A/N: Somehow, I've gotten to season 5 with this story? Don't know how that happened 😅
—
"How was it?" Tom asks Emma as soon as she emerges from the Hospital after a long shift. They share a kiss and an embrace.
"It's been a long morning. One of the nurses is out with a cold so I had double the work with taking care of her usual patients on top of making up tomorrow's schedules and doing the filing for Dr Clarkson." Emma complains as she climbs into the car as Tom does the same on the other side.
This had been a nice pattern that they'd developed ever since she went back to the Hospital and started her job as head nurse. If Tom isn't around to pick her up, often it's Billy as he heads home from work or Edith as she often spends her time in the Village these days anyway.
"You best not be too tired on Saturday," Tom warns her as they drive off towards the Abbey.
"Why?"
"It's Robert and Cora's wedding anniversary, remember? I think they'd want you to be there."
Emma groans. "Fine. What have I missed at the house today anyway? Is Robert still lamenting about a working-class prime minister?"
Tom laughs. "Of course. Maybe we should've warned him."
"Nah." Emma dismisses. "I wouldn't have been able to provide much information anyway. I only know that Mr MacDonald is the first Labour PM and it happened in the 1920s but that's it. That wouldn't reassure Robert. Sorry."
"It's alright. I don't expect you to know everything." Tom reassures her, glancing at her briefly with a smile before looking back at the road.
Emma huffs. "You've changed your tune. I recall you telling me off for not being able to tell much of what happens in Ireland." She grins at him to show she's somewhat joking.
Tom chuckles. "I know but I realise it's the education system's fault, not yours."
"Why thank you."
"Mind you, Mr MacDonald is definitely going to make my job as estate agent more difficult. Apparently, he's not fond of the upper class." Tom says.
"Mmm… suppose that indicates moving forward with our American move idea?" Emma prompts.
"Maybe. We'll have to see."
—
They are all assembling ahead of dinner in the Drawing room except for Cora, who'd been pulled away by a phone call, and Edith, who'd not returned from the Village. Robert, Billy and Tom, in black tie, are bent over some plan or map on a table while Emma talks to Mary and Rose by the fire.
Jimmy opens the door for Edith. "I hope I'm not late."
"No, Carson hasn't come in yet," Rose reassures her.
"That reminds me. We're to receive a Village delegation tomorrow. I ran into the postmistress. She asked if they might pay us a visit." Robert tells them.
"Mrs Wigan?" Rose murmurs.
"What was it that reminded you?" Mary questions.
"She asked for Carson to be present."
"What's it about?" Emma asks.
"They want to erect some kind of memorial to the war."
"What?" Edith asks, confused.
On the other hand, this causes Emma to perk up.
"Well, not to the war, but to the men, the local men, who died in it. They'll be all over the country." Robert further explains. "I suppose they want me as chairman."
"I think a memorial is a great idea," Emma says. She receives the usual look she gets from Tom when he thinks she's making references about the future.
Cora comes walking in from the telephone.
"Who was it?" Mary asks.
"Tony Gillingham," Cora says. "He had some business up here, and you told him he could stay if he needed to?"
Mary shrugs unenthusiastically. Emma is honestly confused about what's going on with Mary, Charles and Tony nowadays.
"When does he want to come?" Robert asks.
"That's the problem. The 16th."
Robert frowns, confused. "And..."
Emma closes her eyes in exasperation. Oh, Robert.
"It's our anniversary," Cora explains to her husband.
"Oh, that doesn't matter. Ring him back and say yes." Robert dismisses.
"We don't have to," Mary argues.
"No. I'd like to see him." Robert argues.
Mr Carson appears at the door.
"Right. That's dinner, everyone." Cora says and they all move through to the Dining room.
—
Once again Emma is back at work the next day and is picked up by Tom at the end of her shift.
"They passed over Robert for Mr Carson as chairman of the war memorial?" Emma asks in shock after Tom informs her of what happened at the committee meeting as they drive along in the car. "That's a surprise."
Tom shrugs. "Is it? Times are changing. Men in his position aren't getting the same privileges anymore."
"No…" Emma admits, pondering for a moment. "But you can't help but feel sorry for them. They're wild creatures who are having their habitats grow smaller and smaller."
"Suppose."
"How was the school?"
"Good. Rose gave out her prizes, Edith seemed very muttery with Mr Drewe and…" he pauses for a moment, "…Sarah Bunting was asking after Billy."
