Passing through the Main Hall, Emma sees Mary walk out of the Library and up the stairs with what looked like tears in her eyes. Emma frowns as she watches Mary go up. She knows that Tom and Mary had held a conference with Robert on who they will be taking of the Drewe's farm now that the father of the family had passed away, but wonders how that conversation turned into Mary being teary eyed. She peeks into the Library and sees that Tom is alone with Robert.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything?" Emma asks as she walks in.

"No." Robert says with a smile. "Only Mabel Lane Fox and Tony Gillingham getting engaged."

"Oh." Emma says, suddenly knowing what had put Mary out of sorts. Not knowing what else to say, she moves on. "I suppose you'll be going to the funeral?"

"Yes, I feel like it's important," Robert replies casually though Emma can see he's not pleased with the situation, he'll have to if Downton is to survive.

—

Emma walks down the stairs and into the Hall to see Mr Carson sorting the post on a table near the front door as Cora and Edith come in at the door, which is being held open for them by Jimmy.

"Your ladyship. M'lady." The footman greets.

"Ah, pleasant walk?" Emma calls to them as she steps into the Outer Hall before Cora can turn into the door to the Library sitting in the Hall.

"Quite." Cora replies with a smile.

"Is that the afternoon post? Is there anything for me?" Edith asks Mr Carson, noticing what the butler is doing.

"There's just a couple for his lordship and Mrs Branson, m'lady." The butler replies as he offers the dish he had put the letters on to Emma, who takes her letter from it. She frowns at it questioningly as it doesn't seem to be the handwriting of any of her in-laws but of Dr Clarkson. Interesting.

"Were you expecting something?" Cora asks her daughter.

"Not particularly. I haven't heard from Michael in a bit, that's all." Edith replies calmly though clearly disappointed as the three of them walk to the Library door.

"I expect he's busy." Emma tells her with a smile though then murmurs to herself, "I hope."

They walk into the Library to find Mary at the writing desk. The eldest Crawley daughter seems to startle out of a daze when Emma walks in first and continues writing as if she hadn't been distracted. Emma frowns in concern at that but seems to be the only one that had noticed.

"What have you been up to?" Cora asks her other daughter.

"I was writing to Tony Gillingham." Mary tells her in a tone that's aiming for blasé, but Emma notices the cracks. She lingers as Cora and Edith walk past her to sit on the settees. Perhaps she should say something.

"Give him my regards." Cora says.

Emma sees Mary dab her eyes as she begins to follow them, probably thinking she's out of sight. She looks actually close to tears or has just been crying, but the other two don't notice. Emma feels confused as she hadn't thought Mary and Gillingham had been all that serious except for some flirting, it seems she was wrong.

"Say we look forward to knowing Miss Lane Fox."

Emma sits next to Cora with her letter on her lap to open later, opposite Edith and opens her mouth to speak after Cora's words but Edith cuts her off with this remark over her shoulder, "I am surprised. I thought he was rather keen on you."

Emma closes her mouth and deems it not the right time to ask Mary about her feelings with Edith around.

"Not for the first time, you've got the wrong end of the stick." Mary snips back.

The door opens and Cora spins in her seat quickly but amusedly huffs at herself when Rose walks in.

"Oh. I thought you were Robert." The Countess remarks. "Is he back from his funeral?"

"Not yet, I don't think." Honestly, Emma can see as clear as day that Mary's voice isn't as strong as usual.

"While he's not here, shall we discuss his birthday?" Edith suggests.

"Oh, does he have a birthday soon?" Rose asks eagerly as she sits down next to Edith.

"Fairly soon." Cora replies.

Mary walks over to join them. "Do you have any plans?"

"Nothing beyond his favourite food. It's not a special one." Cora puts down.

"Why don't we have a party? To cheer ourselves up. A small one." Mary suggests. "We'll be having Ivy's birthday first and she won't need much, not after her birthday last year."

"That'll be fun." Rose agrees with a grin.

