Chapter 38

The crisp smells that signalled the approach of Christmas melded into each other in the air. The smell of pine from the giant Christmas tree that was being put up in the hall blended with the delicious smell of baking that wafted from the kitchen as Mrs Patmore tackled trays and trays of Christmas sweets. Candlewax and coffee made the undertones of this delightful aroma that drifted from the kitchen and through the corridors of the great house, like an invisible train of Christmas smells travelling through the air. Floor dusted almost every surface downstairs as the particles settled down on any surface imaginable from the Cook's apron and young Daisy's nose to the servant's hall table and to the Butler's dismay, his livery as well.

The Housekeeper however studiously managed to keep her sitting room clear of the massive invasion of flour. Famed for her attention to detail and orderliness it came as no surprise to anyone braving the cloud of flour particles in the corridor to find upon entering the Housekeeper's sitting room to be immaculately spotless. The Butler tried bravely, nevertheless failed, to defend his pantry, even going up to the extent of complaining to the Cook which earned him only choice threats in the Cook's colourful phrasing.

The smell of new paper tinged the atmosphere of the Housekeeper's sitting room as she did battle with wrapping paper and ribbons, wrapping the gifts of the entire Family. Warm biscuits and hot tea added the finishing touches to the little bubble in the Housekeeper's sitting room, devoid of both the presence and to a great extent the smell of raw floor (but ample smells of baking wafting through it as well).

This concoction of aromas succeeded in bringing with them a sense of nostalgia to many a heart and soul downstairs. To those that left behind a happy home, memories brought smiles to faces, sometimes in the most inopportune of moments, sometimes when solitude raked the very depths of minds unearthing memories almost lost in the tides of time in the measure of seconds, days, months, years and even decades. To those who never knew one, the nostalgia came from a part of their hearts where they imagined one or wished for one, and the imaginations and wishes eventually took the form of an ideal model that they yearned for, knowing in their subconscious mind that it would forever remain a dream. To those who had a home which was happy at times and at times drenched in sorrow, it took another form of nostalgia. A yearning for the vaguely non-existent mixed with a nostalgia for what once existed.

And this was the type of nostalgia that flooded the Housekeeper. While what consumed the Butler was the very first type.

Upstairs in the nursery as warm milk and Christmas delights fresh from the oven adorned the trays that Nanny brought up, three young girls rejoiced in the knowledge that Christmas was only a few days away. One young Lady in particular, very excited about wearing matching coloured outfits with her doll on Christmas day.

While Lord and Lady Grantham shared a kiss in the library, knowingly breathing in the heavy scent of pine that crept from the great hall through to the library, mingling with scent of old books. Both of them smiling into the kiss, as the snow covered landscape stretched in front of them outside the closed window.

Lady Sybil skipped her way into the hall, very eager to get on with the decorating. Standing in front of the Christmas tree, she stared at the giant tree in delight and wonder, her eyes lighting up like a new-born's. She breathed in the smell of fresh pine needles and the crisp smell of melting snow, a smile making its way on her face as the air filled her lungs. While Lady Edith and Lady Mary busied themselves with looking through the ornaments and selecting their favourites, Lady Sybil stared at the tree, still without any decorations, taking in the magnificent tree that accentuated the magnificence and gloriousness of the great hall.

"Do you remember when I got this?" Mary asked Edith, holding an intricately crafted ornament from the golden thread attached to its top. Two angels dressed in snow white and sprinkled with a sparkling dust, cream coloured wings, reaching towards an elaborately painted star. Foliage and flowers curled at their feet, painted in duller colours to highlight the main subjects.

"That was the first ornament Uncle Dickie got you wasn't it?" Edith responded, rummaging through another box without even bothering to look up.

"No it was Papa! You're not even looking at it Edith!"

"Whatever! All of yours look the same to me," Edith sneered finally looking at Mary through a fine. Mary grunted in annoyance and placed the ornament back in the box.

"Did you get anything this year Sybil?" Mary asked looking up at Sybil who was still admiring the tree.

"Mmmhmm," Sybil hummed in reply.

"What is it?" Mary inquired, rather curiously.

"A snowflake," Sybil looked at Mary, a grin invaded her face as the simple ornament she had picked up in the village while she was out with her mother sprang in to her mind.

"A snowflake?" Mary asked in disbelief.

"What's wrong with a snowflake?" Edith countered, vaguely disinterested in any ornament that Sybil may choose, but interested in contradicting Mary.

"You mean the ones they sell in village? Sybil darling the entire village has one of those I suppose," Mary laughed, lightly throwing her head back, amused that her sister would go for a common artefact that could be hanging in every shop, house or office in the village.

"Well it looked beautiful and I liked it!" Sybil replied in a firm voice, scowling at Mary, tired of how all of her choices were criticised for not being "up to the mark." How she wished she could make all the choices she wanted!

"Oh my dear! You're going to regret it!" Mary said shaking her head and laughing lightly.

