Chapter 12

~oOo~

Elsie had put the lovely rose in a vase on her desk, but had not yet opened the small envelope. She had gone through her Sunday relatively well, she thought. The beautiful weather and the family being away for two more days had made her decide to have the maids open the windows and clean the heavy velvet curtains from the dining and drawing rooms. They didn't need a wash very often and had to be handled carefully, but the rooms could seldom be properly aired when the family were home, and with the gentlemen smoking in there, they could do with a freshen-up every four years or so. It was a huge task and Elsie had worked hard alongside her girls and enjoyed it immensely.

The colours had changed back to their original shades and many a spider had been given a big scare.

Now it was well after dinner, and she had retreated in her sitting room to work on her cleaning schedules. She hadn't seen Mr Carson all day, but he usually stayed away from her big cleaning parties so no surprise there. A knock on the door announced Beryl, and she was happy with her visit.

'I've brought us tea, Elsie. Mr Pymm has sent us a new Earl Grey blend that I'd like you to sample with me,' Beryl placed a tray on the table. Elsie added milk to her tea. She knew Beryl had approved of the new blend, or else she wouldn't have the staff test it.

'Mmm, it's lovely,' she said, 'very aromatic.'

'I thought so, too,' Beryl said. 'Now I would like to know what happened between you and Mr Carson the other day.'

'Nothing, really. He was very kind and attentive and I almost fell for it, but it appeared he just doesn't want Dr Clarkson or anyone else for that matter, to take the trusted housekeeper away from him. It's not about me, Beryl. I have been foolish to even think he noticed me in that way.'

'I'm so sorry Elsie. I helped him a little because I think in his own way he's fond of you, but it didn't work. He just isn't ready and I doubt he ever will be. Maybe we need more drastic methods, though…'

Elsie grinned. 'Even more drastic than your usual methods? Beryl, please!'

They laughed together, but a new action plan had already began to form in the cook's head. Desperate yes, but the gentle touch obviously didn't work with the iron butler. She decided to remain silent for now and changed the subject.

'That's a beautiful flower on your desk, where is it from?'

'Oh I don't know really, there was a note but I haven't read it yet. Good you remind me.' She opened the envelope and read the message. Beryl watched her sharply. She noticed how her eyes began to shine and a smile formed on her face. She passed the note to Beryl.

My dearest Elsie,

I trust this note finds you well. I intended to visit you the other day, but unexpected work got in my way. However, now that schedules are made, no patient seems feverish and no babies are due, I would like to invite you to have dinner with me at the Thirsk Grand, coming Tuesday. I'll collect you at seven, if you agree. Please let me know.

Yours, Richard.

'Go for it, Elsie,' Beryl said. 'The man loves you.'

Elsie smiled. 'Do you think so, too?'

'Yes, and you're falling in love with him as well, don't deny it. Your eyes give you away, Elsie. I watched you reading that note.'

'You're right, Elsie admitted with an endearing blush. 'It's just… he is the doctor.'

'And what's wrong with that?'

'Well… you know. Why would he want me, if that's what he wants?'

Beryl rolled her eyes. She was the cook, for heavens sake! It would appear she could have a nice career on the side as an agony aunt. If any of this works out, I'll sent her a bill, Beryl thought to herself. She took a deep breath.

'Very well, I'll tell you since you seem to have no idea. Elsie, you are an intelligent woman and you are the sweetest and kind-hearted one to boot. You know how to keep peace, and you manage to steer Mr Carson into acting humanly in such a subtle way, he thinks he does it himself. You are practical and sensible and you know how to run a busy household, a physician's practice should be no problem. The patients would be fond of you and trust you with their secrets. And last but not least, you are very pretty and he loves you. Does that give you an indication?'

Elsie stared at her friend.

'I don't know what to say.'

'I'm serious, Elsie. Please don't think too much about the past, I know you were an illiterate scullery maid once and he won't hold that against you. You did very well my love, and you deserve some happiness,' Beryl said softly.

'Dear Beryl, you are the best friend I ever had,' Elsie said and she wrapped the cook in a tight embrace.

~oOo~

It was a very early morning and Mrs Patmore was kneading dough. After working over fifteen years as a cook she still liked that part of her work, many would have passed it to the younger girls, but it gave her the opportunity to work off some stress, and my, had the last couple of days been stressful. Thank heavens the family hadn't been there to require a different dessert or soup at the last possible moment, as they were prone to!

Mrs Patmore beat the dough, folded it and beat it again forcefully, thinking of her fellow staff. Thump, thump! Elsie, you silly girl. But most punches were dedicated to Mr Carson, that insufferable, thump! ignorant, thump! foolish, thump! man.

