A/N: Thank you to everyone who has followed and favourited this story. I've heard that some of you might not be getting notified when I upload? I'm also not getting alerted anymore when someone leaves a review.

—

In the afternoon, Emma finds a moment to have a break during her shift at the Hospital and decides to wander into the square of the Village to see how far the war memorial is coming along. She's there for only a few minutes when she spots Tom, Robert and Mary walking past and hurries over to them. They must've just finished their meeting with Mr Wavell on Pip's corner. Emma knows there's still disagreement on what to do about Pip's corner. Robert is still stringently against the idea while Tom and Mary support the idea.

"Hello!" She calls to them. Tom sends her a beaming smile while Mary and Robert simply smile in greeting. She reaches them and Tom pecks her on the cheek as they embrace. "How was the meeting?"

Robert grumbles.

Mary grimaces. "Well, Mr Wavell has definitely given us something to think about."

Emma winces in sympathy. "Ah."

"He plans to take over whole field with houses not keeping with the area, selling them off and we get a portion of the profits. One time payment and that's it. It doesn't sound right to me." Robert complains.

Emma shares a look with Tom. She knows her husband can tell that she agrees with Robert. Tom sighs. "Can't stay long, I want to call on the blacksmith. I'll see you all back at the house."

He kisses her cheek and walks away. Mary and Robert stop, spotting Sao eating. Emma turns to see it's Mrs Patmore, with a basket over her arm as if she's been shopping. She's watching the work at the memorial site and wiping tears.

"Mrs Patmore?" Robert calls.

"Oh, good afternoon, M'lord. M'lady. Ma'am." She hurries away, embarrassed that she's been seen.

They all watch after her in confusion.

"I wish I knew what that was about," Robert comments as he and Mary begin walking again. Emma decides to join them for a short while. "And why the funny look when I asked after Shrimpie at luncheon?"

"What's this about Shrimpie?" Emma questions.

"He's back in the country. I didn't want papa to discuss it a luncheon because I suspect he's come to tell Rose they're getting a divorce." Mary explains.

Ah, Emma isn't surprised by that statement. She hasn't met them but from what she's heard, they've never been a well-suited pair.

Robert looks at her alarmed, slowing to a stop. "Are you serious?"

"I'm afraid so. He's hinted at it in his letters, apparently, and I gather things have not been improving." Mary replies.

"That's the end of his career." Robert says solemnly.

"You've said yourself that the Marlboroughs have survived divorce." Mary retorts as they all continue walking again.

"Well, the Marlboroughs are very rich. Shrimpie hasn't got a bean. People will drop them like hot potatoes." Robert counters.

"Are you suggesting that you'll drop Shrimpie?" Emma questions. "Susan's your cousin, not him."

"No, I won't take sides, whatever Susan wants." Robert retorts.

—

Emma is thankful she had the day shift at the Hospital today and didn't have to face luncheon where Robert and Tom apparently clashed over their views on the Russian refugees. Emma knows that this is more than ever driving Tom towards their move to America idea.

Thomas had returned from his trip to supposedly see his gravely ill father that morning but when Emma gazed upon him at dinner that night, her suspicions are heightened. Thomas doesn't look well, he's pale and has dark shadows under his eyes.

Her eyes follow him with suspicion and concern as he and Mr Molesley serve coffee in the Drawing room after dinner as she sits on the settee. Billy, Tom and Mary are standing while Rose and Edith sit on chairs nearby.

Cora walks over to where they are all gathered after having a muttered argument with Robert and sits on a chair on the other side of the settee. "Edith, darling, why so glum?"

"I'm not glum, am I?" Edith replies with no upbeat in her tone.

"How's your prodigy child?" Cora asks. This piques Emma's interest, and she keeps an ear open as she talks to Rose.

"I haven't seen her for a while. I was getting rather under their feet, so I thought I'd give them a rest." Edith says.

"I knew that would happen." Robert remarks almost smugly. "Why don't you leave it for a few months?"

"A few months?" Edith looks cloaked up at the thought.

"I should. Then they'll be pleased to see you when you do go back."

Emma frowns in concern. She wishes Edith would just tell someone, other than Rosamund who Emma suspects to be involved in whatever this is.

Mary turns from talking with Tom and Billy to her parents. "Any more thoughts on Pip's Corner?"

"I'd love to understand the merits of the argument." Cora says.

Robert walks dismissively past her as he speaks to Mary and Tom. "You want us to do it, don't you?"

"Well, it's a lump of capital with no outlay. We have to consider it." Tom argues.

"Consider it, yes. But it's complex. Do we really want to start breaking bits off the estate and selling them piecemeal?" Robert counters.