Emma raises an eyebrow. "Is anything going there? He doesn't tell me anything about it." She mutters petulantly.
"Me neither. I don't know if he's happy with her advances or not." Tom replies.
Mmmm…
—
Emma emerges to see it's Edith this time. She gives her a bright smile as she approaches. "Well, this is nice."
Edith gives her a slight smile back. "Tom was busy, I was in the Village anyway so I thought I'd come along."
Emma frowns when she notices that despite trying to be otherwise, Edith seems upset. "Is everything alright? Is it Michael Gregson?"
Edith shakes her head as she pulls the car away. "No, it's not that it's…"
"What?"
"Nothing…"
—
Cora and Robert enter the Drawing room where Emma, Tom, Mary, Rose, and Edith are already gathered.
"She's driving through the Village on Saturday and would love to see us." Cora is saying to her husband as they enter,
"What did you say?"
"Well, it's only tea."
"Are we doing anything special for our anniversary?" Mary asks her parents.
"What had you in mind?" Cora asks
"Well, we were thinking, now that Tony's staying, we could invite some people, make an evening of it or something," Emma suggests.
"Well, you girls ask some friends. I'd like a young party for once, instead of all those old duffers." Robert remarks.
Billy enters. "Hello." He greets the room at large.
"Oh, Mary, Emma, I've got an idea," Rose says. She leads them to a corner of the room.
—
The ladies exit the Drawing room after dinner. As they move towards the staircase, they pass Thomas, who's probably hearing everything they say and taking notes. Emma casts an amused glance in his direction.
"Why must Lady Anstruther choose Saturday, of all days?" Cora laments. "Do you think we ought to invite her to the dinner?" Said woman had invited herself to tea.
"Isn't she staying somewhere else?" Mary asks.
They start ascending the stairs. Thomas has heard enough and walks off.
"Tell me tomorrow who's coming, of your pals. Keep the numbers even." Cora says instead of answering.
"Rose wants to invite a friend of Billy's. He must feel so outnumbered." Emma tells her. She's a little unsure about it but maybe Billy does like her so what's the harm?
"Someone local. Rose and Emma have met her." Mary says.
"So have I. She's quite respectable." Edith adds.
"I think it would be nice," Cora replies.
Hopefully…
—
Everyone is busy that Saturday. Violet is holding a luncheon party with Isobel, Lord Merton, Lady Shackleton and Dr Clarkson. The invitation of the latter means Emma is left running the ship by herself. There is also no Isobel to help, who's been hovering since she's helping with the set-up of an out-patient clinic.
Emma returns from work to find out that not only is Lady Anstruther coming for tea but she's now staying the night as her car has broken down. Emma is suspicious though when Tom tells her that evening when they're getting dressed for dinner, for Robert and Cora's wedding anniversary party, that he went to look at the car but found nothing wrong.
When they gather in the Drawing room, Emma glances at Lady Anstruther suspiciously as she and Gillingham walk over to where Mary and Emma stand.
"You'd be an ornament at any gathering," Tony reassures her.
"Oh, how nice. Thank you." Lady Anstruther turns to Mary and Emma. "No cocktails? I thought everyone had them now."
"Not at Downton. Our butler tried them once and he hasn't recovered." Marley remarks.
Lady Anstruther laughs, then looks over at Robert and Cora. "Oh, look at your parents. 34 years. I'd never manage it. That's the advantage of an older husband. One gets an early release!" She laughs again.
Emma smiles slightly in reply but it probably comes out in a grimace.
Mr Carson announces another guest. "Miss Sarah Bunting."
Sarah enters a little shyly. The room goes very silent and Emma feels sorry for her. Robert, who stands with Cora, Rose and Kitty Coldhurst, a friend of Rose's, is not amused. Rose walks over to greet Sarah, followed by her friend Kitty. Rose is making the introductions. Billy joins them. Emma is not sure it's going well as there are embarrassed smiles on their faces before Rose's friend makes her escape and Billy and Sarah exchange an uncomfortable look.
Violet and Isobel enter and Mary and Emma make their way over.
"How are you?" Mary greets her grandmother.
"I'm exhausted. Two parties in one day is too much for me." Violet huffs.
"How do you think I feel?" Emma remarks. "I've been working long day shifts all week and because of your little party and taking Dr Clarkson from me, I've been run under my feet."
"But you enjoy it?" Isobel probes kindly.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't complain." Emma retorts causing Isobel to chuckle.
