This is the story of Thomas Barrow.
Thomas Barrow has been working as the first footman at Downton Abbey for years. He's always been careful to keep his personal life hidden from the prying eyes of the other staff members and the Crawley family. Bu...
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Later that night, as everyone had gone to bed, Thomas was the only one awake. He was sitting in the rocking chair in the servants' kitchen, lost in his thoughts, when John snuck into the room.
"Thomas, I've been watching you all day. You're quite handsome, don't you think?" John said, his voice laced with a sinister tone.
Thomas was frightened. He tried to get up, but John pushed him back into the chair.
"No, no, no. Don't go anywhere, Thomas. We're just getting started," John said as he approached Thomas.
Thomas was paralyzed with fear. He had never felt so vulnerable and exposed. He tried to fight back, but John was too strong.
"Please, stop!" Thomas cried out, but John didn't listen.
"You're mine now, Thomas. And I'll do whatever I want with you," John said as he attacked Thomas.
Thomas was left alone and hurt, with no one to turn to. He had never felt so alone in his life.
A short while later, Mrs Hughes entered the kitchen and found Thomas lying on the floor. She rushed over to him, concerned for his well-being. She helped him to his feet and supported him as they walked to his room.
"What happened to you, Thomas?" Mrs Hughes asked, her voice filled with worry.
"John Carmichael," Thomas replied, wincing in pain. He was hit repeatedly and was covered in bruises and his lip was bleeding and so was a cut just above his right eye.
Mrs Hughes helped him into his room and laid him down on the bed. She left a candle on the bedside table, and with a soft smile, she said, "Rest now, Thomas. You deserve it after such a busy day."
As Thomas drifted off to sleep, he thought to himself, "Why do some people feel the need to bring others down just to make themselves feel better?"
"You can't let one person's cruelty define who you are," Mrs Hughes had said to him before leaving the room. "You are a valuable member of the Downton Abby family and don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise."
Thomas knew she was right. He was more than just a servant, he was a person with value and worth. He would not let John Carmichael's actions define him. He would rise above the cruelty and continue to be a respected member of the Downton Abby staff.
~
The next morning, Thomas woke up sore and in pain. He groaned as he tried to get out of bed and put on his uniform. Just as he was about to start his duties, there was a knock at the door. He stumbled over to open it, and Mrs. Hughes stepped inside.
"Thomas, I have spoken to Lord and Lady Grantham about what happened last night," she said with a stern expression on her face. "They have given you a few days to recover and have sent for Dr. Clarkson to check you over."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes," Thomas replied, grateful for her support.
"Don't mention it, Thomas," Mrs. Hughes said with a warm smile. "I couldn't stand by and watch you suffer. You deserve better than that."
Thomas sat down on his bed, feeling relieved that Mrs. Hughes had taken the matter into her own hands. He was grateful for her support and for Lord and Lady Grantham's kindness in giving him time to recover.
"I'll be back later to check on you," Mrs. Hughes said, patting his shoulder. "In the meantime, try to rest and take it easy."
With that, she left the room, leaving Thomas to contemplate the events of the previous night. He was still in pain, but at least he knew that he had support and that people cared about him. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.
By the time Thomas had gotten back into bed and had fallen back to sleep he had soon woken up again as he heard a knock on the door and opened his eyes to see Doctor Clarkson entering the room. The doctor's kind face was filled with concern as he approached Thomas' bedside.
"Good morning, Thomas," the doctor said, setting down his medical bag. "I heard what happened last night. Mrs Hughes told me everything."
"Good morning, Doctor," Thomas replied, trying to hide the pain in his voice.
The doctor began to examine Thomas, checking his pulse and asking him questions about how he was feeling. Thomas answered truthfully, telling the doctor about the pain in his ribs and the headache that seemed to be pounding in his skull.
"Well, Thomas," the doctor said, finishing his examination. "You're going to be alright, but you'll need to take it easy for a few days. I'll give Mrs Hughes some pain medication for you to take."
"Thank you, Doctor," Thomas said, relieved to have someone to take care of him.
"You don't have to thank me, Thomas," the doctor said with a smile. "I'm just doing my job. But I have to say, it's a shame what happened to you last night. John Carmichael is a brute, and I don't know how Lord and Lady Grantham could have invited him into their home."
"It's not their fault," Thomas replied. "They had no idea what he was like."
"Still," the doctor said, shaking his head. "It's not right. But you rest now, Thomas. I'll come back and check on you in a few days."
With that, the doctor gathered his things and left the room, leaving Thomas to rest and recover from the injuries he had sustained at the hands of John Carmichael.
