The Fotographer.

By now it's evening. Upstairs, the staff were busy making the Grantham family's end of the day as pleasant as possible. And to ensure that this worked, the servants were busy downstairs: Mrs. Patmore's pots and pans were hissing, clattering and steaming. From time to time you could even hear her energetic voice shouting through the corridors. Mr. Carson's voice, meanwhile, was trying to make himself heard by the cook to find out what was for dinner tonight. And Mrs. Hughes was busy following up on the accuracy of her busy girls.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan down here. Mr. Carson seemed satisfied and went to his pantry with the information he had just received to write the menu cards with today's menu. He closed the door behind him to shut out the noise as best he could. This allowed him to concentrate better on his pen and ink and the fine, curved letters they produced. He took a seat behind his desk and closed his eyes for a moment. He took a deep breath, held it in for a few seconds and then let it slowly escape from his lungs. It was good to be back.
Only now did he reach for the quill and dip it into his inkwell.

With the dried menu cards in one hand, Mr. Carson made his way into the dining room. The butler's thoughts were already centred on the time after dinner. He knew that as soon as the family had eaten, things would be quieter again and the end of the day would be even closer. A rather unusual thought for Charles. But he was so relieved that everything seemed to be harmonious between him and Elsie again that he was really looking forward to the end of the day. After all, it was the first real end oft he day in his life: He had never been able to go home from work before. Today he could go home together with his wife after a day's work and find peace and togetherness there. What a marvellous view.

It had been a long first day at work after the honeymoon. It wasn't longer in the sense of being more strenuous than usual. But his impatience to finally be able to go home together with his wife after work made the day pass very slowly. Especially as Charles had had an intimate argument with Mrs. Hughes not so long ago. A smug grin flitted across his lips. He intended to continue the 'conversation' from earlier at home. Even if he hadn't finished it on purpose, unfinished business was always unsatisfying for him. Charles was therefore really looking forward to the journey home. He knew that coming home tonight would be much more pleasant than leaving home this morning.

He held his wooden measuring stick in his other hand; he would now check the dining table and then attach the menu cards. Plates, glasses and cutlery had to be the right distance apart, as did the chairs from the edge of the table.

_C&E_

„Lady Grantham has arrived safely in London. Miss Baxter phoned me after dinner." Charles sighed a little and walked down the corridor in step with Elsie. The work was done for the day.

„So why the long face?" Elsie asked in surprise.

„She hasn't been able to find a photographer yet."

„Oh, you, always with your ideas!", Elsie giggled. „Of course she hasn't found anyone yet, Charles. They only arrived in London today, so she has a lot to do. Miss Baxter has hardly had time to walk around the city just for us. It takes time."

Charles let out an approving grumble. Elsie was right, he knew that. He knew it even before he had said it himself.

When they arrived at the hanging coats, he reached for hers and helped his Elsie into her coat as a matter of course and handed her her hat. Once he had also thrown on his coat and his hat was on his head, he opened the servants' door and let Elsie step through.

„It's been a long day, hasn't it, Charlie?" Elsie said as she waited for him to close the door behind him.

„That's right, Elsie.", he agreed with his wife and locked the door. They made their way home.

„Do you know that I've been looking forward to going home with you all day?"

Charles stopped at the words and looked at Elsie sceptically. He couldn't quite believe it and expressed this with his face. His eyebrows were now at his hairline. Elsie had to laugh because she had obviously exaggerated with her choice of words.

„Ok, ok, so after we talked in your pantry, I was looking forward to this. Satisfied?"

Charles thought there was far too much space between them, grabbed her upper arm and pulled her towards him with a tug.

„What reason would I have to be dissatisfied?" Charles's eyes struck Elsie right in her heart. He stroked her cheek lovingly and said: „I married the most stubborn woman on earth."

Charles put a lot of appreciation and pride into his words and Elsie recognised it in his touch. He placed an appreciative kiss on her forehead. He brought her hand to his elbow and held it there firmly. He set his feet in motion again, pulled her with him and proudly escorted his hooked woman home.

_C&E_

Miss Baxter once again kept her eyes open to find a suitable photographer for Mr. Carson. The day was spring-like fresh and the streets were bustling with activity.

However, she was not very positive about finding someone today. She had already travelled this route a few days ago when she had to go to the tailor's shop for an order.

