- Oh no, Miss Baxter, I'm so sorry! exclaimed Anna, taking her crying friend in a hug.
Mrs Hughes got up and turned around her desk to join the two women.
- I'm very very sorry, Miss Baxter, she said, squeezing Baxter's arm.
Anna held out a handkerchief to Phyllis, who tried to gather herself.
- Mrs Hughes, I will have to go to Ripon. I'm her only living relative left. I'll have to see about the funeral, about the children… Oh my God and with the wedding the day after next…
The news in itself was a hard blow to Baxter, and moreover it came at the worst moment. Mrs Hughes patted her arm kindly:
- Don't worry my dear. Do what you have to do. I'll cover for you.
- And I will too, agreed Anna. Anyway we were supposed to do that for the end of the week, so…
- Thank you so much, both of you.
She shuddered, and went on:
- Oh my God… The both of them in such a short time. Life is cruel…
- That it can be, agreed Mrs Hughes, thoughtful.
x x x x
When the gong rang that evening, it was Mrs Hughes who presented herself to Lady Grantham's room to dress her.
- Mrs Hughes? exclaimed Cora, surprised. But, where is Baxter?
- Milady, I'm afraid Miss Baxter had to rush to Ripon in an emergency. Family issues.
- Oh, is it about her sister? She told me she was ill…
- I'm afraid it is Milady. The poor woman has passed away, from measles.
- Oh, how terrible! Oh poor Baxter must be so distressed!
- She is Milady, and two days before her wedding too…
- That is so unfortunate!
x x x x
Later that night, the Bates family was crossing the back yard to start their way home. As they went, Anna noticed Baxter crying alone on the bench. She stopped John with a hand on his arm:
- John, go ahead to the cottage with Johnny. I'll talk to Baxter for a little while. I won't be long, she added as she saw the frown on her husband's face.
- Alright darling, he accepted. See you later.
- You go to bed with daddy sweetheart, said Anna to her son, kissing his chubby cheek.
As John went away with the baby, Anna approached Baxter, and sat beside her.
- Phyllis? she called softly. Are you alright?
Baxter looked up to her, her cheeks wet from tears.
- Oh Anna… I don't know what to do, everything is such a mess…
- What's the matter?
- My sister's children… They're orphans now…
- Oh.
- The neighbour is looking after them right now, but it can't last. They can't stay into their house, since they have no adult with them now. So, either I take them, or they are going to the orphanage. The two boys at least, Beckie would probably end up in the workhouse…
- Oh wow… That's a big decision to make, acknowledged Anna.
- I can't impose three children on Mr Molesley! she exclaimed. Would he even want them? What if he wants to call off the wedding? And what am I to do about my job? I can't be in service and raise three children! Oh God I don't even know where to start!
Seeing that poor Baxter was close to panicking, Anna got up and faced her, and put her hands on her friend's shoulders.
- Now, Phyllis, breathe slowly. Look at me.
She helped her calm down, and when Baxter had quieted down a bit, Anna started:
- First of all, does Mr Molesley know about all that?
- No… I rushed to Ripon first thing this morning, and I went back here straight away. I haven't seen him today.
- So you need to talk to him. ASAP. He's a kind man, and he loves you very much. He won't let you down, I'm quite sure of that. You must discuss this together.
Phyllis nodded through her tears.
- Yes, you're right. I must see him. But… tomorrow, by the time I'm finished with her Ladyship, he will be in class. I won't be able to talk to him before noon…
- Well go now then! advised Anna.
- What now? At this hour of the night?
- It is quite urgent, isn't it? And that way you can both take the night to think on the situation, and make some decisions tomorrow. And you'll feel better once you've talked to him, I'm sure.
- Yes, you're right. You're right, Baxter repeated, as she got up and straightened her dress. I'll go tell Thomas to leave the door open for me. Thank you Anna. You're a good friend.
