Hello Everyone. Lately I have been feeling good, I had written one episode within a day and a half which makes me sooo ecstatic. Then I edited this chapter and I couldn't hold in this chapter anymore to myself. Please, enjoy reading chapter Four - Concert.
March 1918. Emma was helping Edith with the post, delivering them to the officers. Emma found that the past few months had become the new normalcy. For once, in years, Emma found a little piece of happiness at what she was doing. Emma had given a letter to Corporal Philip Collins, and they sat and talk for a couple of hours. They had become close friends over the time he had been in Downton. He still flirted with her and Emma shrugged off his advances, although she could see herself really enjoying his company, although he was not husband material. He had lost the function of his right arm since there was a bit of shrapnel stuck on his veins and she try helped him use his left hand as his dominate hand.
She walked out into the hall and saw Edith begging Mary, 'The men are arranging the concert now and they're so anxious for us to be in it or there'll be no girls at all. Please say you will.'
'Will Emma be there? I won't do this unless she is singing.' Mary huffed.
'Yes you will,' said Cora sternly, 'Keeping their spirits up is an important part of the cure, and it's so very little to ask.'
'I'll sing, if you want me to.' Emma said.
'Really?' Edith asked.
'Of course.' Emma didn't sing for a long time. Her friends and sisters always liked her hearing sing, she supposed that was one talent she had. 'It has been a while, it might be fun.'
'What's going on?' Isobel asked.
'The men are putting on a concert.' Emma explained.
'Can I help?'
'Edith has it under control.' Cora assured Isobel.
'I do, if Emma promises.'
'I promise. No more than two songs.'
Edith nodded and left.
'So, the beautiful maiden also sings, does she? Are there no limits you have, my lady?' the familiar Scottish voice came from behind her.
Emma turned around to see the familiar smirk.
'Hello to you, Corporal Collins,' she said sarcastically, 'Did you miss me already? You just saw me not even five minutes ago.'
'I miss you when you're out of my sight,' he teased, stroking her face with his left hand.
Emma backed away, smiling politely, 'Will you be performing in the concert? I'm sure you must have a talent or two.'
Corporal Collins chuckled, 'I don't sing and dance. I prefer to be on the backstage.'
Emma's eyebrows rose, 'You still surprise me, I thought you would enjoy the spotlight... I'm curious, I rebuff your advances, I thought you would've stopped by now.'
'Never.'
Emma shook her head in amusement and looked down at his clamped hand. 'Who was the letter from?'
'My brother and his wife,' he said, showing his letter to Emma that was holding, 'He wants me to back to Bristol so he and his wife could look after me.'
'And would you?' Emma asked, her smile fell.
'No,' he said, 'Not while I being so well cared for here.'
Emma's smile came and felt a hot flush on her face.
'Have I made you blush?'
Emma scoffed and rolled her eyes.
'Be careful, Corporal. My sister would most likely haul me into the library to practice. You are very welcome to listen.'
'I would love to.'
Emma's prediction came true. Edith requested Emma to practice in the library when she had spotted Emma handing a Charles Dickens novel to an officer. Edith sat down at the piano and Mary was already there, leaning against it. Corporal Collins stood at the back of the room with his usual swaggering grin. The girls were applauded at the end of the song from the officers who were watching, including Robert, who had walked in the room.
'I wish we had a man.' Edith whined.
'Amen.' Mary replied.
'It would sound so much richer. But all the volunteers are spoken for.'
'I tried to convince Corporal Collins to join us,' Emma said stoically, 'however it seems that he shies away from the spotlight.'
'He fooled us,' said Mary, 'his ego is more than enough for the spotlight.'
'How's it going?' Robert asked the girls.
'Alright, I suppose.' Emma said hardheartedly, 'If you don't mind singers who can't sing and actors who can't act.'
'It helps to keep their spirits up.'
'So they say, although I can't think why.'
Emma left the room to resume her duties.
Dinner that evening started the usual way.
'I might go over to Malton tomorrow. Agatha Spenlow is madly promoting her charity fair. Do you need the motor?' Cora asked.
