MRS KENT
"Is everything ready for tomorrow?" Mrs Carson enquired as she was getting ready for bed.
Her husband watched her as she was taking her stockings of, while he was already cosied up in bed. "I dare say it is. I've prepared all the notes and documents I need… Not sure if she will require anything else." He mumbled. He wasn't sure if he was more excited or nervous about the big day.
"I'm certain whatever isn't ready now can be sorted out later." She tried to reassure him.
"What did you think of Mrs Patmore's idea?" She asked after a while as she was slipping under the sheets next to him.
"What idea?"
"When she talked about going away? To Cornwall?"
Mrs Patmore talked about her little plan in front of their husbands later on as well. In spite of Elsie's initial scepticism, she recognised that the more she heard about it, the more she started to like the idea, even though she still wasn't hopeful about its feasibility. She wasn't sure of her husband's opinion. Mrs Patmore managed to get Mr Mason exited but has not managed to get any reaction from Mr Carson.
"I think it's a foolish idea." Charles admitted grumpily. "I will be extremely busy with the memoirs over the next couple of months. Lady Mary has arranged everything for me, and I am determined not to disappoint her." His chest rose with pride. "Not to mention her ladyship would never allow the two of you to take time off at the same time." He was annoyed he even had to explain this to her.
"I see…" His wife exhaled disappointedly and turned the light on her nightstand off. She had no energy to try to change his mind at the moment, especially since she wasn't completely sure about the idea herself. Moreover, and to her annoyance, she agreed with his last statement.
Mr Carson rolled his eyes and threw his arms in front of him in resignation. He didn't like the tone of her voice; it made his chest feel a tad tight. He gathered she was upset, but he also knew she will have to see sense in his reasoning eventually.
"Good night, Elsie." He said softly after some contemplation and turned the second light off. She snuggled up to him and he gently kissed her temple goodnight.
…
Mr Carson was the first one to wake up the next morning – long before the alarm clock rang. He hurried downstairs to check everything that was in order and decided to put the kettle on.
Even though Mrs Hughes got downstairs only a moment after the alarm clock rang and way ahead their schedule, she still got scolded by her husband about her lateness.
They both got dressed swiftly and had their porridge and coffee in silence. When Mrs Kent finally arrived, they were ready to welcome her. She stumbled in through the door with her hands full, carrying the typewriter in one hand and an umbrella in the other. Mrs Kent was a very tall woman. She was about Mrs Hughes' age, but the dark circles under her eyes were a lot more obvious. As she greeted them, the married couple also noticed her thick Yorkshire accent.
Mr Carson took her to his study, where he planned for them to work. As Mrs Kent started taking out her machine, she noticed the butlers disapproving face.
"I take it you're not a fan of typewrites, Mr Carson." She snickered.
"You will soon find out that Mr Carson's not a fan of anything modern, Mrs Kent, you will need to get used to that." Mrs Hughes joined the conversation as she was approaching the study with two cups of tea in her hands.
"I am not sure that's fair. I am just astounded as I have never seen one like this." He pointed towards the typewriter with disgust.
"It's one of the newest types. It's portable." Mrs Kent explained. "Lady Mary said she wants the best for you." The Carsons were astonished the young lady bought a brand-new typewriter just for the memoirs.
"Well, we better get on then." Mr Carson announced and handed Mrs Kent some samples to read before starting his dictation.
"I will get going then." Mrs Hughes stood in the hallway awkwardly. Normally she would always get a kiss from her husband, before leaving for work, but right now, she wasn't sure if it would be appropriate. He offered her a smile instead. She bid her goodbyes and left.
…
"Have you been working on this for long, Mr Carson?" Mrs Kent asked when they were taking a quick break later in the morning; drinking tea and eating biscuits Mrs Hughes made.
"Not too long." He admitted.
"I think you've got a real talent, Mr Carson." She was flattering him. "I have transcribed a lot of text and I think I can spot a talent."
Mr Cason wasn't sure what to say. He just raised one of his eyebrows as he puffed up his chest.
"I am not sure about the talent of whoever made these biscuits, but I'm pretty sure about your writing skills." She chortled, feigning a broken tooth. At that Mr Carson was speechless again…
