The New Maid

Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything of the Downton Abbey series. Also, I apologize in advance for any typos or grammatical errors. I just write this story for fun. I hope you will enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoy writing it!

_________________________

"Oh my goodness, I am ever so sorry!" Katherine said after the teacups had clattered on the floor.

"It's fine, it's not your fault, I should have been more careful." Alfred said whilst he started picking up the pieces.

"Let me help you." She squatted down and helped him cleaning up.

She had just dressed her ladyship into her eveningwear, which she was a little nervous about. Luckily everything went quite well and Lady Grantham was very pleased. Katherine then went downstairs again, but being a bit absentminded she walked into Alfred, the very tall, red haired, second footman. He was carrying a tray with teacups that had just been washed-up and they all fell on the floor, scattering into pieces.

"What is going on?" the deep voice of Mr Carson said.

They both stood up quickly.

"I have been clumsy and dropped the tray, I should have been more careful." Alfred said.

"Thank goodness this china isn't that expensive." Mr Carson said sarcastically. He gave them a disapproving look and left.

"He is mad, isn't he?" Katherine asked.

"He always is." Alfred answered and grinned a little.

"Don't let him hear that."

"Alfred!" The voice of Mrs Patmore shouted from the kitchen. "Do I have to carry up this tray myself?"

Alfred looked up, with a slightly frightened expression on his face.

"Excuse me." He said to Katherine and rushed to the kitchen.

She gave him a quick smile and cleaned up the rest of the scattered pieces. When she had cleaned it up she walked into the servants' hall.

"Her ladyship is dressed in her evening wear." Katherine said.

"That's good, how did it go?" Anna asked.

"Very well, really. Thank you for asking Mrs Bates." She answered and smiled.

"That's good to hear." She replied and smiled back at her.

"I told you there was nothing to be nervous about." Jimmy had walked in.

She turned around to look at him. "Yes, you were right. Thank you."

He gave her one of his dashing, signature smiles.

"You have some time to yourself now, she probably won't need you till after dinner." Anna said.

"Very well. I think I will just read my book." She said as she sat down.

"Well, I'm off to the kitchen again," Jimmy said. "Mrs Patmore is going to kill us tonight, I promise." He sighed and left for the kitchen with an annoyed look on his face. They could hear Mrs Patmore's voice from the kitchen, sounding rather irritated and impatient.

"Is Mrs Patmore always so ordering?" Katherine asked carefully.

"She mostly is, but she always works under a lot of stress. But believe me, she has a good heart." Anna answered.