned and left the pub.

The landlord shuffled to their table to collect the empty coffee cups.

'Ye're in a right mess, mate,' he informed Mr Carson, who sat there, resting his head in his hands.

'I am,' Mr Carson admitted.

'Fancy a pint?'

'Oh, why not,' Mr Carson said angrily. 'I might as well mess things up a bit more.' The landlord brought two pints, sat down at his table and leaned over in a conspiring way.

'Couldn't help overhearing a few words, mate. You want a woman, don't go on about yer other ladies, tha's wha' I always say. Big mistake you made there.'

'But I was trying to explain that I was finally free of that other lady,' Mr Carson protested.

'Really? 'Cause you made it sound like a thank you ma'am.'

'Did I? But how…'

The landlord got up and fetched them another round of pints.

'Listen mate,' he began.

o-o-o-o-o-o

At the Thirsk Grand, Isobel and Richard enjoyed an excellent lunch.

'Thank you for inviting me Richard, I didn't realise how much I have missed feeling alive and being a part of the world,' she smiled at him, eyes shining.

'It's my pleasure, my dear. I am happy to see you've returned to the world.'

She looked around the elegant room, the fine linen, the crystal glasses, the flowers and candles and the dear man at her table, facing her, who now raised his glass.

'To life, Isobel,' he said gently, and she repeated his words, 'to life,' and to her own surprise she felt she meant it.

She took a sip of her wine. 'You know I was falling apart when he died, Richard. Four children I had, all of them dead…what was the point of living anymore. You and Elsie dragged me out of that, and I suppose Edith and the Dowager and my Janet helped as well... and George, when I was allowed to see him.'

He took a sip of his wine. 'We are all happy to have you back with us,' he remarked, 'which brings me to something I've been wanting to ask you for the past few weeks.'

She felt her pulse raise a bit. Would he…?

'I believe you've heard about the project we're running at the hospital. Examining whether patients with stomach ulcers benefit from a milk only diet. We need someone qualified to record all the information, arrange it and draw conclusions. It would be a perfect job for you, not too exhausting but you'd be able to interview patients and train the nurses. Would you like to join in?'

She never expected to feel disappointed, but she did. For a few long seconds she was too confused to react properly, but then she put herself together.

'That's…that sounds interesting,' she told him. ' But I suggest you also take in the effects of a milk only diet to general health.'

'We do, and that's exactly why I want you aboard Isobel. You are able to think for yourself and speak up to the professor,' he nodded.

'Well, I'm glad to join the project then,' she said.

'Splendid! Thank you, I know we'll benefit from your knowledge.'

'It will be nice to get back to work again,' Isobel smiled, swallowing her disappointment.

What was she thinking, she'd been pushing him away for years and now when she finally accepted Reggie was gone she'd expected… she felt her cheeks flush and was glad when the waiter brought them coffee.

A few sips of water and she was back in control.

'Monday at nine it is then,' she smiled at Richard.

'Monday at nine it is. Yes. I'm looking forward to that,' he said, looking somewhat uneasy. Then he cleared his throat, took a sip of water, cleared his throat again and sat up a bit straighter.

'There is something else I wanted to ask you Isobel,' he told her. 'It's a bit difficult, knowing the recent past but on the other hand I don't see a point in waiting any longer.' He reached over the table and took her hands in his.

'My dearest Isobel, I have loved you since I first set eyes on you,' he began. Isobel couldn't help it, her eyes sparkled and she gave him a radiant smile, while squeezing his hands. He smiled back at her and went on. 'I care about you, I want to make you happy, I love you and I want to share my life with you…' tears ran from her eyes and he continued, 'Isobel, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

'Yes Richard, oh yes!' she stammered through her tears, then she reached across the table, grabbed his lapels, pulled him to her and kissed his mouth. He returned the kiss happily, but gently moved away from her when he realised where they were.

'Isobel…slow down love. Let's ask for the bill and leave, hmm?'

o-o-o-o-o-o

'I have been a fool!' Mr Carson exclaimed, he had just finished his fifth pint and the landlord of the shabby pub was his new best friend. 'I should have told her how much I love her! My darling Elsie! I should have told her long ago but I was a fool!'

