[INT. KITCHENS - DAY]

　　VERA BATES

　　Lady Mary was very much part of the story, I can assure you.

　　ETHEL

　　How do you know?

　　VERA BATES

　　Well, you see, I worked for Lady Flin--

　　[Anna walks into the kitchen.]

　　ANNA

　　Ethel! I hope you've offered our visitor some tea.

　　ETHEL

　　I'll go and ask Daisy.

　　[Anna smiles politely at Vera for a moment then follows Ethel out.]

　　ANNA

　　What is the first law of service? We do not discuss the business of this house with strangers.

　　ETHEL

　　But she's not a stranger, she's Mr Bates's wife. Has anyone told him she's here?

　　[Ethel leaves and Anna tries to process her shock. Anna walks back into the kitchen.]

　　VERA BATES

　　So you're Anna.

　　ANNA

　　I am.

　　[Vera nods, looking her over.]

　　VERA BATES

　　You're the one who went to call on my late lamented mother-in-law.

　　ANNA

　　Yes, I did.

　　[Mr Bates enters slowly. Ethel enters to watch.]

　　VERA BATES

　　I know you did.

　　MR BATES

　　Sorry to keep you waiting, Vera. I was up in the attics sorting out some cupboards. VERA BATES

　　Don't worry. I've been having a nice time here with Ethel and Miss Smith.

　　[Mrs Hughes enters.]

　　MRS HUGHES

　　Mr Bates. Ethel told me about your visitor, so I've had the tea put in my sitting room. I thought you might take Mrs Bates in there.

　　MR BATES

　　That's very thoughtful.

　　VERA BATES

　　It is. But then, you're all so kind. I'm beginning to understand why my Batesy's got so spoiled.

　　[Mr Bates and Anna glare at Vera.]

　　[INT. DRAWING ROOM - DAY]

　　[Cora's embroidering when Mr Carson enters.]

　　MR CARSON

　　I'm sorry to trouble you, my lady.

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　What is it, Carson?

　　MR CARSON

　　Something has been going on, and I don't feel quite easy that you've not been made aware of it.

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　Goodness. What is this dark secret?

　　MR CARSON

　　Lady Sybil has spent the last two in the kitchens.

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　What?

　　MR CARSON

　　She asked Mrs Patmore for some cooking lessons.

　　[INT. KITCHENS - DAY]

　　MRS PATMORE

　　Now, steady. Even the most experienced cook can burn themself if they're not careful.

　　LADY SYBIL

　　But do you think it's ready?

　　MRS PATMORE

　　I know it's ready.

　　DAISY

　　Go on, you don't want to spoil it.

　　[Mr Carson and Cora watch through the window in the corridor.]

　　MR CARSON

　　It seems she's made a cake for Your Ladyship as a surprise, but I am uneasy with surprises at

　　the best of times and I wonder if the whole exercise is entirely appropriate.

　　[Branson enters the kitchen just as Sybil is pulling the cake out of the oven with a huge smile on her face. He grins.]

　　LADY SYBIL

　　Ta-da.

　　MRS PATMORE

　　Oooh.

　　[Carson watches with disapproval. Cora watches with wonder. A smile lights up her face. Daisy and Mrs Patmore help Sybil finish the cake.]

　　MR CARSON

　　I'm not comfortable with this, my lady. Not comfortable at all.

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　I was worried about Lady Sybil. But I'm not worried anymore.

　　MR CARSON

　　So you don't mind, my lady?

　　[Cora is close to tears in her joy. She shakes her head.]

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　No. I do not mind. And I'm very grateful to you. And Carson, the cake will be a surprise whether

　　you approve or not, so please don't give me away.