Sybil awoke the next morning feeling quite the opposite of refreshed. Her back ached from the wooden bed frame and thin mattress and she felt very tired, for she hadn't had a full or good night's rest. When she left her bed and went to the window to open the curtains, she reminded herself that she was no longer in Downton. She no longer had a view of the beautiful green estate she was accustomed to; now she only saw buildings and faint smoke from factories. She turned away from her window and saw that many of the girls were also just waking up while others were already dressed for the day. Grace was seated on her bed and putting her hair up with pins. She smiled at Sybil when she saw that she was out of bed. "Good morning," she greeted.
"Good morning," Sybil replied back quietly and looked through her drawers for something to wear.
"How did you sleep?" She heard Grace ask. Sybil answered without hesitation as she took a day dress from a drawer.
"Terribly, I must admit," she began, "I'm afraid it'll take quite some time getting used to this bed."
She heard Grace begin to laugh. Sybil looked over at her and tilted her head in confusion. "I slept remarkably well!" Grace announced to her. "I'm sorry you didn't. You'll get used to it."
Sybil responded with a smile but said nothing as she got ready for breakfast.
Sybil and the other nurses-in-training soon were in the dining hall, eager for their commencement. Other nurses and Ward Sisters were present and were standing beside the other tables; there were even men present. A nurse was also standing at a piano in the corner of the room. In the back of the room was a long table filled with food and the sight made Sybil even hungrier for breakfast. However, she knew they wouldn't be eating for quite some time more due to the commencement.
"Please go to a seat and table, ladies," a nurse said to the group as she approached them. "But do not sit yet."
The group of girls dispersed into much smaller groups as they went to sit at the table in the center of the room. Sybil immediately found a seat near the back of the table and Grace soon took the chair across from hers. Sister Agnes stood next to the seat at the head of the table and began her greeting to the girls. "Good morning, ladies. I hope you all are well rested. Welcome to your commencement. I know it may be a humble one but we hope it will be to your liking. I know you all must be eyeing the food at the back of the room but that is for afterward. Do not worry, this shall not take too long." Sister Agnes took some time to tell the girls the history of St. Margaret's, the purpose of the hospital, and how fortunate the girls were to be studying there. Many of the information had been repeated information that the girls had heard the day before, but they remained patient and listened as Sister Agnes spoke to them. "And always remember," Sister Agnes began to say toward the end of her speech, "we are all soldiers. We may not be out fighting against our enemies, but we are fighting for the life of our people. You are doing a great service to your country. Be proud of being a nurse."
Applause sounded throughout the entire dining hall and was followed by music. The nurse at the piano had begun to play a patriotic song that everyone began to sing.
"I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above.
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;"
As Sybil sang, she began to understand and think about the lyrics much more than she ever had. What she was doing, was a service of love. It was a service of love for her country and for her family. The thought of her family made her smile softly as she sang and she began to wish they were here for this commencement. She imagined her father and grandfather having proud looks on their faces and everyone in her family applauding for her.
"The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice."
Throughout the song, Sybil was also looking around the room at the faces she would be accustomed to seeing every day. She turned her head slightly to look over her shoulder at the entrance of the dining hall and saw the young man she had seen yesterday when she had arrived. She watched as he pushed his hair back out of his face before looking directly at her. Sybil's eyes widened in shock when she realized he had seen her staring briefly at him; she quickly faced forward and continued singing the song. She mentally asked herself what she was doing. She did not want the young man to think that she was flirting with him, nor did she want him to think that she was acting cold. She was only curious about his job at the hospital. I won't look at him anymore, she thought. If I ever see him again, I shall be friendly and simply ask what he does at the hospital, but until then, I'll avoid him so he doesn't think I fancy him. She focused again on the thought of her family and did not turn back toward the entrance again.
"...And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace…"
Once the song had ended, Sister Agnes, who was now somewhat emotional after it all, announced that the girls were to receive their uniforms. Excitement filled Sybil as random names began to be called out and uniforms were given. When Sybil's name was called, she walked to Sister Agnes and her uniform, which was folded neatly and wrapped in light paper, was placed gently into her hands. From beneath the paper, Sybil could see the pale blue, almost white, uniform and an apron. She couldn't wait to wear it all tomorrow and see how she looked.
The uniform stayed on Sybil's lap as she waited for the line at the food table to grow shorter. Almost all of the girls at her table, including Grace, had left to get breakfast as soon as Sister Agnes announced that it was time to eat. Sybil stayed behind so that she wouldn't have to stand so long and she didn't mind waiting at the table.
"Go on to get food, Sybil," Grace said as she sat across from her a short moment later. "The line isn't as long now. I'll watch your uniform for you."
"Thank you," Sybil said as she left the table and went to the now shorter line. She took a plate and began to serve herself. The options she had were not as well prepared as the food at Downton, but they would suffice. There was a delicious smell coming from a small basket on the table and Sybil saw that the basket was filled with freshly made biscuits. As she reached over to take a biscuit, she was startled by someone, who was standing next to her, when they said: "Those biscuits taste the best out of everything on this table!"
She turned to her left and beside her was the young blond man she had told herself she would avoid. She smiled politely at him and took a biscuit, continuing down the line and looking at the other food. "You're a nurse-in-training," the young man stated. "I hope you like it here."
"Thank you," Sybil said to him as she surveyed the jam and then glanced at him.
"I'm Peter Harlow," he said with a charming smile. "What's your name?"
So bold, Sybil thought. "Ah, Branson. Sybil Branson is my name. I know we're supposed to refer to one another by last names, though."
"It's nice to meet you, Sybil," Peter said, ignoring the last part of what Sybil had told him.
