Chapter 12
"Does it need more seasoning?" Elsie asked, very grateful to have her friend at the cottage as she made the final preparations for dinner.
"Let's have a taste and see," Mrs Patmore said, as she took a spoonful of the casserole.
"Doesn't need anything, it tastes perfect Mrs Hughes," she replied encouragingly, as the Housekeeper looked very proud.
Her cooking skills had certainly developed as she had grown in confidence over the last year.
"Should we start calling each other by our first names when we are not at the House do you think?" Elsie asked.
Elsie had used Mrs Patmore's first name for the first time just an hour before; it had seemed appropriate to reassure her friend about this evening. Now that she was in her own home, it seemed a little ridiculous for her best friend not only to call her my her formal title but also by her maiden name; the name still used by everyone at the House.
"Yes I think we should, although I am not sure what Charlie will think about that!" the Cook chuckled.
Elsie spluttered with laughter too; she could just imagine her husband's face if the Cook called him Charlie!
"Perhaps you should start with Charles, I'd rather he didn't have a heart attack thank you," she suggested.
"What's all this laughter about then?" Charles said happily, as he entered the kitchen.
He had finished setting the table and was about to decant the wine; Mr Mason would be here shortly.
"We've decided that whilst we are away from the House we are going to use first names, so you'll have to start calling me Beryl, Charles," the Cook smiled cheekily.
They both waited for Charles to begin to fluster at this suggestion. However, Elsie was impressed when her husband didn't actually look shocked at all; he seemed to take this news in his stride. Little did the women know but he had heard their conversation from outside the door and he had decided to surprise them by being calm and at ease with this development.
"Well then Elsie and Beryl, would you like to start with the Merlot or the Margaux?" he asked, turning away from them and hiding his wide grin as he observed their surprised expressions.
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"These are for you Mrs Hughes, thank you for inviting me to dinner," Mr Mason said warmly, handing the Housekeeper a beautiful bunch of flowers.
They would have to explain their decision to use first names a little later, Elsie thought.
She was almost sure Mr Mason was called William, just as his dear son had been. Although she seemed to remember Beryl mentioning that his farmhands called him Bill.
"And for you Mrs Patmore," he said with an affectionate smile, offering no explanation as to why he had brought the Cook an equally lovely bouquet of flowers.
Charles and Elsie looked at each other knowingly and Mrs Patmore's cheeks blushed as she thanked him.
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They had enjoyed a lovely meal and several glasses of wine; everyone had praised Elsie's cooking and they were now enjoying a coffee and brandy, still seated around the table. The conversation flowed easily as they discussed the lives of all at the House, both upstairs and down. All agreed that Mr Molesley had never looked happier; working as he was between the School House and the Abbey. They had discussed Mr Barrow and how he seemed transformed. Charles smiled at his wife's positivity as she had stressed that it wasn't a transformation as such, she believed that Mr Barrow had always had a gentler, kind side; he simply hadn't always allowed this side to shine. They all agreed that Lord and Lady Grantham also seemed to be coping well with a down-sized staff and the changes that brought. The four of them were currently chatting about Daisy, a young woman who they all had a fondness for, even if Charles had tried to cover this over the years with his brusqueness.
"It's lovely to hear that Daisy is settling in well at the Farm," Elsie smiled.
"Oh she is, I couldn't do without her. Although she still enjoys her role at the Abbey," Mr Mason added.
So many of the staff had reduced their work at the Abbey, there had been so many changes in just the last month or two. Elsie felt this had helped Charles a little; it meant that him stepping down as Butler had not been the only change although it had been the most momentous.
"And I know Beryl also enjoys her time at the Farm Bill, she was telling me only yesterday about the lovely lunch the three of you enjoyed," Elsie added, trying to push things along a little for her friend.
Charles raised his eyebrows at his wife; a knowing look in his eyes as he knew exactly what she was doing. Mrs Patmore was unusually quiet as she smiled lightly at this comment.
"Yes, it was wonderful. We enjoy Beryl's visits very much. She has been very loyal and kind to both Daisy and me. I only wish she could visit us more often," he said warmly, as he gazed at the Cook.
