Chapter 55

"Mr Barrow, did you want some cake before you go back to the House? We have some left …" Becky called after him happily.

The Under-Butler turned in surprise, looking quite baffled. This was not part of his plan. He had found out some personal information about his seniors and he wanted to share this with everyone back at the House. This was not how it was meant to work at all.

"Umm … no thank you," he stumbled.

"Are you sure? Essie and Charlie won't mind … they are very kind ... and Beryl makes the best cake," she beamed genuinely.

Mrs Carson looked down at her sister with utter love. She was the kindest soul on earth. Becky's caring actions reminded the Housekeeper to show kindness to others, even Mr Barrow. She comforted herself, knowing that she usually did just that. She reasoned that perhaps the Under-Butler's prolonged, spiteful behaviour had made her forget her usual compassion.

"You are very welcome to join us for a cup of tea and cake Mr Barrow, if you would like?" Mrs Carson offered warmly.

Mr Carson was so proud of both of his girls, even though he did not understand why this man, who was very cruel at times and seemed to thrive on the misfortunes of others, deserved such kindness.

"No that's fine, thank you both … I better get back to the House," he said hoarsely.

"Are you sure? You can be my friend and I will let you have the biggest slice of cake … I have already had three slices …" Becky giggled.

"No thank you Becky," he responded with a small smile.

Even the hardened Mr Barrow was now feeling sheepish as he turned to walk away. He could see that Mrs Carson's younger sister did not have an ounce of malice in her, quite the opposite; she was a gentle, generous person. This sincere, altruistic care reminded him of another occasion when a certain Housekeeper had comforted him softly, as tears ran down his cheeks and the whole world seemed against him.

"Ok then. I'll see you next time I visit Mr Barrow," she called after him cheerily, breaking him from his thoughts.

He turned and offered her a genuine smile and a nod.

######

After another fun-filled evening of solitaire, stories and listening to the wireless, Becky had fallen asleep. As morning came, Mr and Mrs Carson did not make the same mistake again, therefore there was no kissing on the lips, boobies or anywhere else, as they rose early to make a lovely breakfast for the three of them.

"So I'll be able to see you both more often?" Becky asked eagerly, as she ate her toast.

"You will Becky. Now that we are married we'll be able to take our day off together and visit you at least once a month … and we'll be retiring in ten months and so then you will be able to stay with us of all of the time … and we can also visit you," Mrs Carson explained.

"That's good because I love Sarah and my friends at the House but I love you and Charlie too," she smiled, taking a huge slurp of milk from her glass.

Mr Carson took a huge steadying, breath and willed his tears not to fall.

"We love you too Becky …" Mrs Carson smiled, gently wiping the milk from Becky's lips.

"We do … and once we are retired, you can stay with us as often and for as long as you like Becky," the Butler croaked, overcome with feeling for this lovely woman, whom he now thought of as his own kin.

"So ten months!" Becky cheered.

"That's right," Mrs Carson smiled.

The Housekeeper felt a knot of something in her stomach. She shook her head lightly to try to banish this uneasy feeling. She was not sure why she suddenly felt strange. She knew she could not be happier. She was sitting in her own cottage with her darling husband and her beautiful sister and in just ten months' time they would be retiring and free to do as they pleased. By that point, the bed and breakfast should have made her and Charles some profit and she would have also had time to hand over the reins properly at Downton. She knew she was blessed and therefore she could not understand why she was feeling anxious.

"Right then, shall we go and get you packed Becky … our train is at ten," Mrs Carson said, as the younger woman jumped up enthusiastically from the table.

Mr Carson had not noticed his wife's anxiety at all, or her forced joviality, as he smiled at the two women.

It was going to be a long day, as they travelled to and from Lytham St Anne's to take Becky home. The Grantham's returned later that evening and so once they arrived back in Downton Village, they would head straight to the Abbey.

"I wish I had your energy Becky!" Mr Carson chuckled, as he and his wife rose more slowly from their seats.

Becky turned in the doorway to face them both, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Charlie, don't eat any of those chocolates whilst we are upstairs … those are for my friends at the House!" she giggled, pointing to the large box of chocolates on the kitchen counter. They had purchased them at the sweet shop at the station.

