"What is that?" Mrs Levinson asked as Thomas was serving her, and everyone looked over.
"Is something wrong my lady?"
"That disgusting cloth around your hand. You must take it off this instant."
"I'm afraid I can't."
"Nonsense. Take it off this instant."
"I was injured in the war Mrs Levinson. I'm afraid I..."
"Not on your hand."
"ARGH!" Thomas cried out as she pulled at the cloth and he stepped back in pain, dropping the plate in the process.
"That's enough!" Lord Grantham cried out and James went to Thomas.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes," Thomas replied and James wrapped his hand over Thomas's, both of them now cradling his injury.
"Thomas was a medic in the army and a bullet went straight through his hand. He wears that cloth as a bandage to prevent infection and I will not have you hurting my staff!"
"Well. If there is an injury, I have to see it to believe it."
"Oh," Lord Grantham sighed before he looked at Thomas. "Will you show us Thomas?" He asked and Thomas nodded. Pain was still radiating through him, so James took his hand gently in his. With care, he removed it and Thomas showed his injured and shaking hand to Mrs Levinson.
"Oh! Yes, you have made your point. Put that horrible thing away," Mrs Levinson said and Thomas stepped back.
James led Thomas out of the room and he helped him to put his glove back on.
"Are you alright?"
"I am. The pain will stop... at some point," Thomas said and a tear came to his eye. At that point, Lord Grantham came out and both of them stood up straight.
"I am so sorry about that Thomas. Are you alright?"
"I will be my Lord," Thomas said, and tears shone in his eyes.
"Alright, that's enough. You are dismissed for the evening. And if you have any distress with your hand, you are to call for Doctor Clarkson."
"Very good my Lord," Thomas said and he looked down as he started to cry.
"May I be able to help him to his room my Lord?" James said as Thomas cradled his hand.
"Of course. And for goodness sake Barrow, we know."
"My Lord?" Thomas asked as he looked at him.
"You're as bent as a Shepard's crook. Now, let this wonderful young man take you up to your room, then you are to call for Doctor Clarkson James. I have words to say to my mother in law," Lord Grantham said, and he left Thomas speechless.
"Come on. Let's get you upstairs," James said and he took Thomas up to his bedroom.
~
"You have caused one of my members of staff to be in great pain," Lord Grantham told Mrs Levinson as he returned.
"Really? He looked as though he was made of sterner stuff than that."
"All the muscles and ligaments have been damaged in his hand. James is having to call for Doctor Clarkson."
"Oh, I am sorry."
"I bet you are," Lord Grantham said as he sat down.
"I am Lord Grantham. I didn't mean to upset you and if it was a war injury..."
"Which it was."
"He is very brave. I do hope that he is alright."
"He will be," Lord Grantham said and they carried on eating dinner.
Doctor Clarkson came and he eased Thomas's pain. James checked in on him later in the night and by morning, the shaking had stopped in his hand.
Mrs Levinson formally apologised to Thomas and he was left to serve with a re-injured hand. The staff were mindful of his injury and Doctor Clarkson cleared him after 3 days.
