I was gutted that Andy and Daisy didn't get a stronger ending to their story. And what do I do when I'm not satisfied with DA's handling of a plot? I write the missing bits. I hope my Banna fans will forgive me for taking out a little chapter's worth of time to tell another happy little love story...

On Boxing Day morning, Yew Tree Farm was a hive of activity. Aside for getting ready for the great party later, and the usual farm chores that needed to be done every day, plans had been made for the residents and guests to go and watch the hunt ride out. Not from Downton Abbey, but from the stone bridge that crossed the stream which wound its way across the lands of Yew Tree Farm.

The plan had been laid over a late supper some nights before. The ground was too frozen for any of the Bates to manage such a long walk, but Bill had a plan. His trusty tractor would pull the trap, containing everyone, across the fields to the bridge. That way, Mrs Patmore could load them up with a picnic lunch and there would be plenty of wraps and blankets to snuggle in and keep warm.

As well as the Masons, Bates and Moseleys, two extra people came to join the expedition. Mrs Clarkson, who relished the idea of seeing her little grandson ride out on his first hunt, and Andy, the former footman turned pig farmer, who still worked on Yew Tree Farm helping Mr Mason to tend to the pigs and taking on a considerable slice of the heavy work.

Daisy's cheeks bunched into red bundles of pleasure upon hearing that Andy was to join the party. Since she had left Downton Abbey and moved into the farm, the two had been in a cautious courtship. There had been a few false starts along the way. Despite her widowed status, the notion of being in a relationship was unfamiliar to Daisy, and while Andy was clearly enthusiastic and much enamoured with the little kitchen maid, he was sometimes a little brash in his expression and caused unintended offence.

Under the watchful eyes of Mr Mason and Mrs Patmore though, the young couple had muddled along and gotten used to each other's ways. When Andy had finally handed in his notice at Downton last Christmas, and taken on a cottage to work full time on the farm, there had been significant speculation between the older couple about whether Andy was ready to settle down. For the last Valentine's Day and on Daisy's birthday, Mrs Patmore had been in a state of nervous agitation, longing to know whether a wedding would be on the horizon. But Andy had kept his peace and made no such moves in that direction. There were flowers for Daisy on Valentines, and a trip to a tea house in Ripon for her birthday, but no proposal.

This Christmas, Andy had gone home to see his parents for the holiday itself, with Mr Mason's blessing. But today he would be coming back to join the gathering to see the hunt.

"I don't know why you're so convinced that I'm about to get engaged…" Daisy huffed, a little short tempered, as she poured the soup into the large thermos flask.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because he's been besotted with you ever since that house party in London for Lady Rose's Coming Out?" Mrs Patmore was having none of it.

"Who's besotted now?" Anna emerged from her bedroom with Josie, both of them wrapped up in warm clothes, with Josie already wearing her new pink hat. With difficulty she had persuaded her to leave the little gloves in her pockets until after she had eaten her toast for breakfast.

"Oh, nobody according to Madam here," Mrs Patmore plunked the jam and marmalade down on the table with a rack of toast, pausing to lean down and pinch Josie's cheek, making her giggle. "Now Missy, what would you like to go with your toast this morning?"

"Can I have a sausage please Mrs Patmore? And a tomato?"

"Oh I think we can manage that. What about you, Mummy?"

"Do you know, Mrs Patmore, I think I'd like some sausages too."

Mrs Patmore spun to face Anna with a grin. It she could face a hot breakfast with grilled sausages, then she truly was on the mend. Anna had managed to eat a respectable Christmas dinner, although the pigs-in-blankets had been beyond her. A slice or two of turkey and some mashed potato and fresh vegetables with a splash of gravy had been her limit, but the whole family rejoiced to see her enjoying her food again.

"Coming right up, at special request! Help yourselves in the mean time, tea's in the pot. And good morning Daddy, just in time to join Mummy and Josie for sausages for breakfast!"

John came over to join the little group just as Bill came in through the back door.

"Morning all!" he called, toeing his wellingtons off.

"Morning Bill, is everything set?"

"Aye, it's all grand, tractor's out and the trap's been brought out of the barn. Andy's here, he's fixing it up now…" Bill looked oddly emotional for a second, and seemed to be wiping his eyes.

"You alright my love?" Despite her rough and ready manner, Mrs Patmore was very fond of her husband.

"Aye, I'm alright darling, the wind's just teasy is all. Bit cold on the old face this morning."

John passed him a mug of tea, suspected that it was something more than that, but wisely decided to hold his peace. With immaculate timing, Joseph and Phyllis emerged from their room and clumped down the stairs.

