Hi everyone, longer chapter today, many things happening. Enjoy!
The day after they came back from London, John and Anna waited for the usual early afternoon lull to knock on Mrs Hughes's door.
- Come in, replied the Housekeeper's voice. Oh, Anna, Mr Bates, she smiled, when she saw them entering.
She put down the papers she was studying and asked affably:
- So, how was Johnny? Was he glad to have you back?
- He seemed very well, but I think he meant to get back at us for leaving him, by keeping us up all night, chuckled Bates.
- Again, thank you so much for having taken care of him, Mrs Hughes, insisted Anna.
- You're welcome, really, he's a lovely boy, all three of us enjoyed ourselves. Was it what you came to tell me? she asked, thinking of all the work she still had to do.
- Hum, actually, no, continued Anna. We've come to tell you something else.
She couldn't suppress a proud smile as she shot a side glance to John, who took her hand.
- Mrs Hughes, she said, we're expecting again.
- Oh, well, congratulations to you two! beamed the Housekeeper. I'm very glad for you.
- Thank you Mrs Hughes, replied Bates. We are thrilled.
- Is everything fine? How far along are you Anna?
- About two and a half month, so it's still early days. Things could still go wrong, but… I wanted you to know all the same. Lady Mary already knows. Well, she guessed, in fact.
Mrs Hughes was not that surprised, given how close Lady Mary was to her maid. She herself had had her suspicions for a few weeks, seeing Anna so pale in the mornings, not eating anything at breakfast, and seemingly reborn every afternoon.
- I'm sure things will be alright, she said confidently.
She knew very well this was wishful thinking, but she really hoped the Bateses would not have to face another drama. God knew they had had enough of that as it was.
- Well, thank you for telling me, she went on. Let me know if any arrangements need to be done regarding your work.
- Thank you Mrs Hughes. But I'm intending on fulfilling my duties fully. Until… Well, so long as I can, she concluded.
She had almost tripped and said "until we leave", but they had agreed to leave the exclusivity of that particular news to Lady Mary and Lord Grantham, so she refrained.
- Very well. I'm glad to hear it.
- So, good afternoon Mrs Hughes, we'll leave you to it, said Bates as they both turned to the door.
She let them go with a warm smile, that dissipated rather quickly once they had closed the door behind them. She was glad for them, she couldn't say the contrary, and she had seen this coming for quite some time. She had always thought that they would not want to leave Johnny an only child, and given Anna's age, they could not afford to wait that much. But she also realized that this would probably mark the end of the Bates couple's employment at Downton Abbey, or Anna's, at the very least. She didn't see how they would want to raise a family and keep working those crazy hours at the same time. It might have been manageable for a while with only one child, but it made no sense for them to continue. What was the point of having children if one had to leave them in the nursery from dawn to dusk and not see them grow. She knew that them staying that long in service had everything to do with their attachment to Lady Mary and Lord Grantham, but now it was very likely that this attachment was going to be outweighed by their familial responsibilities. It only made good sense for them to move on to something else, a more family-friendly way of life. And that felt bittersweet to Mrs Hughes. Losing the Bateses' daily presence at the Abbey, and especially Anna's, was not something the Housekeeper was looking forward to. She sighed, before focusing back on her previous task. Life was about moving forward after all, and she couldn't begrudge them for that. She only hoped they would not go too far from Downton.
x x x x
Mr Molesley was humming joyously to himself at the end of the afternoon, as he walked up the alley of Downton Abbey's park and skirted around the house to present himself at the back entrance. He was about to make his way to the door, when he noticed that Miss Baxter was already outside, sitting hunched on the bench, her face hidden in her hands. He swiftly moved to her, and put a gentle hand on her shoulder:
- Phyllis? What's going on? Has Barrow been making some trouble for you again?
She looked up to him, and he saw that her eyes were red for crying. She shook her head:
- No, nothing like that. I had a letter from Angela waiting for me when I came back from London yesterday.
- Oh, was it bad news?
- Yes. Jake, her husband, he's dead.
- Oh, no! What happened?