"I can't believe she's turning two." Cora murmurs with that motherly softness she exudes.

Emma sighs with a grin. "I know. It seems only yesterday I was introducing her to you all for the first time."

—

Emma opens her letter as soon as she has the chance. She reads through it and is in shock about what it says. Dr Clarkson writes that the head nurse at the Hospital, Nurse Roberts, is retiring and he suggests she come in to talk about the possibility of her taking over.

She's mulling over the letter in her mind when she bumps into Nanny Jean.

"Oh! My apologies, Mrs Branson." The Nanny says, flustered.

Emma smiles kindly at her. This Nanny has been much better than that dreadful West one. "It's quite alright. You not with the children?"

"No, I'm collecting some clothes from Laundry. Mr Branson said he'd stay with the children." Nanny Jean tells her.

"Well, I better join them, make sure they're not up to too much mischief." Emma remarks. Nanny Jean chuckles at her comment before moving on.

Emma walks inside the Nursery to find her husband on the floor surrounded by the children. Ivy and Sybbie are watching him intently while George bashes a few block's together or stuffing them in his mouth. Michael is rolling from his front to his back.

Emma beams with pride at her son's success. "Someone's on the move." She comments, drawing her husband's attention to her as well as the children.

Ivy grins at her. "Mama!"

"Hello sweetheart." Emma murmurs, briefly brushing her hand over her daughter's curling locks and crouching down to kiss her forehead.

"Ah, I was just going to look for you. I think Michael is near feeding time." Tom says.

Emma glances over to her fussing son. "Yes, I believe so." She scoops him up and sits down in the chair so to feed him.

When Mary walks into the Nursery later on, she comes to find Tom stretched out comfortably on the rug with Ivy, Sybbie and George and lots of toys scattered around while Emma sits in a chair having just finished feeding Michael and rocking him back and forth as he relaxes in her arms, satisfied after his meal.

"Thought I'd get an extra ten minutes in with George." Mary says. She picks up her son.

"You can help me with this. Sybbie and Ivy say there's going to be a hurricane any moment now." Tom explains. Emma had been greatly entertained in watching her husband try and get the almost two year olds to construct different buildings. They have used building blocks and a picture book to build a shelter for the wooden animals. What they could've done with Lego.

"A hurricane? Really? In Yorkshire?" Mary remarks as she settles on one of the beds with George on her lap.

"So, they're getting all the animals under shelter." Emma adds.

"I'm sure they are. Where's Nanny?" Mary asks.

"Collecting some clothes from Laundry. I said I'd stay with them and Emma joined me." Tom tells her, stroking his daughter's hair.

"She's so much more relaxed than our Nanny ever was. My childhood wasn't anything like the children's." Mary remarks.

"Nor mine, God knows." Tom comments.

"You could say mine was extremely different." Emma jokes. She and Tom share a look.

"Do you think they're having a good childhood? That we're doing well?" Mary then suddenly asks them causing them to pause.

"I think you're doing your best for them. If that's what you mean." Tom replies after a moment.

This makes Emma contemplate her job offer all over again.

"It isn't quite."

Tom is obviously not ready for this conversation just now and turns to Ivy and Sybbie. "Ooh. I think it's time for the hurricane. Whoo!" He makes the shelter collapse.

"Uh-oh." Ivy says. Emma grins at the sound.

"Uh-oh." Tom echoes with a chuckle.

Sybbie herself decides it's as good a time as any to start repeating it over and over again making them laugh.

—

"What Mary said about us giving our children the best childhood, it got me thinking," Tom says as he and Emma walk around Downton's grounds in the time they have before the gong goes.

"What do you mean?" Emma asks.

"I wonder if Downton is the best place for us to be." Tom explains. "You saw how the house party went, how they all treated you, me and Billy. Maybe it's time to start looking into moving on. Find somewhere where we fit."

