Downton Abbey - The Story of Emma Barrow

Day at the Beach

Water as far as the eye could see. Emma had loved the sea from the very first moment. She adored the feeling of sand between her toes, the warm rays of the sun touching her skin, and the vastness of the ocean that lapped at her feet in that very moment.

She had never been on a day trip with the entire household staff, who were like family to her. Today, no one had to work. Everyone could enjoy the day without worry or stress — even sleep in.

Emma looked around. Mrs. Baxter was sitting on the beach, absorbed in a book. Mr. Molesley, Jimmy, and her father were kicking a ball around. Mrs. Patmore and Daisy were sitting together, sharing a picnic, while Mrs. Hughes was trying to convince the water-shy Mr. Carson to dip his feet in the water.

Emma took a slow, deep breath in and out. This summer day was glorious.

"Are you still playing?" asked a girl Emma had only met a few minutes earlier. The girl was building a sandcastle with her brother. Emma didn't even know her name. Yet they were friends for the day. Emma nodded and sat back down in the sand.

She was so engrossed in building her sandcastle and playing with her new friends that she didn't even notice Thomas standing behind her.

"May I treat you to an ice cream?" Thomas grinned, and Emma quickly linked her arm through his. With a large scoop of strawberry ice cream, they strolled along the beach.

"Oh yes," Emma replied with a smile that almost outshone the sun. She leapt to her feet, brushed the sand from her hands, and eagerly accepted her father's offer. By now, the sun was high in the sky, and the scent of saltwater mingled with the sweet aroma of freshly made ice cream. Together, they walked hand in hand along the small path leading to the kiosk at the edge of the beach.

The kiosk was a simple wooden building. Behind the counter stood an older man wearing a white apron and a broad smile.

"What would you like?" Thomas asked as they stood before the selection of ice creams.

"Hmm," Emma thought for a moment. "I think strawberry."

"Alright, one strawberry for the young lady and chocolate for me," Thomas ordered. As the vendor scooped the ice cream into cones, Emma glanced back toward the beach. The day was so perfect that she almost feared it might be a dream about to end.

"You know, Dad," Emma began as she took her ice cream, "I love the sea. I wish we could be here every day."

Her father simply nodded as he accepted his own ice cream and joined her on one of the benches in the dunes. Emma licked her ice cream, the cool, refreshing taste melting on her tongue, and watched as the household staff remained scattered across the beach. Mrs. Baxter was still sitting in the shade of a parasol with her book, while Mr. Molesley and Jimmy continued playing football.

Emma rested her head on her father's shoulder and closed her eyes for a moment. The warm sunlight beat down on her skin, but being close to Thomas made all other thoughts fade away. Thomas looked down at her in surprise, even though he'd experienced such gestures from her countless times over the past eleven years. Yet each time she leaned on him, it felt special, almost unbelievable that this little one was his child.

"I'd love to swim!" Emma sighed, gazing at the gently lapping waves.

"Unfortunately, you can't swim, litte dwarf," Thomas replied, shaking his head lightly.

"Can you swim?" she asked curiously, looking up at him.

"Yes, I can swim," he answered with a smile. "My father taught me."

Emma thought for a moment before replying with a determined look, "Then why don't you teach me?"

Thomas chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "Swimming isn't something you learn quickly, and besides, I don't have enough free time to teach you everything."

"Then just work less! Then you could teach me everything," she said in a tone that combined childlike innocence with a faint sharpness, as though she already understood that work and time were always an issue.

"And who would earn the money?" he asked, still smiling but with a hint of seriousness in his voice.

"If I were Prime Minister, I'd make sure everyone had more days off," she replied with a grin. "Imagine all the adventures we could have if you didn't have to work so much!"

Thomas laughed. "Your list as a future Prime Minister is getting longer by the minute. What else is on your list?"

Emma thought for a moment before continuing, "I'd fight for women's and children's rights, equal opportunities for everyone, and less homework!"

"Less homework?" Thomas raised an eyebrow.

"And more tasty food for all children! Less brussels sprouts and more chocolate!" she said with a cheeky smile.

"You've certainly got plenty of ideas," Thomas said, chuckling. "But remember, not everyone would vote for you. Traditional people like Carson, for example, who believe in old values, would never vote for a woman in such an important position."

"The problem isn't that Carson wouldn't vote for me. It's that men like him don't think women like me should lead. But women would vote for me! So, it'd be better if the minimum voting age wasn't 30," Emma said, clearly having thought through the issue, her gaze now slightly defiant as she looked at her father.

Thomas laughed softly. "I didn't realise you were so interested in politics."

"I'm not interested in politics; I'm interested in equality!" she declared with determination.

The wind blew gently, playing with her hair as Emma gazed back toward the sea. Her heart longed to truly feel the water.

"Daddy," she said at last, her voice soft again and filled with hope. "Can I at least go into the water up to my knees if you come with me?" She gave him a pleading look he simply couldn't resist.

Thomas hesitated, studying the expression on his daughter's face. Her imploring eyes, combined with the innocent determination in her gaze, always left him caught in a dilemma. He had explained to her several times that it could be dangerous to venture into the water without knowing how to swim, but how could he say no to her heartfelt request?

"Alright, but only up to your knees, understood?" he finally said, masking his apprehension with a smile.

Emma's eyes lit up, and she threw her arms around him in an instant. "Thank you, Daddy! You're the best!"

Together, they made their way to the water, with Thomas letting her walk ahead. Emma dipped her feet into the cool waves, a laugh escaping her lips as she turned back to him. "It's so lovely here!"

Thomas grinned as he watched her venture further into the water. She was now knee-deep, splashing about and playfully flicking water in his direction, her laughter ringing out like music.

"I love you, Daddy," Emma said as she waded back toward him.

"I love you too, my little dwarf," Thomas replied, wrapping her in his arms.

Together they stood there, surrounded by the gentle lapping of the waves, and for that brief moment, the world felt utterly perfect.