if anyone is still reading this I want to say thank you. Especially my posse Mona Love and GeordieLass. I honestly don't think I can keep doing this with out your support. You are such good friends :-). I'm having a difficult time writing this story for a couple reasons: the subject matter makes me sad, but I have to get past the sad parts to write the happiness right? Secondly, I worry about hurting people's feelings or making readers angry with what I'm writing. I never want to upset anyone so if I have I apologize. I'm annoyed with Fellowes for taking these characters to such a dark place and I just want to see happy endings. Real life is sad enough so I want to create some happiness if I can. Thanks for all the reviews they really do help me improve, so please share your thoughts good and bad with me, it's ok I can take it ;-).

Mrs. Hughes had a pounding head ache. The sounds of the train were not helping her feel any better. She had so many thoughts flowing through her mind. She was concerned for Mr. Bates; he was blaming himself for the changes he was witnessing in his wife. She was trying to think of ways she could help Anna to find the courage to tell the authorities and trust John. Elsie missed Charles. She wanted to confide in him but she gave her word and it just wasn't her secret to tell. All of this was gnawing at her and she just wished her mind could find some peace. She hoped that maybe while Anna visited her mother something would change or help her to move on or better yet find the courage to make Green pay.

The train had come to a stop and Elsie began to gather her things. She watched the people walking past the train thinking to herself that one never knows the heart ache someone may be suffering or what demons lie within just by looking at a person. That's what makes life such a mystery.

Stepping down from the train onto the platform Elsie made her way to find Lady Mary. She walked down the platform and searched for her, occasionally making eye contact with the people she passed and offering a smile or a greeting of "good day".

Her heart sank to her stomach; she was caught completely off guard, as she caught sight of Lady Mary talking with Lord Gillingham and standing off to his side was Mr. Green. Elsie slowed down her steps. Anger began to stir inside of her. Visions of Anna came flooding to Elsie on that dreaded night. Elsie realized she wasn't walking anymore and had stopped in her tracks. Her breathing had become hurried and she could feel her heart beating in her head. She bent to put her bag down on the ground and as she looked up she saw Mr. Green making his way towards her. She began telling herself "calm down Elsie, you can do this...just be cordial you won't have to see him once we get to lady Rosamund's home. You can do this girl."

As he approached he smiled at her. The sight of him made her feel nauseous. She closed her eyes with the hope that she could emotionally compose herself. Taking a deep breath she opened her eyes.

"Good day Mrs. Hughes, nice to see you again, I wasn't aware that you would be accompanying lady Mary on this trip."

Mrs. Hughes didn't respond to him. He bent down to grab her bag.

"Is everything alright Mrs. Hughes?, You are looking rather pale."

Mr. Green was watching Elsie trying to read her body language and it was obvious something was bothering her.

Lady Mary and Lord Gillingham had made their way over to their two servants. Lady Mary was preoccupied with her own overwhelming feelings towards Lord Gillingham to notice that Mrs. Hughes appeared a little distressed. It was fair to say lady Mary felt a bit ambushed and out of sorts for her own reasons. She hadn't expected Lord Gillingham to meet her at the train station, nor did she expect an invitation to his country manor in Cotswolds for an overnight stay.

"Mrs. Hughes, Lord Gillingham has informed me that Aunt Rosamund has accepted an invitation to Lord Gillinghams country manor in Cotswold for dinner this evening and in the morning we will be touring the countryside before we leave to go back to Downton." Lady Mary explained with a nervous smile on her face. Lady Mary was trying to hide her anger towards her aunt for not discussing this invite before making the decision for her. She wasn't ready for anything like this.
Mrs. Hughes was having a harder time concealing her displeasure with these plans; but she was relieved that Anna didn't come on this trip. How would Anna have dealt with having to sleep under the same roof with the person that hurt her.

Mr. Green had collected their luggage into the car. Mr. Gillingham helped Lady Mary get into his vehicle. Elsie was going to have to ride in the front with Mr. Green. The situation was testing Elsie's patience and self control. Green offered his hand to Mrs Hughes to assist her into the automobile but she did not take it. Once she settled into the car she fixed her gaze outside her window so she wouldn't have to look at him and hopefully he would get the hint that she didn't care to socialize with him.

The ride to the manor was a little over an hour long and Mrs Hughes was successful in not having to keep up any small talk with the sorry excuse for a man sitting next to her. They pulled up to the front of the manor where they were greeted by a small staff. Mrs. Hughes once again refused any assistance from Mr Green or just ignored him all together. Mr. Green was becoming suspicious of Mrs. Hughes' cold shoulder and thought he would test the waters. His own paranoia was getting the best of him.

Lady Mary and Lord Gillingham met the rest of his guests while Elsie was left with Mr. Green so he could take her into the servants entrance of the manor. Green was becoming suspicious, he was not sure what was causing Mrs. Hughes to be so prickly with him. He wondered if the woman had found out about what had happened. He was confident when he left Downton that Anna wouldn't be brave enough to tell any anyone. He thought he had gotten away with it. He was becoming angry and agitated. Who does she think she is that she can treat me like I'm insignificant, she is just an arrogant bitch. He thought to himself. Green was pretty confident Elsie knew and thought he would test the waters and see if she would take the bait. As they entered the manor. Green grabbed Mrs. Hughes bags before she protested and made his way into the servants hall. He placed her bag down.

"Mrs. Hughes, the maids have prepared a room for you and one of them will show you the way as soon as they are available. I hope your stay is as pleasant as mine was at the Abbey, that turned out to be a very memorable visit for me."

He watched her, she clenched her fists and a flush had crept up to her face. She began to breathe harder and was visibly hot with anger and it was all the proof Mr. Green needed. He knew Mrs. Hughes knew.

He didn't stop there "It's too bad Anna wasn't able to accompany lady Mary on this visit, I was looking forward to thanking her for her for being so good to me and for her hospitality."

Mrs. Hughes was disgusted by what he had said and her glare was one of disgust. Mr. Green just stood there smirking. Mrs. Hughes wasn't going to let this smug bastard think he could get away with this.

She gathered her courage, straightened her stance and looked him square in the eyes and said,

"Wipe that shit eating grin off of your face, you are a disgusting excuse for a man, and let me make myself clear, never say her name again."

With this she picked up her bag and walk passed him. She felt she took over control, even if it was just a little bit. She found a maid and went to her room. She sat quietly, he pushed her past her breaking point, she had to say something. She wouldn't allow him to think he had power over anyone any more. Elsie felt sad. She missed Charles and was worried about Anna and Mr. Bates. She was hoping this time in the manor would go by quickly. She just wanted to go home.

TBC