Emma has gone back to being a servant, though she knows helps to serve the family when they eat, as the Hospital no longer needs her and she doesn't have anything else but now the war is over she's thinking more and more about Mr Branson's, Tom's, offer and leaving Downton for a new life in Ireland.
Sybil has told Emma that her and Billy Prior have agreed to run away a couple of weeks earlier and had asked for Emma's assistance, which she gives and this delays her answering Tom's request.
The plan was already in motion, Billy has gotten a job in marine engineering and shipbuilding down in Southampton that is set up. The plan was for Emma to get the keys for one of the Downton cars and, along with Billy sneaking onto the grounds, they are going to leave in the car and begin the journey to Gretna Green.
Emma is anxious about all this sneaking about but Sybil reassures her that it will be okay. She knows that Sybil is getting increasingly irritated by her family's talk of things returning to the way they were and the insipid conversations around her. She's eagerly waiting to leave this life.
—
Emma finds Lady Edith watching an army Hospital truck leave from the front door.
"That's the last of the equipment gone." Lady Edith says as Emma joins her.
"We've put the Drawing room back to normal, it seems the war really is over," Emma replies.
"Yes, it seems so."
—
Due to the lack of footmen, Emma a short time later finds herself stepping up to the car that holds Sir Richard and holds the door open for him as he steps out while his valet, Mr Brookes, steps out from the front of the car on his own. Her eyes flicker to Mr Branson sitting in the driver's seat and he gazes back.
Lord Grantham joins them as he steps out.
"The train was late." Sir Richard says to him.
"Welcome to the new world." His Lordship replies as Emma closes the car door and starts unstrapping the luggage from the back of the car with the help of Mr Brookes.
"When a war is over, the first emotion is relief, the second, disappointment." Sir Richard drearily remarks.
"How sad. But how true. Come in and have some tea." The two of them walk inside.
—
That evening, Emma sits next to Anna at the table in the Servants' Hall with Daisy pouring her some tea as Mrs Patmore brings some food to the table. Mr Bates sits on Anna's other side while Thomas, Miss O'Brien and Gemma sit on the other side.
"Will you miss the extra staff, Mrs Patmore?" Anna asks the woman who just entered. George passes behind Emma with a jug so she pushes her chair in a bit so he doesn't trip.
Mrs Patmore huffs. "Not really. When push comes to shove, I'd rather do it myself. Though God knows what I'm to feed them on. There's nothing out there to be had. Oh well. The Lord tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." She then walks out of the room
"What about you, Thomas? How much longer will you stay?" Daisy asks as she pours Mr Bates a cup.
"Well, now the last of the invalids have gone, I suppose I'm finished. I'll report to Major Clarkson, but he won't be taking anyone on." Thomas tells her. Emma observes him, feeling sorry for him.
"No he isn't, which obviously meant I could no longer continue there," Emma says. "I'm thankful the family took me back on."
"I suppose the Hospital will revert to the way it was before the war," Anna remarks.
"Where will you go?" Daisy asks just after she finishes pouring Miss O'Brien a cup.
"What's it to you?" Thomas stubs out his cigarette and leaves. Miss O'Brien and Emma follow him to where he stands looking at the mirror next to the stairs.
"Where will you go?" Miss O'Brien asks.
"I'll tell you where I'm going. Into business. It's all set up." Thomas explains as he straightens his jacket.
"Oh no, you mean the black market don't you?" Emma says, aghast at the idea and Miss O'Brien looks to be feeling the same.
Thomas reaches for a brush hanging on the wall and uses it on his jacket. "Don't look so surprised. I found a dealer, and as soon as I make the payment, I'll have the supplies."
"How can you trust him?" Emma questions, glancing at the servants passing them.
"It's not about trust, it's about business," Thomas replies.
"Where will you keep them?" Miss O'Brien asks.
"I've got a shed in the Village, and I've got a banger to deliver the stuff. I'll be well fixed as soon as word gets out." He says to reassure them though Emma doesn't feel it. "You heard her. There are shortages all around." Thomas puts back the brush.
Miss O'Brien glances over her shoulder before turning back to Thomas. "Isn't it dangerous?"
