Carson needed a footman so William volunteered. He needed something to bring him back to normal life.
"Alright. Mr Branson please take the soup upstairs. William, you are waiting on the chicken."
"Ok Mr... Carson..."
"William? Are you alright?" Mrs Patmore asked and William looked scared. His breathing was becoming shaky and his hands were gripping the metal bowl tightly.
"William?" Mrs Hughes asked and as William started to cry, Thomas went over to him.
"Alright William. Breathe. Just breathe," Thomas told him softly and everyone looked at him. "It's alright. You're not at the front anymore."
"Arh."
"Breathe William," Thomas said and William let go of the bowl. Thomas supported him and William's eyes closed cleared.
"I..."
"It's alright. Come on, let's sit you down," Thomas said and carefully he supported William as everyone helped to get him to a seat. Sitting William down, Thomas knelt infront of him. "Look at me William. Look at me," Thomas said and William did so. As he reassured William, Mrs Hughes turned to Mr Carson.
"I've never seen Thomas act so gentle."
"It's certainly out of character. But war can change people."
"Carson."
"My Lady," Mr Carson said and everyone stood up, aside from Thomas and William, as Mrs Grantham came into the room.
"We will hold the main course for an hour if we may, we want to tour a quest round the house."
"Of course my lady."
"Goodness, is William alright?" She asked and everyone looked across at Thomas helping William.
"Are you alright now?" Thomas asked and William nodded. "Alright. I will serve dinner."
"No. Your hand is damaged, you can't. "
"I can manage."
"I need this. Thomas, please."
"Alright. He I will come with you."
"It's the war my lady. William became upset and Thomas had calmed him down."
"I see. It's nice to see that Thomas has a caring side."
"Indeed my lady."
"We will see you in an hour. William returned only two days ago, look after him."
"We will my lady."
At dinner William served the table. Everyone was grateful for it and the injured Matthew matched William's gaze.
"Are you alright?" Matthew asked as William came round to serve him.
"I'm a little shaken, but doing well Captain."
"I am glad. You need to rest after this."
"I will. Some normality is doing me good."
"It is doing the same for me."
"You both have grown close?" Lord Grantham asked and Matthew looked at him.
"Yes my lord. Gunfire breaks down walls but builds trust."
"Well, we are all very glad that you are both back safely."
"So are we."
William kept serving dinner, but he could feel his throat closing up. His breathing became strained and it was becoming harder. Thomas noticed from the door, and he came in.
"Are you alright William?" Thomas asked as he took the tray and put it down. "William?" He asked and everyone turned to them.
"Is something wrong?" Matthew asked and he stood up before he joined them.
"I think William is having some trouble breathing my lord."
"Goodness."
"William, sit down," Matthew said and they sat William down. Everyone stood up as the situation worsened. "He's really struggling."
"I will undo his shirt," Thomas said before he loosened the buttons.
"Come on William. Focus on breathing."
"Carson, call for the doctor."
"I will at once my Lord," Carson said before he left them. William's breathing was getting worse, so they lay him on the ground.
"Alright William. Focus, stay awake for us."
"Has he sustained any injures Captain?"
"Nothing that I have been aware of, but with guns at every turn it would be impossible to say that he hasn't sustained any."
"Shrapnel..." William gasped and panic crossed Matthew and Thomas's faces. "My neck..."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"It was fine. It healed..." William said before he started to gasp and he closed his eyes.
"William."
"What's happening Matthew?"
"We need the doctor."
"Carson has called for him."
"We need him now."
"His breathing's getting worse Captain."
"Stay with me William. Stay with me," Matthew told him. Lady Sybil came over as tears filled her eyes, and she knelt by his head.
"William. Come on, breathe."
"Fa... er..."
"Your father isn't here, but he needs you to stay alive. You can make it through this."
"Breathe William," Matthew said and William's breathing dropped. Matthew went pale as he could no longer hear it. "William?"
"I can just about hear his breathing," Thomas told them as he put two fingers onto William's neck.
"This is it," Matthew said as he swallowed and Lady Sybil gripped William's hand tighter.
"We're here William. Your father loves you, and you survived the war. You're alright. You're alright now."
"Mo... mother..." William whispered before he let his last breath leave him.
"William? Thomas, can you...?" Lord Grantham asked as everyone at dinner had tears in their eyes. Lady Sybil and Matthew both knew that he was gone, but still they remained with him.
"The doctor," Carson announced and the doctor came in.
"What's happened?"
"We have no more need for you sir," Thomas told him. "He's gone," He said and he removed his fingers from William's neck.
"Carson, you are best to call his father. Thank you doctor, but it seems that your services are no longer required."
"I am sorry."
"Dinner is paused for the moment. Come, let us give Matthew, Lady Sybil and Thomas some room. I will go downstairs and let the staff know what has happened."
The family left the room and silence lay over the party. They lay William out and called for the coroner. his body was taken away and William's father was greeted with warmth yet sad mourning as he arrived. William had survived the war, but sadly not his wounds.
