The Bates's Irish Adventure

Sunday

Anna's POV

The mass was more energetic than our Protestant Sunday service, and I certainly noticed it more with my growing belly. Although I had often imagined having children, I never really thought about how heavy they are! And I still have months to go- I wonder if by the end I'll even be able to walk?! Throughout the mass I couldn't help but think of Frances Flanagan's impending visit, or what Peggy told me about her relationship with John. I know I should ask John about it, but I simply cannot bring myself to. I don't really believe what Peggy was hinting last night, I trust John completely. It's Frances that I worry about. She strikes me as a woman used to having her way with men, but I am confident that John's head will not be turned by the batting of a barmaid's eyelashes. Well, I hope he won't.

I try to drown my doubts by thinking of names. For a girl I am considering Elspeth - after Mrs Carson. She has been like a mother to me since I arrived at Downton and I would like to honour her. In the case of a boy, the obvious choice would be John, but I also quite like the name Benjamin. I will ask John his opinion tonight.

When we exit the church we are bombarded by locals, old friends of John and those seeking gossip. I almost forgot that we had not met the entirety of the parish (just meeting John's family felt like it). We just reached the horse and cart when Frances appeared. She was dressed a lot more suitably than she had been in the pub, but that is to be expected at church. She wore a long mauve dress, one with a delicate embroidered vine pattern around the waist, and a matching jacket and hat. It reminded me more of something that Lady Mary would wear than anyone of a lower class. I wouldn't have imagined that a barmaid would have that kind of money. Frances must be much better off than her employment suggests.

She made her way elegantly towards us, smiling all the while. She was constantly looking at John but I chose to ignore that. "Good morning!" Peggy called. "And the same to you my dear! How are you all?" Frances asked, linking arms with her friend. They were chatting quietly together when Frances suddenly stopped and turned around. A small hand had carefully jerked her skirt in order to get Frances's attention. When Frances turned, I could see the impossibly dainty owner of that hand. A young girl- no more than six years old- with ebony locks that cascaded down her back, stood clutching a tattered minature edition of Peter Rabbit.

"Miss Flanagan?" The girl asked in a shaking voice. Frances's smile grew wider (who knew that was even possible!). "Lizzie! Can I help you?" Lizzie bowed her head slightly. "I-I won't be in next week Miss. Ma needs me 'round the house. I've finished the book you gave me, so I thought I'd give it back now. It was very good. Thank you." She held the book out. Frances frowned ever so slightly, "I gave you that book to keep." Lizzie continued to look at the ground. "I'd be 'fraid twould get damaged, Miss." She stressed the word 'damaged' and I could see that Frances caught a message behind it. Frances smiled again and took the book. "That's alright pet. I hope to see you back in school soon, and remember that you can come to read any of the books anytime you want." She bent down then to whisper in Lizzie's ear. The child nodded and smiled weakly, "Thank you Miss Flanagan." Then she walked back towards the church.

Frances turned her attention back to us and seemed slightly startled at the stares we were unwittingly giving her. "What? She's just one of my students, not an alien!" Frances laughed, sliding the small book into the pocket of her jacket. John continued to look at her in awe, "You're a teacher?!" He exclaimed, shock very much evident on his handsome features. She laughed again, "yes. Why does it surprise you so? Did you think I loathed children or something?" John remained speachless. I tried not to roll my eyes at him. "What sparked your interest in teaching? When I saw you working in the pub I wasn't aware that you had any other occupation." I asked.

"Oh! My father owns the pub, and being the traditionalist that he is, likes me to be working there. I usually only work there on Saturdays or in the evenings of a particularly busy time of year. I still live in the pub, instead of in the cottage beside the school, because I don't like to leave my father alone in the house. He gets a bit, well upset if he has no company. Anyway, I'm the girls teacher in this village. My mother was the governess in the local big house before she married my father so that's where I get it from I suppose. Does that answer your question?" She smiled. Goodness, this woman smiled a lot! At that very moment, Benspeth (as I had come to think of the baby), gave an almighty kick prompting my sudden exclamation of "Oh!"

John turned to me immediately, "Are you alright?" He asked, deep concern lacing his voice- as usual. I smiled, "I'm fine. Just a rather vigorous kick from our child." His face relaxed and broke into a grin. We kissed then, and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw Frances's expression sour, but I must have imagined it. When we broke apart once again, Frances was back to her smiling self. Again, I dismissed any doubts as paranoid folly. Maybe Peggy just doesn't like me. Although she seems to be going a bit far.

Frances took her leave and headed off towards the field beside the graveyard. We headed home.

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John's POV

The dinner was almost ready when Frances arrived. She bore wine and cake, and sweets for the children. I am still quite surprised at how close she and Peggy have become. When we were young, they were sworn enemies. I wonder what changed?

Anyway we sat down to the meal. Eleven of us were crammed around the table, I have no idea how we all managed to fit. We had roast beef and potatoes, with some other vegetables that Seamus grew in the garden. It was delicious. We all made small talk, Frances asked about our lives at the Abbey, Peggy reminded me of some of the things we used to do as children. We got up to a lot of mischief!

Suddenly I remembered something. I had completely forgotten to ask Frances about her brother, Tommy. I was curious about what he is doing now.

"Frances, I completely forgot to ask, how is Tommy?"

Everyone froze. Well, everyone except Frances. She continued to cut her beef. Peggy spoke, "I'm sorry Frances, I should have-" Frances cut her off. "It's fine," she continued to stare at her plate, moving food around just as so to do something. She looked up at me fleetingly, the blue of her eyes heightened by the moisture that threatened to flow from them.

"Thirty years ago Tommy hanged himself."

That's all she said. She went back to eating as though nothing had happened. I was more than shocked. A chill crept up my back and I felt weak. Tommy was one of my closest friends, we were as thick as thieves - as they say. To think that he has been dead these past three decades and that he took his own life- well, it was hard to accept. I didn't cry. I didn't do anything. Anyway, now wasn't the time to grieve.

I wonder if that is why Frances's mother left? It does seem like the type of thing to push someone over the edge. Having to bury your child. Then it struck me, since it was suicide Tommy wouldn't have had a proper funeral. He wouldn't be buried in the graveyard. He would be an outcast in death as in life. Somehow that hurt the most.

Thirty years ago. That's when I was last here. I- I wasn't there for her. I promised Frances that I would love and protect her forever, but I wasn't there when her brother killed himself. She sent me letters, and I burned them without reading them. She reached out to me in her time of need - what I had told her to do- and I ignored her. I probably destroyed her life. Guilt gripped my heart, filling my stomach with nasty bile. Suddenly the beef didn't seem so appetising.

My thoughts were disturbed by Frances. "This is delicious Peggy" she commented. Slowly, conversation started up again, but the gaiety of before the announcement had evaporated.

Hello again!

Yeah, I know, It's been a while. And I am very sorry about it (don't blame @anna_bates_forever this is all my fault).

Please let me know what you think.

Love,

Saskatfishcakes and Anna_bates_forever