Nighttime at Carson Cottage -
A DA Movie 2 Fantasy
This story describes a scene with Charles and Elsie Carson in their cottage one night, something that I would love to see in the next movie.
There was a dim light shining through the window of the Carsons' cottage, late on a winter day. Behind it, the solid frame of Charles Carson was visible. Former butler of Downton Abbey, since retired now the devoted husband to his wife Elsie, he stood tall and still, his hands behind his back.
The fire had burned down long ago, but he hadn't felt the need to put another log on the embers. Elsie had already gone upstairs and he thought that she would probably be asleep by then. Earlier on as they ate together she had been telling him about the latest news from the house and the family, news which had made him lose his appetite altogether. Then afterwards as they were sitting by the fire, he withdrew into himself, unable, perhaps even unwilling, to talk about it. Elsie tried to start a conversation but soon gave up and turned her attention to her knitting, but eventually got bored and said she would make her way upstairs. Deep inside Charles felt sorry, but with so many thoughts on his mind he was sure that he wasn't good company for her anyway.
"Are you still thinking about it?"
Charles turned around in surprise to see his wife standing on the bottom step, dressed in her nightclothes, her hair braided and her feet covered in thick, woollen socks.
"Don't let it bother you so much, Charlie", she said.
He turned back towards the window and let his eyes drift off again into the darkness outside.
"That's easier said than done, with all of the history and memories we all share", he stated plainly.
Elsie came over and sat down on the settee near him. She tucked her feet up, pulling a blanket over them, and was soon comfortably resting her head on the cushion behind her.
"Let's be honest, Charles", she started, "we knew it would happen one day. Now that the young ladies have their own families and have moved out, the house is too big. You know, it's been ages since we've entertained guests - times have changed, and people too. Anyway, I'm sure they'll be more comfortable in the London townhouse.
"They won't move there alone, they will be needing staff."
Charles' voice was deep and rumbling. Since he hadn't turned back towards Elsie as he spoke, though, he failed to see the smile forming on her lips.
"Is that what you've been stewing over all night?"
Elsie sat up straight, making sure her nightdress covered her knees. She continued, "Well, for starters Mr Barrow has agreed to go with them."
Elsie was genuinely happy for Thomas, and carried on enthusiastically, "So good for him, that way he can be closer to his..."
She stopped short, knowing that her husband wouldn't be able to cope with her referring to a man's male "companion", or however she might have called him.
"So he can live closer to Mr Ellis", she finished, diplomatically.
Charles appeared to be ignoring her words, indeed he was uncomfortable discussing Thomas Barrow's relationships, so Elsie continued.
"Mrs Patmore told me that she is keen to concentrate on her cottage... in fact I also believe she's keen to concentrate on Mr Mason too, but that's another matter..."
Charles turned and gave her a stern look, his hands still rather grandly behind his back. More unnecessary information about the private lives of former staff members, he thought to himself.
Elsie carried on regardless, "So she suggested that Daisy might go with them as head cook, and since Andy and Mr Barrow get along so well, that would easily solve the issue of a footman."
She realised that she had reached a rather delicate part of her account, and fiddled nervously with the edge of the blanket, choosing her next words carefully.
She lowered her head, unable to look at Charles, and said, "Of course Lady Grantham asked me if I would run the house..."
Surprisingly to Elsie, Charles didn't turn away from her and softly and quietly said, "Of course she would. There is no one better for such a position."
They looked at one another for a few moments in silence, but before the atmosphere could become tense, Elsie spoke again.
"So this is what's been on your mind all evening and taken away your ability to speak! When I told you that they would be giving the Abbey over to the National Trust and moving up to London... well if that's all it is then there's no need to be so quiet!"
She sat up properly and leaned forward. "Did you really think that I would go with them, asking you to come with me?"
At last she stood up and went over to him. "Charlie, my roots were torn out of Scottish earth and planted into solid Yorkshire ground long ago. Did you really think that I'd want to go through that again, move away from the place I call home and start something new?"
Gently she placed her hands over his, steadily looking into her husband's eyes.
"This is our home now, Charlie, yours and mine. And I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. We've created this place together. And I for one am proud of it."
Elsie stopped speaking and turned away from Charles.
"Although it could do with a bit more of a, shall we say, feminine touch from time to time", she teased, running her finger along the top of the dusty shelf on the wall.
Charles lowered his head and nodded with a smile.
"And perhaps in the garden...", she prodded further, cheekily.
"Not my garden!", Charles reacted immediately.
Elsie couldn't stifle her laughter. "No, you are right, not the garden. Your garden is beautiful."
"Our garden, Elsie", he corrected her gently.
"Really? Well if that is the case, then I should like to have two chairs and a table on a little patio next to the house, then we can have our tea and cake outside next spring", she said.
"Or a lovely glass of Margaux in the evening", Charles added.
"You see? So many wonderful plans ahead of us - what on earth could possibly drive me away from here? Or you?"
Elsie closed the small distance between them and laid her head on his chest.
"Lady Grantham guessed my answer even before she'd finished asking the question. We agreed that she would look out for a new housekeeper in London, one who would also have knowledge of local suppliers and craftsmen."
She pushed herself away from her husband again, and looked up at him playfully.
"Whatever made you think I would have handled it any other way, Charlie?"
Charles Carson had no answer to that, he realised sheepishly. Tears welled up in his eyes, a testament to the the change between the stoic butler he had been and the more sensitive man he had become in the last few years - he was no longer afraid of showing his feelings. To his surprise he noticed that Elsie had turned away from him and walked over to then stairs.
"Well, now that has been sorted out, I expect that you will be coming upstairs fairly soon. My feet are cold and in need of someone to warm them up", she said.
"Even the very thought makes me shiver", said Charles afraid, almost feeling the disturbing cold running through him.
"Just come upstairs, Mr Carson, and we will see what makes you shiver", Elsie shot him a mischievous smile and climbed the stairs, disappearing along the landing.
It took Charles a little while until the penny dropped, but when it finally did, he made quick work of checking the lights and locks then followed his wife upstairs.
THE END