𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐲- 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐲

𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟐- 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟒

~March 1918~

I went to help Edith hand out the post to all the soldiers while doing so I passed by Sergeant Barnes.

    "Good morning Sergeant Barnes, no post I'm afraid."

    "James, please m'lady, and it's alright." I nod to him.

    "Well James, I think it's only fair that you call me Elizabeth then."

    "Thank you m'lad- Elizabeth." he says with a smile. I start walking then remember,
    "Oh and remember we are holding a concert later today, please do join us." I ask him.

    "Will do." I then walk with Edith to the stairs when Mary passes by as does Mama.

    "Lizzie, would you like to perform at the concert with me today?" Edith asks me.

    "Sure, why not." I reply with a smile. Edith then asks Mary, "Mary, the men are arranging the concert now and they're so anxious for us to be in it, Lizzie already agreed to it. Please say you will."

    "Do I have to?" Mary asks with a sigh.

    "Yes, you do. Keeping their spirits up is an important part of the cure and it's so very little to ask." Says Mama. Isobel then comes in.

    "What's going on?"

    "The men are putting on a concert." Edith tells her.

    "Can I help?" Mama smiles at me and Edith,

    "Edith and Lizzie have it under control." I then looked at Mary.

    "We will if Mary is willing."

    "Oh, all right. One song, and that's your lot." Mary says with an eye roll. I then smile at her and so does Edith. Both of us then finish getting the concert ready.

~Dinner~
    At dinner I sit beside Sybil and Mama begins explaining her plans for tomorrow.

    "I might go over to Moulton tomorrow. Agatha Spenlow promoting her charity fair. Do you need the motor?" She asks Papa,

    "I'm afraid I do. Can you get Pratt to take you in the other car?"

    "Doesn't matter, I can go on Monday. But why?"
    "I'm told Bates is working at a public house in Kirkbymoorside. I want to investigate."

    "I can't decide which part of that speech is the most extraordinary. Why can't someone else go?" Granny suddenly speaks up.

    "Because I want to go myself." The telephone rings and Carson tells Papa it for him.

~Next day (evening)~
Today I went to go check up on James to see how he was getting along. I couldn't help but feel bad for him since he really doesn't have any family after his mother died.

    "How are you, James?"

    "Pretty good m'lady, but I was wondering if you have any other book recommendations for me?" I smile.

    "Of course, let me fetch you some." I then went to get the books. Once I came back he was still sitting in the chair sipping his tea talking to some other men.

    "Here," I handed them to him, "Let me know if you like them."

    "Thank you M'lady."

    "Of course, anytime." I then turn to go upstairs to get ready for the concert. Edith then stops me in the hallway.

    "Lizzie, I think there is something you have to know," I look at her questioningly, "Papa told me not to tell you but I think you need to hear it." I then asked her anxiously and my stomach started to drop waiting for the news.