Episode Eight

So this one is an odd mix of moments as we go through S6.8. Hopefully they make sense as to where they fall into the episode. I've borrowed a few snippets of dialogue from the show to help with where they go.

Mr Carson stood in the kitchens aghast at the very idea that his employers should be dragged through Mrs Patmore's scandalous first bed and breakfast guests was horrifying. He was equally unnerved to find that his wife was not on his side.

'It's their choice, Mr Carson. There are grown people, surely.' She said.

'Well.' He scoffed 'I've always known women were ruthless, but I didn't think I'd find the proof of it in my own wife.' Mr Carson said with a huff. He turned and walked away. Her face remained stern and resolute.

'And there's me thinking how kind they were to come to the rescue.' Mrs Patmore commented, disappointedly.

'And so they are, just tell them yes and arrange the day.' Mrs Hughes said. Taking a second look at the back of her retreating husband.

'Hm.' Was Mrs Patmore's only response for a moment. Daisy smirked. 'You're sure that's a good idea.' Mrs Patmore said once she was sure she'd heard the door to the butler's pantry close. Mrs Hughes chuckled.

'It'll be fine. Don't worry about him.'

'Smooth things over later, will you?' Mrs Patmore teased. Elsie laughed, shaking her head. Daisy disappeared into the pantry and the cook took a moment to speak to the housekeeper alone. 'Are you two all right now after the dinner debacle?'

'Yes. I think so. It was always going to take us a while to adjust that's for sure, but we'll muddle through.'

'And the other thing?' Mrs Patmore said, double checking they were alone. A distinctly red hue came into the housekeepers cheeks.

'Mrs Patmore!' she hissed.

'Just checking.' She teased, laughing. 'Come on. I need something to cheer me up.' Elsie shook her head and laughed. She folded her arms and turned her head away from her friend. 'That good 'eh!'

'Oh! Shut up!' she laughed. 'Pick your day and get on with something useful. I have things to be doing.'

'Things? Or butlers?' she whispered. Mrs Hughes eyes went wide and she left the room shaking her head.

Her face was white as a sheet when she opened his pantry door some time later, without knocking he noted. That was unusual. She shut the door quickly. He knew something was wrong.

'Everything all righ…'

'No.' She interrupted him quickly. 'Mr Barrow is in the bathroom upstairs, Miss Baxter and Andy found him. He's cut his wrists, Anna's gone for the doctor. I'm going up now, I need you to tell His Lordship.'

'He's… God in heaven.' He rose from his chair and stepped towards her, reaching for her hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

'Please, just…His Lordship…'

'I know. I'll back as quickly as I can.' He hurried up the stairs with her, leaving her at the first landing to head up to the servants rooms while entered the main house. His only thoughts were of his clearly shaken wife.

He met her on the stairs again an hour later. She'd regained some of the colour in her cheeks and Doctor Clarkson was beside her. The man gave the butler a brief nod before continuing down the stairs.

'How is he?' Charlie asked.

'My sitting room.' She said, quickly descending the stairs. Once she'd safely shut the door behind him, she allowed him to take her hand again. His thumb gently running over the back of it soothingly. 'Doctor Clarkson says he'll be fine. He's had to have a few stitches and he's advised we keep a very close eye on him but he sees no reason he shouldn't fully recover. Physically at any rate.'

'Good.' Charlie paused, rubbing his free hand over his forehead. 'I'll go and speak to him later.' Her eyes snapped to his. 'Not to reprimand him, love. I'm not totally heartless. I suspect some of the blame falls on my head for this, I know I've been harsh. I've just…'

'Don't…' she began, resting her free hand on his chest. 'Don't even let those thoughts enter your head. Just reassure him and we can address anything else when he's feeling better.' He nodded. 'Come on, we should get on. If anyone asks, he's got the flu.'

'I think I'll speak to His Lordship, perhaps we can give Barrow some reassurance that he can stay for the foreseeable future.'

