The last two weeks of November were among the wettest that John could remember ever having experienced at Downton. The rain fell ceaselessly, many of the fields were reaching swamp-like consistency. When the level finally reached heights above Josie's little wellingtons, even she lost her enthusiasm for her outside adventures.

"Mummy my toes are soggy..."

Bill held her hand on the door mat, helping her to emerge from her boots and taking off her drenched mackintosh.

Anna tried very hard not to laugh at her daughter's disgruntled little face. Her bottom lip stuck out like a shelf, rosy as her cheeks, which were plastered with damp strands of her hair.

"Oh sweetheart..."

"I don't like being wet."

"Have you had enough of being outside darling?"

"Yes..."

"I think I agree with Josie for today," Bill tipped the water from his hat out through the backdoor, and closed it with a firm thump. "Cows are in't shed for now, and I'll take their dinner out later when it's time for milking. Lucky the horses ain't been out today, so they're snug and warm."

"So we're all in for the afternoon?" Anna gathered her daughter up into a hug, kissing her cheeks to warm them up. Josie snuggled into her arms, as John leaned over to peel off her damp socks and warm her toes in his hands.

"Looks like it!" Daisy scraped the last of the pastry off the counter, and reached for the cloth to clean up.

Mrs Patmore shut the range door and stood up, dusting the flour off her hands.

"Well, that's tonight's supper in to cook. Baking's finished off, won't take a few minutes to get the clearing done."

Bill sighed with pleasure. This was the sort of afternoon he adored, so different to the long lonely evenings he had endured prior to his moving to Yew Tree Farm.

Daisy pulled off her apron and came over to the snug.

"Would you like me to give her a bath Anna?"

"What do you think Josie?" Anna dropped a kiss on her daughter's head. "Do you want a nice warm bath?"

"Yes please..."

Daisy leaned down and scooped her up, bearing her away toward the bathroom. Mrs Patmore looked after her, smiling.

"She's a born nurse, that one. Never thought she'd take to having a little one around the place so easy."

All of a sudden, there was a sharp rapping on the back door.

"By 'eck, who's that..." Bill hauled back to his feet, as Mrs Patmore peeped out of the window.

"There's a right smart car out there Bill, are we expecting company?"

John got to his feet, intrigued. As he was walking over into the kitchen, Bill opened the door and a familiar voice filled the kitchen.

"I am sorry for turning up unannounced, I do hope I'm not intruding..."

Mrs Patmore gasped aloud, just as John emerged to see Lady Mary divesting herself of hat and coat.

"Lady Mary! What a surprise!"

"Good to see you Mr Mason, and Mrs Patmore. And Mr Bates... it's been too long."

"What brings you here m'lady?"

Mary leaned to one side to peep over John's shoulder with a smile, pointing.

"She's standing right behind you."

John turned to see Anna on her feet, beaming with delight to see her old employer and friend.

"Darling Anna..."

"Lady Mary..."

"Just Mary dear. Just Mary."

The two women embraced warmly.

"Much as I hate to interrupt this reunion... you should not be on your feet, dear wife."

"No indeed! Back to a comfortable chair with you, this instant!"

"We're about to have some tea Lady Mary, will you join us?" Bill's open face broadened into a smile, gesturing toward the snug. "It might not be so grand as you're used to..."

"Mr Mason please, I'd be delighted to join you. I was hoping you'd ask."

She looked well, thought John, as she fussed around Anna with a pillow, refusing to take the armchair and perching herself on the sofa. Immaculately dressed as always, in a long pale blue dress, overlaid with a long navy jacket, her shoes, bag and gloves were matched perfectly and her dark hair sat sleek and as perfect as if Anna had just finished styling it for her. There were a few lines around her eyes, slight crow's feet beneath the immaculate makeup which betrayed her age. But her eyes were just as dark, her smile just as bright as it had ever been.

"...after I got your letter Anna, I couldn't resist dropping in. It was time to open up the house and have it ready for Christmas in any case, and George was keen to come back and see his pony again. He's riding out with the hunt this year for the first time, it's all he's talked about for weeks."

Mrs Patmore brought the tray over, set with the china she and Bill had been given by the Crawley family as a wedding present.

"Where is he now?"

"He's at the Abbey. Tom and Sybbie arrived yesterday, and George was so happy to see her again, I couldn't bear to tear him away."

Mary smiled at Anna, they shared that little expression which only mothers can understand. The smile of love which cannot bear to defy small pleasures to those closest to your hearts.

