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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The next morning, Thomas woke up still lying beside Ellie. He knew that she was still in pain and he didn't want to bother her by waking her up and getting her ready for school.
Instead, as he decided the night before, he decided to keep her off for a few days and give her body time to rest and heal from the fall. He knew that it was the best thing for her, even though it meant that he would have to take time off from his duties to care for her.
He soon noticed she was beginning to wake up from her deep slumber he gave a small smile.
"Ellie, my love, it's okay. Daddy's going to keep you home from school for a few days so you can rest and heal. We'll spend some time together and have some fun, okay?" Thomas said softly, stroking her hair.
Ellie smiled up at her daddy, her eyes sparkling with happiness. She knew that she was safe and loved with him by her side. Thomas kissed her forehead and held her close, knowing that he would do anything for his little girl.
As he lay there with Ellie in his arms, Thomas knew that being a single father was the hardest thing he had ever done. But he also knew that it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done. He loved his daughter more than anything in the world and he would do whatever it took to make sure that she was happy and healthy.
Before long he heard the sound of his daughter's soft voice. "Daddy, I'm h - hungry," she said, her voice groggy from sleep.
Thomas smiled at her and asked, "What would you like for breakfast, my girl? Toast or porridge?"
Ellie's face lit up as she replied, "T - toast, please."
Thomas got out of bed, dressed in his footman uniform, and made his way down to the servants' kitchen to prepare breakfast for his daughter. He found Mrs. Patmore, the head cook, busy with the morning preparations.
"Good morning, Mrs. Patmore," Thomas greeted her politely.
"Good morning, Thomas," Mrs. Patmore replied, giving him a warm smile. "What brings you down here so early?"
"I need to make some toast for Ellie," Thomas said, his voice soft and gentle.
Mrs. Patmore's eyes softened with sympathy as she asked, "How is she feeling this morning?"
"She's still in a lot of pain from getting pushed over yesterday," Thomas replied, his voice tinged with sadness. "I've decided to keep her off school for a few days to let her body heal."
Mrs. Patmore nodded in understanding and said, "That's a wise decision, Thomas. You're a good father to Ellie."
As he brought the toast back up to his room, he saw her face light up with joy at the sight of the warm toast. He helped her sit up in bed and fed her the toast, savouring every moment of the quiet breakfast they shared together.
He watched and waited and soon offered her another piece of toast which she gladly accepted it and took a bite of it, she looked at her father as he smiled back at her, "What do you want to do today sweetheart?", he asked softly.
"I w - want to stay here with you daddy.", she replied giving him a small smile in return.
"Then that is exactly what we shall do. How about we spend the day with me reading you your favourite books, we play some board games and I give you lots and lots of cuddles, what do you think?"
"I w - would like that daddy.", she replied snuggling into his side as Thomas wrapped an arm around her and pressed a kiss atop her head.
~
"Alright first things first, how about we read your favourite book?"
Ellie's eyes widened with excitement, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Her father's presence was a balm to her wounded spirit, and she knew that whatever lay ahead, she would face it with him by her side.
With a gentle touch, Thomas caressed Ellie's cheek and picked up her favourite storybook, 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.' It had become a beloved ritual between them, a way to escape into a world of wonder and imagination. As he opened the book, the magical tale of Peter Rabbit and his mischievous adventures unfolded before them.
Thomas had lost count how many times he had read the book to her from the first time he had read it to her as a baby to now, but he still loved it all the same.
"... there was a mischievous little rabbit named Peter," Thomas began, his voice soft and soothing. "He lived with his family in a cozy burrow beneath a big fir tree."
Ellie's eyes lit up as her father continued to read, his voice bringing the characters to life. With each turn of the page, Thomas transported them both to a world where the possibilities were endless, and where disability and hardship were mere obstacles to be overcome.
As the story unfolded, Ellie's laughter filled the room, a sound that warmed Thomas's heart like no other. In that moment, he knew that despite the challenges they faced, their bond was unbreakable. No matter what the world threw at them, they would face it together.
After finishing the story, Thomas closed the book and placed it gently on the bedside table. He leaned in close to Ellie, his eyes brimming with love and tenderness. "My brave little girl, remember that no matter what happens in life, you are never alone. I will always be here for you, ready to hold your hand and guide you through the darkest of days."
Ellie reached out and hugged her father tightly, her tiny arms wrapping around him with a strength born of pure love. In that embrace, the world outside faded away, and it was just the two of them, sharing a profound moment of connection and understanding.
As the day unfolded, Thomas and Ellie spent their time together, engaging in activities that nourished both body and soul. They laughed, they played, and they held each other close.
