"The flowers of Yorkshire are like the women of Yorkshire. Every stage of their growth has its own beauty, but the last phase is always the most glorious."
Chris quoting John in Calendar Girls
Bud:
She had been one of the lucky ones. Not all farm girls in Argyll were given the opportunity to go to school and learn alongside the other children, mostly sons, of the nearby farmers. But, her father and mother had insisted that Elsie attend the local schoolhouse and do her best to learn as much as she could, even at such a young age. As with any task Elsie had undertaken, she took her schoolwork very seriously, excelling in her reading and mathematics, until she was considered by the school master to be the best in the classroom.
At first, Elsie had been incredibly nervous about going to school, though the idea of learning and trying new things excited her. It would mean being away from her parents and sister for most of the day, away from the animals she loved and her chores which she would not entirely miss, but her father had insisted that it would be worth it in the end and that she was being given an opportunity that few others had. Farm work was challenging, though in a physical sense, but he thought it critical to teach Elsie about mental challenges, too. By attending school, she was offered the chance to explore the world around her, to expand her horizons, to learn of faraway places, and even to dream of a life different from that of her mother and father.
As Elsie progressed through her school years, she grew in confidence in her classwork and, she also began to form her own opinions about the world and how it worked. She was an astute student of history and often enjoyed challenging the views long believed to be correct simply because that was the way things had always been done. Her father had been careful never to label his firstborn as a radical, though he always engaged her in spirited conversations over supper. And, at the end of each discussion, he would always offer a gentle reminder that being outspoken in the world was not always accepted by others, but encouraged her to always hold true to her beliefs, her core values, the spirit that he had seen in her eyes each time they debated. However, her father wasn't the only one to challenge, Elsie.
Brodie Donaghue was a strapping lad from a neighboring farm. She had first seen him in the village at a harvest festival when she had attended with her parents and her sister, though Elsie was much more interested in entertaining Becky than socializing with her peers. Even at a young age, she recognized that something wasn't quite right with Becky, and she tried, in her own ways, to help her parents in small ways, even if that meant giving up some of her free time to ensure that they had time for themselves and each other.
With the new school year well underway, Brodie had noticed Elsie and viewed her as a very pretty but overly quiet lass who seemed to always have her head in a book or was trying to help the younger children with some of their work. She wasn't like the other girls her age or even the older ones, of that he was certain. Perhaps that was what intrigued him so about her. He found her much more fascinating than the teenagers his own age, though Elsie was not far behind them. At thirteen, she still seemed to be much older and wiser than the older lasses in Brodie's acquaintance.
That, along with her dark hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion, her mother reckoned, was the reason that Brodie began to show more of a keen interest in Elsie May Hughes. It was confirmed one afternoon as Elsie burst through the door of their home, eager to share a note with her mother. Brodie had somehow managed to slip it into the little sack Elsie used for her lunch, and she had found it when she had reached in to retrieve an apple to eat on the way home. It wasn't anything spectacular, to be sure, but to Elsie it was remarkable that someone as popular, handsome and intelligent as Brodie might find her in the least bit interesting. Her mother had advised caution, not willing to see her daughter heartbroken at such an early age, and Elsie wisely heeded her mother's sage advice.
The months following the delivery of that first note were some of the happiest Elsie had ever known. Frequent notes were slipped into her lunch satchel. Brodie often asked if he might sit with Elsie while they ate. He would bring an extra dessert to share with her or her with him. Even their discussions were lively and exciting. He seemed interested in what she had to say and offered opposing viewpoints from time to time, leading to a highly charged discussion much like the ones she enjoyed with her father.
Slowly but surely, Elsie was beginning to fall for this young man in her life. He had always kept a respectable distance between them, never wanting to put a stain on her reputation or his. And, like most girls do at such a young age, Elsie began to daydream about what it would be like to have a little cottage somewhere with him, build a home and a family together like her parents and his, to share a lifetime of happiness and lively discussions. But, that was not to be.
Much too soon and with little in the way of an explanation, the lunches stop being shared, words were hardly spoken except in passing, and the happy little notes stopped appearing. But it wasn't until the summer fair came into town that Elsie's heart finally realized the truth, though her mind had begun to make peace with the situation. On the last day of school, Brodie had brought a delicate yellow rose with him to the classroom. Elsie's heart leapt at the idea that perhaps it was for her, a way to say that he was sorry and to make amends for the distance between them. Unfortunately, the rose was meant for someone else and came with an invitation to the fair. She had overheard their quiet little conversation, her interest being piqued when she heard her name mentioned.
