DISCLAIMER: All characters and locations in this story belong to Julian Fellowes except from my OC's Florence Crawley and Grace Crawley. This story has been created for entertainment only.
AN: First of all, I am sorry that I have taken so long to update this story. Thank you to everyone that has kept encouraging me to continue. Because of just how long it took me to upload, I have to be honest and say I haven't checked through this chapter as much as I would usually, so I apologise in advance for any spelling/grammar mistakes. They really are my Achilles' heel.
AN: Thank you all for your patience with this story. I was have been debating how to proceed with not just the events of this episode but of the other events within Season 2 including everything that happens with Lavinia.
AN: I do intent to continue Florence's story in Downton Abbey but I cannot guarantee when that will be but with my masters' degree finished, there is a good chance I will be turning my attention back to fanfiction writing.
The Somme, 1916
The pounding of the artillery was what woke him from his blast induced stupor. Blast after blast. Some louder and some quieter. The loud ones were the worry. They were close. When a blast of the artillery meeting the ground was near, he could feel the shower of hot dirt as it rained down around him. Within the chorus of artillery, guns and shouting, Matthew could hear the whine of an injured comrade.
Matthew turned his head to the left. There lying beside him was a private. The private was lying on his back, covered from head to toe in dirt. He had blood on his chest and around his neck. Some of the blood covered the right side of his chin. His breath was coming out in strained wheezes.
Matthew crawled over, staying low to protect himself. The Private was severally injured. He needed medical attention. He had to get back to the trench. Matthew raised himself up, his arms and legs protesting. He hoisted the injured man onto his back and began the treacherous journey back to their own trenches.
The retreat was in full force. Another unsuccessful charge at the German front lines. It seemed like for every inch they gained on the Germans one day, they were halted for the next fourteen. They were moving forward but slowly and with heavy losses. Today was another loss. How many men had perished in today's assault?
Matthew marches as quickly as he could with a man on his back, out of the ditch that they had found themselves in, through the obstacle course of barbed wire and the random and sporadic blasts of artillery. A few landed close enough that Matthew was showered in dirt, but thankfully none landed close enough to him and his injured Private to cause them any harm.
When he reached the front trench, he dropped to his knees and rolled the injured man off his shoulder, over his head and down to the two privates that were already stood in the trench. They took the man, reassuring Matthew that they had him.
Matthew jumped down into the trench and down into a crouch as an artillery shell hit nearby. He quickly threw his helmet, that had rolled off with the Private, back onto his head for protection and ducked around the closed corner.
"Sargent Stephens?" He called, see the familiar face of the Sargent amongst the men pressed against the wall for protection.
"Sir?" The Sargent called back in acknowledgement as he stood to meet Matthew.
"I want every wounded man taken down the line before it starts to get dark. We've bloody well lost enough of them for one day." Matthew instructed before continuing down the path of trenches to the officers dug out.
He slipped inside thankful for the reprieve of danger. He could still hear the artillery shells hitting the ground but the dug-out would protect him far more than being out in the trenches could.
He approached his bed, finding two letters placed on top. He quickly grabbed the first official letter that had obviously come from higher up in the line of command. He glanced to the other as he pulled open the army missive. He could recognise the cursive writing of his wife. Another letter reminding him of her, their daughter and everything that he was missing in his daughter's first years.
"When did this arrive?" Matthew questioned the Private behind him that acted as cook and servant for the officers. "Ah, good news." An artillery shell hit nearby causing the dug out to shake. "We're to be relieved today by the Devon's. The men can finally get some rest." Matthew continued to speak while he unbuckled the trimmings that went on his uniform i.e. the gas mask, gun holster and belt. The Private took them from him as he removed them to place them away properly. "And I've got a few days' leave coming to me."
"What will you do with them, sir?" The Private asked.
"London first. To remind myself what real food tastes like. Then north for a double of days, I suppose. Naturally, there's a girl I want to see while I'm there." Matthew replied, smiling as he thought of his beautiful wife.
"So I hope, sir. It's strange, isn't it? To think about our lives just going on as before? While we're here in this." The Private commented as he continued to take the items that Matthew was removing from his person.