Thomas looks unbothered by her concern. "I don't think so. I don't think the police are bothered about rationing now the war's over. It won't last forever." He quite says a bit as Mrs Patmore passes. "But by the time it's done, I should have enough to go into business properly."
"So that's your future settled as a plutocrat. In the meantime, have you found somewhere to live?" Miss O'Brien questions.
"Not yet, but there's no hurry. I'm sure they won't object if I stop here for a week or two."
"I shouldn't bet on it." Miss O'Brien leaves them.
The dressing gong rings and the servants get up to prepare.
Emma turns to Thomas before she leaves. "She's right you need to sort it out."
—
Emma walks into the Garage, her heels clicking on the Garage floor and Mr Branson glances up from the car engine. He observes her intently and she tilts her head shyly, waiting for him to say something.
"You look nice, haven't seen you wearing that in a while." He says.
"Thought I'd begin wearing it again since they've given me my old job back so I'll be wearing this every day now," Emma replies. Mr Branson seems to be continuing to check her out. "It's nothing like when I wore something of Sybil's."
"It's just as lovely." To- Mr Branson says.
She smiles and looks down at her feet before looking at him again. "You should've seen me in my 21st century clothes, they have different standards."
He laughs. "I can imagine."
Emma chews her lip. "Where have you been all day?"
"Nowhere. I've just been busy." He replies.
Emma sighs walking towards him. "You know it's funny. I thought I'd be happy going back to what I was doing before but it doesn't feel right. Not what I want to do for the rest of my life after doing something new. I feel I want more from life now than I did before."
"Does this mean that you've made up your mind… at last?" He looks at her hopefully.
Emma shakes her head. "Not quite. But almost." Mr Branson looks down, slightly disappointed. She feels bad but she can't answer him yet. Instead, she reaches up and touches his face. He looks up, surprised, and stares at her longingly.
—
Emma slips into the corridor through the back door and sees Anna stepping out of Mr Carson's Pantry.
"What are you doing?" Anna asks.
"Nothing. Why were you talking to Mr Carson?" Emma quickly says, hoping to divert the conversation away from what she'd been doing.
Anna sighs. "It's Sir Richard."
"What about him?" Emma asks as they walk down the corridor.
"He's offered me money to essentially spy on Lady Mary."
"He never has!" Emma exclaims.
"Yes. I won't do it but I felt Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson should know." Anna replies.
Emma nods. "But shouldn't Lady Mary know?"
"I don't know."
"I don't know about her but I would like to know what my fiancé is up to." Emma points out.
—
The next day, Thomas takes Miss O'Brien and Emma to his shed where he's stocked up.
"Wow," Emma mutters as she looks at the fully stocked shed.
"Where did you get it all?" Miss O'Brien asks in disbelief.
"I told you, this bloke from Leeds," Thomas explains.
"Where did he get it?" Miss O'Brien continues to ask in the same disbelief.
"Some's army surplus, some's from America and Ireland, everywhere. He's got contacts all over, that's what I'm paying him for." Thomas tells them.
"How much have you paid him?" Emma asks worriedly. She can't help but feel that Thomas has got the short end of the stick. He couldn't have done this well.
"A lot. But I'm not worried." Thomas replies casually. "I've taken nothing perishable. This lot'll last for months. I'll be sold out long before any of it's gone off."
"Starting with Mrs Patmore." Miss O'Brien states.
"I'm not getting involved in that, all right?" Emma says looking at the two of them.
"Suit yourself," Thomas says.
—
Emma is busy helping Sybil get dressed for dinner, though not much as she wanted to do it herself for practice, so Emma helps Lady Edith more instead before she has to get ready to serve the family when they eat. She steps out of Lady Edith's room to find an unsettled Anna heading towards her to go down the servants' stairs.
"Anna? Is everything all right?" She asks worriedly.
Anna looks up at her blinking in surprise as if she had been in thought and had not noticed her. "Yes, I'm fine."
Emma begins walking next to her. "Are you sure? You look a bit upset."
