Chapter 24

Elsie smiled at the flowers Cora had sent her which sat on the sideboard. It had been thoughtful of her to send them and it was nice to know she was thinking of her. She picked up the cup of tea she had just made of the sideboard and made her way out to what was that day her rather sunny garden.

Summer was proving to be a beautiful season and that evening was no exception.

She had been sitting out there relaxing for a little while when she heard footsteps coming up her garden path. She opened her eyes and stretched out like a cat who had been sitting in the sun for too long and she was thrilled to see her best friend was there.

"So how was it?" Beryl asked with a smile.

She had so wanted to come over and meet who she remembered as the little one, who she knew her friend had longed for so long. Yet it had felt as if it should be a family time.

And, yes she knew if they were asked then the Carson's were going to say she was family but all the same. There were no formalities required between the two best friends that day and they got straight down to business.

"I do not know if I can put it all into words for it had been awful and wonderful in equal measure." She did not ever want to feel the fear she had again. But as the reward for her sours, she had had her sweets which had been sweet beyond belief. "Oh, I can't tell you how wonderful she is."

And for Beryl, Elsie did not have to specify who 'she' was. It was clear from the light on her face she was referring to her child. It was the same look she got on her face when she spoke of any of her children.

"I hear she quite saved young Barbara Hereward's neck." it was no small thing she had done and quite a good bit of gossip.

"She did. I think she will be remembered by more than us when by just me and Charles when she goes back to London," Elsie smiled at her friend.

"Oh yes, but then I can assure you always was."

Elsie could not be more grateful to her for saying that.

"Well, now she has you and as well as her siblings, the vicar and his wife – in addition to our good doctor if I am not very much mistaken."

"I am not going to lie to you, my old friend. Already there are one of two rumours –"

"She has gone round there tonight," Elsie said before she was able to stop herself. She did not like to be as gossip but it did seem to be what they did best.

Beryl made a face which told Elsie she need say no more for now. No doubt in the future they were going to revisit the subject but that was not for right then. Instead, they turned to the love lives of the other three kids. Seeing as how they knew them so much better, it did feel as if they were fair game in a way Bernie was not yet. How sad Beryl was to hear Jimmy and Thomas were having trouble though she was not sure if the lad himself was too sad about it.

"I hear Edward is back in town – no doubt that is going to please Charles."

"I think it pleases both of us. I know we have no right to have a say in the love lives of our children, but he did always treat him better than I think Jimmy has and Thomas seems to be having a bit more fun since Edward has returned!"

And god only knew Elsie was of the opinion that her babies needed to have a bit of fun. All of them.

"Well, I am glad to hear it! Talking about Charles's approval is he getting on any better with John these days?"

"I am glad to say he rather is. I do not know what went on when I was asleep but since I woke up he has been a lot more accepting of John and Anna."

"Well, it is high time really. She has set her cap at him at no mistake."

With that, Elsie could only agree. No matter what the two of them said it was clear Anna had set her heart on John and they were not going to be changing that. So her father had better get used to it instead.

"And William?"

"Is still my own sweet boy – for now."

There was a pause.

"When do you think you will see her again then?"

Not soon enough thought Elsie.

"Oh, she said she was going to be up before too long."

And if there was one thing which Elsie knew her daughter was it was as good as her word. If she said she was going to be back then she was going to be back.

"Well there is something to look forward too, hey?" said Beryl and Elsie nodded, swallowing. If she was getting a little emotional then Beryl did not think sit was much of a surprise.

She took her best friends hand and the moment passed.

"Oh yes –" Elsie grinned. And looked forward to it she would.

X x x

Bernie walked down to the station with all kinds of thoughts and memories of the last few weeks in her head. She did not think she was likely to forget her first time in Downton in hurry.

What a time she had had with them all and – and she was sure she had made friends for life.

For one thing she knew she was not going to be losing her family now she had found them once more and they were not the only ones. She was never going to be able to put into words how much she had enjoyed the night before. Having the time with young Tim and the doctor had been the tonic which she had needed.

It made her feel oddly settled going back.

She knew as well as back for her family she was going to be back for them.

She thought back to the ward and the way that the girls were when they first got dates. For ever looking at their phones and try to work out why the lad from the night before was not ringing them back. She did not think her and the doctor were going to be that way.

If he did not text her back then it was going to be because he was busy with his work or Tim.

She would look forward to hearing from him always but she did not think she was going to fret about it. She had faith in him.

That thought kept a smile on her face as she got a ticket and a coffee and made her way to the platform. Just as Bernie was about to get on train however, a familiar figure came into view.

Someone she had not had a chance for a final catch up with you.

Someone slightly out of breath for fear they were not going to catch her.

"I just wanted to thank you for coming," said Anna as she came to her sisters side. "It has cheered mum up no end."

"And I want to thank you for giving me the confidence to come. Being here has meant the world to me."

Bernie had not known it was going to be, but it had. It really had.

"Now don't you be gone to long," Anna said and was embarrassed to admit she felt rather teary.

"I won't."

Up until then Bernie had honestly felt ok. But as she pulled her little sister into her arms for a firm cuddle she had to admit to feeling a little emotional herself.

As hard as it was to leave Anna, Bernie was soon on the train and not too sad for it. The call of London and home felt strong right then. That evening she would sit down with her mother and fill her in on all that had happened in Downton since she had left.

Yet for the first time in her life she wished she could be in two places all at once.

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