Servants Series 2

by ss9

Continuation of BBC series Servants: The men return from Cumberland

5. Episode 5

Next morning dawned, the perfect day for the start of the games. The Earl was watching from his veranda, with Gwen standing beside him. The servants were assembled in their teams, with some of the lads from each team in racing clothes. Jarvis came and stood in front of them, to open the games

Jarvis: Welcome to the first inter-house games, here at Taplows. The Earl wanted me to wish you all a warm welcome, and good luck. If you are hurt in anyway then go to the Taplows housekeeper, Mrs Stanwick, who is administering First Aid for the duration of the tournament. This morning we have some of the races, including the relay race. Then lunch at 1 o'clock, and some more events after lunch. I hope you all try your hardest, and may the best team win.
Cheering from all the servants

Jarvis: Now we have the relay race. May the contestants from each house take their positions. Pauses as the contestants take there places, including George, Will, Joseph and Fred (who are running in that order) and the other servants walk over to the track. Jarvis walks to the start line This race is a sprint. As you all know, the first contestant must take this stick and run 350 yards to the next contestant, whom he passes the stick to. If a contestant goes outside his lane, or drops the stick then that team is disqualified. To the contestants: Are you all ready? OK, Ready-- Steady--Go. And they're off.
Mad cheering from all present.

Jarvis: John, from London has taken the lead, followed closely in second by George from the Taplows house. And, they're at the first changeover. Oh, dear, the Cumberland house have dropped the stick, that's immediate disqualification. And, now the Taplows house, with Will, are in the lead, followed by Roger of the Scottish house. The second London runner is slowing,. And there at the third changeover. What a fast changeover by Taplows. No one has dropped the stick this time. Taplows, and Joseph are still in front, but know the Scottish house, and Jack, are closing. The London house can't seem to pick up the ground they've lost. Now they're at the last changeover. It's only a two man race, and Taplows' Fred and the Scots' Jerry are neck and neck. Whose going to cross the line first? Oh, but Taplows is pulling away and- Fred wins it for Taplows.
Mad cheering, especially from the Taplows servants. Fred, Joseph, Will and George are jumping around cheering, and Grace, Susan, Charlotte and Lizzie bring them cold drinks.

Charlotte: Well done boys.

Susan: Yes, very good run.

Lizzie: That Scot nearly had you though.

Fred: Oh, I'm just saving my energy for later. It would have been easy if I tried.

Will: Yeah, Yeah.

Cat: coming over: Well done boys, best running I've seen in a long time.

Grace trying not to snigger: Well lets go and watch the javelin.

The javelin throwing, the boules and the croquet (for both men and ladies) were all won comfortably by Taplows, which was now heading the leader board. Will had knocked up the most wins, followed closely by Fred, who had just won the lower servants' swimming competition. There is now great excitement as it is time for one of the bigger events, the upper servants swimming relay. Everyone gathered round the lake, settling down with tea and scones. The Earl had insisted, in a rather wobbly state, that he should start the event off, so proceeds to introduce the teams, prompted by George who has a good head for names. Taplows, first in line, got the largest cheer, the team made up of Jarvis, Adams, Kraus and Will, as head footman. The Scottish team was next to them, including McDougal and large McKee
Grace To Charlotte, pointing at the portly butler: I don't think he's going to last the course!

George reminds them of the rules – they are straightforward. Everyone is to swim two lengths, and the next man can jump in when the side is touched. First four to finish claims the crown. The only difference to a normal relay is that the gentlemen all have to wear their shirts and long-johns to slow them up. Mrs R catches Jarvis' eye, and she winks and gives a little wave. He smiles, seeing his chance to impress. Mrs Stanwick, sat next to her on the rug, looks down her nose at her then over at Kraus, smiling and pouting her lips. Kraus gives her a half-hearted smile a nod of the head, turning away

Kraus quietly to Jarvis, who notices the exchange and laughs: Why won't the woman stop!

J patting him on the arm: You're obviously her hero. Lucky you!

McKee In jovial manner to Jarvis: Good luck, may the best team win!

Adams is still hazy. His alcohol still hasn't worn off properly, but he was managing to hide it. The water ahead of him seems to stretch on and on as he tries desperately to clear his head before he has to dive into what seems to him to be an icy ocean
Earl raising his flag: Right, everyone, on my signal! Ready….steady….go! He drops the flag, but sways so much George has to catch him

Jarvis is first in, a good strong dive ahead of the others. He can see that he is way ahead and can just make out after a few strokes that McKee is already struggling. He makes it easily to the other side of the lake, spinning round and heading back, passing McKee still on his first lap. The other houses are gaining rapidly on him, as they are a little younger than him, but a final spurt sees him comfortably grabbing the side. As he does so, Kraus dives in with grace (no, not Grace!) and heads off.

Meanwhile Mrs R had been cheering on her man, and is relieved to see him reach the end of his laps first. Her breath catches in her chest and her lips part slightly as she watches him haul himself out of the water and onto the side. He stands, hands resting on his knees as the droplets drips from his hair and cheeks. His shirt is sticking to his body, sopping wet and transparent. Looking over at her, he gives her a sultry smile, and she feels she is going to faint with longing. She suddenly realises she has forgotten to cheer on Kraus, so snaps out of her trance and begins to shout, although she keeps her gaze on Jarvis. She is no match for Mrs Stanwick, however, who is jumping up and down on the rug like her life depended on it and screaming 'Felix' at the top of her voice.
Kraus came second, the London house taking the lead, while the Scots are now falling behind rapidly due to McKee only finishing as Kraus took his second lap. Next in was Will, who managed to gain the loudest cheers from the Taplows maids. They do a Mexican Wave as he enters the water, laughing and falling about, tea spilling about the place. Will storms ahead of the London team with his finest front crawl, and even the mighty McDougal can't make up the difference in the Scottish team. The Cumberland team are running a close third, but with little hope of winning.

Will shouting to Adams as he hits the side: Get in the water! Now!

Adams hesitates, staring ahead. Building up his resolve, he runs and jumps in rather than dives, then begins to thrash around in the water
Kraus To Jarvis: What stroke is that meant to be?

Adams felt disorientated, not knowing which was he was supposed to be going, and he began to move forward sideways, crashing into the Scottish swimmer, who flew backwards into the Cumberland hopeful
Jarvis To Kraus: What the hell is he doing!

Suddenly Adams disappeared under water. Everyone expected him to appear, but it the commotion and the argument that was brewing between the Scottish and Cumberland teams about who crashed into who, he was lost
Jarvis panicking: You two, find Mr Adams now, never mind arguing!

The two men begin a frantic search, diving down to the bottom, but he's nowhere to be seen. Then Jarvis spots a hand by the bank on the other side of the lake
J: How on earth did he get there!

He realises precious minutes are being wasted, so instead of issuing orders he jumps into the water with a large splash, swimming as fast as he can to the other side of the lake. Everyone gasps and Flora jumps to her feet, wide-eyed and hand over her mouth. Why oh why does he always have to play the hero!
Reaching Adams, Jarvis grabs him and hoists his head out of the water. The other two swimmers rush to join him and help him to drag him onto the side
J lying next to an unconscious Adams and tipping his head back: He's not breathing!

The kiss of life is the only option. Jarvis administers it, the Scottish swimmer pumping his heart, as Adams pathetic body lies limp
J: Come on, you old fool! Don't do this now! Why on earth did you swim drunk!

After a few minutes, Adams splutters, water pouring out of his mouth, so Jarvis lies him on his side and sits back, relieved. Mrs Stanwick and Mrs Ryan finally arrive on the scene with blankets. Adams opens his eyes, feeling dreadful and full of liquid, both alcoholic and non, and manages to sit up on the side of the bank.
Flora: Thank goodness he's fine! I was so worried!

Mrs S bending down to Jarvis and wiping water from his cheek: Oh you brave man. I am so proud of you.

Flora shoots a deathly look at her, her teeth gritted. Jarvis, a bit too stunned and exhausted to notice Mrs Stanwick's advances, falls backwards onto the ground, Mrs Stanwick stroking his forehead with a towel
Mrs S: You're my hero.

Fortunately before Flora's temper got the better of her and she gave into the urge to slap the Stanwick viper round the face they were all interrupted by Will and George who on Jarvis's gasped instructions hauled Mr Adams off to his room. The Earl and Gwen made their way over to where Jarvis sat on the bank.
"What was all that about Jarvis? Didn't the idiot know you're only supposed to enter the swimming race if you can actually swim?" He said guffawing at his own poor joke, Gwen tittering along with him. "Damn shame, suppose we'll have to remove that race from the scoring, only fair since no one finished." With that he turned heading back to the gazebo and his glass of single malt.

When they were gone Jarvis got slowly to his feet shaking off Mrs Stanwick's fussing and stalked off back to the house to change, both Cat and Flora following a few steps behind him, leaving the rest of the servants to watch the shot put.
Both women were unable to match Jarvis's pace and by the time they reached the courtyard he was disappearing through the side door.
"Are you sure you don't need any assistance Mr Jarvis, I could run you a nice hot bath if you like?" Cat called out to him.