"Emma?" Mary asks.

Emma shrugs. "I agree with Robert. I don't think it is wise to sell land as a lump."

Robert smiles and nods. "Exactly."

"I thought you'd wanted to sell land when Matthew died?" Billy says to Robert.

"I was wrong." Robert admits. "I didn't see then how many owners would chip away at their land until there was nothing viable left. Anyway, we can talk about it tomorrow."

"Not me. I'm going up to London first thing. Aunt Rosamund's taking me to a dress show." Mary says. And to see Tony Gillingham to turn him down.

"It's good to know you've got your priorities straight." Robert remarks.

—

The next day, Emma has the day off from the Hospital. Emma spends most of her day with Ivy, Michael, George, Sybbie and their Nannies outside, playing, with Tom joining them briefly on the way while he does his rounds.

When the children are resettled in the Nursery for an afternoon nap for the young ones, Emma takes the chance to browse the Library and do some reading since she has the time. She's sitting on one of the settees reading when Edith comes walking in. She had been in the room earlier but there had been a call for her, so she stepped out.

"It was Michael's office on the telephone." Edith speaks. "There's been a development. Apparently, there's a trial going on in Munich." She sits down on the ottoman. Emma lowers her book. "Of the leader of a group of thugs there."

Emma swallows thickly, trying to keep her voice steady and not to give anything away. "Yes, I've read about this. They wear brown shirts and go around attacking anyone that doesn't fit their ideals. The leader, Adolf Hitler I believe, tried to start a revolution."

"That's it. It was absurd." Edith replies.

Emma presses her lips together. "Maybe. But after the Treaty of Versailles, we shouldn't be surprised that there's this extremism happening. Germany was pushed very hard with the allies' demands after the war."

"It seems it was this gang… that got into a fight with Michael." Edith manages to say.

Emma sighs. "I can easily believe it."

"Yes, but we might be close to finding out what happened to him." Edith is certainly close to tears.

Emma's heart drops. "That's why his office telephoned?" Edith nods. Emma moves so that she can sit next to Edith and puts an arm around her. "I know you probably don't want to hear this but at least we'll know what happened to him, you'll have answers. Surely that's better than the unknown, always wondering?"

Edith is crying now. "But as long as I don't know for sure, then, in a way, I'm keeping him alive. I hate to let go of that." Edith argues. "Can you keep this to yourself, Emma? Until we're told for certain? I don't want to put up with Mary's pity any longer than I have to."

"She will pity you. Who wouldn't?" Emma squeezes her as she strokes her arm.

—

Emma learns from Robert why Mrs Patmore was so upset when they had seen her by the memorial. Mrs Patmore's nephew, the one that got shot for cowardice, is not being allowed on his Village's memorial and Mr Carson has been against him being put on Donwton's.

Robert is at the desk and Emma stands next to him as Mrs Patmore is standing nearby, with Mr Carson next to her.

"There are laws that govern the whole business of war memorials." Robert says apologetically.

"So, Mr Carson's told me, M'lord." Mrs Patmore replies softly.

"I appreciate how distressing this is for you and your family."

"Do you, M'lord? Because I'm not sure Mr Carson does." She speaks softly rather than angrily.

"I'm sure Mr Carson is sorry about it as we are. Aren't you, Carson?" Emma looks pointedly at the butler.

"I'm sorry that Mrs Patmore should be distressed, Mrs Branson." Mr Carson replies stiffly.

"But you're not sorry Archie's name's to be left off the memorial." Mrs Patmore retorts. "He volunteered. He didn't wait to be called up. He went to the front to fight, and as for his so-called cowardice... that were like a wound in battle, a wound to his brain, so he didn't know what he was doing. He were a good and decent lad."

"Of course, he was." Robert says.

"We do not doubt it." Emma adds sorrowfully. She can't imagine the pain this must be causing, to imply your relative doesn't matter.

"But doesn't that make him a casualty of war, Ma'am, M'lord? Same as our William or any of them. He could have stayed here, safe and well, until they came for him. But instead, he chose to fight for his country." Her voice fails her.

Robert rises. "It may surprise you to learn, Mrs Patmore, but I agree with you, even though I can do nothing about it. It's not helpful, but I do."

"No, it is helpful." Mrs Patmore reassures him. "It helps to think that decent folk can see our Archie was a victim. Even if Mr Carson can't." She walks out.

"Thank you, Carson." As the servants leave, Cora arrives.

"When does Shrimpie get here? And your ghastly art dealer?" Robert asks his wife. Emma glances at him in surprise. She doesn't particularly like Mr Bricker but she didn't know Robert felt like this towards him.

