Kara Sevda

Kara Sevda

Years have passed by in the blink of an eye, and yet things still haven't changed much in the decade that she's been away from these hallowed halls.

It's by a different entrance that she enters this time, quavering only slightly in the best clothes she owns, feeling slightly out of place in the sumptuous drawing room with the people she had once curtseyed for. There is only one comforting face in the form of Mr. Branson, but she can't cling to him without raising perfectly sculpted eyebrows.

Years have passed by in the blink of an eye, and yet the people within these hallowed halls haven't changed much in the decade that she's been away. Thomas is still the snake in the grass that he had always been, finding pleasure in upsetting others and making himself feel superior.

Thankfully, his little ploy doesn't work, and the reminder of Lady Sybil's endless kindness saves her from what could have been a very uncomfortable interlude (Lady Mary, despite what Anna has written at times, doesn't seem to have thawed much). The luncheon ends on a nostalgic note, with every person in the room remembering Lady Sybil's beautiful soul.

When the eating is over and they are back in the drawing room, she takes Lord Grantham aside.

"I was wondering if I might go below stairs," she says awkwardly, wondering if she should tag on a polite milord. "I would like to see my old friends before I go, if that's possible."

Lord Grantham smiles at her. "Of course. In fact, why don't I escort you? Keep your husband company while you have a catch up?"

"That would be very kind. Thank you," she says, genuinely touched by the man's benevolence.

Lady Edith tags along too, leaving the rest of them to drink coffee and discuss the estate. Gwen's stomach churns with each step that she takes. She sees Mrs. Patmore waiting at the entrance to the servants' hall, before she disappears inside to announce her arrival. She almost feels like a queen, receiving a regal welcome.

And then they're all there in front of her. Some members of staff have come and gone, but the barebones remain: Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes (on honeymoon, no less—Gwen certainly hadn't seen that one coming), Daisy and Mrs. Patmore (still a perfect double act), Thomas (who she has already had the displeasure of meeting again), Mr. Molesley, up from the village (it's so strange to see him kitted out as a footman when he'd always seemed so proud of his work at Crawley House)...and Mr. Bates and Anna (Mr. Bates and Mrs. Bates).

Anna leaps forward at once, firing her with a barrage of questions about her children and her new home and her life.

She laughs, and says, "All right! Let's begin at the beginning. But afterwards I'd like to hear all about you." She looks around at her former colleagues' beaming faces as she takes the seat next to Anna.

For the next fifteen minutes she fills them in on her life. Anna brightens at the mention of her children, Henry and Samuel, eagerly pursuing that line of conversation. Something niggles in the back of Gwen's mind, but she won't give voice to it in front of so many people. Instead she focuses on the questions that are launched endlessly at her, and then turns the tables. She learns all about Daisy's aspirations to take her school exams, a notion that she heartily approves of after her own missed opportunity in education. Mrs. Patmore gossips about the Carsons. Miss Baxter drifts over shyly, introducing herself to the group. Mr. Molesley shadows her. The other new faces linger in the background, obviously unsure of what to make of this stranger in their midst. She's pleased to see that John is settled well into conversation with Lord Grantham and Mr. Bates. Surprisingly, Anna is largely quiet as the others chatter at her, a tiny, wistful smile playing about her mouth, one hand hidden beneath the line of the table. Gwen wouldn't swear to it, but she thinks that it might be resting against her stomach.