Fic - The War Comes to Downton Abbey, Chapter 3
Rating - Teenage
Fandom - Downton Abbey, Mary and Matthew and all the main series 1 characters.
Summary - As the First World War rages on, the lives of those at Downton Abbey will be forever changed. What happens to those left behind at the great estate?
Genre - Romance/Angst
Status - Work in Progress, Chapter 3 of 30?
Word Count - 2, 631 words
Previous Chapters - Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.
NB - I started writing and planning this a while before the series 2 spoilers came out. Therefore, this is already set AU, though it was originally intended as a possible series 2 story arc. I hope you take this into account whilst reading and that, even though it's now proved to be AU, it still feels like a realistic and plausible possibility for the second series of the show.
Chapter 3
There was a very sombre atmosphere in the servants hall that night. The news about the new soldier had spread like wild fire around the servants and the hospital staff. Normally hospital gossip had all the tongues wagging, but this time it was very different. This time most of the servants knew the poor soldier and those that did not quickly learnt of his importance for the great estate. Not only were the servants worried for the man’s life and the family’s grief, but also for their own futures. They all knew what turmoil the future of Downton Abbey would be thrown into if anything happened to its heir.
So it was with silent prayers and fears that the servants began their tasks once more, Mr Carson ushering them away from the great hall and the spectacle that had unfolded there. Whilst they completed their chores with a greater sense of urgency than they had ever felt before, there was a foreboding silence filling them all. It ran through their minds and hearts with ice cold dread and it cut down their usual light hearted chatter and jokes. They bustled about, full of energy and direction, but their hearts were sad and their thoughts were melancholy as they remembered the scene that had unfolded and the vastness of its implications for this great estate.
They’d all gathered and watched as the Crawley family had seen the wounded soldier. There was a sort of macabre fascination with watching such a disturbing scene, watching such a grand family react to the horror and panic that had befallen them. It was a scene never witnessed before and it reminded all the servants that the grand family, who inhabited life in their own upstairs world, were just as human as they were; their own lives just as fragile.
Tragedy was not new to the hospital though. Since the nurses, the wounded soldiers and the subsequent calamity had arrived, the house had seen its fair share of misfortune. Whilst most soldiers who came here were already well on their way to recovery, there were always the few who didn’t manage to pull through, who’s injuries proved too severe or became besieged with infection and disease. Never before had the tragedy been so close to home though and never before had a soldier’s life held the great estate itself in such a precarious balance.
It was these thoughts that plagued them as they set to work, carrying out the new responsibilities they’d adopted since the hospital had invaded. Just like the great house, the hospital had its own systems, its own rules and its own way of doing things. The servants had no choice but to quickly learn and adjust to them. Not only did they have to cope with the loss of so many of the male servants to the war, but the extra, demanding work of the hospital seemed never ending. Whilst for the servants their work for the household always came first, whenever they had any spare time, indeed often when they did not, they were expected to work in the hospital. A few of the younger girls had taken well to nursing and the scullery maids were pushed ever harder in their duties. Water, food and bandages were often carted upstairs to the stately rooms and laundry and cleaning were constantly waiting to be completed. It didn’t help that the servants quarters themselves were now very crowded, the rooms full of extra beds to accommodate the new nurses and other hospital workers. Tensions were often high amongst the hospital staff and the servants and both tried to avoid each other as best they could.
The two cooks, Mrs Patmore and Mrs Bird, liked to think they felt the most strain from the hospital invasion. They had to work together to provide food and drink for not only the grand family, but all the servants, soldiers and hospital workers. It seemed a never ending and thankless job and the poor scullery maids usually felt the brunt of the cooks’ frustrations and stress.
Anna knew how hard the poor scullery maids worked compared to her and whenever she could find the time she would help out her friend Daisy. They had grown closer since Gwen left and even more so now that Daisy had been moved into Anna’s room. With the new arrival of soldiers, especially one so grievously ill, the work would be considerable for poor Daisy and Anna headed towards the servants hall to find out what she could do to help.