- An accident at the factory. He climbed on the top of a machine to repair it, and fell down. Hit his head on the ground. He was dead instantly.
- Good Lord… Your poor sister, and her children!
- Yes. I don't know how she will manage now. She'll have to work outside the house if she wants to make ends meet. I'll try to send her some money from my wages.
She looked very downcast as she got up from the bench, and reached for her handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
- Come here, said Molesley, offering her the comfort of his open arms.
And she allowed him to wrap her up in his embrace. She hid her face for a moment against his chest, then seemed to be caught up by the reality of their surroundings and straightened, looking anxiously around.
- Someone will see us… she breathed.
-Yes, so? he asked breezily. They'll see someone comforting a friend in sorrow, what is wrong with that?
She smiled sadly, and replied:
- You're right.
- You know you can always count on me for support and comfort?
- Yes. Thank you Joseph. You can count on me too.
They stood in silence for a while, until she said:
- I'll have to go to Ripon for the funeral, it's the day after tomorrow.
- Oh, of course. I would have gladly come with you, but it's a school day… And I don't think Mr Dawes will let me go, since the departed was not a relative of mine…
- No, I understand, don't worry, I'll be fine.
- Still, I don't like the idea of you handling that on your own, he said, reaching for her hand. You should have someone to support you.
- I'll be fine, she repeated. I have to go back to work Joseph. Thank you for stopping by, it was so nice to see you.
He looked at her with a worried look, holding on to her hand a little longer as she started to make a gesture to turn away.
- It pains me to leave you alone here, knowing you're all upset.
- I'm hardly alone here, she pointed.
- You know what I mean, he smiled.
She smiled back, as she gently extracted her hand from his and turned to the door.
- Have a good night Joseph.
- You too, Phyllis.
x x x x
Thomas Barrow was giving out the afternoon post at the beginning of the servants tea. Going around the table, he stopped behind Bates and handed him an envelop:
- Mr Bates, this one's for you…
- Thank you Mr Barrow.
The two men had once been each other's nemesis, but since Barrow's promotion as butler, they had found a way of civil, if not friendly, coexistence. They didn't talk to one another more than their daily duties required, but there was no more of this heavy animosity between the two of them, a fact for which Anna was grateful. It had been exhausting to keep waiting for the next crisis.
As he looked at the envelop, John bent sideways to whisper to Anna:
- It's from London, it's the real estate agent.
He opened it and they read it silently. Anna looked up to him, smiling:
- Goodness, that went fast.
- Good news, Mr Bates? asked Phyllis, who was sitting across the table.
- The agent has found a buyer for my mother's London house. So, yes, good news.
- I'm very glad for you, she answered kindly.
A bit later, Anna and John met in the backyard, taking in the late afternoon sun, before heading to dress their master and mistress.
- I didn't think things would go that fast, said Anna.
- Me neither. If the buyer doesn't change his mind, the house could be sold within a month, allowing the time for the paperwork.
- We are going to be able to start looking seriously for a place, she said, with a happy smile that reached her eyes.
- Yes, about that, darling. I don't want to dash your hopes, but you do realize it's quite unlikely we find something that suits us here in Downton village? The market is quite sparse. It's a very small town… Especially if we're not willing to wait years for the right offer to come up.
- I know. But we can't admit defeat before we've even looked can we? she said hopefully.
- No, we can't, he smiled.
He had always been the brooder, and she the optimistic one. Once more, it seemed true.
- Anyway, I think we should talk to His Lordship and Lady Mary now, she went on.
- Yes, I think it's time. Tonight, I'll ask him for an interview tomorrow.
- Alright.
- Let's go back in now, the gong will be rung any minute.
They exchanged a chaste kiss before going back into the house.
x x x x
Lord Grantham had granted the Bateses an interview in the library, at the end of the morning, when he was back from his twice-weekly tour of the estate with Tom Branson. He looked rather pleased that morning, since the projects they were conducting were going well. He and Mary were discussing them at Lord Grantham's desk, when a discreet knock made itself heard.
- Yes, come in, called Lord Grantham.
Anna and Bates entered and approached the desk.
