It was April 15th 2012 and the sun shone over Downton House. The sun startled Mary Crawley as she stirred in her bed. It was far more comfortable than the cold atmosphere of her room. She just about reached her television remote and flicked on the news.

'Commemerations of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic have begun…'

Mary sat and thought to herself how long ago that really was until she stared at the clock, and realised she ought to get up and dressed, so she did so.

She climbed down the stairs, wearing her sleepy expression when she bumped into Edith.

'Morning,' Mary grumbled at the sight of her sister.

'Seen the news?'

'Yeah, why?'

'Oh. Well just that it's a hundred years since the Titanic sunk, oh and the ITV drama is on tonight, you know the one about Titanic?'

'Yeah, cheers Sherlock,' Mary grunted.

'What's up with you? Still depressed because you're 20 and living at home?'

'Still depressed because you've never had a boyfriend?'

'Morning girls,' said Robert grumpily. They hadn't realised they'd already reached the dining room.

Their father was reading the paper over his cornflakes, as he always did, looking rather popmpous.

'Oh Mary I can't wait till you go back to uni,' Edith hissed.

'Neither can I. I'm leaving at four. Can't wait to get shot of you,' Mary hissed back.

'Oh girls really!' Robert grumbled. 'And Edith, don't be spiteful, you'll be going in a few months and it would be a good idea to get some advice from your sister.'

Edith laughed sarcastically. 'All I can learn from Mary is where the nearest nightclubs are and how easy it is to get guys to…'

'Morning!' said Sybil brightly as she joined them.

'Ah hello dear,' said Robert brightly as Edith and Mary stared each other down.

'Hey dad,' said Sybil. 'I've got some Maths homework to do later, can you help me?'

'Ask your mother,' was Robert's instant reply. 'She's brighter than I am.'

'Where is she?'

'In bed.'

Mary smiled. 'Alright for some isn't it?'

'I can help if you like,' Edith offered to Sybil.

'Do you want her to fail?' Mary muttered.

Edith flushed. 'Sorry Mary, remind me what you got in your Maths GCSE when you were 16? Hmm?'

'Enough,' said Robert.

'Don't be so insufferable, Edith,' Mary snapped. 'I passed, that's all that matters.'

Sybil sat down by her sisters and grabbed some nutella and began spreading.

'I can't believe you're going Mary,' Sybil sighed.

'I know. I'll Skype you when I get there though,' Mary assured her.

'I hope so,' said Robert. 'You barely spoke to us last time.'

Then suddenly Robert dropped his fork.

'Oh I almost forgot!'

'Forgot what Dad?' Edith asked.

'We have some very distant relatives coming over for lunch. Very distant. I tracked them down using the… what's it… family tree website. I've been trying to build our tree and…'

'As fascinating as that sounds Dad…' Mary continued.

'And it's a woman and her son. And her son, funnily enough is 24, Mary. I here he is what you call… erm, fit?'

Sybil laughed. 'Dad, you are so embarrassing!'

Mary however had gone strangely quiet.

'What's his name?' Edith asked.

'Matthew Crawley. And his mother is called Isobel.'

'And how are they related to us exactly?' Mary piped up.

Sybil giggled. 'Why, fancy your chances?'

'No,' Mary snapped quickly.

'They are very distant cousins,' Robert replied.

'When are they coming?' Edith asked.

'You're both keen,' Sybil whispered.

'Twelve. So you'd all best get ready. Your Mum's cooking a roast.'

…..

Mary was sat at her desk. She tried to deny the fact that she's put on a little bit more make-up and used the perfume she only saved for special occasions.

'Very nice,' said Sybil who had managed to enter Mary's room undetected.

Mary smiled.

'So, hoping to pull this Matthew guy?'

'Oh Sybil. Don't be silly. Not all of us have our eyes on guys backsides.'

'I do not!' Sybil lied.

'When did you last have one of your admirers try it on with you at school?'

'Point taken,' Sybil blushed.

The doorbell rang as Edith walked in.

'They're here.'

'Well done Einstein,' Mary muttered, and the girls headed downstairs to see their guests in the hall.

Isobel had mousy brown hair and looked around the same age as their mother Cora. Matthew was tall, blonde and in Mary's opinion, good looking, but a bit… vacant.

'Ah girls, you're here!' Cora smiled.

'Matthew, Isobel, this is Mary, Edith and Sybil.'

Matthew pulled a gormless smile at them all which made Sybil giggle.

'Wow, your house is clean,' he said absent mindedly.

Mary exchanged looks with her mother. They were thinking the same thing. They were a bit odd.

'Yes well,' Isobel interrupted. 'Just because you're room is like a bombsite. As is any other teenagers I expect!'

'Our cleaner cleans everything for us,' Mary pointed out.

Robert shifted uncomfortably, 'Right, well Cora, are you ready to serve?'

'Yes,' if you'd all like to sit down?' said Robert leading everyone into the dining room.

'Wow!' said Matthew as he gazed up at the chandelier. 'The bulb in our dining room is broken.'

Isobel blushed. 'Thank you Matthew.'

Everyone sat down as Cora brought the plates through.

Matthew began to tuck in, stunning them all.

'Erm, we usually wait until everyone has their dinner in front of them,' Mary pointed out awkwardly.

Matthew turned to Mary with an odd smile. 'I'm sorry I am not used to your ways. Mum and I usually eat on trays you see. I'm working full time and so is Mum so we don't really have time. But thanks for your… tolerance.'

Mary felt guilty, but braved it with a smile, though she knew Matthew had a good point.

…..

The afternoon had flown by on awkward conversations and everyone was leaving out of the front door when Mary and Matthew were left in the doorway.

'Well it was nice meeting you,' said Matthew pleasantly. 'I hear you're off back to university tomorrow. I hope you enjoy it, I certainly did. I also hope if we meet again maybe you can lay off the insults,' he winked as he walked out.

Mary shook her head and smiled.

…..

'Now, don't do anything stupid!' Cora said, as Mary climbed into her car, ready to go back to uni.

'Does her existence count?' Edith asked.

She was ignored.

'Oh Mary!' Sybil cried, hugging her sister.

'I'll be home in no time. Besides, you need to stay at home and insult Matthew!'

Sybil began to whisper into Mary's ear. 'I have another word for insults, Mary.'

'Oh?'

'Flirting.'

Mary blushed furiously.

'Well, bye everyone!'

Mary drove away from her large comfortable home and back to her small flat. Her family waved her goodbye until she next came home. Though one question lingered in her mind. When would she next see Matthew?