AN: I want to thank all of you for your comments. I am delighted that you love the story as much as I do. Updates will not be quite as regular during the summer because I like to be outdoors. However, I won't keep you waiting too long for a new chapter. Furthermore I have recently learned that Rob James Collier will be returning to his role as Thomas Barrow for the third movie! The third movie will be released next year in September! I am really looking forward to it! I hope you enjoy the chapter.

"Emma," greeted Rose warmly as the car pulled up next to the 10-year-old. The window was wound down and Rose had half-leaned out. "I'm on my way to Ripon. Would you like to join me?"

"I'd love to, my lady, but I have to go to school. My dad wouldn't tolerate me missing it."

"Really? That's a shame," replied Rose, pulling a disappointed pout.

"I must be off, or I'll be late."

"I can give you a ride," offered Rose, opening the back door of the car. "Come on, Emma."

Emma hesitated for a moment, but the temptation was too great. She got into the car and settled onto the soft leather seat. "Thank you, my lady," she said politely.

"No problem, Emma. We'll see if we can persuade your teacher to give you the day off," said Rose with a mischievous smile.

Emma could hardly believe she was once again riding in Lady Rose's car. The journey to the school was short. When they arrived, both got out and walked into the school building together. The other children, including Arthur and Katherine, stared in amazement as they saw Emma walking alongside Lady Rose. They were speechless when they noticed Emma had stepped out of the car and was now walking side by side with a lady.

In the staffroom, Rose knocked on the door and stepped in. Emma stayed in the corridor. She didn't want to enter the staffroom at all. The teacher, Mrs Bunting, looked up in surprise when she recognised Lady Rose. "My lady, what a surprise. How can I help you?"

"Good morning," Rose began politely. "I have a request. Could you grant Emma Barrow the day off?"

Mrs Bunting pulled a face and hesitated, "Well, that's an unusual request, my lady. But if you insist..."

"I would greatly appreciate it," said Rose with a charming smile.

Mrs Bunting eventually nodded. "Very well, my lady."

Rose returned with a broad grin on her face. Emma beamed with joy.

"Off to Ripon," said Rose cheerfully, leading Emma back to the car. Arthur and Katherine still looked dumbfounded as they saw Emma getting a day off just like that. She felt like she was dreaming as she sat back in the car and they drove towards Ripon. "Thank you, Lady Rose. It means a lot to me."

"It's my pleasure, Emma," said Rose with a smile. "Shopping is much more fun with company."

"Do you have any idea where we should start?"

Rose gave her a mischievous look. "Well, I thought we could start at my favourite hat shop. Maybe you'll find something nice for yourself."

Emma nodded eagerly. "That sounds wonderful."

The drive to Ripon flew by, and Emma could hardly sit still with excitement. The town greeted them with its bustling activity. As they got out of the car, Rose took Emma's hand and led her through the busy streets.

They entered an elegant hat shop, and Emma marvelled at the variety of colours and shapes. Rose tried on a simple but stylish hat with a wide brim and a feather on the side. "What do you think, Emma?" she asked as she turned in front of the mirror.

"The hat looks wonderful on you, my lady," said Emma admiringly.

Rose smiled and put the hat back. "Now it's your turn, Emma. Pick a hat."

Emma hesitated for a moment before choosing a hat with white and blue ribbons. She put it on and turned to Rose. "How do I look?"

"Fabulous," said Rose enthusiastically. "It really suits you."

After purchasing the hats, they strolled further through the streets of Ripon. They visited a small café where they indulged in delicious cakes and tea. Emma told Rose about her school and her friends. Rose listened attentively and occasionally asked questions that encouraged Emma to keep talking.

The next shop was an elegant clothing store filled with beautiful fashion. The shop assistant, a middle-aged lady with a friendly smile, greeted them immediately. "Good day, my lady. How can I assist you?"

"We're looking for some lovely clothes for myself and this young lady," said Rose, indicating Emma.

The assistant smiled at Emma. "Of course. We've just received some new collections for children. Please follow me."

Emma could hardly believe her eyes as she was led through rows of colourful dresses, pretty skirts, and elegant blouses. She felt like a princess as she tried on various outfits, with Rose constantly encouraging her and giving her compliments.