Anna squeezed her hands and smiled to her. When Baxter had told Barrow where she was going, Anna and Baxter walked together for a moment, until they parted their way, Anna going to the cottage, and Phyllis towards the village.
x x x x
Mr Molesley senior was quietly reading in his armchair when he heard someone knock on the door.
- Joseph? he called.
- Yes Pa'? answered Joseph, poking his head out of the kitchen, holding an iron in his hand.
It was his habit to iron his shirt for the next morning immediately before going to bed at night.
- I think someone knocked at the door. Might you go see?
- At this hour? wondered Joseph.
He put down the iron and made his way to the door, and gasped as he opened it and it revealed Miss Baxter, looking rather tense.
- Phyllis?! he exclaimed. But? What are you doing here? At this hour of the night? Do the people at the Abbey know you're here?
- Yes, yes, Mr Barrow knows, don't worry. Might we talk for a moment?
- Yes, of course, do come in?
Baxter cast a quick glance to Molesley father in the living-room, and answered:
- Do you mind if we walk outside instead?
- Why, yes, if you'd like. Let me grab my jacket, he said.
- So, what is it that is so important you needed to make the journey from the Abbey at dusk to see me? asked Joseph when they had started walking.
- I had to go to Ripon today. My sister is dead.
Joseph stopped in his tracks, baffled at the news.
- Oh, Phyllis! I'm so sorry!
He reached for her hand, and lifted it to his lips.
- You must be so sad… Oh God, what about the wedding? he added.
- Well, before we talk any more about the wedding, there's something else we must discuss.
- Yes, what is it?
- The children.
- What about them? Oh… he said, suddenly realizing what the matter what about the children. Oh God.
- Yes. I must, or should I say, we must, decide what will become of them. In short, either we take them in, or they will be sent to the orphanage.
Joseph's thoughts went back to that sweet afternoon he had spent in Ripon with Phyllis's family, to Beckie and her yearning for knowledge, to the bold young Joseph who wanted to be an aviator, and to the small Stephen who worshipped his older brother. To think that they might be sent to the orphanage, and maybe, or rather very likely be separated, filled him with sadness.
- Joseph, said Phyllis, startling him from his reminiscences, I don't think I can bear to see them go, and never see them again. I am young Joseph's godmother after all, it is my duty to take care of him, and his siblings by extension. But I don't want to impose anything to you. So if you ever want to break our engagement, I won't begrudge you. I don't know how I am going to accommodate them, but I won't abandon them.
Molesley was looking at her, stunned:
- Phyllis…
His tone was almost one of disappointment.
- Of course I don't want to break our engagement! How could you ever think that?! We are engaged to be married, that means we are committing to face whatever comes to us together!
- But that's the point, she argued, we're not married, yet. You can still withdraw if you want to.
- But of course I don't want to! I love you Phyllis. And, to be honest, I liked your nephews very much. Granted, I had never thought I would ever be in a position to raise three young people in any other way than teaching them in school, but no, I don't mind! We'll make do!
- Oh Joseph…, cried Phyllis. I'm so relieved, you can't know how much! I was picturing myself having to raise them alone, and I really didn't know how I was going to handle that. Thank you so much!
- Phyllis… You should have more faith in me. In us… he added, bringing his hand to her cheek and stroking her with the back of his fingers.
She briefly closed her eyes to enjoy his soft touch, and when she opened them again, she bent to him, and offered him a kiss, which he gladly received.
- You're right. I'm sorry, she said when their lips had parted. I will, from now on.
- So, now, you are going to go back to the Abbey, go to bed, and we are both going to think on everything, about your job, about what we will do with Beckie, and all that. And I will come to the Abbey tomorrow during my lunch break, and we'll talk. Alright?
Phyllis smiled. She liked how he took the matter in his hands. She felt supported, like she had never been before in all her life.
- Alright.
- Good. Have a good night, my dear.
- Goodnight Joseph. I love you.
- I love you too, my darling.
