Hello and welcome back. Your kind reviews keep me going ... thank you so much ... but !
Slowly but surly this story will come to an end. But until, we need a lot of talking. So let's start talking ... but please : one after another ;-)

Chapter 15

WAYS AND ANSWERS

Elsie

Early in the evening, Elsie Hughes crossed the entrance hall on her way to check on the family rooms. As she took a step onto the grand staircase she heard the front door open. Lady Edith entered the house and Mr Hughes turned to look at her.

"M'lady, we were not expecting you this early, I am sorry that no one was here to open the door for you", she apologised.

"Don't worry, Mrs Hughes, I have just come in to change my coat. I shall be gone again in a minute."

Edith tried to quickly pass my Mrs Hughes, still feeling slightly uncomfortable after the conversation they had had in her sitting room. She had feared finding out what Mrs Hughes might remember about the night of the fire, when Edith had spoken about "her baby" for the very first time. Marigold was presently with the Drews, her secret was safe. But what if the clever housekeeper might have found out? Could she still rely on Mrs Hughes' discretion in such a sensitive matter?

"M'lady." Elsie stopped her at the bottom of the stairs. "I had intended to leave this on your dressing table." She took the photograph of the baby out of the folder she was carrying. "But now that our paths have crossed..."

They looked at one another.

"I think that you should keep it, until..."

"Until what, Mrs Hughes?", Edith snapped, and instantly regretted it.

Elsie ignored the harsh tone and showed Lady Edith the picture. "Until you decide that it's time the story should be told."

Edith took the picture, careful not to caress the image of the child's face with her fingertip as she would usually do. Still looking at the picture, she answered, "There is no story to tell, Mrs Hughes. Only a secret to keep. Otherwise many people will be disappointed and hurt. She especially."

Edith looked up at Elsie. "She is no mistake, Mrs Hughes. It happened, out of love. But if people knew about her then one day someone might tell her what they call children like her, with no father and an unmarried mother. She doesn't deserve that." Her eyes welled up with tears, and the hand holding the photograph started to tremble. Elsie dared to place her gloved hand on Edith's.

"Today I told Mr Carson about how down there in that dark passage way, it occurred to me how much I would miss the light and beauty outside if I were never to see it again. And I realised that only in your darkest moments do you see the wonderful things that you neglect and fail to enjoy. Things that make you happy." Elsie paused for a second to see if Lady Edith could follow what she was saying. Then continued, "It got me fighting that night - and I had friends to help me find a way out of it." She let go of Lady Edith's hand.

"Now that you know how awful it was to lose her, I am sure you will be able to find the answer you seek and a way to keep her."

Edith wiped away the tears that rolled down her face.

"Not exactly an easy prospect, in my position", she said, giving Mrs Hughes a warm smile.

"I didn't say it would be. I only meant that now you've seen both sides, it's up to you to choose which path you take. This is your story to tell. And it will be your own future you write."

Edith stepped back, bringing back some distance between herself and the housekeeper. Elsie was afraid she had perhaps gone too far.

"Thank you, Mrs Hughes, your words a worth a great deal", she said, and continued up the stairs. At the top she turned around again.

"I am sorry that it took so much to make me see clearly what I really want. And I am also sorry about what you had to go through."

Elsie bit her lip and looked down at her hands. "Don't you worry about me, m'lady, I've learned a lesson too. We'll see where it gets me..."

They both continued on their way upstairs, as if to steady one another but never touching.

.

.

Charles

"She's doing quite well, isn't she?"

Beryl Patmore's voice was almost a whisper, as she stood in the doorway to Mr Carson's pantry holding a cup of tea.

Charles looked up just long enough to confirm the knowledge of her presence.

"She will have all the time she needs to recover", he said stoically, not looking up but continuing writing.

"She told me about that night in the passageway today", Beryl continued, unperturbed.

"I know", he said sharply.

"So you did see us. I thought I saw you lurking around. She..."

"I do not lurk, Mrs Patmore", he interrupted. "And I do not want to hear any more about it."

"Don't tell me you're not interested in it any more", she snapped back.

"It is her story to tell and if she doesn't feel the need to tell me then, no - I am not interested in hearing it from you", Charles said, continuing making entries into the ledger.

Beryl quickly checked the corridor then stepped inside the pantry and closed the door behind her, the sound of the latch making Charles look up at last.

"Do I really have to remind you that this is neither the time nor the place to be sulking", she said, walking towards him.

"I beg your pardon!"

Now he was really irritated, not only by her words but also her presence.

"Did you have the chance to tell her yet?", Beryl pressed.

"As I already told you, we did not talk about the fire, and so no, I did not tell her."

"But you are going to, aren't you?", Beryl kept on.

Charles put his pen down.

"Mrs Patmore. I have no script for this situation. And at the moment I am not even sure one would be helpful. Later on, perhaps..."

"And when exactly is "later" for you, Mr Carson? You must be blind to not see that to her you were a knight in shining armour, coming to her rescue. You were her saviour, her hero. Don't you think - "

"I think", Charles almost shouted, suddenly rising from his chair. More quietly he continued, "I think that you are talking nonsense, Mrs Patmore. Time will pass and the events of that night will eventually fade into memory. Life will go on as usual, in time it will all sort itself out, and we will talk to each other as adults. Nothing more."

"She is falling in love with you, Mr Carson."

Beryl Patmore's statement filled the air in the pantry. Charles was unable to speak.

"You are afraid that the truth might hurt her. But I am more afraid that your lie will break her heart. Make your mind up which you think is fairer. But I'm sure that you will find the answer in all of your accuracy and high morals", she said with a flourish, then turned to leave.

"Thomas knows about the locked door", Charles stated flatly.

Beryl stopped still. After a second she turned her head a little and looked at Charles sideways.

"Then you should know what you have to do, Mr Carson. Or else this house will never be the same."