"Lady Mary wasn't too pleased about me not telling her first about Sir Richard. I suppose her reprimand upset me a bit." Anna explains as they begin walking down the stairs.
"Sorry to hear that," Emma replies. "She's probably more stressed and upset with Sir Richard than you. You were just the closest person to take it out on."
"You're probably right," Anna responds.
—
Emma walks into the Library to see Mr Crawley and Miss Swire in there.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sir, Miss. I'd come for the tray." Emma apologies. She had hurried upstairs when it was realised that while they had cleared the tea, they'd forgotten to take the tray.
"It's all right, nobody's down yet." Mr Crawley reassures her.
"I could've gotten it for you, you're busy getting dinner ready." Miss Swire adds.
"It's all right Miss, most of what I need to do is done until you all sit to eat," Emma says.
"No, no it's fine. I'll help you bring it down. It's too heavy to do on your own." Miss Swire says, picking up the tray. Emma watches her worriedly.
"It's too heavy for you." Mr Crawley warns her.
"No, it's not."
"Look out!" Mr Crawley cries just as Miss Swire trips over a footstool, reaching for her as Emma lunges forward to try to catch Miss Swire, but she drops the tray and falls against the mantel.
"Heavens, that was a near thing." Mr Crawley takes her arm and it is then that Emma realises that Mr Crawley is standing out of his chair and it seems the other two have noticed as well.
"My God." Miss Swire mutters.
Emma waits with Mr Crawley as Miss Swire runs out of the Library to tell the others about what has happened. It is not long before Emma hears thundering steps and the family bursts into the Library with Lord Grantham and Miss Swire leading the charge.
"Is it true? Is it true what Lavinia says?" His Lordship hurriedly asks.
Emma offers her hand to Mr Crawley and he takes her hand, as well as Miss Swire's, to help himself stand up. The family is stunned with joy.
"I can't believe it!" Lady Mary gasps.
"It's so wonderful!" Lady Grantham echos.
"It is, but don't tire yourself out," Sybil warns. "Sit down now and we'll send for Dr Clarkson."
"She's right. Edith, go with Branson. Ge-get Clarkson, but fetch Mama and Cousin Isobel as well. I don't care what they're doing. Tell them to come now." Lord Grantham proclaims as Sir Richard walks into the room. His Lordship grasps Mr Crawley's hand. "My dear chap, I cannot begin to tell you what this means to me."
"Well, it's pretty good news for me, too."
His Lordship laughs in relief.
—
Emma goes to tell downstairs immediately about what has happened. Dr Clarkson arrives and informs them that he had made a mistake. Every indication told him that the spine was transected, which would have been incurable. When Sir John Coats came to see Mr Crawley, he didn't agree and thought that it could be a case of spinal shock, which is intense bruising, which stops the legs from working but would heal. Dr Clarkson didn't tell anyone as he didn't agree with him and didn't want to raise Me Crawley's hopes. The good news is that as Dr Clarkson is wrong, Mr Crawley will make a full recovery though will carry a bruise on his spine for the rest of his life.
Mrs Crawley, the Dowager and Dr Clarkson all stay to eat. Anna and Emma had served the main course. Anna takes the trays downstairs while Emma retreated back to the Antechamber to sort out the wine. Because of where she is, she hears Mr Crawley's announcement to the table.
"I-I want to tell you all something. As you know, during this - well, I think I can say – horrible time, Lavinia has proved to be the most marvellous person."
"Here, here." His Lordship utters.
"Indeed." Mrs Crawley agrees.
"I never thought we would marry, for all sorts of reasons, but she wouldn't accept that. And so, now I'm very pleased to say that she's been proved right." Emma looks down, considering his words, she had stopped doing what she had been doing and now just stands and listens. "Lavinia and I will get married."
"Oh, my dear fellow." Lord Grantham says.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Mrs Crawley adds.
Emma can imagine the fake smile that Lady Mary is likely sporting right now.
"Just as soon as I'm well enough to walk down the aisle. Dr Clarkson can help us with when." Mr Crawley adds.
"Not long now." Dr Clarkson reassures.