'I'm afraid I do,' Robert replied, 'Can you get Pratt to take you in the other car?'
'It doesn't matter,' Cora said, 'I can go on Monday. But why?'
'I'm told Bates is working at a public house in Kirkbymoorside. I want to investigate.'
Emma was glad to hear of Bates. She knew her father missed Bates and they got on really well. It felt like Bates had been gone for a lifetime.
'I can't decide which part of that speech is most extraordinary. Why can't someone else go?' Violet asked.
'Because I want to go myself.'
The telephone started to ring outside.
'So, Sybil. What are you up to, dear?' Violet asked her youngest granddaughter.
Sybil was stunned by this question.
'Nothing much. Working. I don't have time to get up to anything else.' Sybil replied politely.
'Only Mary and I were talking about you the other day.'
'Oh?'
'Yes, you see, sometimes, in war, one can make friendships that aren't quite...appropriate.' Violet said cryptically. 'And it can be awkward, you know, later on. I mean, we've all done it...I just want you to be on your guard.'
Emma frowned at Violet's statement, wondering what was she talking about. Inappropriate relationships? And with who?
'Appropriate for whom?'
'Well, don't jump down my throat, dear. I'm only offering advice.'
Sybil was stumped by the whole discussion.
'Why do you want to see Bates? To give him his old job back?' Cora asked Robert, changing the cryptic subject.
'Not entirely,' said Robert, 'I mainly wanted to see him because we parted badly.'
'Telephone call for you, milord.' Carson announced.
'If you did, I'm sure it's his fault.' Cora reasoned.
'No, it was mine.'
Robert got up from the table and left the room. Jovial cheers erupted from the room next to them.
'Oh, really! It's like living in a second-rate hotel, where the guests keep arriving and no one seems to leave.' Violet exhaled.
'It won't last forever,' Emma said suavely, 'Anyways, it feels good to help out, and also being a part of history, doing something, even if it means sharing the house with wounded officers.'
'Hear, hear!' said Sybil.
Emma leaned over at Sybil and said, 'You know I would be happy for you, no matter who you ended up with.'
Sybil smiled.
'Thank you, although...would everyone else feel the same way?'
'Emma, dear, how have you been?' Violet asked across the table.
Emma looked at her grandmother.
'I am well, why?' Emma inquired, laying down her knife and fork.
'Oh,' said Violet, 'I just wanted to ask you over for tea tomorrow, it has been a long time since you visited.'
Emma imitated a smile, 'I have been busy.'
'Yes, naturally,' said Violet, 'There is something I must discuss with you.'
'Of course, I can drop by around three o clock.'
'Good, good...'
Emma was now instantly curious as to why Violet asked for her when she could've asked her before dinner. Violet wasn't a forgettable woman.
After breakfast the next morning, Emma and Mary went downstairs to talk to their younger sister, who was collecting clean bandages for the wounded officers. Emma saw Sybil was rather frazzled by what their grandmother said last night and Emma wanted to know if were any legitimacy in her words.
'Sybil, I never said anything to Granny,' Mary said.
'Why could she tell me that herself?' Sybil asked.
'She's busy,' said Emma, lying smoothly.
'I talked to her and she thinks you have a secret lover,' said Mary, 'and if we don't know about him, then you have to be keeping him secret. Its just Granny being Granny. Don't make such a thing of it.'
'I don't deserve not to be told off,' Sybil said in a hurt manner, 'Not by her or by you or Emma. Nothing's happened.'
'Why?' said Emma, frowning slightly, now she was suspicious that sister was having a secret affair. 'What might've happened?'
'I mean it,' said Sybil. 'We haven't kissed or anything. I don't think we've shaken hands. I'm not even sure if I like him like that. He says I do, but I'm still not sure.'
Mary had a look of realisation, 'We are talking about...?'
'Branson, yes.'
'Branson?' Emma asked in surprise.
'The chauffeur Branson?' Mary asked.
'Oh, how disappointing of you.' Sybil scolded.
'I'm just trying to get it straight in my head.' Mary said, 'You and the chauffeur.'
'Oh, no, you know I don't care about all of that.'