She was supposed to pick up the fabric for Lady Grantham there today. Every time she had to go into town, she kept an eye out for Mr. Carson. As it happened, she had already found four photographers, but none of them were available for Mr. Carson's requests. None of them took any pleasure in photographing a woman laughing. One photographer even found it 'disturbing' and shooed Miss Baxter out of his studio as quickly as possible to protect his other clients from such craziness.

By now, Lady Grantham had been in London for the eighth day. And they would be leaving again the day after tomorrow. So time was running out.

Miss Baxter strolled through the busy streets. Lady Grantham was kind enough in the morning to offer the caring lady's maid some free time this afternoon as soon as she got to the tailor's shop. She happily accepted the offer. She wanted to see if she could find an interesting book for Mr. Molesley in a book shop and bring it to him as a surprise. She really liked Mr. Molesley. A tentative grin flashed across her face at the thought of him.

After a few minutes, she passed a fenced-in park. In the centre was a graceful fountain surrounded by a few benches. She took the chance and let the lovely atmosphere invite her to take a break. She enjoyed the splashing water and the young air of the year, which already carried a little floral scent.

A few moments later, an older man sat down next to her. He appeared very polite and greeted her as he sat down.

Irritated by his appearance, Miss Baxter kept glancing over at her neighbour. She felt as if she knew this man, but didn't know where from. Miss Baxter's furtive glances did not go unnoticed by the man, who laughed at her. The man engaged her in conversation.

_C&E_

Miss Baxter called Mr. Carson the next morning to tell him about her chance meeting in the park.

„Were you able to locate anything?", asked Mr. Carson into the phone.

„I was indeed able to find someone, Mr Carson. Or rather he found me. We met by chance in the park." Miss Baxter continued. „He's supposed to be very modern, but very talented. Rumour has it that he is also hired by the King and the Queen."

These were words that made Charles' chest swell with joy. Smugness was evident on his face. This was the photographer he wanted his Elsie to have. Since his wife was supposed to wear a smile, Charles needed a bolder photographer anyway. That was already an excellent prerequisite. But the fact that the King and the Queen also placed their trust in him made the whole endeavour all the sweeter for Charles. Who could claim to have been photographed by the photographer who had already had the King and the Queen in front of his camera?

„Well done, Miss Baxter." Mr. Carson happily expressed his thanks. „And did you write down the contact details for me?"

„I have, yes. But I have to admit that it won't be easy to get an appointment with him. I've asked two local chambermaid friends about him. And he won't be cheap either."

„I told you the latter, it doesn't matter. Where does he have his studio? In London?"

„He doesn't have a studio. I don't know exactly. I didn't really understand."

„What do you mean?" Mr. Carson's initial euphoria seemed muted.

„He said he only came to his customers. He only takes photos in people's homes. That makes the photos look more authentic, he said. He gave me a card with his name and telephone number on it. I was told that he should have such modern cameras that it should even be possible to get photos in colour.", Miss Baxter also seemed very impressed by the photographer.

The fine hairs stood up in Charles' ears. He couldn't believe it. The euphoria was back! He really needed this photographer.

„And how did you come across this photographer, Miss Baxter?"

„It was strange, Mr. Carson." Miss Baxter began. „When I went to the tailor yesterday morning to pick up the fabric her Ladyship had ordered, I met a man on the way back. We sat together on a bench. Who, as it turned out, was a photographer. I suppose it was meant to be." Miss Baxter didn't mention the familiar feeling the man gave her.

_C&E_

Charles called the photographer's phone number during a break. Instead of a space or the operator, music sounded. It was piano music. 'Tah tah tah tah tah tah tah taaah.'

Relaxed, Mr. Carson listened to the sounds and was tempted to let his legs bounce along when suddenly a friendly voice spoke up. As it turned out, it belonged to the photographer himself. Charles made an appointment with him and, to be on the safe side, asked himself whether it would really be possible to take a photo of his wife smiling. The photographer laughed and confirmed that this would not be a problem for him.

He arranged with the photographer to appear in the servants' quarters at Downton Abbey. He and Elsie would then travel with him to their cottage.

Unfortunately, they now had to wait ... The photographer's next free appointment was not for another twelve weeks.

When the call was over and the phone was hung up again, Charles pondered and scrunched up his face. The voice sounded so familiar to him. He briefly wondered if he could think of the face. But he didn't know any photographers.

Well, who also recognizes and hears the piano music on hold? ;-) ;-) ;-)

My new chapters (24-27) have not been displayed for a long time. How is it with you? Can you see all my chapters?

The letters mentioned find their place in the next chapter ;-). Patience, patience!

See you soon, dear ones! Take good care of yourself.