Hello... I'm back. I was absent from this site for a few months. This drabble was actually written like three months ago, but was posted only on tumblr. Now it's time to post it also here :) It was written as a birthday present for my friend bijou156.
"Mrs. Hughes! Mrs. Hughes!" screamed a five-year-old Sybbie as she ran into the Servants' Hall.
Everyone in the room smiled at the child adoringly. Sybbie was a sweet little girl, beloved by everyone both upstairs and downstairs. Not long ago, Sybbie and her Da had left Downton to Iive in Ireland, so it was a treat to have this child back, even just for a visit.
Sybbie had a special bond, however, with the Crawleys' housekeeper. She often came to drink tea with Mrs. Hughes and sometimes the two of them went for a walk around the village.
"Hello Sybbie," Mrs. Hughes greeted the girl. "Come to my sitting room and we can talk."
"I'm in a hurry, Mrs. Hughes," Sybbie replied breathlessly. "Da's birthday is tomorrow!"
The housekeeper knew about it, of course. Her Ladyship had come to her earlier and had requested a special birthday dinner tomorrow for Mr. Branson, consisting of all of his favourite food.
"So, Miss Sybbie? Do you need my help in preparing anything?"
"I drew him a picture, but I also want to prepare his favourite chocolate pudding. I cannot ask Granny or Aunt Mary to help me with it. They don't cook. "
The housekeeper was slightly taken aback by the child's words. She didn't know how to make a pudding either!
"I'm afraid, Miss Sybbie, that you should ask Mrs. Patmore to help you with the pudding."
Sybbie shook her head vigorously. "No, I want YOU to help me, please, please, please…"
How could anyone refuse such a plea?
When there was finally some free space in the kitchen, Mrs. Hughes and Sybbie set out to prepare the pudding. Mrs. Hughes was slightly embarrassed to be cooking in front of Mrs. Patmore (and with an assistance of a cooking book!), but gave up her reservations because of the little girl that she adored so dearly. Sybbie turned out to be a great help in the kitchen - she was mixing the ingredients quite expertly.
"I sometimes help Hannah in the kitchen," Sybbie explained to Mrs Hughes (Hannah was Mr. Branson's housekeeper in Dublin).
Mrs. Hughes could only think how unthinkable it would be for children at Downton to be in such close relations with servants. Sybbie, however, had been brought up differently even when she had lived at Downton - otherwise she wouldn't have formed her friendship with her grandparents' housekeeper.
Mrs. Hughes also wondered whether her relationship with Sybbie was more than just a friendship - she actually saw Miss Branson as a granddaughter she never had.
On Mr. Branson's birthday, Sybbie again came downstairs and helped to prepare Mrs. Hughes' sitting room for a small feast. She assisted the housekeeper also in making tea. Finally, everything was set and ready - pudding, teapot, cups, cutlery and plates.
Sybbie then went to fetch her Da. Not long after, Mrs. Hughes heard footsteps and saw the adorable image of father and daughter walking hand in hand.
Sybbie couldn't contain her excitement. "Look, Da! We've made you your favourite pudding!" she pointed at the dessert standing on the table.
"We've?" enquired Mr. Branson and looked curiously at Mrs. Hughes.
"Mrs. Hughes and I!" Sybbie exclaimed in a cheery voice.
Mr. Branson only smiled at the woman and the child in front of him.
The meal was delicious and the three of them could not stop talking merrily. When it was time to go, Mr. Branson thanked Mrs. Hughes for helping Sybbie and added heartily, "You're like a Downton mother to me, truly."
Sybbie bounced happily when she heard her father's words. "You're a family, Mrs. Hughes," she squealed excitedly.
Mrs. Hughes was greatly moved by the Bransons' declarations. She could feel her eyes water and she struggled very much not to shed any tear.
In the evening, Mr. Branson was reading a book of fairytales to Sybbie in her room. When he finished, he leant to give his girl a goodnight kiss. Sybbie received the kiss with a smile and decided to ask, "Da, did you like my birthday present?"
Mr. Branson also smiled in response."The drawing was absolutely beautiful, darling. And the pudding was delicious. I'm so glad that you asked Mrs. Hughes for help."
"Do you think that Mama would be proud of me?" Sybbie asked.
Mr. Branson did not hesitate to reply, "I'm sure she is very proud of you."
Content with her father's firm statement, Sybbie happily drifted off to sleep.
Later, when Mr. Branson was preparing himself to sleep, he looked lovingly at his wife's picture at his bedside table and said, "I know that you're very proud of our girl, darling. So am I. She's a wonderful young person."
With this happy thought in mind, Tom Branson followed his daughter into Morpheus' realm.