December had arrived all too quickly and Elsie couldn't help but feel like they were running behind. Seated behind her desk she stared down at the sheet of paper in front of her, a list of jobs that still needed her attention neatly scribed and ready to be crossed off, one by one.
It wasn't even as if Christmas this year would match those of the past given the family were expected at Brancaster for the festive season. A small grouping of the downstairs staff would accompany them, just Mr Bates, Anna, and Mrs Moseley. It was a kindness that Mr Moseley had been granted permission to accompany his wife, much to Charles' chagrin, and that he would not be left alone had had him almost hopping in delight on more than one occasion.
But oh, those Christmasses of the past, Elsie mused, when many of the family rooms required lavish decorations to be hung and kept fresh, and great garlands festooned the bannisters complementing the huge displays of evergreens on every surface. Where guests had been welcomed, hosted, and entertained for days at a time and the downstairs staff had conjured up feast after feast of the most delicious foods accompanied by the finest wines, all of which would be served with poise and grace. And then there were the contrary events of the Servant's Ball and Boxing Day Hunt, each requiring their own rules of behaviour and etiquette to be followed. They'd been tiring years, when some evenings they could all barely rise and climb the stairs to their beds such was the exhaustion. But they'd been years of purpose too, bringing a great sense of achievement when all went off as it should.
At least, Elsie sighed, the tree in the Great Hall was going up today, itself a blessed relief given at one point this week it seemed agreement between the family would never be reached. Lord Grantham had been all for doing away with it given they'd all be away for much of the period, her Ladyship much more on the fence, but in the end Lady Mary had intervened.
"We may not be able to offer a whole castle of decorated trees like Edith can, but it wouldn't be Downton without the tree," she'd declared over dinner and that had been that.
Despite the matter being resolved, however, there were still questions over when exactly they'd all be departing, what servants would be allowed home for Christmas and which might be required to stay to look after things, what the children required to be packed for them, and any number of other seemingly trifling details that would not escape from her attention. A reduced household aside, she was still the housekeeper and she had her pride, and it was on this thought that she pulled from by a knock at the open and it being pushed open by the looming form of the butler.
"Lady Mary has requested that afternoon tea be brought forward half an hour," he pronounced, "Apparently her and Mr Talbot are off to the pictures in Ripon."
Elsie barely resisted showing her surprise. The days of keeping her reactions from the man in front of her were way in the past.
"I know, I know," he offered in agreement, holding up his hands for added effect, "The world has changed, Mrs Hughes, there's no denying it."
"I wouldn't even attempt to, Mr Carson," she countered, "But I do occasionally long for the old days."
"Well, the daughter of an Earl in the cheap seats at the Curzon is not something I ever imagined," he agreed.
Elsie went to speak, to explain that was not quite what she'd meant, but was prevented in doing so by the arrival of Mrs Moseley in the doorway who blushed slightly as she entered, not being one who liked to interrupt.
"Mrs Patmore mentioned you were looking for some red ribbon, Mrs Hughes," she said gently, "I've only found a small length, but you're welcome to it if it would help you out."
Thanking her for the kindness, Elsie duly accepted it into her hand, smiling her appreciation as the younger woman departed. She squirrelled it away into the pocket of her dress and turned her attention back to her husband who was looking at her inquisitively. Not wanting to get into an explanation of any kind she quickly asked after his morning, full in the knowledge that he'd have one or two things on which he'd happily comment upon, whether positively or otherwise. She listened with all due care, nodding her understanding as he blustered about the state of the silver and, not for the first time, lamenting the lack of a third footman.
At last his displeasures were aired and they moved on to the practicalities that the rest of the day held for them both, the organising of cases being brought down from the attics for him and for her a meeting with her Ladyship to agree the final list of Boxing Day gifts for the staff.
"I'll meet you at home, shall l?" Elsie suggested. "I'll be done here sooner than you. I could get the supper started."
Charles frowned. "You'll be alright walking back in the dark on your own?"
She smiled warmly at his concern but batted it away nonetheless, reassuring him that if she'd survived this long then it was unlikely that one evening's stroll home would signal the end. He huffed his disapproval, or more likely his disappointment she thought, but didn't press the matter and instead made to leave but she called him back, his Christian name quiet on her lips as she stepped towards him.
"I'll be careful," she reassured, her hand coming to rest lightly on his chest, "So long as you promise not to be late."
As she intended, he seemed to pick up on her tone and the hint she hoped she was giving him, and bristled nervously, his own eyes darting towards the door to check the corridor was as empty as he hoped before bending down to place a brief kiss on her lips, assuring her that he'd try, before hastily straightening and hurrying away.
Elsie hummed as he went and, slipping her hand into her pocket, pulled out the ribbon. She gave it stern consideration for a moment, it lying curled in her hand with its satin sheen catching in the mid morning light that her window to the outside afforded. Mrs Moseley was right to say it wasn't much, barely a foot, but after a moment more concluded that, if she was careful, it would be sufficient. Besides, she had no other choice if she didn't want to delay in her plan, and she certainly didn't want that.
Moving to find her handbag and to stow her precious cargo away for safekeeping, her attention was taken up by a loud crash from down the hall, quickly followed by the shrill voice of a disgruntled cook taking the new kitchen maid to task. She sighed and, putting away thoughts of more interesting things, set about becoming the dextrous housekeeper once more.