"It's more than strange. When I think of my life at Downton, with my beautiful Florence and little Grace, it seems like another world." Matthew admitted.
London
Florence waited rather impatiently by the front of the train station with Grace held tightly in her arms. Grace had fallen asleep in the short journey from the town house to the station but Florence was sure that she would wake when she heard the voice of her Papa. Grace had been so excited to hear that her Papa was returning, not that Grace truly understood how momentous it was that Matthew was in fact returning for a few days. Grace had the childish innocence of her young age and Florence was glad that she did.
"Florence!"
Florence spun around at the sound of her name coming from a familiar voice. Matthew, dressed in his uniform was quickly approaching her. She grinned widely at the sight. Matthew was quickly upon her, wrapping her tightly in a hug and pressing a desperate kiss to her lips.
"Welcome home." Florence greeted with a wide smile.
Matthew turned his attention to the sleeping girl in wife's arms and an unconscious smile slipped onto his face. He ran a gentle hand down the back of Grace's head. Her blond hair was growing but he longed to see Grace's sparkling green eyes that she shared with her mother.
"She fell asleep on the way over. Nanny did say that she might. It's her nap time and the gentle swaying of the motor was apparently too relaxing to her." Florence told him with a gentle and understanding smile.
Matthew's unconscious smile fell a little and he nodded, "Then let her sleep. I can wait for her."
"Here, she's deep in sleep. You can take her without waking her. You take Grace. I'll carry the bag." Florence said, clearly seeing the desire to hold his daughter in his eyes even if he didn't voice it.
Matthew placed his bag on the ground as they gently moved Grace from Florence's shoulder to his own. Florence then reached down and took the bag from the ground pretending to ignore the sweet whispers that Matthew gave his daughter, "Hello, my sweet little girl. I hope you haven't been giving your mother or Nanny any trouble. You mother wrote that you are ready to walk. Soon you'll be up and away, running rings around us all."
"The motor is this way." Florence said, gently taking the arm that wasn't holding Grace, and leading him in the direction of the motor.
Grace remained asleep for the whole drive back to the Crawley London townhouse. They were greeted at the door by the house footmen. The commotion of returning to the house woke the sleepy girl and she lazily opened her eyes and lifted her head.
"Why, hello there, my darling? Did you sleep well?" Matthew spoke to her as he knew that she couldn't reply but would make a response of random sounds that he and Florence would pretend to understand.
Florence smiled almost mischievously as Grace's eyes widened and her mouth opened, "Papa"
Matthew would deny it until his face was blue, he didn't almost drop his daughter in surprise at her actually responding. His wide eyes flashed from his daughter to his smiling wife.
"Papa" Grace repeated, smiling toothlessly.
"What did you say Gracie?" Matthew asked with a large excitable grin. "Can you say that again?"
"Papa." Grace repeated with a giggle.
Matthew was ecstatic. His daughter said Papa.
"It was her first word." Florence told him sweetly, stepping up to press a kiss on her daughters head.
"You didn't write about it." Matthew commented. The words would make him sound annoyed but he couldn't be. His daughter had just said Papa. He was too excited to be annoyed and you could hear it in his voice.
"And deprive you of this moment. I should think not." Florence replied with a smile. Florence took a step away. "I've had Mrs. Kerring prepare a meal for when you return. It should be ready in an hour. Just enough time for you to wash the journey off you. Don't worry about dressing up. After all, it is just us. I have asked for Grace's food to be brought up at the same time. We can all eat together today. We can make the most of the time we have together."
Matthew looked to her with a thankful glance. It was in that moment that Nanny approached Matthew and took Grace.
"Oh, and if Mary asks, I gave the same reason for rejecting the invitation to dine with her and Aunt Rosamond tomorrow. Did I tell you that Aunt Rosamond has apologised?" Florence asked him.
"No. I see she takes after Cousin Violet. Two years must be a new record. Did you ever find out what your father put in his letter?" Matthew questioned in return.
Florence shook her head. "No. He will not say but I am sure it would be a thrilling read."
