Sybil kept her eyes fixed on the lush scenery of Downton as Mr. Crewe drove her and her father silently out of Downton Abbey's gates. She took in every tree, near and distant, every cloud in the sky, and every face they drove by. She had to take it all with her through memory, she thought. She had no idea when she would return to this beautiful place and she did not want to forget a single detail of it; it would break her heart if she did so. It won't be forever, Sybil, she told herself. She looked away from the window and down at her hands, which were neatly folded on her lap. She saw that her hands were trembling slightly and she held one hand in the other to calm herself.
The car slowed down and came to a stop minutes later. Confused, Sybil looked at her father, then at Mr. Crewe, who was parking the car. Outside of her window, she saw the church, St. Michael and All Angels. Sybil, who was slightly confused, leaned forward to the front of the car and turned to her father; "Papa, what are we doing here?" She asked.
"I had told you that I wanted us to see someone before we went to the train station," her father responded with a gentle smile. He left the car as Sybil suddenly understood their reason for being at the church. She left the car with her father and the two walked arm-in-arm together. They walked past the humble stone church and went through the cemetery gates. Sybil and her father made their way through the rows of graves of all shapes and sizes until there had reached the grave of her mother. Together, they stood before it in silence and a light breeze blew through the air. Sybil took a deep breath as her father slowly removed his arm from hers and left her side. She watched him walk to a tree, which was growing lovely white flowers. He plucked two small flowers and returned to Sybil's side. He took his daughter's hand and gently placed one white flower in it. He kept the other and went to his wife's grave. "Hello, darling," he said in a whisper and placed the flower on the grave and closed his eyes. Sybil watched the scene and her vision became clouded with tears. She wiped her eyes with her coat sleeve and decided to join her father. She slowly walked up to her mother's grave and placed her flower adjacent to her father's. Her father opened his eyes and smiled at her. He reached over and gently squeezed Sybil's hand before backing away from the grave. "I'm going to return to the car so you can have a few minutes here," he said to her. "Don't be too long."
Sybil nodded in response and her father returned to the car. She placed her hand on her mother's grave and began to speak in hushed tones. "I'm going to London today, Mother," she began, "I'm sure you already know that, though. I pray that I can be as strong as you. I don't know when I'll see you again here." Sybil swallowed back tears and took a step away from the grave. "But you're everywhere, not just here. You'll be with me in London, won't you? I'm sure you will be. I'll probably need your motherly guidance for things. After all, you were quite accomplished as a nurse. I wish I had you here to give me your advice and tell me your experiences," she said with a small smile. "But I'll just have to experience it all myself," she continued, "and I really cannot wait to do that."
Sybil stood at the grave for a short time more, saying nothing. She silently prayed for her protection in London and for her family's protection here in Downton. As she prayed, she felt a sense of comfort, as if her mother were praying with her. When her prayers were finished, she knew she had to return to her father in order for them to be on time for their train. "I love you, Mother," Sybil said before leaving the grave. "You're always in my heart."
As Sybil left her mother's grave, the light and gentle breeze blew through the trees around the cemetery. She looked back at her mother's grave and saw the white petals falling from the trees like snow and onto the graves, including her mother's. How beautiful, Sybil thought as she turned and began to walk away.
As Sybil walked, there was another grave that caught her attention and she knew that her time there would have to be extremely brief. She stopped and stood before the grave of her uncle, Matthew Crawley. "Hello, Uncle. I know I may not visit often," she said sadly. "We all love you so much," she sighed. "George wants to be just like you. He wants to be a war hero. I may not remember you but I always hear everyone say George is a lot like you. I'm sure you've seen him grow up throughout the years. I worry about him," Sybil spoke quickly now since she knew she was pressed for time. "And I know God will be watching over him during his time as a soldier. I know you will be watching over him too." She paused for a brief moment before she left the grave and returned to the dirt path of the cemetery, her uncle's grave still in view. "Goodbye, my dear uncle," she said before walking away.
As soon as Sybil was out of the cemetery gates, she quickened her pace and returned to the car. Mr. Crewe immediately began to drive away to the train station once Sybil was settled in her seat. "Thank you for bringing me here, Papa," she said to him. "It was exactly what I needed. Oh, and thank you, Mr. Crewe."
"Of course, Miss Sybil," Mr. Crewe said to her.
"You're welcome, darling," her father said. "I know we both would have regretted it if you would have gone to London without seeing her."
"We would have," Sybil agreed. "I went to Uncle Matthew's grave too."
"Did you? I'm sure he's proud of you and George too," her father said and turned around to smile at her. Sybil nodded and looked back through the window at St. Michael and All Angels until it was too far. She then relaxed in her seat and awaited the moment they would reach the train station.
Sybil exited the car with the help of Mr. Crewe when they had eventually reached their destination. She stood anxiously as she watched people entering and exiting the train station with their luggage in tow. Her father soon stood next to her, holding her two suitcases. "Well, here we are," he said to her. He placed one suitcase down and extended his hand to Mr. Crewe. The men shook hands and exchanged smiles. "Thank you for driving us here, Mr. Crewe. I'm not certain when I shall return from London but I'll telephone Downton so that they could tell you when I arrive. I don't mind waiting here for you."
Mr. Crewe nodded. "Right, Mr. Branson."
It was Sybil's turn now to extend her thanks and say her goodbyes. "Thank you, Mr. Crewe," she said, extending her hand, as well. Mr. Crewe, instead of shaking her hand, took it and kissed it.
"You're welcome, Miss Sybil. I wish you the best of luck in London."
"Thank you," Sybil smiled. "Take care, Mr. Crewe."
"I will, Miss."
