Chapter 21
A/N: I thought I would use the 'now' part of the chapter to continue a few storylines from previous chapters. Hope you enjoy x
Then …
The Staff were all going to the Village Flower Show, a rare afternoon away from work. All of the Family were attending as well and therefore no one on the Staff had to stay behind. The young maids and footmen were looking forward to the occasion very much, not so much for the flowers but more for the opportunity to mix with the Village folk.
Mr Carson was in a grumpy mood, having been rushed off his feet all morning. He had heard the Staff leaving for the Flower Show, as he finished off his morning work in his pantry. He had two more letters to write to wine suppliers before he could leave. He was secretly glad of the delay, he always felt awkward walking to the Village with the Staff. He knew no-one really wanted to walk with him. They preferred to relax and natter to each other and they couldn't relax if he was walking alongside them. It was sometimes lonely at the top; being the Head of Staff separated him from the others to a certain extent. Being a serious, boring old chump doesn't help either, he thought glumly. Certainly, Mrs Cooper kindly put up with him but as for the others, for years, even when they walked to church on Sundays, he could feel them shy away from him. He therefore often made sure he was running 'late' to avoid any uncomfortableness.
He finally finished his chores, put on his coat and walked through to the Servant's Hall to leave the dinner menu on the stand before heading to the Village.
"Elsie! What are you doing here?" he asked, shocked to see the Head Housemaid sitting at the table, dressed in her coat, hat and gloves.
"I am waiting for you … you've been an age …" she said, a wry smile on her face as she rose from her seat.
"But I thought everyone left for the Village some time ago …" he responded, still a little flummoxed.
"They did … but I waited, it didn't seem fair that you should walk on your own …" she said, matter-of-factly.
He was touched by her kindness but was determined not to show it; the Butler didn't want Elsie to think him a soppy, sad old fool.
"You should have gone with the others …" he said.
He instantly knew he had sounded gruff, yet he had not meant to. He only meant that she should not have wasted her time waiting for him.
Elsie spluttered with amusement, shaking her head. She had learned to get used to his grumpy ways. She knew he often did not mean his words in the way they came out.
"I am beginning to wish I had now …" she teased, although she regretted this when she watched him try to hide his disappointment.
"Honestly! Come on Mr Carson, I waited for you because I wanted to walk with you … who else is going to discuss Forster's new novel with me …" she said excitedly.
The Butler's face lit up.
Mr Carson was the only person Elsie had ever met who was as well-read as her. She enjoyed their discussions about literature and as the Abbey's Library was their main source of books, it was very common for them both to have read the same texts. In fact, Elsie perused the ledger in the Library and often selected a book to read based on the fact that Mr Carson had signed it out previously.
"A Room with a View?" he asked.
"Yes … have you read it?" she asked in anticipation.
"I certainly have …" he said proudly, as the two strode happily out of the Servant's entrance.
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Now …
"If the Dowager wins again, I will scream!" Elsie exclaimed, as the two linked arms, heading for the Village Hall.
They always attended the Village Flower Show together, they had done so for years.
"She doesn't win every year … and you cannot deny that her roses are supreme," Charles added loyally, squeezing his wife's hand that was resting on his arm.
"Oh no … there was that one year she let Mr Molesley Senior win … but every other year she has won!" Elsie replied.
"Anyway, I thought the Dowager was your friend now … you are theatre buddies after all …" he joked, pleased with himself.
Elsie raised her eyebrows at her husband; they had come along way if Charles was now making a joke about the Dowager, and it was true, she had enjoyed a very pleasant evening at the theatre with the Dowager recently. She slapped his arm playfully as they cheerily continued their walk.
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"Elsie no … that is not a good idea!" Charles exclaimed, as a determined look appeared on his wife's face.
"Charles, I am simply going to get us a cup of tea, nothing to worry about. You go and talk to Lady Mary, I shan't be long …" she smiled evenly, walking towards the tea urns.
Charles swallowed nervously as he watched his wife walk across the hall; standing at the tea urns was Mrs Wigan, the Post Mistress, and Elsie and Charles had not seen the woman since she had flirted with Charles in her garden the previous week. As Elsie walked towards the woman, Mrs Wigan lost all colour in her face.
"Good afternoon Mrs Wigan," Elsie said politely, using all of her willpower to remain calm, it would not do to cause a scene.
Elsie would never want to embarrass herself or Charles. She was surrounded by Villagers, as well as members of the Family, and so she would have to make her point in a demure and calm way, quite the opposite of how she felt about the woman.
"Good … good afternoon Mrs Carson," Mrs Wigan stuttered.
"Two teas please," Elsie said quietly, her eyes fixed on the other woman.
The Post Mistress nodded silently and set about pouring two cups of tea. Mrs Wigan knew from Elsie's steely glare that she knew; the former Housekeeper knew exactly what the Post Mistress had tried, and failed, with her husband. Elsie knew that Mrs Wigan knew that she knew; she could tell by the tremble of the other woman's hands as she poured the tea. The atmosphere was charged. Elsie continued to talk as Mrs Wigan picked up the milk jug.
"Yes … two teas … one for me and one for my husband … my husband," Elsie repeated firmly.
"Yes, yes of course …" Mrs Wigan replied nervously, the bluster she had exhibited previously with Mr Carson had all but disappeared now that she was faced with his wife.
"Thank you Mrs Wigan …" Elsie began, as she took the two cups and saucers from the Post Mistress.
Elsie quickly looked around to judge if anyone was in earshot. She then leant towards the other woman to whisper to her.
"And don't you go near my husband ever again … otherwise you'll not be serving this tea, you'll be wearing it," Elsie said sweetly, the softness of her tone belying her words.
"Understood," Mrs Wigan responded weakly.
"Good day to you Mrs Wigan," Elsie smiled, as she turned to walk back to her husband.
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"Is everything alright? You didn't kill her did you? I can't see her anywhere …" Charles asked, only half-joking.
He had been desperate to ask his wife how her conversation had gone with Mrs Wigan but he had been unable to do so until Lady Mary had departed. Elsie shook her head with a small chuckle.
"No I didn't kill her … simply gave her a little warning to stay away from my handsome man …" Elsie winked, reaching up to peck his cheek.
Charles smiled joyfully, thinking how lucky he was to have this beautiful, feisty woman as his wife.
"Thank goodness for that … I can relax now …" he smiled, his entire body wilting in relief.
"Perhaps not quite yet …" Elsie joked, wincing a little herself.
Charles looked at his wife in puzzlement. She motioned for him to turn around. He did just that.
"Daisy!" Charles exclaimed, as his cheeks instantly turned bright red.
The Cook giggled at the former Butler's flabbergasted expression. Charles was speechless, as his mouth gaped open wide, his eyes startled. Elsie bit her lip to withhold her laughter at this most mortifying moment.
"Good afternoon Mr Carson, Mrs Carson … nice to see you both fully dressed," Daisy whispered, with a delighted smile.