Gossip

"Lady Rose is coming back to England? Really?" Anna poured two cups of tea from the pot as Beryl nodded. The baby slept peacefully.

"So I heard."

"I like Lady Rose." Anna decided. "Did you know Lady Mary spoke to her father and he's agreed that when I go back to work Albert can stay in the nursery?"

"Times are changing."

"Yes." Anna smiled. "So? What else have I missed?"

"Does John not tell you anything?"

"He doesn't see the same things we do. You know what men are like." Anna shrugged. "How's the new footman?"

"Dafydd. Seems nice enough."

"And?"

"Well I've only seen him for five minutes." Beryl laughed.

Xxxxxxxxz

Tom stared at the garage doors, smiling as the sign above the entrance was changed. The workmen carried on as Tom picked Sybil up.

"What do you think?"

"Branson." She tilted her head as she read the sign.

"That's our name. Can you read the rest? Remember break down the words." Tom reminded his daughter as she frowned.

"Um."

"Try your best."

"Branson and Ta tal Talbot cars!" She beamed as she realised she had read the sign.

"Put the words together."

"Branson and Talbot cars." She smiled as Tom picked her up and placed her over his shoulders. The little girl squealed in delight.

"Henry and I are going to fix broken cars."

"Yey!" Sybby clapped her hands. "Bravo!"

"Seems you have a young lady's approval." The workman walked over to him.

"It does."

"Yes." The four year old nodded. Tom smiled. His daughter was anything but shy. "I'm going to fix cars when I'm a grown up." Tom watched as the workman smirked.

"Is that a job for a woman? Never mind a Lady!"

"Why not?" Sybil struggled so that Tom had to lift her down. "Daddy?"

"I don't see anything wrong in anyone liking cars, whether they're a man or woman. Your mum was a great driver. I see no reason for you not to be. And Aunt Edith drives too."

"Then so shall I. Once I'm bigger." She folded her arms in defiance as Tom ushered her away from the workmen. Times had changed, largely due to the Suffragettes, the war and industry changing but it seemed some attitudes had a long way to go.

Xxxxxxx

"Carson." Robert walked into the library with his head butler. "The new boy? Is he settling in?"

"Seems to be my Lord."

"May I ask you something? Not related to the house?" He watched as Carson raised an eyebrow. "This shaking business. Your hands, have you seen a doctor?"

"No, no my Lord. That is not required. My grandfather had it and so did my late father. It is called Parkinson's disease. Only when my father had it there wasn't a name!fir it. It's just something I have to get along with."

"And Mrs Carson?"

"Elsie." He paused. "My wife understands my wishes. Although she doesn't really agree."

"I see." Robert shook his head. "Welcome to married life. Where one person is always right and the other is the husband." Carson tried not to laugh, but watching three Crawley sisters grow up and marry as well as Cora and Robert he knew his lordship was right.

"So do as she says and see a neurologist."

"I'd rather not."

"If it's money."

"No." Carson raised a hand. "It's not that. Although I am aware I don't have that kind of money, it's more I want to carry on as I am for as long as I can." He sighed. "Parkinson's Disease, there is no cure. I know this already and I do not wish to spend what time I have left being pulled about by physicians."

"I see." Robert paused. "Carson."

"If that is all, M'lord." He turned and left the room, feeling as old and fragile as ever.

Xxxxxxx

A/N please review