"Elsie means nothing to me, Marjorie. She's pretty but she's still too young. I like her but not the way I like you. She's more like a little sister to me. Please, say you'll come with me to the fair. I'll buy you some cider and maybe try to win you something at one of the stalls."
She had heard enough and walked slowly back home, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Her mother gathered her into her loving arms and held her daughter tightly as she tried to mend her daughter's broken heart. Later that night as she tossed and turned in her bed, her mind replaying Brodie's comments over and over causing more tears to fall, she was surprised to see her bedroom door opening slightly and her father's head peeking in.
"Your mam told me what happened, lass," he said quietly, tenderly. "I wish we could have spared you the pain, but it was bound to happen sooner or later." He sat on the edge of her bed and immediately found his arms full of the little girl who looked so much like her mother. "You'll find the right man, someday, Elsie, my girl. Brodie is young and so are you. You have your whole life ahead of you with adventures that will take you far behind this farm and this part of Scotland. Sleep in tomorrow. I'll take care of your chores for you. Your mam will pack you and Becky a little picnic lunch and you can go down by the loch for the day." He kissed the top of Elsie's head and gave her a little squeeze. "Just remember that no matter what happens to you in life or who you fall in love with, never close your heart to others. The right lad is out there waiting for you, going through a similar heartbreak with a lass of his own, but when he finds you and you find him, you'll forget all about this little pain. Trust me."
"I love you, Da. I hope I grow up and marry a man just like you. I'd be so very lucky."
He wiped his eyes and kissed his child once more. "And any man that is lucky enough to win the heart of Elsie May Hughes will be blessed beyond measure. Now, get some sleep and dream of that young man that's waiting out there for you."
Bloom:
If a knock on a simple wooden door could be considered nervous, Elsie was certain it would be the only way to describe the sound she heard as Joe Burns rapped on the front door of their cottage. She could hear his soft tones all the way down the hall and into her bedroom as he spoke to her Da, hear the slight shaking of his words as he spoke. She smiled to herself in the mirror as she listened to the conversation before nerves began to grip her heart and her mind began to wander back through the last few years.
Her father was a fair man, well-respected in the community, and known to be a little overly cautious with his eldest daughter. Several of the lads from nearby farms had expressed an interest in courting Elsie, but she had made it clear that she had her sights set on other things and had little time for the frivolities of walking out with someone when there was so much work to be done. And then Joe Burns came along.
His family had moved to the neighboring farm the year Elsie had turned eighteen. She had, of course, heard about Farmer Burns, his wife and their son, Joe, but she had always been too busy to accompany her parents when they visited the Burns house. Her mother had made sure to tell her everything she knew about the farmer's son, despite her father's lack of enthusiasm, and Elsie had brushed aside her Mam's encouragement with a gentle reminder that she had little time for socializing.
She had been walking home from her work in the village, helping to clean the church and ministers home, where she earned experience and extra money. She couldn't wait to tell her parents about the offer she had received. Seems the minister and his wife had recommended Elsie for a position at one of the local manor houses, complimenting her on her work ethic, dedication, and eagerness to complete any given task. She had been so distracted that she failed to notice the darkening clouds gathering in the near distance. Suddenly, the heavens opened up and Elsie found herself drenched to the bone and shivering as she ran towards home.
Joe Burns had been returning from an errand in the village for his father when the rains had started. It was such a heavy downpour that he nearly didn't see Elsie until it was too late. Pulling hard on the reins of the horse, he managed to get the cart stopped in time, apologies tumbling from his mouth faster than the rains fell from the skies. He had offered her a ride to his home where she could seek shelter until the worst of the storm had passed, then he and his mother would accompany Elsie the rest of the way to her home. She had thanked him and accepted the kindness, enjoying an afternoon as the guest of the Burns family.
Almost a year later, Elsie and Joe would laugh about that first meeting and how he almost literally knocked her off her feet at first sight. Both sets of parents had been thrilled when Joe Burns had politely asked Mr. Hughes for permission to court his daughter, though permission was not easily granted. Elsie's father clearly remembered the first heartbreak Elsie had suffered and felt it his fatherly duty to protect her heart at all costs while giving her the freedom to choose. When Elsie assured her Da that she was interested in a courtship with Joe, permission was finally granted and the two became almost inseparable.