'Thank you. I think that is a good idea.' She gave his hand another squeeze, before returning to her duties.

'And how are you?' He asked finally. He had been worried about her all day, she had managed to keep a brave face all afternoon, but now they were alone in their own home, she could let her guard down. She smiled weakly.

'I can't believe he was so unhappy.' Tears tumbled down her cheeks and he took her into his arms and let her sob. He ran his hands up and down her back, whispering reassuring words into her hair.

'You can't blame yourself.' He said eventually as she calmed down. 'We can just be thankful that Miss Baxter found him in time and we'll get him back on his feet.' She smiled back at him.

'You've changed your tune.' He sighed. 'Sorry. That was unfair.'

'Come on. We're both tired and in need of a good sleep.' A small smile appeared on her lips. 'What?'

'After you left Mrs Patmore and I earlier she wanted to know if I was going to smooth you over later.' She said with a laugh.

'What do you mean?' he said looking shocked.

'She's come to the conclusion that following the conversation I made you have with her before our wedding and our apparent marital bliss that we must be at it like rabbits.'

'I hope you…' he began, then stopped abruptly. She waited, several emotions playing across his face. 'I was about to say I hope you set her straight, but I'm not quite sure that would have produced the desired outcome.' They both burst into fits of laughter.

'You seem less curmudgeonly now.' She noted later as Charlie whistled as he made her tea in their kitchen.

'Hmm?' he looked up at her.

'You've gone from old curmudgeon to Cheerful Charlie in an afternoon, dear.' She observed, accepting her tea. 'Is it the return of the Dowager, Lady Mary's engagement or both?' He kissed the top of her head before sitting down.

'The presence of my lovely wife.' she laughed.

'Well saved. You are relieved though aren't you, that she's happy.' he nodded.

'She was kissing him in the library when I took the tea in.' she laughed.

'How scandalous!' he laughed too. 'Now, I have other exciting developments for you.'

'Oh yes?' raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his tea.

'Sometime around New Year, a little baby Bates will be joining us.'

'I see.' She frowned.

'Curmudgeon.' She stated. He nudged his foot gently against the side of her leg.

'Sorry. I'm very pleased for them. They deserve all the happiness in the world. How is Anna?'

'Well. Apprehensive, but she's happy, there's no doubt about that.'

She tilted her head to look at him. His eyes were glistening with tears in the morning sun. She slipped her hand into his, not caring that they were surrounded by people. The last time she had heard anyone say wedding vows they had been their own and she was feeling sentimental. He smiled at her.

'We'd best get to the cart, they'll all beat us there if we're not careful.' She said.

'Let them. They have it in hand and I'd like to walk back with you, if you don't mind.'

'Not at all. I'd prefer it, if you're sure?' He nodded. Elsie stopped Thomas as he walked past them to relay the message and hold down the fort, before they slowly ambled across the village square.

'Are you still happy?' he asked as they reached the quieter path back towards the abbey.

'Of course I am, why do you ask that?'

'Well it's just, we haven't exactly had the easiest first few months of marriage and I worry you'll regret being stuck with this old curmudgeon.'

'No.' she said quickly. 'I want to be stuck with you Charlie.' She stopped, stood in front of him and took hold of his other hand. 'We knew it wasn't going to be easy, we've been on our own for a long time and no marriage is perfectly sunny all the time. But I am happy. I love you, even when you are being a grumpy curmudgeon. We'll fight, we'll disagree, we always have done, but I wouldn't trade you or our life together for anyone. Do you understand?' he nodded.

'I can't put it as eloquently as that, but I feel the same.'

'Good.' She said laughing as they continued their walk.

'You did rather a nice job on our wedding day.'

'Hmm, and I meant every word.' He gave her a quick peck on the lips before they set about their journey with a little more purpose. There was only so long either of them felt it was reasonable to leave the footmen and Mr Barrow in charge today.