"Quite" Matthew agreed.
Downton
Florence sat quite happily chatting with Mary while Matthew entertained Grace. Florence had specifically packed Grace's favourite book for the train journey home. Matthew had Grace sat on his lap, the book open in hers. He read to her quietly, making sure not to disturb the two sisters.
Florence had not planned to be on the same train as Mary but good coincidences like this were always the best. They had met at the station and eagerly greeted each other while their cases were taken away.
It was just turning over to five o'clock as they arrived at Downton station. As the trained slowed to a stop Florence took Grace from Matthew so Matthew could put the book away in the bag that Florence had packed for the journey. He slung the back on his shoulder.
Mary disembarked first when the door was opened and then Matthew. Matthew turned and offered his hand to Florence to offer her stability as she stepped down with Grace held in her arms.
"Bates!" Mary exclaimed with a smile, seeing the familiar valet walking along the platform.
Bates tilted his head to her respectfully.
"No one told me you were on this train." Mary commented kindly.
"They didn't know, M'lady." Bates replied.
"Bates! How are you?" Florence asked, coming to stand beside Mary.
"I am well, M'lady. And you?" Bates questioned.
"Much better now." Florence replied with a wide smile as she looked back to Matthew as he joined them.
"Bate!" Little Grace called, waving from her place in Florence's arms.
Florence chuckled and spoke to Grace, emphasising the 's' on the end of Bates' name. "Yes, that's Bates, little one."
"She is growing very quickly M'lady." Bates said, flashing a smile to Florence and her daughter. He sent a nod to Matthew.
"She is. Too fast." Matthew replied, leaning over to run a hand through Grace's hair. Florence had put a little ribbon in her hair that morning to hold the hair out of her face and Grace had pulled it out multiple times for Florence to put back in.
"Come. We'll give you a lift to the house." Mary said, leading the group out of the station and towards the motor.
Their cases and bags were attached to the back of the motor. Bates entered the front of the car with Branson, while Florence, Matthew, Grace and Mary climbed into the back. Branson drove them back to the Downton Abbey, pulling up outside the front door.
Anna, William and Nanny were waiting for them at the door. Bates got out straight away and made his way around to the back of the house to enter through the back door. Branson, waked around the car to open the door for the others. Like on the train, Mary exited the motor first, before Matthew climbed down. Matthew then turned and took Grace in his arms, allowing Florence to exit the motor.
Grace was soon handed over to Nanny after one final kiss on the head from Matthew. Matthew then offered his empty arm to Florence so they could walk into the house together. Mary had proceeded on ahead, greeting Anna and entering the house.
"Good afternoon, Anna." Florence greeted.
"Welcome back, M'lady, sir." Anna welcomed both Florence and Matthew.
"It's good to be back." Matthew commented before leading Florence into the house.
Later that evening, Florence prepared for the evening with Anna's help before walking over to the nursery. Grace wouldn't go down for another hour but Florence would be at the concert when she went down so Florence came to read to Grace and say her goodnights beforehand. It was rare that Florence wasn't there when Grace went to sleep but if she couldn't be then she would always make sure to come and read to her before whatever arrangement pulled her away. Florence enjoyed watching her baby girl fall into the blissful wonders of sleep and if she missed that then she at least wanted a moment of mother daughter time.
Ten minutes after Florence and Grace were joined by Matthew.
"It appears we had the same idea." Matthew stated from the doorway, looking in with a smile on his face.
Florence was sat on a soft chair that she had had placed in the nursery if Grace on her lap in a similar fashion to how Matthew had been sitting with Grace on the train. The book sitting in their laps as she read.
"Well, she'll be going down during the concert so I thought I would read to her early." Florence explained.
"Ma" Grace exclaimed, lightly tapping the book in front of her.
"My apologises, My Darling. How uncouth of me to stop reading for you to speak to your Papa." Florence said with false exasperation. She had a smile on her face as she glanced down at their daughter.