"Well, we ought to find our platform now," her father said to Sybil, picking up her other suitcase. "Goodbye, Mr. Crewe. Wait for my call."
Sybil and her father walked through the entrance of the train station and began to peer over the hustle and bustle of people who were eager to travel on this Saturday morning. "I need to find our platform," her father said. "Wait here on this bench. I'll find someone who can help."
"Alright, Papa," Sybil said as she watched him disappear into the crowd. She sat on the bench and waited patiently for her father. She noticed that on the far end of her bench, there was a woman. She seemed anxious due to her knee bobbing up and down and her constant fiddling of the handle of her lone suitcase. Out of the corner of her eye, Sybil saw that the woman was soon approached by a man. The woman stood immediately and the two embraced.
"Ready, my sweet?" The man asked as he picked up her suitcase.
"Quite ready," the woman said, her voice filled with excitement. The two walked away together and vanished into the crowded platform. Sybil felt a pang of yearning in her heart and she began to think of Edward. She did her best to ignore the thoughts, however, because she knew she would start wishing Edward were here. Oh, what I would give just to see him here once more.
"Sybil!"
Sybil looked out into the crowd in disbelief that she heard someone calling out her name. "Edward?" She asked so quietly that no one could hear her. She stood from the bench and examined the crowd. Where was he? Was this her mind tricking her into thinking that Edward was here?
"Sybil!"
There he is again! Sybil looked to her left in hopes of supposedly seeing Edward. Her heart began to leap. She then saw her father waving at her to come to him from a distant platform. "Sybil, our train!"
"Oh!" Sybil sighed and quickly maneuvered her way through the crowd. She felt a slight embarrassment thinking that Edward would be here. That would be impossible, she thought; Edward was home and the last thing he would do was come back to Downton for a moment to say goodbye to her again. "I'm sorry, Papa," Sybil said when she reached the platform her father was at.
"You have nothing to apologize for, darling," her father replied, confused as to why she was apologizing in the first place. "This is our train. You go first and I shall follow."
Sybil looked out at the gleaming crimson train and boarded it. "This is it, Papa," she said eagerly when she felt that her father boarded and was standing behind her.
"This is it," her father repeated as he gave her a ticket. "Let's find our seats."
The two walked through the train cars and compartments until they found the car where their seats were. "I'm sorry I didn't get us a first-class compartment," her father said as he put Sybil's luggage on the empty seats connected to theirs.
"Oh, Papa, you know I don't mind that at all," Sybil smiled as she took her seat next to the window. Her father sat across from her with a sigh. "The train is bound to leave in a few minutes. We should arrive in London a little half-past twelve, I think."
Sybil stretched her arms outward nervously. "I do hope that's a good time to arrive."
"I believe it is. I recently spoke to Isobel and she said that they wanted everyone there around that time."
"I hope this is where I'm meant to be," Sybil said to her father. He smiled and leaned forward, taking his daughter's hands in his own.
"I believe it is, Sybil. If you're there and realize that it's not meant for you, then do not hesitate to come home."
Sybil shook her head. "Don't tempt me with that, Papa," she chuckled. "I'll remain there as long as I'm needed."
The train whistle sounded and the train jerked forward. This is definitely it. Sybil looked out of the window as the train began to move forward at a slow and steady pace. Onlookers from the platforms waved at the train and Sybil waved back at them. She wondered how these men and women would fare in this war. She saw the young men and older men and wondered if they were destined to leave their homes and fight for England. She left the window and leaned back in her seat. "Goodbye, Downton."
Sybil could feel her father watching her, so she sat up and faced him. He gave her a reassuring smile. "Downton will always be here, Sybbie, and you will return before the year is out. They have to let you return home for Christmas."
"I do hope they do. It's not as if hospitals can't take patients during Christmas."
"That is true," her father said with a nod.
Sybil and her father remained silent for a while as Sybil was watching the beauty of Downton pass by her in green blurs from the window and her father was reading the newspaper that he had been keeping in his coat pocket. The news of the sunken steam merchants blared on the front page, but Sybil looked away and kept her attention on the passing scenery.
"Papa?" Sybil asked, breaking the long moments of silence. Her father set his newspaper down and seemed eager to talk with her.
"Yes, Sybbie?"
"If by some miracle, the war were to end soon while I was away at training, would I stay?" She asked.
"I would imagine you would stay. You would still be training to be a nurse. We just wouldn't have to worry about you being in London," her father said to her. "I really do hope the war ends quickly, Sybbie. Remain focused on your studies and training whether or not the war is long."
"I will, Papa." Sybil crossed her arms and imagined herself at St. Margaret's. She imagined herself reading countless of medical books and tending to many patients, even maybe befriending a few, just as she did with Lucy. She saw herself walking around London during her free time and writing letters to her family back home and to Edward.
"I wonder what they'll have you do while you're there besides all the obvious. Do you have anything specific that you want to do? What part of nursing interests you the most?" Her father asked.
"I'm not sure," Sybil shrugged. "I want to be a nurse but I don't know what sort of patients I want to work with. I suppose I can't control that when I'm there but if I had a choice, I think I would specialize in helping children."
Her father smiled. "That would be nice. Do you think you'll drive any ambulances while you're there?"
Sybil laughed and nodded. "Oh, that would be fun! But, Papa, would you even feel comfortable with me driving an ambulance around London?"
"Just don't tell me until after you've done it," her father smirked. "If they do need ambulance drivers, though, just say that your father was a chauffeur and that you inherited his excellent driving skills."
"Papa!" Sybil felt at ease now and could not stop giggling at her father's proud expression as he spoke. "I know for a fact that I did not inherit your excellent driving skills. I'm not that good of a driver. If you want me to volunteer, however, I shall."
