Risk It All - Tom Branson/Downton Abbey

Nurse Florence Crawley

Florence and Sybil had completed their nurses training and were working at Downton Cottage Hospital. They both found it difficult at times, but overall rewarding. The whole family were so proud of them and it meant so much to the girls. Tom, who Florence was now courting, was constantly telling her how proud she was making him. Tom was always a shoulder to cry on for Florence whenever things got too much for her. Currently, the family were in the dining room having luncheon.

"But after twenty-four hours, it just doesn't do it" said Robert as Carson serves him his lunch and bumped into Violet's chair

"Are you all right, Carson?" asked Violet in concern, everyone loved Carson

"Of course. That is, er, perfectly all right, Your Ladyship, thank you" stumbled Carson. Florence was worried as she could tell that he wasn't all right

"Er, no" said Robert as he dismissed Carson who was about to pour him so wine

"Cousin Isobel says Matthew's coming home in a fortnight. He's touring England with some general" gloated Edith. Florence enjoyed seeing her older cousin, but she could see how much it hurt Mary whenever he came to visit

"We'll have a dinner when he's here" announced Robert, Carson stopped and looked at him, it was evident that he was not pleased

"I was going to ask Richard Carlisle about then. For Saturday to Monday" said Mary, again Carson was not pleased

"You be careful, Mary. Sir Richard mustn't think you're after him" warned Violet to her eldest granddaughter

"Isn't that the truth?" chucked Florence

"The truth is neither here nor there. It's the look of the thing that matters. Ask Rosamund. It'll take the edge off it" said Violet

"Well, that'd be nice. Like before the war" agreed Robert

"How can we manage a great pre-war house party without a single footman?" asked Cora

"My dear, Rosamund is not a house party. She's blood" replied Violet

"I saw Mrs Drake when I went into the village. The wife of John Drake, who has Long Field Farm" said Edith, who wanted to completely change the subject

"Yes. What did she have to say?" asked Robert curiously

"Apparently their final able-bodied farmhand has been called up. They need a man to drive the tractor" explained Edith further. Florence could tell where this was going

"Well, hasn't Drake recovered from his illness? I thought he was better" said Robert curiously

"No, he is. He's much, much better. But he doesn't drive. So I told her I could do it" replied Edith. Florence knew it, she was shocked at first, but happy that her sister was doing what she thought was right for the war effort

"What?" questioned Cora shocked

"I said I could drive the tractor" said Edith again

"Edith! You are a lady, not Toad of Toad Hall" replied Violet dryly. Florence found this hilarious and burst out laughing, however, her family ignored her as they were more focused on Edith

"Well, I'm doing it" stated Edith. This caused Mary, Robert and Florence to smile at Edith's determination.

*****

The next day Florence and Sybil were on shift at Downton Cottage Hospital. Tom had just turned up and delivered a message from Cora. She had told them fo make sure they were back for dinner that night. The girls wanted to spend time with their families, but, they also had to be on shift. Sybil was currently talking to Isobel, while Florence was taking the opportunity to talk to Tom.