"Likewise, Peter," Sybil couldn't help but saying his name either. She smiled at him again and noticed that she had come to the end of the table. She was ready to return back to her seat but she pondered on whether or not she should ask him why he was there at the hospital like she was planning to. She opened her mouth to speak but someone next to Peter asked him if he could help unload a delivery of medical supplies after breakfast. Sybil noted that since he appears to be strong, he must be hired to help with the supplies and other similar tasks throughout the hospital that require heavy lifting and the like. Without saying another word to Peter, she left the table and returned to her seat.
"Did you hear what Sister Agnes just said?" Grace asked Sybil as she sat down.
"No," Sybil told her. "I couldn't hear anything from the back of the room. What did she say?"
Grace leaned forward and began to have a worried look on her face, which concerned Sybil. "Sister Agnes said that there are drills in the evening for air raids. The siren sounds through London and we have to act swiftly as though it were true."
"Air raids?" Sybil asked. She knew that air raids were something to be wary about but she had no idea that drills were being practiced. The thought frightened her but she knew it was better to be prepared and safe for anything that may occur. "I've never experienced a drill. We didn't have one last night."
"No, we didn't," Grace said and began to eat again. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about those things. Aren't our uniforms lovely?"
Sybil nodded with a smile. "I can't wait to wear it tomorrow."
"Neither can I!"
While Sybil and Grace ate their breakfast, they spent time talking about what they looked forward to in the upcoming week and what they thought their classes would be like. It was the perfect lighthearted conversation Sybil needed for the morning.
When breakfast was finished, some of the nurses-in-training returned to their room to put away their uniforms while others went exploring in and out of the hospital. Sister Agnes had told them since they were not trained or had taken any classes yet, that they could not assist at the hospital and were to have the day free to do as they pleased. This would be the last day of true freedom that they would have before beginning their studies, she told them. Sybil had no plans for her free day and pondered on the idea of staying at the hospital and making a telephone call to Downton. Grace, however, was eager to go out and explore London and she had no intentions of going alone.
"I want to walk around London," Grace announced to Sybil when she was finished putting away her uniform.
"Then go, Grace," Sybil chuckled. "What's stopping you?"
"Well, you see, I don't want to go alone. I'll get lost," Grace said sheepishly. "Besides, I like having the company of others."
Walking around London did sound nice, Sybil thought. The weather seemed perfect and there was so much to see. She decided to go with Grace; she could always make the telephone call to Downton from a telephone booth. "Alright, Grace, let's go explore London." The two were walking out of the courtyard of St. Margaret's hospital soon after. Bells from a nearby cathedral tolled the hour and the beautiful sound filled the London air. Sybil sighed lightly and looked at Grace, who was looking around eagerly for a place to begin their exploration. "Where shall we go?" Sybil asked.
"Oh, I don't know," Grace shrugged as she looked in both directions of the street before them. "I think I see some shops down that way," she said as she looked to the right. "Let's walk that way."
"Alright," Sybil said, happy to follow. The two came across a row of shops, some were obviously shops for the wealthy and had luxurious clothes and jewelry in front of their store windows. Grace stopped in front of a dress shop and gaped at a heavily sequined silver dress in the display.
"Look at that," she said, urging Sybil to come and see the dress. "I've never seen a dress that beautiful before!"
Sybil had seen many dresses that resembled the blinding silver one in the window, but she never really liked them. She remembered the gaudy dresses and attire guests would attend Downton Abbey's celebrations in. She thought many of the dresses were beautiful but some guests came in such ridiculously flamboyant outfits to display their wealth. George would always poke fun at the guests in secret with her and Marigold. Still, no matter what Sybil thought of the dress in the display window, Grace seemed to have fallen in love with it. "Would you like to go into the dress shop, Grace?" She asked. Grace looked at Sybil and appeared as though she was about to burst into laughter.
"I can't go in there! I don't fit in with this type of store."
"What on earth does that mean?" Sybil asked. "Of course, you fit in. Come along. I can see how much you love the dress." Sybil took Grace by the arm and opened the shop door. Grace tried to pull away and resist, but she gave up and went into the store with Sybil.
"Sybil," she huffed. "I can't afford anything in this store."
"That doesn't matter," Sybil said to her quietly, due to the concerned stare that the shopkeeper was giving them. "You're just here to see."
Grace sighed and crossed her arms. "Alright, but I'll probably get attached to something and- oh my goodness, look at this hat." Grace walked away from Sybil and left to a hat display nearby; the dress was now forgotten. Sybil watched her and saw that she picked up a navy blue hat with two black feathers in it. She turned to Sybil and waved her over. "Sybil, come see how this looks on me. I like this hat much more than that dress."
Sybil obliged Grace and when she put the hat on, Sybil saw that the hat was perfect for Grace, especially since the colors went so well with her red hair. "It looks wonderful on you, Grace," she smiled.
"Really?" Grace asked as she looked at herself in a small mirror that was hanging on the wall. "I think so too. Oh, I wish I could buy this! What use do I have for it, though? Perhaps, if I save enough money, I'll come back for it."
"Yes, you'll just have to," Sybil said to her. Grace took the hat off with a frown and placed it back on the display. "Until next time, hat."
Sybil felt sorry for Grace having to leave the hat behind. The hat was even too expensive for Sybil to buy at the moment and even if she had money with her to purchase it for Grace, she didn't think her family would be proud of her spending that amount of money on something for someone she's known for one day.
The girls explored much more after the dress shop and even spent a considerable amount of time in a bakery, taking in the aromas of freshly baked bread and pastries. They passed by old buildings and expressed their amazement at the architecture, as well. Grace was simply amazed by the history of all that was around her. Sybil had not realized the greatness of London's beauty and seeing more of it excited her in knowing that she now lived there.
