Emma is at breakfast with Robert, Tom, Edith, and Rose, attended by Mr Carson when Mr Molesley brings in a telegram on the salver and hands it to Mr Carson. Emma watches curiously to see him take it to Edith, who is talking to Rose. Surprised, she takes it and opens it. She looks horrified at what she reads there. The rest of them exchange uneasy looks. Nobody says a word because they all know what this is, what it likely is.

Her editor is on his way to see her which can only mean one thing.

Since Tom is busy with meetings, Emma joins Cora, Mary, Edith, Robert, and Rose for lunch. Edith is dreadfully pale and silent, and the atmosphere is very subdued.

"Do we know when he'll get here?" Mary asks her father.

"Later this afternoon." Cora replies.

Thankfully Robert changes the topic. "I should have some drawings for you all to look at before too long."

"What sort of drawings?" Rose asks.

"Ideas for how we could renovate the run-down houses in the Village."

"Why is there such a building spurt?"

"Because the war showed how half the population were very badly housed." Emma replies.

"They were shocked by how unhealthy some of the new recruits were." Robert explains. "'You cannot expect to get an A1 population out of C3 homes.'"

"Who said that?" Cora asks.

"I think it was on a poster." Robert admits. Rose and Emma share an amused smile at that.

"I heard from Charles today. He and Tony are competing in the point-to-point at Canningford on Saturday." Mary tells them.

Emma looks at Mary curiously. Tony Gillingham? Honestly, Emma is getting sick of hearing the man's name. He's one of these men that seem to not understand that when a woman says no, she means it.

"Atticus was talking about that." Rose adds.

Emma looks at her curiously. "Atticus?"

"Atticus Aldridge, the chap I met in York."

"Has he become a friend?" Cora asks.

"Yes, he has, rather." It's Mary that Emma shares an amused smile with this time. "His parents, the Sinderbys, have bought Canningford Grange."

"And now they're wooing the county." Robert remarks. "Lord Sinderby's rich, isn't he?"

"Who'd take it on if they weren't?" Mary points out.

"Well, why don't we all go, make a day of it?" Rose suggests.

"Yes, we could ask Granny and Isobel and take the children." Mary agrees. "Emma?"

Emma nods. "Why not. I'm sure Dr Clarkson will survive without me for one day. Be good to have an outing with the children."

Mary turns to her mother. "Shall I tell Charles they can stay here?"

"Of course, if you want them to."

All this time, Edith is suffering through what must sound like completely meaningless chatter to her.

"When this fellow arrives, it would be nice if you could leave Edith and me to see him on our own." Robert says.

—

The editor arrives as he said he would. Emma can't help but linger outside the Drawing room, anxiously waiting to hear that Michael Gregson is officially dead. To hear what they all expect and dread.

Her pacing up and down the Great Hall is paused when the editor exits followed by Robert. Emma can tell be is his face that it's true.

Edith emerges then and Emma hurries over and wraps her in a hug. It takes a moment before Edith returns it. After a short while, Edith pulls away.

"I think I need some air." Edith says.

"I'll come with you." Emma offers.

Edith shakes her head. "No, no I want to be on my own." She looks on the verge of tears.

—

Emma goes to her shirt at the Hospital that evening in a daze. They have been thinking Michael was dead for over two years but to hear it confirmed makes Emma's heartbreak and as she thinks of the pain Edith is in and the pain Michael must've been in during his last moments. A silver lining is that Edith will inherit Michael's publishing company.

The next day, Emma learns that Sergeant Willis is coming back with the Inspector again but this time it is to see Miss Baxter of all people.

The day wasn't busy so Emma gets an extended lunch break. She takes the chance to go home and spend a short while with the children before heading out again. She's just coming down the stairs to go back to work when she hears someone call her name.

She turns to see that it is Thomas, holding a flat wooden box and looking like death warmed over twice at this point.

"Thomas?" She walks over to him slowly as if she's afraid she'll startle him and run away, which wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

"I need to talk with you, please?" He looks close to a total breakdown. His voice is shaking. Emma's heart breaks.

"Uh, yes. Yes, of course."

Thomas leads her up the stairs and into the attic before arriving outside the bathroom in the men's Servant Quarters.

He opens the door. "Come in here."