Emma frowns in thought. "I agree that perhaps we don't fully fit in this world." She admits. "But where would we go? And I'm not so sure Liverpool is exactly the right choice and we can't go back to Ireland." She can't help but wonder if she accepts Dr Clarkson's offer that it would affect what they do. Emma decides to keep it to herself till she talks more with Dr Clarkson.

"I was thinking America actually. I have family there." Tom suggests.

Emma nods with a teasing smile. "You wouldn't be Irish if you didn't. Two of my grandma's sisters go there one day."

"But what do you think?" Tom pointedly asks.

Emma realises he's not interested in any teasing and is looking for a straight answer. She purses her lips as she thinks about how to word her answer. "I feel open to the idea but we can't do anything until we've thought it through and know it's the best decision."

"What do you worry about?"

"I just worry if it'll cause too much disruption to our children. They love George and Sybbie and the others as family."

"Michael is only a baby, he won't notice." Tom argues.

"He won't be a baby forever and Ivy is turning two soon." Emma counters.

"It's okay. We're in no rush." Tom reassures. "If we're going to do this, we will introduce it gradually to the children, no sudden moves, okay?"

Emma nods. "Okay."

—

"Emma?" Emma turns from where she'd about to walk down the stairs to join everyone in the Drawing room to find Mr Bates standing behind her.

Emma gives him a warm but hesitant smile. She knows that Anna has been acting off still, her bruise hasn't completely faded, and it must hurt Mr Bates.

"Mr Bates, what can I do for you?"

"I was thinking about the night of the concert." Mr Bates starts, he stares at her with a searching look.

Emma stays calm as possible. "Oh?"

"And how near the end, you'd gone down stairs to find that Anna had hit her head and you'd patched her up."

"That's right." Where's he going with this?

"How did you know to go downstairs?"

"Well, I saw Anna go down then realised she'd been a while so I went to find her." That bit isn't a lie.

"And there was no one else?" Mr Bates then says, a dark look on his face.

Emma frowns. Why's he asking this now? What had happened to make him start asking more questions?

"Why would there'd been?"

"Are you sure that it was the sink Anna knocked her head on and not something else?" He asks instead.

"Positive." She needs to get out of this conversation, it's making her uncomfortable. "Now I really should hurry. They're all waiting for me."

She quickly leaves down the stairs and Mr Bates doesn't stop her.

—

Robert, Mary, Billy, Tom, Cora, Edith, Emma and Rose are at dinner, tasting the savouries that Alfred has made and are all enjoying them. Alfred learnt a while back of a cooking contest in London at the Ritz where it could mean advanced chef training if one passed and today he has received a letter saying that he'd been accepted to go to the test.

"I say. Well done." Robert compliments. Alfred inclines his head in acceptance of the compliment.

"We'll be sorry to lose you, Alfred. But I think you'll pass your test." Cora encourages.

"Fingers crossed, m'lady." The footman replies.

"When is it?" Emma asks, turning in her seat to have a proper look at him.

"The day after tomorrow. I'm going up in the morning." He looks nervous but who can blame him?

"Our best wishes go with you," Robert says as Emma turns back to have another bite of her food.

"I'm going up myself tomorrow." Edith says. Emma looks at her curiously, confused by the way she says it without looking any of them in the eye.

"Oh?" Cora prompts.

Edith looks up briefly to speak. "Just for the day. To visit Michael's office. I'll be back for dinner." She reassures. Emma can see that Edith looks unsettled and Emma supposes it's to do with the lack of word from Michael.

"So, how's your new lady's maid settling in?" Billy asks his mother-in-law.

Cora smiles pleased. "Oh, quite well."

They begin to discuss Miss Baxter in more detail but Emma doesn't listen. She can't help but feel like something's going on as she had been recommended by Thomas and he's always up to something.

—

"Is everything alright, Edith?" Emma asks the Crawley daughter. She'd planned to wish Alfred good luck as he heads off to London but thought she'd grab Edith first as they walk down the stairs and through the Hall. "You've seemed worried for a while now. Still no word from Michael?"

