Ella's news had made Elsie so very happy that she didn't even try to hide her smile. She had so much to be delighted about and it felt so nice to have things to celebrate, rather than worries and anxiety. She thought that they'd all had enough of that to last a life time.

As she returned to her sitting room to begin her work, something she didn't feel she'd be able to concentrate on, Charlie came rushing into the room, with such a concerned look on his face and it was clear that he'd been waiting for her.

'Is everything alright Mrs Hughes, with Ella I mean, she looked most unlike herself.' He said in quick whispers and Elsie really struggled not to blurt it out to him; but she had made a promise not to say anything and one thing she was very good at, was keeping a promise.

'Yes she's fine. She's just feeling a little under the weather, that's all. I've sent her to rest for the day though and I'll go up and see her in a little while.'

'But she will be alright for tomorrow, won't she?'

'Trust me Mr Carson, she's been wanting us to get married for so long, that I don't think she would let anything get in the way of coming tomorrow.' Elsie said as she almost had to pinch herself to believe what she was saying. She still couldn't believe, sometimes, that the events of the last year had really happened.

'As long as you are sure Mrs Hughes; I don't want anything to spoil tomorrow for you.' He replied softly as he took the opportunity to steal a brief kiss.

Upstairs, Ella was indeed resting, taking the opportunity to read a book, although her mind kept wandering to her baby and the fact that, now she had told Elsie, that she really should tell Henry next. She could barely control her excitement and couldn't wait for him to return home. He'd been called away to see to the child of one of the tenant farmers, but had promised that it wouldn't take long. She expected him to be home just after lunch; but she was glad that he was away for a while, as she didn't want him fussing and worrying about her too much, as her morning sickness became progressively worse throughout the morning.

As she lay on her bed, there was a gentle tap on her door and Sybil poked her head round with a broad smile on her face. She loved this time of year as much as Ella did and she felt, much like her twin, that this year was going be really, very special. She and Tom were the only family members that knew that Charlie and Elsie were getting married on Christmas Eve and Sybil was just as excited as Ella.

Both she and Tom would be attending along with Ella and Henry, who Charlie had asked to be his best man. It was only going to be a very small ceremony, but it was exactly as Elsie had wanted it, with the most important people in her life there to witness her marry the only man she could ever imagine sharing her life with.

Since their time together in London, albeit brief, Sybil had really tried to make an effort with Elsie and occasionally she joined Ella and her mother in the evenings, which thrilled and delighted Ella. Ella had understood that it had taken Sybil some time to get used to the idea that Elsie was Ella's mother and for a short time it had been something that she had really struggled with; but now that she had come to accept the idea, she was so keen to embrace it and build on her relationship with, not only her sister, but with Elsie as well.

Like her sister, she remembered the early days of their lives, when Elsie had first taken care of them, with great fondness. She remembered when the future housekeeper used to take them both for walks round the garden and told them both stories. Although Sybil now realised that Elsie had been using their time together to be with her daughter, she never felt that Elsie had neglected her in any way or had even favoured Ella over her. No, Elsie had always treated both girls equally and both she and Sybil had a great deal of love and respect for each other; very different to the kind of relationship Elsie had with the two older girls.

'How are you feeling? I met Elsie in the entrance hall a little while ago and she said that you were up here resting, she said that you were feeling a little unwell.' Sybil said quietly as she sat on the bed.

'Oh don't worry Sybbie; I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all.' Ella replied with a genuine smile, but her paleness did concern Sybil.

'Well as long as you are sure; but Elsie made me promise that I'd tell you to make sure that if you need anything then you've to call for her. She said that she knows that you hate it, but she's here if you need anything.' Sybil replied, kindly conveying the message Elsie had given her. 'I think she's planning to come up to see you soon any way.'

'That is kind of her, but she needn't worry so much; I'll be right as rain for tomorrow. In fact, I've been planning some of the decorations, nothing too over the top, but something a little more than what we usually do, for the ball tomorrow night.' Ella said as she sat a little straighter. 'I spoke to Mrs Merchant, the florist in Ripon a few days ago. She's extending our usual order to include some more garlands; I thought we could twist them up the stairs and use some of the spare lights from the Christmas tree to brighten the staircase as well. I've also ordered another, special, little something for them as a little surprise.'

'Oh Aurie that will look lovely.' Sybil replied with delight. 'And what about tomorrow night?'

'What about it?' Ella asked with a slightly confused look, only for Sybil to look back at her with raised eyebrows.

'Aurie, it'll be their wedding night!' She exclaimed. 'We can't expect them to go back to their sleeping quarters on their wedding night, they should be together.'

'Oh yes, that's a very good point; I never actually thought about that. Maybe we could suggest they go to the cottage for the night? I'm sure we could persuade Papa to let them have the day off.' Ella replied.

'Honestly Aurie, you can be so thick sometimes.' Sybil replied bluntly, but with a jovial tone. 'If they take Christmas day off then you'll not get to spend any of it with her and I know Elsie is dying to spend her first proper Christmas with you, even if it is in secret.'

'So what do you suggest then clever clogs?'

'We make up one of the guest rooms for them in the far wing, where they can be together and won't be disturbed. We can decorate it and make it look really romantic for them.' Sybil said with bated excitement.

'That'll be a really great idea, why on earth did I not think of it? There's just one problem I can see with it.'

'What's that?'

'Well we'll have to make up the bed ourselves won't we, if we're to keep it a secret that is,'

'Yes, we will, but I'm sure we can manage that ourselves; how hard can it be to make a bed?'

'True, but it wasn't that I was thinking of; what I am referring to is, how are we going to get all of the linen when mam is the one who keeps the keys?' Ella explained and suddenly Sybil had no more answers.

'Ah, good question.' She replied.