Downton Abbey, Downstairs

Walter was still in a daze. She had hypnotized him with her majestic beauty. She had already captured his heart whole with that blink. He hoped that she didn't have someone special back in Ireland, a big, strapping, dark haired revolutionary who broods and plots but is a hopeless and passionate romantic at heart. Walter wanted her to be his sweetheart, and he formed a plan to get to know her better.

Mr Goswami held his wife's hand as they sat by the fire. He did like England and Downton, but he missed his home. Evey time it rained, he was reminded of the rainy season back in India, and the tree climbing adventures of him and his friends as children, trying to escape the water. Every time he saw someone light the fire he thought of his grandmother striking it up to make dinner. He remembered the stories of when his mother married 'below her' and had to learn to light fires and cook and clean and dress herself! He missed Bombay, the winding streets filled with market holders and the small family business of selling fruit and vegetables. And he hoped to return there.

Daisy watched the new footman. He was good looking enough, but she knew not to pursue him. He was daydreaming, about that cousin of Tom's no doubt. She was the talk of downstairs. They said that she was "near enough to Mahesh's colour", and had "very dark hair". She was "voluptuous"- according to Thomas- and had "a nice manner" according to Mr Carson. Daisy wished that she could see her, but kitchen staff never greeted guests. Mrs Branson was described as "thin but smiley, not grim and boney" and had "an awfully strong version of Tom's accent". She had "greying hair and green eyes". Mrs Goswami was put in charge of dressing her, as"Madge has run away to get married".

Daisy paused in her work when she heard that. Madge, the head housemaid, gone just like that. Daisy didn't even know that there was someone in mind, no one had known. With no replacement, Mr and Mrs Carson had to postpone their departure and find not only a new housekeeper, but a new housemaid too. As for a butler deemed suitable to replace Mr Carson, well it would take a long time to find one. The obvious choice was Thomas because he was the under butler, but there was part of Mr Carson who didn't want him to be in charge of an entire household just yet. Thomas still spent too much time scheming for Charlie's liking.

Elsie was busy putting her things in order, to insure a swift departure when everything else was settled. Part of her didn't want to leave. Her life was in Downton Abbey, she had gone through a lot there and formed real bonds with her employers and other members of staff. She was the mother of Downstairs. She couldn't bare the thought of someone else in her sitting room and walking around with her key. It was too much. As Elsie glanced around the room in which she and Charlie had spent so many evenings chatting, ignorent to their mutual love, tears sprung to her eyes. Charlie was right, 'Life is the acquisition of memories'. And her memories lay here, in Downton Abbey, in a sitting room, downstairs. That, was her life.

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Edith's Newspaper (we're calling it that now!)

There was a calm in the office as most of the journalists had gone home. It was late, only the secretary Miss Porter and David Thompson were left. Edith was back at Downton, she said that Tom's mother was coming and it would be rude not to welcome her. Edith was all that was on his mind. He saw her face as he attempted to write an article. He heard her voice when the room was quiet. He kept glancing at her empty office and wishing she was there.

Maybe it was his love for her that had made him so oblivious. Maybe he was so mesmerised by her, that he did not hear them come in. Maybe he was so deep in thought of his beloved, that he did not hear them come up behind him and kick him from behind.

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Upstairs, Downton Abbey

Áine stood at the foot of the staircase. She was dressed in one of the Crawley girls old dresses, which suited her perfectly. Her hair was styled in a fashionable Wave, something which posed quite the challenge for Anna. Miss Murphy had peculiar hair, so thick and wild compared to Lady Mary's or Lady Edith's hair. So different.

It was time for dinner. Tom paused when he saw her. "You're wearing Sybil's dress." He stated blandly. Áine froze. "Oh Tom, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I'll go up and change-" Tom grabbed her arm to stop her. "No. You're grand, it suits you. Sybil wouldn't mind." Áine looked at her cousin, "If you're sure Tom." Tom nodded, "I'm sure, nice hair by the way!" He smiled. She laughed, "it took long enough! " Tom took her hand and led her to dinner.

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Downstairs, Downton Abbey

Mr and Mrs Bates sat next to each other. The fire was lighting and downstairs was oddly quiet for dinner time. The Goswami's were chatting quietly about the guests and the Carsons were no where to be seen, probably kissing in the privacy of Mr Carson's pantry. The newlyweds had waited long enough to show much physical affection (they were rarely seen holding hands), that it was hardly surprising that they spent every spare moment 'canoodling' as Mr Barrow put it.

Mrs Patmore was shouting something at Daisy as usual, while the footmen and Mr Barrow were serving dinner. Mr Carson had let Mr Barrow take some of his duties, in order to assess his abilities to take over as Butler upon the Carsons's retirement. There was something odd about Mr Barrow recently, and he always seemed to be absent from the servants hall. There was never any explanation for his absence, but now that Mr Carson was married, he had become a lot more relaxed and hadn't interogated him yet.