It was with a heavy heart that Anna walked back to the servants hall though. She’d only seen Mr Crawley’s injuries from a distance, but even she could tell they were severe. None of the servants had ever seen the family so distressed before, so grief stricken, so distraught. Anna knew it affected Lady Mary most keenly though, knew that the lady cared deeply for the heir to Downton. She had been so close to a breakdown, so close to shattering under the weight of her anguish that Anna was terrified for her. She was always so strong, so confident and Anna knew that the real Lady Mary often hid behind her cold, unfeeling façade. Inside was a warm, beating, passionate heart and Anna could see how much it had broken tonight. Anna’s own heart bled for Lady Mary’s plight and that of the entire family. Heaven knows how the family would cope if Mr Crawley did not pull through and Anna knew that Lady Mary would never fully recover.
So lost in her own melancholy thoughts was Anna, that she did not notice Daisy at first. In fact, Anna nearly stumbled into her as she entered the servants hall. Daisy didn’t seem to notice her either; she was standing there, her eyes distance as her mind drifted elsewhere. They were all used to Daisy’s daydreams, but this time her face was saddened, distressed, anxious.
“What is it Daisy?” Anna asked the scullery maid gently.
“I… I was just thinkin’ about Mr Crawley,” Daisy answered, “lyin’ up there so hurt an’ dyin’ an’ all.” Daisy paused for a moment, still looking into the distance. “It makes me think of poor William, out on the battlefields, lyin’ somewhere hurt.”
Anna saw how upset Daisy was and tenderly put her arm around her. She wanted to give the poor girl a hug, but she didn’t want to draw the other servants’ attention.
“You know William’s alright though, don’t you Daisy?” Anna asked quietly. “He writes to you often and he always tells you how well he’s doing.”
Anna had hoped her question would help comfort Daisy, but it seemed to have quite the opposite effect. Daisy started to cry and Anna gave her a hug after all.
After a few sobs, Daisy managed to stutter, “I… I’ve not heard from him. He usually writes a least once a week and it’s been nearly 2!” She then quickly buried her head in Anna’s shoulder and Anna gently stroked her back, soothing her.
The news was troubling to Anna, she knew how sweet on Daisy William was, everyone did. They all remembered how he’d worked up the courage before he left for France and had nervously asked Daisy if he could write to her. Daisy had never seemed so happy as she urged him quite strongly that he could and how much she would look forward to every one. Since then, he’d written regularly and Daisy was always so giddy when she received them. If William had not written recently, it could not be good news.
Trying to make her voice sound much more positive than she felt, Anna said “I’m sure his letter is just delayed Daisy. It is a long way to France from here you know.” Anna pulled away from Daisy and looked into her eyes, trying to smile, “Or else he’s just too busy being a hero and he’s gotten a bit behind.”
Daisy smiled at those words as Anna hoped she would. Daisy was often talking about William’s heroic actions, retelling all the brave battle stories from his letters. For Daisy, William might well be the only one fighting in the Great War.
“Now dry your eyes Daisy, before Mrs Patmore sees you,” Anna urged her kindly, smiling cheerfully now.
“You’re right, I’m sure his letter is just late,” Daisy said, brightening up as she quickly used her pinafore to wipe her tears.
It was well timed too, for at that moment Mrs Patmore appeared in the doorway, wearing her usual expression of irritation mixed with stress and the faint hint of panic. When she saw Daisy’s teary eyes her expression softened, though her words were still hard. “There you are Daisy! What the blazers are you doing standing around feeling sorry for yourself! Do you want the soldiers to die of starvation?”
“No Mrs Patmore,” Daisy answered, cowering back ever so slightly behind the great and somewhat fierce bulk of Mrs Patmore.
“Then stop pretending you’re auditioning for the stage and get back to work!” Mrs Patmore barked as she then turned around and headed back towards the kitchen.
“Yes Mrs Patmore,” Daisy said as she followed, glancing at Anna as she went. Anna did her best to give her an encouraging smile and was pleased to see Daisy smile back.
Anna watched Daisy as she left the room and happened to catch the eye of Mr Bates, who had just come in. Anna tried to give him a friendly smile, but he quickly turned away. Anna’s smile slipped and her melancholy thoughts washed back into her mind. He was heading towards the end of the servants hall and Anna knew she had to get his attention quick.
“Is there any news Mr Bates?” Anna asked, trying hard not to show how his slight had affected her.
“I’m afraid not Anna,” Mr Bates answered, turning towards her, his face sombre and grave. “He has been brought upstairs and we are now waiting for his mother and Dr Clarkson to arrive.” With that Mr Bates turned away and walked down the hall, before Anna had chance to think of a reply.