"I'm sure that would be appreciated. Just be safe. Maybe you can get a little bit of extra training so that you can feel more confident with driving if you need it," her father said. "Oh, and Sybil, I wanted to give you some advice that I recommend you follow."
Sybil leaned forward slightly in her seat. "Yes, Papa?"
"People tend to be very curious about other people," her father began, "especially people they haven't met before. I think it would be wise if someone asks where you're from or your family, to not tell them that you're the granddaughter of the Earl of Grantham and that you live at Downton Abbey. People are envious and I don't want anyone thinking they can treat you poorly or differently just because you come from a wealthy family. You and I live simply, but they don't know our entire life story. If someone has gained your trust completely then you are free to tell them, but even then, tread carefully. Understood?"
"Understood," Sybil said confidently. She realized that it was a very good idea to not go on and tell those she would meet that she was the granddaughter of the Earl of Grantham. She had been very careful when she started school in America to not tell them about her family; the children were already much too curious when they discovered she was from England. Mae was one of the few people who knew about her family but she had never treated her friend differently for it. She did not know how many other girls there would be at St. Margaret's who were the daughters or granddaughters of those who had titles; she may be the only one. "Perhaps no one will ask anyway."
"Perhaps but I wouldn't put my hopes in that," her father said. "Just be prepared if anyone does ask. You're a very kind girl, Sybbie, so I hope you are treated with kindness in return. I do want you to make friends, as I've said before."
"I'm sure all will be fine, Papa," Sybil smiled. "I shall take your advice. Thank you."
Her father nodded with a content smile. "It'll be some time before we get to London so if you want, you may sleep. I don't know what your day at the hospital will be like but I'm sure there will be a lot told to you and they may keep you busy."
"But I don't want to sleep, Papa," Sybil said. "I want us to talk during this time because I'm going to miss you so much. I'll miss talking to you."
"I'll miss the same too, Sybbie," her father sadly smiled. "But remember I said I would go and visit you. I can't stand to be away from you for too long. You're all I have."
Sybil leaned forward and hugged her father. "You'll always have me, Papa. Thank you for always supporting me and coming with me to London for this."
Her father's arms wrapped around her. "I wouldn't miss it for anything, Sybbie."
The train pulled into King's Cross station in London at forty minutes past twelve. The abrupt stop of the train woke Sybil, for she had been able to take a very brief ten-minute nap after talking to her father most of the way. She looked out onto the platform flooded with people. The busyness of Downton train station was nothing compared to the busyness of King's Cross. Her father stood from his seat and picked up Sybil's two suitcases. "London," he breathed. "Let's try to get out of the station quickly so that we can find a cab." Sybil followed her father off of the train and into the crowd. She held onto his arm so that they would not become separated in the currents of the crowd.
As they went through the crowds, Sybil saw, more than once, parents saying weepy farewells to their children. She heard the parents saying to their children words such as: "Behave for your aunt, alright?", "Don't worry; the family you are staying with are very nice people", and "We'll be together again soon, I promise." She had remembered talk of children being evacuated from London but were people that afraid that they should send their children away to live with complete strangers even though the Nazis were not here? She couldn't imagine how frightened the parents of these children must feel about the uncertain future of not only their children but for everyone.
The station seemed to be clamorous with the combination of people's chatter and the blaring sounds of different trains whistling. She held on tightly to her father's arm as they passed by embracing lovers and families making promises on the platforms. "Are we almost out, Papa?" Sybil asked loudly so that her father could hear her.
"We are! The exit is that way!" Her father answered back just as loud. They soon found themselves standing outside of the chaotic station and in the weak sunlight of the overcast afternoon.
"That was too much," Sybil said as she looked back at the station.
"That's London," her father said with a smirk and looked out onto the street. A cab was parked across the street and the driver seemed to realize that they were looking for a cab.
"You need a ride, good sir?" The man asked from across the street.
"We do," Sybil's father answered. He and Sybil crossed together and went straight for the cab. The driver opened the back door for Sybil and her father and took the suitcases from him, placing them in between him and Sybil.
"Where to then?"
"St. Margaret's Hospital," her father said to the driver. Within minutes, the car was gone from the station and out into the London streets. "We arrived here in perfect time," Sybil's father said.
"We did," Sybil said with a nod. "Papa, when we were going through all those crowds of people, I saw what seemed to be parents sending their children away."
A sad expression appeared on Sybil's father's face. "Yes, I saw that too. Those are the children that are being sent away to safety. Not everyone is doing it, though. It's only a precaution. They're being sent to the countryside where it's safe."
"Places like Downton?"
"Yes, places like Downton. Downton may even become a haven for children from London and the big cities."
"Oh. It just seems so sad to me."
"It is very sad," her father said but gave Sybil a reassuring smile to cheer her up. "Is St. Margaret's far from here?" He then asked the cab driver.
"Not too far," the cab driver answered. "Have you been there before?"
"No," Sybil and her father said simultaneously.
"Ah," the driver smiled. "It's a nice place. I drive by it often."
"I'm eager to see it," Sybil's father responded. "You won't mind waiting for me while I say goodbye to my daughter there, do you? I have to leave her there for nurse training."
The driver nodded. "I can wait. Where are you heading to after the hospital?"
"King's Cross again," Sybil's father said and then looked at his daughter. "Is that alright? I'll say goodbye to you and then let you be on your way."
"That's fine, Papa," Sybil said, forcing a smile. She knew saying goodbye to her father would be most difficult, even though he promised her that he would visit soon.