"I won't!" Sybil raised her chin at Mary in defiance, but faltering after a moment she asked, "But what makes you think so?"

"Well when you see a pair at the post office and down at the butchers you will regret not getting something special!" Mary laughed, this time condescendingly.

"Will you please understand Mary? I like it! I got it because I like it!" Sybil stormed out at Mary. Clenching her fists tightly by her sides, she took a step towards Mary, her face in a frown.

"Suit yourself," Mary muttered under her breath, nonchalantly looking through the box of ornaments.

"Oh Mary leave Sybil alone, would you?" Edith chimed in, seizing the opportunity.

"Who asked for your opinion?" Mary looked Edith straight in the eye. Edith shook her head and continued with her exploration.

Sybil stomped to the other side of the tree, stamping her feet as loud as she could, occasionally glancing at Mary to see whether her actions were noticed. It annoyed Sybil even more when Mary took no notice of her. Sybil crossed her arms and determined herself that when it came to the decorating, she would do her best to get her snowflake the place of pride on the tree.

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To say that Cora was exhausted was an understatement. She was positively falling to her feet in exhaustion trying to keep the sisters away from each other's throats, Sybil and Mary in particular. Bringing up daughters was certainly not the fairy tale she once imagined it would be. The decorating involved a lot of arguments, with a good dose of sneaking and ample sulking. The fact that Sybil, who usually remained neutral, had joined the fighting forces only managed to make it even more tense than usual.

"That is not fair Mary!" Sybil stormed as she saw Mary reach out from the step stool to place her latest ornament at the highest place as possible. Mary placed the ornament where she had intended, looked back at Sybil and smirked.

"Mama!" came Sybil's protest.

"Mary why can't you let Sybil have that place this year. Yours is on the top each year," Cora said, one hand unconsciously making its way on to her hip. All she wanted was to sit down and it seemed as the young girls were determined not to let her rest.

"And let that odd little snowflake of hers dull the entire tree out? Never!" Mary countered. Crossing her hands in front of her and glaring at Sybil from her position on the step stool.

"I'm pulling off both of your ornaments if you keep this up!" Cora replied sternly. Mary groaned and Sybil's bottom lip trembled as she felt forming tears burn her eyes.

"Please Mama only this year! I want that place," Sybil pleaded.

"Oh please Sybil! Give it a rest! That little disaster of yours is never getting anywhere close to the top of the tree!" Mary glared.

"All right! That's it! That's all for today!" Cora thundered gesturing to the girls to move away. "Anything more would have to be after a good, strong cup of tea," she muttered under her breath and letting out a tired sigh.

"Can we carry on later?" Edith inquired with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Only if I feel that you would behave!" Cora hissed as she turned away, her footsteps falling as thuds as the heels of her shoes struck the carpet sharply. Edith followed Cora, adjusting her hair ribbon that had loosened earlier. Mary lingered for a few more moments to see if her decoration was safe and followed Edith in her usual stately fashion.

Sybil watched Mary's decoration with wide eyes, tears brimming at the corners, not without jealously finding its beginnings in her veins. Her simple snowflake dangled from her finger as she held it with a heart filled with despair.

A sharp clearing of a throat startled Sybil and she looked back to see Mr Carson standing a few feet away, eyeing the young girl with a bewildered expression.

"Milady?" he stepped closer to Sybil. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked raising his impressive eyebrows kindly.

"It's my ornament. I don't know where to put it. Now that Mary's got the best place," Sybil replied, finishing with a pout.

"I'm sure you can find a good place too," he commented, eyeing the snowflake shaped ornament Lady Sybil was holding and the angels figurine which he assumed must be Lady Mary's ornament in question. He did feel sorry for Lady Sybil but he couldn't help but think that Lady Mary's ornament was the one that looked much better closer to the top.

"But Mary always gets the same place! There's nothing wrong with my ornament! I think it's better than hers!" Sybil declared firmly, holding her ornament at eye level and turning it around between her two fingers from the tread.

The Butler raised an eyebrow at that. He wouldn't dare to tell the little girl that he thought her ornament to be too plain for it to challenge Lady Mary's beautiful ornament but he didn't want Lady Sybil to feel sad neither.

"What all this?" the familiar voice of the Housekeeper sounded down the hall her footsteps sounded on the carpet. Sybil peered behind Carson's tall and broad frame to see Mrs Hughes walking towards them with some wrapped boxes, supposedly presents, carefully balanced on her arms.

Mr Carson turned around to see the Housekeeper as well and reported in his ever professional manner, "There has been a dilemma Mrs Hughes."

"A dilemma Mr Carson? My, my" Mrs Hughes raised an eyebrow as she placed the wrapped gifts on a table at the side of the hall, bending slightly to keep her balance while depositing the boxes safely on the table. Her chatelaine jingling in its position at her hip.

She placed the presents and turned back to a serious faced Butler and a pouting young Lady.

"Well?" she asked, tilting her head to one side, and a hand on her hip.

