Hello! Sorry for the delay but in the end I'm here to review. I chose this story because I like how you show the Chelsie relationship: Realistic and not without clashes. Many of the fanfics show them always in agreement and sweet, but in the series itself we have seen that it is not so. I also chose this chapter because I love Becky's argument, in these chapters and in the story "Sisters". In the series it is mentioned only once and then completely forgotten. I've always hated this. Of course I also love your other stories, they are really well written :)

Goodness I enjoy your writing! These disagreements you’ve described seem so realistic and in keeping with my favorite Chelsie couple. I also liked your author notes. JF gave us these characters that stayed true to themselves only to give us unplausiable situations in the last series. Thanks for this!

I enjoyed immensly this story, I hope there will be more to it. I like how everything is in canon and how you made sure that some sorylines (like the cooking one) were taken more seriously and in adult matter. If you acept prompts, maybe you could think about a new small row between them but about something softer like a having a pet. :)
just a suggesion. Really wonderful stories!

it's taken me forever to get to this review. apologies.

you put them back together. they're better than they were, not just the relationship between them but individually for the burdens they carried. one of the things this two part story made me think about is how until we actually love something more than ourselves, we will never be able to understand what it is to care for someone like Becky. We won't understand the heartbreak of watching someone like her suffer, be frustrated, struggle with life... we'll never understand how fierce the need to protect them becomes. and we'll never understand that loving and caring for someone like Becky is to carry this burden of perpetual guilt. it can never be fully assuaged because there will be resentment, doubt and tons of other feelings. because carson now knows what it means to love someone like he loves elsie, he can support her.

the other thing that this story made me contemplate is how important it is to give someone the chance to surprise you. it was hard for elsie to let charles in, i'm sure, but she needed to give him the chance to prove her wrong. you can't say 'i know you love me' and then deny them the chance to prove it.

look at me all philosophizin' and stuff. i should never review at 3am.

great job. thoroughly enjoyable read.

Ooooh, I love that. Well done. That bibliography was also delightful. You ARE thorough! Impressive! Really well done.
Really nice work. And that's just the paratexts!

The story is amazing. Their emotions are so real, and the way they can haltingly communicate with words, and at times, only with physical touch, is so believable. Ach. Well done!

Love and trust are at the heart of this chapter. You have penned a masterful display of how crucial they are to the resolution of the painful issue between Charles and Elsie Carson, that is the secret sister, Becky Hughes.
Charles was wise not to cloud his thinking capacity with unpalatable ( for him) pub ale, so he could conclude that it all wasn't about him, but he really loved Elsie and should act that way, even if this was very unknown territory for him.
He really tries hard to show his love for Elsie by his non-judgmental, supportive words, and gestures- hugs, kissing her fingers and palms etc. He gains her trust, and she opens up. He learns of the Hughes family's love for Becky, but it came at a cost: she was hard work for everyone at home, and most in the community inflicted loads of pain on the family for having a family member so noticeably different.
Charles self-knowledge, self-control and determination to be non-judgmental and non- withdrawing was so important for this revelation. He comes to realise why Elsie felt so vulnerable about the issue of Becky. Not only had she been deeply emotionally hurt by others about her, but she could have ended up, humiliatingly and wretchedly, with Becky in the workhouse, at the absolute bottom of life's heap. How different from Housekeeper of Downton Abbey!
The resolution at the end where both act together to replace Alice's portrait in the silver frame with a girlhood photo of Elsie and Becky, is very sweet. Charles' efforts to be loving and understanding have enabled Elsie to admit and share her vulnerability. It has brought them closer together, and shown real personal growth in Charles. Elsie needed him to be like this so she could trust him.
I like your take on this situation. It is a very gripping read. Thank you !

Beautiful

I think this chapter explains the essence of Carson and Mrs. Hughes very well. He's a big-hearted guy beneath the bluster and formalities... with much sensitivity (for people he loves) more than anyone would give him credit for. Mrs. H is more private-and I think this family backgrounder explains it pretty well.
He is very wise- the clock is ticking for the older pair!
And your research is impressive- Thanks, Edward!

I loved it sooo much! Thank u for this!

A beautiful resolution to this little disagreement. I loved how Elsie spoke of Becky to Charles after he reassured her that he was on her side. Charles realisation near the beginning that he loved Elsie and should show her especially when they were in disagreement was especially nice. Charles's complete acceptance of Elise and everything about her was conveyed beautifully. Really really lovely.

Great story so far.
Please update soon!

I am so glad you picked up the Becky plot and that you attempt to give an answer to the question of why we've never heard of her again.

I can understand Charles' indignation over Elsie's unwillingness to share her sister's story with him. However, it is very in character for Elsie to keep her cards close to her chest. And she thinks she has her husband figured out completely. It must be very hurtful for Charles to learn of her opinion on his character. I especially liked the lines where Elsie says that this isn't about him and he replies that she just said the exact opposite. These lines perfectly summed up the root of the conflict.

I like that you - once again - do not make this conflict one-dimensional. You hint that there are some very good reasons for Elsie's behaviour and that her aggression is only a way to protect herself. I honestly can't wait for the next chapter!

Poor Charlie

Of course Elsie would be worried about how her husband would react to her sister. I don't know why I didn't see that before haha. I can see her misgivings about Charles and his standards when they are applied to her sister. Poor Charlie is all hurt and Elsie is all hurt and just sadness all around. Good job giving us Charles thoughts about Becky.

Well, Charles Carson has flounced off to the pub for a few pints for an hour or two because he's " had a falling out" with Elsie- on her half-day off to boot. Is this him dishing out tough love, or just seeking balm for his hurt feelings? On the first reading, I thought it was the former. But, after the second, I thought maybe more of the latter. Either ways, Elsie needs to have a long , honest think about what she needs to tell Charles about Becky.
There comes a time in family life, or in close relations such as employment, when the truth needs to be told. The people involved then need to accept the information, and come to terms with it. This has already happened with Lady Edith's Marigold, Phyllis Baxter's criminal record, and , long ago, Thomas Barrow's homosexuality, for example. The Hughes family of the 1870s and 1880s has morphed into the Hughes-Carson family of the 1920s. Charles is an integral part of that family, and , if he wants to know the truth, he needs to be told the truth.
By his patient, cautious and persistent questioning, Charles has managed to get through some of Elsie's massive defensive walls. She's told him it will hurt her, she couldn't bear it even, if she saw any withdrawal or repulsion from Charles , the perfectionist, towards Becky. He is now hurt, and off he's gone to the pub.
You have built this extremely volatile and suspenseful situation up carefully. You have made this subject a very deep and obviously painful , even taboo, subject for Elsie. She is soo correct about Charles, the perfectionist. Even his dog, Shep, is perfect. And we've seen and heard his almost shockingly hard judgements about Elsie's cooking and personal housekeeping. I think I understand Elsie's motivation, but will wait for your resolution of this difficult, but important issue between them.
This situation is extremely close to one that involved my family. I find your portrayal immensely compelling, and can't wait to see how you deal with it. An absolutely gripping read.