Very good work, I must say. Thank you for posting this!

Loved this little scenario! So unique, funny and sweet. Thanks!

This is a great idea, well crafted into the pre-war Downton downstairs world.
This would be the extent of the treats Elsie would indulge in, and you have described the Chocolate Blueberries mouth- wateringly. I imagine the halfacrown stolenby the crow would have constituted her month's spending money, knowing as we do her support of Becky.
I like how you have portrayed William. Excellent choice - this story would not have worked out like this with the then, very unreconstructed Thomas Barrow. William would be conscience-stricken, yet us understandably reluctant to give-up the pleasure of relaxing by the lake.
But, Mrs Hughes , the problem- solver, is very much in character. She has a solution, and is sweetly, gently but firmly insistent that William follows through to end the problem. We can so imagine she won't blab in the village and get the folks there 's ire directed at the boy she's fond of.
Lovely.

What a clever title! Of course, when I saw it, my mind thought the story might take a different direction. But I was not in the least bit disappointed - this was sweet, funny and very true to the characters I love. Great read! Thank you for sharing!

Enjoyable and humorous!

This is so funny, I'd love to read more stories like this!

Wonderful story! William and his accidental "pick-pocketing murder of crows"! Those unbelievably intelligent Corvids!

Really funny story, thank you!

What a clever story! You had me wondering before I read it! Lol very clever!

Incredible. Great read x

This is very cute!

Great crime story, I really enjoyed it:)))!

Oh, my, this was brilliant! Who would suspect William being the mastermind of a crime ring! I loved it. Thank you!

What a clever storyline! William of all,people involved in a crime ring. Loved it!

This is brilliant!
What I like most is that it is such an original story. And that it encompasses a few characters - William and Mrs. Patmore - who don't get much play. And it shows Mrs. Hughes in a situation that is both wholly ordinary and in keeping with her run-of-the-mill existence at Downton, and yet throws something bright and shiny and new in besides!
It's a great idea! I also like that you took a few things you'd read somewhere and then fashioned an engaging DA vignette out of them.
Well done! Well written! Entertaining! A very good showcase for your talents and also something to keep your writing hand limber!