I'm very sorry for keeping you waiting!
To the guest reviewer who worried I was ill: I'm sorry I had you worried! I'm fine, just wasn't happy with the second half of this chapter until now.
Hope you enjoy!
Elsie and Tommy had been gone about half an hour when Charles cleared the breakfast table. The kitchen was clearly arranged which made it quite easy for Charles to find his way about. When he was finished, he picked up the newspaper Elsie had left on the table and sat down in the sitting room, choosing the armchair that had the perfect size to help him sit comfortably. While reading about wars, catastrophes, political discussions, environmental problems and economical based topics he realised just how much influence the past had on the present and that a lack of knowledge about the past didn't help at all understanding the present. The only conclusion he allowed himself to make was that not everything had changed for the better. With a sigh he finished his lecture and put the newspaper aside. He just sat there for a while, his fingers drumming on the arm rest. Finally, he got up, walking over to the impressive bookshelf that covered half the wall of the sitting room. He let his eyes wander over the books. Most titles told him nothing, others did ring a bell. When his gaze fell on a particular book, he realised that he had in fact been looking for something instead of just being curious. His hand reached for the thick volume, but then Charles hesitated. His hand froze mid-air and he held it there. A clock was ticking loudly, while Charles licked his lips nervously. In the end, curiosity got the better of him. He grabbed the book and returned to the armchair. The Oxford History of Britain. Charles had a feeling that this book had many answers in store for him, but would also put his health at risk. He was aware that many things in there wouldn't be to his liking. Others would simply shock him. But he wanted to catch up. He didn't like appearing like a fool. He started his lecture with the sinking of the Titanic. Something that had only happened a few weeks ago and now lay a hundred years back.
Elsie was relieved when she opened her inbox and was told that 20 emails were downloading. She waited patiently and happily deleted the few commercial mails. Feeling like today was one of those days on which work was for a change easy to tackle, she started working herself through the inbox.
Miss Baxter brought her tea at around ten, sitting down in front of Elsie's desk. "So, you hit a man with your car", she said teasingly.
Elsie sighed. "Does the whole school know that?"
Miss Baxter chuckled. "More like the whole town."
"Oh shit!", Elsie said. "It's quite embarrassing, isn't it?"
"Could have happened to any of us", Miss Baxter assured her. "How's the man?"
"He's all right, but, ehm, he suffers from amnesia", Elsie lied. There was no way she would share the information she had received yesterday at the Abbey with anyone. She would stick to the doctor's theory.
"Oh, that sounds… impractical. How is his family coping?"
Elsie sipped her tea, preparing herself for the long story she had to tell.
Two hours had passed and Charles hadn't gotten any further than the First World War. He had lost himself in the horrors of the battles in France. It was beyond comprehension to him how many young men had lost their lives in such a cruel manner. When he finally reached the page that told the story of how the war had come to an end, Charles sighed deeply and shut the book. He needed fresh air. His body ached when he got up and walked over to the terrace where he sat down on the steps that led into the garden. Resting his hands on his knees, he laid his head back, closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun dancing over his face. The warmth froze all dark thoughts about war and death for the moment. Birds were chirping in some tree nearby and Charles was grateful that the weather was nice.
"There you are!", Elsie exclaimed behind him, startling him. She laughed at his shocked expression. "You were lost in thought. Sorry."
He cleared his throat. "I was, yes. You're back early."
"Yes, luck was on my side. Not too much work and when I was finished I sneaked out before I could get more stuff to do. One of the advantages of being the boss", she said with a grin. "Lovely day, isn't it?"
"It is", Charles agreed.
"I'll just put on more casual clothes before we leave for York", she told him, already half way inside.
"Mrs. Burns?"
She turned around, waiting for him to continue.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to take me to a city?"
Elsie thought about that for a moment. "To be honest, I'm not sure, but then again it's not that different from Downton. It's more crowded and a little bigger, but I promise not to leave your side. You will be all right, Mr. Carson", she assured him.
"I'll do my best to fit in", he said.