Joseph did not see Phyllis's cheeks flushing, when he said those words. If she was not mistaken, it was the first time he used those terms of endearment to call her. It was sweet. As she walked back hurriedly to the Abbey, Phyllis had to acknowledge that Anna had given her some good advice, once again. She did feel better now that she had shared her problem with her soon-to-be husband.
x x x x
Phyllis had a hard time going to sleep that night, with all those questions running around wildly in her head. Where would they live? The tiny house Joseph shared with his father was not suitable for a family of six. It seemed obvious that the young Joseph would go to the village school, but what of the small Stephen, who was too young to go to school? She would not be able to care for him and continue her work in her Ladyship's service. Could she leave him in the care of his elder sister? But was it fair to force Beckie into a role of housewife when she was only fifteen? Could they find a way to send her back to school? It was well after midnight when she finally fell down from exhaustion, and the awakening was hard at six o'clock the next morning. However, there was a wide smile on her face, when at the breakfast table, Anna came right to her and asked:
- So, Miss Baxter, how did it go yesterday?
- Oh, Anna, thank you so much for your advice. You were right, Mr Molesley didn't let me down. He's alright with the idea of us taking the children with us!
- Oh, I'm so happy for you! exclaimed Anna. I mean, I'm sorry for your loss of course, but…
- But there are so many things still to be settled, I think my head will explode soon…
- I can imagine, replied Anna, smiling in sympathy. You haven't had the time to talk to Mrs Hughes yet? Or to her Ladyship?
- No, not yet. Mr Molesley is coming at noon to talk more, so I think I'm going to wait after that.
As she was finishing her sentence, Lady Grantham and Lady Mary rang almost simultaneously.
- Oh, well, this is for us, said Anna as the two women got up from the table.
x x x x
At noon, Mr Molesley was right on time and waiting for Phyllis in the backyard. He boldly kissed her on the cheek when she came up to him from the back door.
- Hello my dear. How are you? he asked, concerned.
- Well, tired, she admitted. I had only a few hours of sleep last night…
- Yes, me too, he agreed. But, I've been able to talk to Mr Dawes this morning.
- Oh, why?
- Well, first to inform him that I was soon to become a foster father, and also because, when he hired me at the school, he had offered me a cottage. All teachers are entitled to a lodging from the school. At that time I had told him I didn't need it, because I was happy to live with my father, but now we might want to take it.
- Oh, and what did he say?
- Well, first he congratulated me, the unfortunate circumstances notwithstanding, and then he said the cottage was still available. It's a three-bedrooms, just across the street from the school.
- Oh, Joseph, that's wonderful, she beamed.
- And of course young Joseph will be admitted to the school right away.
- Alright. But what will we do with Beckie and Stephen? And do you think I can stay on as Lady's maid here? It will be hard to manage the children with my hours, that would mean you would be in charge most of the time… But can we afford to live on your sole income?
- Do we have to decide this now? I was thinking, let's settle the children, for the time being Beckie will stay with Stephen while I'm in school with Joseph, or they can even spend time with my father during the day. We'll see how it goes. Don't just give up your job right now.
- Thank you so much Joseph. I don't know how I would have handled that without you.
Joseph smiled fondly at her.
- When is the funeral planned? he asked.
Phyllis's face fell in a sad frown.
- Three days from now. The neighbour accepted to keep the children until then.
- Alright. So, first of all, we're getting married.
- But we'll have to cancel the honeymoon…
- Oh, Jesus, I had completely forgotten about that honeymoon! exclaimed Joseph. Well, I guess we'll see if we can reschedule that later.
- So, our first outing as husband and wife will be a funeral… said Phyllis, downcast.
- Well. There's nothing to be done about that… replied Joseph wisely. Let's focus on the happy part for now: we're getting married tomorrow.
- Yes, she agreed, her smile lighting her face. Tomorrow. I can't wait.
There we go! A nice Baxley family! ;D