Emma having felt the nervousness build up inside her the entire time he's been following him, is hesitant to go in, but follows him inside. Thomas closes the door and bolts it, which makes Emma swallow heavily. Thomas puts the wooden case down on a dresser and opens it. Inside are a hypodermic syringe, glass phials and pill boxes. Oh, God.

"I'm sorry about this." He speaks.

"Go on. I can take it." Emma urges. She's here now so…

Thomas opens the fly of his trousers and pulls them down far enough so she can see the huge, inflamed abscess on his backside.

"Christ." Emma hears herself whisper as she struggles to look at it.

Thomas pulls his trousers back up. "I thought it would pass, but it just keeps getting worse. I can't sleep."

Emma feels tears well up in her eyes. "I'm not surprised."

"Help me." She stares at him in shock. "You were always asking if I need help. Well, now's your chance. I don't know what to do."

Emma swallows, gathering herself. "We're going to Dr Clarkson, now." Thomas looks down, accepting the inevitable. Emma talks in a fast and firm voice, taking charge. "And we'll show him the... syringe, and the liquid you've injected, all the pills you've been taking, all of it. Follow me down in five minutes, and we'll meet by the backdoor. And bring everything with you, do you understand?"

Thomas nods.

Emma needs to get out of here. She moves towards the door and opens it, but Thomas pushes it closed again.

"I've done something that I shouldn't have. And if you knew what it was, you wouldn't want to be part of this."

"I know what it was. Now, come down in five minutes." Emma replies.

—

Dr Clarkson is surprised when Emma returns to work with Thomas in tow, but when he realises the situation, he immediately gets to work with his examination. Emma hovers, assisting him when he needs it.

Emma has to hold back a sob as she hears Thomas explain what's been happening to Dr Clarkson. She's glad when Thomas moves behind the screen to get dressed in his clothes again.

"Well, that's all done." Dr Clarkson says to her as they wash their hands.

"So, it won't trouble him further?" Emma asks.

"Not as long as he stops poisoning himself." Dr Clarkson replies.

"You've had a look at the things he brought, then?"

Thomas steps out from behind the screen then.

Dr Clarkson turns to him. "You've been injecting yourself with a solution of saline. It obviously wasn't sterilised." He takes his coat off. "Repeated injections would cause fever, and abscesses at the site."

"Christ." Emma mutters.

"I assume this is a course of treatment you've spent money on?" Dr Clarkson asks.

"Yes, a lot of money." Thomas replies. "I went to London for what they call electrotherapy. And the pills and injections were supposed to continue the process."

"The purpose of which was...?"

Thomas hesitates in replying, he glances over at Emma, who tries to give him an encouraging nod though she feels ready to cry as she knows the answer already.

"To change me. To make me more like other people. Other men." His voice is so low it's nearly a whisper.

Dr Clarkson has put his jacket back on and moves to stand behind his desk. "Well, I'll not be coy and pretend I don't understand. Nor do I blame you. But there is no drug, no electric shock, that will achieve what you want."

"You mean I've been taken for a mug."

"My advice to you, Thomas, would be to accept the burden that chance has seen fit to lay upon you. And to fashion as good a life as you are able. Remember - harsh reality is always better than false hope."

Thomas nods.

—

Dr Clarkson happily gives Emma the rest of the day off so Emma joins Thomas in walking back to the house. It has begun to rain while they were inside.

"Well, that'll give you a good laugh." Thomas remarks.

Emma does not feel like laughing in the least. "It won't."

They step through the gate into the street. Thomas opens an umbrella and holds it for them both while they walk along through the Village.

"And I don't expect you to understand, but I think it shows you to be a very brave person." Emma says.

Thomas laughs. "What?" He says incredulously.

"To inflict such pain on yourself to achieve your goal. Think what you could do in this world if you just set your mind to it." Emma says, trying to find the silver lining in this whole situation.

Thomas looks at her, then laughs again. "You're daft, you know that?"

It takes a moment, but then she smiles back.

—

Emma joins Cora, Robert, and Rose in the Library. She sits across from Rose, who's reading a book, on a red settee with a book. Isis is lying listlessly on the carpet, with Cora in an armchair at her side, looking through a magazine. Robert is at the writing desk.