'Oh, darling, darling, don't be such a baby,' said Mary, as all three walked upstairs. 'This isn't fairyland. What did you think? You'd marry the chauffeur and we'd all come to tea?'
'Don't be silly. I told you, I don't even think I like him.'
Emma shook her head and asked in a grave manner. 'Never mind the social difference in class. What has he said to you?'
They stopped walking and stopped behind a door.
'That he loves me and he wants me to run away with him.'
'Good God in heaven.' Mary gasped.
'He is frightfully full of himself.' Sybil mused.
'You don't say.'
'I haven't encouraged him. I haven't said anything, really.'
'You haven't given him away, though?' said Emma.
Sybil looked at Emma with shock and worry.
'Will you?'
'I won't.' Emma said, 'Mary?'
'Well, I won't betray him on one condition. You must promise not to do anything stupid.'
Sybil looked down.
'You must promise now, or I'll tell Papa tonight.' Mary said in a final manner.
Sybil murmured, 'I promise.'
'Good.' Mary said, then she opened the door and left, leaving Sybil and Emma with each other.
'If you want to pursue Branson, I don't mind. Although it would take time for the family to come around.'
'I don't fancy him,' said Sybil. 'What of you and Corporeal Collins?'
Emma's face flushed. 'He is a good-hearted man. He is really nice, charming, although very flirtatious, but...I don't know if I do love him.'
Sybil took Emma's hand.
'I know.'
Emma and Violet sat outside whilst tea was served. Emma had to admit it was a little strange to be back at the Dowager House when she would rather be working back home, aiding in helping the officers back to health. It felt like a lifetime ago that she was back here, before the war even happened.
'Have you been in touch with Lady Huntington?' Violet asked.
Emma narrowed her eyes at the question. 'You mean, Lady Grace?'
Violet frowned.
'Why do you call her by her name? Are you two friends?'
Emma rolled her eyes, 'We're not besties, Granny. I don't think we could ever be.'
'Good. Because there is something I need to discuss with you.'
'I assumed that is why you invited me for tea. What is it?' Emma asked in hesitation.
Violet glanced away whilst she took a sip of her tea, then looked at Emma.
'When was the last time you talked to her?'
Emma pondered, 'Months ago, why?'
'Now, you mustn't be mad, dear, but I-'
'When you say I shouldn't be mad, I know you're done something you shouldn't do.' Emma said, placing her tea cup down on the table.
'I went over to London days ago and I saw her with a man with whom she was frolicking with.'
Emma grimaced.
'I don't believe you,' she said, shaking her head. 'You're pulling my leg.'
'Why would I lie?' Violet gasped.
'What were you doing in London?' Emma asked, raising her eyebrow. 'You can't have been there for menial purposes.'
'I was visiting Rosamund. Do I need a reason to visit my daughter?' said Violet. 'Just as I left Eton Square, as I was about to get into the car, when I saw her with a man, holding hands and giggling like a married couple.'
Emma's mouth dropped, 'Maybe it was her brother? Or a friend?' she said hastily, and shrugging at the same time.
Violet stared at Emma like she had grown a second head.
'Here's the proof,' Violet said, digging out an envelope from her pocket and placed them on the table, 'now that my word isn't good enough.' She muttered.
Emma frowned, discarding the envelope and revealed a photograph, then she glanced back at Violet.
'I don't understand. If...and that is a big if, why would she be frolicking with a man when she is engaged to James?'
'That my dear, is something I had decided to uncover.'
'But how?' Emma asked, puckering her eyebrows.
'See for yourself,' said Violet, gesturing to the envelope.
Emma hesitated. She didn't want to believe that Violet was saying Grace was unfaithful to James. She didn't know what reason she would do something like that. She had seen the adoration James had for Grace and Grace couldn't keep her eyes from him.
Emma took the envelope and opened it, noticing the seal was broken. She took out about half a dozen of photos of Grace, looking blissful, dressed in her best, holding hands, embracing, kissing a man in his thirties, black hair and a long rectangle face. The photos were taken on the empty streets of London, a nightclub and at snazzy apartment corridor.
That man clearly wasn't James.