When the cab parked in front of St. Margaret's hospital, Sybil was in awe. She stepped out of the cab and gazed at the hospital in wonder. It was small but it was built out of beautiful white stone and had columns that had weathered with time. Sybil couldn't believe she would be living here, but she decided to not have too high of hopes, for the inside of the hospital may not match the exterior. "I'll return soon," Sybil heard her father say to the driver as he got her bags and left the car.
"Papa, isn't this place grand?" Sybil asked.
"It is," her father smiled and looked up at the hospital. They walked through the open iron hospital gates and found themselves in a courtyard. To the left was the entrance to the hospital and to the right, across from it, was the medical school, which had the same architecture. In front of the hospitals, there were other girls who were saying goodbye to their families or significant others.
"I suppose this is where I say goodbye," her father said as the two stopped in front of the entrance to the hospital. "I can assure you that it won't be easy for me just as it wasn't easy when your mother left for her training."
"It won't be easy for me either, Papa," Sybil said to him, her voice already trembling as she tried to hold back her tears.
Her father placed his hands on her shoulders. "Every prayer, every thought, everything I do will be dedicated to you, Sybbie," her father said to her. "All I want for you, my darling daughter, is for you to flourish here, to be safe, and to be happy."
"Oh, Papa, I love you so much!" Sybil threw her arms around her father and the two tightly embraced. He even set her suitcases down and lifted her off of the ground as he used to do when she was a little girl. "You've given me so much safety and happiness throughout my life," Sybil said to him. "You've caused me to flourish."
"But I won't be here with you anymore, Sybbie. You're a young woman now. I've guided you up to this point and as a father, I can only pray that I have taught you well enough to be able to be independent and successful."
"You have, Papa, you have," Sybil assured him. She could see her tears making the shoulder of his coat damp. She closed her eyes and rested her head against him. "I love you so much, Papa."
"I love you so much, Sybbie. You're my world." She could hear the sadness in her father's voice. She squeezed her father a little tighter and did not let go. She had never been away from her father as long as she would have to be for her training. It had always been difficult for Sybil to be separated from her father, especially when they left for America. The memory of her first day of school came to mind and she realized that it wasn't very different from this moment.
"But, Papa, I don't want to go to school," a young Sybil cried and she hugged her father's leg in front of the schoolhouse.
"I have to work, Sybbie," her father chuckled. "I can't take you anywhere if you're holding onto my leg like that; people will think you're a little monkey."
Sybil's giggles replaced her tears. She loved that her father could always make her laugh. "Then they'll take me to the circus?"
"They just might!" Her father laughed. "But you need to stay here at school, Sybbie. You'll get to read books and write things. Then perhaps you and I can take turns reading one another books when it's your bedtime. Doesn't that sound nice?"
Sybil nodded and let go of his leg. "Yes," she nodded. "But, Papa, I want to stay home with you all the days."
Her father sighed but kept his smile. He knelt down in front of her so that the two would be eye-level. "Sybbie, I would love to always be home with you too, but I have to work and you have to go to school. If I don't work, then you and I won't have any nice things and if you don't go to school, you won't be able to do a lot of fun things. It's only a little more than a few short hours. I'll be here to get you when it's over. No matter what happens, I will always be here waiting for you so that we can go home together."
Sybil sniffled. "You will?"
"Always, Sybbie," her father smiled and kissed her cheek. "Now stop these little tears. You'll be home soon. At the end of every day, you'll always be home." He wiped away her tears with his thumb and hugged her. "I love you, Sybbie. I hope you have a wonderful first day here. Before you know it, we'll be together again."
Sybil hugged her father and kissed his cheek. "Promise?"
"I promise," her father smiled and stood up when Sybil's teacher came out of the classroom to bring Sybil in. "I'll see you in a few hours, Sybbie."
Sybil stood by her teacher and watched her father walk away and she wanted to run back to him as fast as her little legs could, but he wanted her to stay and that's what she would do. She waved at him. "I love you, Papa!"
"Goodbye, Sybil," her father said to her.
"No, no," Sybil began to plead for time to stop and for him to stay, but her father gently pulled away from her and kissed her forehead.
"You have to go in now, Sybil," her father said to her. He was trying to smile but his smile the tears in his eyes betrayed him. "Don't cry," he told her as he wiped her tears away with his thumb.
"But you're crying too, Papa," Sybil told him with a small smile. She also began to wipe away his tears with her thumb.
"Of course, I am," her father chuckled lightly. He sighed and father and daughter faced one another. "I'll see you very soon, Sybil," he said as he placed her suitcases in her hands. Sybil held onto them tightly and nodded.
"You're right, you will," she said, trying to make them both feel better. "Goodbye, Papa."
"I hope you have a wonderful first day," her father said as he began to slowly take a few steps back from her.
"Thank you, Papa," Sybil said, forcing her tears not to fall. "I'll try not to look back as I go forward."
"That would be wise," her father said with a nod. Silence filled the now larger gap growing between them. "Go on then, Sybbie," her father said, waving her along. Sybil nodded quickly and took a step back.
"I love you," she said and turned away from him. With a weak deep breath and suitcases in hand, she began to walk toward the entrance. She did not turn back to see if her father was still standing there; she felt his presence without having to look. She even thought she heard him say "Lord, protect my little girl."
Sybil dried her tears as she entered the hospital and soon was in awe again at the interior. She was so used to the cottage hospital at Downton and this was entirely another world for her. White columns were placed around the entrance hall of the hospital and Sybil saw the many side staircases and hallways that led to other wings. She knew that as soon as she got used to being there that the entire hospital would seem much smaller to her, but for the moment, she reveled in its humble beauty.