"Why did you finish work early?" Cora questions as Emma makes herself comfortable across from Rose.

Emma shrugs in what she hopes is a casual way. "Dr Clarkson said he didn't need me. He'll call if there's an emergency."

Rose looks up from her book. "I must telephone Atticus to warn him we're all coming."

"Why don't you ask him for dinner tonight if he's free?" Cora suggests.

Emma is happy with the change in conversation. "What a great idea."

"Could I?" Rose asks eagerly before realising and toning it down to what she likely hopes is casual. "I mean, just as a friend."

"Oh, just as a friend, absolutely." Cora says. She smiles knowingly with Emma. Rose eagerly runs out.

Robert comes ambling over to them and squats down to pat Isis. "I wish Isis would perk up. I might ask Stapeley to have a look at her."

"It can't hurt." Cora replies

"So, what's the plan with the cottages?" Emma asks.

"We've found the designs we're looking for." Robert replies as he strokes Isis' ears. "They are on the cheaper side, but since we would have to wait twenty years before be gain any real profit, I think it's worth it."

Emma nods. "The important thing is that people are in a good home."

"Precisely."

—

They are all gathered in the Drawing room before dinner, including Violet, Isobel and, for the first time, Atticus. All except Mary, who apparently has a surprise for all of them.

She calls from outside the door. "Is everybody ready?"

Everyone turns to look expectantly at the door. Emma sits near where Atticus and Rose are gathered near the fireplace, so she hears them talk to each other quietly.

"What is this?" Atticus asks in an undertone.

"Oh, it's my cousin Mary. She says she's got a surprise for us. You'll love her." Rose replies.

Atticus, while beaming, says, "I intend to love everybody."

Aw, young love.

"Ready or not, I'm coming in."

Thomas, who thankfully is beginning to look a bit better already, comes in and holds the door for her and Mary appears, sporting a new bobbed haircut. Everyone ohs and ahs.

"Pola Negri comes to Yorkshire!" Isobel remarks.

"Well, we really are living in the modern world." Cora echoes.

"Definitely suits you." Emma adds.

Robert, Tom, and Billy, who are in a corner of the room at a jigsaw puzzle game, look up in astonishment. Mary does a pirouette to show off her new hairstyle.

"Golly, I'm jealous." Rose says before gesturing to Atticus. "Mary, this is Atticus Aldridge."

Mary shakes his hand. "At last, Mr Aldridge. Rose has talked of nothing else."

"Oh, she's only teasing." Rose quickly butts in.

"Can't I take it as a compliment?" They're grinning at each other like idiots.

Mary turns to her grandmother. "Granny, what do you think?"

Violet looks at her unimpressed. "Oh. It is you. I thought it was a man wearing your clothes."

Emma's smile drops when she notices Edith, who sits quietly in a corner, the only woman wearing all black, looking very unhappy.

"Emma's right, it suits you." Tom complements.

Robert, however, is not even looking any more.

"Papa, do you agree?"

"It's certainly just the sort of thing I would expect of you." Robert says diplomatically.

Edith gets up and comes face to face with Mary.

"I suppose you disapprove?" Mary says to her sister.

Edith looks at her sister in disbelief and anger. "Not especially. I'm just amazed that even you would choose the day after I learn the man I love is dead to try out a new fashion."

"I don't believe that's quite fair." Cora says.

This doesn't stop Edith. "And if that weren't enough, you've planned a jolly picnic for Saturday. Am I really expected to join in?"

"Hopefully not, as you usually spoil everything." Mary says, irritated.

"Huh. Yes, I do. It seems I do." Edith says bitterly. "Goodnight, Mama. I'll have a tray in my room." She turns to Atticus. "I'm sorry, Mr Aldridge, but you might as well know what we're like." Edith walks out. Mary sighs. Atticus looks extremely uncomfortable.

"Poor darling. She's so unhappy." Cora says sympathetically.

"But she hasn't clapped eyes on him for years. She must have known long ago he was dead. We all did.

"It doesn't ease the pain, surely you of all people know that." Emma argues.

"Should we go on Saturday?" Isobel wonders.

"Please don't cancel." Atticus pleads.

"Rose and I are going, whether you're coming or not." Mary retorts.