It was soon the afternoon, and Grace and Sybil began to feel the need to rest after their visits to numerous shops. Together they found a bench and sat down. Sybil watched as people walked past them and she could see that they were all trying to desperately distract themselves from the fact the country was at war. She had noticed small changes that London had made after the declaration of war. One that was most noticeable to her was the sandbags; she and Grace had passed by more than a few shops that had a pile of sandbags in front of the display window or at the side of the store. The heavy barriers of protection were signs that many believed something may happen and the danger would be directly outside of their doors.
"There's a toy store over there," Grace stated as she looked out at the shops. "I want to go in and see if I can get anything for my sisters."
Sybil looked in the direction of the toy store and saw that there was a telephone booth near it. She eyed the telephone booth and decided now was her chance to talk to her family. "Grace," she began, "I've been wanting to make a telephone call to my family and I see that there's a telephone booth over there. Perhaps you can go to the store while I go to the telephone? We can meet right here when we're both done."
"Oh, perfect!" Grace smiled and immediately got up. "I won't be long."
Sybil left the bench soon after Grace did and went straight to the telephone booth. After paying and getting through to an operator, she eagerly awaited to hear the voice of someone she loved.
"Hello?" It was her aunt, Edith.
"Aunt Edith? It's Sybil," Sybil said happily into the telephone.
"Sybil! Oh, dear, it's so wonderful to hear your voice," her aunt said.
"It's so wonderful to hear yours," Sybil said with a smile. "How are you? How is everyone? I know I've only been gone for a day but I miss you all so much."
"We miss you terribly!" Her aunt responded. "But I'm well, as is everyone. Dinner was quite solemn last night but your father told us all about St. Margaret's and how proud he is of you. We're all so proud of you, Sybil."
"Thank you," Sybil said, forcing herself to not become too emotional. "What is everyone up to right now? Is my Papa there?"
"Oh, no, Sybil, I'm sorry. Your father left for church and everyone else is out for a walk."
Sybil frowned. "Oh… Well, that's alright. Why didn't you go for a walk?"
"I wanted to stay behind and go through the writing that Marigold wanted me to read."
"Oh! Is Marigold there?"
"N-no," her aunt stammered. "She's not here." She then laughed nervously. "She's out there somewhere with the family."
Sybil's was confused by the way her aunt responded. When she spoke, it sounded as though she were not telling the truth. It made Sybil curious of Marigold's whereabouts. Sybil decided not to question it, though. "I see," she said. "Well, I'm out walking around London."
"Oh, how is London? Tell me all about where your living," her aunt asked, sounding much calmer.
"London is quite nice. It seems different from the last time I came with you and Aunt Mary for shopping some years ago. I've been exploring it all morning with a new friend of mine."
"A new friend? That's wonderful you've made a new friend already, Sybil. We were all hoping you wouldn't be lonely there."
Sybil smiled. "Yes, she's a kind person. I'm living in a large room with the other nurses-in-training. It's so different. I am too used to the comforts I've been blessed to have in my life."
"I'm sure it will all take some getting used to. You'll be just fine, though, Sybbie. Oh, and are you returning to St. Margaret's soon?"
"Ah, no, I don't know when exactly we're returning. Why?"
Her aunt hesitated before speaking. "Where exactly are you?
Sybil looked around at her surroundings through the telephone booth. "I don't know exactly but I believe St. Paul's is nearby. Why?"
"No reason, I'm only curious," her aunt said with a nervous laugh. "Well, you ought to return to your friend. I'll tell your father that you called. He'll be happy to hear that."
"Thank you so much, Aunt Edith. I love you. Tell everyone that I love them too, please."
"I will. Love you, Sybbie! Take care."
The telephone call was ended and Sybil left the booth not entirely satisfied with the conversation. How odd. Why did she want to know my exact location? Aunt Edith's nervousness worried her and she wondered if anything had happened after she left. She imagined perhaps it had something to do with Marigold since her aunt began to stammer when Sybil asked about her. There was nothing she could do, unfortunately, so she made herself believe that all was well with her family and returned to the bench.
"Look what I bought!" Grace ran over to the bench and sat next to Sybil. She opened up the small shopping bag she had in her hand and held out three small stuffed bears. "One for each of my younger sisters. Aren't they precious? They were also very affordable for me."
Sybil smiled and nodded. "They're adorable." The stuffed bears reminded her of Lucy's stuffed bear. How she wished she could have seen Lucy once more before she left Downton. Sybil hoped and prayed that Lucy was alright and her ailments were gone.
"I really can't wait to send these to them," Grace said happily as she put the bears back in the bag. "How was your telephone call?"
"Fine." Sybil decided not to tell her about the odd question her aunt asked. "I was hoping to speak with my father but my aunt answered. My father and the rest of my family were out, she said. That's alright, though, I'll call them again sometime soon."
Grace gave Sybil a puzzled look. "Do you live with your entire family? Your aunt lives with you?"
The question caught Sybil by surprise and she had no idea how to respond. She had said too much. "Ah, no," Sybil lied. "My family is just at my home a lot. It's as though we all live together because we see one another so often." She could see that Grace did not fully believe what she was being told, but she remained polite and questioned her no more.
"It's nice to have a close bond with family," she said. Sybil nodded and stood from the bench, hoping to distract Grace from the topic.
"Where would you like to go now?" Sybil asked.
"Oh, I was hoping we could maybe go a few streets over. It's a lot of walking, though," Grace said as she stood. "Shall we take the bus?"
"Yes, let's take the bus."
Sybil and Grace made their way to the nearest bus stop and waited. As they waited, they said nothing to one another. Sybil hoped that Grace did not think that she was being secretive or unkind. Sybil would love to tell Grace about her family but now was not the best time. The trust had to be built. Even though she had felt comfortable with Grace in the very short time she had known her, she still didn't fully know her and did not want to reveal too much about herself yet.