"That is it!" Flora said grabbing hold of Catherine Stanwick's arm and turning her sharply around. "I'll tell you now just once loud and clear, stay away from him, he doesn't need or want anything from you."

"Really Mrs Ryan you seem to be very confident about that, are you sure you know what he wants, personally I'd say that's very presumptuous."

"I'm warning you leave him alone." Reiterated Flora her tone icy.

"And if I choose not to, what then? Hmmm, are you going to draw a nice white line through the servant's halls or maybe pull me aside every now and then to lecture me on the error of my ways? I heard about you Mrs Ryan, you ran away from Taplows because you couldn't handle him, well believe me I can and if your going to think empty threats from an old wind bag such as yourself is going to as any sort of deterrent then let me tell you dear you are greatly overestimating….

Slap, Flora had just snapped, the urge to show that woman just who she was dealing with was too strong and she had lashed out. For a moment Cat stood there in shock before launching herself at Flora who backed up against the low wall surrounding the ornamental pond. Cat lived up to her name leaping forward, lashing out with her manicured claws and latching on to Flora's hair. For a moment both women remained balanced on the edge before gravity decided to intervene and send them crashing down into the thigh deep water. This early bath did nothing to cool their tempers both continued to lash out at the other, wrestling in the water, neither prepared to give in, ripping indiscriminately at either hair or clothing.

Even the appearance of George did not disrupt their concentration. He stood by the open side door, his chin dropped and he rubbed his eyes, this wasn't happening that couldn't be Mrs Ryan and Mrs Stanwick beating seven bells out of each other in the ornamental pond could it? Turning he ran up the stairs to find Mr Jarvis, there was no way he was going to try and break up that fight, women could get really nasty.

Knocking on Jarvis's door he entered without waiting for an invitation. Jarvis was dressing and about to reprimand him when George spoke, " Mr Jarvis downstairs now, believe me you are not going to want to miss this." Then he turned and ran down the corridor waving for the confused butler to follow him. What could possibly have gone wrong now thought Jarvis as he buttoned his dry shirt and pulled on his jacket. "Mr Jarvis", George called urgently from the end of the corridor.

Whatever Jarvis had been expecting, the Earl parading around in yet more women's clothing or that Mr Adams had gotten loose and was terrorising the guests; he did not expect to see Flora Ryan and Catherine Stanwick drenched to the skin, trying to rip each other to shreds in the ornamental pond. Striding over to the pond he at first tried to reason with them, "Ladies please." However when they both ignored him he signalled for George to wade in with him and physically drag them off of each other, a task that sounded easier that it actually was.

Finally he was able to grasp Flora around her waist and pull her kicking and punching off of Mrs Stanwick, for a minute she struggled in his arms but after he tightened his grip she soon realised the futility of the situation and gave up gasping for breath. For a moment Jarvis found it difficult to concentrate here was Flora in his arms and in a significant state of disarray, the right sleeve and neck of her dress had been torn and her drenched undergarments clung to her provocatively. Taking a very deep breath he returned to the problem at hand getting them out of sight before anyone else saw.
"George would you help Mrs Stanwick to her room and fetch her a large brandy."

George nodded, "What about Mrs Ryan sir, should I get Grace?"

Jarvis shook his head, "No I'll take care of her, the fewer people who know about this the better, you understand?" The quickly he grasped Flora's arm and frogmarched her up to her room.

When they reached it he opened the door and flung her inside like a rag doll, slamming the door behind him he walked over to her. "What the hell was that, what were you thinking?"
"Thank you, its nice to know you automatically assume it's my fault!" She yelled back.

"Wasn't it?" Jarvis said his tone quiet.

"Yes", Flora replied ashamed and unable to meet his gaze.

"What on earth processed you, what was it about?"

Flora looked up at him in wonder he really had no idea, what did he think they were fighting about who made the best crème anglaise? That struck her as very very funny. Jarvis looked at her in disbelief and thinking she was hysterical walked over to her to try and shake some sense into her, but before he could Flora had flung her arms round his neck and was kissing him with a passionate abandonment he hadn't thought possible. Finally the need to come up for air prevailed and the two separated reluctantly, Jarvis reluctant to push her into anything began to speak, "well I suppose I should go find out how Mr Adams is doing, I've left Will looking after him so anything could have happened."

Smiling Flora traced the outline of his lips with her middle finger, "There's plenty of time for that later, you've got to help me out of these wet things first." Jarvis looked down at her in amazement as she pulled him in for another a kiss pushing off his jacket and dragging him over to the bed.

Half an hour later, Jarvis popped his head around the door and seeing that the coast is clear beckons her to follow him out, giggling like a couple of naughty lower servants

J kissing her on the nose: I'll go and find Adams, you go and change. Everyone will be wondering just how much I must be reprimanding you!

She smiles softly at him, a little confused by her own actions that afternoon and now a lot calmer. Without a word she hurries off

It is now nearing the big banquet before the houses were to go their separate ways the next day. They all had long journeys ahead of them and the Earl had insisted (although he could now barely remember) that they were all to get a good send-off with a hearty meal the night before, all lower and upper servants eating together. Jarvis managed to find Adams, who was sat in the servants hall and mocking poor Johnny for being pathetic at the Javelin

J standing behind him: You can hardly talk, Mr Adams.

Adams spun round, not really knowing how to react to Jarvis, who had saved his life only an hour or so ago

Adams jumping to his still wobbly feet: Sir!

J pacing up and down: Mr Adams, you will remember I said that you will be cooking your own food for the next month? Well I am giving you the chance to shine with your culinary skills by having you help Mr Kraus prepare for the banquet tonight.

A number of maids stand around giggling. Jarvis ignores them

Adams nodding gravely: Aye sir. his expression changes to one of confusion Sir, are you alright? You look at bit…..more red-faced and tired than usual.

J suddenly becoming self-conscious as he touches his hair and straightens his waistcoat: All that physical exertion…. sniggers all round J:……what with the swimming and the running and all that.

Adams almost amused. To Jarvis he doesn't seem very grateful for being rescued: And how is Mrs Ryan? Mrs Stanwick has been asking if she will be joining the banquet or not.
Jarvis huffs, glaring at Adams

J: As far as I am aware, Mrs Ryan is most certainly joining us tonight. She just needed a little – lie down.

Adams in harsh whisper as he brushes past Jarvis on the way to help Kraus: I bet she did.

An hour later, and Adams is more angry than he thought possible in his whole life. Kraus has taken great delight in ordering him around the kitchen as if he were a lower kitchen maid. Kraus had even suggested that Adams would look lovely in a corset and bonnet. He had set him to work peeling potatoes, peeling carrots and chopping onions, plucking chickens (to his absolute horror), wiping down surfaces and making custard. And that was all in the first half an hour. Now he was stiring gravy, half-heartedly trying to make jam (with Lizzie reluctantly trying to teach him) and, to his distress, washing dishes in place of Kitty the scullery maid

Kraus as he prepares the stuffing to go with a very large turkey: Mr Adams, your gravy is going lumpy! You'll have to start again if you don't come and stir it!
Storming over, Adams grabs the spoon in the pan and stirs vigorously in his rage

Kraus trying to keep calm: Mr Adams, please do not take out your frustration on a defenceless liquid, and do not stir in circles! Snatching the spoon off him and demonstrating Stir in a figure of eight.

Adams fit to burst as he stamps his foot like a child: That's it, I've had it with this! I'm a butler-in-waiting not some kitchen skivvy!

Kraus in mock pity: Mr Adams, you know what Mr Jarvis said about any more silly games…….

Adams: It wasn't me, you foreign fool! Someone is taking us for idiots and doing this to us, can't you see!
Kraus considers this for a moment. What if he's right? Still, it was funny to have Adams to boss around in such a way

Kraus handing back the spoon: We haven't got time for this now, we've a banquet to get on the table in less than an hour! And remember, a figure of eight! And don't forget the jam, Mr Adams!
Adams refrains from pouring the gravy all over the chef's head. Kraus then continues to issue orders to the other kitchen staff, loud and booming. They had all been promised a game of cheese rolling if all was successful.

Half an hour later, everyone begins settling down for the banquet. The table is large and fit for the Earl himself, covered in fine cutlery, napkins, flowers and candles. Kraus had even found time to make a small version of one of his ice sculptures. There is much chatter and gossip now that George has told everyone about the fight in the pond, and they all look and giggle as Mrs Stanwick seats herself sullenly away from where Mrs Ryan and Jarvis, placed at the head of the table, will sit. She tries to make small-talk with McKee but her reputation has already been soiled with much whispering amongst all houses about her flirtatious manner and her sharp tongue. Blushing, she sits back in her chair silently, feeling nauseous and ruined.

