Most characters that live in the modern Downton Village don't appear in Season 1, so that they won't collide with Charles' world. Thomas, Gwen and Tom(my) are exceptions which means that they are only part of the modern world. I hope you won't mind that their won't be any Beryl/Elsie friendship in this story, but Elsie/Becky and Charles/Beryl.
When Elsie Hughes came to Downton she was young, ambitious and believed in the existence of a soul mate, of someone who belonged to her and would be with her for the rest of her life. Now, nineteen years later, Elsie Burns wasn't young anymore, her ambition had helped her to become headmistress of Grantham School and her soul mate was her husband.
Joe Burns was a kind and good-humoured man. To him, life was an adventure and he always tried to make the most of it. He loved the world and exploring it. Elsie knew she would have missed a great deal if it weren't for her husband who made sure they always travelled during the long summer break. She had visited every continent and felt a lot more experienced than other people her age.
Joe and Elsie had a lot in common. They shared the passion for travelling, books and teaching. He was a literature teacher at a grammar school in York. Every morning and afternoon he drove for forty five minutes to get to work and back home. Elsie was working at Grantham School in Downton. She had studied English and French in Edinburgh and was promoted headmistress three years ago. Joe had talked her into accepting the offer. Elsie hadn't liked the idea of teaching less and doing more management concerning the school, but Joe had encouraged her to take the challenge and turn Grantham School into a place where everyone could learn in peace. Finally, Elsie had taken the job. In the beginning, it had frustrated her often, but she was a quick learner and eventually got the hang of it. Being in charge, she ensured that the school's library was renovated and enlarged. She initiated a cooperation with the Downton Museum, gaining all students free entrance whenever they chose to visit, and talked the committee of the Downton Sports Club into letting the school's teams train on their grounds. The last week before the summer holidays, matches between the Club and the school would take place, enlarging the yearly summer festival.
Joe only recently had told her that she was highly appreciated in town for all she did to improve the school. The mayor even seemed to have a soft spot for her. Elsie had laughed at that, kissing her husband lovingly.
Elsie taught some senior courses and had started a project group for Gaelic. A surprisingly large number of students had taken an interest in the language and the history and culture behind it. It brought her childhood home closer to her, so she gladly kept the project group going.
Tommy, the Burns' son, was in fourth grade and couldn't wait to go to his mummy's school. To Joe's surprise the boy had taken an interest in cricket although Joe had tried to make him play football. Joe had no clue about cricket, but was happy to support Tommy with it.
Elsie's sister Becky had moved with her daughter Gwen to Downton shortly after Tommy had been born. Gwen was now thirteen and developed a usual at-all-times-annoyed-teenage-behaviour. But Becky was a DI and always good for a witty remark.
Elsie loved her life. She loved Downton. And she loved her family, the parts who lived with her in Downton, her parents who had given up their farm to spend their retirement in Lytham St. Anne's and Joe's parents who ran a pub in Halifax. Life could be strange, rough and unfair, but Elsie Burns' life was good.
May 2010 - Elsie was just reading on her kindle – some fantasy story she had gotten for free - when the doorbell rang and dragged her out of the world of dragons and trolls she had been in. It was Friday afternoon. Tommy was at cricket practice where Joe would pick him up on his way home from York. Gwen was probably at the riverside, partying with her friends, while Becky would be freaking out over her paper work. Putting the device aside Elsie got up to answer the door. When she opened only to find herself face to face with two police men she was irritated, a horrible feeling crawling up her neck.
"What happened?", she heard herself ask, staring at the officers who now removed their caps, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. The older one cleared his throat. "Ehem, I'm DS Willis, this is my colleague DC Kent. I'm afraid we bring bad news. May we come in?"
Her heart was beating so loud and fast, she feared it would jump out of her chest, when she made way to let the two inside. She led them into the living room where the two men awkwardly gestured for her to sit. DS Willis shot his younger colleague a meaningful look and obviously disliking whatever the Sergeant had asked from him, DC Kent turned to address Elsie. "Mrs. Burns, your husband had an accident. A truck crashed into his car and both vehicles got off the road. I'm very sorry, Mrs. Burns, but your husband died before the ambulance reached the place of accident."
Silence. With wide eyes, Elsie stared at the police men, the words only slowly sinking in. "But…", she mumbled in shock. "That can't be."