"They're both on the same train and the car's gone to meet them, so they'll have lots of time to change. And he isn't a dealer. He's a historian." Cora retorts.

"Is he, indeed? Lawks a-mercy. I wish I knew why he was coming."

Emma feels awkward like she's intruding.

"He wants to discuss the painting."

"With you?" Emma winces at that and begins to quickly depart from the room.

"Yes. Is that so shocking?" That harsh retort from Cora is the last thing she hears as she runs from the Library.

—

The guests, Shrimpie and Mr Bricker have arrived, and Violet and Isobel have been invited to dinner as well. The only one excluded is Mary who's still in London. Emma had spent all dinner watching Thomas with concern as he doesn't look any better.

The ladies have retired to the Drawing room after dinner. Cora, Emma, Isobel and Rose are talking in one corner of the room, Violet and Edith in the other. Emma glances worriedly over at Edith. It seems she's becoming more and more glum and Emma knows that the news about what might've happened to Michael is not helping plus whatever is happening with the child she's interested in.

The conversation between grandmother and granddaughter is tense and leads to Edith getting up just as the men – Robert, Billy, Tom, Shrimpie and Mr Bricker – have arrived. Shrimpie and Rose move to Violet while Tom and Billy move over to Isobel, Emma and Edith, who's joined them.

"Why not invite Miss Bunting to dinner tomorrow night? Mary will be back - we'll be quite a party. Edith, Tom, Emma, persuade him." Isobel says.

Emma and Tom share an awkward look while Edith shifts uncomfortably.

"I don't think Papa would think it a very good idea." Edith answers.

"It would make things awkward." Emma agrees. Edith gives her a thankful look.

Cora comes over with Mr Bricker behind her. Emma pulls a slight face at the man's appearance.

"What's this?"

"I wanted Billy to invite Miss Bunting to dinner tomorrow, but Edith says Robert won't allow it." Isobel explains.

"Nonsense. Of course, you must bring her, if you like. I insist." Cora declares.

Billy smiles awkwardly.

—

Sarah Bunting does end up joining them for dinner. Mr Bricker is seated next to Cora. They're both turned towards one another, muttering between themselves. Emma watches them sceptically from where she sits between Mary and Rose.

Shrimpie addresses Mary across Rose and Emma, "Did you have a good time in London?"

"Quite good. I set myself rather a difficult task, and it's always a relief when it's done, isn't it?" Mary replies breezily. She exchanges a look with Emma that shows she's not as calm as he is trying to appear. Mary had pulled Emma to the side to tell her that apparently, Tony hadn't taken the rejection very well. Emma thinks that's putting it lightly with what was apparently said.

"How are your lessons going?" Emma hears Isobel ask Sarah.

The teacher smiles and is about to answer when Robert cuts through, "What's this?" He questions.

"Miss Bunting is giving instruction to Mrs Patmore's under-cook." Edith explains.

"Oh, yes. I heard about that." Emma frowns. Had he? She doubts it.

This doesn't stop Sarah. "You sound as if you don't approve."

"I approve." Robert retorts. "As long as you're not making… her unsettled."

Sarah sees his hesitation. "You don't know her name, do you?"

Emma glances at Tom, who's sitting between Sarah and Edith to see he's already looking at her. He's as worried and as uncomfortable as she is.

Billy leans towards her from between Edith and Isobel. "Sarah, please."

"Of course, he does. Daisy." Mary says with false cheer.

"Well, he knows it now."

"Well, he hardly interacts with her, does he?" Emma butts in, trying to calm the situation.

"I knew it before. And from what I've been told, it sounds as if you're upsetting her and Mrs Patmore." Robert counters Sarah's claim.

"I think you should drop this." Violet mutters.

"Why don't you send for her? Bring Daisy in and ask her yourself." Sarah pushes.

Billy looks very disquieted while Mr Carson looks scandalised.

"I'm sure she's too busy." Robert replies.

"I doubt she's too too busy to answer a summons from you." Sarah retorts. Robert puts his glass down with a clank.

"We don't want to embarrass her." Tom says pointedly.

Robert ignores this. "Carson?"

"This is the busiest time of their day, M'lord." The butler replies. "Maybe it would be better—"

Sarah scoffs at this with a slight smile. Emma narrows her eyes at the woman. She's all for social justice and equality but why does she have to be so hateful? It's not exactly going to win this lot over.

Robert catches this. "No. Fetch her." He cuts Mr Carson off. "And ask Mrs Patmore to come up as well."

"Very good, M'lord." Mr Carson leaves.

There's an embarrassed silence all around the table. Even the servants look deeply unsettled.

"Your father may regret this." Violet murmurs to Mary.