In the middle of the entrance hall was a small wooden table where two nurses were seated with papers and lists. Sybil then noticed two small groups of young women with suitcases stood at the right side of the room and the left side of the room. Some looked ecstatic and some showed no expression at all. More than a few of them looked at Sybil as she stood in the middle of the room. Sybil simply smiled at them and approached the table shyly.
"Are you one of the girls here for training?" One of the nurses asked.
"Yes, I am," Sybil said.
"What is your name?" The other nurse asked as she began to look through her list.
"Sybil Branson."
"Branson," the nurse repeated as she looked at the list. "Ah, here you are. We only need a few more girls to arrive." She made a small check next to Sybil's name with a pencil. "You will be in the group to the left. Ward Sister Agnes will be here soon to give you all further information so if you could just stand over there and wait patiently. Oh, and welcome to St. Margaret's."
"Oh, thank you," Sybil said as she left the table. Before she joined the group on the left, she looked at the entrance to see if her father was still there but he was gone.
There were seats to sit at on the left side of the room but they had been occupied already by some of the girls in the group. Sybil decided to stand off to the side near the corner. She had done enough sitting all morning and standing was what her legs needed. She took a headcount of both groups and discovered that there were ten girls in the group to the right and seven girls in the group that she was in. They must be waiting for three more girls to complete the ten, Sybil thought.
As Sybil stood waiting, she listened to the chatter happening between a few girls in her group. They told one another their excitement about being there while one told them that she was only there to satisfy her family. Sybil kept to herself and continued looking out at her new surroundings. She looked out at the group on the right and saw that there was a statue of a woman in between two hallways. It must have been a statue of St. Margaret. When Sybil looked away and to the left, she saw a young man with blond hair walking out of the hallway next to her. He was carrying a box and seemed to be dressed in some sort of uniform for the hospital. What was his job here? She watched him until he was about to walk past her, but before she could look away, the two had made eye contact. He smiled at Sybil and continued on his way while other girls watched him go. She had not returned the smile but instead looked down at the wooden floor and then to her shoes. What is a young able-bodied man like him doing here? She assumed most young men wanted to go out and be soldiers. Whatever he was wouldn't affect her, Sybil told herself.
The remaining girls entered the hospital and checked in within minutes of one another and joined the group to the left. One of the girls stood right beside Sybil, but again, Sybil kept to herself. Out of the corner of her eye, Sybil could see that the girl had red hair and a shabby coat. The girl turned to Sybil and decided to introduce herself. "Hello," the girl said with enthusiasm. "I'm Grace Crawford." She stretched her hand out to Sybil. Sybil returned the smile and shook the girl's hand. Now she could no longer keep to herself.
"Hello, I'm Sybil Branson."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sybil Branson," Grace smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too," Sybil said to her. Grace opened her mouth to speak again but a demanding presence had entered the room.
"Good afternoon, ladies," a woman greeted. She was an older woman and wore a nurse's uniform as well as a red cape around her shoulders and her light brown hair was tucked neatly under a white covering for her head. "I am Ward Sister Agnes. I'm sure you're all very eager to begin the day but first, you must be shown to your rooms so that you make set your bags down. We're going to be doing quite a bit of walking and you don't want to be lugging your luggage around with you. Now, we have separated you into two groups depending on your last names." She then gestured toward the two nurses at the table. "The group to the left will follow Nurse Banks and the group to the right will follow Nurse Walsh. They shall show you all where you will be residing during your time here. Nurse Banks, why don't you take your group first?"
"Yes, Sister Agnes," Nurse Banks said. "Come along, ladies," she said as she began to walk down the hall. "We shall be going down this hall and up two flights of stairs."
The girls followed in an orderly manner. Sybil found herself at the front of the line while Grace Crawford followed behind. They were led down a hallway and then up two flights of wooden steps that creaked from the combined weight of all the girls. These stairs led them to a long corridor. Nurse Banks directed them to the first door and stopped walking. "This door is where you group of girls are to stay. The second door is for the other group. The other doors are for the other nurses that choose to reside here. This door is to remain unlocked at all times, unless Sister Agnes or another Ward Sister locks it, and must always remain closed." The nurse opened the door and turned to the group. "Please, choose your beds and do not argue over anything, please. We must all be mature here."
Sybil entered the room first and immediately searched for a bed that she wanted. There were five beds against one wall and five beds against the other. The beds each had a small nightstand with drawers next to them. All of the walls had two medium sized windows and old but quaint white lace curtains. There was a sitting area at one end of the room with many places for the girls to sit and a small table. It wasn't big enough, though, to satisfy ten young women.
None of the beds appealed to Sybil but she had to take what she could. She went to the bed in the corner and set her suitcases down onto it. The room became filled with the sounds of voices as each girl walked around the room deciding on which bed to take. Sybil watched them for a brief moment before she sat, rather abruptly, onto her bed. She regretted it immediately. She could feel the wooden bed frame through the thin mattress and she amusingly noted that she would never fall onto her bed so that she could save herself from any injury.
Sybil could hear that someone was setting their own luggage down on the bed next to hers. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Grace Crawford had claimed the empty bed. "You don't mind if I sleep here, do you?"
Sybil shook her head. "No, no, of course not. It's your choice," she said to her kindly.
"Thank you," Grace sighed. "Don't worry, I don't snore."
Sybil smiled at Grace, unsure of how to respond to her. She decided to say nothing and was about to open her suitcase until Grace began to talk again. "I've never had a bed all to myself so this is quite exciting for me."
Sybil looked at her with a surprised expression. "Never?"
"Never," Grace repeated. "I've always had to share a bed with my three younger sisters."
"Three sisters?" Sybil asked wide-eyed.
"Yes," Grace nodded. "It's large bed, though, so I don't mind as much. Our home is small and my family can't be spending money on things such as beds for each of us. There are five children in total."
