"Now, are you sure you have everything you need?"
John had once thought himself a patient man.
He would have sworn it to be one of his redeeming qualities while he was languishing in York jail, longing for justice. He hoped he had proven it again when he did his best to aid Anna in her recovery from her various ordeals. But right now, he was scraping the bottom of the barrel of his long-held limitless supply.
Her smiled and reminded himself that in a matter of minutes, they would be gone, away from Downton, together and finally alone.
"Perfectly sure, thank you Mrs Hughes."
"Because if you need a packed lunch for the train, I'm sure that Mrs Patmore..."
At that precise moment the cook herself appeared, cap askew and spectacles steaming from luncheon preparation.
"Don't bother asking them Mrs Hughes, the only way to give these two food is to just give it 'em."
She winked broadly at John, passing over a sizable wicker basket, filled with brown paper parcels.
"That's very kind of you, Mrs Patmore."
"Daisy packed one or two things in for Mr Mason as well, she's labelled them. And the basket is his, he sent it with her last time."
"We will make sure that he receives everything."
He ached to be gone. He longed for Anna to be finished with Lady Mary so that they could be away for the 2 o'clock train. He had left ample time for them to walk to the station in their planning, but things were cutting a little fine now.
"Sorry I'm late..."
John heard two sets of footsteps hurrying down the stairs, the first belonging to Anna. He was so caught up in her beaming smile, spread across the bright face under her Sunday best hat, that it took him an extra half second to realise the other staff had sprung to their feet at the sight of Lady Mary behind her, hatted and gloved and clearly on her way out.
"Bates, I'm so sorry, I'm such a brute to keep you waiting for her. You'll barely make the train if you walk, but Parks is bringing the car around now, we'll drop you at the station before he takes me into York."
Ordinarily John would have protested, but relief took precedence.
"That's very gracious of you Lady Mary, thank you."
Anna slipped her hand into his. With a gentle squeeze, John released her, only to pick up the battered carryall, while she gathered up the picnic basket. He still wasn't used to having Anna reach out for him again, after such a long period of physical withdrawal, but he knew with absolute certainty that he would never take it for granted again.
"Right! Chop, chop the pair of you, and we'll see you for supper next Sunday evening once you're back."
"'Ave a lovely time!"
"Give my love to Mr Mason, won't yer Mrs Bates?"
"We certainly will Daisy, and thank you, so much."
Feeling like a circus master herding a team of cats, John finally managed to get his wife, baggage and himself out of the door, into the car and on the road.
At the station, Parks unloaded the carryall and basket as Anna and John climbed out. Ten minutes until the train, perfect timing.
"Thankyou very much for the lift, M'lady," John reminded himself of the need for gratitude even in a hurry.
"Don't mention it Bates," Lady Mary laid a hand on his arm and leaned closer, dropping her voice a little. "Just make sure she gets better."
"I will do my best m'lady."
"I know you will."
Lady Mary had to have the last word.
As she waved them off into the station, Parks opened the door for her.
"On to York, M'lady?"
"No Parks, back to Downton Abbey."
Parks looked puzzled. "Of course, M'lady."
Lady Mary gave him a knowing wink.
"They never would have accepted the lift otherwise"
Closing the door behind her, Parks smiled to himself. She wasn't such a bad old stick afterall.
"Right you are, M'lady."