"I'd love to see Hyde Park," Grace finally said. "I've seen such beautiful photographs of it."
Sybil did not recall ever seeing Hyde Park when she came to London as a young girl. She was curious about seeing as well and decided to make an outing of it. "Then let's go," she said to Grace as the bus neared their stop. A smile appeared on Grace's face; she was grateful that her new friend seemed as eager to explore as she did.
The bus stopped in front of them and the girls boarded. They stood at the back of the bus on the outside platform and held on. Sybil watched people on bicycles pass them by and it made her miss her own bicycle that she used to ride to and from school in Massachusetts. How different life was, she thought. A year ago she would never have thought that she would be in London training to become a nurse in times of war. Life is full of unexpected changes and moments.
"I've noticed something," Grace began to say as she held onto the pole of the bus. "We've been walking around London all morning and I've seen so many people and I've noticed that there is a lack of young men."
"I'm sure most have left for training," Sybil said. "Now that I think about it, you're right. I haven't seen many young men as we've walked around London."
"I haven't even seen one!" Grace laughed and looked out into the street. "Oh, wait, nevermind what I just told you. There's a young man over there."
"Where?" Sybil asked, looking in the same direction as Grace was.
"Over there!" Grace briefly pointed across the street. "The tall boy with the blond hair. He's standing across the street with a girl. Do you see her? The one with the curly hair? Oh, the boy she's with is very handsome. Look, Sybil! Hurry, before we pass him."
Sybil leaned forward slightly and searched for this boy and girl that Grace was describing. Within seconds, she finally saw them. Another unexpected moment.
"George?" Sybil spoke so softly and in such disbelief that she kept staring. It has to be him! "George!" Sybil called out. Suddenly, the bus stopped to pick up more passengers and Sybil unboarded as quickly as she could, and ran across the street. She heard Grace voicing her confusion as she followed after her.
"George!" Sybil ran to him and was soon met with open arms.
"Sybbie!" George embraced his cousin tightly, even lifting her off of the ground as he did so. "We were so worried we wouldn't find you!"
Still lifted off of the ground, Sybil kissed her cousin's cheek and wrapped her arms around him. "George, what on earth are you doing here? Is this a dream?"
"Shall I pinch you to prove that it's not?" He asked with a smirk.
"No, thank you!" Sybil laughed and pulled away from him. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned around. Marigold stood before her with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"We can't stand to be away from you for too long," she said to her. Sybil sighed happily and hugged her cousin.
"I know it's only been one day, but we miss you so!" Marigold cried.
"I know," Sybil consoled. "I feel the same way."
"We're all together now, so stop crying," George said as he picked up Marigold and Sybil and spun them around. George laughed as Sybil and Marigold squealed at the speed of his spinning. Sybil felt an unconditional happiness with her cousins and she could not stop smiling now that she was with them again.
"Put us down, George!" Marigold ordered with a giggle.
"Fine, fine!" George set his cousins down on their feet. "I can't believe we're here," he said.
"I can't either! Did you two come alone?" Sybil asked.
"We did," George said with a nod. "Marigold and I were so upset yesterday after you left-"
"George spent the entire night just sitting with me on my bed talking until we both fell asleep," Marigold interrupted.
"Yes," George spoke again. "We just really wanted to see you again and make your first full day in London special since we thought you would just be settling in today. Everyone said that Marigold and I could come to see you and spend the afternoon with you as long as you weren't busy."
"That is so sweet. You're lucky because I am not busy today," Sybil smiled. "I'm so happy you two are here!" She hugged her cousins again and then realized that Grace was most likely witnessing the entire scene from afar. She turned and saw Grace shyly watching them from a few feet away. "Grace, these are my cousins. I'll introduce you," Sybil said to her. Grace walked over to the small group and smiled at George and Marigold.
"George, Marigold, this is Grace Crawford," Sybil said to them. "She's a nurse-in-training, as well. Grace, these are my cousins, Marigold Pelham and George Crawley."
"Ah, Crawley and Crawford," Grace laughed. "Such similar last names. It's a pleasure to meet you both."
"And you," Marigold smiled and shook Grace's hand. George chuckled at what Grace had said about their last names and instead of shaking her hand, he lightly kissed it.
"I'm delighted to meet you, Miss Crawford."
Sybil rolled her eyes; she knew girls found George handsome and he was capable of being quite the flirt. Grace blushed after he kissed her hand and Sybil had the feeling that Grace had probably never been kissed on the hand before. "N-no one's ever kissed my hand before," Grace blurted out. Sybil's hypothesis was proven correct.
"Ah, well, I am glad to have been your first," George said with a charming smile. Marigold raised a brow and lightly hit George's arm. "You'll embarrass her," she scolded.
"It's alright!" Grace laughed. "I'm not embarrassed, really."
George smiled at Grace and then looked at Sybil. "Where were you two headed? We had telephoned Downton when we arrived at the train station moments ago and Aunt Edith said you were spending the day in the city rather than staying at the hospital. She said you were near St. Paul's Cathedral. We didn't know where we would find you but I knew we would find you somewhere, somehow."
"George actually said we would need to sniff you out like a hound! 'Do you smell her perfume?', he asked me," Marigold said quietly to Sybil, which made her burst out laughing.
"So that's why Aunt Edith asked me where I was over the telephone."
"We were going to Hyde Park," Grace said to George. "You two should join us."
"Marigold and I would love to join you. Shall we take a cab?"
Grace laughed in disbelief. "A cab is far too expensive. We'll take the bus. There's a bus stop this way."