Matthew grinned, stepping into the room and kneeling down in front of them. His red jacket was suitably pressed and neat, complimenting well with his smart black trousers. He gently took Grace's hand, rubbing a thumb along the soft baby skin. "My apologies also, for interrupting your story, my little Lady."
"Papa. Pa… Ma." Grace babbled.
"You look very handsome in your dress uniform." Florence whispered over to him.
"And you look very beautiful, but that is not a surprise." Matthew whispered back.
Florence shifted herself and Grace over so there was enough space for Matthew to take a seat beside them. He sat down, placing a hand around the back of Florence so they were all tucked together as Florence continued to read.
As the short story came to a close, Matthew glanced at the time on his watch. He gently rubbed his thumb along Florence's shoulder as he said, "We need to go down. I expect people have already begun arriving."
Florence nodded, "Of course."
And while both of them were in agreement, neither of them were particularly eager to move. They were content, sitting together as a family. It took them another few minutes of just basking in the contentment before Matthew sighed and stood, ringing the bell for Nanny to come and take over watching Grace.
Florence followed suit, standing and lifting Grace with her. Florence pressed a light kiss on the crown of Grace's head, whispering, "Good night, my darling."
Matthew copied, pressing a kiss to Grace's forehead. "Sleep well, my sweet angel."
As soon as Nanny arrived, Florence handed Grace over to her, giving Grace one last kiss to the cheek. Matthew gave his daughter a wave before offering his arm to Florence and leading them out of the nursery.
They descended the main staircase, able to hear that Matthew had been right. People had already begun arriving, though, thankfully, they were not late. Just as they stepped around the stage they came upon the family. Robert spotted them first and instantly moved to greet them.
"My dear fellow, welcome back." Robert said, offering a hand for Matthew to shake. "It's so very good to see you."
"Thank you. It is good to be home." Matthew replied with a smile.
Robert then turned to Florence. They stepped towards each other and embraced in a formal hug. Robert pressed a kiss to her cheek before stepped back with a wide smile, "And of course, it's good to see you back, Florence dear. Did you enjoy your time in London?"
"I did. It was nice to have some time together." Florence said, smiling up at Matthew.
"Indeed it was. How are things here?" Matthew questioned Robert politely.
"About as well as things could be considering the circumstances." Robert said, "Well, I hope you enjoy the concert. I am sure we will have more time to catch up later."
Matthew and Florence nodded, and all three of them separated. Robert returned to the door to greet people as they came in. Matthew spotted his mother and so gave Florence a kiss on the cheek and went to greet her. Florence on the other hand moved to join her mother, grandmother and sisters.
Florence re-joined Matthew as everybody took their seats for the performance. Matthew, Florence and Isobel took the front row seats on the left while the family took the front row seats on the right. The performance was going well until two women stood and began handing out white feather to the young men not in a military uniform.
"A white feather, of course. Coward." One of the women said to William, causing everybody who heard to turn around and look.
Robert stood, angry that this was taking place in his home. He was angry that there dare speak in such a way to one of his staff while in his home. "Stop this at once!" He ordered to the women. The music came to an abrupt halt and William stood in respect for his lord. "This is neither the time nor the place!"
"These people should be aware that there are cowards among them." One of the women replied firmly.
Matthew stood and Florence turned fully in her seat.
"Will you please leave!" Robert replied, starting firmly before his voice rose, "You are the cowards here, not they!"
Mr Bates stood to escort the women out of the house. Robert nodded to William, who nodded thankfully back before retaking his seat. Robert turned back to the orchestra, after sharing a brief glance with Matthew. "Leader, will you continue?"
The music started back up and Robert and Matthew both retook their seats. Florence reached over and took Matthew's hand, squeezing supportively. It gave her great pleasure to see Matthew stand up in both support for her father and for the staff at Downton.
Once all of the guests had left, the family turned to the dining room to have dinner. Florence was delighted to be sat by her father for once though she somewhat wished that she was sat by Matthew considering just how little time they had together before he returned to the war.
"That was horrid, William. I hope you won't let it upset you." Cora said kindly as William served her.
"No, your ladyship." William replied, standing back up and stepping back from the table.