Anna watched him walk away, her heart growing heavier with his every step. Ever since she’d visited his mother in London, nearly two years ago now, Mr Bates had been distance towards her. Civil, courteous, sometimes friendly, but always distance, always so sad and downhearted. Anna knew Mr Bates didn’t blame her for visiting his mother and finding out the truth, yet, no matter how hard Anna tried, Mr Bates would not open up to her any more.
She knew Mr Bates was trying to protect her, trying to encourage her to move on as he was not a free man, but she couldn’t. As she told him once, there was no better man and she loved him dearly. The noble way he tried to protect her, tried to shield her feelings, only made her heart love him more. Whenever he avoided her, or quickly cut short their conversations, Anna felt the deep pain in her heart. She tried not to show it though, as she didn’t want Mr Bates to know how much more his noble actions hurt her.
It did not help that they didn’t see much of each other any more. His Lordship was often called to London for business with the war office and, as valet, Mr Bates would always travel with him. Anna knew how much Mr Bates enjoyed these visits and suspected that his Lordship took Mr Bates along for more than just company. His Lordship seemed to sense that Mr Bates needed this occupation, some way of being connected to the war, some way of helping. For Anna knew Mr Bates was greatly troubled about his limp and the limitations it caused him. She knew his fierce moral code and noble, almost devout sense of duty made him want to fight for his country again. Yet he couldn’t, the limp that had scarred him from the previous war was preventing him from fighting in this one. He’d found his own way of coping with his silent frustrations though. When he wasn’t busy, or down in London with his Lordship, he could often be found in the house’s hospital. His limp meant he could not help with the manual work, and he had no training in nursing, but he did have experience of war. He seemed to find comfort and contentment in sitting with the wounded soldiers; reading to them, sharing stories of war and providing them with hope and peace. Anna knew that Mr Bates often derived as much comfort from this small work as the wounded soldiers.
Anna did not like it when Mr Bates visited London though. It filled her heart with such worry. She knew he was safe enough in London, but the thought that his Lordship’s business might one day take himself and Mr Bates across the Channel filled her with dread. Now that the horror of the war had been brought so suddenly to Downton tonight, Anna found her worries increase ten fold. Try as she might, she couldn’t help but imagine Mr Bates lying there in Mr Crawley’s place, wounded and dying, broken and bleeding…
“My goodness Anna,” Mrs Hughes suddenly exclaimed, coming into the servants hall from upstairs and finding Anna standing there, lost in thought. “It’s not like you to stand around dawdling when there’s work to be done.”
Anna suddenly jumped around to face Mrs Hughes. She’d been so consumed by her own worries she hadn’t noticed the housekeepers arrival.
“I’m sorry Mrs Hughes,” she apologised quickly, standing up straight and pushing her melancholy thoughts away.
“Heavens child!” Mrs Hughes continued, “I know we are all upset about Mr Crawley, but you cannot do much to help if you just stand around gawping like a scullery maid. Please go up to the hall and see if they need any help. If not, then go upstairs and see what you can do to help there.”
“Yes Mrs Hughes,” Anna answered, surprised at the sharp tone in Mrs Hughes’ voice. Anna knew that the housekeeper was constantly under a great deal of pressure, but Mrs Hughes usually seemed so controlled and contained, so calm and collected. She’d adapted quickly to the changes the house had undergone in the last two years and her stern, yet friendly ability to maintain order and command made Anna admire her greatly. Tonight though, like all the servants, Mrs Hughes was feeling the great strain of the situation, worrying not only about the heir, but the effects it would have on the whole family and the great estate that was their work and their home.
Feeling guilty for her own dark, selfish thoughts and misery, she quickly hurried towards the great hall, resisting the urge to take one last glance at Mr Bates as she left.
As Anna entered the great hall, the first thing she noticed was the silence that had recently surrounded the room. It was thick and tense and she knew immediately something had happened. Suddenly fearing the worst she rushed forwards towards the gathering of servants and nurses. They were all looking towards the main entrance and Anna could see a lonely figure standing there. The lady looked troubled, worried, though her stature was strong and controlled. The lady was looking around her, trying to find someone she knew, someone she trusted. She caught Anna’s eye and stepped forward, her footsteps slow, steady and determined, her head held high.
“Anna?” The lady asked, her voice restrained, tight, her countenance strong yet appearing so very fragile, so ready to break. “Please take me to see my son.”
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Thanks for reading and I hope you're still enjoying the story. More chapters should be on their way soon.