"Full table for breakfast, just what I like to see," called Mrs Patmore, deftly turning the sausages under the gas grill. "Daisy pet, could you see if we've got any more eggs in the larder? My basket's right empty…"

As Daisy scampered away to fetch them, a quick look passed between Bill and Mrs Patmore. There was no doubt about it, something had moved him deeply this morning, but he telegraphed a big smile to his wife across the table and defiantly munched his toast. Clearly should would get nothing out of him here, but something was afoot.

Daisy's voice called from the larder.

"There's not a lot left Mrs P, do you want me to mush them with butter and milk and scramble them?"

"That's grand pet, bring 'em through."

"Unca Bill, are we going to see more ponies today?"

Josie restored conversation to an ebb and flow around the table with her little question, and soon descriptions of great Bay hunters and stocky little ponies filled the spaces between mouthfuls as the house party readied themselves for their winter day out.

…

The last crumb had just about vanished when the doctor's car was spotted out of the window by Mrs Patmore.

"Here she is! Just time for us to clear away and then we can be off!"

"Good morning everybody!"

Mrs Clarkson was red cheeked, wrapped into her big overcoat with a fetching tartan scarf wrapped around her head. She loosened it for the moment, pulling off her soft leather driving gloves and stamping her feet to warm up.

"I hope you're all dressed warmly, it's terribly cold out there, the ground is frozen solid."

"We will be Mrs C, don't you worry. Like a cup of tea before we set off?"

"How delightful, yes I will please."

The back door opened again and in came Andy, also glowing from the cold weather outside.

"Andy love, have you been fed? Bit of leftover sausage if you want a sandwich?"

"Uh, no… no thank you, Mrs M… I uh…"

Andy looked over towards Bill for a second, who nodded encouragingly.

Slowly, it dawned on Anna what was happening, and what conversation she had walked in on this morning.

"I was… wondering if I might have a moment to speak to Daisy…"

Daisy turned, cloth in hand, ready with an impatient twist to her features to tell him she was in the middle of cleaning up for heaven sake, could it wait… and then she saw his face. Her features softened, and she twisted the tea towel in her hands.

"Yes Andy…?"

"I … uh … well, …"

Mrs Patmore gently relieved Daisy of the tea towel and gave her a soft nudge in the small of the back, propelling her a few steps towards him.

Encouraged, Andy reached for her hands.

"Daisy… you know how much I care about you? Don't you?"

Daisy nodded, her face framing a silent question.

"And… we've been walking out together for a long time now, but I'm settled now. I've got a good job, my own cottage…" Andy gave a nervous grin in Mr Mason's direction "And … I've got nearly everything I want in life now, and … well the only thing I really need to make me happy is you."

Andy held Daisy's hands in one of his big strong ones, rummaging in his pocket and pulling out a little box. John and Anna, recognising a ring box, grinned at each other, sharing the memory of their visit to the tea house in Whitby.

Daisy gasped with delight as Andy knelt down in front of her and opened the box, holding it up to her.

"Daisy I love you, and I will look after you all my life. Will you marry me?"

Daisy squeaked out a yes, nodding and gently bobbing up and down with excitement. Andy reached for her hand and slid the ring onto her finger, standing up to claim a chaste kiss from her.

Applause broke out in the kitchen as the two lovers embraced.

"Well… that's just lovely. Nicely done, young Andy, very nicely done." Joseph raised his tea cup in salute. "To Andy and Daisy!"

"Andy and Daisy!" the echo sounded throughout the kitchen.

"But now…" Mr Mason was on his feet, gesturing everyone into action. "If we don't go, they'll all be past the bridge before we get there. Come on Daisy, gloves and coat, we can all admire that sparkler with you later on!"

A little chivvying and in no time, everyone was out the door, picnic baskets and blankets at the ready, hatted, scarved and booted.

As Bill hung back to lock up the backdoor, Mrs Patmore reached for his hand, while everyone else scrambled into the trap.

"What is it pet?"

Bill smiled at her, brim-full of emotion.

"He asked my permission. He said as she's all but my daughter, he felt he should do. And to promise that he'd never take her away from me, since she's all I've got left of my William."

The loss of Bill's son hung in the air for a moment as Beryl reached up to stroke his face.

"You'd never lose her my love. You've been more of a father than the lout who spawned her and sent her away to service. You gave her a home, and she won't forget that."

Bill clasped his wife's hand and smiled, nodding to himself.

"I know lass, I know. I just hope that I'm gaining a second son, rather than losing a dear daughter."

"Come on Mr and Mrs M!" Andy's voice rang out. The Mason's turned to see him sat beside Daisy. With one hand she clasped Andy's hand, with the other she beckoned to them eagerly, patting the seat beside her.

"I think you might be right there Bill." Mrs Patmore smiled softly.

"Right you are then Darlin', let's get this show on the road!"

Helping his wife into the trap, Bill turned to start up the tractor. To the sound of the roaring engine, a cheer of approval echoed from the assembled company, as the machine trundled down the road towards another little adventure.