Downton Abbey - The Story of Emma Barrow

Dresses, Tea & Cinema (September 1921)

The conversation in the village school of Downton about the latest Charlie Chaplin film had stirred emotions for several days. The pupils raved about the various scenes and vied with each other for the funniest moments.

"The fight scene was brilliant," enthused Arthur, his eyes shining as he recounted the performance.

"I found the pancake bit funny," added Katherine, shooting Emma a stern glance. "What did you find funny? Or can't you afford the cinema? Wouldn't surprise me, the way you dress."

Katherine, the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, scrutinised Emma critically. Katherine always followed the latest fashion trends, from the chicest hats to the most elegant dresses. The current hype was to cut hair chin-length, curling it gently and wearing a huge white bow resembling mouse ears. This was accompanied by a knee-length cream-coloured dress with a pink bow around the waist and pink ballet flats.

Emma, on the other hand, looked at herself. She wore a floral cream-coloured knee-length dress, matching tights, and dark leather shoes. Her braided hair fell loosely over her shoulders, devoid of extravagant accessories like big bows. She only owned one hat.

"My dad's taking me to the late showing for servants," Emma asserted defiantly.

"Maybe you'll get lucky and he'll take you to Mrs Sanders' fashion boutique," teased Katherine. "But I doubt she opens late just for poor servant kids like you."

"Do you always have to be so mean?" Ruby intervened. "Not all our parents are rich."

"And not all our parents are servants," countered Katherine. "My parents employ people like Emma. Cooks, maids, butlers... Oh, wouldn't that be a great job for your dad? And you could start right away as a maid at our place..." she added with a mischievous grin, fixing her gaze on Emma.

"I'm glad I'm not rich and stupid!" retorted Emma irritably. "Unlike you, I know how to dress decently and tie my shoes."

Katherine looked down at her disdainfully. "It shows that you dress yourself... can't imagine having to wear such old rags. You do know those dresses have been out of fashion for months?" Katherine glanced at her friends Beatrice and Harriet. Both girls stood behind her. "I went to the fashion show in Paris during the holidays and personally met the designer Gérard." This elicited a jealous "wow" from Beatrice and Harriet.

At home, chaos reigned in her bedroom. Emma desperately rummaged through her drawers but found nothing suitable. Everything was patterned, striped, or checked. Nothing plain. No hip belts, no oversized bows for her hair.

Thomas entered the room and was shocked by the state of it. "Blimley, what's happened here?" His daughter's clothes were strewn all over the place.

"I've got nothing to wear," sighed Emma.

"Oh really?" Thomas picked up one of the discarded dresses with frills. "And what's this?"

"Dad, you don't wear stuff like that nowadays!"

"Says who?" Thomas was confused. The dress seemed relatively new.

"Katherine Sheppard."

"Do I need to know her?"

"The daughter of the Sheppard family!"

But Thomas still looked puzzled. "And?"

Emma let out a frustrated sigh. Was her father really that dense? Some days he seemed to embody the stereotype that Katherine Sheppard had about servants: being dumb.

"The entrepreneur family!"

"Right," said Thomas, somewhat offended, as he picked up some of the discarded clothes. "You're definitely not throwing anything away. Even though I may be a under-butler and receive a relatively acceptable pay, money doesn't grow on trees."