"Mary's ornament got the best place on the tree again! And I have no good place for mine!" Sybil complained, holding up her snowflake for Mrs Hughes to see.

"We can't have that, can we Mr Carson?" Mrs Hughes raised an eyebrow and smirked. She understood the atmosphere at once. She realised that Lady Sybil's ornament was looked down upon because it was not as glamorous as the ones that the other two young ladies chose. However, Mrs Hughes thought that Lady Sybil's ornament, though simple, looked the best. It was endearing, to imagine that the young Lady would go for something simple when she could go for almost anything she could wish for, a choice that Elsie as a young girl didn't have. Even though she would never voice it, Mrs Hughes thought that the snowflake suited young Lady Sybil and the way that she stood, holding said ornament was adorable. Perhaps, the others did not see that Lady Sybil chose the particular ornament for the simple reason that she liked it more than all those elaborate ones hanging in the windows of big shops in large towns or cities like Ripon or London, she thought.

"What about somewhere to the left Mrs Hughes? That side gets good lighting?" Mr Carson offered rather sheepishly, knowing fully well that Mrs Hughes would have realised the reason why Lady Sybil's ornament has been denied the place that the young girl wanted for it.

"Let me see," Mrs Hughes said as she stepped in front of the tree and took a few steps back to observe it carefully. A hum escaped as she contemplated the options. Sybil looked up at Mrs Hughes, expectantly and hopefully.

"Ah I've got just the spot! Right in the middle of the tree facing this way, below Lady Mary's ornament," Mrs Hughes declared triumphantly.

Sybil glanced at the tree, finding the position that Mrs Hughes suggested and looked back at the Housekeeper. "But why?" she asked, her eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Let me show you," Mrs Hughes made her way close to the tree and beckoned Sybil to join her while Mr Carson observed this with a puzzled expression on his face, his eyebrows knitted.

When Sybil stepped closer to the Housekeeper, Mrs Hughes bent down and whispered in Sybil's ear, "Trust me Milady it's the best place." When she leant back and looked at the young girl's face, Sybil thought for a moment and nodded.

Sybil still did not understand why the place Mrs Hughes suggested was the best but she trusted the Housekeeper implicitly.

With her hands firmly on the sides of the young girl, Mrs Hughes carefully lifted Sybil in to her arms, a soft, almost inaudible whimper escaping her as her body got used to holding the weight of the young girl cradled on her arm.

"Right there Milady," Mrs Hughes pointed the index finger of her free hand to a spot above Sybil's head. Sybil reached her hands forward, Mrs Hughes took a few steps too to allow the movement, and Sybil hung her snowflake on one of the branches. Leaning back, away from Mrs Hughes, she smiled at the Housekeeper.

"Right, there you go," Mrs Hughes stepped back and lowered the young girl down to the floor. Mr Carson quickly stepped close to them, in case Mrs Hughes needed any assistance.

Sybil ran back down to the farthest end of the great hall away from the Christmas tree, giggling and eager to witness the result.

Mr Carson looked at Mrs Hughes and whispered, "Are you alright?"

Mrs Hughes rolled her eyes at him and whispered in reply with a smile, "I can lift a young girl Mr Carson. I'm not that old."

Mr Carson shook his head at her cheeky remark. And let his eyes to linger on her for a few moments more than appropriate. Of course he knew she could manage the young girl's weight. She was much stronger than a woman her age. But he couldn't be more careful. Much beautiful too, the thought slipped into his mind but he was shaken from his reverie by the excited exclamation of a certain young Lady.

"It's perfect Mrs Hughes!" Lady Sybil exclaimed, hands clasped in front of her and eyes wide open with absolute joy swimming among their blue shades as she realised that even though Mary's ornament was much closer to the top of the tree, hers was the one that best caught anyone's eye. And Mrs Hughes smiled knowingly and raised an eyebrow at Mr Carson.

"Well… you know best," he remarked.

"High time you realised that," came her swift response and he chuckled at her words.

Sybil raced towards Mrs Hughes. Tugging at the Housekeeper's sleeve, she beckoned her to bend down. Sybil planted a quick kiss on Mrs Hughes' cheek and skipped towards the library in the direction that her mother and sisters took earlier.

The Housekeeper's eyes followed the young girl and she didn't try to stop the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips and blossomed like a flower in the early morning. The Butler watched with tenderness in his heart, the sparks that danced across her eyes, excited and joyous like the little child whose path they followed, and the smile that blossomed upon her face.

To be continued…

Thank you very much for all your reviews on the previous chapter, I'm glad you are enjoying it. They make me happy beyond words and keeps me encouraged to continue this story. I'm so sorry for being late to post this chapter and thank you kindly for patiently bearing up with me. (Here's a longer chapter than usual as an apology ) I'll try my best to post the next chapter as soon as possible. I would be very grateful if you could let me know in the reviews your thoughts about this chapter and this story. Thanks again! See you soon!