'Go tell her mate!' the equally intoxicated landlord shouted at him.

'I will!' Mr Carson shouted back, threw a handful of coins on the table and, after sharing a final friendly hug with the landlord he left the pub, determined to find his beloved but a bit unsteady on his feet. Normally, the walk to the Abbey from the station took a good half hour, but Mr Carson found he had trouble walking a straight line today. Luckily it was a clear, bright day, and the cool fresh air helped him to find the way back in his fuzzy mind.

'Good heavens!' he groaned when he remembered the pub and the four, four? possibly five pints he'd had. Suddenly a wave of nausea hit him and he left the path in a hurry, hid behind a tree and threw up.

Heaving and panting, he remembered his dear friend Ian. He frowned at that thought. Did he have a friend named Ian? Think, he told himself. Ah, yes. Ian owned the pub. How did he end up there? Grigg, of course, always the one to leave him in an unpleasant situation. Only this time it was different. He sighed and shook his head, trying to find out why it was different. Yes. He had been with Elsie, they had coffee… he'd told her about Alice…and he messed up spectacularly.

'Good heavens,' he groaned again when the memory of the past hours hit him full force. He had made a fool of himself in many ways, he realised. He had to return to the Abbey and set things right. He was the butler. He had to oversee the footmen and make sure no red wine was served with the fish, and the silver was polished properly. The staff all rose when he entered the servant's room. What a joke, he thought to himself. What was it again his best friend Ian had said? Not to go on about his other ladies. As if there ever had been any other ladies, really. Alice had been nothing but an image, albeit one that proved very hard to ignore. A beauty queen she had been, tall and slim, and he was blinded by her perfect face, her brown eyes and her honey blonde hair.

And then there was Elsie, who wasn't a beauty queen and anything but an image. She was alive and warm, kind and intelligent and so very sweet. His cheeks burned when he remembered all the times he'd snapped at her and even telling her he'd considered her a woman without moral. He felt ill again and hurried towards the Abbey.

o-o-o-o

Elsie had thanked the stars when Beryl told her the family had gone out to have lunch at the Dower house. She went straight to the nursery where Kate had just finished the children's lunch. 'Essie!' Miss Sybil beamed and threw herself in Elsie's arms. Kate chuckled. 'Mrs Hughes, would you mind taking her out for a half hour or so? ' she asked the housekeeper. 'She's very much awake and master George needs his nap, he's caught a slight cold.'

Elsie scooped the toddler up in her arms and took her to her sitting room, where she found a very old set of building blocks in her cupboard. She sat on her carpet next to the little girl and together they build towers and happily threw them over, again and again until Sybbie got tired of all the fun and yawned. She gently lifted the child and moved them over to her settee, where Sybbie climbed on her lap and crawled into her arms. Sighing happily about that arrangement, she immediately fell asleep against Elsie's chest.

Thus trapped on her settee, warm little body in her arms, she shifted a bit so she could rest her head and drifted off.

Almost half an hour later, Tom Branson peeked inside, looking for his daughter and smiled when he saw the pair on the settee. He sat down beside them, as gently as possible but while Sybbie didn't stir, the movement woke Mrs Hughes from her slumber. She blinked and started when she saw Tom, but he quickly laid his hand on her arm. 'It's alright Mrs Hughes, Kate told me she was here. I know she enjoys your company,' he whispered.

'And I'm afraid I needed hers,' Mrs Hughes said and looked abashed when she realised what she had admitted. She stroke Sybbie's hair. Tom nodded, understanding what she hadn't said. 'She can be a great comfort,' he said softly, and took her hand in his when he saw a tear running down her cheek. As if on cue, Sybbie heaved a deep contented sigh and snuggled closer to Mrs Hughes's chest, and they both smiled.

'It's probably none of my business Mrs Hughes,' Tom said while squeezing her hand, 'but when I came down here I witnessed Mr Carson coming home, looking worn out and telling Alfred he's ill.'

