"But I don't understand why must you be the one to take her place surely one of the others can go Mrs. Hughes." Mr. Carson was surprised.

"Mr. Carson, no one else can go, It has to be me, it's too late for anyone else to prepare to go on such short notice and they are needed here. It's only a weekend we will leave this afternoon and return Sunday before lunch" Elsie explained the situation to while she busied herself with stacks of papers on her desk.

She knew if she made eye contact with him he may see she was lying to him. Charles was having a difficult time understanding why it was her that had to go and was wondering if she was keeping more secrets. He closed the door to her office and walked up to her placing his hand on her shoulder moving her to face him. "Elsie, are you trying to get away from here, from me?"

Elsie saw he, was worried and wanted to reassure him that this wasn't a case of her wanting to avoid him, in fact it hurt her to be away from Charles but she was protecting the younger girls. She couldn't tell him this with out revealing the true reason. She put her hand on his and raised her head up while standing on her tips of her toes and kissed him sweetly on his lips.

"No Charles, I'm not trying to get away from you, it pains me to be away from you but please understand it is the easiest way to resolve this dilemma we find ourselves in. Anna must attend to her mother and I must be the one to take her place. I will be back before you get a chance to miss me."

Charles wrapped his arms around Elsie and held her tightly to him and whispered in her ear "I love you, Elsie". He pulled away with his hands on her hips and kissed her once again.

There was a knock on the door and they quickly separated before Mrs. Hughes responded "come in." Mr. Bates gently opened the door peeking his head through "Mrs. Hughes the car is out front, it's ready to take you to the station." "Thank you Mr. Bates, I'm ready." Elsie was ready to make sure Green never hurt anyone again.

Mr. Bates lingered at the door and Mr. Carson said goodbye to Mrs. Hughes and excused himself from the room. Mr. Bates spoke quickly "Mrs. Hughes I know you are in a rush but has Anna shared with you what I have done to upset her?" I saw her come into your office yesterday before she left for her mother's, did she share anything with you." Elsie hesitated visions of that awful night flooded back to Elsie and she kept thinking of the stupid promise she made Anna. Mrs. Hughes walked to the door with her bag in her hand. She looked up at Mr. Bates and said with a faint smile "Give her time Mr. Bates, be patient with her." and with this Elsie left to go to London.

-CECECE-

Mr. Bates was sitting in the servants hall when Mr. Carson walked in and observed that he was holding the newspaper upside down and staring in to space.

"Have you heard from Anna how's her mother feeling?"

"Actually I have not heard from her, I don't think I will." Mr. Bates answered with such sadness in his voice. Mr. Carson could see he was distraught. John put the newspaper down and covered his face with his hands and rubbed at his eyes. He was trying to control his emotions.

Mr. Carson sat next to him and asked him. "Is everything alright?" John lifted his head from his hands, his eyes were blood shot and he looked exhausted. "I just haven't been sleeping well, Anna hasn't been sleeping either, she didn't think I noticed but I hear her at night in the bathroom crying..."

Mr. Carson was becoming a little uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. He never had to deal with married staff and this was very new to him. He wanted to maintain a boundary of being the boss but Bates was more than just a staff member he was also a friend.

"Well, maybe it's as simple as she isn't feeling well and she doesn't want to disturb you with it. With time things will work themselves out." Mr. Carson explained.

"I don't know Mr. Carson, she isn't the same anymore, she has a short temper, she is avoiding me...I hear her snapping at people here. She is jumpy and easily startled...She has become so distant." The only person I see her being comfortable with is Mrs. Hughes, I just know something is eating at her, I wish I knew what I've done, she won't even tell me."

Charles felt badly for Mr. Bates, he could understand Mr. Bates frustrations he was feeling them with Elsie. She was keeping something from him too but at least he knew he wasn't to blame for Elsie's odd behavior. She was protecting someone...Anna...What is Anna hiding, what has she done or whatever that has happened to cause such heart ache and angst.?

Mr. Carson patted Mr. Bates on the shoulder and reassured him once more "Mr. Bates, give Anna time, in her own time she will come around, you love each other dearly and together you will overcome this obstacle, you have overcome so much already, things will be fine. Be patient." With this Mr. Carson stood up and excused himself.

Mr Bates was left alone with his thoughts. "I hope Mr. Carson is right, we have over come so much we will be fine... I hope."