Wow! What a great response to last chapter, Thank you! Lets move on together...
The season progressed and the Carson family healed. Elsie took comfort in the two precious children she had around her. She was more like herself in a few days and took back her household responsibilities. The staff made themselves a schedule where they would switch around watching Grace for a couple hours in the morning. Each staff member chose a day that would fit best with their schedules. Between Mrs. Patmore, Anna, Miss Baxter, Daisy, and Thomas, they were able to spare a person each day. Mr. and Mrs. Carson were very grateful.
The day Thomas spent with Grace, was the one most in question. Thomas cared about there girl, that much was evident. But he had quite a unique way of amusing her.
He let Grace share in little pranks to pull on the staff. All harmless, but distracting none the less. While the staff suspected Thomas of schemes, they did not suspect it of Grace. She was quick and could pull a job without anyone questioning her and, later, easily forgiving her.
Such pranks involved Grace switching the positions of all Mrs. Patmore's spoons so she always reached for the wrong one. Grace switched the sugar with salt. Anna and Mr. Bates had very salty tea that day.
Today, Thomas gave her an envelope addressed to Mr. Mosley.
Grace skipped into the servant's hall humming happily and stopped at Mr. Mosley's seat. "Here you are, Mr. Mosley. There's a letter for you."
He looked up and took the letter. "Thank you, Miss Grace." He smiled after her and she ducked out the door.
Thomas was waiting for her behind the opening. They peeked their heads around the corner, waiting. It didn't take long for Mr. Mosley to open his letter and the ants to come crawling out.
A low bellow came from the back of his throat. "Eeeegggaaa!" He exclaimed jumping from his chair and dropping the letter. He shook his hands trying to get every insect off of him. Grace's laughter erupted from behind the wall and the servants who witnessed the display laughed with her. Thomas wore a satisfied smile and was delighted by Grace's obvious enjoyment.
Mr. Mosley looked at everyone around him laughing, including Miss Baxter who had her hand over her mouth trying to block it.
"It's really not that funny," Mosley tried to convince them.
"Oh, Mr. Mosley, it really is." Her laughter broke and eventually so did Mr. Mosley's.
The noise brought both Mr. and Mrs. Carson from their rooms to the hall.
"What could possibly be going on now?" Charles sneered.
"I don't know for a fact, but I would bet our girl is being corrupted by the likes of one under butler.
"Ah," Charles had heard about the antics Thomas and Grace were part of.
"I would have put an end to it weeks ago, but Thomas really does care for her and she enjoys spending time with him." Plus it gave her more time to focus on the household.
"I know, but let's just limit their time together. I don't want Grace to pick up any bad habits from him."
"That's right, she'll pick up enough bad habits from her father." Elsie bit her lip, containing her mirth, and walked towards her sitting room where William was just waking up. "I will take Grace and William with me to pick out some fabric for new clothes. Grace is in need of a new dress and William could use a few more things."
"I wish I could join you, but I have a mountain to get through."
"Nose to the grindstone, Mr. Carson."
He rolled his eyes at her before they both continued on with their day.
"Next time, can we put spiders in?" Grace asked Thomas still laughing at their joke. They were sitting side by side on the hall floor, still outside the servant's hall.
"I don't see why not." Thomas smiled at the girl.
"Can I give it to da?"
Thomas's face turned sour. "No, Grace. I think that is enough pranking for now."
Elsie walked to where they were sitting. Thomas quickly stood as his superior came into view.
"Mr. Barrow, thank you for watching her, but I will be taking Grace out for some errands."
"Yes, Mrs. Carson." He winked at Grace.
Grace giggled again, thinking about earlier, and she followed her mummy down the hall.
William just woke and was feed. He sat in the middle of Elsie's sitting room playing with his feet. He removed the socks that he was once wearing and tried to pull his little overalls off his shoulders.
Elsie straightened him up. "Come on my wee boy. All growing lads wear pants and it is your job to keep them on." She tickled his belly and he giggled. His hair was growing in dark and it matched his dark brown eyes that glowed when he laughed.
Elsie and Grace wore their light coats and hats. Elsie wrapped William in a light blanket and they walked to the busier part of town. Grace held her small basket and Elsie held a larger basket along with William.
They didn't need to catch a bus, but the walk lasted about half an hour. Elsie shifted William to each hip for a period of time when her arm tired. Grace ran out of steam very quickly.
"Are we there mummy?" she grumbled.
"Soon, Gracie. We will get there faster if you stop your whining."
Grace was quiet for a while and instead counted the steps she took. When she reached a million and two, they arrived at the shop. Elsie opened the door and Grace entered first. She got excited when she saw all the pretty fabric they could choose from. Mummy said she needed Grace's help picking out fabric for Grace's new dress and she was thrilled to give her opinion.
There were two young ladies working in the shop and one came to help them. "Good day, mam. What can I help you with?"