Edith shakes her head with a small smile. "No, but I'll fine. I'm sure I'm over worrying."

"Maybe you'll hear something while you're there." Emma suggests as they walk out through the front door, where a car is waiting. Mr Carson and Jimmy are overseeing the departure. Alfred stands waiting by the car.

The butler approaches them. "I thought you wouldn't mind if Alfred rode in the front, m'lady. He's catching the same train."

Alfred takes off his cap in respect. He's looking extremely nervous. Jimmy opens the car door for Edith.

"Of course I don't mind." Edith reassures. "We all wish you luck, Alfred."

"I'm going to need it, m'lady." Alfred replies.

"It's his first trip to London." Mr Carson explains.

"How exciting." Edith says as she climbs into the back seat.

"Exciting's one word for it." Alfred remarks.

Mr Carson tells him with a look that he's talking too much.

Emma chuckles. "Couldn't agree more there, Alfred." She hopes the smile she's wearing is as warm and reassuring as she's aiming for.

Alfred returns her smile before turning and folding himself into the front passenger seat. The car moves off with Jimmy, Mr Carson and Emma watching.

"I hope it goes well for him." Emma murmurs.

"I'm sure, Mrs Branson." The butler declares. "He's had the practice and he's a hard worker."

—

Emma comes wandering into the Library and quickly realises she's walking into a tail end of a conversation between Mr Drewe and Robert.

Both are standing near the writing desk with Mr Drewe wearing a mourning armband on his arm, cap in hand.

"Mr Drewe. I would prefer to report that you are prepared to repay the arrears in full. I'll lend you the difference myself." Robert says. Emma lingers by the door on the opposite side, listening in surprise though she really shouldn't. This is Robert.

"You'd do that for me?" Drewe asks in shock. "It won't be less than £50."

"I'll send a cheque when I'm sure of the outcome."

"You won't regret it." Drewe promises.

"No. I don't think I will." Robert holds out his hand. Drewe takes it before saying his goodbyes and taking his leave.

Robert turns and startles at the sight of Emma, who has stepped further into the room. She's carrying the aura of expectation with her raised eyebrows and hands on her hips.

"Explain?" She prompts.

"I'm letting the Drewes stay on." Robert admits like a child who's been caught red handed.

"Does Mary and Tom know about this?"

"They will."

Emma sighs. "If you're sure…"

"I am."

Dear god.

—

Naturally, Emma quickly informs Mary and Tom as she feels they have the right to know as agent and co-owner. Mary brings it up at lunch with Edith and Billy absent (one in London and the other at work) and Isobel and Violet joining them.

"Emma told us you know." Mary says from between Cora and Tom. Emma has to sit at the end of the table between Isobel and Rose, directly across from her husband. "You might've talked it over with us before you made up your mind."

"But I haven't. I told him we'd think about it. That's all." Robert argues.

"Which sounds like you have come to a decision." Emma remarks. Mary gives a nod of agreement and sends a pointed look to her father.

"If we don't respect the past, we'll find it harder to build our future."

Violet looks at her son with surprise and suspicion. "Where did you read that?"

"I made it up. I thought it was rather good." Robert replies.

"It's too good. The one thing we don't want is a poet in the family." Violet laments.

"Would it be so bad?" Isobel asks provokingly.

"The only poet peer I am familiar with is Lord Byron. And I presume you all know how that ended." Violet retaliates.

"It's good he doesn't have a half sister then." Emma comments. She receives amused smiles from Rose and Tom while Violet gives her a disapproving look to which Emma simply grins. She can almost see Jimmy repressing a smile.

Cora shakes her head fondly before turning to her husband. "So, you'd like Mr Drewe to stay on."

"Since he wants to repay the debt, I think it only fair." Robert answers. "Besides, he talks of the partnership between the farmers and the family, and I like that."

"Well, I think it's splendid." Isobel declares.

"Says the Queen of the Rebels." Violet remarks.

"Thank you." Isobel replies pointedly.