Joe was a hard worker, much like her father. He had a good head on his shoulders, a sound business sense, and a love of the land, the crops, and the animals. It was a difficult life, but neither of them were strangers to the routines of farm life, the early mornings, the long evenings, and all the chores in between. While Elsie worked in the village, Joe toiled away on the farm, knowing that one day it would be his to manage, his inheritance. But, despite his dedication to the land, he never neglected Elsie.
Village fairs, Saturday picnics by the loch, invitations to dinner at his house or hers, even small trips into the village for mundane errands were times well spent together. Theirs was an easy companionship, one where Elsie felt free to speak her mind while Joe listened and then she would return the favor. She talked of her future, of the opportunities waiting out there in the world while his concerns rested closer to home … the farm, the harvest, the livestock, mending the fence, replacing parts of the rock wall.
The more time Joe and Elsie spent together, the deeper her affections for him began to grow. Everyone in the village saw them as a couple, whispering and wondering when their engagement would be announced. And while Joe's parents were incredibly keen on the match, seeing Elsie as an asset, both in terms of her personality and what her dowry might include, the Hugheses were less inclined to rush their daughter into any sort of arrangement. They had taught their oldest girl to make her own decisions and then allowed her the freedom to do so whenever possible and supported her wholeheartedly.
As Elsie listened to the conversation between Joe and her father, she was snapped from her memories. Surely she wasn't hearing this correctly, though only time would tell. Briefly, she thought about calling off their outing, feigning some headache or stomach malady, but she realized that would only prolong the inevitable. She had news to share and, if she had overheard correctly, he had a question to ask. Maybe, just maybe, she could share her news first and it would surprise him enough that his question would be left unvoiced.
As she kissed her Mam on the cheek and hugged her Da goodbye, she looped her arm through Joe's and they set off with a picnic basket. The easy banter they often shared and the lighthearted moments seemed to have dissipated and been replaced with an atmosphere reminiscent of their first meeting … dark clouds, rainstorm, and all.
Once the picnic basket had been unpacked, Elsie made herself comfortable on one side of the blanket, making sure to keep all of the food and the wicker basket between them. She watched Joe cautiously as he unwrapped his sandwich and took a hearty bite, then pulling on the tie around his neck. She took a deep breath and decided that it was now or never.
"Joe, I've something to tell you," she said, placing her unwrapped sandwich at her side and folding her hands in her lap. "You are not going to like it, but I've been offered a position as head housemaid."
He looked up at her, surprise written all over his face. "Elsie, that's wonderful news. I know how much you enjoy the work and to be head housemaid is something special. But, where on earth around here is there any need for a head housemaid? Sounds like some rich landowner and there's nobody around here like that. We're all simple farmers, for the most part."
"It's a placed called Downton Abbey," she replied, holding her head high as if she already truly understood the importance of the house and the family that lived there.
"Downtown Abbey? Never heard of it. What part of Scotland is that?"
"First of all, it's DownTON not DownTOWN and it's not in Scotland. It's in Yorkshire, England. I would be moving away, soon in fact," she added hastily. "I was going to tell you that Mrs. Sterling had recommended me to someone her sister knows, but I didn't think anything would come of it. I mean, who would want to hire a farmer's daughter from Argyll when there are plenty of girls in England just as qualified to do the job at hand?"
Joe stared at her with disbelief, not truly comprehending her words. "England? But, you can't leave, Elsie. We've been courting, and I thought we had an understanding. I thought you and I … we are … just … don't go. Stay here. Marry me," he said hastily.
Elsie gasped and felt her heart beginning to beat faster. "You don't mean that, Joe. You're just saying that so I don't leave you."
"No, I'm not. Look Elsie, I even have a little ring," he said rummaging in his pocket and producing the simple gold band and offering it to her. "Take it. Say you'll stay here with me, help me manage the farm. We could work it together, raise a family. We could be happy. I know it. I have already spoken to your father about my intentions today."
"And what did he say?" she asked, knowing full well that her father would defer to her wishes and never force her into a marriage.
"He said to ask you, and you would give me the answer. He wouldn't say one way or another what his opinions were on the matter. I didn't have time to ask your Mam what she thought about it. Both of my parents think it's a wonderful idea and are already talking about ceremonies and grandchildren."