- Ah, Bates, Anna, he boomed. Come in, come in, and put us out of our misery. What is all this mystery about? Nothing ominous I hope?
- Milord, started Bates, Anna and I wanted to talk to you and Lady Mary, regarding our future.
- Ah, interjected Mary. There we are. I've been dreading this moment.
Anna offered her a bittersweet smile.
- Maybe we should let them talk, Mary? suggested Lord Grantham.
- Thank you Milord, continued Bates. As Lady Mary is already aware, the news is that Anna is expecting our second child.
- Oh, my good fellow! exclaimed Robert. Congratulations! And you too Anna!
- We are very thrilled about this, Milord, but the thing is, we can't expect to be able to raise a family, and fulfil our duties to you and Lady Mary as well. I'm afraid that both are not compatible. We've spent many happy years here at Downton…
Mary made a face at those words, considering all the unhappiness the Bateses had faced since Bates had arrived in their service.
- … Yes, Milady, cut Anna, we've been very happy with you and His Lordship, despite everything that has happened. We couldn't have ever hoped for kinder and more supportive employers, and we are so very grateful to both of you.
- But, John went on, we've come at this time in our life, when choices have to be made. They haven't been easy, you have to believe us. But we want to put our family first, and be able to raise our children more closely. So we have decided to look for a place to invest the money from the sale of my mother's house, and open a small hotel. Be our own employers.
- Hopefully, very close to Downton, added Anna, looking straight at lady Mary, who was having a hard time concealing her unhappiness at the news.
- Yes, we'd like to stay in the area. Anyway, we won't be gone by Tuesday, assured John. It will likely be months before we find what we're looking for. But we wanted to let you know about our plans, so that we can all get used to the idea…
- Well, thank you for that, Bates, answered Lord Grantham. I can't say that I haven't seen this day coming… And I agree with you, you're both intelligent people, you deserve to be your own masters, and to be with your children. Whatever you choose to do, we will accept and support your decision. But still, I can't say I'll be glad to see the back of you, he added, in a pensive tone.
- We'll be very sad to leave too, Milord, replied Bates. Downton had been our home and our family for so many years.
- I'm glad you felt at home here, said Robert.
- We did. We really did, Milady, assured Anna, her shining eyes mirroring Lady Mary's.
- I'm happy you did, Anna, breathed Lady Mary.
x x x x
Later that night, the Bateses were walking home to the cottage, after undressing their employers for the night. After talking to them, Anna and John had told their news to Barrow and Mrs Hughes. Barrow had managed to hide his indifference, (or was it his jealousy over what they had and he would never have?), and to look mildly interested in their future plans. Mrs Hughes however had seemed shaken by the prospect of loosing Anna's companionship, even if Anna had assured her that they would stay close and keep in touch.
- Well, Anna stated as she shifted Johnny's body on her hip. Everybody knows now. It's official. It's really happening…
- It seems so. After all this time, mused John. I almost thought it would never come true, sometimes.
- Do you remember the first time we discussed about buying a hotel?
- Of course I do.
Both dwelt on the memory in silence, as they walked. It remained a somewhat bittersweet memory, since the sheer happiness they had felt that night, making plans alone in the servants' Hall, had been torn to pieces the very next day, when he had had to leave her behind to follow Vera, under the threat of ruining both Anna's and Lady Mary's reputations.
At the same time, in the Abbey, Henry was joining Mary in bed. She had been trying to read, but her mind kept straying from it, going back to their previous talk in the library. She finally sighed, closing the book in frustration.
- Is something wrong Mary? asked Henry.
- Yes. Anna and Bates told us they would be leaving in a few months, that's what's wrong.
- Oh. Did they explain why?
- She's pregnant, and since they'll have two children, they want to move on and invest in a hotel. Be their own masters.
- Well, good for them. You'll find yourself another maid.
Mary looked at him indignantly. He was talking about the matter as if it was only a staffing issue. But then he didn't really know about the history between Anna and herself.
- That's not the problem Henry! Anna is not just my maid. She's my confident, my companion… my friend, really, she admitted, her voice wavering a bit.
