Downton Abbey: All Is Fair In Love And War

Lavinia Swire Is Her Name

Downton Abbey,
April 1919

There was a silence between Thomas and Mrs Hughes. Thomas had left the last part out, stopped speaking after their kiss, because even if Mrs Hughes was kind enough to hear the story that weighed heavy on the footman's chest, he doubted very much she wished to hear such intimate moments — especially one shared between two men and Thomas didn't wish for anyone else to know those moments either. Those times he would always keep to himself.

There was a loud crash outside in the hallway and Daisy's frantic voice. Mrs Hughes finished her tea and looked at the clock ticking behind them. "My my, that was quite the tale, and there's plenty more, I assume?"

"Right you are Mrs Hughes, it's quite long indeed." Thomas said and wiped his eyes quickly for he just felt the burn of tears upon them.

"Since Daisy has slept and woken up, might I suggest you join me for tea again tomorrow night?" Mrs Hughes stood up and Thomas did the same, setting his cup down on the tray.

"You wish to hear more?" Thomas asked in surprise, almost thinking she had been scared off.

"Thomas, with such an intriguing tale, how could I not wish to hear more?" She led the footman to the door and opened it for him. "I am happy to lend my hours and ears to a man injured in service for our King and Crown, goodnight Thomas."

"Goodnight Mrs Hughes." Thomas said "Thank you" he added before ducking out of the room and saw Daisy cleaning up trays that had fallen onto the floor. He glanced down at her and she looked up at him as well.

"Early rise for you as well, Thomas?" She asked nervously.

"You might say that, Daisy." Thomas replied and he didn't know if it was the tale he had just told that caused some softness in his heart, but he walked over and helped her pick up the heavy stack of trays and set it on the counter of the kitchen for her.

Daisy's big eyes widened and she mumbled "thank you" before turning to grab everything needed to prepare for a sombre breakfast in a sombre house. Thomas just nodded and headed up the stairs towards the servants' quarters to his room and his bed. Though exhausted, sleep did not find him and before he knew it, the knock of Mr Carson was upon his door — letting them all know that morning had come and the long day of a footman was to begin.

The Crawleys', with the exception of Cora who took her breakfast in bed as a married woman, sat in silence for both breakfast, tea and supper. Matthew had not joined them for dinner last night and none expected him for breakfast, and quite right they were — he was not there. It made Thomas desperately longing for tea with Mrs Hughes — at least in his story they were still happy and he could see Matthew's face smiling at him again.

Later in the evening Thomas sat smoking as, one by one, the servants retreated to bed and Mrs Patmore and Daisy ended up being the only ones remaining. It was not as late in the night as yesterday and sleep was the last thing on Thomas' mind.

Mrs Hughes emerged from her sitting room and walked into the kitchens. "Mrs Patmore, would you ever be so kind as to make a pot of tea and two cups on a tray for me?" She asked the cook and got the typical response of 'Of course Mrs Hughes' from the round woman.

"Thomas, shall we?" She asked and Thomas nodded, following her back to the sitting room with a puzzled stare from Mrs Patmore.

"Whatever is that about?" Mrs Patmore said out loud as she began to prepare the tea-tray.

"I can't say I know, Mrs Patmore" Daisy said quietly but her eyes lingered on the hallway Thomas and Mrs Hughes had disappeared to.

"Right, Thomas, where did we leave the story?" Mrs Hughes said as she offered Thomas a seat in the same chair as last night "I'm afraid our talk cannot be as long as last night, I fear the loss of sleep will do neither of us well."