Elsie nodded and made her way to the stairs. She was already on the steps when her gaze fell into the living room. There was a book lying on the table, telling her that he had been reading. Despite the distance she knew what book it was by its thickness. Worriedly she bit her bottom lip and went upstairs, getting out of her formal clothes and putting on a grey skirt and a light blue blouse. Her skin was pale and she hardly had any hope of getting any kind of tan, but now the sun shone brightly, so she would at least try to get one. She walked back downstairs barefoot, looking for the light summer pumps. She spotted Charles in the living room, sitting on the far edge of the armchair, hands clenched together, staring at the history book as if it was a nightmare. It probably is a nightmare to him, she thought, thinking about what he might have read about.
"Are you all right?", she asked.
He shrugged. "It would seem strange to you, but I can't help thinking about how many men I knew died in that war."
"It's not strange, Mr. Carson. And I hope that you will find out it weren't many", she told him gently.
"I doubt that", he admitted. "But let's not talk about wars."
She smiled at the repetition of what she had told him yesterday. He got up and they walked to her car. "Come on then. Let us enjoy the weather and get you some proper clothes", she said, opening the driver's door.
"What's wrong with what he's wearing now?", Becky's voice sounded from behind them. Both turned in surprise.
"Becky, what are you doing here?", Elsie asked.
"I live around here", Becky pointed out. "You didn't answer my question."
"Well, the clothes are ok, but he needs more than one shirt, one jeans and one pair of boxers", Elsie replied.
"Fair enough", Becky said. "I thought you were going to say they don't suit him, because be sure of that, Charles, you look very sexy in them."
Charles just stared at Elsie's sister with raised eyebrows, unable to say anything.
"Becky, you shouldn't say such things about Mr. Carson. It makes him uncomfortable", Elsie told her.
"Just paying a compliment", Becky defended herself.
"I'm sure there are more appropriate ways to pay a compliment", Elsie countered.
Becky raised her hand in mock surrender. "Ok, got it. So we're going shopping?"
"We?", Elsie repeated in disbelief.
"Yes, I'm coming with you. Heaven knows what kind of clothes he will end up with if you pick them all by yourself", Becky teased.
"Excuse me, what is that supposed to mean?", Elsie wanted to know.
"You have a nice taste in clothes, Elsie, but since you've become headmistress you tend to put on a lot of boring, formal stuff", Becky explained.
"I like formal!", Charles said hastily, so far forced to watch the exchange between the two sisters helplessly.
"I'm sure you look great in a suit, but there's more to wear than the usual stuff", Becky said.
"Don't you have to work?", Elsie tried one last time to get rid of her sister.
"No, today's my day off", Becky replied smugly and got in the car.
"This wasn't planned", Charles stated a little questioningly.
"No, it wasn't", Elsie confirmed. "But it seems we have no choice, but to go all together."
Charles and Elsie were sitting in the front, while Becky had gotten comfortable in the middle of the back seat. They were just leaving Downton behind when she slid forward, resting her arms on the back of the front seats and poking her head next to Charles' and Elsie's.
"So, how was your first night at my sister's?", Becky asked. Charles wasn't sure if she meant the question in a proper way or rather a risqué way. Elsie came to the rescue. "Shouldn't you be buckled up?", Elsie remarked.
"Don't tell me how to live my life", Becky told her. "So?", she asked, turning back to Charles.
"It was nice", he answered, staring straight ahead.
"What were you up to?", Becky went on.
"We had pizza and ice cream for dinner, took a walk to the Abbey and went to our separate beds when we got back", Elsie said a little on edge.
"Yes, Mrs. Burns told me about the school", Charles added.
"Mrs. Burns? Mr. Carson? Really? You live in the same house, although only having known each other for a day now. You should use first names", Becky told them.
"Don't tell us how to life our lifes", Elsie snapped.
"Fine, then at least turn the radio on", Becky asked. Angrily Elsie turned it on, trying to get her right foot to reduce the speed she was driving at. She happily would have hit her head on the wheel when 500 miles started playing and Becky chose to sing along very loudly. Elsie didn't dare to glance to her left, too embarrassed to look at Charles. In the end, she managed to give him on apologetic smile. She was surprised to see that an intense half smile had spread across his face.
