Disclaimer not mine
Telephone Calls.
Carson walked into the small Inn as the barman looked up. The place was quiet as Carson approached the bar.
"Mr Carson." The barman smiled. "How are you? What can I get you?"
"Mr Parish." He nodded. "I am well. I need to use the telephone. A shilling should suffice."
"Go on." Mr Parish stated. "You know where it is."
"Thank you." Carson smiled tightly before walking to the back of the Inn where the publican had installed the telephone.
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"Anna." Mrs Hughes walked in to the kitchen as Anna washed her hands. "How are you?"
"I'm." Anna paused. "Fine. Thank you Mrs Hughes."
"Anna." She watched the way Anna held herself, aware that the rest of the staff would be preparing to retire for the night. "I take it, Mr Bates has gone back to the cottage?"
"He has." Anna nodded before turning back to her friend.
"I wish you would reconsider. He's a good man."
"I know he's a good man. He's more than just a good man." Anna wiped her hands on her apron. "I can't tell him. I just can't. I can't risk him ending up on the gallows for what that man did."
"Surely it wouldn't get that far?"
"You know John." Anna paused. "You know him, it would. I may be selfish but I couldn't go through that again. I just couldn't."
"Anna. He loves you."
"And I love him. More than anything." Anna looked away. "But I can't let him know about this. I just can't have him think less of me."
"Less of you? Now why would he think less of you?" Mrs Hughes stepped nearer to her. "Anna?"
"Because I didn't stop it. Because I didn't fight back enough." She looked away as Mrs Hughes shook her head.
"You know? He told me you were beyond reproach. And he was right." She sighed. "I wish you would see that. None of this is your fault. None of this reduces your character in any way, shape or form."
"But."
"No, I will not hear anymore of such talk. I wont even call that man an animal. To do so is an insult to the animal kingdom as a whole." Anna smiled slightly at her friend's defence of her. Mrs Hughes held her gaze for a moment. "Now go on, try to get some rest at least."
"Rest? I've forgotten what that is." Anna muttered before leaving the kitchen. Mrs Hughes sighed sadly before sitting down at the kitchen table to wait for her friend to return.
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Carson closed his eyes as he replaced the handset. He knew the man on the other end of the phone would not be willing to speak to him but it had to be done. Lord Gillingham was well liked and well respected in the area. Having the character and fibre of the man he had chosen to be his valet challenged in such a way would reflect on him. He nodded to the barman before heading out into the night.
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Lady Mary slipped out of her bedroom, pulling her robe around her as she headed towards the kitchen. She had missed dinner and intended to get something to eat before checking on her son. Matthew's death was still haunting her so she knew sleep wouldn't be easy to find.
"Mrs Hughes!" She stated as she found the housekeeper dozing in the kitchen.
"Oh Lady Mary. Forgive me." She got to her feet as Mary smiled.
"Nothing to forgive." Lady Mary smiled. "I'm glad I bumped into you actually."
"Oh yes?" Mrs Hughes knew she was not going to like what Lady Mary had to say.
"You have known Anna since when?"
"When she came to work here. She was twelve when she came into service. The same age as Daisy and Ivy. The same as Thomas and young William God rest him."
"Yes." Mary nodded. "You've been like a mother to all of them. So you'll know."
"Know what M'Lady?"
"What is wrong with Anna? I have known her all my life, mostly, I know something is wrong."
"I cannot break a confidence."
"No." Mary sighed. "Neither would I expect you to but it has something to do with Mr Green. I am certain of it. Once I mentioned Lord Gillingham may be visiting she froze. I mean physically froze."
"Oh."
"And I know she and Mr Bates are no longer staying in the cottage together."
"That's for reasons of practicality." Mrs Hughes stated. "While Lady Grantham looks for a Lady's Maid."
"Yes, indeed."
"And I am sure once that has been done she'll return to the cottage."
"I hope so. I would hate for there to be problems with her and Mr Bates, after everything that has happened between them. They deserve to be happy."
"I quite agree."
"So? Tell me what has happened? Only then can I go to Lord Gillingham and make sure Mr Green does not return to Downton."
"It's not my secret to tell."
"Ah, so there is a secret?" Mary watched as the kitchen door opened.
"Mrs Hughes. I trust Lady Mary. May I suggest you take her into your confidence for the sake of Anna. Then perhaps she can lend credit to my argument when I visit Lord Gillingham tomorrow after my visit to young Lucy and her son at the Parson's Terrier."
"The Parson's Terrier?" Mary frowned. "Why?"
"Because this was not the first time Mr Green has behaved in such a way. Lucy's child is the result of previous episodes of such behaviour and I for one think Lord Gillingham should know the caliber of the man he has employed."
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A/N More soon.