"Was your luncheon a success?" Mary asks.
"You must ask Cousin Isobel," Violet replies pointedly. She looks around the room at the other guests and spots Sarah Bunting. "We've cast the net wide tonight."
"Can't Billy have a friend of his own?" Emma says, irritated by her snobbish remark.
"Oh, of course. But it's time he decided whether he is fish, flesh, fowl or good red herring." Violet replies.
Isobel thankfully isn't deterred. "Well, I think it's nice to see an intelligent face here." She walks over to where Sarah and Billy stand talking to one of the other young male guests.
—
Everyone is at the table in the Dining room as Robert stands and addresses his guests.
"Marriage is a lottery, as we are often told, but I am a man who has drawn a winning ticket. I have been awarded a bumper prize: beauty, brains, a heart, a conscience, all in one. I give you, my Cora." Everyone rises. Cora smiles happily. "The best companion in the world."
"Mama." "Lady Grantham." "Cora." They raise their glasses and drink, then sit down again.
Mr Carson goes around serving the wine. Isobel addresses him across the table. "Carson, Lady Mary tells me that you're to lead the Memorial Committee."
"That is so, madam. Yes."
"You'll drive it splendidly."
Jimmy serves the savouries. As he leans in for Lady Anstruther, who sits on Robert's left, to help herself, she puts a note in the pocket of his coat. Emma notices it from where she sits in between Cora and Tom diagonally across from Lady Anstruther.
Gillingham seems to notice from where he sits directly across from her on Cora's other side. "Do you know that footman?"
"Yes, he used to work for me. It's always nice to see a friendly face." Lady Anstruther replies with ease. But Emma frowns, she glances over to where Thomas stands and he also seems concerned.
"I'm not convinced these memorials are a good idea, but I suppose that's a different issue." Emma here's Sarah saying from further along the table.
"Why not? Won't they give people a focus for their sorrow?" Tony questions.
"And a reminder of the sacrifices that were made?" Mary adds.
"If it were a memorial service, then I might agree, but a stone edifice on the centre of the green, to remind us forever of death and a pointless war - what's the good of that? To say nothing of the waste of money."
Emma frowns at this, thinking of how the war memorials still carry importance in the future. The centre of Remembrance Day.
"Would you prefer all that death to be forgotten as years go by?" Emma speaks up, trying to ignore how everyone has paused and is now listening. "Because it will definitely become pointless if it's all forgotten if we don't learn from it. People's losses should not be forgotten." And forgetting the lessons learned because of war leads to another one.
"No, but millions of men dead and no more 'justice' than there was before," Sarah replies. Billy is shifting uncomfortably next to her.
"You are wrong. But we must strive to keep things light." Robert interrupts.
"It's a pity they didn't want you on their Committee. You put up a stout defence of their intentions." Sarah then says.
There is a very awkward silence. Robert puts down his glass and is about to explode when Mr Carson comes to his defence, shocking everyone by speaking up uninvited.
"They do want His Lordship on the Committee. Forgive me, m'lord. I'd have told you later, but they held a meeting this afternoon, and they would like you as their patron." Mr Carson explains. Emma can't help but think it was more the butler's idea but Emma won't discredit him for it.
"Oh, how nice. I dare say that was always their plan." Cora says.
"I dare say it was, Your Ladyship."
"I should be glad to accept," Robert says.
Emma glances over to see an irritated Sarah Bunting staring at her plate. Serves you right.
"Now, if you can all put your swords away, perhaps we can finish our dinner in a civilised manner." Violet remarks.
"But I admire it when young people stand up for their principles," Isobel argues.
"Principles are like prayers. Noble, of course, but awkward at a party." Violet counters.
The consternated silence lingers.
—
The guests are gathered in the Drawing room after dinner, attended by Mr Carson, Mr Molesley and Jimmy. Isobel sits on a settee with Mary and Emma.
"I've enjoyed myself. Both gatherings were interesting, in their different ways." Isobel remarks.
"You get on well with Lord Merton. I know that." Mary says pointedly.
Emma smiles lightly at that. She's noticed since Rose's ball that the two have been spending a lot of time together but Isobel seems reluctant to say it's any more than friendship.
Isobel is surprised by Mary's statement but recovers. "I do, but Cousin Violet had other plans for him at luncheon." She looks quite annoyed.
Emma glances around and can't spot said woman. "Where is she anyway?"