"And she feels we ought to marry here, at Downton, to bury forever the memories of what, I hope, has been the darkest period of my life." Mr Crawley finishes.
"Of course." Lord Grantham agrees.
"Are you sure?" Miss Swire asks. "I know it should be at my home in London, but we've been through so much here."
"We'd be delighted."
"Yes, bravo. Excellent news." The Dowager remarks.
Emma stares at nothing for a moment, thinking.
—
She finds Mr Branson, or Tom as now what she should be saying, is reading the newspaper and he looks up to see her enter.
"You're very late. Don't you have dinner to clear?"
Emma shakes her head, trying not to smile too much. "They're fine clearing away without me. Though I doubt they'll notice me gone, everyone is so excited, they won't care where I am."
"I'm pleased. I like Mr Matthew." He replies.
Emma takes a breath before continuing. "He announced at dinner that he wants to get married at Downton. It makes me realise that this is a new beginning, that the war is truly over and it's time to move forward."
"Do you mean you've made your decision?" Tom asks hopefully.
"Yes. And my answer is..." Emma can see him bracing himself but she keeps her expression serious. "That I'm ready to travel... and you are my ticket." She lets herself smile. "To begin a new life, a new world—"
"Me?" Tom asks hopefully.
"No, Mr Bates. I feel he and I have an undeniable connection." Emma giggles and Tom stops holding his breath.
"I'm sorry. But I've waited so long for those words, I can't believe I'm hearing them. You won't mind leaving this world, Downton?" He questions. Emma doesn't blame him.
"Mind? Not at all! I've outgrown it." Emma exclaims.
Tom smiles with a sigh of relief and leans forward to kiss her. She holds back. "Yes, you can kiss me, but that is all until everything is settled."
"For now, God knows, it's enough that I can kiss you." Emma smiles at his reply and they kiss.
—
Turns out Mr Carson is no longer leaving as he couldn't work for a man who would bribe and spy, which Emma can understand though she worries that Lady Mary won't have his support when at Haxby.
They've had a letter from Major Bryant's mother. She and her husband are in Yorkshire on Friday and she wants to pay a visit as he had died and Downton was the last place they saw him alive. They'll give them luncheon and talk about the Major with those who knew him. To be honest Emma never really liked him.
The next day is when they arrive and Emma is in the Antechamber blocked off from the Dining room by a divider sorting the dishes that had been served, to take them down again. She's lost in thought, thinking about Tom. They had decided that they would begin putting their plan in motion to go to Ireland to get married after Sybil is sorted. Emma can't wait.
Suddenly, Ethel, of all people, barges past her with Anna and Mrs Hughes following her. She gapes in shock when she sees the baby in Ethel's arms.
"Leave me alone!" Ethel yells. Emma's eyes widen. That's definitely going to get the family's and their guests' attention.
"Ethel!" Mrs Hughes cries as Ethel rushes into the room with her child, Mrs Hughes and Anna in pursuit with Emma trailing after them. The luncheon party looks shocked.
"I tried to stop her—" Anna begins to say to Mr Carson.
"What on earth?" Lord Grantham exclaims.
"Ethel—" Lady Grantham turns to her husband. "I know what this is." She stands. "Mrs Hughes, I don't think it's quite the right—"
"I'm stopping," Ethel snaps, "until I've had my say." Ethel looks at Mrs Bryant. "This is Charlie, your grandson. He's almost a year old." Emma can see from Mrs Bryant's face that she looks interested.
Mr Bryant, on the other hand, stands up and throws his napkin on the table. "What proof have you?"
"What?"
"I say, what proof have you? If my son was the father of this boy, where's your proof? Any letters? Any signed statement?" Mr Bryant harshly replies. Emma winces.
"Why would there be any letters? We were in the same house." Ethel replies.
"I think she's telling the truth." Mrs Hughes pipes up.
"I'm not interested in "think."" Mr Bryant retorts. "I want proof that my son acknowledged the paternity of this boy. If what you say is true, then he would've known of the boy's existence for months before he...before he was killed."
"Yes, he knew," Ethel replies in a voice that is hard but also a whisper.
"So, what did he do about it?"
Ethel looks close to tears "Nothing. He did nothing."