"Not even one?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Becky contemplated this suggestion seriously.

"Umm … maybe we could both have one …" she replied sensibly, her eyes sparkling at the thought.

"Honestly, you two and your sweet tooth! Let's pack …" Mrs Carson exclaimed, kissing her husband on the cheek and then linking arms with Becky as they headed upstairs.

######

"Did you enjoy your stay at the cottage Mr and Mrs Carson? Mr Barrow said it is coming along well …" Miss Baxter said warmly, as the superiors walked into the servant's hall with their coats still on.

The Staff were gathered and standing behind their seats.

"We did, thank you Miss Baxter and the bed and breakfast will be ready to open soon," Mrs Carson replied cautiously, not sure what else Mr Barrow might have told the Staff.

The Housekeeper looked to Anna and then to Daisy, trying to gauge if anyone knew anything about Becky. The staff continued to stand around the table, waiting to be asked to sit by Mr Carson. The Housekeeper and Butler had returned just in time for dinner. The Butler could see that his wife was a little nervous. They had tried not to worry themselves about Mr Barrow and had decided to face whatever may come when they arrived. However, in that moment, Mrs Carson made a decision. You have nothing to hide, just tell them, she told herself, deciding to take control of the situation. Mr Carson watched as his wife took a sharp intake of breath and began to speak.

"We also enjoyed having my sister Becky to stay with us, I am not sure I have ever mentioned that I have a sister," she said steadily, glancing briefly at her husband, who was smiling at her in support.

"No you haven't but that's lovely … you never mentioned that Mr Barrow ..." Anna said, happily surprised as she turned to the Under-Butler standing beside her.

"No, well I didn't think it was my place but I was very pleased to meet your sister Mrs Carson," he said genuinely, nodding to the Housekeeper, an understanding glance passing between the two.

Mrs Carson smiled softly at Mr Barrow; he did have a kind heart somewhere deep inside that toughened exterior.

"Right then, let's all sit down and have dinner," Mr Carson instructed cheerfully, as the scraping of chairs resounded around the room.

######

Mrs Carson sat at her desk in her sitting-room, as she waited for Mr Carson to finish his rounds. She was trying to focus on her accounts books but the niggling feeling that she had felt earlier in the day would not leave her. She could still not fully place it but she reasoned that a couple of days away from the Abbey, and a glimpse of how things could be, had unsettled her. She was roused from her musings by the recognisable footsteps of her husband as he approached her room. She turned to welcome him, stalling when she saw the concerned and thoughtful expression on his face.

"Charles, what's wrong?" she gasped, as she stood from her chair.

"I think we should retire now, not in ten months," he declared.

"What?" she managed, utterly taken by surprise.

"Elsie, the last two days have been the happiest of my life and I am no longer willing to wait …" he added, taking her hands in his.

He was not at all sure how his wife would feel about this suggested change of plan; they had, after all, agreed to a further year at the House after they married and rooms had been arranged for the married Heads of Staff, the Family had been so accommodating. However Elsie and Becky were his priorities now.

She was flabbergasted. She had once thought her Butler would never be willing to leave the Abbey, and yet he was now suggesting retirement even earlier than planned. This would mean forgetting about the bed and breakfast and beginning their new life without delay.

"Me neither …" she smiled through her tears, the butterflies in her tummy immediately dissipating.

"What? You mean you are willing to retire immediately?" he said, wanting confirmation that he had understood her correctly.

"I have never wanted anything more," she beamed, only in that instant realising that this was entirely true.

"Wonderful!" he exclaimed, as he reached forward and hugged her to him.

She clasped her arms tightly around his neck as they embraced. Both crying happy tears as they whispered loving endearments to the other. After a few moments, Mr Carson kissed his wife's temple and then leaned backwards, still holding her closely.

"Do you want to tell Lord Grantham or shall I?" he joked, as his wife laughed joyously and reached up and kissed him on the nose.

"We both will," she replied.

A/N: I wasn't sure which way to take Thomas but in the end (as I always seem to do) I redeemed him! Thank you for all of your wonderful support. There are 5 more chapters to go and a review for this chapter would be lovely x