"Goodness," Sybil chuckled, wondering what a home filled with five children would be like. Throughout her childhood, there was only her, Marigold, and George. The three of them alone caused enough trouble.
"I have three younger sisters and an older sister who got married last year. It's such chaotic fun," Grace smiled. "Do you have any siblings, ah, Sybil, isn't it?"
"Yes, I'm Sybil," Sybil replied. "And no, I don't have any siblings, but I do have two cousins that I see as my siblings."
"That's sweet," Grace said. "I'm so happy to be here in London. This is actually my first time in London! It's really all they say it is. I'm from Bristol but my family and I have never made a trip out here; and you?"
Sybil remembered what her father told her about those that were curious. Grace was quite chatty and curious but she seemed to have a genuine curiosity and appeared harmless. Sybil found her to just be friendly and in need of someone to talk to. After all, she comes from a household filled with girls, she must be in need of female companionship and conversation. "I've been to London once or twice in my childhood," Sybil said carefully. "I was very young, though, so I don't remember much."
"Ah, and do you live very far from here?"
"I'm from a small village in Yorkshire," Sybil answered, trying her best not to sound curt. She did just as her father advised. She would not speak of her life at Downton Abbey nor in America. As far as anyone knew, Sybil was a simple girl seeking training as a nurse. She had a feeling that Grace would pry her for more information and Sybil would have to prepare her answers.
"Yorkshire? That is quite far. You're quite a ways from home."
Sybil was not grateful for the reminder, but she was grateful for Nurse Banks entering the room and telling the girls that it was time to leave the room. "Alright, ladies, that's enough for now. You may unpack and get settled in later. Nothing of yours will get stolen, so don't worry about that. Now we must go downstairs and Sister Agnes will tell you all that you need to know. Follow me, please."
Grace immediately left and followed Nurse Banks out of the room while Sybil threw her suitcases under her bed and followed the group of girls. "We are going to the dining hall," Nurse Banks announced.
"The dining hall? Are we to eat now?" Sybil heard someone ask.
"No," Nurse Banks answered. "It is simply where we are to meet Sister Agnes. You best take your mind off of food, for now, Miss. There won't be any food until you've completed your tour of the hospital and the school." There were a few girls that groaned after Nurse Banks spoke but she ignored them and kept walking.
The dining hall was quite large yet simple. There were plain wooden tables and chairs around the room. The walls were white and had no decoration or frames. The focal point of the room was the large window that displayed a view of the courtyard and the medical school. The girls were led to the array of tables and were told to sit. The other group of girls was already seated at a table when Sybil's group entered, and Ward Sister Agnes was standing patiently at the head of the table as the girls sat down. Sybil folded her hands on her lap as she sat and was ready to be attentive to whatever Sister Agnes had to say.
"Good afternoon, ladies. As you already know, my name is Sister Agnes and I would like to welcome you all here to St. Margaret's Hospital. Now, I believe it is safe to assume that each of you is here because you all have a great interest, or feel a calling to become a nurse. I must say that it is an absolutely wonderful vocation yet an extremely difficult field to go into, however, do not be discouraged. You are here to help others. You tend to the ill and wounded. You bring them hope. During your training at St. Margaret's, you shall be introduced to many things that will aid you even further in your future careers as nurses."
Sybil knew that the passion she felt for being a nurse would be ignited here. She saw the dedication Sister Agnes had toward nursing as she spoke and Sybil felt she was in the right place she needed to be.
"There are difficult days ahead of you," Sister Agnes continues, "but if you keep to your studies and follow your schedule, which I will explain later, then you should have no problem succeeding here. Now, let's begin our tour. I shall be explaining rules during and after the tour so please do your best to pay careful attention and do not go wandering off; we are not children. Ladies, stand up."
On command, the girls stood from their seats and waited for their next instruction. Sister Agnes nodded at the girls with satisfaction as they listened to her. "Now, this is the dining hall. All of your meals are served here. Breakfast begins to be served at half-past six in the morning. You do not need to be in here precisely at that time but all of you must have had something to eat before eight o'clock. After breakfast, you shall go either to your classes or to work around the hospital, depending on your schedule. A light lunch is served in the afternoon, along with tea, and supper is served in the evening. There is also a door behind me that leads to the kitchen. Some of you may be cleaning and cooking in there if you are given kitchen duty. Oh, and do not expect numerous courses and options for meals. This is a hospital, not a Duke's castle. Follow me."
Sybil knew she was used to the grand meals and courses that Downton had to offer but she also had lived simply with her father in America, and their dinners usually consisted of a small meal instead of numerous courses followed by a delicious dessert.
Sister Agnes left the dining hall with the girls following behind her. Sybil's entire afternoon was to be spent on her feet. The Ward Sister led them to every possible place she could throughout the hospital first and then at the medical school across the courtyard. She began by showing the girls the water closets as they passed by them throughout the hall. She explained them the strict rules of hygiene that they each had to follow to prevent cross-contamination, such as always washing your hands after every task. Sybil touched the back of her smooth hands as Sister Agnes spoke, and she knew her hands would probably be quite different as time passed for her at St. Margaret's. The girls were also shown numerous storage closets that also had sinks in them. Some closets were filled to the brink with medical equipment while others were filled with towels, blankets, and cleaning supplies. "During your free time, you girls will either be sent to help other nurses with their patients or you may be put to clean. It depends on what your schedule will say," Sister Agnes said to them as the walked down a hall.
"What sort of chores will we be doing?" One girl asked; she was clearly terrified of the idea and must have been from a wealthy family since she looked as though she had never done chores in her entire life.