Upstairs Flora was putting the finishing touches to her hair and makeup admiring her handiwork in the mirror, her new blue silk gown perfectly complimented her colouring and the sparkle of her crystal earrings was outdone only by the sparkle in her eyes. Today had started out so badly but had ended so perfectly it was no wonder she glowed with happiness. Suddenly there was a soft knocking on her door, slowly she walked over to the door. There was Walter dressed his finest, he stepped through the door and grasped her hand bringing it up to his lips.
"You look breathtaking."

"Thank you."

"But may I make just a small suggestion?" Flora raised an eyebrow at that remark, what was he up to? Slowly he brought out from behind his back a simple and elegant corsage of tiny cream roses and pinned it just below the neckline of her dress. "Now its perfect. Shall we go down?" he said extending his arm.

"In a moment, don't I get to say thank you first?" She said leaning forward and kissing him tenderly careful not crush the flowers, before placing her hand on his arm and allowing him to escort her to the banquet.

When they entered together her on his arm, a murmur went round the room, it was now obvious to all even the blind deaf and dumb that they were together. At the other end of the table sat Will, Lizzie, Grace and George. Both the girls were enraptured with Mrs Ryan's outfit.
"Oh its beautiful the way it shimmers in the light and that is such a good colour on her, can you imagine ever owning something so perfect." Said Lizzie her hands clasped in delight.

"That material must have cost a pretty penny." Said Will. "So I wouldn't go putting it on your Christmas list just yet."

"I think pounds are nearer the mark mate." Replied George typically not interested in clothes, but more interested in watching the reactions of people round the table. Mr Kraus looked almost as happy as the pair themselves, obviously congratulating himself on his matchmaking skills. Mrs Stanwick on the other hand looked as if she had just caught a whiff of something nasty.

"Er guys take a look at ole flirty Gerty, boy does she look put out."

Grace harrumphed, "That rotten old viper just doesn't like it when someone gets the better of her."

But their further speculation was interrupted when the kitchen staff brought in the trays of food and then took their places, Mr Jarvis tapped his knife against his glass, bringing the chatter to an end. "Good Evening, I trust you have all enjoyed the past few days not only for the chance to prove yourselves in open competition but also for the chance to get to know each other better. I now have the pleasure of announcing the final scores, in fourth place was Cumberland House with fifteen points, in third place was London house with twenty points, in second place was the Scottish house with thirty points."
He paused as a huge cheer went up from the Taplows' staff. "Ah I can see some of you know what's coming and therefore in first place is Taplows with fifty points. Congratulations to you all and I would like to make a special mention of the superb efforts of both Frederick Matkin and William Forest, who have done us all proud." William and Fred stood up at this and both performed dramatic bows to rest of the staff, who cheered them raucously. "Now I ask you to charge your glasses", and everyone stood, "To those who serve."

"To those who serve" echoed the rest taking a sip from their wine glasses, well most of them sipped but both Mr Adams and Mrs Stanwick who were feeling more than a little sorry for themselves both downed their glasses and moved to refill them at the same time their hands meeting on the bottle. Cat snatched her hand away curling her lip in disgust; Adams just ignored her and refilled both their glasses raising his in a mocking salute.

The dinner itself was an acclaimed success; even Mr Adams's gravy and vegetables were edible. Flora, Walter and Felix were still engaged in animated conversation but Adams and Cat had for most of the meal ignored the others and settled for emptying the Madeira decanter between them. It was definitely as a result of alcohol they had consumed but the room was starting to get a little too hot and both were sure it certainly shouldn't be spinning. Cat stood up and walked outside to get a breath of fresh air, a few moments later Adams stumbled out after her pulling out his roll ups.
"What do you want?" Cat asked acidly leaning back against the wall for support.

"It's a free country or hadn't you noticed? Besides why are you out here, shouldn't you be inside charming the pants off someone?"

"Oh put a sock in it!"

Adams grinned and stumbled over to her, "What's wrong don't tell me you've been blown out? Heheheheheh. A two time loser."

"Stop it, just stop it, you over grown…..idiot." She slurred turning to slap him, but Adams grabbed at her wrists and for a moment their eyes locked and the next moment they were kissing.
Ten minutes later Cat emerged from the undergrowth shaking her head and fastening her dress hurrying off to her room to be sick and try and to forget that had ever happened. Mr Adams emerged a few minutes later, the smile on his face looking somewhat out of place, and staggered back off into the hall to try and get himself a nightcap.

The merriment is continuing and everyone is getting louder and more raucus. The meal is well finished and servants are either sitting round chatting and playing cards, on the piano and singing or playing cheese rolling. Mrs Stanwick is feeling nauseated by her own actions – not because she had got a bit naughty but because she had got naughty with Adams, so she thinks it best to avoid him like the plague in case he tries it on again.
Kraus is heading up the cheese rolling contest in the hallway, and the participants are trying their best to roll the cheese straight but failing due to alcohol-induced arm action. Nobody seemed to be keeping the score anyway as Will tries to take a big bite out of the cheese, until Kraus snatches it back protectively hugging it against his chest. Will falls about laughing at the chef's melodramatic behaviour.

Kraus furiously: This cheese is not for eating, it is for rolling purposes only!

Back at the table, Jarvis and McKee are enjoying cigars and brandy, sitting back in their chairs and discussing 'important matters of the day' as if they are in a gentleman's club. Grace, Susan and Charlotte have given up talking about politics for the evening, even though Grace was praised for her accurate prediction of Earl Grenville becoming Foreign Secretary that year, and were singing crude songs around the piano and hitching their skirts as Adams tries his best to focus on the piano keys. Just as the evening can't seem to get any livelier, Mrs R approaches the piano, looking slightly serious, and taps Adams on the shoulder. He stops playing and the girls stop dancing

Mrs R: Mr Adams, there are two men here to see you, and I don't think they want to join our little party.

Adams feels his hands begin to shake and he leans on the piano, causing a loud and unpleasant sound to reverberate around the room and make everyone stop what they are doing and stare. He suddenly feels obvious and self-conscious, standing slowly up as his head begins to clear with the shock of Mrs R's words. His mind is racing…he has to get out of here, run far away, right now. Slowly walking towards the door, glancing at all the confused faces that now seem to be swimming in his mind, he staggers out
Mrs R calling after them: They're waiting in the hallway, Mr Adams!

What she doesn't realise is that he has absolutely no intention of going anywhere near the men in question, let alone greeting them in the hallway. He feels his chest tightening as he races manically up to his room, flings open the door and pulls a suitcase from under his bed. Must pack, must pack, must get out of here, run away, get far, far away….Throwing clothes into the case without hardly even noticing what he is picking up, he comes across the whisky bottles he had stolen from the Earl. He tosses them into the suitcase, downing the remainder of the open one, but only succeeding in spilling most of it down his shirt rather than swallowing it. Leaving over half his clothes in a pile on the floor, he fastens up the suitcase in a haphazard fashion, garments sticking out all sides and causing the case to buckle and bulge. Not really caring whether he leaves Taplows with just his shirt on his back, as long as he's avoided prison, he heads towards the door and out into the hallway, but stops dead in horror as he sees the two men and Jarvis marching his way.
First man waving a piece of paper: Mr Andrew Adams, I have a summons here for £100, and if you don't pay up right now we will have no choice but to take appropriate action.

Adams, breathing heavily but quickly, turns awkwardly, tripping over his own feet, and makes a desperate run for it in the other direction. His suitcase falls open, clothes scattering everywhere, but his half-hearted attempt to scoop them back up is abandoned as the three men are approaching him fast.
J: Mr Adams, I suggest you stop, running away won't help you!

Adams can hardly hear a thing, his heart is beating so loudly in his ears. Must get away, must run…He stumbles and trips down the stairs, sliding down a flight on his behind, but he manages to scramble to his feet and keep running, sweat dripping down his face. He is stunned and confused when he sees them coming towards him again… they had managed to cut him up, so he realises quickly he has no option but to run back up the stairs. He is gasping now, partly in panic and partly in exhaustion, but is able to keep staggering up the stairs, up and up and up and up and….There was nowhere left to go. He was at the top. The very top. Bursting onto the roof and out into the still summer night, stars glittering in the sky, he collapses to his knees and begins to sob in a drunken, pathetic state, grabbing at his collar to loosen it. He isn't down for long when Jarvis runs out onto the roof, also panting
Adams blubbing and dribbling: Stay away from me, Jarvis! Don't come near me!

Jarvis stops in his tracks, staring at the humiliated man before him. Adams crawls desperately towards the edge of the roof, then staggers to his feet and wobbles uneasily at the edge. He looks down, then over his shoulder at Jarvis, then back towards the ground again. Will is out on his own smoking, but when he looks up and sees Adams teetering on the edge of the roof he dashes in to bring out an audience. This was another scene that day that was too good to miss, especially for Will

Jarvis reaching out an arm: Come on, Andrew, please come away from the edge. This isn't the way and you know it.