"Thank you. That's the proof I was looking for. If Charles was the father, he would never have shirked his responsibilities. Never." Mr Bryant replies.
"Well, he did!"
"I won't listen to any more slander!" Mr Bryant snaps. Mrs Bryant is clearly upset, and not in agreement with her husband. "Now, will you please go and take that boy with you, whoever he is! You're upsetting Mrs Bryant!" Lady Grantham stares at Mr Bryant, appalled at his behaviour.
"Well, I would like—" His wife tries to say.
"I said you are upsetting Mrs Bryant!" Mr Bryant yells. Ethel cries and Emma puts her arm around her. "Lord Grantham, are you going to stand by while this woman holds us to ransom?"
Lord Grantham gives Mr Bryant an irritated look but stands up. "This isn't doing much good."
"Ethel, you better come with me." Mrs Hughes says, gripping her arm.
"Come on." Emma encourages. She, Anna and Mrs Hughes escort Ethel out with Charlie crying in her arms.
—
"If that's what he's like, I don't want his help. I don't want it." Ethel says from her seat at the Servants' Hall table, in between Emma and Anna. Emma cradles Charlie in her lap. She sees George, the Hall boy, come and loiter behind her.
"I doubt you'll have the option." Miss O'Brien says somewhat sombrely. "You're a dark horse. How did you keep it a secret all this time?" She stands on the other side of the table with Anne and Jean standing behind her and Mr Bates and Gemma sitting.
"Maybe when he's thought about it, he'll feel differently. You never know." Anna tries to reassure her.
Emma looks up from stroking Charlie's cheeks. "The mother seemed to be listening, maybe she'll get him to change his mind?"
Mr Carson enters causing them all to stand. "Anna, Emma, will you kindly go upstairs and help in the Dining room? Ethel, please take the child and leave." Ethel takes Charlie from Emma's arms. Emma frowns at his tone. "How did you get here?"
"I caught the bus and walked up from the Village," Ethel replies.
"Then can you reverse the process as quickly as possible?"
"She's very badly shaken, Mr Carson." Mr Bates intervenes. "She's lost everything."
Regretfully leaves the room with Anna but watches over her shoulder as Mr Carson asks, "Are you all right for the fare?"
"Yes, thank you," Ethel says walking out.
—
That night Emma helps Sybil pack what she needs, particularly her more simple clothes, instead of helping her get ready for dinner. She also slips the message that Sybil is feeling I'll and won't be down for dinner and the family won't realise anything tomorrow until Emma 'finds' the letter that has been left.
Emma helps them acquire the car and watches them leave while the family congregates in the Drawing room. She quickly darts back in to serve the family.
Emma is grabbed by Anna later that evening after the family had eaten and dragged up the servants' stairs and out onto the landing of the house to see Lady Mary standing there with, what Emma then recognises to be, Sybil's farewell letter in her hand. Emma's eyes widen. They weren't meant to find it until tomorrow!
"Did you know about this?" Lady Mary asks.
"Know about what?" Emma tries to ask innocently but Lady Mary is not fooled.
"Don't play ignorant." Lady Mary snaps and Emma's eyes widen at her tone. "You know that I know more than the others. Where is she?"
"You know in the letter it says Gretna Green," Emma answers reluctantly.
"How are they getting there?"
"They've taken one of the cars." At Anna's and Lady Mary's looks, she quickly adds, "They would've left it to be found!"
"Why did you do this?" Anna questions. Emma rolls her eyes.
"We need to go after her." Lady Mary declares.
"But—"
"And you're helping us find them. They won't have gotten too far." Lady Mary reasons.
"We need to find Lady Edith, she can drive," Anna says.
"Yes, that'll limit the damage. We cannot get Branson involved." Lady Mary agrees.
—
Emma sits quietly in the back seat of the car next to Anna while Lady Edith drives and Lady Mary sits next to her.
"They must stop at some point. It won't be open before the morning." The eldest Crawley daughter reasons.
"She won't expect us to be in pursuit until tomorrow, so they'll stay somewhere on the road." Her sister adds.