"Oh, the usual: mopping and sweeping, washing the floors and windows, organizing the closets, making the patient's beds, washing bedpans, doing errands for the higher-ranking nurses; things such as that."
The girl nodded and kept the horrified look on her face. Sybil was not as frightened of the chores mentioned, she had done many chores at home with her father and even did a few chores at Downton, but not as many as the ones Sister Agnes listed.
The wards that they walked through were few and were not completely full. Patients of all ages occupied the beds and were each being tended to by a nurse or doctor. Sister Agnes stopped walking in one of the wards and the girls gathered by the entrance to watch the nurses and doctors at work with their patients. Sybil was fascinated by it all. The nurses moved quickly and efficiently. They administered medications, checked their patients, asked them how they were, and helped them with anything they needed.
"Ladies," Sister Agnes began, "this is one of our wards and where many of you may be during the day or evening depending on who you are assisting or what task you have been given. Now, we take very good care of our patients and strive to be professionals in this hospital, especially in front of our patients. One rule that I have yet to mention is what you shall be called here. While you are on duty or are in front of your patients, you shall be referred to by your last names. For example, earlier you met Nurse Banks and Nurse Walsh. You must address them and each other as I have. I know you are all nurses-in-training, but you still get the title. Most hospitals do this and we certainly abide by this rule. When you are not on duty, you don't have to call one another by last name but remember to always strive for professionalism when on hospital grounds."
Nurse Branson. Sybil very much enjoyed the sound of that. She couldn't wait to write a letter to home and sign it as such. She could already see her father's smiling face when he would read it. "We've received a letter from Nurse Branson!" He would say. "Nurse Branson? What did she say? Has she forgotten us already?" Her grandfather would ask with a smirk. Her grandmother would then scold him by saying "Oh, Robert, dear, don't say that."
The medical school was simply overwhelming for Sybil and she was never as eager for school as she was now. The small lecture hall and classrooms were filled with empty desks and shelves with numerous scientific and medical materials. One of the classrooms even had a model of the skeletal system. The girls whispered amongst themselves when they saw it and asked one another if they thought it was real.
Sybil's favorite part of the entire medical school was the library. St. Margaret's library was filled with books on countless subjects, most of them being medical. There were seats and tables for the students to do their reading and studies. Sybil longed for the knowledge in the withered pages of the dusty books and decided that she wanted to spend quite some time in the library once her schooling commenced.
It was early evening by the time Sister Agnes concluded the tour of the hospital and medical school. Some girls were complaining of their feet hurting from all the walking and were quickly reprimanded by Sister Agnes. She warned them that complaining was not professional and to be accustomed to standing and walking a lot. Complaints were no longer heard after these words were spoken.
They were led back to the dining hall and were told to sit while each of them waited to receive their schedules. Unlike earlier, the dining room was fuller with more nurses who were taking brief breaks between their shifts to have supper. A savory aroma came from the kitchens that made Sybil's stomach audibly announce its hunger. She sat down at a table with the other girls and received her schedule when her name was called out. She carefully read it over and saw that she had classes in the mornings and early afternoons on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Her free time on those days, except Wednesday, simply stated the word "work." She assumed that that meant during that time she would be cleaning or assisting someone in the hospital. Her schedule also stated that she would have to work during Friday mornings and afternoons. Her Wednesday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays were free for studying or working if she chose to do so.
"Now, these schedules are not permanent," Sister Agnes began, "they may change during the course or your training. We are also at war, and if at any given point in the day, we are required to do something that strays from our schedules, we must do it. If there is an emergency, do as you are instructed. Everyone must help in difficult situations. Times like these require all of us to go about our day with the knowledge that anything could change at any time. I'm sure those of you who are older remember the zeppelin bombings of 1915, or perhaps the younger ones have heard of it?" The girls nodded in response. "Then you all know the damage that was caused and the state of emergency we were in," Sister Agnes said to them. "London was torn apart and I remember it all. I was here, a nurse-in-training, just as you all are. It was late and I was getting ready to go to bed, but then it all began. I dressed quickly and we all had to help our patients and try to shelter ourselves. You can imagine the state the hospital - the entire city- was in. St. Margaret's was filled by the morning with injured civilians. There were many children. It all broke my heart and I was frightened. I was young but had to act selflessly; that is what you are all called to do should anything like that ever happen again. I pray it does not. Now, are we clear?"
"Yes, Sister Agnes," many of the girls said in unison. The lighthearted atmosphere of the group of girls was now more serious. Sister Agnes nodded at them and looked in the direction of the kitchen. "Your supper, I believe, is to be ready soon," she began. "You shall all eat and then return to your rooms to unpack and settle in. I suggest you all get some sleep after you're all finished because tomorrow shall be an early morning for all of you. Here at St. Margaret's, we like to have a little commencement for our new ladies. The commencement shall take place during breakfast. You will be given your uniforms tomorrow, as well."
The sound of a commencement sounded exciting to Sybil and it took her mind off of the fear of an emergency that Sister Agnes had spoken of. Dinner was served and Sybil was not one bit disappointed by her meal, which consisted of a savory stew. She sat and ate silently while the girls around her told one another all about themselves and what their favorite part of the tour was. Even though Sybil was enjoying her solitude, she began to wonder where that Grace Crawford was. She had seen her during the tour but she was always in a different place in the group depending on where they were. Without a word, Grace suddenly appeared at the table with her bowl of soup and sat across from Sybil. Sybil looked up at her and smiled. "Hello," Sybil greeted.
"Hello," Grace smiled. "Did you enjoy the tour? The hospital does not seem as large now, but I still might get lost in it," she laughed.
"I feel the same," Sybil said. "I really took a liking to the library in the school."
"As did I," Grace responded with excitement. "It was breathtaking."