Anna reached out and held her husband's hand. He smiled at her. The thrill of fatherhood had taken hold already, and John spent his spare time planning their future. John stroked Anna's hand softly. "I was wondering...." he began softly. Anna grinned, "And what might you have been wondering about? Nothing vulgar I hope!" John feigned mock horror and tickled her palm, "Nothing of the sort Mrs Bates, don't you worry. But now that you mention it...." he teased.

Anna giggled, "Mr Bates! Back to your wondering!" He kissed her hand. "Of course. I was wondering, if you wanted to take a break. A little holiday." Anna rose one eyebrow causiously, "a holiday? When? Where to?" John smiled again, " Ireland? You've never met my family, and I have quite the brood of Cork cousins". Anna paused for a moment before answering. "Really? You want us to go to Ireland?" John was still smiling, "yes! Well, only if you would like to. It's only an idea. I thought you might enjoy a holiday before the summer party season and before you're very heavy with child. If you don't want to go, it's alright."

Somehow Anna felt guilty for not being enthusiastic about the holiday. She had never been abroad, and it sounded exciting. She did like the idea of a holiday and Ireland was quite nice. But, there was something bothering her, she didn't know what it was. It was probably nothing. She tightened her grip on his hand, "Of course I want to go!" She grinned, slightly falsely. He didn't notice, "Wonderful! I'll send a letter to my cousin!" He laughed, kissed her hand and lay back, blissfully daydreaming about his misspent youth holidaying with his extended family.

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Upstairs, the dining room

Dinner was a bit awkward. Áine was seated beside her cousins, but opposite Lady Mary. Mary Crawley did not come across as very friendly or willing to converse with people of a lower class, despite what Tom had said. Edith was much nicer, she chatted with Maura and Áine easily. Conversation still remained quite slow.

Robert ate slowly, sizing up the guests as he did so. Mrs Branson seemed okay but she was a bit odd. Maura had an extraordinaryly thick accent and Robert found it slightly difficult to understand everything she said. She probably felt the same way about him he thought. In fact, she understood him perfectly. She found him quite strange, but she liked him well enough. The same could not be said for Cora however. Maura hated Lady Grantham already. She thought Cora was a pompous, pampered, idiotic, ungrateful slut.

Maura had reached that conclusion by observations. Cora struck the irishwoman as a ditsy American who married into the family in order to gain a title. She had always been pretty and chased after by men and had an easy life. Now she was fed up of her perfect life and decided to mope around with a depressed expression on her face. Maura just made up the slut part, because it helped put Cora in a negative light.

Cora wasn't Maura's biggest fan either. She was beginning to regret encouraging Tom to bring her there. The first thing that Cora noticed when Mrs Branson stepped out of the car was that for someone with lung problems and stress disorder, she looked remarkably well and healthy. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that the entire visit had been prompted on a lie. Bray was a seaside town last time she checked, and she highly doubted that Yorkshire air was better than sea air, and that there was anything wrong with Maura ' s lungs in the first place.As for stress, Maura must be the most carefree person Cora ever met!

Mary watched Thomas serve the food. He was so professional, so proper. But so handsome, so sweet, so loving. Or, so she felt. What had originally been drunken lust, had grown into real feelings. She, she might have been in love with him. She did not yet know herself. Walter served the chicken. Mary smiled into her wine as she watched Áine with him. He was very obviously smitten with her, but as for Áine, she didn't seem to notice. At least not while Mary was staring at them.

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Rosamund's house, London

Lady Rosamund Painswick sipped her tea slowly. Darkness had desended long ago, but she was still in the library. Just as well. She was surprised to hear a knock on the door, especially one that sounded so urgent. She frowned slightly, but instead of waiting for the butler to open the door, she got up and answered it herself. She could not be more shocked!

He stood in the doorway, dishevelled and bloodied. He had been fighting, that much was obvious. His name escaped her, but she remembered that he was the handsome American who had captured Edith's heart. Now, blood flooded from his nostrils and it looked as though he had been shot in the upper arm. "Lady, Lady P-Painswick... Will you help me?" He stuttered. He was crying. Rosamund eyed him suspiciously but pulled him inside. "Fair enough, but you must tell me what happened."

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Smiles,
{SaskatFishcakes } xxx

CAST
Lady Grantham ~ Elizabeth McGovern
Mr Bricker ~ Richard E Grant
Lord Grantham ~ Hugh Bonneville
Charlie Carson ~ Jim Carter
Elsie Hughes ~ Phyllis Logan
Thomas Barrow ~ Rob James-Collier
Miss Baxter ~ Raquel Cassidy
Mr Moseley ~ Kevin Doyle
Mr Bates ~ Brendan Coyle
Anna Bates ~ Joanne Froggatt
Lady Mary ~ Michelle Dockery
Denker ~ Sue Johnston
Spratt ~ Jeremy Swift
Lady Edith ~ Laura Carmichael
Henry Talbot ~ Matthew Goode
Daisy Mason ~ Sophie McSherra
Mrs Patmore ~ Leslie Nicol