Charles knew Becky was annoying and teasing them on purpose and he was capable of thinking it amusing. In a way seeing the two sisters like this made them only the more likeable to him. He even enjoyed the music, although it did sound strange to his ears. Having spent a few years on the stage, he found himself able to be quite accepting of this new style. Accepting new things had been one of those abilities he had lost when he became butler, but he was glad that he had gotten it back. It made him feel younger and freer. And that helped him forget his homesickness, at least for the moment.
York looked very different from what Charles remembered, but the city hadn't lost its magic caused by the traces of history that were to be found everywhere. Elsie had to drive around more or less aimlessly in search of a parking spot. When she finally found one, she pulled over rather riskily and claimed it.
"And you tell me I'm driving too aggressive", Becky remarked.
"I won't comment on that", Elsie replied and turned off the engine. "Now, where to first?"
"Oh, I know a nice little shop not far from here. They have very stylish men clothes", Becky said excitedly. "And they're not too expensive."
"And why is it that you know a shop for men's clothing?", Elsie asked amused.
"I just do", Becky answered. "Are you coming?"
Becky had been right. The shop was nice, a real insider's tip. And the prices were more than agreeable for the quality of the clothes. Soon they had send Charles into one of the changing rooms with a pile of shirts and trousers and because Becky insisted on it, Charles wasn't allowed to try the clothes on in the privacy of the changing room and decide for himself what he liked and what not. No, he had to come out every time he had changed and show the ladies what he looked like. He felt like a fool already while he was fumbling with the buttons of the first shirt. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out, glad that they were almost the only customers. Elsie and Becky were sitting on a wooden bench that was part of the shoe area.
"So, how do I look?", Charles asked, playing along.
"I like it", Elsie said. "You seem to be the shirt and jeans type."
"I agree", Becky said. "But…", she added and got up, walking towards him, stopping a few inches in front of him. Charles held his breath when she reached up and opened the first two buttons of his shirt. "That's better."
"Is that how shirts are worn now?", Charles asked sceptically.
"Usually, unless you wear a tie", Elsie explained.
"Well, I suppose with the warm weather it's more comfortable like this", he admitted.
They left with two shopping bags. Charles carried them, trying to hide how uncomfortable he was with Elsie paying for him. He needed to find a way to say thank you and slowly settled on cooking dinner for her, maybe with Tommy's help. Becky dragged them into a shop only selling suits and everything going with them. Charles soon looked at a rather familiar sight in the mirror of the changing room – himself in a suit. When he stepped out both women stared at him in silence and Charles wasn't quite sure what that meant. Finally, he cleared his throat and tugged at the waistcoat. "Do I look that awful in this?", he tried to joke.
"Ehm, no, no, not at all", Elsie stuttered, embarrassed that she had been staring at him again.
"I'm not convinced", Charles replied, another half-smile tugging at his lips.
"No, I feel quite under dressed", Elsie said kindly.
"Nonsense, the colours suit you wonderfully", he told her, mesmerized by the sparkle in her eyes.
"You're very flattering", she laughed nervously. "When you talk like that you make me want to check the looking glass to see that my hair is tidy."
His throat tightened, his voice sounded much deeper. "Get away with you." Both were staring at their feet, the tips of his ears pink, her cheeks flushed.
"Get a room, you two", Becky laughed and got both out of their embarrassment. "Let's buy that suit and get some luncheon. I know a nice bistro close to the minster."
Becky had disappeared in a book shop on their way to the bistro, leaving Charles and Elsie alone. They were sitting on a bench, enjoying the sun. Charles cleared his throat. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you earlier with what I said. I don't quite know what came over me."
"What do you mean?", she asked confused.
"What I said in that store where we got the suit", he explained.
"Don't be sorry, Mr. Carson", she told him and he nodded. Elsie didn't like the silence that followed. She liked talking to him. "Maybe Becky is right about us using first names", she said.
Charles nervously brushed some dust from his knee. "We could."
"Well then, I'm Elsie", she introduced herself and offered him his hand.