Sybil smiled and continued to have her meal. Her family would be having dinner soon, as well, back at Downton. Her father would be with them by now, or at least, Sybil hoped he would be. She missed him dearly. Tomorrow, she would not awaken in her grand bed at Downton Abbey. She would not be greeted by her cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or father. She would not be able to spend the afternoon with George, Marigold, or Edward. She was seated in a group of strangers, who were just as nervous as she was about the new experience. If her family was not here with her, she would have to befriend others to satisfy her longing for company.
Grace Crawford had seemed to take a liking to Sybil, and Sybil decided to give a friendship with her a chance since many of the other girls had already begun to form small groups. Sybil and Grace compared schedules after they both had finished their meals and discovered that they had very similar times for their classes, but Grace's schedule had different times for work. Even though many of the times were different, Grace expressed that she was happy to get to have some classes and work with Sybil and that she was hoping to get to get to know her better. Sybil also expressed to her that she was looking forward to getting to know Grace, as well.
"Can you believe that there's a rule that forbids us from marrying anyone during our time of training?" One of the girls asked as she sat on her bed in their room.
"That's daft, isn't it? My sweetheart promised that we would be married by next year. I'll still be training by then!" A girl complained.
"Speaking of sweetheart, did any of you see the young men out in the courtyard by the ambulances?" Another asked.
"Oh, I did!" Grace announced. "There were a few that were quite handsome."
Sybil chuckled quietly as she unpacked and listened to the conversation from across the room. The conversations she had listened to after the girls entered the room had amused her but she did not add to the conversation in any way. She had nothing to worry about regarding marriage. She was in no position to marry anytime soon, anyway, but that did not mean she did not want a marriage at all. She wanted a future with the one she was meant to be with and she now thought of Edward when she imagined it all. Edward. Sybil frowned at the thought of him. She missed him dearly too. She suddenly remembered the fair, the dances, going to the cinema, and the last day they were together. She wanted to experience it all over again. She felt a tear begin to leave her eye but she quickly wiped it away and took her suitcases out from underneath her bed. "How many suitcases did you bring, Grace?" She asked to distract herself.
"Oh, just one. It's a big suitcase, though," Grace answered as she placed a blouse in the drawer of her nightstand.
"Ah," Sybil simply said. She took out all that she packed, except for her shoes and evening dresses that her father insisted she bring. She almost regretted bringing the dresses along. Now that she was here, she couldn't imagine going out into the city for anything worthy of dressing up for. She kept those locked away in her suitcase and back under her bed.
As Sybil went through her clothes and began to place them in her nightstand drawers, she found the portrait of her mother and the red ribbon from Lucy's stuffed bear tucked neatly between two blouses. She gently took the ribbon out and felt the cool silkiness of it between her fingers. With a sigh, she placed the ribbon on her nightstand along with the photograph of her mother. She set the photograph at an angle, facing her bed, and the red ribbon lay across from it. The little display made Sybil smile and she stared at the portrait of her mother. Her kind eyes and smile calmed Sybil. I'm happy you're with me, Mother, Sybil thought as she sat down on her bed.
"Who's that?" Sybil was suddenly asked. "You look so much like her!"
Sybil turned around and saw that Grace was peering over her shoulder at the portrait. Grace backed away slightly, however, when Sybil stood to answer her. "Oh, that's my mother."
"She's so lovely," Grace smiled. "I brought a portrait too." Grace looked through her suitcase and took out a small frame. She held it out to Sybil to show her. In the photograph, sat a large family. Sybil recognized Grace right away. She was standing next to, who Sybil assumed, were her parents. They were surrounded by three younger girls and an older girl: Grace's sisters. "This is such a nice photograph," Sybil smiled as Grace removed the photograph from Sybil's view and placed it down on her own nightstand.
"Thank you," Grace sighed. "I miss them all already."
"I miss my family too," Sybil smiled sadly. "We're making them proud, though."
Grace smiled at Sybil's words. "Yes, we are. Well, I suppose I'll let you finish unpacking. I'm sorry if I've seemed invasive throughout the day; I just really enjoy having someone to talk to. It makes me feel more comfortable, especially in a new place."
"Oh, that's quite alright, Grace," Sybil said kindly. "I understand. I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of talking as the days go on. I'm happy that I have new company."
"Likewise, Sybil."
Sybil did not feel how exhausted she was until she lay in her new and uncomfortable bed. Her legs ached as they did after she had danced for hours with Edward but she knew she had to get accustomed to it. She turned on her side to face the window and saw the weak moonlight shining through the darkness of the room. She closed her eyes and imagined that she was in her bed at Downton Abbey. Gone was the thin mattress that would cause her back to ache; she was now on her soft mattress that she could sink into comfortably. She imagined she was surrounded by her silky pillows and covered by her thick soft blankets, instead of the lightweight ones she had over her. This was her new reality and as much as she wished circumstances were different, she accepted this new experience with a grateful heart. She was training to become a nurse, which is what she had wanted for a long time. She was going to make her family proud.
As she fell asleep, she thought of what her family may be doing at that very moment. She imagined them in the drawing room, talking and laughing. Donk would be drinking a glass of wine with her uncles while listening to Aunt Mary say something witty. Aunt Edith would sigh at her words and change the conversation. Marigold and George would make their grandmother laugh and her father would begin telling them of the train ride from Downton to London and the wonderful hospital Sybil would be at.
Goodnight, Donk. Goodnight, Papa. Goodnight, Marigold, Goodnight, George... Sybil repeated her goodnights to each member of her family, including Edward, until she fell asleep with the anticipation of tomorrow and the start of her new life in London as a nurse-in-training.