"We hope," Anna remarks.
"Everyone keep an eye out for the motor." Lady Edith says. Emma continues looking down and not making any eye contact with anyone.
The girls continue their pursuit on the road. They pass an inn with a couple of motorcars out front.
"Isn't that the car?" Anna says, causing Lady Edith to slam on the brakes.
—
Anna stays in the car but Emma comes along with Lady Edith and Mary as they rush up the stairs. Lady Mary knocks on the door and enters. Sybil and Billy pull off blankets as Billy gets up from the chair and Sybil gets up from the bed.
"How did you find us? How did you know?" Billy asks. Emma stands anxiously behind the two elder Crawley daughters. She catches Sybil's eyes and they share a worried look.
"Never mind that. At least nothing's happened, thank God." Lady Mary replies.
"What do you mean "nothing's happened"?" Billy looks at Sybil, looking worried and confused about what she's implying. "I've decided to marry Billy, and your coming after me won't change that." Billy steps up beside Sybil and tries to look confidently but Emma can see he is anxious as his eyes dart between his future, hopefully, sisters-in-law.
"This isn't the way." Lady Edith adds.
"She's right. Of course Mama and Papa will hate it—"
"Why should they?" Billy bursts out, interrupting Lady Mary. Emma raises her eyebrows in impressed shock at his sudden confidence.
"Oh, pipe down." The interrupted woman snaps before turning to her youngest sister. "Sybil, can't you let them get used to the idea? Take your stand and refuse to budge, but allow them time. That way you won't have to break up the family."
"They would never give permission." Sybil reminds her.
"You don't need permission, you're twenty-three. But you do need their forgiveness if you're not to start your new life under a black shadow." Emma chews her lip. She kind of has a point.
"Don't listen. She's pretending to be reasonable to get you home again." Billy warns her having noticed Sybil thinking on her sisters' words.
"Even if I am, even if I think this is mad, I know it would be better to do it in broad daylight than to sneak off like a thief in the night." Lady Mary argues.
Billy sighs and then looks at Sybil as her resolve is waning. She looks up at him and Emma knows Lady Mary has won.
Billy can see this as well. "Go back with them, then. If you think they can make you happier than I will."
"Am I so weak you believe I could be talked out of giving my heart in five minutes flat? But Mary's right. I don't like deceit and our parents don't deserve it. So, I'll go back with them. Believe it or not, I will stay true to you." Sybil kisses his cheek. Lady Edith gets her luggage and Sybil takes one last teary-eyed look at Billy before leaving the room with Lady Edith and Emma.
"I'm sorry," Emma says to her as they descend the stairs.
"I don't blame you," Sybil replies. "But my sisters have got to realise that this is not over."
—
The next morning Emma stands in Thomas' shed with said man and Miss O'Brien. Thomas is covered in some sort of powder; everything that was in the shed has been trashed and slashed with shelves knocked over.
Thomas is pouring out some from a packet. "It's all rubbish. It's all bloody rubbish." He throws it to the floor.
"There must be a way to make this right, for you to get your money back." Emma declares. "Can't you ask for it?"
"Oh, yes. Of course I can ask, and a fat lot of good that'll do." Thomas' sarcastic tone biting.
"You must challenge him." Miss O'Brien insists.
"How? I only ever met him in a pub. I wouldn't know where to find him!" Thomas' voice breaks in the last sentence.
"But, surely—"
"Don't you understand woman!" He suddenly yells and throws more of the stuff causing Miss O'Brien to flinch and Emma to jump. "I've been tricked! Been had! Been taken for the fool I am." Thomas sits down for a smoke.
There's a pause of silence as the two women in the room let him simmer for a moment before Emma hesitantly speaks, "How much did he take from you?"
"Every penny I had. And then some."
"What are you going to do now?" Miss O'Brien asks softly.
"I don't know. I don't bloody know." Thomas admits almost sobbing.
What can he do? Thomas had clearly been scammed and was the one to pay the price.
—
A/N: This is a silly little bit that bothered me but I don't know why when they followed after Sybil, Mary said Sybil was 21 when she would have been 23 at the time this episode is set.