"Charles", he replied and shook her hand awkwardly. "That will take some getting used to", he added.
"We'll manage", she assured him with a smile. Her gaze wandered over the shops and the people walking by. Charles nudged her shoulder gently. "Isn't that Mr. Bricker over there?"
Elsie spotted the historian quickly. "Yes", she said. "And he is with my secretary", she added surprised. "They've seen us."
The woman accompanying Mr. Bricker waved at them and Elsie waved back. Charles rose when the two approached. "Good day, Mr. Bricker", he greeted the historian.
"Hello, Mr. Carson, good to see you again", the man replied, shaking Charles hand. "Mrs. Burns."
"Mr. Bricker, it's nice to see you again", Elsie told him.
"May I introduce Miss Baxter", Mr. Bricker said.
"Oh, we know each other", Elsie laughed.
"Ah, of course, you work together", Mr. Bricker chuckled at his own forgetfulness.
"But we haven't met, I believe", Miss Baxter pointed out, looking at Charles.
"We haven't. I'm Charles Carson", he introduced himself.
"Phyllis Baxter", she replied. "And there's Becky."
"Hello, you two. I didn't expect to see you here", Becky said. "Let alone together", she added meaningfully.
"We are not having a date if that's what you're thinking", Miss Baxter made clear, used to Becky's way of teasing people whenever she could.
"What a pity, you'd make a nice couple", Becky said and shrugged her shoulders innocently.
"We're not going to discuss that again, are we?", Mr. Bricker asked worriedly.
"No, Simon, we won't", Miss Baxter assured him. "Isn't that right, Becky?"
Becky looked like she wanted to protest, but decided against it.
"So, are we going to get lunch?", Elsie wanted to know.
"Would you mind if we joined you?", Mr. Bricker asked.
"Not at all", Elsie said. "Becky, where was that bistro again?"
"This way", she replied, leading the group five they now where.
They were sitting at a table in the corner of the bistro aside from the other few guests who were there. Miss Baxter was telling Charles about the Downton cricket team. He had somehow come to mention his love of cricket and had been surprised to hear that Miss Baxter's cousin was coaching Tommy's team and playing for the senior's. He gladly listened to her telling him about the club's success in recent years and couldn't help but tell her about how much he enjoyed both playing and watching cricket. Their conversation ended with her inviting him for Sunday's match, pointing out that Tommy would be there.
Meanwhile, Elsie asked Mr. Bricker about his book and how the work was going. Her interest in the Abbey awakened his passion for the stories of noble families and he almost shared all of the Crawley's recent history with her. At some point, Elsie looked at Charles, a little surprised, but mainly relieved to see that he was so focused on his conversation with Miss Baxter that he didn't pay any attention to Mr. Bricker's story. In fact, he was oblivious to the fact that the historian was talking about the Crawleys.
Becky watched the four, listening to a bit of both conversations. She felt a little out of place, like she was invading a double date. Being quiet wasn't like her, but when she was, she liked to observe. And there were quite a few things she observed. First, there was Miss Baxter who smiled shyly at Charles and clearly thought him handsome. And then there was Mr. Bricker who glanced at Elsie more than once in a flirty manner. To Becky's surprise, Elsie seemed to encourage the bit of flirting, while Charles didn't seem to notice how Miss Baxter developed a bit of a crush on him. Finally, they asked for the bill and the conversations stopped. Becky thought it the right moment to involve herself again. "This was lovely. We should do it again sometime", she said, drinking the last drops of her water. "But you know what I think odd?", she asked, the other four looking at her questioningly. "How we only partly use first names."
Miss Baxter reached for her glass. "Becky is right. It's odd. Shall we all use first names?"
"A very good idea", Mr. Bricker agreed. "It may not be wine, but let's pretend otherwise for the moment", he continued, raising his glass. "I'm Simon."
The other's joined him, marking the beginning of new friendships and the change of others turning the day into a special memory to the five of them.
Next chapter should be my very first monster chapter - at least if it goes as planned which I hope it does since it's going to be quite essential for this story. I apologise in advance for keeping you waiting for it!