In that moment, Elsie felt like she truly had control of her life. It was her decision to marry Joe and have a family or to walk away from everything comfortable and forge her own path in life, to see what was beyond the hills and valleys of the countryside. She loved Joe, though she couldn't honestly say she was in love with him. He was friendly, companionable, responsible, a good listener, but when she tried to picture her life with him in five, ten, twenty years down the road, all she could see was the same thing she had seen all of her life. It would be more of the same, day in and day out. And when she weighed that outcome with the idea of going to Yorkshire and seeing what was waiting for her there, new faces, new places, making her own way in the world, her choice was simple.
"I love you, Joe, truly I do, and I enjoy spending time together. But, I cannot accept your proposal. I need to take this job at Downton Abbey. I need to see what I can accomplish on my own, not merely go from working on my family's farm to yours, continuing cleaning the church and a few houses. I want to see a bit of the world, Joe. Please, understand that I am doing this as much for you as I am myself."
He tossed his sandwich onto the blanket and stood, raking his hands through his hair and beginning to pace. "And how do you come by that, Elsie Hughes? I'm offering you my heart, my farm, and the rest of my life. How could your moving away possibly be for me?"
Elsie calmly began to pack away all the picnic items, sensing that their outing was over before it truly began. "It's simple, really. I would always wonder what might have been, what could have been had I just taken the chance, gone another way. I would be a good wife, a loving one, in fact, but a part of my heart would never be yours. It would always, always belong to some great adventure that I never took the time to enjoy. You'd be miserable in the end and so would I. I wish you could see that I'm not doing this to hurt you."
"Certainly feels that way," he said, placing the ring back in his pocket. Their walk home in silence was thick with tension. Everything that needed saying had been done so by the little lake where they often enjoyed laughter and good times. It was weeks before Elsie was set to leave for Yorkshire and in spite of her best attempts to see Joe one last time, to leave on good terms, he was always too busy or not at home when she visited.
The morning of her departure, her Mam, Da and Becky all accompanied her to the station to say their goodbyes. Tears flowed freely that morning, but with each hug and kiss exchanged there were a thousand promises of letters being sent and received, maybe a return home if it was permitted. The train whistle blew, and Elsie was about to step into the carriage to take her place when she noticed Joe rushing towards her.
"I thought I'd missed you. I was so worried. Had some trouble with a horse this morning and lost track of time," he blurted out as he grew closer to her. "I know you have to leave, but I didn't want to let you go without seeing you. I love you, Elsie, and I always will. If you get to Yorkshire and hate it, you can always come home, come back to me." The train whistle blew once more, signaling the departure was at hand. "Here, I brought you these. I know how you loved the roses at the side of the house. Take them and remember me, our time together, the farm. Maybe by the time you reach England, you'll be ready to come back," he said with a soft smile.
Elsie accepted the freshly cut pink roses, bringing them to her nose to inhale their familiar scent. The buds were just beginning to open up which meant she would be able to enjoy them for a few days at least, a little bit of home to get her through the hard part of those first days. "I will remember you, Joe Burns. Make no mistake about that. But now, it's time for me to go. I need to see what lies ahead for Elsie Hughes, but you can always write. I hope you will."
He nodded and with one last hug and kiss to her parents and sister, Elsie stepped into the carriage and waved goodbye, knowing that deep down inside she would never be the same little farm girl again.
Blossom:
The room was cool and dark, and the sheets were softer than anything she'd ever slept on before this very night. She was incredibly tired, but every nerve in her body was alive and tingling. She felt as if her entire body was relaxed for the first time in her life, and it was a feeling she wanted to relish for as long as it would last. But her mind, despite her tiredness, would not let her rest. It kept replaying the entire day in her head, lingering on the evening hours especially, which caused her to smile and blush, just a little, if she was truly honest. As quietly as she could, Elsie slipped from bed and wrapped her new dressing gown around her naked body and walked over to the opened window, perching herself on the window sill and looking out towards the sea.
Waves crashing against the shore offered a lovely, soothing sound, one which she was sure on any other night would lull her happily to sleep. Not this night, though. Too many emotions and thoughts, memories and dreams were competing for her attention until she had finally slipped from bed and indulged them.