"Why are these women so unkind?" Robert questioned rhetorically in support of William.
"Of course it is horrid. When heroes are giving their lives every day, it's hard to watch health young men do nothing." Edith said rather cruelly. While she didn't specifically mention William, everybody could hear the judgement in her voice towards him.
"Edith!" Florence chastised. "There is a long way between doing nothing and respecting the wishes of your family and it is most certainly not your place to make that distinction."
There was an awkward moment which was thankfully broken by Isobel, who directed her voice towards Sybil who was sat on the other side of Florence. "By the way, Sybil, very good news: they do have a vacancy. It's very short notice, because someone dropped out. You'd have to be ready to start on Friday."
"May I ask what this is about?" Robert asked.
Florence was thankful to her father asking the question that she too wished to know the answer to.
"Cousin Isobel has got me a place on a nursing course in York. I want to work at the hospital." Sybil told them all, prompting Florence to smile in support for her sister.
"We don't have to talk about it now." Cora said sternly sending a firm look over to Isobel. Cora most certainly didn't sound happy about the arrangement.
It seemed awkward pauses were going to be the theme for the evening. It seemed like very topic that came up was a bit of a landmine. As the conversations split into smaller groups, Florence took the opportunity to lean over to Sybil and whisper, "I'm happy for you and very proud of you Sybil."
"Thank you" Sybil whispered back, neither of them wanting to be overheard and sternly looked at by Cora.
"Branson says I'm ready for the road." Edith said suddenly, shuffling in her seat happily.
"That's not what he told me." Robert commented, taking a sip of the wine. Robert then turned to Matthew, "Did I tell you I've been given a Colonelcy in the North Riding Volunteers? So I'm properly in the army again."
"Congratulations." Matthew congratulated.
The meal soon wound down and the women was shown into the drawing room as per usual. Florence and Edith seemed to silently agree to remain on opposite ends of the room after their disagreement so Florence remained with Sybil and Isobel. She wanted to know more about Sybil's imminent nurse training. They took the comfortable seats in the corner of the room, which was also away from Cora's judging eyes.
"Oh, Sybil, this would be a great opportunity for you." Florence said to Sybil once Sybil had explained fully why she wanted to be a nurse and what she was doing in preparation for role, including learning the basics in the kitchen with Mrs Patmore.
Suddenly the door opened, which was strange as everybody was already inside. The new maid that Florence had known was coming but had yet to meet had entered the room. Everybody looked up at her in confusion. Florence risked a glance at a very annoyed Carson.
"Beg pardon, M'lady for keeping you waiting." The housemaid began.
"What?" Cora asked in confusion.
"I'm ever so grateful for your appreciation and I want you to know that it's a privilege to work here." The housemaid continued to the confusion of everyone in the room.
"Ethel, what are you doing in here?" Carson asked, quickly moving to the housemaid, Ethel's side.
"Her… Her ladyship sent for me" Ethel replied, beginning to sound slightly unsure.
"And who gave you this message?" Carson asked, when it was obvious by the look on Cora's face that she did not send for her.
"Miss O'Brien." Ethel replied, "She said I wasn't to keep her ladyship waiting."
Florence, catching on to what had happened, like many of the others, sat back in her chair with a frown. What a mean trick to play on the new maid! Another reason to dislike Miss O'Brien. Florence still didn't understand why her mother kept her around.
"You may go back downstairs now, thank you, Ethel." Carson instructed to Ethel, trying not to be too harsh on the girl when he realised just who was at fault here.
"Right. Thank you, M'lady." Ethel said once again to Cora before curtseying and leaving the room.
"Well." Began Violent, her voice tinged with amusement. "Do we think she's mad, ill, or working for the Russians?"
The other women gave giggles in amusement but Florence simply sipped her drink. She didn't find it funny. Poor Ethel! Florence would have hated it if somebody had made her look a fool in that way.
"It was horrible. They just laughed and Mama has told Carson not to punish O'Brien for what happened. Well, I think Miss O'Brien needs to learn some manners and common curtesy." Florence ranted as she brushed her hair that evening.