"This blue dress looks very good on you, Emma," said Rose as Emma emerged from the fitting room, "And it matches the hat perfectly."

"Thank you, Lady Rose," said Emma shyly, twirling around to show off the dress.

After Emma chose the blue dress and Lady Rose picked several beautiful garments, they headed to a toy shop. Emma's eyes widened in amazement as she saw the shelves filled with dolls, stuffed animals, and books. Rose encouraged her to choose a few things, and Emma could hardly believe her luck as she left with a new book—Anne of Green Gables.

Emma chose that very book for the reading competition at her school. There were only a few weeks left until the competition, which would take place in the sports hall during the first week back after the summer holidays.

One day during the first week of the holidays, as Emma strolled past the boot room—where the servants seemed to be in a great rush—she overheard a conversation between Jimmy and her father.

"I envy you," said Jimmy enviously.

"Well, I'm not sorry about that," said Thomas, who was looking forward to the upcoming trip.

"How do you know you'll get a ship?" asked Jimmy curiously.

"There are always empty cabins. We'll surely find something."

"Oh, I wish I were you," sighed Jimmy.

"Wouldn't you miss Ivy?" wondered Thomas.

"That's never going to happen. It was just a waste of time and money."

"There's always another girl around the corner," said Thomas hopefully.

"I wish that were true, otherwise I'll do something stupid."

"When I get back, I want to see you healthy. And that you've started courting a girl from the village."

"Emma would have me in a heartbeat," said Jimmy smiling.

"keep your hands off my daughter!" Thomas warned suddenly, his voice taking on a stern tone.

"What? I'm quite a catch," he claimed, then realised, "Oh, I see. You're going to scare off any man who shows interest in her."

"Not every man, but it'll be very difficult for any to get past me," Thomas smirked.

Emma hid behind another door as she saw Jimmy leave the boot room. She waited for a moment until she was sure no one was in the hallway.

Puzzled, she entered the boot room, where her father was packing his lordship's shoes into a suitcase. "What are you doing?" she asked curiously.

"Packing," Thomas explained briefly.

"I can see that, but why?"

"I'm accompanying Lord Grantham on his trip to New York," grinned Thomas.

Emma's good mood vanished instantly. "When will you be back?"

"Probably not for a few weeks. Mrs Hughes will look after you."

"Why isn't Mr Bates going? He's the valet, isn't he?"

"An excellent question, and I hope you'll have the answer when I return."

Emma didn't like this decision at all. Her dad would most likely miss the competition, even though she'd been persuading Carson for days to give her dad a half-day off to be there for her big day. And now it was all pointless, just because Bates didn't want to go to New York.

The 10-year-old wanted to storm off angrily when Thomas held her by the shoulder and then pulled her into a hug. "I'd rather spend the next few weeks with you too," he sighed—after all, it was the holidays—and looked into his daughter's eyes. They had been separated for long periods due to the war, but not by a trip to New York.

"I'll write to you," Thomas tried to lighten the mood and gave her a slight smile.

But the answer didn't please Emma. She didn't want to read a letter; she wanted her father to be there on the day of the competition. If you looked at it that way, her dad had already missed almost all of her early childhood. He went to war when she was only two and a half years old and returned when she was five. Now he was leaving for a trip to New York and would, in all likelihood, miss the reading competition.

"Can't you really refuse?" Emma asked again, freeing herself from the hug.

"I can't do that, Emma," said Thomas.

"Your job is more important to you than I am," she concluded sadly.

"That's not true."

"If I were important to you, you wouldn't go!"

"I have no choice. It's my job, which we need to have a home and money."

"You don't understand," she said, disappointed. Her father had forgotten. He forgot that in a few weeks she was participating in a competition—the very first one.

"What don't I understand?" Thomas asked.

"Never mind," Emma swallowed. It wouldn't make a difference anyway. Thomas sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the situation and his daughter's disappointment. "I can't cancel on his lordship. He is my employer."

Emma remained silent. It was pointless to argue. Her dad would go to New York and miss another milestone in her life.

