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"Good heavens girl what on earth are you doing?" Mrs Patmore asked loudly, watching Kay go through all her cupboards with determination. Han looked up from her book and smirked
"Kaaaiiilllyyyynnn" she called "its rude to go through other people's cupboards without permission"
"I am looking" came the muffled reply "for the electric mixer."
Kay stood up and dusted her hands off on the apron Mrs Patmore had insisted she put on. It was actually Daisy's but as she still wouldn't come anywhere near the two girls Mrs Patmore had wisely given her the day off and had sent her off to the Masons farm while Kay helped in the kitchen
"And don't tell me they don't have one because its 1920" Kay added, catching sight of Han's amused expression "because I know for a fact that they do."
Han merely pointed at the device with was sitting quite innocently on the side board
"Oh. Well don't blame me that I'm semi blind okay!" Kay huffed and marched over towards it
"I wouldn't dream of it" Han said innocently "what are you making anyway?"
"I am making biscuits" Kay said quickly, while searching for any form of chocolate.
"Your chocolate chip ones?" Han asked eagerly.
"That's the plan" she turned to Mrs Patmore. "I don't suppose you've got any chocolate?"
"Kailyn! You're supposed to be helping Mrs Patmore not ordering her around." Han scolded lightly
"Do I have any chocolate? Just what kind of kitchen do you think I'm running?" Mrs Patmore snorted reaching into a cupboard and presenting Kay with a bag of chocolate. Kay clapped her hands in delight before pulling out a large bowl and throwing ingredients into it.
She crushed the chocolate up and started making the batter for her biscuits.
"Mrs Patmore?" Kay said softly, turning to the cook who had just been made helper as Kay had no clue where anything was. This had made Mrs Patmore laugh, she hadn't been an assistant cook in more years than she could count.
"Yes Kay?"
"Please turn the oven onto 180°" Kay smiled and went back to beating the egg and butter mixture. Han look around with an amused expression
"It must be interesting being ordered around by a 15-year-old" she commented
Mrs Patmore looked at Han
"I guess there is a first time for everything." She said lightly
Kay twirled around and danced over to the baking tray, placing spoons full of batter onto it.
"I do hope I have remembered the recipe correctly" she looked up from her work "Although I have made this way too many times before"
"No you haven't" Han said "well, not for me anyway."
Kay laughed and picked up a tray and danced over to the oven
"Does she always dance in the kitchen?" Mrs Patmore asked, looking up from where she was reading a recipe
"...And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Han quoted "though to be honest, I really couldn't tell you what the hell she is hearing."
Kay stopped dancing, cocked her head and started again, wiggling her hips before sliding across the floor.
"Ah. The cha-cha slide." Han grinned "am I right?"
"Perhaps" Kay said. "In all honesty, I don't even know what I am hearing! "
Han laughed.
"You're dancing like no one is watching, unlike you do at the dance when you are meant to be dancing" Kay put the tray in the oven and pursed her lips
"hmm good point. Perhaps I am insane" she shrugged and danced over to Mrs Patmore. "Han wants to learn how to cook" Kay said looking over at Han and grinning.
"Seven hells! No. I don't! " Han said, waving her hands. "I'd burn down your kitchen, Mrs Patmore!"
"Please don't burn the kitchen down" Mrs Hughes said darkly as she walked in the kitchen and grabbed a kettle. "I don't think Mr Carson would cope."
"What do you mean?" Han asked, leaning forward eagerly
"He's like a bear with a sore head at the moment. He's reduced poor Lily to tears earlier, and I still haven't found out why." She explained, leaning against the counter
"Oh dear." Han sympathized "I suppose he can be a bit grumpy at times"
"Not without good reason" Mrs Hughes replied absent-mindedly, filling a teapot while Han and Kay exchanged looks of glee "Lady Mary has invited Charles Blake for dinner tomorrow and half of the Rundle dinner set is still up in London."
"I'm sure they'll live" Kay said.
"May I still join you for tea, Mrs Hughes? Kay has made some delicious biscuits for us!"
"I'm sure it's fine." Mrs Hughes looked at Kay "you made biscuits?"
She nodded happily "indeed I did. Can you not smell them? " she then went to the oven to go and check on her biscuits that were busy cooking. The smell wafted over to where Han and Mrs Hughes were leaning on the counter and Han let out a small moan
"Kay shut the oven door and stop torturing me!" She complained. Kay laughed and did as she was told
"Anyway, back to Mr Carson" she said "isn't there anyway you could um relieve his tension Mrs Hughes?"
"In what way do you mean?" Mrs Hughes asked narrowing her eyes slightly at Kay
"I don't know, give him a shoulder rub or something." She suggested innocently, reaching over for a pair of oven gloves. Mrs Hughes nearly dropped the cups she was holding
"I beg your pardon?"
"What Kay means" Han jumped in "is that maybe he'd cheer up with a little extra TLC."
"TLC?" Mrs Patmore repeated
"Tender loving care." Han explained "I'm sure Kay would be delighted to donate a few of her biscuits to the cause."
"Indeed I would" Kay confirmed with a grin
"Listen girls, I know you think there is something between Mr Carson and I but I can assure you that there-"
"Mrs Hughes, with all the extra work to be done I hardly think now is the time to be having a cup of tea and gossiping in the kitchen!" Mr Carson snapped as he strode into the kitchen
Kay put her cooked biscuits on the counter and look at Mr Carson , as sternly as she could manage
"now now, Mr Carson. Every girl needs some time for tea, biscuits and of course gossip"
Han nodded.
"But of course...if you would like to do something with Mrs Hughes. " she grinned at the two of them. Carson jumped
"No. That is not what I meant" he looked around and eyed the biscuits "and what on earth are these?"
"Heaven in a biscuit" Kay said simply "but wait till they cool, else they'll feel like you just ended up putting your tongue in hell." She added, smacking Han's hand away as it slowly reached towards the tray
Mrs Hughes sighed
"Mr Carson is right, of course. I should be working." She looked at Han "and I will most definitely not be taking your idea of this TLC as you would call it"
"What is TLC?" Mr Carson asked, looking confused
"Nevermind Mr Carson." Mrs Hughes said walking out of the kitchen "which bedroom shall I have made up?"
"The Gold Room I think Mrs Hughes." He suggested following her out
"Kay, I'm beginning to think that this is impossible." Han sighed sadly. Kay patted her arm sympathetically
"Nevermind Han, they'll come round eventually" Kay looked at her biscuits and picked one up, handing it to her parabatai "have a biscuit."
Biscuits to all of you fabulous people who review! If you're enjoying the story please say 'AYE LADDIE!'