'Is he ill?' she asked absent-mindedly.

'So he said,' Tom affirmed. 'To be honest Mrs Hughes, I noticed the smell of beer on him.'

'Daft man,' she sighed.

'And he threw a very longing look at your door, when he walked past it. I would say, he looked as if he was very sorry about something.'

She wiped away another tear. 'Thank you Tom, but I don't know what to think anymore.'

Knowing he was on the right track, Tom went on.

'You know I'm a good observer, Mrs Hughes,' he stated boldly. 'Right now for example, I observe you can't walk away from me because my daughter is asleep on your lap. And I observed many other things as well, like how close you and Mr Carson always were, even in my chauffeur days. I thought you two were a couple although I never discussed it with the other staff. But when I told Sybil, she grinned and said she had been thinking the same. You know how fond she was of you, Mrs Hughes, and therefore I believe we were right. Weren't we?'

He smiled when he saw her blush. 'Was it that obvious?' she whispered.

'Oh no, but as I said I am a very good observer, and so was my Sybil,' he reassured her.

'Well, you two were close, but I've discovered today that all the time Mr Carson…actually preferred someone else,' she managed to whisper through the tears blocking her throat.

Tom remained silent for a while, chewing on this new bit of information.

'He didn't, Mrs Hughes,' he finally concluded. 'No man looking at a woman the way I watched him look at you, could want someone else.'

'But he told me, Tom. He said her ghost was always between us.'

That sounded rather disturbing, he had to admit. Still, there had to be an explanation. He could just imagine the very correct and somewhat pompous butler making a statement and forgetting the point. Feeling it his duty to explain the why, how and when, instead of skipping the uneasy parts and just saying what he needed to say. He suppressed a smile when it occurred to him the butler was not unlike his father-in-law.

'Did he say anything about you?' he asked.

'He told me I am a treasure and he doesn't deserve me,' she said. 'Good heavens, I can't believe I'm discussing this with you, I should be ashamed of myself.'

'That's why I'm glad Sybbie's on your lap,' he grinned. 'You just have to listen to me now. And I am honoured you discuss this with me, Mrs Hughes. You have been a great comfort to me when Matthew died and I am happy to return the favour. I believe Mr Carson was trying to tell you that he finally realised how much he cares about you, and being Mr Carson, he chose the wrong words. Didn't he do so before?'

'Oh yes, many times,' she sighed, 'but he always apologised after that.'

'Only this time he didn't get the chance, did he?' Tom said gently.

The tears broke, she began to cry and the sobbing woke Miss Sybil, who stirred and, seeing her daddy, happily crawled into his lap, where she watched the crying woman with big eyes.

'Why is Essie cwying?' she asked her daddy.

'She is a bit sad, love. People are sometimes.'

Looking determined, the toddler climbed on her feet, leaned over to Mrs Hughes, wrapped her arms around her neck and planted a very wet kiss on her mouth.

'It's over now!' she declared, like she herself had been told many times when she had fallen and been given a kiss to make it better.

'That's right lassie,' Mrs Hughes hugged the little girl. 'Thank you for that. And you too, Tom,' she smiled through her tears while handing his daughter over to him.

'Go see him, Mrs Hughes, I know I am right. He's battling a hangover so he won't be able to talk a lot more nonsense. And if you allow me, I would like to apply Sybbie's remedy as well.'

He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, pulled her against him and gently kissed her lips, albeit a lot less sloppy than Miss Sybil had done.

'My mother died many years ago, Mrs Hughes. I miss her very much, but you have filled that void a bit. I care a lot about you and I know Sybil did, too. Since you're already Sybbie's surrogate granny, can I be your surrogate son? Lord Grantham wouldn't approve but then he doesn't need to know.'

'I'd love that, my boy,' she told the young man, stroking his cheek. 'It will be our secret.'

'Very well mum, now go and talk to the butler!' he chuckled.

After sharing farewell kisses with her new son and granddaughter, Elsie went to see Charles.

o-o-o-o-o-o

A/N Please leave a review if you can spare the time…they keep me going.