"Maybe it would be good for her to have a bit of time on her own to think." Robert says.

"All this endless thinking. It's very overrated." Violet remarks.

"Oh, Aunt Violet, I do love you." Rose says awkwardly.

"I blame the war. Before 1914, nobody thought about anything at all." Violet gets to her feet as if to lead the way into the Dining room even though dinner hasn't been announced yet, but what would that matter to her?

—

Emma had already asked for the day off for Saturday.

Emma watches as people mill around on the Sinderby's new estate, waiting for the start of the steeplechase. A bookmaker is taking bets. The horses, with numbers on their saddlecloths, are being led to the starting point.

Emma had taken Ivy and Michael around. Both had stared at it all with wide eyes, bouncing with excitement.

A little later, a line of riders, both men and women, can be seen racing across a field and jumping fences. Emma joins Robert in watching the race through their binoculars at the edge of the canopy where they are joined by Cora, Isobel, Violet, Rose, Billy, Tony Gillingham, and Charles Blake at various tables.

Emma is anxiously chewing her lip the entire time, particularly when one of the riders is thrown. Emma joins in with the spectators in cheering as they approach the end point of the race.

Emma moves back to her seat. Charles is sitting next to her, dressed for riding, and looking like he's almost sick with nerves but he gives her a weak smile.

"I hope I will get that enthusiasm when I'm out there." He remarks.

Emma gives him a pitying smile. "Don't worry. I'll be your number one supporter."

Charles chuckles. "Where's Mr Branson?"

"This isn't exactly his scene." He'd also argued that he had a new tenancy contract to check and that he wants to go through the figures for the repair shop. Emma wondered how necessary most of that is but she doesn't argue.

Robert moves to sit next to Isobel and Violet at the other table. He leans back to talk to Charles. "Well, I think you are very brave."

Charles looks like he would've scoffed if he wasn't so nervous. "Brave? I'm petrified. I don't even know the horse I'm riding."

"How long is the course?" Rose asks Tony.

"Three miles. Twice round a course of a mile-and-a- half, to sort of–" he gestures, "–where you can see that steeple over there."

A woman, also dressed in riding clothes, including breeches rather than the more traditional riding dress for women, comes walking in under the canopy. "Well, hello."

Tony looks at her in surprise. "What on earth are you doing here?" He seems familiar with this woman.

"What do you think? Riding a point-to-point." The woman replies. Tony kisses her cheek. Very familiar.

Robert stands up and walks over to them. "Won't someone introduce us?"

"Miss Mabel Lane Fox. Lord Grantham." Mabel nods pleasantly to Robert.

This gets Emma to sit up straight. This is Mabel Lane Fox?!

"Where are you staying?" Charles asks her, now standing.

"Last night I was with the Lawsons at Brough, but they're away tonight so I'll head back to London." Mabel replies.

"What a trek. You'll be exhausted." Blake remarks. Emma gives him a suspicious glance. Is he up to something?

"You're perfectly welcome to stay with us." Cora invites. "Lord Gillingham and Mr Blake will be there."

"Have you brought enough clothes?" Violet asks.

"Oh, I think so." Mabel remarks.

"I know so." Charles says. He and Mabel exchange a grin, the significance of which escapes everyone else, especially Tony though Emma gives them a suspicious glance. If he's trying to push Tony back to Mabel, Emma isn't complaining.

Mary and Atticus then arrive, also in riding gear, Mary in a skirt.

"What's this? Where have you been?" Robert questions

"Mr Aldridge and I fixed it last night. His nice parents let me change at the house." Mary explains.

"I do wish you'd call me Atticus." Atticus says.

"I must say I admire you." Robert says.

"It'd be a poor show not to ride at our own event."

"Quite right. I shall cheer you on." Rose beams. Atticus returns it.

"When did you decide to ride?" Billy asks Mary.

"Yesterday, when I was having my hair done in York." Mary says.

"What about a horse?" Robert wonders.

"Stephen rode Trumpeter over this morning. They're down by the starting post."

"This really does seem like too much of a coincidence. Are you stalking me?" Tony says to Mabel.

"I shall ignore that, as I'd hate to think of you as a vain man." Ugh, apparently being stalked is supposed to be taken as a compliment in these times.

"Well, you certainly know how to surprise."