Emma swallowed and placed the photos on the table, 'How did you get these?' she asked frigidly
'After seeing their exchange, I hired an inquiry agent to follow Lady Huntington.'
Emma glowered.
'Oh, Granny, why?'
'Because James is like family. I hate to see him adoring that little nitwit when she is clearly letting down her hair all over London.'
Emma shook her head. 'I wish you kept me out of this.'
'Why? I thought you wanted-'
'What?' Emma snapped. 'For James and Grace to break up and I pick up the pieces? I don't want that! I am trying to get over him.'
'Trying?' said Violet, raising her eyebrow, 'But you're not over him.'
Emma huffed and she blushed, 'No.'
'So, what will you do? Let the cheating harlot continue on like a chameleon? Or would you confront her?'
Emma didn't say anything.
'Well, how about we wait until the agent brings back more answers.'
Emma nodded.
Emma was on her way to dinner and Emma and Edith bumped into each other. Emma saw Edith looked deeply troubled by something. She looked like she was in deep consideration before she spoke. 'There is something you should know. Papa asked me not to tell you, but I don't think he is right.'
Emma sighed and nodded, 'Go on.'
'James is missing. And so is Matthew and William. He was on patrol and he's sort of vanished. James's manservant died in the field.'
Emma felt like someone had ripped her heart out of her body, she felt this clench and she couldn't move and she couldn't say anything. She felt like she lost her ability to speak.
'Papa hasn't told anyone. Not even Mama. I only know because I was there when he found out. It didn't seem right to keep you from the truth. I didn't want to upset you...honestly. We are sisters...and we stick together.'
Emma nodded and gave a reassuring smile.
'I know.' She said in a hollow voice.
She walked past her sister in slow motion and she went into the library and leaned against the bookshelf. Her mind was racing as to what could've happened. Maybe he was dead? Or being held captive by Germans? Being tortured? A million things racing through mind, every idea being more ludicrous by the next.
'They told you, then?' Anna said beside her.
Emma wiped her eyes and turned to the housemaid, 'Does everyone know?'
'I think everyone knows,' said Anna, 'Except for Her Ladyship.'
Emma nodded, 'I can't tell her. It's not for me to tell... but I should go, before someone looks for me.'
Anna nodded and lend a hand to help her up.
A few days later. Emma and Mary went over to her parent's bedroom to confront them. Emma wanted to know more and if there was anything that could help. They heard voices inside, clearly talking about the disappearance.
'Have you said anything to Mary, or even Emma?' Cora asked Robert.
'Edith already told us,' said Emma, as soon as she opened the door with an emotionless expression.
'Has she?' said Robert, 'Well I suppose it was too tempting to resist.'
Mary shook her head, 'She wasn't trying to make trouble. We've been trying to make things better between us and I don't think she want to ruin that.'
'Is there anything more we need to know of?' Emma asked, 'Any signs of them?'
'No,' Robert sighed sadly.
'We ought to get down. It's time for the concert,' said Cora.
'Who cares about the stupid concert.' Mary groaned.
'The men do,' Robert reprimanded, 'and we should, too. Because we have to keep going whatever happens. We have to help each other to keep going.'
Mary nodded.
Cora and Robert left the room and Emma soon followed them. She puffed out her chest and held her head high. She blinked the tears away, promising to cry later when she was alone.
After a lot of poem readings, piano songs, acting scenes from books and even a magic act from Major Bryant. It was time for Emma, Edith and Mary's performance. She bit her bottom lip nervously as she stood up and walked to the front alone. She caught eyes from Corporal Collins, who sat on the third row and gave her an encouraging nod.
'Most of you won't know how uncommon it is to hear me sing, so I am going to sing. But in this time of conflict, there are more worthy thing that are a priority. Ladies and Gentleman, I will sing Times are a changing.'
"Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who that it's namin'
For the loser now will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside and it is ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'"
The audience applauded and Emma caught Corporal Collins eyes and he nodded and smiled at her. Emma nodded and she eyed Mary to come onto the front. Mary stood up and walked up to join Emma.