Grace walked ahead of the group as George followed behind with his cousins. "I have enough money to pay for a cab," he whispered to Sybil. Sybil stopped walking and held his arm. "George," she said quietly to him. "My father advised me not to make our true identity known to people here. Don't make your wealth known. Grace is from a humble and simple family and she thinks that I am too, or at least I hope she does. We'll just take the bus and save money."
"Sybil, I've never taken the bus anywhere in my entire life," George confessed.
"Never?" Sybil could almost laugh. "Not even when you were in school?"
"I took cabs," George glared. "But I'll take the bus to appease you."
"Thank you, George."
George held on tightly to a pole on the bus as it sped through the streets of London while Marigold and Grace chatted away happily to one another Sybil sat in her seat, facing George. "Are you anxious?" She asked him
George looked down at her. "For what?"
"Leaving for training. You leave this week."
"Of course, I'm anxious but I haven't really thought about it. You know that I am quite excited too. I hope to learn how to fly a plane or drive a tank."
"I know," Sybil smiled softly. "You'll do well at whatever they put you to do."
"Thank you, Sybbie. Edward will do well, too. I can see him becoming a captain or having some position of leadership."
Sybil saw it too. She imagined Edward leading a battalion of soldiers through a vast land, empty with nothing with piles of dirt and dried grass. His valor would inspire his battalion and his kind heart would give them comfort.
"Maybe we'll both be captains! Captain Trent and Captain Crawley at your service, Ma'am," George grinned.
Sybil smiled at her cousin. She knew that wherever he and Edward were sent, safety would not be guaranteed but all she wanted was for him and George to be safe no matter what they did. She turned slightly away from George. "How long is your training again?"
"Oh, it's six months," George said proudly. "But we will be able to have some time off throughout it. You'll be able to see Edward."
Sybil could not help but sigh at the thought. "When you see him, tell him I miss him."
"I will," George said. "Perhaps, you will be able to tell him that for yourself soon." George saw Sybil's eyes light up with curiosity.
"What do you mean? Is he to visit here too?" She asked. George shrugged.
"I don't know but he might."
"I hope to see him soon."
Hyde Park was absolutely breathtaking. From the moment Sybil passed through the grand entrance of the park, she felt as though she were walking into a paradise. Together, they walk by enchanting pools of water and fountains. The sight was positively romantic and Sybil wished she could roam the park with Edward. She took comfort in the thought that maybe she and Edward would go to Hyde Park together someday. It would be after the war and they could be with one another without having a care or worry in the world. "Oh, look, there's a pond over there!" Grace said as she began walking towards it.
"I wanted to go this way and see the trees. They appear to have blossoms growing," Marigold said, walking in the other direction. George looked back and forth from Grace and Marigold before saying: "How about, I go see the pond with Grace and Sybil joins Marigold?"
Sybil could see Grace's face flush. "That'd be nice!" Grace squeaked before walking away. Sybil and George exchanged smirks before he left to follow Grace. Marigold crossed her arms as she watched George leave.
"He's smitten!"
"No, he isn't," Sybil chuckled. "He's only being kind. Come along, let's go to the trees." The cousins walked arm-in-arm to a row of trees with pink and white blossoms. "I spoke to your mother on the telephone earlier," Sybil said to Marigold as she took a blossom from a tree.
"Oh, yes, I heard you mention that. She had spoken to you shortly before we telephoned from the train station. She said you asked her where I was."
"I did. She became a bit flustered when I asked. I was worried something was wrong."
Marigold shook her head and put a blossom in her hair. "We just wanted to surprise you."
"And it was a wonderful surprise, indeed."
"I'm so glad," Marigold grinned. "So, tell me all about St. Margaret's! I want to know everything!" Sybil gave into Marigold's request and told her all about her experience at St. Margaret's so far. She told her all about the medical school, her classes and schedule, the history of the hospital that she was told, and her living conditions. Marigold found it entertaining when Sybil told her about the hard bed and how difficult it was to sleep on it.
"You're just like the girl in The Princess and The Pea!" Marigold laughed. "But that all sounds exciting. I'm so happy to hear about all the things you'll learn."
Sometime later, Sybil and Marigold were nearing the pond that Grace and George had been walking around together. The sound of Grace's laughter filled the air followed by George's deep laughter. When Sybil looked across the pond at them, she saw that both had a smile on their face and were leaning in telling one another things. "I hope George isn't telling her anything that would allow her to discover that he's the grandson of the Earl of Grantham," Sybil said worriedly.
"He's probably saying things that he'll regret," Marigold sneered. Sybil detected a hint of envy in her voice.
"Marigold," Sybil began, "are you jealous?"
Marigold's eyes widened but she remained composed. "Of what? No!" she paused and frowned. " It's just that… I suppose I am a bit jealous. You and George are all I've ever known. I know you two are older than me but seeing you two beginning your own lives is difficult. I'm happy for you but I don't want you two to be taken away from me."
Sybil put her arm around her cousin. "Nothing can truly separate us, Marigold."
"Well, the war can. You also have Edward and George will probably meet a nice girl and then after the war, you'll all get married and move away somewhere."
"Marigold, I don't think that's exactly how it will all happen. Besides, you know that if George ever falls in love, you and I were the first ones to steal his heart. He loves us so much and we're all going to be happy for one another no matter where our lives take us. Remember, I told you that he's simply being friendly with Grace. You know how charismatic George can be."
"I suppose," Marigold said with a faint smile. "George will always be there for us, won't he?"
"That's right," Sybil smiled. "And if he isn't, we'll jump on him." This sent Marigold into a fit of laughter while Sybil chuckled and looked back at Grace and George. She caught Grace's eye from across the pond and the two waved at one another. Grace speedily walked over to her and Marigold, leaving George to race after her.
