July 1909

The Earl and the Countess of Grantham had had three girls, Mary was 18, Edith was 17 and Sybil was 14. Anna had been at Downton for over 6 years and Mrs Patmore was just 50.

Elsie had known for the entire day that something with the cook was wrong. Beryl had always been very nice with Elsie, while that day she had snapped and refused to help the housekeeper with the shopping list. Rose, the kitchen maid, was leaving, she had found a better job in another house, in London. Mrs Patmore was upset for that and also for a letter she had received a few days before.

That night Mrs Hughes told Mr Carson that she was going to bed earlier than usual because she had an headache, but actually she wanted to know what was wrong with Mrs Patmore.

Beryl was sitting at the desk of her room, she was reading a letter.

"Beryl, may I come in?" asked Elsie opening the door and stepping into the room.

"Elsie?" replied the cook without lifting her eyes from the letter.

"What's the matter Beryl?" asked the housekeeper

"Mrs Robinson writes to me, she is pregnant again. And she would like to send her eldest to service. And the girl is only 12, 12 you understand? She should be at school…"

"Beryl, I know, but do you want that girl to starve to death because her parents can't afford to feed her and her siblings. Reply to Mrs Robinson to bring her daughter here as soon as possible. Rose is leaving so she could replace her."

"Are you sure Elsie?" asked the cook drying her tears with the back of her hand.

"I am sure Beryl. Now go to bed, tomorrow will be another long day." Said Elsie, looking at the tired cook.

"I hope only to do the girl's good." Reply Beryl looking at Elsie, who was near the door.

"You are doing only her good. Sleep well."

A week later Daisy arrived at Downton, she was only 12 years old, almost 13 according to her mother, but she wasn't able to tell when Daisy had been born, sometime between the beginning of December and Christmas Eve. At that words by Daisy's mother Elsie felt a lump in her chest, how a mother couldn't remember her daughter's birthday?

Daisy was tiny for her age, not too tall, without any breast or any feminine shape, surely she hadn't got yet her period.

"Daisy, do you like to come with me?" asked Beryl

"Yes, Mrs Patmore." Replied the girl looking at the cook.

"This is your room darling, you are sharing with Elizabeth. She is the assistant cook." Then she looked at the other young woman and told her "Elizabeth, she is Daisy."

The first night at dinner both Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore understood in what kind of situation had lived Daisy for 12 years. They were all sitting at the table in the servant's hall. Daisy did her round to put the bread and on the table and then Mr Carson filled the plates with stew and vegetables.

When Daisy got her plate she asked: "But this is all for me? I don't have to share it with anybody?"

Elsie and Beryl looked and replied: "That is your plate, only yours, you don't have to share with anybody."

After dinner Beryl and Elsie where talking sitting on a bench in the yard.

"I think we are really doing the girl's good" said Beryl, looking into her teacup.

"What I have told you? I was sure she was starving at home. She is also a fine worker, isn't she?"

"She is indeed. I am going to bed, I am tired." Said Beryl

Actually Beryl wanted to see how Daisy got ready to bed.

Daisy hadn't a proper nightgown, that was a fact, she didn't wear a corset yet and her working dress was bit too big.

"Elsie, do we have a spare nightgown?" asked Mrs Patmore going into Mrs Hughes' office.

"I think so, why?"

"Daisy hasn't one, and she needs also a dress that fits her properly. And a haircut."

"For the dress we can ask Anna if she has time and for the hair I think Miss O'Brien is the right person. But in what is sleeping Daisy tonight?"

"Elizabeth gave her one of her old nightgowns."

Elsie and Beryl climbed the stairs together and both of them looked into Daisy and Elizabeth's room since the door was ajar.

Elizabeth was sleeping while Daisy was kneel on the floor and was praying.

"Dear Lord, thank you for this job, thank you for all the things you have given me today. Thank you for Mrs Patmore and Mrs Hughes, they are too kind with me, but I don't know why. Protect mum and my siblings, also the unborn one. Amen."

Beryl and Elsie's eyes were filled with tears.

"I like that girl" said Beryl "I like her very much."

Elsie smiled tenderly and went into her room.