On their return to Grantham House Mr Carson was a lot worse. He was as white as a sheet and his fever had worsened considerably. Henry had escorted him up to his bedroom, helped him to change and then put him into bed. He was pretty glad that he'd thought to take some of his medical supplies with him, although he knew that he didn't have everything that he'd need.
Once Mr Carson was in bed and respectable, Henry allowed both Mrs Hughes and Ella in to see him. They watched as Henry listened to his chest and checked his temperature and they waited for the answer with bated breath. Ella knew that it was Spanish Flu, even with Henry stating it was sun stroke earlier in the day and deep down, so did Mrs Hughes.
'What can I do to help?' Mrs Hughes asked with great concern.
'Well we need to get his temperature down and keep his fluids up.' Henry said softly as he tried to give the housekeeper a look of comfort, but she was not to be fooled. Spanish Flu had claimed the lives of millions across the world and she was now fearful for the life of the man she loved.
She disappeared from Mr Carson's room and went into the kitchens to get some ice, which she was able to half fill a bucket with; when she returned to the room, Ella was already dabbing Mr Carson's forehead with a wet cloth. Mrs Hughes placed the bucket next to the bed as Ella dipped her cloth into it to continue her attempts to decrease Mr Carson's roaring temperature, which had taken quite a grip. He was now somewhere in between sleep and consciousness.
'He really isn't the worst case I've seen; I have every faith that as long as we can decrease his temperature and prevent it from getting on his chest so that he doesn't get pneumonia, then he will make a full recovery.' Henry explained quietly to the two women as he injected Mr Carson with medication in the hope it would help relieve his symptoms.
'We can take it in turns throughout the night to nurse him,' Ella said as she continued to place the cold cloth to his face and neck. 'I'll sit with him for the first few hours.'
However, Mrs Hughes didn't leave Mr Carson's side. Despite Henry's reassurances, she still wasn't convinced. She sat on the bed beside him and held his hand, whilst Ella sat in the chair on the other side of him, constantly applying cold water to his forehead. Half way through the night, both exhausted and desperate for sleep, Mrs Hughes took over.
'You should go and get some rest Ella.' She said quietly. 'He's a lot better than he was, so there's no sense in us both staying up with him. I will come and get you if there's any change.'
'Are you sure Mam? I don't mind staying with you,' Ella replied with utter exhaustion.
'I'm quite sure; we'll be fine, don't worry about us.'
'Alright, but be sure to come and get us if his condition worsens or if you need a break. I'll come back through shortly to check on you both.' Ella said as she placed a soft, loving kiss to her mam's forehead.
She sat with him for several minutes in silence and thought about how much better he looked, but she was still very worried about him.
'Well, this is certainly not how I thought our time away would go.' She said to him with a weak and tired smile as she further dabbed his brow. She didn't speak again for a few hours, until Ella finally arrived back in the room with Henry. The light outside was beginning to brighten and none of them had really been to sleep.
As Ella walked into the room she saw her mam sat next to Mr Carson, still holding his hand and running the cold, wet cloth over his forehead with her free hand. She was very pale and looked exhausted, which concerned Ella just as much as Mr Carson did. She walked up behind her and placed her hand on Mrs Hughes' shoulder.
'How's he been?' She whispered.
'He seems to be coming out of it now; his temperature isn't nearly as bad as it was, although he hasn't woken up yet.' Mrs Hughes replied with a concerned tone.
'That'll just be down to the sedative I gave him; it won't be anything to worry about.' Henry explained as he took out his equipment to begin his examination and Mrs Hughes stood stiffly to allow him in.
'Mam why don't you get some rest now? You've been with him all night and you need your rest. We'll take care of him from here,' Ella said and was surprised that her mam agreed with her, with no objections.
The truth was Mrs Hughes felt not only exhausted, but a little unwell herself; but she believed that it was just because she was tired. It had been a long night and she hadn't closed her eyes for a second; she couldn't remember the last time she'd ever had to do that. So she retired to her bedroom and was glad of the chance to finally get a little rest.
'How is he?' Ella asked as she watched her husband listening to the older man's chest.
'Well I think he's very lucky and only had a mild dose. I won't give him any more sedative and see how he feels when he comes round. We still need to watch his temperature though; this is a nasty illness and can creep up on you just as you think you're winning.' He explained and Ella smiled a little as she noted that he had adopted his "doctor's tone" as he spoke.
Thankfully, Mr Carson did continue to improve and by mid-morning he was awake and sat up in bed. He felt very weakened by the illness and was still very pale, yet flushed, but he was a lot better and very greatful of the efforts Mrs Hughes and Ella had gone to throughout the night, but especially those of Mrs Hughes.
'I sent her to bed a few hours ago; she was exhausted but had insisted on seeing you through the night at the very least.' Ella explained as she sat on the bed beside the butler. 'She'll be greatly relieved to hear that you're awake.'
'Well I am greatly appreciative to you all; I'm only very sorry that I spoilt our trip yesterday.' He replied.
'Mr Carson you haven't spoilt anything, I can assure you.' Ella said as she then raised herself from her position next to him. 'Now I will go and check on mam and let her know that you are awake. She was terribly worried about you Mr Carson.'
Ella gave Mr Carson a knowing look and smiled when she saw a very brief twinkle in his eyes. He watched her as she disappeared from the room and then turned his attentions to Henry, who was still doing a few checks on him.
'She's a good girl, Ella I mean,' Mr Carson said to him as he took his blood pressure.
'She is and she would make a very good nurse or doctor if she were allowed to be.' Henry replied, just as he heard Ella shouting his name from down the corridor, which, at first, he didn't identify them as the urgent cries that they were, until his name was shouted louder and with more panic and urgency than Henry had ever heard in Ella's voice. Both he and Mr Carson looked at each other with fear, just as Ella came bursting into the room.
'Henry, come quick it's Mam, she must have taken ill in the early hours!' She said.