"Sybil, your cousin is quite the comedian!" Grace giggled as she approached Sybil. "He was telling me all about the adventures the three of you had as children."
"Oh!" Sybil laughed nervously and looked at George with questioning eyes.
"Yes, I told her all about the trouble we used to get into on our grandparent's farm," George said cooly with a wink.
"Farm?" Marigold raised her brow. "We don't live on-"
"Ah, yes, the farm," Sybil interrupted quickly. "We had a very fun childhood together." She looked at Marigold and nodded her head at her to go on with the story. Marigold understood and smiled at Grace.
"Yes, George loved playing with the pigs. Our aunt, Mary, his mother, said he wanted to be a pig farmer when he grew up."
"That's true," Sybil smirked.
"How sweet!" Grace laughed. "I adore pigs; well, piglets, I should say. They are so precious when they are small."
George was slightly annoyed by the pig farmer comment, even though it was the truth, but when he saw that it made Grace laugh, he didn't mind it anymore. "Yes, I am hopefully going to inherit the farm someday too."
"Ah, then you can have all the pigs you want," Grace chuckled.
The group continued to wander through Hyde Park together and stopped every so often to marvel at its beauty. They even had a chance to walk by the Buckingham Palace gates and peek in before returning to the park. As they walked, they heard the low rumbles of plane engines above them. A surge of fear filled Sybil and she stopped walking to look up. "Those are ours," she heard George say. The formation of planes flew over and past them and continued on their way. Sybil breathed a sigh of relief.
"Our Ward Sister told us all about the bombings here during the Great War."
"And did you know, London has air raid siren drills?" Grace asked. "We haven't experienced one yet."
Marigold hugged herself. "That sounds frightening. We don't have sirens at Downton."
"We're safe in the countryside," George said confidently. "That's why families are sending their children there. Although, I've heard some people say the children are safer here. I heard a man say that at the train station when we were leaving."
"Oh, that man was a know-it-all," Marigold said with annoyance as she recalled the man blasting his opinions to a family with children. "The look on those poor parents' faces, and the children too!"
"No one can ever agree on anything, whether it be in times of war or peace," Sybil frowned.
"And that's how it always will be," Grace said. "I just hope that our planes are the only ones that will ever fly over us."
Feeling the pangs of hunger around mid-afternoon, the group decided to eat at a quaint coffee shop. Small sandwiches were ordered and eaten while George entertained the girls with his humor and stories. The day was going brilliantly, Sybil thought, and she was more than grateful that her cousins were here to spend time with her. Their visit was to end soon, however, for their train was leaving in one hour. Sybil wished they could stay but George and Marigold assured her that they would all see one another soon. Sybil wanted to believe them, but George was leaving for training, and if Marigold were to see Sybil again, it would be without him.
"That was delicious," Grace said as she pushed her small empty plate away. She began to look through her purse for money to pay for her food, but George immediately interjected.
"No, no, I'll be paying for our meal."
Grace kept her hand in her purse and shook her head. "That would be far too expensive for you. Please, let me pay for my own food."
"I have money," George said and immediately left the table with the bill to pay directly so that Grace would not have the chance to be able to pay. Grace looked at Sybil and Marigold, who were doing their best to hide their smiles.
"George is very generous," Sybil said to her. "He always insists he pays for everything."
"He also has a generous monthly allowance," Marigold added.
"I see," Grace said, closing her purse. "Well, if that is what he wants to do, then I cannot stop him, can I?"
Sybil shook her head. "George is very stubborn, so even if you argued against him, he does what he wants anyway."
When George returned to the table, he began to feel the pressure of getting to the train station in time for their train's departure. "We need to get to the train station now, Marigold."
"Oh, may we go with you?" Sybil asked as she left her seat.
"Certainly!" Marigold smiled. "Now, I suppose we should hurry to the nearest bus stop that will take us to King's Cross." Sybil heard George groan at the mention of taking the bus, but he made no objection and the group left the coffee shop for the bus stop.
They arrived at Kings Cross almost a half hour later, due to the frequent stops the bus had to make for passengers. George, Marigold, Grace, and Sybil stood at the side of the crowds as they waited for George to get information as to which platform they would need to go to. "George is taking some time, isn't he?" Sybil asked.
"Oh, I think he was also going to telephone Downton and let them know we were on our way back so that they would tell Mr. Crewe to be there waiting for us," Marigold responded. Sybil was relieved when she saw that Grace did not respond to what Marigold had just said due to her being distracted by the crowds and noise all around them. "What will you do after this?" Marigold asked Sybil quietly.
"I'm not too sure," Sybil said with a shrug. "I suppose Grace and I should return to the hospital and get some rest before dinner later. It's going to be a very early morning for all of us at St. Margaret's tomorrow. Classes start and the work begins."
Marigold reached over and lightly squeezed Sybil's arm. "Good luck."
"I have returned!" George announced he joined the group. Grace's eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"Welcome back!" She smiled.
"Thank you," George grinned. "Marigold, I know the platform we have to get to, but it's quite a walk, so I suggest we say goodbye here."
"Oh," Marigold sighed sadly and then turn to Sybil. She threw her arms around her and the two embraced. "Goodbye, Sybbie," she said to her. "I'll miss you so much… Again."
"I'll miss you, too, Marigold," Sybil sighed. "Remember to write to me, please. I want to know what's happening at Downton while I'm here."
"Yes, I'll write to you," Marigold said with assurance. She then went to Grace to say her farewell to her. George had made his farewell to Grace by kissing her hand again and telling her that it was a pleasure to meet and spend time with her. Grace responded with a blush. George then went to Sybil and pulled her to him. Sybil wrapped her arms around her cousin tightly.
"Good luck, George," she whispered to him. "I hope you enjoy training. Remember to always be safe."
