The first day of the weekend came around rather quickly! Tom was waiting by his window for the first few visitors. Mary still wasn't keen on the idea of the party but she wouldn't tell anyone why not even Anna! Anna wasn't going to give up easily though. As a car pulled up, Tom went rushing down the stairs to welcome them. Edith wasn't too far behind, hoping the first visitor was hers.
"He still hasn't replied then?!" Tom laughed as Edith caught up with him.
"Not a peep for the whole week! You'd think if he wanted to see me that badly he would have said something." Edith shrugged but happily.
Tom smiled back and let Carson open the door. Most of the staff were also waiting to see who had arrived. Even Daisy had appeared but with Robert nowhere in sight, Tom let her stay. He knew however, he would soon face the wrath of Mrs Patmore!
"I wonder who it is. I mean you don't think it's anyone that they didn't want to invite." Daisy whispered to Jimmy whilst they waited.
"We'll see in a minute if you keep your hair on!" Jimmy nudged her as Tom and Edith walked past.
The first out of the car was a bit of a let down, as it was the driver getting the suitcases. No one gave off that impression but Tom could sense it. The next person was a bit more interesting though. Dr Clarkson popped out of the car, helping Isabel out as well.
"Cousin Isabel." Tom welcomed her with outstretched arms.
Isabel made her way carefully to Tom and Edith and was more than happy to give them a hug. Dr Clarkson just shook their hands.
"Anyone else here or are we the first?" Dr Clarkson remarked to the staff that met them.
"First ones. I was expecting someone else first." Tom whispered nodding over to Edith.
"Right." Clarkson soon recognised who that was.
Edith wasn't too disappointed to see Dr Clarkson and Isabel but Tom could see deep down she was hoping someone else. Luckily the other two couldn't sense that.
"Mrs Hughes, could you show our guests up to their rooms. We'll meet you in the parlour when you're ready." Tom said to everyone.
"Yes Mr Branson." Mrs Hughes still felt weird saying that but did so anyway.
Dr Clarkson led the way as Mrs Hughes showed him and Isabel to their rooms. The other servants soon went back to their jobs. Tom was about to go back in when he noticed Edith still looking into the distance.
"Edith?" Tom asked, wondering why she hadn't moved.
"You can go in. I'm going to wait a little longer." Edith waved Tom off.
"It might be a while." Tom tried to get her back inside.
Edith looked at Tom. She then looked into the distance once more before agreeing and joining him inside. Mary as per usual was waiting for their return.
"No luck then. Oh maybe they're not coming after all." Mary was still sounding snarky.
"Mary, don't be so cruel!" Tom spoke in Edith's defence.
"Just because you're not looking forward to the party, doesn't mean you have to make it bad for everyone else." Edith was quick to but in.
Mary was a bit taken aback by this coming from Edith. She nodded slightly and walked away. She wiped a tear away from her eye.
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Anna heard the bell ring once again for Mary's room. She had only just sat down for a bit of a rest before that evening! She sighed but went about her duty. Mr Barrow watched after her feeling a bit left out.
"When's dinner being served tonight?" Mr Barrow suddenly asked the others around him.
"An hour after the last guests of today arrive. Then it's going to be even bigger and more trouble tomorrow." Jimmy sighed.
"You don't sound very happy about it!" Mr Bates scoffed from the corner where he was sitting, cleaning the shoes.
"It's not that I'm not happy about it. It's just a lot of work that's all!" Jimmy shrugged.
"You're not that new Jimmy. You'll soon get used to it." Mr Barrow mentioned.
Jimmy went silent when Barrow brought up how long he had been at the house. Bates's cleaning the shoes was the loudest thing in the room. Barrow sighed as he looked at his watch.
"Do they not have a watch where the guests are coming from?" Barrow smirked seeing the time.
"As long as they're here before it gets dark then you'll hear no complaints from me." Bates spoke up for the guests.
Barrow rolled his eyes hearing this. It was alright for Bates! He didn't have to serve the drinks all night when the guests needed it! He was soon called away however, so he couldn't discuss it any further.
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Mary sat at her vanity touching up her makeup. She had asked for Anna to come to her. Anna was the only one who might understand. She was sure Anna would.
"M'lady." Anna said as she came in.
"Anna. I've had a fight with Lady Edith, I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a state." Mary tried to laugh it off.
"No worries Ma'am. It's what I'm here for." Anna said, trying to keep Mary in a good mood.
"Edith started it. She had to have a go didn't she. Couldn't let it go that I don't want the party." Mary waved her arms around.
"Don't let it get to you." Anna spoke more for Edith than she did Mary.
Anna knew very well that it was probably Mary who started the argument but definitely wasn't going to say it in front of her.
"I just wondered Ma'am why you didn't want the party. You normally love parties." Anna knew she was pushing it.
Mary looked down at her hands.
"Ma'am?"
"It's not that I don't want it. I just feel it's a bit soon and there's so many people coming it'll feel like Christmas." Mary started to explain.
"And what happened last Christmas." Anna carried on for her.
"Exactly. I don't know if I can deal with it, Anna." Mary shook her head trying to keep back tears.
"Do you want me to leave you Ma'am?" Anna could feel a lump coming to her throat.