Emma hears Rose let out a slight giggle at the exchange.

"And you agree, even though he has no right to renew the lease?" Mary questions Tom.

"No right legally, no. But we think he has a moral right." Cora argues.

"It's a pity it should be Yew Tree. It would've filled a hole in the land we're farming." Tom admits.

"You've managed without it till now." Isobel points out.

"But you haven't said what you think. Which side are you on?" Mary persists. Emma is glad to see it, to see someone wanting to hear Tom's opinion and not brushing it aside like Robert has the habit of doing.

"Well, the farmer's, of course." Tom answers. "I've not abandoned all my socialism. Even though it feels like it sometimes."

"In this one and only instance, I am glad to hear it." Robert remarks.

Emma huffs and rolls her eyes at the remark and one glance at Tom shows that he too shares in her irritation.

"When will you tell him?" Mary asks.

"There's no tearing rush. We've a day or two to talk it over," Robert answers then turns directly to Mary, "and then you can tell him."

Mary looks unpleasantly surprised. Tom looks uncomfortable.

—

Mary is at the writing desk in the Library while Emma is sitting on one of the settees reading. She had spent most of the afternoon playing with the children and thought she might as well do some reading of some medical books to keep up with her knowledge.

Mr Carson comes in and clears his throat. "Mr Napier."

"What?" Mary murmurs in surprise as the man walks in and stands up to greet him

"Eh?" Emma eloquently blurts out. Emma hasn't seen him since the disaster with Kemal Pamuk though she knows he had attended the seasons in the next couple of years before the war.

"Hello, Mary. If I can still call you Mary?" The man greets her pleasantly.

"Of course you can." Mary says with a beaming smile. "How lovely." She kisses him on the cheek. "Do you remember Mrs Branson?" Mary gestures her hand in Emma's direction.

Emma puts her book down and turns to greet their guest. "He might not. I was a maid last time he was at Downton and I was mostly known as Emma." She smiles at Mr Napier. "It is good to see you again."

Mr Napier thankfully doesn't look at all judgemental as he turns to her in surprise and embarrassment. "I do apologise. It's nice to meet you properly Mrs Branson." He holds out his hand.

"No need to apologise and you too Mr Napier." She shakes his hand.

"What brings you here?" Mary asks him.

"I'm working on a government thing and we've got some research to do in Yorkshire. I'm on a sort of reconnoitring expedition." Mr Napier explains.

"Lucky us." Emma remarks.

Mr Napier chuckles. "Quite. I was in Thirsk, and I suddenly thought, why not take a chance?"

"Well, I'm so glad you did." Mary says still beaming. She walks over to pull the bell. "Let me give you some tea. I'll get them to tell Mama and Papa that you're here."

Emma smiles at the two and wanders back to her seat and her book.

"While I've got you alone..." Mr Napier begins. Emma can see he's wringing his hands anxiously. "Well, moderately…" Emma gives him an apologetic smile and is about to offer to leave but he continues. "You've been in my thoughts a great deal since the whole... ghastly business."

"That's nice to know." Mary replies pleasantly but Emma can see some hesitance.

"Which is why it's lovely to see you looking so, um, lovely."

Aww.

Mary smiles at his lack of eloquence. He's certainly sincere though.

—

Later on, Mr Napier is on one of the settees, Mary and Robert are on the other while Emma sits on a chair next to them. Cora is helping herself to tea on the table.

"So, what is this thing you're working on?" Robert asks their guest.

"It's all to do with the rural economy. Very hush-hush." Mr Napier replies.

"Well, don't tell us if it's meant to be a secret." Mary says.

Cora sits down next to their guest.

"Oh no, it's not like that. A lot of landed estates are in difficulty. The department wants to assess the damage of the war years. Are they likely to survive, and so on." Mr Napier explains.

"And it's all hush-hush to avoid embarrassment for the owners?" Emma concludes.

"Something along those lines, yes."

"And are they likely to survive?" Cora asks.

