Today's March Flash Fiction prompt: "Where are you going?"
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Where I Can't Follow
He'd seen Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore whispering in the Housekeeper's sitting room. It had filled him with dread. He knew what today was. Even though he wasn't supposed to know.
Today Mrs. Hughes got the results back from Dr. Clarkson about her test. Her test to see if she had cancer.
Carson had left the two women to their conversation to retreat to his office. Guilt still gripped him from how hard he'd been on her before he'd known that she was sick. He'd thought her slacking off, but he should have known better. Mrs. Hughes was one of the hardest workers he'd ever met. He respected her for it. He liked her, even, as one of his better friends.
"We're off, Mr. Carson."
Mrs. Hughes stood in his doorway smiling tightly, a frazzled Mrs. Patmore just behind her. He stood.
"Where are you going?" he asked, mostly out of habit. He had little hope that she would confide something so personal in him. But if she asked, he would accompany her to the hospital. The house would stand in their absence.
"Oh, we've just got a few errands to run," she answered, waving her hand dismissively. "We'll be back before the gong, so don't fret."
He stepped around his desk towards her. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Her face softened, her smile reaching her eyes. She let out a small chuckle. "Thank you, Mr. Carson, but we can manage. You just take care of the House."
She left then, Mrs. Patmore following in her wake. Carson moved to watch them until the courtyard door had closed behind them.