Matthew was sat in the bed already, a newspaper in hand. He was half reading it while listening to what Florence was saying. He hummed in agreement as Florence paused.
"I feel so sorry for her. I know that Anna said that the girl was a bit full of her own self-importance but what right does O'Brien have to treat another person like that. It was bad enough when she and Thomas were picking on Bates." Florence continued.
"I thought you liked Thomas. You were sad when he left." Matthew commented.
"I did and I was but I know that he wasn't always nice man. But he was nice to me and I know why he acts the way he does and I…" Florence began but then cut herself off.
"And you?" Matthew prompted.
"Nothing. Thomas isn't the problem right now. O'Brien is and the fact that Mama so set on defending such a manipulative and cruel woman. Isobel said that she is sure that O'Brien is the one that told Mama about Sybil wanting to be a nurse and I eventually managed to get Edith to admit that it was O'Brien that told her about that business with Mary and that Pamuk fellow. O'Brien has clearly shown time and time again that she cares naught about the wellbeing of the people in this house or the reputation of Downton yet Mama seems to think that the sun shines out of her…um, mouth." Florence continued.
Matthew placed the paper down on his lap and sighed, "Florence, darling. I agree with you completely but perhaps we can spend some time together speaking about something else. Our time together is short."
Florence paused with her brush in her hair as she glanced back at Matthew. Matthew shifted, worried for a split second that he had offended or upset her, when Florence sighed and finished the brush through her hair.
"Yes. You're right." Florence agreed, placing her brush down on the vanity.
"Really? I'm right? Could I perhaps have that in writing?" Matthew asked teasingly.
Florence playfully glared over at Matthew and teased back, "Would you like a certificate? After all, we must mark this rare occurrence."
Matthew chuckled as Florence moved and joined him in the bed. She sat beside him and Matthew placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him. She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Have you painted the walls in here again?" Matthew questioned suddenly.
Florence looked awkwardly away.
"I'm sure when I left, this room used to be all cream." Matthew continued, looking at the walls of the room, two of which were now a light blue. The wall with the windows and the wall with the door were both cream still, but the two other walls were blue.
"Yes. I was decorating." Florence replied.
"Again. I thought we agreed on cream?" Matthew asked, not upset but curious as to why she painted two of the walls.
"We did, but it looked it bit bland, so I thought a bit of colour would look nice. You should be thankful I didn't paint it pink. It was on the list of possibilities." Florence said, glancing up at Matthews face to see if he was annoyed.
Matthew just chuckled and shook his head. "And what colour will it be when I return again?"
"I don't know. Green, maybe. Or Lilac." Florence replied with a smile.
"I wouldn't mind green." Matthew commented.
"Oh?" Florence asked probingly.
"It would match your eyes, and Grace's." Matthew answered.
Florence sighed happily. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Like all good things, Matthew's time in Downton had come to an end. Matthew had said goodbye to Grace at Downton but Florence joined Matthew for the trip to the train station. Matthew had, very thoughtfully, asked Mary to escort them so Florence wouldn't be alone on the way home. Mary waited with the motor as Florence joined Matthew all the way to the train doors.
As they approached the doors to the first class cabins, Matthew stopped them.
"These last few days have been wonderful. Memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, however long tha…" Matthew said, his tone of voice telling Florence exactly what he wanted to say next.
Florence took a tight hold of his hand, cutting him off. "We don't need to say all of that again. We know it all. It's been said many times between us. I don't think I could bare it again. You will return home, but in the meantime we will look after Isobel and the family will continue to look after me and Grace."
Matthew sent her sad smile but nodded. "Of course. Just know that I love you very much, always."
"And I, you." Florence remarked, her eyes swelling and a sad smile on her face. "You'll keep writing?"
"Of course. I cherish our letters. The warmth they bring me, helps in ways that you cannot possibly imagine." Matthew replied.
Florence nodded and then reached into her bag. "I… Um… have something for you. Grace… Grace made it for you." Florence pulled out a small, rather oddly shaped soft bear. It was small enough to fit in a pocket or a small hand. "Well, when I say, Grace made it."
