Downton Abbey: All Is Fair In Love And War

She Is Sweet On You

Downton Abbey,
April 1919

Mrs Hughes let out a small cough to try and clear her throat as it had welled up from Thomas' story of the battlefield. How absolutely terrifying it must have been there, crawling underneath bullets and between the bodies of soldiers whom you had talked to just moments ago. How very brave she thought Thomas had been as well, to risk his life for Matthew's and Mrs Hughes had no doubt in her anymore that what Thomas was describing was a love not many had experienced.

"Oh Thomas, silly lad, why have you never spoken of that?" Mrs Hughes said, almost frustrated with how this footman had a completely different side to him that he refused anyone to see. "It will shed such a different light upon you."

Thomas shook his head and sat up a little bit further in his bed. He took his tea that had now grown cold, but Mrs Hughes fixed that by pouring more into the cup from the teapot. "When you are like me, Mrs Hughes, it's easier to keep everyone at arm's length."

Mrs Hughes sighed "I'm not saying you should tell anyone that part of yourself, but to invite some kindness into your life."

Thomas sucked in his cheeks as he thought of what to say. Of course Mrs Hughes was right, but it did not matter much. Even if everyone else knew that he had saved Matthew's life, and they somehow warmed up to the footman, he would soon settle back into the role of the unkind and snooty Thomas Barrow — Thomas Barrow who had wit and sarcasm upon his tongue, but nothing more. Though, that was not what people despised in him. They despised when his words turned into venom. But he was who he was, it was his part to play — but there had been one more person who had found their way into Thomas' life. Someone who had become the dearest of friends, and the story would take them there eventually.

Mrs Hughes said no more on that matter — not tonight at least. "I never knew your leg was wounded too." She changed the subject.

"I don't tend to speak of my other injury too, if I can avoid it, but it isn't as conspicuous" Thomas said and reached for the biscuits on the assiett "I was lucky not to end up like poor old Mr Bates"

Mrs Hughes gave him a stern look. "Don't be nasty Thomas, just to prove that you still can be." She said and smacked his hand away from them. "Especially to a man who is in prison"

"Sorry Mrs Hughes..." Thomas said, sounding a bit humbled by the reminder that Mr Bates was in prison and probably awaiting to be sent for the gallows. He reached for the biscuits again and this time his hand was not smacked away.

"I brought you some tea Th—-" The maid, Maud, opened the door and invited herself into Thomas' room. Her face turned pale and her eyes blinked rapidly at the sight of Mrs Hughes — Maud knew very well she was not allowed to be on this side of the hallway, not without permission.

"Maud, what are you doing here?" Mrs Hughes stood up with a glare and straightened her back "You're now allowed in the boys hallway, girl."

"Sorry Mrs Hughes, I just thought Thomas was hungry" She said and looked past the head housekeeper and to Thomas — giving him a smile "Hi Thomas! I heard your war injury was troubling you." She said and walked over to place the tray of food in Thomas' lap.

"Well alright, I suppose I will overlook this once, that's very kind of you Maud." Mrs Hughes said and sat back down, waiting for the maid to leave the room once more.

"Thank you Maud" Thomas said and gave her a nod with a small smile even though her eyes pierced him uncomfortably as she placed the tray on his legs.