Thank you all!
Chapter 41
Spring 1971
It had been an exceptionally challenging week. Anna was belligerent and confused. Not once, all week, had she remembered who any of them were, not even Mary. Maebh was wonderful with her, able to calm her down and help her feel safe. But it was tearing Mary apart. All she could think was: this is it; I've lost her.
Unable to hold back the heartache anymore, Mary broke down at her vanity. She had sat down and her memories went back to when she and Anna were simply a lady and her maid. She remembered watching Anna through the mirror and their laughter. Then the other memories flooded her, all of the beautiful moments the two of them had shared together in this room.
Her shoulders shook with each sob. Oh, how she missed Anna.
The door creaked and Mary jumped, trying to quickly wipe away the tears. She didn't like to show weakness. Her eyes glanced up to find Anna in the doorway. Her brows were furrowed.
"Why…where is Maebh?" Mary asked, but not really to Anna.
"Mary?" Anna walked to her, her eyes set on Mary's sad features. Her lips curled downwards and as she reached Mary, her hand rested on Mary's cheek.
"Yes, darling," Mary breathed. She remembered her. Mary placed her hand over Anna's. "Yes, it's me, Mary."
"Why are you crying, my love? Come here."
Anna tugged at Mary's hand and led her to the bed. The two sat at the edge and Anna covered Mary's shoulders with her arms, drawing her close. Her hand brushed through Mary's thinning hair.
"Shh, my love, let it all out. I'm here; I'm here." At Anna's words, Mary only began to cry more. She held onto Anna tightly, not knowing if this was the last time Anna would remember her. But she would hold onto it as long as it lasted.
1920s Downton Abbey
They had been in the middle of an intimate moment when Mary felt the lump within Anna's walls. Her fingers had brushed over it twice, not sure what she was feeling. Anna grimaced and Mary quickly pulled them away.
"Darling," Mary breathed. "Did that hurt? Are you in pain?"
Anna nodded. "I was. What…"
"Now don't panic," Mary said, though she was panicking. "But I felt something, Anna. I felt…a lump."
Anna gasped and her eyes grew wide with terror, "A lump?"
"Yes," Mary carefully told her. Her hand rested on Anna's bare back and she rubbed it with her hand. "Have you noticed any pain recently?"
Anna's head just shook. Tears had begun to build within her eyes.
"Why don't we go to Dr. Ryder, let him have a look."
"Dr. Ryder? In London? Shouldn't I just ring for Dr. Clarkson in the morning?"
"No, Dr. Ryder is specialized in this specific subject. I would rather he take a look at you, though I'm sure it's nothing." She was lying. She wasn't sure. All she could think about was cancer. What if Anna had cancer? Her stomach did a flip, but she managed to keep herself calm and collected for Anna.
Mary climbed off the bed and slipped her robe over her shoulders, before picking up Anna's dress off the floor. She assisted Anna in placing it back on. Anna was shaking. Tears had begun to stream down her cheeks.
"Oh my god," Anna cried. "What if it's cancer…or what if….what if he…what if he gave me some disease and now I've probably given it to you!" Anna was frantic. And Mary frowned. After all this time, that man was still not leaving Anna's mind alone.
"It's been nearly four years, darling," Mary soothed. "I doubt it's that. It's likely nothing," she said again. "But we're going up to London. I'll ring Dr. Ryder. There'll be a night telephone line."
"Tonight?" Anna cried. "We've missed the last train and the…the children!"
"Shh," Mary soothed, rubbing her hands on Anna's shoulders in an attempt to soothe her. "We'll drive into York. There may be a late train. And the children will be fine. They have Nanny. I will make him see you when we get there. I don't care what time it is. He'll come to Bellgrave Square. Now, go, and meet me at the front."
Anna's lower lip was quivering. Mary stepped closer to her, brushing her lips against Anna's.
"It will be alright," she promised. "It will be alright."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Mary quickly changed into her clothes and packed her a bag for a couple of nights. She stepped outside and was surprised to see Sybil walking down the hallway this late in the evening. But then Mary remembered she and Tom had been over for dinner. Sometimes after Tom took the girls home, Sybil would stay behind to talk with their parents.
