Hieeee darlings, I'm back!

I'm back with a brand new fanfic. This story is a continuation on my previous fanfic BACK TO WORK. There is no need to go back and read it if you haven't already done so :) but feel free to give a try if you like this one xxx

For me, Downton Abbey ends with the sixths and last season. So in this world, neither of the films ever happened.

Enjoy xxx

BACK FROM FARSLEY

Mr Mason and Mrs Patmore finally came back from their honeymoon in Farsley. The whole house was impatiently awaiting their arrival. One would think it was Daisy who looked forward to this moment the most, but she actually enjoyed being in charge in the cat's absence. It was Mrs Hughes who was most excited by her friends' arrival. They had a lot to catch up on and she was starting to feel quite lonely not having her best friend or husband at work every day. Afterall that's what made her love her job.

After the small gathering in the servants' hall calmed down a bit, the two friends finally had a minute to wind down with a small glass of wine in the housekeepers sitting room.

"So? How was it?" Mrs Hughes asked enthusiastically as she was sitting down.

"I feel like a new woman, Mrs Hughes!" she beamed, and they both started chuckling.

"It's good to see you smile like that." Added the housekeeper after she stopped laughing.

"My whole body still aches." The cook suddenly exclaimed and then continued even despite Mrs Carson's evident shock and slight discomfort. "We've seen every inch of every street and every corner of Leeds. I have never walked this much in my entire life! My feet are still sore!" She noticed the relief on her friend's face. "And you should have seen the food we dined, Mrs Hughes, and the room we stayed in! I felt like a lady! Well... not all the time, mind you." She cleared her throat. "I am sure you know what I'm talking about..."

"I do, Mrs Patmore, but it seems such a long time ago when Mr Carson and I-"

"Had a throw in the sheets?" Mrs Patmore interrupted her with her eyebrows raised.

"No!" she protested, while her cheeks turned pink. "Since he and I were on honeymoon… or even just had a bit of time to ourselves…" The hint of embarrassment in her voice turned into melancholy.

Mrs Patmore pouted her lips. "Tell me about it. I wish we could leave again tomorrow…" She dreamily gazed at her glass. "Somewhere nice… close to the sea this time, and we could rest a bit more as well." Now she made them both daydream. "To Plymouth perhaps, or Cornwall?"

"Well…" Mrs Hughes sighed as she brought herself back to reality. "Chance would be a fine thing..."

This has sparked a lightbulb moment in the cook and she excitedly turned to her friend. "Why don't we just do it? We could all go together." For that, she earned a quiet disparaging snigger form the housekeeper. "I mean it, let's talk to her ladyship."

"You can try, but I doubt you'll be successful." She dismissed her. She knew it's unlikely any other time but especially now since the Masons only just came back from Farsley.

Mrs Patmore could see her scepticism but decided to ignore it. "How have you been anyway?"

"Fine, we've been fine. We've got some-"

"How come Mr Carson didn't show up?" She interrupted her.

"Well, that's what I was about to get to. He is getting ready for Mrs Kent's arrival-"

"Mrs Kent?" Mrs Patmore interrupted again, even more forcefully.

"Yes." Mrs Hughes said levelly. She was astounded at how quickly she became irritated by the friend whom she missed so much only just yesterday. "It's been decided that Mr Carson will be continuing with the memoirs on his own and Lady Mary has hired an assistant for him to document his works on a typewriter."

"That's good news." Mrs Patmore statement sounded a bit like a question.

Mrs Hughes hummed and nodded in response and then they were both quiet for a moment or two. Their silent pondering was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.

Mr Carson opened the door without an invitation. "I had some time to spare so I thought I'd pop in to say hi and welcome back" He smiled at Mrs Patmore.

"Oh," the cook looked up at him somewhat stunned. "That's kind of you."

"And to take you home, when you're ready" He looked towards his wife this time.

As the door was slightly ajar, they could hear the gramophone and laugher from the servant' hall. "Well, it seems the party is still going." Mrs Hughes got up to fetch a third glass for the butler. "Sit down." She commanded him as she didn't want to spoil the servants' fun by dissolving the gathering just yet.

The three were eventually joined by Mr Mason as well and chatted for another good hour or so before they all headed to their love nests.