"You too," George smiled and pulled away so that he could see her. "I love you, Sybbie."
"I love you too, George."
George leaned in and kissed Sybil's cheek. "Oh, and I'll try to get in contact with Edward as soon as I can so that he can talk to you or see you."
"Oh, thank you, George," Sybil said, smiling graciously. "And please tell my Papa and everyone else that I miss them dearly and that I'll try to telephone Downton sometime this week to talk to them."
"Will do," George said. He turned to Marigold and held his arm out to her. "Well, let's go then." Marigold nodded and took his arm. She waved at Sybil and Grace as they slowly began to walk away to their platform.
"Goodbye, Sybbie! Goodbye, Grace!" She called out.
"Goodbye! It was lovely to meet you both!" Grace waved. Sybil waved as well with a sad smile.
"Goodbye! I love you both!"
"Love you!" She heard Marigold shout to her. Soon, her cousins had disappeared into the crowd and Sybil no longer saw them. She placed her hands in her coat pockets and glanced at Grace.
"We should go back to St. Margaret's now."
"We should," Grace said and turned around to walk away with her. "Your cousins are so kind," she said to Sybil as they walked out of the train station. "I really liked them and enjoyed spending time with them."
Sybil smiled. "Thank you. They're the brother and sister I never had. I love them so much."
"Are you the eldest?" Grace asked as they approached the bus stop.
"I am," Sybil answered. "I turned nineteen in late August. George is eighteen and Marigold is sixteen. How old are you?"
"I turned eighteen in February," Grace said and then smiled sheepishly. "I very much enjoyed spending time with your cousin George. He made me laugh so much." Before Sybil had a chance to respond, the bus stopped for them and the two boarded.
"He is quite entertaining," Sybil said as she slid into a seat.
Grace sat next to her and nodded. "He is!" She said. "He said that you call your grandfather 'Donk'," she said with a giggle.
"Oh, I made up that name when I was very young," Sybil laughed. "Our grandfather never minded it, or at least, I don't remember him objecting to it. We kept the name and still use it to this day." She began to recall one of her favorite memories she had of her and Donk. She was very young, perhaps six years old, and she was with Donk in the nursery. The two were seated on the floor playing with her dolls. It was one of the few times her grandfather would ever want to sit on the floor.
"Now, which doll should I be?" Her grandfather asked as he looked through the small pile of dolls. He had taken time out of his day to spend time with his eldest granddaughter. Her father was out doing business and Sybil had no one to play with since George and Marigold were running around outside with their mothers. Seeing that Sybil was in the nursery by herself, her grandfather decided to join her."Ah, how about this gentleman right here?" He picked up a doll dressed in a suit. Sybil looked at the doll and nodded.
"You can be him," she said. "He's the nice man."
"Oh, good," her grandfather said. "What shall his name be?"
"Donk. His name is Donk, just like you," Sybil said excitedly. Her grandfather chuckled. "Donk? Why would his name be Donk?"
"Because he is nice, just like you, Donk," Sybil stated.
Her grandfather smiled at her words and lightly sighed. "Alright then, his name is Donk."
"Yay!" Sybil clapped. She gathered the rest of her dolls and began to scatter them around the floor. "This one is the father," she said as she held up another doll dressed in a suit. "His name is Papa, like my Papa."
Her grandfather nodded with great interest. "Who else do you have?"
Sybil looked at her dolls and picked up a small stuffed dog that she had. "This one is Tiaa."
Her grandfather grinned at the tan dog she had in her hand. "Ah, is it because she looks like her?" He asked. Sybil gasped.
"That's right, Donk!"
"Yes, your grandfather is very smart," he laughed. He reached over and picked up a brown-haired doll in a blue dress. "And does this one have a name?" He held it out to Sybil so that she could see. She looked at the doll and nodded lightly.
"That one is the Momma doll because Papa said that she looks like my Momma."
"Oh," Donk frowned as he looked at the doll. He remembered his daughter's beautiful face and soft brown hair. The dress even looked similar to a dress that she used to wear. He wished his daughter were here to see how much her own daughter was like her. She would be so proud. "She does look like her," he nodded. Sybil scooted herself closer to her grandfather and looked up at him.
"My Momma is in Heaven," Sybil said quietly to him.
"I am aware of that," her grandfather said softly.
"I wish I could play dollies with her," Sybil said. "Papa said that Momma was the most beautiful girl in the whole world! He said that I was that too," she smiled. Her grandfather chuckled and kissed the top of granddaughter's head.
"Yes, you're beautiful just like your mother was. I know it would be nice to play dollies with her. I wish she could play with you too."
"Papa plays dollies with me a lot," Sybil told him. "George doesn't like to play dollies, and Marigold is still too little to play. Now, you play dollies with me, Donk."
"I like playing dollies with you, Sybbie," he said. Sybil smiled and held the doll that looked like her mother.
"I like playing dollies with you too, Donk. I always like to spend time with you. I wish we could always play."
Her grandfather knew that he had many responsibilities he had to handle throughout his day, and he did not have as much time with his grandchildren as he would like to. He always tried to make an effort to spend time with them, but life at Downton Abbey was a busy one. "I love to spend time with you, Sybbie. I'll try to do it more often when you visit, alright?."
Sybil nodded and looked back at her dolls. Her grandfather watched her and suddenly frowned. His efforts were not enough and his eldest grandchild was growing up. He needed to more spend time with Sybbie, George, and Marigold while they still wanted to spend time with him. He knew he wouldn't be "Donk" for forever. "Sybbie, tomorrow I think I shall take Tiaa on a walk. Would you like to go with me? George and Marigold can go too."