"Some of them."

"It sounds rather interesting." Robert comments.

"It is. Interesting and incredibly depressing." Mr Napier admits.

"Which places are you studying in Yorkshire?" Cora asks.

"That I cannot say." Mr Napier avoids. "It wouldn't be fair on the owners. But we have earmarked the ones in serious trouble. And you'll be glad to know Downton's not among them."

"Still, we'd love your opinion on whether or not we're doing the right things." Mary says. "Wouldn't we, Papa?"

"We don't want to add to his labours." Robert replies pointedly.

Mary forces a smile as she asks, "Where are you staying while you're up here?"

"We haven't decided. There's quite a good hotel in Ripon I know of." Mr Napier replies.

"Nonsense. You must stay with us."

"I couldn't possibly."

"Why not?" Emma asks. Surely he can stay? Downton has enough room.

"Well, to start with, I'll have my boss with me." Mr Napier replies awkwardly.

"Who's that?" Robert asks.

"Charles Blake. Have you ever come across him?"

"I don't think so."

"Of course you must both stay here." Cora insists.

"That way, we'll get the benefit of all your knowledge for the price of a couple of dinners. What could be better than that?" Mary remarks.

Mr Napier looks like he couldn't possibly say no now he's had the insistence of both mother and daughter. He glances over to Emma who raises an amused eyebrow at the situation causing him to huff a quiet laugh, barely detectable if it were not for his shoulders moving because of it.

—

Mr Napier soon leaves after his visit. That evening, Cora and Mary sit on one settee in the Library while Emma and Billy sit on the other and Rose sits on the pouffe in between with Tom lingering around the room as they wait for Robert and Edith.

"So, will you be giving a birthday party?" Rose questions Cora.

"For Robert? Why? Do you really want me to? I thought we'd be partied out after Ivy's." The Countess comments.

Emma shrugs. "Well, Ivy's won't be a big one."

Rose glances back and Emma gives her an encouraging nod before speaking, "And I'd had rather a good idea for it."

Billy notices the look. "Have you two been conspiring?"

"Not exactly, she won't tell me what the good idea is, but promises I'll like it." Emma replies. They all chuckle at that.

"If I did have a party, would you give me a hand?" Cora asks Rose.

"Absolutely." The door opens. "Oh, shh!" Rose hurriedly stands from her spot as Robert, Edith and Isis the dog walk in while Billy stands in politeness.

"So, have we come to a final decision about Drewe?" Robert asks as he closes the door.

"I suppose so. If it means that much to you." Mary replies.

"And Tom's socialism will ensure his approval of the plan." He chuckles as he comes to stand next to them all as Edith takes a seat next to Billy. Tom and Emma don't join in.

Emma lets out an irritated huff at his attitude and comments before saying, "You laugh. But as a matter of fact, we've been thinking about it quite a lot lately."

Both of them have been delving more and more into the topic since their first discussion. Emma hasn't quite given her final response, not before talking to Dr Clarkson but it's good to have options.

"About what?" Cora queries.

"Our beliefs, I suppose." Tom replies. "I'm not too sure what mine are any more. Since the house party—"

Robert cuts him off, irritating Emma, "I won't hear another word about the house party. Somebody said something to upset you the two of you. That's all it is."

"What was this? Who was rude?" Mary quickly jumps on the bandwagon. Emma appreciates Mary automatically jumping to their defence.

"No one. He's got that wrong, well not entirely." Emma hurriedly reassures her.

"But Emma and I realise we feel like intruders." Tom further explains. "It's made us face the fact that we're living where we don't belong."

"Welcome to the club." Edith despondently replies. Emma looks at her curiously. What's brought this on? Has she heard from Gregson?

"Oh, stop moaning." Mary snips at her sister.

"But if you went back to Ireland, would you belong there?" Robert questions.

Emma shakes her head. "It's not possible. We've changed so much since returning to Downton."

"Well, then..."