"You made it." Matthew corrected with a smile.
"Grace helped." Florence replied. "She, uh, poked the eyes in. It's for luck. We both kissed its head to give it our luck."
Matthew smiled. "Thank you. It's wonderful. I'll keep it on me always."
"You better." Florence remarked. "And you should bring it home, unscathed."
"Right. No heroics." Matthew said with a nod.
Florence shook her head. "No. I know that you have a duty and you must do it. But you will come home so you must bring it home as well."
"Of course." Matthew agreed.
The whistle rang out through the station, telling them that they were quickly running out of time. Florence quickly threw herself into Matthew arms, giving him a desperate kiss that conveyed just how much she loved him and would miss him. They pulled away from each other and Matthew took a step back towards the train carriage.
"Good-" Matthew began to say before Florence interrupted and corrected him, "See you again soon."
Matthew nodded and acquiesced, "See you again soon. I love you, my darling."
Matthew then stepped onto the train and the door was closed. Another whistle rang out and the station conductor raised his green flag. The train pulled away, gradually gaining speed as it left Downton with Florence's heart.
Florence stood on the platform for a long while. Long enough for the train to be out of sight and for Mary to come and investigate. She walked up beside Florence who was staring miserably in the direction the train had gone. Mary placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Come now, Florence. Let us go, lest anyone wonder if we have gotten on the train with him." Mary commented gently, slowly leading Florence away. "The war will end and he will be back and it will be like he had never left at all."
The Somme
The rumbles and explosions never changed. Artillery fire fell around the trenches. The sound was so familiar with Matthew that it was like he had never felt the front. He was in the dug-out and he was not happy. He was not meant to be back on the front line yet again so soon and he was quick to let the people around him know about it.
"But we were supposed to be at rest for ten days at least." Matthew commented
His Sargent had come to meet Matthew in the dug-out to give a report about what has happened in the past few hours while the unit has been in the trenches. "The orders arrived this morning, sir. The King's Own were hit bad, so they're out and we're in. They've been shelling the trench since we got here."
Matthew pulled out his possessions including the most recent photograph of Florence and Grace and the small stuffed bear that Florence has given him as he left Downton. "Anybody hurt?"
"Rankin's dead, and Kent, and Corporal Wright was hit." The Sargent reported to Matthew making Matthew look to him in surprise. "Thank God the stretcher bearers were there."
"Let's see what the damage is now." Matthew instructed grabbing his helmet. Just as he turned to leave he glanced back at the soft bear, quickly taking it and placing it in his overcoat pocket.
The trenches were taking heavy fire from the Germans, making the trenches rather perilous to walk through.
"All right?" Matthew asked some his men as he passed and he received the greeting "Morning, sir" back from most of them.
Matthew made his way through the trenches, crouching so his head remained below the top of the trench in some of the shallower areas of the trench. He had just turned one of the corners in the trench when someone yelled, "Look out"
Everybody in the trench crouched and tucked themselves against the wall for protection from the shell fire. The shell landed just feet away from the edge of the trench showering them all below with dirt.
Matthew looked sideways towards where the stretcher bearers were usually found and was surprised to see a familiar face look back at him. "Thomas? It is Thomas, isn't it?"
"Corporal Barrow now, Mr Crawley." Thomas replied.
"You'll never guess where I've just been." Matthew commented in an ironic kind of way, knowing of course that Downton would probably be Thomas' first guess. Oh Downton! How much Matthew wished he was still at Downton.
Downton
Florence and her sisters were packing Sybils bag for her trip to York to complete her nurse training. Florence was ever so excited for her sister. Violet and Cora were also there, helping them, and making sure that Sybil was packing sensibly.
Well, the girls were picking out the clothes and then placing them on the bed for Mrs Hughes. Mrs Hughes was the one actually packing away the clothes that Sybil would be taking.
"Where's Anna?" Violet questioned, wondering why Mrs Hughes was in Sybils room completing a job that would normally have been done by Anna.
"She's not feeling very well today, your ladyship. I've taken over for the time being." Mrs Hughes answered.
