Downton Abbey - The Story of Emma Barrow

Home Alone (July 1923)

The summer holidays had just begun, and the majority of the servants, along with the Crawley family, had travelled to London. Downton Abbey, usually buzzing with activity, now lay in a rare, almost ghostly silence. The only ones left behind were Thomas, Emma, the kitchen maid Ivy, and Tom Branson.

Thomas sat in Mr Carson's seat, for while the butler was already in London, he was now acting as the butler of Downton Abbey – at least until they, too, would depart for London.

Emma leaned back with a broad grin. The idea that her father was now the butler and making the decisions thrilled her.

"So, what shall we do now?" she asked curiously, lightly rocking her leg against the chair.

Thomas raised an eyebrow and thoughtfully placed his hand on his chin. "Well, what shall we do?" he repeated, as if deeply pondering it. "Perhaps we should behave quite formally, as befits a butler. Everything by the book."

Emma pulled a face. "That's boring!" she exclaimed and then shared her own idea with her father. "Since you're in charge now, you'll surely let me invite Ruby to stay the night, won't you?"

Thomas paused for a moment, before his mischievous smile deepened as he considered Emma's request. "Let Ruby stay over? Hmm..." He crossed his arms and swayed playfully, as if lost in thought. "That sounds like a lot of work..." He paused dramatically, causing Emma to bounce excitedly in her seat.

"Please, Daddy!" she begged, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Thomas held the tension for a moment longer, then sighed theatrically and shook his head, only to grin immediately after. "Alright, you've won. Ruby can stay the night."

Emma jumped up with excitement. "Yes! Thank you, Dad!" She threw her arms around him before dashing towards the door. "I'll go to her straight away!"

The evening at the Abbey was quiet when Emma and Ruby finally disappeared into Emma's room after having dinner together.

"So," Ruby began, settling herself more comfortably, "what shall we do now? It feels so strange seeing Downton Abbey so empty."

Emma grinned conspiratorially and moved closer to Ruby. "I've got something to show you," she whispered, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening.

"What is it?" Ruby asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Emma paused dramatically before continuing in a soft whisper, "There's a secret passage in the Abbey. Lady Sybil showed it to me a few years ago, but you must swear, on your life, that you'll tell absolutely no one. Not a soul! Even my dad doesn't know about it!"

Ruby's eyes widened in amazement. "A secret passage? Oh my god, I swear! I won't tell anyone!" She raised two fingers solemnly, looking at Emma with eager anticipation.

"Good," Emma said, satisfied, as she got up from the bed. "Come with me, but be quiet or my dad will catch us!"

The two girls tiptoed through the servants quarters until they reached the laundry room. It was usually a busy place where the maids worked, but now, with the house almost empty, it lay in still darkness. The old wooden beams creaked softly, and the only light came from the pale moon shining through a small window.

"Here it is," Emma whispered excitedly as she opened a small, unremarkable door. Behind it was a narrow passage. Ruby stared at the hidden entrance, her mouth agape. "Wow..." she breathed in awe. "It's like something out of an adventure book!"

"That's what I said when I first saw it," Emma grinned. A narrow, dark staircase led downwards. "Lady Sybil thought it used to be a servant's passage, but it seems to have been forgotten."