Mary just shook her head in response. Mary didn't need to say a word though and Anna was at her side. She pulled Mary's hair out of her face and put her arms around Mary's shoulders. Mary embraced this, she wouldn't allow it normally but this wasn't normal circumstances.
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Robert was writing in his study as Isabel and Clarkson settled in. Tom had told him that the other guests weren't arriving till late so everyone had gone back to their rooms to wait for dinner much to the relief of the staff Carson had told him. Isis lifted her head as she heard footsteps.
"I thought we were having more than one guest? Haven't the others arrived yet?" Cora asked, crouching down to stroke Isis.
"Not yet. Tom said they were stuck in traffic so can't make it until later this evening." Robert kissed his wife.
"This is why I prefer trains. Much easier to travel and don't get stuck as much as you do with cars." Cora sighed loudly as she sat down.
"Longer journeys though." Robert could see cons with both sides.
"Maybe. I'm sure Edith wasn't too happy about the news."
"No I don't think she was. They'll come though and she'll soon be happy once again."
"I've heard a rumor." Cora suddenly said.
Robert turned around as soon as she said this. Cora never really listened to rumors so he was very surprised she had listened.
"Go on." Robert willed her to tell him the rumor.
"I thought you didn't like rumors? You said nothing good comes of it." Cora smirked.
"Nothing good comes from it. Doesn't mean I don't want to hear it though." Robert leaned in closer.
"Alright. Apparently a certain sir is in the area for the weekend and might have gained an invite to our party." Cora sounded concerned.
Robert looked past Cora trying to think who it could be. Knowing his family it could be anyone in the House of Lords. Then a name suddenly came to his head. He shook his head hoping he wasn't right.
"Anthony Strallan." Cora finally admitted the name.
"Why on earth would he want to come back here?! Hasn't he caused enough damage?!" Robert exclaimed so loudly it was a surprise it didn't make the house shake.
"I don't know. All I know is Edith is going to be heartbroken. I hope Gregson is going to protect her." Cora sounded sad.
"I'm sure the whole house is going to be gunning for Strallan." Robert kissed his teeth.
"Don't cause a scene!" Cora warned him.
Robert rolled his eyes. Strallan coming to the party wasn't planned and his return was never even thought of! He slammed his pen down onto his desk in anger.
"Don't tell Edith either. I don't want her getting upset before the party has even started." Cora tried to calm her husband down.
"Try and stop me!" Robert scoffed but ultimately listened to Cora.
She was nearly always right and bad things happened when he didn't listen to her! He would do his very best to support Edith even though everybody would be on her side.
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After dinner everyone met in the parlour room for drinks. Edith stared out of the window. It was getting darker and darker and with no sign of the other guests, she was getting worried they weren't coming. Mary had gotten over the argument they had earlier so went over to her to make sure she was alright. Robert was keeping back the information Cora had told him earlier. It was hard but he was managing.
"What do you want? Want to gloat some more?" Edith asked Mary, not paying any attention to her sister.
"I wanted to apologise for what I said earlier. I wasn't in the right mind frame and I'm sorry." Mary felt very awkward apologising.
"You don't mean it." Edith scoffed.
"I do. I'm sure Gregson won't be long, wants to come and see you." Mary nudged Edith.
Edith turned to her sister. Mary was giving a little smile to her which was a good sign. Before she could bring anything else up, a car pulled up outside. Edith squealed and ran downstairs. Tom put down his drink, apologised to Clarkson who he was talking to and went to join her.
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Carson opened the doors with Edith flying out of them as soon as they were open!
"Thank you Carson!" Edith called back in a rush.
"That's my lady. Someone's excited." Carson turned to Tom.
"You'll see why in a minute. Are you able to help the guests with their bags? I know Thomas is busy upstairs." Tom asked, feeling a bit nervous asking Carson.
"Of course Mr Branson." Carson bowed his head.
Tom rolled his eyes as Edith called him outside. Mrs Hughes soon joined Carson just in case he needed her. Edith couldn't stand still as the doors to the car opened. Gregson was barely one step out of the door when Edith hugged him. Gregson smiled and chuckled as he held her close.
"You're late." Edith whispered into his ear.
"Got stuck in some traffic just outside of London. Couldn't get past it all so just had to wait it out." Gregson said parting from the hug and giving the bags over to Carson and Mrs Hughes.
"I'm just glad you're here." Edith smiled brightly.
"This is Edward Bailey. He used to work for me and is now going on to work for his own paper." Gregson introduced the man he was with.
"Nice to meet you Edith. Heard a lot about you." Edward shook hands with Tom and kissed Edith's hand.
"All good I hope." Edith stood on Gregson's foot.
Gregson winced but quickly got over it. Edward seemed a bit awkward as Carson and Mrs Hughes got the bags which Tom soon noticed. Gregson and Edith went in and Tom managed to stop Edward for a chat.
"Sorry, just not used to lots of servants milling around me." Edward could soon see why Tom pulled him aside.
"That's alright. I used to be the chauffeur." Tom patted Edward on the back and headed inside.
Edward smirked to himself. Gregson had warned him that the history of Downton's residences was out there. True he felt like he was going to fit in very well with everyone so far. Just as long as Gregson doesn't spend all of his time with Edith!