Adams swings round, almost losing his balance, to look at Jarvis. Jarvis realises instantly that Adams is by far the worse for drink. His hair is unkempt and his face contorted in anger and pain, his eyes puffy and red

Adams to Jarvis as the men look on in silence: You think you're so good, don't you! You've got it all…. the butlership, the fancy clothes, the big office, the attractive woman, money, and what do I have! Nothing, except for a drinking problem and debt I can't ever hope to pay off! Well, I'm sick of it, man, sick of it! I've worked hard all my life and I should've made butler by now, but instead I have to put up with being ordered around by you and that idiot foreigner, who obviously hates me….

He begins to sway backwards, but manages to balance himself. Jarvis looks at the two men, desperately trying to think what to do

Adams: I don't want to go to prison, so I'm not going to! Adams looks over the edge again, his focus blurred. He can make out the large group of spectators who have gathered, looking up at him in shock and bewilderment and muttering frantically

Jarvis can't think of a single thing to say to him to make him feel better. All except one thing. He could prevent him from going to prison, but would it be the right thing to do? Did Andrew Adams deserve everything that was coming to him? Debtor's prison would ruin him…he'd never hold a position in service again. He then notices Adams pull a small bottle and a handkerchief from his pocket, and he clumsily dabs the contents onto it

Jarvis alarmed: Andrew, what's that you've got?

Adams almost laughing: This is chloroform, sir. One deep sniff then I won't have to feel a thing when I fall.

Suddenly Lizzie runs out onto the roof. Jarvis turns to her and snaps at her sharply

J: What are you doing up here, girl! Get back down now!

Lizzie frantically looks from Jarvis to Adams, who is staring at her, desperation in his eyes. Oh Lord, how could she bear to see her father like this? Her pathetic, useless, debt-ridden, nasty father. He goes to lift the handkerchief to his face, his eyes locked on Lizzie

J darting forward: No! Stop, Andrew! You won't have to go to prison, I can help you!

Adams beginning to cry again, feeling totally lost and alone: I don't want your help, Jarvis, it's too late for that.

Lizzie tears welling: Please, accept his help!

Adams: Lizzie, don't….

Lizzie reaching out to him: Please father, no!

The penny drops. Jarvis turns to her, completely dumbfounded. Father? Adams lowers the handkerchief slowly, hardly believing his ears. She had brought it out into the open at last to try to save him, instead of hiding away in embarrassment at his behaviour. After all he had done to her, had tried to do to her. He felt ashamed. Jarvis realises this isn't the time to go over this, his priority is to get Adams off the roof

Second man: Mr Jarvis, we haven't got time for this, we need to take him now!

Jarvis, ignoring the second collector, turns back to Adams

J in calm but stern tone: Andrew, I have a deal for you. Will you listen to me?

Adams still staring at Lizzie, who is now crying on the floor: Aye, Mr Jarvis. I'll listen, but I may yet jump.

J: As I think you know, I have some money aside. I can pay the £100 off now with one cheque, but I will need you to repay me every month until it is all paid off. I will just take a portion of your wages instead of all of it. How does that sound? You won't get a better offer.

Jarvis can see Adams' mind thinking over the proposition, although he was in little fit state to make a rational decision. The handkerchief hovered in his hand, his heels almost over the edge through a gap in the stone railings. Throwing down the handkerchief, he collapses onto the ground, wailing loudly. Jarvis sighs, rushing up to him and pulling him further onto the roof, while Lizzie crouches in the corner, her young cheeks stained with tears. She cautiously goes over to Adams, kneeling down and hugging him as he curls up into a sorry ball, weeping and snivelling and begging Lizzie to forgive him. She has no idea how he knows about her, but at that moment it didn't matter. Jarvis turns to the two collectors, and gravely beckons to them to follow him
First collector: As long as we get our money, Mr Jarvis, we don't care where it comes from.

Jarvis storming down the stairs: I'll pay you, then you'll leave, please. I don't need the likes of you hanging round Taplows and giving us a bad name.

Later Jarvis sat in his office staring into the fire, the debt collectors had left and Lizzie was taking care of her father, her father now there's one he hadn't seen coming. He was interrupted from his thoughts by a soft tapping on his door, and he waved his hand to tell them to enter. Flora walked over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders, "are you alright? You're very tense," she said beginning to work on his aching neck.

"I'm fine, though today has been nothing short of dramatic." He replied finally beginning to relax.

Suddenly Flora stopped, she walked round to face him then dropping to the floor she sat down in front to him resting her head on his knee, Jarvis reached out untying her hair and then running his fingers through it.

"Walter", she muttered, "I just want to tell you how proud I was of you today, first at the pond and then later on the roof, no one would have blamed you if you hadn't acted but you did anyway and because of that Mr Adams is still alive."

Embarrassed Walter waved her praise away, "It was nothing any one else wouldn't have done if they had had the means. I'm more worried about a certain housekeeper."

"Mrs Stanwick!" Flora looked up at him in shock and indignation.

Smiling Jarvis replied, "No you. How long are you going to be in London? I don't know if I can bear to let you go, I might be forced to kidnap you and stash you away in the attic."

"Not long I promise, two weeks, three at the most."

"Weeks! How am I going to cope I was hoping for an answer in days preferably hours. Speaking of hours that's all we have to you have to leave, shall we?" Jarvis indicated towards the door with a small smile, brushing his hand down her face.

Flora sat back her expression serious, "we need to talk about something first."

"And we can't do that upstairs in far more comfort?" Jarvis asked teasingly, curling strands of her hair round his fingers.

Flora seized his hands and held them captive with her own, taking a deep breath she began. "Walter you know I love you, and you know how proud I am of you and you know how much I want to be with you but were going to have to be more careful."

"What do you mean, surely it s a bit too late for that now everyone knows about us, it's hardly a state secret."

"That's not what I meant!"

Suddenly realisation dawned, "Oh you mean that type of careful?"

"Yes. Everything that's happened today has changed things and we can't afford to take the risks that we have before. I don't know if you ever envisioned our relationship beyond Taplows, before that was always a possibility but now it isn't, it's going to take Andrew Adams years to pay off that loan to you and by the time he does it'll be too late."

Jarvis frowned, "too late for what?"

Flora looked him straight in the eye, "a family." Then she stood up and paced to the other side of the room hugging herself protectively. "I know we had never talked about it but it was always a possibility," she said turning to face him once more, "but now we have to stay at Taplows and so I just can't, we can't take the risk of my getting pregnant."

Walter stood up and walked over to her, "the chances of it happening were never very great Flora."

She stepped away from him as if slapped, an expression of pain and confusion on her face, "maybe so but now they are nil! I am never going to be a mother!" Tears welling in her eyes, she sank to the floor whispering repeatedly to herself, "I am never going to be a mother."

Jarvis just stood there stunned, he hadn't considered the consequences of his actions in offering to lend Adams the money, it had saved the man's life; but he had never seriously considered the possibility of having to leave Taplows. It had only been a spur of the moment decision to try and get Flora to stay when she was going to London and as for children! She was right this did make the idea of them leaving and having a family impossible. Slowly he lowered himself down next to her taking her sobbing form in his arms and rocked her gently.

"It'll be alright, we still have each other isn't that enough?"

"I know I know I'm being stupid and selfish and I'm old enough to know better. It's just that before us I had resigned myself to never being a wife or a mother I had made my choice but that didn't mean there weren't moments when I wished I'd made the other one. When we realised how we felt, it was like I'd been given a second chance to undo all those past mistakes and start again, and now because of Andrew Adams it's all been snatched away, I'll never be able to give you children and it feels like a part of me has just been ripped away."

Walter gently rubbed his hand up and back her back in an effort to sooth her, "come on Flora I'll take you to your room I understand this has been a shock for you but maybe a good night sleep will help?"

"I don't want to sleep! I just want to be held. Please Walter don't leave me."
Nodding Jarvis pulled her up off the floor and into his arms placing soft featherlike kisses on her forehead and down to her neck as they slowly walked upstairs to his room.

Meanwhile, Lizzie had helped a broken Adams to his room, amid much chattering from the other servants. He knew in his hazy mind that Jarvis was going to have very strong words with him later, so nothing new there. For the first time in his life he was actually feeling a little grateful to another human being, and this was a completely bizarre experience for him. Once they reach his room, Lizzie awkwardly helps her father onto his bed, and he lies back, sick and dizzy. She quietly sits on a chair a little distance away from him and there is a moment of difficult silence between them. In the end, with so many questions unanswered, Adams feels he should be first to speak
Adams: I am so very sorry you had to see me like this.

Lizzie hanging her head: I took that chance when I came to find you. Why did you tell the other girls I gossiped about them?

Adams: I'm so sorry, I wanted to get rid of you to save myself. I heard you talking to William and I panicked. Forgive me.
There is another moment of slience

Adams sitting up slowly, his whole body aching from running: How did you find out about me?