Daisy came in and started to build the fires. 'Mrs Patmore, may I go and visit Mr Mason this afternoon? Today is William's birthday.'

'Of course you can, my dear. Give Mr Mason our regards. Remind me to pack up some of your apple tart for him.' Daisy beamed. 'And some of your chocolate and raspberry cake, Mrs Patmore,' she said happily, 'if there's any left?'

Mrs Patmore smiled at the girl. 'I'll put it aside for you,' she promised. 'I'm glad you two became friends, Daisy. He's a kind and wise man.'

'He is, I feel like I'm having a father now, for the first time in my life,' Daisy said and then asked on an impulse: 'Mrs Patmore…would you…like to come with me? Maybe not today, but…some day, when you can spare the time? I would like you to get to know him as well, you're after all the closest thing to a mother I've got,' she said, feeling utterly silly the moment the words left her mouth. She looked almost afraid.

Beryl couldn't help it; she had to give the girl a firm hug, tears in her eyes.

'We'll go today Daisy, around eleven, so we'll be back in time to prepare dinner for the family. I'll tell Mrs Hughes, she'll understand and she can handle Mr Carson if necessary.' And she owes me, Beryl added in her mind.

After breakfast she cornered Elsie to inform her of their plans and as she expected, she fully agreed. 'Of course you two have to go Beryl. I'm so happy Daisy found herself a friend, someone just for her. Go and enjoy yourselves,' she smiled.

'We will. And have you sent the doctor a reply?'

She blushed heavily, 'I did. I wrote him I'm happy to accept his invitation.'

'Good girl. Be sure to wear that pale salmon blouse, it sets off your hair and eyes,' Beryl grinned. Elsie gave her a nudge. 'Oh, you.'

~oOo~

'What!? The family returns home this evening and both the cook and assistant cook are having a day of?!' Mr Carson almost spat the last words.

'They're having a few hours off Mr Carson,' Elsie answered, trying to keep her cool. 'They'll be back in time, the kitchen staff has been instructed, and today is William's birthday, so they're visiting Mr Mason.'

'And you gave permission without consulting me? I am disappointed in you Mrs Hughes! The family has to come first, second and last, always! That's what we're here for! That's our job! I can't believe how lightly you take this honourable task! I will…'

'I would like to know what your problem is, Mr Carson,' Elsie interrupted hotly. 'They left at ten, they'll be back at two thirty. The family will arrive at six. The kitchen staff know what to do and can prepare our lunch. I don't see any problems there Mr Carson! Do you?!'

'It's about our duties…'

'Do you see any problems caused by Mrs Patmore and Daisy taking a few hours off today?' she demanded sternly.

He didn't have an answer and she didn't wait.

'I thought as much. And to inform you, I'll have my evening off tomorrow instead of Thursday. A friend invited me for dinner. I accepted without asking your permission, and took the liberty to change my evening off to Tuesday, because I know the family are expecting many guests for the weekend next Thursday and I thought my presence would be more useful then. Forgive me for not consulting you!'

She stormed out of his pantry and slammed the door.

~oOo~

Like Mrs Hughes had predicted, the return of the family did not clash in any way with Mrs Patmore's and Daisy's outing. Both of them had returned looking very relaxed after their p picnic and had thanked him, which had made him feel uncomfortable. If anything, the kitchen staff appeared to be proud of the trust they had been given and had done their utmost. However happy he was with everything going smooth, Mr Carson found his conscience nagging. He had been very harsh with Mrs Hughes and he had been wrong about it. He knew she wasn't as devoted to the family as he was and often acted less strict, out of her kind heart. But even then!

He had considered apologizing to her, but couldn't decide how much that would damage his position.

Now he saw her leaving for dinner with 'a friend', he had an idea who that might be. She looked pretty, he noticed. The colours she wore matched her eyes, and her hair looked shiny and more wavy as he remembered. Wait, hadn't Mrs Patmore told him to comment on those things? He shuffled through the corridor, and caught her at the door.

'You look very…well tonight, Mrs Hughes,' he informed her.

She looked up at him in surprise. 'Thank you Mr Carson,' she said, and walked up to the car, where Dr Clarkson waited and opened the door for her.

'Thank you Richard,' she said and smiled at him.

Carson felt lost.

~oOo~

A/N Carson keeps doing the wrong thing…even with Mrs P's help. Is he beyond hope? Thank you all for reading, and you know I love and cherish every single review…. x george