"Will I get a goodbye hug?" Thomas asked hopefully. Emma, still crossing her arms defiantly, gave in to his request. She hugged her father, who pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll miss you, little dwarf. Behave, okay?"

"I won't miss you," she said defiantly, adding, "And I don't know if I'll want to behave." She turned and left the boot room, her small shoulders hunched in disappointment.

"Where is Emma? Doesn't she want to say goodbye?" Baxter wondered. They had all gathered in front of the house— the servants and the Crawley family—to bid farewell to his lordship.

"We said our goodbyes downstairs," he replied curtly. Emma's mood was unbearable. Maybe a few weeks apart would do them good. "Goodbye, Mrs. Baxter. I look forward to a full report when I return," Thomas said, adding, "Why am I going instead of Mr. Bates?"

"I don't know," she swallowed.

"No, but that's exactly what you'll find out."

Emma spent the next three days mostly alone, practising and reading. She wanted to shine at the competition to show her father what he was missing. However, her father's absence left her feeling lonely and discouraged. There was a knock on the door, and shortly afterward, it opened a crack.

"May I come in?" asked Mrs. Baxter.

Emma shrugged, "If you want," and so the maid entered.

"Your behaviour reminds me of Thomas," she smiled, "He used to sulk and pout very quickly as a child when he didn't get what he wanted."

Emma pulled a face. The last thing she wanted was to be like her father right now.

"Your mother wasn't like that. She always made the best of every situation, despite everything. She was full of joy."

"What do you want?" Emma asked impatiently, even though she would have loved to hear more anecdotes about her mother. But she was in a sulk and had no intention of changing her behaviour.

"I doubt that your behaviour is impressing anyone. Thomas has left. His lordship would not make his decision based on the mood of a ten-year-old," she explained. "I would therefore advise you to make the best of the situation. It's the holidays, have fun."

"Just because Bates didn't go, Dad isn't here—for the reading competition!" Emma burst out. Were all the adults too stupid to remember a single date? She had told Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes countless times, as well as her father.

"Maybe they'll make it back in time," Mrs. Baxter said optimistically.

"I doubt it."

"Would it cheer you up if I promised to come? You shouldn't go to the competition alone, and I'd like to support you."

Emma shrugged, "Maybe."

"Why don't you join us for meals again?" Baxter suggested with a smile.

Emma shrugged again, "Maybe."

"Good morning, Emma," said Mr. Bates kindly, smiling as Emma entered the servants' hall. Emma's good mood vanished instantly, and her anger towards Mr. Bates flared up again. The servants were already having breakfast. Since her dad was not there, Emma didn't see the point in getting up early. After all, Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes were not her guardians.

Mr. Carson cleared his throat. He was not pleased with Emma's deliberate tardiness. Emma did not return the smile. Instead, she shot Mr. Bates a dark look and said sharply, "It's not good!"

Mr. Carson set down his cutlery and let out a long sigh. Barely had Barrow left the house and the country, and the child was already in the next stage of defiance.

"What's the matter with you?" asked Anna. Emma's gaze shifted to the food—sticky porridge.

"I don't want to eat porridge," complained the ten-year-old girl, ignoring Anna's question.

"Then you'll eat nothing," said Mr. Carson, causing Mrs. Hughes to give the butler an annoyed look. She certainly had no desire to look after a defiant child for the next few weeks. "You can ask Mrs. Patmore if you can have some toast," Mrs. Hughes suggested. Emma rolled her eyes but made her way to the kitchen.

"She's in a bad mood," observed Mr. Molesley.

"Can you blame her?" replied Mrs. Baxter, setting down her spoon. "Mr. Barrow is miles away and is likely to miss Emma's competition."

"What competition?" asked Anna curiously. Before the incident two months ago, Emma would talk to her about almost everything, but now Anna felt she hardly knew anything about the young girl's life. She had been so preoccupied with her own matters in recent weeks that she hadn't noticed.

"A reading competition at school. Emma was chosen to read for her class," explained the maid.

"That's right," sighed Mrs. Hughes. After all, Emma had pleaded with her for days to put in a good word with Mr. Carson.

"She blames me," Bates stated. After all, it had been his job to accompany Lord Grantham on the trip.