Lizzie began to explain the whole story – how her mother had had to leave service when she fell pregnant and Adams had run away, and they had to go and live with her strict uncle in the slums of Glasgow. Her uncle had been a ship builder and her mother had to work in the rough Glasgow bars, so when Lizzie was old enough she vowed to better herself by going into service in a Laird's castle in the Highlands. She proved to be a good, hard worker, and soon became restless. By now her mother's health was failing, and the money Lizzie was sending to her wasn't enough to pay for the health care she needed, so she had to get a better-paid job. Her mother had written to her telling her about her father, because she wanted Lizzie to know about him before she succumbed to her illness, and she soon became curious when the then outgoing butler, McKee, talked about an old friend of his of the same name who had recently left Glasgow to go to a house called Taplows in the West of England, seat of the Sturges Bourne family. It was then that she heard about the kitchen maid vacancy, and a few days and many hours of travel later she arrived. Adams sat nodding through her story.
Adams: And what of your mother now?

Lizzie: She is still very ill, and from her most recent letter not expected to live much longer. Will you not go to her?

Adams raising his hands in shock: No, Lizzie, I don't think that would be such a good idea. We hardly knew each other, and the last person she wants to see on her deathbed is me, and I certainly don't blame her. Time to let the past lie, I think. he hesitates, wanting to say something nice to her, but finding it difficult to form pleasant words into one whole sentence. This is also a new experience for him Lizzie….er….I just want to say….er…..

Lizzie looks at him expectantly, her bonnet tied firmly round her head and her hands twitching nervously

Adams managing to stand….I want to say that you're a fine looking young woman and I'm very proud to have you as my daughter.

Lizzie manages a smile, her eyes brightening. She doesn't so far as to say to him that she is proud of him as she is secretly disappointed her father seems to be little more than an arrogant drunk most of the time, but she hopes in time they can form some sort of relationship. That's if Jarvis didn't kick her out for keeping it secret. She knew she would have to face either him or Mrs Ryan later, but now it was late and time for bed. The next day could hardly be as eventful as this one, she was sure.

The next morning Jarvis was up and about early, after seeing Flora safely back to her room he turned his mind to the next and decidedly less enjoyable task of dealing with Andrew Adams. Deciding to take the bull by the horns and speak to him before he had a chance to encounter the other servants seemed like the best idea. So he knocked on Mr Adams door and surprisingly received a answer, opening the door he spotted Mr Adams fully dressed and shaved sitting at his desk writing in what seemed to be a journal. Once Adams spotted Jarvis he closed the journal and placed it away in a draw before standing.

"Sir." Adams nodded respectfully preferring to keep his eyes on the ground rather than look Mr Jarvis in the face.

"Mr Adams, I am delighted to see you up and ready for duty, and so we will dispense with raking over the more embarrassing events of yesterday. Instead I think it will be easier all round if I simply tell you what is expected. From now on you will be up and dressed by seven and we will meet before breakfast each morning at seven forty five to discuss the days programme and your duties. If at anytime during the day you are not sticking to this programme and pulling your weight except for any decent reason then I will be forced to assign you a chaperone." Jarvis paused to see how Adams was reacting to this so far, at the moment he had yet to gage any sort of one and so he continued.

"In addition to these restrictions I am adding one more. You will not be permitted to drink any alcohol whilst you're on Taplows grounds, hopefully this will put to an end your propensity to humiliate both yourself and our good name." Adams looked up at this but he did not argue with Mr Jarvis's command, simply nodded his agreement. "Good, If you would be so kind as to hand over to me now any stores of alcohol that you may have here, I'm sure the Earl will be delighted to have the rest of his whiskey back!"

Adams slowly moved to comply, bringing his remaining three full bottles out from under his bed and then thinking better of trying to trick Jarvis he walked to the wardrobe and removed is current half empty one.

"Thank you," said Jarvis grasping the remaining bottle, " I will see you in my office in half an hour."

But before he could leave Adams finally spoke, "Wait." Jarvis turned round his eyebrow raised and Adams continued, "it's about Lizzie."

"What about her?"

"Please don't sack her, it's not her fault she's got a worthless father, please do what ever you think is appropriate to me but don't make her suffer for my mistakes."

Jarvis almost smiled, "I have no intention of sacking Miss McDuff, last night she showed both courage and sensitivity, as for her parental relations that is her own concern and certainly nothing to do with me as long it does not interfere with her work here, do I make myself clear!" He said opening the door to leave.

"Yes Sir, thank you sir, for everything I mean." Said Adams finally relaxing and slumping down into his chair as Jarvis turned on his heel and left clutching the whiskey bottles.

A few hours later and the courtyard was in chaos all of the houses were leaving at the same time and all of the Taplows staff were gathered to see them off. Grace and Lizzie dashed round carriages and carts trying to find Mrs Ryan, they had up most of the night talking, mostly about Adams and what Mr Jarvis had done for him and had spent the time crocheting a new handkerchief for her. They hoped it wasn't too presumptuous but they had embodied a little heart in the corner with both her and Walter's initials.

They finally found the right carriage the rest of the staff were inside but no Mrs Ryan. It was Lizzie who spotted them around the corner and over by the Orangery and she pointed them out to Grace. They were walking arm in arm back to the courtyard, but very slowly as Mr Jarvis kept pulling her towards him and whispering things in her ear that made her laugh. Finally just before they would turn the corner and be seen by all he leant forward placing his hand under her chin and kissed her tenderly, then breaking the kiss and placing soft featherlike ones on both her forehead and her nose. Both girls sighed they were so romantic with each other, it was like they knew exactly how the other was feeling, but then they both had duck back round the corner before they were caught.

Mr Jarvis walked Mrs Ryan over to her carriage and helped her up, he stood there holding her hand as for as long as possible but when the groomsmen started the horses he was forced to let go. That's when they saw their chance Lizzie and Grace dashed forward forcing their present in to Flora's hands just as the carriage pulled away. Surprised all Flora could do was wave back at them as her carriage pulled out of the courtyard and back onto the road.

Jarvis almost skipped back into the house – it was the happiest the staff had ever seen him, not that he would usually give much away anyway. He energetically begins calling out orders to the footmen to get themselves ready because Taplows is expecting a visit from Lord and Lady Fiffington-Piffles that evening at the Earl's invitation. Mrs Stanwick has eventually emerged from her room, avoiding Flora's departure and avoiding both Jarvis and Adams if she possibly could. She had succeeded, until now

Adams approaching her, his smugness returning: Good morning, Mrs Stanwick! leans in towards her and whispers Fancy another fumble?

She backs away, turning on her heels with a loud 'hurumph' and marches off, her skirts rustling and flying about. Adams chuckles to himself, until Jarvis comes up behind him and claps him on the shoulder

J: Mr Adams! Have you forgotten you are still helping Mr Kraus for the rest of the month?

Adams a little perplexed: I thought I was just making my OWN food, sir.

J realising that he could pretty much order Adams to polish his shoes for him if he wanted: Oh, I thought you two get on so well I would let you work together for every meal.

Adams: EVERY meal? Sir?

J striding away: Every meal, Mr Adams! And remember, I'm watching your every move, and if you like we can organise a detailed timetable for you!

Through gritted teeth, Adams remembers his appreciation and heads in the direction of the kitchen. He was greeted far more warmly by Kraus than he expected

Kraus cutting up an apple and eating it: Ah Mr Adams! Eventually you arrive. I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Adams clasps his hands in front of him, frowning at Kraus' grinning face

Kraus: I don't believe you put the mouse in the food.

Adams: Well, that's big of you.

Kraus waving his knife around: I have thought over carefully what you said yesterday, and you do not seem like the practical joker to Kraus, so I think that we need to catch whoever played those mean tricks on us.

Adams still a little wary: And how do you expect to do that? We've no idea who it was.

Kraus tapping his nose and winking: I have, Mr Adams, an idea for a trap. We will need to be vigilant, but I believe it can work!

Lunch time for the lower staff, and Will is explaining to a completely uninterested Charlotte the virtues of strong calves in a footman when Adams storms into the room followed by a furious-looking Kraus

Kraus brandishing a meat tenderiser: You idiot! I told you to NOT to take the soufflé out of the oven before it has finished baking, and what do you do, eh! EH! Now it looks has sunk in the middle and I cannot – REPEAT CANNOT – give it to Lord and Lady Fiffington-Piffles this evening!

Grace had been talking up Lord Aberdeen's chances of becoming Prime Minister the following year now that, she said, the great liberaliser Lord Russell appeared to be on his way out, when she was stopped in her tracks by the cafuffle behind her.

Adams hands on hips: I thought you said to OPEN the oven, not to NOT open the oven!

Kraus right in Adams' face: You've gone too far this time!

Adams: Why what are you going to do, tenderise me to death!

Kraus: Just give me an excuse, you Scottish……

Adams raising eyebrows: Oh so you've got a problem with Scots now, have you! Well why don't you go back to your own country – I mean, what sort of place calls itself Prussia anyway? Russia with a 'P', what's all that one about, eh! Can't it think up its own name without nicking someone else's?

Kraus trying to thump Adams but missing: Ooh, you're asking for another chicken under the bed, you are!

Charlotte whispering urgently to Susan: Go and get Mr Jarvis!