"And speaking of children, where's my little namesake?"

"Daisy's taken her to have a bath."

"I do hope she's been behaving herself. Are you feeling any better? You mentioned in your last letter you'd been quite poorly..."

John sat and watched the two women catching up on all their news. He was gratified and extremely pleased that Lady Mary had made the journey down to the farm specially to see Anna.

"...John's been taking very good care of me. Everyone has. They've all been so kind."

"Nonsense pet, it's all in a day's work for friends." Bill reached over for another biscuit and was pleased to see Anna taking a second. Her appetite had recovered substantially in the past two weeks and she was almost back at her usual levels.

"How did you get here?"

"Isobel, that is... Mrs Clarkson came to fetch us in her car. She's been so kind to me, I owe her a lot."

"Speaking of cars... how did you get here Lady Mary? Did somebody drive you?"

Mary smiled, pleased with herself and obviously hiding a delicious secret.

"You might laugh Bates, but I have finally joined the modern world in skills as well as fashion. Tom's been teaching me to drive, and I've finally passed my test."

"My goodness! What does Lady Edith think about that?"

"I haven't told her yet... I dare say she will raise her eyebrows and sniff. She won't like losing her special status as the only lady driver in the family. We'll find out tomorrow, when she arrives with Bertie and Marigold. Though I think she might have some sort of surprise for us too, she was maddeningly elusive over the telephone."

John hid a small chuckle. The two sisters obviously hadn't mended many of their fences over the years.

"All clean, Mummy!"

All turned to see Josie, clad in a fresh dress and slippers, wrapped into a fluffy cardigan, trotting across the room, pink cheeked from her bath with her curls bouncing awry. Even the cool and collected Lady Mary melted at the sight of such innocence. Calm and composed, Josie clambered into Anna's lap.

"Daddy, can I have a biscuit?"

"I love how she comes to sit on you, but asks her Daddy for the treat." Mary replaced her cup and saucer, intrigued by the little blonde moppet.

"Ah, she knows her Dad is the soft touch," John smiled, reaching over for a piece of shortbread for his young daughter. "Mummy is a little more circumspect with the treats."

"Quite right too. It's Mummy's job to rule with a rod of iron and Daddy's job to hand out the treats. That's exactly how it was with my parents. And the way Papa tells it, his upbringing was the same."

A soft look passed over her face and John knew in that moment that she was thinking of Matthew. He was oddly reassured to see that her softer nature had survived the long years since his death.

"How are Lord and Lady Grantham?"

"Quite well. But they've decided to pass the winter in the South of France. Papa is getting a little frail now, and Mama has put her foot down about him taking care of his health. It will be sad not to have them here for Christmas, but we must move with the times."

"Are you spending Christmas here?"

"Of course. The York and Ainsty hunt are riding out from there on Boxing Day. Will you come up for the evening? We're planning a bit of a party, not so grand as in previous years, but something like the old servant's balls."

Mrs Patmore, Mr Mason and Daisy were all in favour of such a plan. The idea of such a glamorous gathering was the perfect antidote to a dreary and wet month which had been filled with such worry and fear. Prudently, John opened his mouth to object on Anna's part at the idea of such a long cold walk at night, when Mary continued hurriedly, patting at Anna's knee.

"Not that I'd expect you to walk to Downton, in your condition. We'll send a car. Two if you'd like, although perhaps Isobel could give some of you a lift if she and Dr Clarkson agree to come. And that car will be waiting to take you home the instant you feel tired. You're all welcome of course. It'll be like old times."

With that smile which brooked no argument, Mary knew the deal was sealed. There was only one detail to be ironed out, and she was currently ensconced on Anna's knee.

"Is there going to be a party Mummy?"

Anna looked to Mary, who smiled back.

"Bring her along. Ours will all be there, and there'll be at least one Nanny on duty. She can have a nap in the nursery if she gets too tired."

"Pleeeeease Mummy?"

John met Anna's eyes and finally conceded to the plan. His wife's expression was filled with joy, and even he felt a yearning to go back to the old place and see it in all its splendor again.

"Alright then dear, we will all go to the party."

"Well I am glad that's all settled then. Now I must get back," Mary began gathering her gloves and bag together. "I promised George he could stay up to dinner tonight if he behaved well for Tom while I was out. I'll let you know the details once we have them all settled."

In no time, she was escorted out, seen to her car and waved off by the Masons.

"Well," John smiled, pleased to see Anna so animated and Josie so excited. "That's something to look forward to!"