Edith hadn't slept the whole night and had sat upright in bed waiting for morning. She saw the sun come through the curtains of her bedroom. At least they weren't in Scotland otherwise bagpipes would have been playing! She rubbed her eyes and put her dressing gown around her. After what had happened last night, it would be nice to have some sunshine. The storm had taken its toll on the land as she opened the curtains. She didn't want to wake the servants up this early so didn't ring the bell just yet. She still, however, had a knock at the door.
"Yes." Edith called yawning behind her hand.
Rose came into the room. Her eyes were bright red and she looked like she hadn't slept either!
"I didn't know whether anyone would be awake and I didn't want to bother Mary…" Rose shrugged knowing Edith would know what she meant.
"I know that feeling. Why couldn't you sleep?" Edith patted her bed for Rose to sit next to her.
"I was thinking about the body I guess. It was just a bit much last night and it kind of haunted me."
"I couldn't sleep either." Edith agreed, rubbing Rose's back trying to calm her cousin.
"I saw you and Tom last night. How's he feeling?"
"Not good. He's feeling guilty and feels like it was all his fault. I tried to get him to reason but I think he still blames himself about it."
There was another knock at the door. Rose sort of jumped but quickly righted herself and smiled. At least she could see the good side of things! The door then opened once more and Isobel stood in the doorway.
"Sorry. I didn't want to bother you, I thought I would just check on you." Isobel turned to leave.
"No it's alright cousin Isobel." Rose invited her in.
Isobel sat down on the armchair nearest the fireplace. It wasn't lit but she could still feel warmth from when it was last alight. It had been freezing last night thanks to the storm. She huddled in her nightie and turned her attention back towards Edith and Rose.
"How's everyone else feeling?" Rose asked.
"I only managed to get Tom to answer. Everyone else was asleep so I didn't get much from them." Isobel chuckled remembering the snores she heard.
"I'm surprised you didn't get a response from Mary!" Edith quipped before Isobel could answer.
"Tom didn't say very much. Just that he was tired and might stay in bed all day." Isobel sounded sad when she said this.
Isobel and Tom had grown quite close over the past few years and Isobel was worried to see Tom not his usual self. Edith could see straight through her and saw this. Isobel, thanks to her training as a nurse, had a tendency to hide her true feelings. Rose, on the other hand, thought Isobel was just going over everything she had seen.
"I suppose it's a bit early for breakfast." Isobel broke the silence that had fallen over them.
"I don't think Mrs Patmore would thank us for waking her up. Anyway I think Daisy might be torn up." Edith smiled thinking about how her servants would be feeling.
There was a honk outside Edith's window. The women looked at each other and Rose went over to the window. She sighed happily when she found out what it was.
"It's just Drew. Must be making an early start on the tree." Rose put everyone at ease.
"I do feel sorry for them. Having to go out in all weathers and deal with whatever they come across." Isobel was always in touch with what was going on.
Before Isobel could divulge any more feelings of pity, Edith had rung the bell for the servants to see to them. She didn't mind some pity sometimes but right now she doesn't want to worry anymore.
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Robert slowly came to as he could hear business as usual outside the room. He looked over at his watch on the bedside table. He winced as he read what time it was. Someone had obviously thought it was time to get up! He groaned as he carefully got out of bed. This woke Cora up, even though normally it wouldn't.
"What time is it?" Cora asked, rubbing her eyes after only a few hours of sleep.
"Six. I doubt most of the servants are up yet!" Robert continued to moan.
"Well wake me up when they come around with breakfast. I need my beauty sleep." Cora turned back over and took the duvet with her.
"Yes my darling." Robert leant over and kissed Cora on the forehead.
The door slowly opened with Bates on the other side. He mouthed an apology as he saw Cora was still asleep. Robert waved his hand and went over to him. He might as well change, even if he was annoyed at getting up too early.
"So did you get any sleep last night Bates?" Robert groaned as he stretched out his arms for his jacket.
"Some M'Lord. Mrs Patmore woke me up though. She was yelling at Daisy about something." Bates chuckled under his breath.
"I hope Mrs Patmore isn't too hard on that girl."
"I think Mrs Patmore thinks that's the only way to get through to Daisy. She has been a bit detached lately." Bates suddenly thought.
Robert turned around on this. He was always worried about his staff. Mrs Patmore had always been a hard taskmaster towards Daisy. Maybe they needed a few days off.
"Keep an eye on them for me would you? I need to know." Robert said.
"Yes M'Lord. There, all finished." Bates stood back, stifling back a yawn.
"Thank you Bates. Now for breakfast."
Bates bowed his head. Robert managed to get to the door before turning back to Bates.
"Wish me luck Bates. I think I might need it this morning." Robert had a serious tone this time.
Bates just nodded in response. It was better not to argue or smile when Robert sounded like this. Robert then left the room and Bates to deal with the work.
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Anna slowly made her way back down the servant stairs. She had been with Mary all night! Chatting away about what had happened that night and the party as a whole. She was hoping that no one was going to see her as they would probably tell Carson. Carson didn't like to know that his staff had been with the family during the night. As careful as she was, she was heard by someone! Barrow! However, Barrow didn't even bat an eyelid as she walked past.
"Thomas. Something wrong?" Anna raised an eyebrow, knowing the answer she would get.
"Nothing Anna. I just…." Before Barrow could answer her question fully, Carson came through the door.
"Ah there you two are. Drew needs help with the tree. It seems his crew have left for the village to help there." Carson ignored the worry on both of their faces.
"And you want us to move the tree?!" Barrow sounded shocked that he would have to do this.
"I want you to help Drew with whatever help he needs. If that means moving a tree then so be it." Carson waved his hand and was gone.
Anna sniggered a little thinking what help Barrow would be. Barrow gave her an ice cold glare for that but went to help Drew out front with the tree. Maybe if he was fired here then he could get a job as a fireman!
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Edward was the first down to breakfast. Normally he would have been concerned about not seeing the family down first but after last night, he wouldn't be surprised if they had slept in! Blake was next. Neither of them had seen eye to eye during the whole party. True they hadn't seen much of each other.
"Morning." Blake muttered, waiting for other people to join them before taking anything from the tray.
"Morning." Edward muttered back.
Before there could be any more silence, Gregson came in and took Edward to one side. Blake tried to listen in without looking like he was.
"So have you had some time to think over what we discussed last night?" Gregson whispered harshly.
"About telling the family? Not yet, I was trying to sleep." Edward tutted at Gregson's approach.
"So was I but I still think we should tell them our relationship with Strallan. If we don't, we look suspicious!"
"You have nothing to hide."
"Neither do you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some breakfast." Edward ended the conversation seeing Blake staring at them.
Gregson got the message and got his own breakfast. They would have to discuss this later, when there weren't as many people around. Blake went back to getting breakfast. Mary and Tom were next in with Mary ignoring Tom completely.
"Mary, will you at least talk to me? You can't keep this up forever." Tom pleaded with Mary.
"Ignore him. He just wants attention." Mary whispered to Blake.
"Mary please." Tom tried once more.
Mary continued to ignore Tom however. No matter how much Tom pleaded, Mary was still going to not talk to him. Tom would just have to wait for the others to turn up. Hopefully that wouldn't be long.