The Farmer suddenly looked a little self-conscious, hoping he had not been too forward with his words.
Elsie beamed at this comment, looking at her friend with a sparkle in her eyes. The Cook could not help but smile, both at Mr Mason's kind words and her friend's enthusiasm.
"Thank you Bill," Mrs Patmore responded gently, as the Farmer smiled in relief.
The two were looking at each other so fondly; it made Elsie's heart fill with joy. Elsie knew they needed to move ahead in their own good time but she really did think that the Cook and Farmer would make a perfect couple. She and the Cook had been very happy and content as independent women, on their own for decades, and yet, now that Elsie had found even greater happiness with Charles, she wanted this for her friend as well. Elsie was looking forward to getting Mrs Patmore on her own to have a chat.
"Beryl, shall we make another pot of coffee?" Elsie suggested.
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"You like him, don't you?" Elsie asked gently, as they waited for the water to heat.
"Yes, he's a nice man," the Cook replied shyly.
Elsie looked at her friend meaningfully, trying to be patient but hoping her friend might admit a little more.
"I care for him very much," she added.
This admission made Mrs Patmore quite emotional, as her eyes filled with tears. She knew she couldn't fool the Housekeeper. They both smiled, as the Cook shook her head feeling rather silly.
"That's wonderful Beryl, truly wonderful," Elsie offered.
"You don't think I am being ridiculous, at my age?" she asked seriously.
"Beryl, do you remember who I am? You are talking to a woman who, herself, only got married after reaching 60. I was hardly a child bride!" Elsie joked, making her friend chuckle.
Mrs Patmore then realised what Elsie had intimated.
"I don't think we are talking about marriage," she said surely.
"Don't you? Beryl ... you once told me that you'd like to think a man could speak fondly of you at your age. Well you have found that man, believe me. He looks at you so lovingly," Elsie said tenderly.
"Oh you daft ninny, he does not!" she said, embarrassed and not quite able to let herself believe this yet.
"Da da da dah, da da da dah ..." Elsie hummed in a whisper, as Mrs Patmore shrieked with laughter and flicked the tea towel at her friend.
After they had both calmed a little, Elsie decided to say something else; even if she knew her friend would think she'd gone soppy.
"I'm so happy for you Beryl. You are the kindest person I know. You are always helping others and you have been the most supportive friend to me. It is time you enjoyed some happiness of your own," Elsie said truthfully.
Mrs Patmore's eyes filled with tears again, as did Elsie's. The Cook looked very touched by her friend's words. They were not used to talking so openly and emotionally like this, despite both knowing that their friend would do anything for them.
"No more brandy for you young lady!" Beryl joshed, as both laughed through their tears.
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The two men were not as relaxed when they were on their own; they needed Beryl and Elsie to chivvy the conversation along. They also did not know each other particularly well and tonight had been the first time they had really socialised in each other's company, other than at more formal gatherings at the House. However, they did have two things in common; they both had much respect for the other and they were also both very fond of the two women in the next room. A slightly uncomfortable silence had developed between them and just as Charles was going to ask something inconsequential about the Farm to ease the atmosphere, Mr Mason spoke.
"Mr Car ... Charles ..." he began anxiously.
"Yes?" Charles replied formally.
"I wonder if you would allow me to seek your advice on a matter," Mr Mason continued.
"Yes, yes of course," Charles said, feeling very puffed up; he presumed that the Farmer wanted some guidance regarding an Estate matter or some other matter pertaining to the Family. He was pleased to be of use and to have something to talk about.
"Thank you, I appreciate it ... umm ... the matter is of a personal nature ..." the kindly Farmer added breathlessly, wringing his hands nervously.
Charles's jaw dropped. Oh dear god, he flustered.
A/N: Thank you for your lovely reviews, they mean the world to me. Special thanks to all of the guest reviewers who I cannot thank personally. If you would like me to continue this fic, please do keep reviewing. I will continue with the dinner party in the next chapter; I have a sneaking feeling that Charles may be about to repay some of the help that Mrs Patmore offered to him before his marriage! Also, I decided on William/Bill for Mr Mason as chelsiefan71 mentioned that thought to me a while ago and I liked it- so thanks to her for this x