"She said goodbye to your mother, but she wanted to slip away. The day of parties had taken its toll." Isobel explains.
—
Cora, Emma and Mary come out of the Dining room and are about to go upstairs after the dinner party when Thomas, who is on duty in the Hall, suddenly emerges from behind a pillar and addresses Cora.
"Your Ladyship, might I have a word?"
Cora exchanges a look with Mary and Emma, then, realising she wants them to continue, Emma and Mary go on alone.
Emma lets Mary walk ahead and slows to a stop when she's at the top of the stairs while Mary continues walking into her room. Seeing Thomas' look then Cora's, Emma is immediately suspicious of what's going on.
"I'm very sorry to say it, but I've learned something that makes me feel both responsible and guilty." Emma immediately recognises this as Thomas putting on his best fake 'Oh I'm so worried' tone.
"Would this have to do with Baxter? Because if it concerns her criminal record, then I know all about it." She sounds not amused at all.
Emma's eyes widen at that. Miss Baxter is a convicted criminal?!
"Do you, m'lady?"
"What I don't understand is why you placed a convicted felon in my household, in my bedroom, when you knew every detail of her past." Cora continues.
"I wanted her to have another chance."
Strange response. Emma would have thought it would be easier for Thomas to pretend he'd only just learned about Miss Baxter's criminal record himself.
"Don't you think that should have been my decision, in my own house?" Cora retorts.
"Yes, m'lady. Perhaps it should." Thomas responds. Emma can only imagine the look on his face. Likely an 'oh shit' one.
"So, why tell me now? Because, if you have been using your knowledge against her, I'll have to consider your future here, Barrow. Indeed, whether you have one at all." Cora continues raining down on him.
Emma winces, knowing this isn't good for Thomas at all but he does deserve to be thrown a peg or two down for this kind of behaviour.
"I just thought I'd been wrong, and you ought to know." Thomas manages to say.
"I see. Well, now I do. Good night."
Emma realises Cora is ascending the stairs and quickly scurries on so she isn't caught.
—
Emma is startled awake by yelling. She quickly sits up along with Tom and realises it's Thomas yelling that there's a fire.
"Oh God," Emma mutters, "the children!"
She and Tom spring up from their beds and immediately make their way to the Nursery where Billy has already arrived and is scooping up Sybbie. Tom grabs George and Ivy while Emma scoops up Michael.
Mary is exiting her room as Billy, Emma and Tom come running, in their dressing gowns, carrying a child or two in their arms.
"We've got the children!" Emma cries as they hurry along with Mary following.
They meet Robert, with sighs in relief at the sight of them. "Thank God! Mary, Emma, you take them. Tony, go with them."
Mary takes Sybbie while Gillingham, who had suddenly appeared behind them, offers to take Ivy and George. Emma continues to cling to Michael.
"Tom, Billy, come with me. You know where the sand buckets are kept." Robert instructs.
Emma, Mary and Gillingham run downstairs with the children, who are whining sleepily, while Robert, Billy and Tom race to get the fire under control. Emma flicks a worried look over her shoulder to her husband as she hurries out, concern for her husband and children both pulling at her.
—
Everyone is gathered outside the house with the fire engine parked nearby. The overnight guests are leaving the house, and the servants carry out random valuables to keep them safe. Gemma brings overcoats for Emma and Mary so they can keep warm in the early morning February air.
It had been Edith's room and thankfully she is fully conscious again. She had been put to sit in a chair to rest after all the heavy smoke she'd ingested. Emma had immediately made sure she was alright along with Thomas as the both of them had breathed in a lot of the smoke.
Emma sighs with relief when she sees Billy, Tom and Robert emerge from the house. They are all coughing and gasping a bit with sooty faces as they take in the fresh air but they're alive.
Emma runs over and flings herself at both Billy and Tom before grabbing Robert and doing the same. The three men chuckle but don't complain.
After hugging Robert, Emma turns to Tom and gives him a big kiss. The two share an embrace for a moment before pulling back.
"Oh God." Emma gasps. "I was so worried!"
Tom laughs slightly, stroking her face. "I fine but I would like some water I think."
"Of course!" Emma quickly takes him to get some water.
Soon they get the all-clear to go back inside. Hopefully, they'll all get some rest.
—
A/N: Emma certainly has suspicions about why Edith had disappeared for so long and that it's more than just Gregson missing but she doesn't want to push Edith.