Adams still making almost violent eye-contact with Kraus: No need, Miss Lewis! I'm done here, I've got my duties to attend to! he walks out of the hall, his fists clenched, then smiles to himself as he turns the corner

Kraus shouting after him: And I suggest Mr Adams you stay away from my kitchen for a while or I may do something with a ham boiler and a larding needle I may regret!

Kraus follows him out, and catches up with him as far away as he safely could

Kraus laughing and waving the tenderiser: Ha, ha! Now we will see! Although it is worrying how easily we can pretend to argue, don't you agree Mr Adams?

Adams raising a smile: Yes, indeed Mr Kraus, but don't think because of this I actually do like you.

Kraus brushing his comments aside: So, so, Mr Adams, I completely despise you too, our mutual distaste is taken for granted. Now, do you know how to use a fish kettle?

Cut to Jarvis in his office. His buoyant mood has subsided somewhat on the receipt of another letter from his mother saying that his father is now too ill to get out of bed. Fearing his second funeral in as many months may be sooner than he had anticipated, he becomes rather melancholy and cannot resist the urge for a cigar before facing the Earl to discuss the overnight stay of the dreaded Fiffington-Piffles brigade.

Gosh are they repulsive, he muses, remembering their last stay when the Earl's dogs Monty and Barnaby had tried to mate with Lord Fiffington-Piffles' leg and had urinated over Lady Fiffington-Piffles' priceless diamond bracelet. She had kicked up such an almighty fuss that she had to be sedated and 'nursed back to health' over weeks while Lord Fiffington-Piffles went off with some lady of the night for a bit of 'whip-and-tickle-my-fancy' or some such nonsense. It beggars belief why the Earl would want them to stay again. Word was he had a great liking for the Lady, although words weren't needed when Jarvis could observe him pinching her bottom and her laughing 'oh you are naughty, saucy boy!'

They were stinking rich beyond anyone's wildest dreams through Lord Smarty-Arse's dablings in the African diamond trade, and they abhorred the Liberals and everything they stood for. He had decided to stand for Parliament as a Tory at the next election, only the Good Lord knows why, when he didn't have two political brain cells to rub together. It seemed madness to Jarvis that all you needed was money and it could get you power, no matter how completely dim you were. Pulling himself out of his chair with a huge sigh, Jarvis moves towards the door. How he hates being a butler sometimes.

An hour later Jarvis sank back into his chair, it was worse than he thought he was going to have to tell the rest of senior staff and quickly. It was an understatement to say that they are not going to be happy about this. Spotting Johnny in the hall he tells him to fetch Mr Adams, Mr Kraus and Mrs Stanwick to his office for an emergency staff meeting.

A few minutes later they arrived and had Mr Jarvis not been so preoccupied with his own bad news he might have noticed something very interesting. For once Mrs Stanwick was making no attempts to flirt with either himself or Felix, in fact she seemed to determined to stand as far away from the men as possible. Felix and Mr Adams seemed almost to be getting on in fact they were almost whispering and gossiping like schoolboys, some of which seemed to be about Mrs Stanwick as Adams made exaggerated gestures with his hands and Felix struggled to stifle a giggle. This only made her inch further away from them so by the time Jarvis got to his feet to address them she was practically out the door.

"Please come in properly Mrs Stanwick and close the door."

"Must we Mr Jarvis it is rather hot and stuffy in here, probably from all the all the hot air being expounded." This comment was obviously directed at the two giggling co-conspirators on the other side of the room, both of whom raised eyebrows and "Oooohed" at her mockingly.

Jarvis shook his head surely it was his job to be Butler not schoolmaster! Before you know it she'd be bursting into tears and running out the room because one of the boys were writing nasty things about her on their slate Jarvis thought. This is so not what I need during this visit.

"If we can all remember that we are supposed to be responsible adults and that we have job to do. As I'm sure you are aware we are having guests overnight, Lord and Lady Fiffington-Piffles. However there has been a change of plan and in addition to these two guests and their ladies maid and butler, we will also have the delight of dealing with the children.

"Oh No! Mr Jarvis No, you cannot be serious, that is it I resign! I told you the last time that there were something's in the world that men should not have to deal with, I am an artist, a professional and ….."

"Felix please!"

Mr Adams and Mrs Stanwick looked at both Mr Jarvis and then Chef, they must be missing something here.

"What is so terrible about a few children?" Asked Mrs Stanwick cautiously.

That was like a red flag to a bull and this time even Mr Jarvis was unable to restrain the Chef.
"Oh they would be fine if they were just children, but there not they're demons, they think I do not see but Felix Kraus is not so easily deceived. They look so sweet and innocent but those nightmares they have the nerve to call children should have been strangled at birth."

"Felix!" Jarvis tried to butt in.

"No you will not silence me, Mr Jarvis! Do you know what they did? They came into my kitchen, my kitchen and selecting my favourite sauté pan, the one I brought with me from Prussia, the one I was given when I graduated from the five year tutorship under Fredericko Patzi and they, they used it to make mud pies in the garden!" Felix collapsed into a spare chair obviously distraught, "and do you know what the parents of those little monsters said, that it was my fault that it was only pot and how much would it cost to get a new one! As if money could ever replace such a thing."

"Well I'm sure I can deal with them." Replied Mrs Stanwick confidently.

"Really?" Asked Felix. "You haven't heard what they did to Mrs Ryan's office then have you? They went through emptying all her draws into one big pile, then they found the bandages and decided that wouldn't it be funny to practise mummifying someone. It took us four hours to cut Johnny out of those bandages!"

"That's enough Felix!" Said Jarvis firmly, thumping his fist down emphatically on the desk. "None of us are looking forward to it, but we have no choice and the only way we will survive is to band together. Now the Fiffington-Piffles will be arriving this afternoon and we will all be there to greet them is that understood?"
All three nodded there heads despondently as if they had all just agreed to their own execution. "Good dismissed!"

Once they had left Jarvis pulled out a sheet of paper and started to write to his mother, but he scrunched the letter up before he had done more than a few lines, he just didn't know what to say. It had been years since he had seen his parents they lived in a different world to him, true he had done his best by them, even though he and his father hadn't seen exactly eye-to-eye. When his father had started to decline and they had been unable to farm their land he had managed the sale, ensuring they had enough money to live off comfortably for the rest of their days. He had even given them a roof over their heads and his mother had often written to him how happy they were in Eastbourne. He just needed someone to talk to about this, and for about the hundredth time that day he lamented Flora's being in London. Then inspiration struck maybe he couldn't tell her in person but he could write her a letter and in doing so he may be able to sort out in his own mind what to do.

My Darling Flora,

You've only been gone a few hours but already it feels like a lifetime. I hope things are more peaceful in London then they are here? At the moment we are preparing for another visit from the Fiffington-Piffles, children included, as you can imagine Felix has already started his hysterics and without your calming influence I feel that the next few days may well push him over the edge. There is also a tense atmosphere between Mr Adams and Mrs Stanwick, I don't suppose you have any ideas as to what is the cause?

On top of this I received another letter from my mother, apparently my father is much worse and they do not expect him to outlast the month. My mother writes to beg me come to visit before it is too late, but I confess it is not a task I relish. As you know my father and I have been at odds for years and have barely spoken. I don't think he has ever forgiven me for not returning home to work on the farm after my elder brothers death. I confess nor have I made much of an effort and it seems hypocritical to visit now. I wish that you were here to talk this decision over with; I only hope that your work in London will be soon completed and you can return home before the place collapses around me. You are always in my thoughts,

Yours devotedly,
Walter.

Lunchtime: Will, George and Fred had just sat down, across the table from Lizzie and Grace. Jarvis walks onto the balcony

Grace: Why has Jarvis come in here?

Fred: Why should we know?
Jarvis walks to the centre, and all the servants look at him

Jarvis: I have come to tell you that the Earl has visitors coming this afternoon. They will be staying overnight. I don't know how many of you ill remember the Fiffington-Piffles from they're last stay, but they are rather demanding guests, and no matter what they do, I would like you on your best behaviours. Oh, and they are bringing they're children. Now, you may carry on with your lunches. Jarvis walks out

Will half laughing: Memorable?

George: What? Are they very demanding?

Fred: I wouldn't call it that.

Lizzie: Why?

Grace: Well, last time they came it was a disaster, especially the kids.

George: What's so wrong about children?

Will: They're not children, they're demons.

Fred: Last time they came, they mummified Johnny, it took them 4 hours to get him out.

Lizzie: 4 hours?

Grace: And they completely ransacked Mrs Ryan's office.

Will: As long as wreaking one of Kraus' saucepans, burning two of his meals, and bursts into laughter

Lizzie: WHAT?

Grace despondently: They always wet the bed.

George: Why do sad, Grace.

Grace: I was the only nursemaid, so I ended up spending most of those nights, cleaning up after them.
Fred and Will are laughing

Grace with one of her famous pouts: It wasn't funny. It was damn right annoying, you wouldn't have done it. Especially when you ended up having to sleep in the room next to them. And get woken up by -

Will still laughing: the oldest two sleep walking.
Fred, Will and now George are laughing so much they up turn they're seats.