"Where are you going?" Sybil asked, seeing the suitcase in Mary's hands.
"To London," Mary answered, breathless.
"Whatever has happened?"
"You can't say anything, but it's Anna. There…well, there is a lump and I'm worried," Mary took in a deep breath. She couldn't say it out loud, not right now. It was important she kept her calm. "I have a doctor in London who specializes in these types of medical emergencies. I am taking her to see him."
"But how will you get there? You missed the last train?"
"We'll go to York," Mary said simply.
"I'll get Tom to drive you," Sybil offered up her husband. "And I will keep watch over the children. I will take them out every day."
"You're a doll," Mary told her sister sincerely. "Thank you."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Mary had gotten permission from her aunt to stay at Bellgrave Square. She decided that would be much easier than trying to find a hotel and would allow Anna more privacy. Anna sat in the front of the car and Mary ached to be beside her. Though being alone in the backseat did allow her to sit in her fears. She wanted to reach up and touch Anna's shoulder, give her a loving squeeze, let her know she was there, but she had to sit back. Tom didn't know the truth of them and she had no plans of letting him find out.
When they reached the station, they were fortunate to make the last train of the night. Mary purchased them both first class tickets and was glad to be next to Anna. But Anna didn't talk. She was an anxious mess, her hands tight in her lap.
"Darling," Mary said, just below a whisper.
"It's him," Anna murmured, shaking her head. "I just know it's him."
Mary frowned. How often was that snake invading Anna's mind and why didn't she know about it? Instead of asking, she placed her hand against Anna's arm, trying to be discreet. She wanted to hold her tightly, kiss her cheeks, and promise her that the snake was long gone, but she couldn't. They were not alone in the car. There was an older woman sitting across from them.
Reaching London, they had a car waiting for them. And then Dr. Ryder was already waiting for them at Bellgrave Square. Per Mary's request, Anna was given one of the guest rooms and then Mary had to wait.
She sat anxiously on the settee for what felt like hours, watching as the sun rose through the windows. All she could think was what she would do if it was bad news. Her heart ached and she needed to know how Anna was.
Finally, Dr. Ryder entered the sitting room and Mary stood.
"How is she?"
"Resting," Dr. Ryder answered. "Sleeping by now, I hope. I gave her a sedative to help with the nerves. She is still a bit…reluctant when it comes to being examined." Mary's hand clasped over her chest. She should have been insistent about being in there with Anna.
"What was it? Will…is she alright?"
"There was a large cyst that I needed to drain. We will take the results in for testing. Generally these are benign. However, we will test to make sure that it was not cancerous."
"And how soon can we find that out? I am willing to pay anything," Mary anxiously said.
"By this evening," he replied. Mary brought her hands up to her lips. "Have her rest, we don't want to risk infection. I suggest you wait to return back home."
"We could go back on Friday," Mary told him. She would call and check on the children, speak with Sybil to let them know when they would be back.
"Good. Make her rest for a while when you return. She's married?" He questioned.
"Yes," Mary lied. How else could they explain the way the lump had been found?
"Tell her to abstain for a few weeks until she fully heals. And don't fret too much, as I said, these are generally benign. She will likely be fine."
"And you'll let me know by this evening?"
"I will," he promised.
"I'm so grateful for you coming here at dawn and getting these results to us so quickly."
"Don't worry. It will be reflected in my bill."
"Of course."
Mary bid goodbye to the doctor and then she sunk herself back down on the settee. She should go to sleep now. She hadn't slept all night. However, she was full off too much adrenaline and worry. She wasn't sure she would be able to sleep until she knew if Anna really was alright.
But she couldn't go upstairs and bother Anna. Anna needed her sleep. Her hands flew to her face and she let out a long exhale. What would she do to fill her time?
That was when she remembered that she had Henry's number in her purse. Perhaps, he could meet her for brunch and help take her mind off of her worries for a little bit.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
They met a small café near Piccadilly Square. Henry had immediately offered to pick her up, but Mary told him that she could meet him there. She changed into the only other dress she had brought with her and hoped she didn't look too disheveled. There had been no sleep.
