The New Maid

Chapter 5

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!

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After dinner Katherine and Anna were sitting in the servants' hall. "Now, did you had fun today?" Anna asked. "I certainly did, it was nice to go out and forget about work for a while." Katherine answered. "I can imagine, it's been a while since I went into town or to a fair. You're a lucky one." She said and grinned. "I know," she answered and laughed. "Do you still need the button box?" Katherine asked Anna whilst she placed the needle and threat back in the box after mending some clothes. "Oh yes, I still need them so you can leave it here, thank you." She answered and smiled. "Alright, then I'll go clean some more shoes." She said and got up.

When she was in the boot room to polish the shoes Thomas walked in. "You said somethin' about nanny West this morning, remember?" She looked up from the shoes. "I do, yes." She nodded. "She sounded rather mean.""Hmm," he nodded in agreement. "I'll make sure she will be gone, soon enough." "What are you going to do? Please, don't do anything stupid." "You know me." He said and smirked. "That's why I'm saying it.""Just have a little faith in me, will ya?" Thomas said, and with that he left again. Katherine shook her head and continued to polish the shoes.

Back in the servants' hall the fair was the subject of the day, especially Katherine and Mr Branson. "It's just inappropriate," Mr Carson said. "Even if he was the chauffeur once, he now is part of the family and a maid shouldn't interact with a member of the family like that." "I'm sure she has no wrong intentions though." Mrs Hughes said. "I'm sure she has not." Jimmy interfered as he stood up."James, if we wanted your opinion we would have asked for it, thank you." Mr Carson said. Jimmy opened his mouth to say something, but decided it was better stay silent and sat down again. "Do I have to remind you what happened with Mrs Braithwaite, Mrs Hughes?" "No you don't.." Mrs Hughes answered. "Alright then, maybe it's better if they keep a certain distance." "Very well, I need to go upstairs now, Alfred, chop chop." Mr Carson said and left, Alfred on his heels.

'Ring'. They looked up. "That's her ladyship, where's Miss Turner?" Mrs Hughes asked. "She's in the boot room." Anna answered. "Oh I'll go fetch her." Jimmy said and got up. "Her ladyship has rung." He said as he walked in. "Oh thank you for telling me." Katherine answered and quickly dropped her work. "Katherine.." Jimmy stopped her as she was on her way out. She looked her him questioning. "They've been talking about you and Mr Branson.. I think it's better if you keep a distance. I mean, I do not disapprove but Mr Carson does and-""Wait what? Me and Mr Branson? You mean about the fair? He was just being friendly and so was I, nothing more.""I know that, and I think he deserves it, but for your own best, keep a distance." "I will.. Excuse me, I really need to go upstairs now." Katherine said and rushed out.

She quickly went to her ladyship's room and helped her to get ready for the night. "Is that all milady?" Katherine asked. "Yes Turner, you can go now, thank you." Lady Grantham said and smiled. "Good night." "Good night, milady." Katherine answered and left. Whilst she walked down the gallery she saw Mr Branson. She couldn't just turn around and walk away, that would be to obvious but she had to try to avoid him. It was too late. "Good evening," he said when he saw her. "I wanted to thank you for today. Miss Sybbie did quite enjoy your company and so did I.""That's very kind of you, Sir, I had a wonderful day too." Katherine answered politely. "How many times do I have to tell you, it's Mr Branson." He said and grinned. Katherine forced a smile. "Are you quite alright?" He asked. "Yes, why would anything be the matter?" She asked nonchalantly. "I can see there's something, please tell me what it is, Katherine." "Alright, well I don't mean to offend you, but they quite disapprove my behaviour of today downstairs.""Behaviour? You mean that you are talking to me?" Mr Branson asked. "Yes Sir, they don't think it's right, which I very well understand. So I think it's better if I keep a distance.""Meaning? You can not talk to me anymore? Look, don't get me wrong Katherine, in your eyes might be a member of the family, but I haven't always been one." "I know that." She answered. "You are a sweet girl and Miss Sybbie seems rather fond of you. It's still my decision who I talk to and who not, not Carson's.""I know that Sir, and I do very much appreciate all what you just said, really. But I do not want to loose my job." "I understand that. Just think about it.." He said and gave a little smile at the end. "I will Sir, oh and speaking about Miss Sybbie..""Yes?" He asked. "Her nanny, I heard her this morning and she was using rather inappropriate words.. I was not eavesdropping, I just happened to hear it.""What exactly do you mean with inappropriate?" Mr Branson asked, ignoring the rest of it. "I mean nasty things.. Things you would not say to a child, to no one in general really." He sighed. "Alright, thank you for telling me." He said. "I won't hold you up any longer. Good night.""Good night, Sir." She said and left.