Lizzie: I bet it wasn't funny for Grace, getting woken up in the middle of the night, was it?

Grace: It was awful. I thought they were ghosts when I woke up, frightened the living daylights out of me.

George, Will and Fred have managed to pick they're seats up now, and sit back down on them. They seem to have stopped laughing, although they're mouths keep twitching

Lizzie: Oh, ignore them. I bet they wouldn't have liked it being there either. You finished your lunch. Grace nods Good, then lets go and organise everything for when those brats come.
They gets up and walk to the door, finding Cat coming down the corridor

Cat: Ah, Grace, just the person I wanted to see. As you know, the Fiffington-Piffles are bringing they're children with them. As we do not have a resident nanny on the staff, I was wondering if you would do that for today, tonight and tomorrow. You will have to sleep in the room by the nursery, but it is for one night only, and you are the only person who has experience with these kids. Grace looks unsure. You will, of course, be recompensed for your time, 48 hours worth of nanny's salary, which I understand is higher then your own. I'm sure some money wouldn't go a miss to a girl like you.

Grace even more despondently than she was in the servants hall: Well, I'm sure one night wouldn't be too much of a problem very unsure of what she was saying

Cat: Thank you, I will inform Mr Jarvis. She walks down the corridor

Lizzie: Why do you think she did that?

Grace: Passing the buck onto me. If I'm in charge, then I'm the one who gets blamed if anything goes wrong, not her.

Lizzie: Well, we'll just have to wait and see what happens when those kids arrive then.

They were late. Very late in fact. Something to do with an overturned carriage on the main road in, according to Johnny who had ridden out to find them. Everyone was so dumbstruck that Johnny had spoken for the first time in about six months that they momentarily forgot the hell that awaited them, but after another half an hour of waiting they were once again getting increasingly fed up and agitated.

Will and George, Fred and Joseph have now been standing in their positions for nearly two hours, and in the warmth of the day were beginning to feel a little faint. Meanwhile Jarvis is pacing up and down the hallway and checking every five minutes that everything is in order for the arrivals, while Mrs S fusses over the lay-out of the dining room. The Earl had told both of them that it is very important to impress the Fiffington-Piffles this time as Lord F-P's influence is growing in both Parliamentary and business circles, and the Earl wants to be his new best friend. Money is to be made and invested, he said, in the diamond business and in the building of the Empire, especially the East India Company, and he would very much like Lord F-P to act on his behalf. Jarvis had, of course, said 'very good, sir', but had really been thinking that what the Earl had meant was that the servants had better do their damnest to impress these appalling people and put up with their every complaint, whim and condescending remark so he can get his foot in the door. Great.

Will To George in hushed whisper, but still looking straight ahead: I'm starving, mate! We've been here since the beginning of time, I'm sure.

George looking unimpressed and tugging at his wig: Tell me about it, I'm boiling and busting for a…..

J loudly, stopping in front of George: That's enough, gentlemen! I'm sure you won't have to wait too much longer.

Just then they hear the clattering of hooves coming up the drive. Joseph and Fred stop slouching and jump to attention, chins held high, while Will and George smartly exited the front door as the two carriages pull up noisily, one behind the other. Will opens the door of the first carriage, dreading the occupants' first words

Lady F-P In such a far-back accent that is almost impossible to understand as she hikes up her skirts and takes Will firmly by the hand, stepping out: Oh, I remember this pokey little place now darling, and those absolutely beastly animals of his – and they were just the servants, isn't that right, darling! She lets out a piercing laugh right in Will's face, who blinks, resisting a frown I do love my own little jokes!

Lord F-P steps out of the carriage behind her, swinging his cane at his side, as she shields her delicate eyes from the nasty sun.

Lord F-P: Yes, dear, I love your little jokes too. Kisses her on the forehead, Will sucking his cheeks in to prevent laughter

They all turn on hearing shouting coming from the second carriage to see George holding his hand and wincing in pain, as three children, aged between 7 and 10, run up to their parents

Lady F-P looking rather uninterested in the high-pitched shouting of her children: What is it now, Rupert, Crispin and Perpetua?

Rupert a rather fat child who is bawling at his mother: That horrible footman hit me!

Lady F-P looking condescendingly at George: Yes, well if I remember rightly the servants here are unruly to say the least. Now get inside all three of you.

The children run up the stairs, shoving and pushing each other, without their parents even noticing their behaviour. George walks up to Will, waving his hand in front of him

George in low voice: The little bd bit me! And I didn't even touch him!

Jarvis is there to greet them as the Lord and Lady enter, but they barely see him, and don't even bother to return his greeting. Instead they treat him as a hat and shawl stand, Lord F-P shoving his top hat and cane at Jarvis and Lady F-P holding her shawl out for him to take without even a cursory glance in his direction

Lady F-P Loudly to her husband: Well where is the old duffer? Probably drinking or reading those appalling magazines he brought back from Italy. Those Italians really are the most disagreeable bunch.

The children rush past, falling over and grabbing at the ornaments and flowers decorating the hallway. Jarvis winces but as it isn't his place to stop them can only pray nothing gets damaged. At least Adams has finally appeared, so he passes over the items in his grasp, hissing at him to find Grace.

J To the Lord and Lady: M'Lord, M'Lady, if you would like to follow me…….

Lord F-P: Hurry it up, man, we haven't got all day!

Lady F-P smiling and giggling: Oh darling, you KNOW we've got all day, we can afford to do absolutely nothing, it's these wretches that most certainly haven't got all day, unless they don't want paying of course! She laughs irritatingly again, glancing at Will and George who have resumed their places. They pass Fred and Joseph, and she stops

Lady F-P looking them up and down: Oh how awfully quaint! Where DID he find these two! They match perfectly!

Jarvis indicating to her to follow: M'Lady?

Once they have been greeted by the Earl, who has been sobered up as much as possible by Gwen, Jarvis tells them that dinner will be served straight after drinks, then exits. Once he has closed the door, his expression turns thunderous as he marches off back to 'where he belongs', as the Lady put it so delicately. What a nightmare.

Downstairs in the kitchen, all hell is breaking loose. Kraus has lost his new little helper, Adams, as he has other duties now the guests have arrived, and one of his kitchen maids is down with mild 'flu

Kraus who had spoken to Jarvis earlier, in the most indignant tone: I cannot have a girl sneezing and coughing all over my lamb cutlets, and breathing into my carrot soup, Mr Jarvis!

So that had been that. Unfortunately the 'argument' with Adams had been rather a prophecy, as the soufflé had indeed imploded in the middle, and the ice sculpture had to be abandoned as it hadn't been kept cold enough and had half melted. This had caused Kraus' flamboyant temper to erupt and every minor problem is now a 'disaster' or a 'complete mess'. Mrs Stanwick's attempts to calm him only made matters worse as meal time approaches. Will, George, Fred and Joseph have gone downstairs to grab some food before being required again

Will in mock high-pitched voice, as they shovel in stew made by Kraus is about 5 minutes without the care and attention it really required: 'We can afford to do nothing, we're so damn special, oh what a terribly tiny house this is compared to ours, dear'. Lady Fiffington-she-can-kiss-my-arse-Piffles!

Fred Also mimicking, is expression one of disgust: 'Oh how quaint, they match.'

Enter Jarvis, looking like he was in no mood to be crossed tonight

J To the footmen before storming away again: Eat up, you're needed.

The four of them sigh and tut dramatically, eating as fast as they can before leaping up and hurrying out, fixing their wigs on

George To Will: Remind me why I wanted to be a footman again.

Will mockingly: Nah, mate, don't think of it like that. giving him a playful nudge You could end up just like Jarvis one day!

George: What, shacked up with the housekeeper and facing the full wrath of the Earl when his bath's too hot? Great.

Will: Yes, but if that housekeeper is Grace…..

George dismissively: Yeah, yeah, mate, whatever. Anyway, I bet I make it to butler before you do, I reckon I've more charisma, and anyway I've picked up this whole footman lark quickly.

Will confused: I thought you started the same time as me, in your old house.

George, realising his blunder, nods emphatically

George struggling: Yes, I know, but…..

Jarvis appearing in front of them: Hurry up! They're waiting!

Lord and Lady F-P are seated around the dining table with the Earl. George and Will serve the food silently as it is brought in, trying not to glance at each other for fear of the other pulling an amusing expression when the gentry aren't looking. Jarvis serves the wine, then stands back, expressionless, observing everything and everyone in the room.

Lord F-P To the Earl: So, I see you've got a new housekeeper, man. What happened to that damned attractive one you used to have? She was a cracker! I certainly wouldn't have objected to having her in my house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! He then gafaws loudly, splashing his wine over the tablecloth

Lady F-P reaching out and playfully tapping her husband on his arm: Oh Freddie, you are awful!