She could remember seeing him for the first time as clearly as a church bell chiming Sunday services. He wasn't the first person she had encountered when she arrived at Downton Abbey but he was certainly the one she remembered the best. Something gentle yet imposing, stern but compassionate called out to her that day, despite the blustering and bellowing his booming voice might have led anyone else to believe. She knew, in that one moment, that he was a kind soul, no nonsense, down to earth, but able to appreciate the finer things in life.
His large frame and that head full of dark hair, the little waves and curls forced into submission, were impressive. A large, almost regal nose, and impressive eyebrows dominated his face, but it was his eyes that had truly drawn her in like no other before. Brown eyes, the color of milk chocolate, caught hers and she soon snapped from her survey of the butler, and he commanded her full attention. He praised her for impressive recommendation which had preceded her, offered her his best wishes, reminded her that hard work was the key to success, and then vanished up the stairs to attend to the family, leaving her a little overwhelmed but in the good hands of the housekeeper.
It certainly wasn't love at first sight, but Elsie knew that he was someone who commanded respect and not simply because of his position in this prominent household, but because he had earned it. Everyone she had spoken to before her arrival had commented on Charles Carson, in nothing but favorable terms, no less, so she was pleased to see for herself that she had not been misled.
Over the course of the next few decades, Charles and Elsie had grown closer. Elsie had been promoted to Housekeeper of Downton Abbey and with that she had gained a new status in the household. In the eyes of many, she was the counterpart to Mr. Carson, his equal in many ways. Late nights discussing household matters over a glass of wine or sherry had soon given way to sharing little stories from childhood, amusing happenings from a maid or footman, even the odd bit of town gossip that happened to reach their ears. He was, in short, her best friend, and she liked to think he considered her his best friend, too.
When Joe Burns had resurfaced in her life, most unexpectedly, Charles was the only person in whom she could confide. She did not miss the anxious tone in Charles's words or the tension in his shoulders, though she assumed his concern was more out of a responsibility to the household and family than anything concerning her personal life. The relief on his face when she had informed him she would not be leaving Downton to marry her former suitor was a look she wouldn't soon forget. It was as if she could see the strain of the situation leaving his body, a feeling with which she was very familiar. She had loved Joe, but seeing him again only confirmed her suspicions from her youth. Despite the occasional moment of doubt and longing for a husband and family of her own, she knew she had made the right choice … for both of them.
Over the next few years, times changed drastically at Downton Abbey. New servants came and left, the Crawley girls grew up and began forging their own way in social circles, a world war had touched everyone in some way or another, technology was advancing, and then there was her scare.
Cancer. The mere thought of that word had caused the blood in her veins to run ice cold. She had been assured by Lady Cora that she would be taken care of, allowed to stay, but no one fully understood the whole story. There was another life, a sweet soul, who depended on Elsie's work and money to keep her in a good home with caring medical staff. Mrs. Patmore had urged Elsie to confide in Mr. Carson about her potential life-ending illness, but she had adamantly declined.
"I don't want to be a sick woman in his eyes, or a dying one in the months to come." The words had no sooner left her mouth and Elsie began to realize the special place this man, this stoic figure in her life, held. Out of all of her friends and acquaintances, he would have been the hardest to tell had the diagnosis come back as cancer. Fortunately, she had been spared the heartache of that conversation. Instead, she had been blessed, albeit in a small way but blessed none the less. She had heard Charles Carson singing for her, expressing his sheer joy at her news, rejoicing in the fact that his friend was healthy and the dark cloud surrounding her had lifted.
There had been other incidents along the way, other times where they had allowed themselves to grow just a little closer, tentative steps towards something more meaningful than mere friendship. A former friend from Charles's past, a paddle in the sea, an investment idea, a house on Brouncker Road … a proposal of marriage.
Marriage. The simple word brought a smile to her lips and warmed her to her very soul. She had long given up on that dream until one day she found that she was living the dream. Her butler, her best friend, her Charlie had promised before God, her, and their friends to love, to honor, and to cherish her for the rest of his life. He had endowed her with all of his worldly goods, and he had certainly made good on his promise to worship her with his body. The mere thought of their activities caused her cheeks to warm and a broad smile to caress her face.
She was so caught up in her own musings that she did not see her husband wake or hear his snores cease, did not see him watching her from the bed, or realize that moment he slipped up behind her. He wrapped his arms securely around her waist and stared out at the sea and stars, his chin resting on her shoulder. "I hope nothing is the matter," he said softly, gently, a little concern mixed in there as well.