Sybil looked away from her dolls and to her grandfather. Her face held such joy, that he felt as though she were to burst. "Yes, Donk! I love going on walks with you and Tiaa! Thank you, Donk!" Sybil hugged her grandfather and nuzzled his cheek. He laughed and hugged his granddaughter tightly.
"I'm looking forward to it then."
Sybil nodded and looked up at him. She made herself an inch taller by standing on her tippy-toes and kissed his nose. "You're the best Donk in the whole world." Her words made her grandfather's eyes fill with tears, but she did not notice.
"Why, thank you, Sybbie," he smiled.
"You're welcome, Donk," Sybil giggled and then sat back on the floor. "Now, let's play!"
"And if I hadn't had been there, my little sister would have eaten everything!" Grace laughed. Sybil looked at her briefly in confusion. She had not been listening to a word Grace was telling her.
"That's so funny," Sybil said, forcing a believable laugh.
"Isn't it?" Grace giggled. Sybil agreed and then faced the window. She recognized where they were and knew that St. Margaret's was close. She wasn't sure what she would do when they returned to the hospital, but a nap sounded quite tempting. However, if she napped, she would not be tired enough to sleep later when she needed to, which would result in another sleepless night.
Their room at St. Margaret's was full of other nurses-in-training who were pondering the same thing. Many of them were on their beds, napping, reading, or talking to another girl next to them. Sybil went to her bed and sat on it while Grace lay down and pulled a book from underneath her bed. "Oh, what book is that?" Sybil asked.
"Little Women", Grace responded. "I've read it many times, but it's my favorite."
"Oh, that's a good book," Sybil smiled and rested her head against the wall. She began to wonder what Edward thought of the traveling book she had given to him. She wished she could have seen his reaction to the book and could have looked through it with him. "What should we look at next?" Sybil imagined herself asking him. "Anywhere we could have an adventure. How does Egypt sound? " Edward would ask. "Perfect!"
Sybil ended up nodding off for a while until Grace woke her up by endlessly tapping on her shoulder. "Sybil, Sister Agnes just told us that dinner is being served."
Sybil looked out of her window and saw that the sun was already setting. How long had I been asleep? She was not very hungry but left with Grace to the dining hall anyway. The food that was being served did not appear too appealing to Sybil. The meal consisted of potatoes and a meat dish that Sybil could not believe was beef no matter how many times Grace said it. Sybil only ate the potatoes.
"Now, ladies," Sister Agnes began as she went to the table where the nurses-in-training were seated at. "I expect you all to be responsible. You all have to be up early tomorrow morning, so I ask that you all get ready for bed after you finish your dinner. Please try to get some sleep. I know some of you expressed to me that you did not sleep well last night and I am sorry about that. There is nothing I can do to help you other than tell you to sleep early tonight so you don't feel the same way tomorrow."
Sybil, who was already wanting to return to sleep, was grateful that Sister Agnes spoke this advice to the other girls, for they all listened when they returned to their room.
"Whose slippers are these?" A girl asked loudly as she held up light pink slippers. The room was in a collected chaos as the girls got ready for bed. Sybil immediately changed into her nightgown when she returned from dinner and she was now seated on her bed brushing her hair. Grace was seated on her own bed and was braiding her hair.
"You have such pretty hair, Sybil," Grace said to her.
Sybil looked back at her. "Thank you, Grace. You have pretty hair too. I've always thought that red hair is lovely."
"Really? Thank you," Grace smiled. "My grandmother had red hair. She was from Ireland."
"Oh! My Papa is Irish," Sybil beamed. Grace was simply enthralled. She found Sybil to be most interesting.
"How exciting! Where from exactly?"
"Bray, I believe," Sybil told her. "It's in County Wicklow. He came to England to work as a young man. I've been to Ireland with him a few times to visit family." She remembered the visits spent with her father's side of the family. They would have dinner with his many cousins and passionate conversations, usually political ones, would fill the dining room. Sybil's godfather and uncle, Kieran Branson, would be sure to be the one to make his family laugh during dinner and that the drinks were being had. He made sure the same was done when she and her father visited him in Liverpool at his car garage, as well. When he had drunk too much, he used to place Sybil on his shoulders and carry her around the room, while her father begged him to put her down. Sybil chuckled and then immediately began to speak to Grace again. "What part of Ireland was your grandmother from?"
"Cork," Grace answered. "Cobh to be exact."
Sybil nodded. "Ah, how lovely! How interesting it is that we have an Irish heritage in common."
"I think it's exciting," Grace smiled. "I know that we just met yesterday, but I'm very happy that you agreed to spend the day with me and let me spend time with you and your cousins. It really made my first day here wonderful."
"Oh, Grace, of course. I'm happy that I spent the day with you too. I know my cousins enjoyed meeting and spending time with you, as well," Sybil paused before continuing. She set her brush down and got underneath the thin covers. "Especially George," she smirked.
Grace blushed. "Really? Well, I feel the same."
Around the room, girls began to settle into their beds and turn off their lamps. Once Grace finished braiding her hair, she turned off her lamp and got into bed. "Goodnight, Sybil. I hope you sleep better tonight."
"Thank you, Grace. Sleep well," Sybil said. She turned onto her side and turned off her lamp. As she lay in bed, she looked out the window. The sky was now dark and Sybil saw no light from anywhere. She imagined that Marigold and George were back at Downton Abbey by now, or perhaps they were just arriving. She said a silent prayer for them and the rest of her family, as well as Edward. She continued to pray for him and George to be protected during their training. Once her prayer was finished and the last lamp in the room was turned off, Sybil closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
As she slept she no longer felt the uncomfortableness she had to feel the previous night from the wooden bed. A peaceful sleep began to bring her pleasant and calming dreams until she was woken up by the most horrifying sound she had ever heard in her entire life.