"That sounds like a compliment. I must say hello to Charles." She walks past him towards Blake. Tony looks like he feels like an idiot but quickly brushes it off as he leans over to greet Atticus, who had taken a seat next to Emma. When Mabel arrives at Blake's table, he kisses her on the cheek. The two begin whispering together before she gives him a friendly pat on the arm. They are definitely up to something.

—

The steeplechase is still in full swing. It's the next group's turn, including Tony, Charles, Mabel, Mary, and Atticus.

Just outside the canopy, Robert is carrying George on his arm as he looks through a pair of binoculars. Next to him, Billy holds Sybbie, Emma with Ivy while Nanny is carrying Michael on her hip and pointing. Rose had gone off to cheer on among the spectators while Cora, Violet, and Isobel watch from inside the canopy.

They watch on as the participants climb onto their horses, getting ready to go.

"They're just about ready to go." Robert observes.

Sybbie looks towards her grandfather. "Let George look, Donk." Robert sighs at the nickname but holds the binoculars for George. The two-year-old frowns in concentration as he looks through them.

Sybbie turns back to the binoculars her father is holding for her. "Daddy, look! Aunt Mary!"

"I can see her too!" Ivy cries.

Emma laughs and Billy grins. "Very good." The latter says.

The riders and their horses ride to the starting post. Emma chews her lip anxiously. Here's praying for no accidents.

The riders line up. A man with a flag gives the signal to start, and they're off. The crowd cheers.

Ivy smiles and chatters happily in her mother's arms as they share a pair of binoculars between them. Ivy turns to look over her shoulder at Sybbie, gesturing and chattering to which Sybbie replies. Billy and Emma share a grin over their daughters' heads.

Mary is racing along with the best of them, overtaking Charles. Tony and Mabel are racing side by side. Emma can see that Mabel is laughing.

Mary sets her horse at a frighteningly high fence and takes it with ease. They soon arrive back at the starting post and slow down, finishing the first round. Mary is the first woman to finish. Emma claps and cheers with her children, Nanny, Robert, George, Billy and Sybbie.

—

Emma, Billy, Cora, and Robert emerge from the canopy as Mary, Blake, Rose, and Atticus go to meet them after getting some drinks.

"Well done, and thank God you're all back in one piece," Robert remarks. A tweed-clad couple comes walking towards them. "Who's this?"

"These are my parents." Atticus explains, before introducing everyone, "Mother, Father, this is Lord and Lady Grantham, Emma Branson, Billy Prior. Lady Mary you already know. Lord Gillingham, Mabel Lane Fox, Charles Blake and, of course, Rose."

Nods and bows all around.

"Lady Rose, how lovely to see you again." Lady Sinderby greets warmly. Good to see Rose is on good terms with her potential mother-in-law. "Why don't you all come back to the house to bathe and change?"

"I'm going to leave it until we get back to Downton but thank you." Tony replies.

"I can't tempt you to stay for dinner?"

"Not today, when we're all covered in dust. Why don't you all come to Downton tomorrow for dinner?" Cora invites.

"That seems rather an imposition." Lord Sinderby says.

"Not at all."

"Then we'd be delighted." Lady Sinderby accepts, looking almost pointedly at her husband.

"You haven't met my mother-in-law and our cousin, Mrs Crawley." Cora gestures at the two ladies, who have remained at their table under the canopy.

Lady Sinderby nods across to them. "Good afternoon." Her husband touches his hat.

—

Edith is gone. That's what Tom said when they all returned to Downton. She didn't tell him much, just that she needed to leave. He had offered to give her a lift somewhere but she had refused, saying she will take one of the cars to the Station and leave the keys with the station master.

Tom immediately offers to walk down to the Station to collect it. Emma hurries after her husband.

"Did she really not say why?" She questions him as he gathers his coat and hat.

"No, she didn't. She wouldn't say," Tom admits, "but it has to be about Michael Gregson, right?"

Emma frowns. "Suppose so. I can't help but think it might be something else as well."

"Like what?" Tom asks as he shrugs on his coat and places his hat on his head.

A little girl at the farm that Edith seems so attached to in recent months. One where she looked heartbroken at the idea of spending time away from her.

"I don't know I can't say, not just yet."