- If she's really your friend, as you say, then you should be happy for her, that she's happy and her dreams are coming true.
- I know I should, and I am, really, she defended herself. But…
- But you'd rather keep her all to yourself, you selfish minx, he said, shooting her an amused and defiant look. Beware, or I might get jealous…
- Oh Henry, stop the nonsense… I guess I just need a little time to absorb the reality of it.
- I have a few ideas to take your mind off it, Milady, he said, pulling her close and burrowing his head in her neck.
A few rooms away, Robert and Cora were in bed too, Cora chattering about what had happened at the Hospital Board Committee. At last she noticed that Robert was not listening a single word she was saying, so she stopped abruptly and glared at him until he looked up.
- I'm sorry dear, you were saying? he said, as he tried vainly to look interested.
- Am I boring you?
- Not at all, I'm sorry, I'm just… It's nothing really.
- Come on Robert, you were miles away, what's going on?
- Bates and Anna have decided to leave our service. They told me and Mary this morning.
- Oh.
Cora had not always thought much of Bates, especially at the beginning of his service at the Abbey, but she had grown to appreciate him in time, and she knew that he was much more that just a servant to her husband.
- I knew the day would come, but I always hoped it would be later… he said sadly.
- Where are they intending to go?
- They don't know yet, but they want to buy a hotel. They're having another child by the way.
- That's good news for them.
- Yes. I really am happy for them. But I'll still miss him.
Cora reached for her husband's hand and squeezed it in sympathy.
- Oh, Cora, he said, would it be terribly inappropriate to admit he's grown to become my friend?
- As long as you don't say it in front of your mother… she replied with a cheeky smile.
x x x x
The news had settled down and life had gone its usual way at the Abbey. Anna and Bates had received congratulations in the servants' Hall, and several other members of the staff had mused about what they could do if they were ever to leave service. Phyllis had barely joined the merriment though, preoccupied as she was by her sister's situation. The funeral had been hard, witnessing the widow's distress and the young orphans' tears. Hopes for a different future were moving even further away for Beckie, now that her wages were even more necessary to feed her family.
In hopes to lift her mood, Molesley had invited Baxter to go out for a walk around the estate on her next half-day. He tried to keep the conversation light, entertaining her with some funny stories about his pupils' achievements in class. He treated her with a pastry and tea at the tea shop, and as they walked back, he stopped at the florist's stall, and bought her a nice bouquet, which she accepted with rosy cheeks. When they came in sight of the Abbey, he suddenly made her stop, with a pull of his hand on her arm. She looked at him, puzzled, waiting for him to explain this unexpected interruption.
- Miss Baxter, er, Phyllis, he corrected. I've been thinking lately, and what happened to your poor brother-in-law reminded me, if need be, that life is short. The other day, I told you you could count on me for comfort and support.
- Yes? she replied, unsure where he was going.
- But see, I'd like to offer more to you. I'd like to offer you, a real home, companionship… Love, even? he finally uttered, his cheeks turning crimson, not believing his own boldness, or foolishness maybe.
Phyllis looked stunned, motionless, speechless.
- I would like you to be my wife, Phyllis. If you'd have me of course, he added hastily.
Phyllis was still not saying anything, and the look on her face was far from the happy one Molesley would have hoped for as a result of his proposal.
- Of course, you don't have to answer right now, you can take time to think on it, he stuttered.
Her shoulders had tensed, and her eyes were bright, as she whispered:
- You don't know what you're asking, Mr Molesley, automatically switching back to their formal way of addressing each other.
She looked down for a moment, then looked back to him, tears threatening to spill on her cheeks.
- Thank you, Mr Molesley, but I'm not the person you think I am… I am not worthy of you. I'm sorry.
With that, she kissed him on the cheek and quickly turned away, walking hastily towards the Abbey, still holding her bouquet, and leaving him rooted on the spot, bewildered.
This was not at all how he had hoped things to go.
So, don't be mad at me, I know, I said no drama, but trust me, I know where I'm going and it's a happy place. As we say in french, you don't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.