"Oh, that's so kind of you." Violet commented kindly. "Just make sure Lady Sybil packs thins she can get in and out of without a maid."
Florence, herself was stood by her mother at Sybils wardrobe, looking at the various outfits.
"Oh, I don't need that." Sybil said, prompted Florence to turn and look.
Edith was holding one of Sybil's dinner dresses.
"I'd never wear it." Sybil told Edith.
"But you must have something decent. Suppose you're invited to dinner?" Edith queried as Sybil gave the dress to Florence to put back in the wardrobe.
"I know this is hard for you to grasp, but I'm not there to go out to dinner. I'm there to learn." Sybil told her.
"Take one. Just in case." Mary said, for once agreeing with Edith.
"Yes, just because you are there to learn doesn't mean there might not be opportunities for you." Florence said, also agreeing with Edith. She joined Mary as she walked over to where Sybil and Edith were standing.
"We'll miss you." Edith said.
"Don't be silly. It's only two months, and I'll come home if I can." Sybil said reassuringly.
"Why don't I drive you?" Edith suggested with a smile towards Sybil.
Mary and Florence shared an amused look as Violet responded to Edith's suggestion, "She's taking enough chance with her life as it is."
"Oh, Granny." Edith complained, moving over to one of the seats and sitting down.
"What is this driving mania?" Violet asked her.
"It'll be useful." Edith replied. "They won't let a health man drive us around for much longer. And if Sybil can be a nurse, why can't I be a chauffeur?"
Mary and Florence shared yet another amused look. Florence leaned over and whispered quietly in Mary's ear, "because chauffeurs usually avoid crashing the motor into Mama's prized statue."
Mary's breathing hitched as she tried to hold in a chuckle. She nudged Florence with her elbow as they both tried to refrain from laughing. It would do no good for the peace that had seemingly settled in the room of Ladies to be broken.
"Well, I shall leave you. I have been summoned by Cousin Isobel for tea." Violet said standing. She opened her arms towards Sybil, "Goodbye Sybil and good luck with it all."
Sybil quickly crossed the room to give Violet a hug. As she pulled away she looked very thankful to Violet, "Thank you for being such a sport."
"It's a big step you're taking, dear, but war deals out strange tasks. Remember your Great-Aunt Roberta." Violet said, before quickly moving to leave.
But everybody was looking confused, and Mary asked the question that everybody was thinking, "What about her?"
Violet stopped at the door to answer. "She loaded the guns at Lucknow."
"I'll come with you. I'll tell William to fetch the bags." Cora said, following Violet to the door. She paused and glanced back at Sybil and sighed, "The first of you to leave the nest."
Everybody smiled as she left the room completely, because it was true. Apart from the time Florence spent living with Matthew, Sybil was the first to leave Downton Abbey. And she was certainly the first one to leave so far away. Even while Florence was living at Crawley house, she was still only a walk away.
"Poor Mama" Edith commiserated, "She always feels these things so dreadfully."
"That's her American blood" Mary replied, and yet this time she sounded fond of that American blood rather than distasteful.
Mary, Edith, Florence and Cora were all at the front door to see Sybil off as she left in the motor for York. The girls were the first to go in but Cora waited until the car was out of sight.
That night the house felt emptier. Bates was gone, back to join his wife. Matthew was back at the war. Sybil was in York. The house felt empty and so it was no surprise that there was very little to speak of at dinner and even less to speak of afterwards.
Florence stopped by the nursery to say a silent goodnight to a sleeping Grace, her darling girl before retiring to her bed. She paused in her nightly routine once, like she has done every night since the war started to pray. To pray for the Lord to watch over her Matthew and to bring him home safe. She prayed with a photo of Matthew in front of her and kept the picture tucked under her pillow at night.
"Please… just be okay and come home to me"
AN: Thank you to all of my reviewers. It fills me with so much joy to hear that people are enjoying my writing.
AN: I am hoping to get another chapter done this weekend, with the hope that Sunday will be a regular update date from now on, now that some motivation and inspiration has come to me, but I am not promising anything.