DS Willis put his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. "Shall we call your sister, Mrs. Burns?"
Elsie freed her shoulder from his hand and got up. "I have to get my son." She wasn't really aware of the fact that they followed her into the hall where she slipped into her shoes and grabbed her car keys.
"Mrs. Burns, you really shouldn't drive right now. We call your sister and make sure someone gets Tommy", DS Willis told her, turning towards his younger colleague.
"Where is he exactly?", DC Kent asked gently.
"Cricket practice." Elsie opened the door and stepped into the warm May sun. Her hand was shaking when she tried to open the car door. Someone gently stopped her hand by taking it. "Els, you can't drive right now", her sister told her. "Let me drive. We can pick up Tommy together."
Elsie nodded and left the keys to her sister, sitting on the other front seat. Becky waited until her sister had closed the door, so that she couldn't hear what was said.
"Boss?", asked DC Kent.
"The truck driver died on the way to the hospital. I leave the whole business with the witnesses to you. Make sure the guys secure the evidence properly. I take care of my sister", she told them.
"Yes, Ma'am", DS Willis said and dragged DC Kent to the police car.
Becky waited until they had driven off, before she sat down next to her older sister. She was staring into the distance, her face pale, her arms tugged around her, her bottom lip being tortured by her teeth. Becky decided that it would be best to remain silent and get her to Tommy. Trying to drive normally, she sent the car towards the Cricket ground.
Becky parked the car and wanted to get out when Elsie grabbed her arm to stop her. Patiently, she waited for Elsie to speak. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Are you sure it's him?", she whispered.
Becky nodded slowly. "I identified him, Els. I'm so sorry."
Elsie held back tears, breathed calmly in and out and then left the car. Becky followed her carefully, wanting to give her and Tommy some privacy.
Tommy Burns was in his sport clothes, his auburn hair sticking to his head. His sport bag looked ridiculously huge next to him. He was taking huge gulps from his water bottle when he spotted them. He furrowed his brow in confusion.
"See you next week, Tommy", Coach Barrow said, carrying a bunch of bats towards his car.
Tommy picked up his bag and walked towards his mother. "Mummy, why are you here? Where's da?" He saw Becky behind her. "And why are you here?"
Elsie knelt in front of her son. "Tommy, your da had an accident."
The boy's face fell. "Is he in hospital?", he asked in panic.
Elsie shook her head. "Tommy, your da… died."
Her boy stared at her, his blue eyes starting to glisten with tears. "No! Why are you saying this?", he shouted. "Becky, tell her to not say this", he pleaded.
"It's true, lambie. Your da is dead", she said softly.
Tommy shook his head fiercely. "It doesn't work like that. People get old before they die!"
"Not always", Elsie whispered.
Tommy let out a pained gasp. Then he turned around and ran back to the cricket field. Elsie's hand flew to her mouth to muffle her sobs.
Coach Barrow exchanged glances with Becky. "I'll take care of him", he mouthed and jogged off to keep an eye on the nine year old.
Becky joined her sister on the ground where she sat and cried in earnest now. She put her arms around her older sister and hugged her tightly.
"What do I do without him?", Elsie said in-between sobs. "I need him."
"You'll take things slowly, Els. You'll be with Tommy and don't worry about anything else", Becky whispered.
The small church was filled with people in black. Colleagues from York and Downton, some older students, Tommy's grandparents, a few close friends and some villagers had come to pay their last respects to Joe Burns.
Elsie held Tommy's hand while the Vicar spoke. He talked about what Joe had done for the people around him and how meaningful his life had been.
When they stepped outside, a warm, soft summer rain fell from the light grey clouds in the sky. Elsie didn't mind getting soaked. She was grateful that the rain hid her tears. Tommy sniffed when the coffin was carefully placed in the ground. Elsie tightened her grip on him. He hid behind her when people walked passed them to offer their condolences. In the end, only Becky and Gwen were with them. Her younger sister took Elsie's hand and together they stayed for a while in silence, saying their goodbyes to Joe in their thoughts. When they walked off, all four knew that the life they returned to would be altered and that they would carry this scar forever. And Elsie was certain that she would never again feel the way she had felt with Joe.
I'd love to hear what you think :)