Elsie covered his arms with hers and leaned back into his solid warmth. "I couldn't sleep, that's all. My mind was too full, and I simply couldn't manage to fall asleep."
"I'm sorry if my snoring kept you awake, though, I suppose that's something you'll have to get used to," he answered with a nervous laugh.
She turned in his arms and hugged him tightly to her. "No, not at all. I'm simply too happy to sleep. Today has been a wonderful dream, and I'm simply not ready to let it go just yet." She pressed her cheek to his chest, taking pleasure in the knowledge that she could do this almost any time she wanted, from this day forward.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and drew her deeper into his embrace. "You looked beautiful today, more wonderful than I've ever seen you. You seemed to almost be glowing."
She tilted her head back and looked into his eyes. Even in the darkness of the room, she could see the love, devotion, and sincerity behind each and every word. "To be honest, I feel like a new woman, today. I woke up this morning with a swarm of butterflies in my stomach and now that the ceremony is over and we're properly married, I feel lighter, happier, and more alive than ever before." To prove her point, she stood on her tiptoes and closed the remaining distance between them, kissing him with all the love she felt pouring from her heart.
When the kiss ended, Charles turned Elsie around so that she was once more facing the sea, his warm arms still wrapped around her. For several long moments they stared out into the darkness, listening to the sounds and breathing deeply the salty air.
"Do you think they're looking down on us tonight, Charlie?"
"Who?" he asked, his voice soft and comforting.
"Our parents? I've thought a lot about them in the last few days, well mine at least." She closed her eyes and could picture both of her parents, happy and smiling, hugging each other, much like Charlie was hugging her to him now. "I'm sure they would have loved you very much."
"I'm sure they know that their little girl is happy today, as I'm sure my parents know I've chosen a beautiful bride, one that makes me a better man in so many ways."
"I woke up this morning and remembered something my Da told me when my first crush broke my heart. He said that out there somewhere, there was a lad going through a similar heartache and that when we finally met, he would make me forget all about the others who have gone before, that it would all be worth it in the end. And you know something, Charlie, Da was right. I just needed to be patient and wait for you to be ready, and for me to be ready, too."
"You got there before me, though," he chuckled. "You were the one encouraging me, patiently showing me the way. I just had to be bold enough to take that next step."
"We both had to be ready. We started out as a little rosebud, closed up and tight lipped. Then, over the years, we opened up more and more, sharing more of ourselves, until finally … today, we blossomed into a happily married couple."
Charles wiped a stray tear from his wife's cheek then leaned down and kissed her sweetly on the lips. "Is that why I heard you asking Anna and Miss Baxter about preserving a rose from your bouquet and my boutineer?"
"Oh, you heard that, did you? Well, I hadn't thought of us in terms of the rose until just now but I did want to preserve a little bit of our day. My Mam did that with part of the flowers from her wedding. I still have them pressed in the pages of her Bible."
"It's a beautiful sentiment, and I hope you'll show the pressed flowers to me when we get back to Downton." He reached down and took her hand in his, tugging gently until she followed him back to bed. "For now, though, I think it's time my wife got some sleep."
Elsie slipped off her robe and surprised Charles when she slipped beneath the sheets without her nightgown, patting the space beside her in the bed, inviting him to join her. She had waited her entire life for Charles Edward Carson, and to her, it was worth the wait. Elsie May Hughes Carson was finally complete. She had lived her life on her own terms, made her own decisions, created a life she could be proud of, and married for love, true love. She was finally a rose in full bloom.
A/N: First and foremost, thank you for reading the story. I took a few liberties with the prompt word, focusing on the "bloom, blossom" aspect of it and twisting it a little. I interpreted "bloom" to be a maturing in some way, and "season" to be a lifetime. I hope you don't mind. Secondly, in the "bloom," section, I have Joe Burns living in Argyll. I realize the prevailing thought is that he is a Yorkshire man, but for my purposes, he needed to be Scottish. Again, I hope you'll think of it as a sort of AU and not criticize me too harshly. Thirdly, the quote at the very beginning is from Calendar Girls, and I think it sums up our Elsie very well. She may have been born in Scotland, but she has lived most of her life in Yorkshire and has bloomed and blossomed there like a hearty flower. Lastly, I would love to hear your thoughts on my interpretation of the prompt. Hugs and kisses!