Mr Carson returns upstairs with Mrs Patmore and Daisy in tow. The two women look rather alarmed.

"Is something wrong with the dinner, M'lord?" Mrs Patmore questions somewhat shakily.

"Not at all." Cora reassures her.

"No, we apologise, Mrs Patmore, for interfering with your duties in this strange and inconsiderate way." Violet adds, taking a dig at Sarah.

"Mrs Patmore, Carson tells me you feel Daisy's lessons have disturbed the peace of the Kitchen." Robert says, directing them to why the two had been brought up in the first place.

Daisy looks at Mrs Patmore in surprise. "Did you say that?"

"I don't know what I said. I was upset about that other business." Mrs Patmore replies. Emma feels the sorrow fill her. Poor Archie.

"I wondered if it were true." Robert interrupts. "Daisy?"

"Well, I'm sorry if I've made trouble downstairs." Daisy says.

"Well, you haven't. Not really." Mrs Patmore rebuffs.

"But I must say this, M'lord. Miss Bunting here has opened my eyes to a world of knowledge I knew nothing of. Maybe I'll stay a cook all my life, but I have choices now, interests, facts at my fingertips. And I'd never have had any of that if she hadn't come here to teach me." Daisy speaks with such real passion that Emma feels emotional, and she can see some of the others feel the same.

"Brava. Well said." Isobel congratulates.

"Quite a testimonial." Shrimpie remarks.

"May we go, M'lord? Only we've still got the pudding and the savouries." Mrs Patmore asks.

"Of course. Thank you." Robert accepts. The two women leave. "Obviously, the lessons have proved successful. I'm pleased to hear it."

"Are you, Lord Grantham?" Sarah Bunting is a woman who just can't let it go.

Mary rolls her eyes. "Oh, for heaven's sake, let it go. You've proved your point."

"Have I, though? All I've proved is that Lord Grantham would like us serfs to stay in our allotted place from cradle to grave."

Robert finally loses his temper. He jumps up from his chair and turns his furious face towards Sarah as he yells, "There is only one thing I would like, and that I would like passionately! It is to see you leave this house and never come back!" He throws his napkin down with such force that he makes the plates and glasses rattle causing everyone to startle and marches out.

Emma gives Sarah a disappointed look. "Happy now?" She asks sarcastically.

Billy looks ready to cry and Tom looks over at him sympathetically.

Violet takes it upon herself to save what can be saved of the evening. "Edith, dear, are you still writing that very interesting column?"

Edith takes it. "Yes, Granny."

"Oh, you must show me some of them. What is the latest one about?"

"What are they all about? The way the world is changing."

Nice try. The awkward silence continues.

—

Emma walks up the stairs with Tom. Up on the gallery, she finds Billy leaning on the balustrade, looking lost. Emma gives her husband a look, trying to convey that she wants to talk to Billy on his own. Tom nods, kisses her and carries on to their room.

"Billy?" Emma says to get his attention.

Billy turns and Emma can almost see tears in his eyes. He gives her a listless smile. "Emma…"

Emma gives him a sympathetic smile as she walks up to stand next to him. "Suppose it's wrong for me to ask how you are."

Billy sighs, looking out into the Great Hall. "I don't know what to do…"

"Do you love her?"

Billy frowns. "I don't know, I could, maybe."

"I don't know if this helps but I don't think she's the right person for you." Emma admits.

Billy turns to her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Whether you stay or go in the future, it doesn't matter as you'll always be attached to the Crawleys. Your daughter is the granddaughter of the Earl and Countess of Grantham. Sarah Bunting will never truly accept that. You need someone that can accept this other side of your life." Emma explains.

Billy is deep in thought again and turns to look out once more.

"I'll say goodnight." Emma says, rubbing his arm.

Billy gives her a slight smile. "Goodnight."

—

"Mrs Branson?" Emma turns to see Miss Baxter hovering in the corridor.

"Miss Baxter?" Emma gives the woman a polite smile. She doesn't really know Cora's lady's maid very well other than she's close with Thomas and the whole Thomas knowing she was a criminal but that seems resolved as Cora has allowed Miss Baxter to stay on.

"There's something that's been worrying me, and I don't know who to turn to and I thought you are probably the best way to turn." Miss Baxter explains, shifting uncomfortably.

"What is it?"

"It's Thomas. I don't know if you've noticed he's been unwell since returning from seeing his father?"

Emma frowns she had noticed that. "Yes, I had."

"At first, I thought maybe he was the one who was actually ill but then I found a magazine of his." Miss Baxter admits.

The look on her face worries Emma. "Go on?"

"I think- I think he's trying to change himself."

Emma feels her heart drop. "Are you sure?"

"Positive."