Elsie explained what they needed and the girl took them around the shop. On their tour, Elsie spotted the reduced price fabric and headed in that direction. With two children and Becky's care to pay for, their purse strings were tight and she didn't see a need to spend extravagantly on something they could have for a more reasonable price.
The shop girl offered to hold William for her. Elsie's arms needed a break, so she was glad to share him. The girl ogled over his chubby face and gave him some fabric scraps to keep him content.
The fabric in the reduced price section was tied together in small bundles, enough there to make what they needed. The shop girl talked with Grace and helped her find a pattern she liked. Elsie searched through the other fabrics hoping to find white cotton for a new shirt for William and some heavier fabric for pants. She eventually found what she was looking for.
"Mummy, look!" Grace showed her a white fabric with purple lilac flowers all over it.
"Gracie, you have a keen eye. It is lovely." Grace handed it to her mummy pleased with her choice.
"Now, we need some more lace for a collar and a few ribbons." The shop girl helped them choose the lace collar and Grace stared at all the colored ribbon. "Grace, why don't you choose three colors of ribbon you would like to use for your hair and meet me at the front."
Grace nodded and thought about her decision.
Elsie went back to the front of the store, placed her purchases on the counter, and took out her purse.
A man walking outside the shop did a second take as he saw Elsie through the window. He walked in the front door.
"Mrs. Hughes? It is Mrs. Hughes right?" A stout man on the shorter side with a boisterous voice came up behind Elsie's shoulder. He had a trimmed mustache and he held his bowler hat.
Elsie turned, a look of shock taking over her face. "Mr. Grigg! What a surprise." She was pleased to see him looking so well.
"About just as shocked as I am, I presume. I was walking passed and spotted you through the window." He smiled and replaced his hat with a sweep of his arm. "What brings a Yorkshire woman to London?"
"The family is in London for the season and I am housekeeper here too."
"Well, they have you working like a dog, don't they?" He raised his eyebrows.
"I wouldn't quite say that, Mr. Grigg. I enjoy the work and I am very happy to be here this season." He was much different than the last time she met him. His timid, sickly demeanor was replaced by an over jovial, smooth-talking manner.
"I'm sure you are Mrs. Hughes. Life in London is a bit different from what you can find in Yorkshire. Hum, am I right?"
"It's certainly a change of pace." She paid for her purchases. "What brings you too London? Are you still working in Belfast?"
"Nah. Belfast was a stepping stone, a way to get back on my feet, and I am very grateful to you and Mrs. Crawley for finding that position. But I am working in stage management now, in London."
He was beginning to get a bit high and mighty. "And do you enjoy it, Mr. Grigg?"
"Ah yes. There is nothing like the excitement of the theater to keep you young and sprightly."
"I am glad to hear you are doing well. Mr. Carson will be pleased to hear it."
"Is Charlie in London?" He was curious.
Elsie proceeded with caution. She was not sure what Charles would think about this meeting. "Yes he is."
"Really? I think I ought to escort you back to the house then and pay him a visit. Catch up, for old times sake." During his speech, he walked closer to the counter and placed his hand over Elsie's on her basket. "Besides, I wouldn't want to force an attractive woman like yourself to walk through London unaccompanied." Mr. Grigg spoke with a loud confident voice intertwined with arrogance.
Elsie recoiled her hand back to her person. She was getting uncomfortable with his presence. "That is not necessary. Mr. Carson is very busy right now and I'm not sure he could spare the time."
"Nonsense, I'm sure he can squeeze in a chat with his old pal. Now, what can I carry for you?"
Elsie was forced to surrender. He was insistent and she was sure he would follow her whether she asked him to or not. "I am perfectly capable, thank you." She turned ready to leave.
"Grace, take your basket. We are ready to go." Grace appeared from behind a row of fabric and ran to Elsie, taking her small basket and placing her ribbon in it. "Carry it gently, Gracie, so it doesn't fall out."
"Okay, mummy. I can do it." Grace answered.
Grigg's eyes widened at the small four year old rounding the corner and his mouth formed a toothy grin when she called Mrs. Hughes mummy.
"Well, Mrs. Hughes, I see you have been keeping me blind."
"I beg your pardon."
"It's only that last time I saw you… I never knew you had a child. Never the less such a pretty little thing." He squatted down to get a look at Grace. He brought his had to his face and waved at her. His mouth twisted and his one eye winked.
Grace stared back at the funny looking man. His facial features were arranged in positions she never witnessed before. She had to giggle.
"As you see, Mr. Grigg." Elsie bent down to make sure Grace's hat and coat were fastened properly.
The shop girl came to the counter with William. "Here you are, lad. Back to your mum. He is such a sweet child. They both are."
"Thank you my dear." She settled William on her hip and gave him a quick peck on the forehead before taking her basket and Grace's hand.
When Elsie was ready to leave, she turned to Mr. Grigg. His amused guffaws came out in high pitched squeaks. "You certainly are working like a dog!"
Elsie refused to acknowledge his remark, but instead walked out of the shop with her goods in tow. Mr. Grigg's amusement continued as he followed them toward Grantham house.