Henry opened the door to the café and smiled at her as she walked inside. They were given a table and went to sit down.
"This was a surprise," Henry said to her, looking down at the menu.
"It was a last minute trip," Mary answered.
"If you're free this evening, I would love to take you to the Royal Automobile Club."
"Your love is not fickle, I'll admit, but I'm afraid, for me, a car is simply to get from A to B. Nothing more."
"What is your enthusiasm," Henry asked. Mary was grateful that he didn't go back to his offer to taking her out tonight. "Horses?"
"No," Mary chuckled. "I ride. I even hunt. But I don't see horses in my dreams."
"What then?"
Mary lips curled up. She knew the answer. It was Anna and the children. They were her enthusiasm. However, she couldn't quite say that, could she?
"I like my work," she answered then. It was an honest answer. She did enjoy the work she did for the Abbey. Henry seemed interested and so she explained all that she did. He smiled.
"I am extremely impressed," he said in response. They both ordered their food and handed over their menus. Henry sat himself up. "And you have a son?"
"I do, George. And a ward, whom I love as my own daughter, Pippa."
"I didn't know about her," he was still smiling. Most men would have shied away from that knowledge.
"She's a real delight," Mary beamed. "The children all are." She thought of the three children and hoped they weren't too terribly upset by her and Anna's disappearance without letting them know.
"And George is heir of his grandfather's title?"
"He is. It's all very neat and tidy."
"Neat and tidy-ish," Henry clarified. "But aren't you rather at a loose end?"
Mary twisted her lips. This was it. Henry was going to make a pass. Taking a deep breath, she adjusted the napkin on her lap.
"It would appear that way," Mary began. "However, I think it is best that I don't lead you on, Henry Talbot. You are a lovely man, but I'm afraid there is already someone in my life that I love very much."
This grabbed Henry's attention.
"There is?"
"Yes, there is," Mary nodded.
"No one said…." his words faded.
"Because no one knows," Mary honestly answered. "Sadly, it is not a love that my parents would approve."
Henry gave a knowing smile. "Ah, but your sister married the chauffer, surely your parents are more open than you expect of them."
"Sybil is the baby of the family. I am the eldest daughter and mother to the heir. It is much more difficult for me to be with someone they deem not acceptable."
Henry's hands clasped in front of him on the table.
"Well, that's a shame. And how long have you two been in love?"
"Three years."
"Three years?!" Henry laughed. "You do keep a good secret, don't you?"
"I do. And I trust you can keep it, as well?"
"I can."
"I thought you could," Mary answered with a grin. "I do enjoy your company, Henry. You've actually helped distract my worries today. You see the person I love has had a bit of a health scare and I am waiting for the results."
Henry's face covered with concern for the person he didn't even know. "Oh, I am sorry to hear that."
"Yes, but the doctor assures me that everything will likely be fine. And speaking to you has helped."
"Glad to hear it," Henry stated. "You and I could be friends."
"Yes," Mary agreed. "I'd rather like that."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Mary held the phone tightly against her ear.
"And she's alright?" Mary double checked, she wanted to make sure she heard the doctor correctly.
"She's perfectly healthy. The test showed it was benign. Still, have her rest a few days."
"I will. Thank you, doctor."
Mary hung up the phone and let out a relieved sigh. She then made her way upstairs and to the bedroom where Anna was staying. The door pushed open and she saw that Anna was awake.
"Mary," Anna smiled. Mary just rushed toward her, as the tears she had been holding in all day finally escaped. Anna furrowed her brows, hugging her close. "Is it bad news?" Mary heard the fear in Anna's lips.
Mary sat back and shook her head, "No, you're fine. Dr. Ryder said everything looks perfect. I just….I have been so worried all day. I couldn't lose you, Anna. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Oh," Anna murmured, rubbing the back of her fingers over Mary's cheeks. "I'm here, my love. I don't plan on going anywhere." She pulled Mary back into her arms. "I'm here; I'm here."
To be continued...
