I own none of it! Even the plot was 'borrowed' from a Harry Potter fanfiction. No doubt the time line is wrong so please don't hate me! I know this is highly unlikely but hey, that's what fanfic is for right? Please forgive me for any mistakes, I've been at an expo all day and I can hardly feel my feet. I suppose its too much to ask for you guys to find out what the difference between a fox terrier and a jack russle is?
Knock knock
Elsie sighed and lay down her pen. Was nothing going to go right today? It had been non stop all day, starting with Beryl informing her that they'd run out of porridge so they were all having toast for breakfast and now ending with this insistent knocking on the back door. Surely someone else had heard it by now? Isn't that why they had two footmen? All she wanted was to sit quietly and catch up with her ledgers.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Alright I'm coming!" She called as she got up with a huff. Thomas was leaning against the door way to the servants hall, reading the paper
"Thomas would it kill you to get the door?" She snapped as she walked past.
"Only just got here Mrs Hughes" he replied, raising an eyebrow at her tone
'Yes, and I grew an extra leg.' Elsie thought, rolling her eyes.
"Can I help you?" She asked as she yanked open the door with more force than she'd intended
"Honestly Els were you planning on leaving me out in the cold rain all day? I thought it was your job to be efficient" a strong Scottish accent demanded as a figure swept her into a all too familiar hug.
"Moira? What in heavens name are you doing here?" Elsie asked as she returned the hug
"Davey and I had another argument and I wasn't living with the scowls for another day." Moira explained "be a dear and take this bag" she added as she flung a bag in Elsie's direction
"Oof! What on earth have you got in here?"
"Odds and ends" Moira said vaguely, pushing past her and taking off her limp hat, dripping water all over the floor
"Well why didn't you leave it at the inn then?"
"What inn?"
"The inn where you're staying." Elsie said slowly as if she were talking to a dim witted person. Moira blinked at her
"Why would I be staying at an inn?" She asked
"Well where else would you be staying?" Elsie replied. Moira laughed
"Here of course. Honestly girl I thought you had more sense than that! Now, which way to your sitting room?" She asked, turning and walking down the passageway, not waiting for an answer.
"Moira wait!" Elsie called, hurrying after her while lugging the suitcase. This was bad. This was very very bad. Her big sister had come to stay.
"Moira you simply cannot stay here" Elsie insisted. She'd managed to settle Moira down with a cup of tea and a few sandwiches courtesy of Mrs Patmore before attempting to tackle her sister again.
"Of course I can. There's more than enough rooms and I can help Mrs Patmore while I'm here."
Elsie sighed. Mr Carson always claimed she was stubborn but she had nothing on her sister.
"Mrs Hughes, I wonder if I could talk to you about the rooms for tomorrow...oh hello" Cora Crawley said in surprise when she spotted Moira sitting there
"Lady Grantham, a pleasure to meet you" Moira greeted, quickly getting to her feet and flashing her most dazzling smile. Lady Grantham merely blinked in surprise
"My apologies my lady, this is my sister Moira Ridel" Elsie quickly jumped in, glaring at Moira over Lady Grantham's shoulder
"I see. Welcome to Downton Mrs Ridel" Lady Grant ham welcomed, with a smile "if Mrs Hughes had told us you were coming we could have arranged for her to have some time off"
Elsie opened her mouth to reply but Moira beat her to it
"Oh Els didn't know I was coming, bit of a rash decision I'm afraid."
"Where are you staying?" Lady Grantham asked in a vague attempt to sound normal. Truth was she didn't have a clue as to how to behave. She was still learning the english customs but she was sure even Mama wouldn't be much help in this aspect.
"The Grantham Arms." Elsie butted in before her sister could say something to embarrass her.
"Oh but you must stay here!" Lady Grantham insisted turning and catching Mrs Hughes's startled expression "no no, seeming we really cannot afford to lose you this week and your sister came all this way to see you it seems only fair."
"I can help out in the kitchen milady" piped up Moira, completely ignoring the glare Elsie was giving her.
"Well then that settles it" Lady Grantham smiled "now I really do need to discuss these rooms with you Mrs Hughes. Lord Strallan is only arriving the day after the others so we'll have the gold room clear which Lady Rosamund is rather fond of and Lord Grey can't make it at all so I've invited Lord Swann instead but he's requested to be put near the library."
"Of course my Lady" Mrs Hughes smiled and opened her door
"Anna? Would you mind showing my sister to one of the servants rooms and settling her in?" She requested
"Yes Mrs Hughes" the young girl quickly responded, coming in, picking up a case and beckoning for the woman to follow her. Elsie sighed and rubbed her temples
"Thank you my Lady. That really wasn't necessary." She said weakly. Her Ladyship chuckled
"Of course it was. Family can be rather tiring at times can't it?"
"It can at that." Agreed Elsie wearily "shall we begin?".
Charles Carson was happily sorting out his wine ledger. For the first time in forever he already had what all the guests had requested without the usual mad dash and it was making him feel rather proud of himself. Even Thomas had managed to keep to himself most of the day and not cause any trouble and William was finally starting to settle in as the new hallboy. The whole house was running in tip top shape for once. Just then his pantry door opened and in flew a very distressed Scottish housekeeper
"Oh god. Help me!" She cried as she stopped just short of him and attempted to catch her breath
"Mrs Hughes what on earth is the matter?" He asked gently, grasping her elbows to hold her steady.
"My sister is here" she explained through pants impatiently swiping curls out of her face which had come free during her mad dash
"So?" Asked a very perturbed Carson. Mrs Hughes gave him a very funny look
"So she'll be after me to find myself a-"
"Elsie? Where are you?" A strong scottish accent called and Charles heard foot steps approaching his door. Elsie didn't even stop to think, she just through herself into his arms and kissed him. Charles automatically wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her
"Elsie?" The voice called and a woman peered past the open door, her mouth falling open with shock. Elsie waited a few moments before flinging herself backwards and away from him
"Moira" she breathed "you can't be settled in already"
The woman gave a tiny head shake as if trying to clear her mind
"No, I was wondering where I might find some extra hangers"
Elsie raised a slightly trembling hand and pushed her curls away again
"They're um in the cupboard next to the bathroom" she explained shakily
"Right. Thanks." The woman said and bid a hasty retreat. Charles looked at the woman in front of him with a surprisingly amused expression
"Well Mrs Hughes" he said teasingly "you've got some explaining to do."
Pretty pretty please review! Free hugs to those who do! (And I'm told I give quiet nice ones ;) )