Edith had been sure Rose wasn't able to stay silent and she proved her right. Only a few days after she had told her she didn't have contact with her family, there was a telephone call from her mother. It was during teatime and Grace was in her arms, while she talked. Grace was going through a tough phase, in which she was only NOT crying, when she was in her arms. Though Edith enjoyed every minute of it, things like talking on the two-piece telephone, were rather complicated.
"Edith, hello."
"Hello mama, it is good to hear from you. How is everybody doing?" she asked.
"Everybody is good, we had a few dinners the last couple of weeks and things have been hectic, please excuse me for not calling."
"No apologies needed mama, I could have called." Grace started playing with Edith's hair and the slide within. "No honey, not mommy's hair, I just finished styling it."
"Is Grace with you?"
"Yes, she hasn't left my side in 24 hours. I don't know how I can meet with my editors tonight if she doesn't."
"Where is the nanny?"
"You know I don't have one, the occasional babysitter is all I will ever consent to."
"Right. Have you tried bribing her? That used to work wonders with you and your sisters."
"The only thing she will accept is that we return to the circus, but all tickets are sold now." Edith flinched. She hoped her mother hadn't caught the word 'return'.
"Oh, you have been to the circus! Only you two?" her mother was obviously fishing for information.
"No, a friend accompanied us." Edith said.
When nothing more was forthcoming, her mother changed the subject. "Edith, I talked to your father and he agrees that we have kept our distance from you for long enough. We would like for you to return to Downton."
Edith was caught slightly off guard. "What do you mean, return? To live with you? Mother, I can't, not yet. My business is doing so well; I simply love my life right now." Edith said, trying to wrap her head around the idea.
"Don't you miss your family?" her mother asked, slightly hurt.
"I do miss you and I would truly love to visit."
"Fine, I understand, for now I respect your decision. But would you please come to dinner this weekend and stay two days? I really want to spent time with you and my granddaughter, Edith."
"Sure mama, I can manage that." Than Edith remembered her talk with William and that he wanted to meet her parents as soon as she was allowed back at Downton. "And is it possible that I invite someone to come along?" she asked tentatively. She'd rather introduce him to her parents herself than have the rumor mill take over.
"Edith, are you telling me you want to introduce a man to us?" Edith heard disbelief in her mother's voice, mixed with interest and excitement.
Edith hesitated. "Yes. I met him in a club, where he was in the company of Evelyn Napier and Charles Blake."
"What is his name, darling?" her mother asked, now full on excited.
"I'll tell you as much as his first name, William, but the rest will be a surprise. And of course I have to ask him first if he has time. He is a busy man."
"What does he do?"
"Mother."
"Alright, seems I can't convince you to tell me more. Please tell me until tomorrow night if you will make it. I want to give Mrs. Patmore enough time to prepare."
"Of course, I will phone you or leave a message with Mr. Carson."
Edith quickly ended the call and released a breath, she hadn't known she was holding. "That'll be interesting." She said to herself and Grace looked at her with big eyes. "What do you think about a trip to see grandmama and grandpapa?"
"Sybbie?"
"Yes, your big cousin will be there. Also cousin George, uncle Tom and aunt Mary."
Grace hadn't been at Downton long enough to really get to know anyone, but Sybbie had made a big impression on her. She clapped her hands together in joy. "Should we call William now and ask if he wants to come here for tea later?" Edith asked her daughter, feeling silly to ask such a young child this question. But Grace had no problem with it and nodded to the question.
Edith quickly asked the operator to connect her to William.
"Edith, how nice to hear from you. I was actually just thinking about you. Must be a soulmate thing."
Edith giggled and stopped herself, when she realized she must be sounding like a teenager.
"It must be." She assured him. "Please come over for tea later, I have a terrible writing block and I would love to see a friendly face before I have my editor meeting later."
"Of course, it'd be great. It will be the highlight of my day."
.
To be continued...