"There is America." Tom says, cutting him off. "I have family there now, and they're doing quite well. It would be a new start."

"But you've both made a new start here." Mary argues, looking mildly upset at the idea of the two leaving.

"And what would I do without my best friends?" Billy adds. Emma gives him a small smile and a reassuring hand on his arm.

"But we're talking about the world Ivy and Michael will grow up in." Tom says. "Wouldn't it be easier for them to begin with a clean slate, rather than being the children of an uppity chauffeur and maid?"

"Well, don't do anything in a hurry." Robert insists.

"We don't want to lose you both." Mary adds.

—

News arrives the next day that Alfred sadly did not get his position to be trained at the Ritz. Emma gets more news when Anna pokes her head into the Library to find Emma sitting on one of the settees, reading.

"They said I'd find you here." The lady's maid comments causing Emma to look up.

Emma gives Anna a warm smile. She knows the woman has been going through a trying time, as even though it wasn't rape but attempted rape is always still traumatising, and Emma is happy to see Anna has a smile on her face.

"Anna, what brings you here?" She stands to talk to her.

"Well, I was in Ripon yesterday…" Anna begins.

"Yes, Gemma mentioned it."

"Well, I, um, Mr Bates had been getting suspicious you see, about what happened when Dame Nellie performed."

Emma winces when she recalls Mr Bates questioning her. "I'm aware."

Anna nods. "And because of that, he'd questioned Mrs Hughes, backed her into a corner and she told him what happened."

Emma looks at her in alarm. "Everything?! But wasn't the point of not telling him so that he wouldn't—"

Anna hurriedly shakes her head and interrupts, "She didn't tell him it was Gre- him. Mrs Hughes denied it, said it was an outsider."

Emma relaxes slightly in relief. "But he suspected?"

"Yes, but he seems to taken her word for it."

Emma nods in thought. "And what now?"

"We're going to put the whole thing behind us." Anna says with a hesitant smile.

"That's good perhaps moving forward is the best thing though I'll curse that man for the rest of time." Emma spits the last sentence.

Anna gives her a small smile and places her hand on Emma's. "Thank you for your support. I don't know what I would've done without you and Mrs Hughes."

—

Later that week, Emma gets round to meeting with Dr Clarkson.

"What are you doing out here?"

Emma looks up to see her husband stepping out of the car and smiles. "I should ask you the same question?" She sits on a bench just outside of the Hospital, rocking Michael's pram back and forth with her foot as she reads a book to Ivy, who sits on her lap. Emma had wanted to take her children out for some air and since she was heading into the Village, it seemed as good a time as any.

"I was doing my rounds. You?" Tom replies. He sits next to her on the bench and Ivy, now no longer interested in the book, eagerly reaches out her arms to her father, babbling his name until he takes her into his lap.

"Talking with Dr Clarkson about my job." Emma says evasively.

Tom frowns. "Why? I thought it was already sorted and you'll be going back in a few months?"

Emma hurriedly shakes her head, realising he's taken the wrong end of the stick. "Oh, no, no, I'm not losing my job. Well, I am but not in the way that you think."

"What do you mean?"

Emma bites her lip. "Well, um, Dr Clarkson wanted to speak with me cause Nurse Roberts told him she plans to take her retirement this year, likely in a few months."

Tom's smile grows. "And?"

"And the position of head nurse is mine if I want it!"

Tom wraps his arms around her and squeezes her tight. Emma knows he would've picked her up and swung her around if it wasn't for her holding Michael's pram and Ivy on his lap.

"I'm so proud of you."

Emma grins. "I'm rather proud of myself."

Tom kisses her. "And is this what you want?" He asks.

"It'll be an interesting challenge for sure." Emma says contemplatively. "It may not be what I want to do forever and it doesn't have to tie us down, but it'll be valuable experience while we're still here."

"If it's what you want and it'll mean we're earning our own money from you at least until we want to move on." Tom replies.

"Exactly."

They lean against each other and soak up their family on a bench in the spring air.