Being a Barrow - A Sequel to Barrow's Boy

Preparing in Pandemonium

     It took Teddy a moment to respond, the words reaching his mind as if they had no meaning. Like Thomas had just turned to him and spoken in some foreign, unknown language. 

    "The King and Queen?" Teddy finally repeated. Thomas nodded, expression still teetering on the edge of disbelief. "Huh."

     "Ted," Thomas started, glancing back down at the list of the many tasks he needed to complete. It sat on the servants' hall table, staring up at him expectantly in a way that demanded to be dealt with. "This is a massive ordeal."

     "I know."

    "I'm going to need someone I can trust," Thomas elaborated, looking back up at his son. Teddy nodded, and the man continued. "Someone I can depend upon, without a doubt."

     "Well, if I find Jimmy's contact information, I'll let you know."

     "Theodore," Thomas reproached, to which Teddy smiled.

     "Whatever you need, Dad. I'm here."

     "I don't want to force you back into service when you've left it behind-"

      "You're not forcing me into anything," Teddy insisted, leaning forward with his arms resting on the back of one of the dining chairs. "I'm happy to help you."

      "Thank you."

     And so, Theodore joined the others in getting to work. He helped gather linens to be washed, assisted Albert in moving furniture for the maids to clean around and only rested in the evenings when he could sit by the fireplace with his book and continue to read through iambic passages. They'd already pulled out livery for him again, setting it aside in his room to put on when he was no longer doing so much heavy lifting. Thomas insisted that, of anyone he had to fill a footman's role for the day, he wanted Theodore to do it. 

     Now, Teddy wouldn't say that serving the King and Queen their supper was on his list of dream experiences. Nor would he say that even meeting them was a priority. He wasn't exactly a modern Jacobin, and he wasn't calling for their heads to be chopped off, but he certainly didn't think them to be nearly divine beings either. The King and Queen were merely people. People who had power without merit? Teddy might argue yes if asked. But, for the sake of the visit, he was content to function with mere indifference to the entire system. 

     He joined the staff for their tea, settling into a schedule that rather matched most of theirs with the many tasks he was completing for his father. He didn't mind, really; it gave him something to do. The wireless that had been put in the servant's hall while Teddy was gone at school was quietly playing music as they all took a moment to rest, filling the void that had been left by the absence of a piano player downstairs. And, for the first time since that letter had arrived, it was calm. Until it wasn't.

     Mr. Molesley came rushing into the room as Teddy took a bite from the last biscuit on his plate. It was Mr. Bates who greeted him. Thomas instead chose to look up at the man, expression inquiring about his purpose for being there.

     "Mr. Molesley. It's very late for you to be out."

     Panting, as if he had run up the whole drive - which, Teddy confessed, he might very well have - Molesley replied.

     "Is it true?"

     "Is what true, Mr. Molesley?" Mrs. Patmore responded. Theodore snorted, picking up his teacup. Everyone at that table must know exactly why the man was there.