J tries not to flinch and to suppress his rising anger as the Earl explained Mrs R's whereabouts. Will and George, who have resumed their places by the door as the guests begin to eat, both glance in Jarvis' direction to see the silent fury on his face. It didn't really matter, though – the Lord and Lady were not likely to look at him in the near future, unless one of the dogs found its way in and began urinating on the table. Lord F-P turns his attention to talking a little about politics, but his knowledge of the subject is so limited he had no idea that Palmerston had defected from the Tories years before, and is beginning to cause trouble for the PM, and Jarvis is surprised that he even knows who the Chancellor is.

Lord F-P chewing noisily: D'you know, I've so much wealth I don't know what to do with it all. Isn't that positively criminal? I don't believe in paying my servants more, though, who knows WHAT they would do with it, as I'm sure they can't be trusted.

Lady F-P begins to titter loudly, causing Will to jump

Lord F-P continuing: Oh I know the old saying, pay peanuts and get monkeys, but we give them a free roof over the heads, so they should be grateful and stop all this workers rights nonsense.

Lady F-P: Yes, dear, it certainly is nonsense. They're hardly worth the beds we give them most of the time, let alone the hot meals and the free clothes. Give them half the chance they would take over the place – talk about revolting!

She begins to laugh again, almost nervously, at her own pun. She fails to see Jarvis rolling his eyes, as Lady Caroline attempts to distract Will in a playful game of waving-and-winking-at- the-rather-adorable-footman

Will in very low whisper to George, hardly moving his lips: Hey, mate, I thought that one was yours!

After dinner, the gentlemen retreat to the library to (try to) discuss politics further, and Jarvis knows the Earl doesn't want them disturbed so he can broach the subject of the East India Company with the Lord. He pours the brandy, hands out cigars and exits, retreating moodily to his office for his own well-deserved smoke and to fume over the Fiffington-Piffles' insults towards the servants and Flora especially. He hasn't even given a second thought to Grace and the children……

Meanwhile upstairs Grace has her hands full, literally. If things had been bad the last time they had visited now things were much worse! All she had been trying to do was get the children bathed before bedtime. At first everything had seemed to be going alright. The only girl Perpetua, a rather mousey ugly child had insisted on going first, but it was sometime before Grace could get her into the bath, first it was too hot then it was too cold, so Grace had send Susan off some more hot water. Then just as the temperature was perfect the little darling refused to get in until someone could find her bubble bath, and not just any bubble bath but the nice scented stuff that her mummy had brought her back from Paris. Finally after what seemed like forever Perpetua was bathed and dried, her matted locks combed through and tied up so tomorrow she'd have curls.

However the two boys Rupert and Crispin had decided that instead of bathing them, Grace herself could do with a wash. Between them they managed to upturn the bath onto Grace, fortunately as it had taken her half an hour to prise them out from under their beds it was only full of luke-warm water and so she was saved from scolding. So Grace was forced to forgo their bath and settled for scouring them head to toe with a hot wet flannel.
Bath time over she now faced the challenge of getting the little angels to go to sleep.

"So do you want a bed time story?"

"Yeah" Shouted Crispin jumping up and down on his bed, "one with lots of fighting and blood and pirates." He said waving an imaginary sword around in the air.
Perpetua who sat cowering in her bed her sheets drawn up over her head shrieked in terror, as if the nasty pirates could come and get her, even out of a story.

Rupert who was the eldest simply glared down his nose at Grace as if she were a maggot. "I don't suppose you know any good bed time stories, you probably can't even read! I now why lets play a game instead?"

"You're supposed to be going to bed!" Said Grace exasperated.

"But I'm not tired, I'm eleven I don't have to go to bed this early besides you can't tell me what to do." And with that he climbed off of his bed, and signalling to his siblings he ran towards the door. "I know what we can play, hide and seek, and you," he said pointing to Grace, "can be it!" And with that the three children darted out into the corridor, reaching the grand staircase they split up and headed off in different directions. Grace stood for a moment before deciding to head back to the servants hall, if she was going to catch them before they were found or got completely lost she was going to need some help.

Ten minutes later Grace had managed to find, Lizzie, Susan and Charlotte and it taken some persuading to get them to come and help her search. They were systematically working their way from one end of the house to the other meeting in the middle. The plan was when they found each child, one of the maids was to accompany them back to the nursery and sit with them until all three were back and then they were Grace's responsibility again!
Suddenly they heard a loud noise down the west corridor and Grace and Lizzie dashed off in pursuit. When the rounded the corner they found Crispin trapped by one of the suits of armour he had obviously been meddling with, either trying to hide behind or as Grace suspected because of his sword fetish had actually been trying to relieve the suit of the large ornamental sword that had hung in the scabbard but which now pinned a terrified Crispin to the floor by his night gown. Between the two of them Grace and Lizzie were able to free the boy and he was quite willing to accompany Lizzie back to the nursery.

This left Grace on her own and since Lizzie had taken their candle she was wandering about in the dark. Edging along the long gallery, she darted silently anxious not to be caught in this part of the house alone and late at night without a decent excuse, well without an excuse she could use if she didn't want to get the sack, she could just imagine that Stanwick woman's reaction if she had to admit she lost the children.

Slowly as she approached the music room she heard giggling, determined not to give them the chance to slip away she crept towards he door and peered through the keyhole. What she saw almost made her yelp with astonishment. Lady Caroline was sitting at the piano but she was not playing it, instead next to her sat Will who it appeared she was pretending to teach to play the instrument. However Grace noticed his hands had a propensity to move anywhere but the keyboard and mostly on her ladyship's instruction. Grace strained hard to try and make out what they were whispering but no avail. Well the children were certainly not in there, but now she had some interesting gossip to spread but that would wait until after she had finished rounding up the little monsters.

Lady C and Will are sat at the piano in the music room, unaware that Grace has seen them.

Lady C: Tell me again, which one is middle C! (she said with an exaggerated look of confusion on her face)

Will: Well, its one of the white ones, and its smack bang in the middle, the first one I showed you.

Lady C: Oh do show me again (she cooed, raising her arm, extending her index finger in expectance of Will taking her hand, which he did, placing it on the correct key)

Will: See, there we go!

Lady C: (detecting a slightly patronising tone in Wills voice) Mr Forest, you don't need to humour me! (giving a less than amused expression)

Will: (sensing that she had taken it the wrong way) Oh, oh no miss, i , i... (this was a strange occurrence for the normally talkative Will who, Mr. Adams had noted on many occasion, seemed to have an answer for everything - but not this time)

Lady C relaxed her expression which then turned into a smile. "Don't worry, I'm not being serious!" Giggling away, pushing Will's left arm flirtatiously, who took a deep breath and nervously smiled back at her. "Oh, your such a card, do play me a tune"

So far, Will had been fobbing her off with a one-handed rendition of Three Blind Mice, which was about the extent to his skills as a pianist. Thankfully he'd also picked up a little of 'Ring a Ring a Rosies', but only the first few opening chords.

Mercifully for Will, Lady C continued: "I had no idea servant-folk could be so accomplished" She stood up and began walking around the room.
Now Will could have taken offence at this remark, but then again he didn't really expect any different from the Earl's little princess. Instead, his thoughts were more along the thread of assuming she'd know a little more than the average rich girl after her encounter with George, though he had no intention of bringing that up yet.

Will stopped playing (partly because he didn't know anymore) and turned around to face her. She continued "Mother always said I should have persisted with the harp, but I found it tedious". She let out a little sigh and looked away. Will assumed it was at the memory of her mother, Lady Lydia, who passed away soon after Will arrived at Taplows.
Feeling a little uneasy, Will began to rise out of his seat, after all Mr. Adams would be on the warpath if Will stayed much longer. Indeed, after HIS latest shenanigans, Andrew Adams was applying his own little clamp down which, Will assumed (quite rightly), was in order to score brownie-points with Mr Jarvis.

Just at that moment however, Lady C began again: "I always much preferred learning to ride, daddy was such a great horseman"

Will: (thinking he was helping) "Well, he still is, only the other day he was galloping around as if he were 20 years younger. Poor Gwen appeared under strain to keep up with him".

Lady C: "POOR Gwen , oh she won't be one day if she gets her way!"

Will was startled at the change in her voice and the way she had swung round at the mention of her father's 'lady-friend's' name. He knew he'd unearthed something, so quickly tried to amend it. "Your ladyship, I'm sorry if I, I, mean I had no intention of ..."

Seeing he was struggling and realising she may have said too much already, Lady C flipped back into her sweetness and light character. "No, please don't be, that woman is of no consequence to anything. Um... (hesitating) I think I'd like to retire now" (desperately trying to draw a close to proceedings) "Its pretty late" (indicating to the clock on the mantle piece)

Respecting her wishes, Will replied "Of course, I'm sorry to have kept you so long"

Lady C: "No, no, please don't be sorry." (sheepishly) "Could I see you tomorrow?"

Will: "Well, I'm not sure, things are pretty hectic..."

Lady C:" please"

Will, never having said no to a Lady in distress, replied "I'll do my best".
With that Lady C walked out of the main door to the music room, whilst Will left via the side door which was nearest to a downstairs corridor