'And now, it was extremely rare for all three of us to perfume. Ladies and Gentleman, we give you the Crawley sisters,' said Mary.
Mary held onto Emma's hand and they both started to sing:
Sometimes when I feel bad
And things look blue
I wish a pal I had, say one like you.
Someone within my heart to build a throne
Someone who'd never part, to call my own
Mary nodded for the audience to join in singing.
If you were the only girl in the world
And I were the only boy
Nothing else would matter in the world today
We could go on loving in the same old way
Emma felt her voice escape from her soundbox as she met those familiar blue eyes that never stopped her heart beating wildly and a shiver down her spine. The audience stopped but Emma didn't care about the song anymore. James was alive...and that was all she thought about.
'Thank god.' Mary whispered.
James looked over at Emma with a beam and Emma couldn't resist smiling back. She was ecstatic.
'Come on, don't stop for me,' said Matthew, then he started to sing:
I would say such wonderful things to you
Emma and Mary continued to sing and James came over and stood next to her and sang along:
There would be such wonderful things to do
If you were the only girl in the world
And I were the only boy.
Emma couldn't take her eyes away from James at the end of the concert. Everyone was talking in groups about the jolly concert. Emma was talking to Edith when she saw Jams approaching Matthew and Robert. Emma excused herself and went over to them.
'Somehow we got lost and then we were trapped behind some Germans for three days.' Matthew explained.
'Well, you know...technically, I think you saved us.' James said to Matthew. 'At the time.'
Emma gathered quickly that they were talking about their disappearance.
'And when we got out of that,' James explained, 'we stumbled into a field dressing station and we were immediately admitted. But we weren't in any danger, so they didn't inform our unit.'
'Well, they should've jolly well told us when you got back to base.' Robert reasoned.
'I hope you weren't really worried.'
Emma wanted to scoff. She was going mental for the entire day. She couldn't think of anything else.
'Oh, you know us. We like to be sure of our heroes at the front.' Mary said, smiling.
'I beg your pardon, milord,' said Mrs. Hughes, 'but the Dowager Countess is leaving.'
Robert went over to say goodbye, leaving Mary, Matthew, Emma and James.
'I think I'll get a drink,' Emma said.
She turned over to get a stiff drink and she saw Carson's eyebrow rose at her actions but she had dismissed it. She took a swing of her drink when she heard James cleared his throat, her throat burned when the whiskey hit her throat.
Emma turned around and saw his surprised look at her actions.
'I never thought of seeing you drinking something stronger than wine.'
Emma ignored his teasing tone and said, 'In these times you need something stronger than wine.'
'Hmm,' James mused.
'Would you like one?'
James shook his head, 'I'd rather not.'
Emma looked thoughtful and asked, 'So, what will you do with the rest of your leave?'
'Well, since Mrs. Crawley isn't here, I think I'll run up to London and see Grace.'
Emma nodded in disappointment and sadness; her eye twitched an she glanced down. She wondered or not to tell James about the photos of Grace gallivanting around in London.
'I know I ask this before, but how are things doing for you?'
Emma gave a small smile, 'I think there is someone I might fancy.'
'Oh? Who might be the lucky chap?'
'Remember Corporal Collins?'
James nodded, 'I remember. The man who is overly confident?'
Emma laughed, 'Yes, he's the one. We had started talking a lot more and it turns out we have quite a bit in common. He likes a good whiskey and he is really delightful and amusing. I know you might think of him as smug and a bit of a flirt...'
'I barely know him,' said James. 'But I'm sure I'll like him when I do. That's if he's right to you. If he's not, he'll have me to answer to.'
Emma nodded and her eyes pass over to Corporal Collins, who was conversing with another officer, his eyes met hers and he winked.
The song that Emma had sung is called 'The Times They Are A-Changin' by Fort Nowhere. There is a different version from Bob Dylan, but I like the Fort Nowhere's version more. I had listened to the song from the trailer of The Crown season 3. It was sung beautifully and I thought it fitted nicely to do with the changing era from before the War to after the War.
I like to know what you think of this chapter, and now Emma and Violet are suspicious of Grace and what her intentions are.
Until next time <3