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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Thomas was feeling a mixture of emotions as he made his way back to his duties as the first footman at Downton Abbey. He was working to be able to provide for his daughter Ellie, but he was also reluctant to leave her in the nursery room.
As he entered the room, he saw two beds, one for Master George and the other for Miss Sybbie, and a small cot in the room. Thomas gently placed Ellie in the cot and looked at her, sleeping peacefully. "I promise you, my little one," he whispered, "I will be back at the end of the day, when I have finished my duties."
He knew that his daughter would be well taken care of in the nursery, but he couldn't shake the feeling of reluctance as he walked away.
As he made his way down the hallway, he heard a familiar voice call out to him. "Well, well, well, look who's back to work," Miss O'Brien sneered. "I hope you don't think you can just leave your duties to attend to your illegitimate child."
Thomas gritted his teeth, trying to ignore her taunts. "I'll be attending to my duties just fine, thank you," he replied coolly.
He needed a moment to clear his head, so he made his way to the courtyard at the back of the house using the servants' door. As soon as he stepped outside, he lit a cigarette and leaned against the wall of an arch, taking a deep drag.
"I can't believe I'm back to this," he thought to himself. "Being a father is the greatest joy of my life, but it also means I have to leave Ellie every day and return to this world of servants and snobs." He sighed, taking another drag on his cigarette. "I just hope that one day, Ellie will have a better life than I do."
As he stood there, lost in thought, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He looked up to see Mr. Carson, walking towards him.
"Ah, Thomas," Mr. Carson said. "I see you've returned to your duties. I trust everything is in order?"
"Yes, Mr Carson," Thomas replied, straightening up. "I was just taking a moment to myself before I get started."
Mr. Carson nodded. "I understand. Being a father is a great responsibility, and it can be difficult to balance work and family. But I have every confidence that you will do just fine."
"Thank you, Mr Carson" Thomas said, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders.
With that, Mr. Carson turned and walked back inside, leaving Thomas alone with his thoughts once again. He took one last drag on his cigarette and stubbed it out, ready to return to his duties.
Throughout the day, Thomas couldn't help but think about Ellie and the nursery room. He wondered if she was still sleeping soundly, if she was hungry or in need of a change. These thoughts were a constant distraction from his duties.
~
At the end of the day, Thomas rushed back to the nursery room to check on Ellie. As he entered the room, he saw her lying peacefully in the cot, surrounded by her little blankets. Thomas smiled, feeling a sense of happiness.
"I'm here, my little angel," he whispered, picking her up and holding her close as she coos and he places a soft kiss to her head as her tiny hands gripped his uniform waistcoat. "I missed you sweetheart."
In that moment, Thomas knew that no matter what others thought or said, his daughter was the most important thing in his life. He would do anything to protect her and provide for her, even if it meant facing challenges and discrimination.
