Miss Baxter was hot.

Too hot.

The summer sun beamed down on her as she struggled her way along one of the village paths back to Downton Abbey. It was an unseasonably warm April and the air was almost swimming in heat, her corset under her loose cotton blouse and skirts felt like too much against her warm skin and her arms ached with her new purchases from the haberdashery store.

In hindsight going in to a shop that had a large "Closing down – everything must go!" sign in the window was her first mistake. Buying so much reduced fabric had been her second. But as mistakes go, these were a significant improvement on her past ones. And the fabrics she got were so lovely, and at such a reduced price! She just couldn't resist. In one hand she carried a basket full of odd buttons, trims and laces and in the other she carried a paper bag of end of the roll fabrics all folded into neat squares. Wedged under one arm sat not one, but two different bolts of the nicest printed cotton.

She hadn't spent too much, just what she'd normally spend really. The main problem now was getting everything back home. Which was proving significantly more difficult than she'd anticipated.

At least she hadn't brought the sewing machine.

Oh! That lovely sewing machine. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she thought of it again. Brand new and nearly two thirds of the price less than she'd see in the magazines. But she already had a nice machine. An old machine but a nice one.

A stray hair from her bun ticked her forehead and she tried to blow it away in annoyance. It stuck there, she had no spare hand to brush it away and the humidity had made her quite clammy. Irritated she huffed loudly in annoyance and felt a horrid trickle of sweat make it's way down from under her hat.

"Miss Baxter?" A voice she knew well unexpectedly came from her right.

Turning on the spot her face broke into a smile, despite the heat, as she saw Mr Molesley standing in the field next to the path she'd been walking down.

"Can I help?" He enquired with his usual humble smile.

Miss Baxter tried to manoeuvre her shopping so her arms stopped aching but only succeeded in several packs of the lace spilling out over the edge of her basket.

"I'm….Actually I'd much appreciate it"

She rolls her eyes as she struggles with the fabric bundles. Mr Molesley comes round the gate on to path to help. She only realises now that he is not dressed in his usual school teachers attire or even his Downton footman's uniform, but instead is wearing a loose pair of brown cord trousers, a dirty checked shirt with his sleeves rolled up and a thin old necktie. It looks surprisingly good on him. He beams a grin at her and reaches out to help.

"Here, let me" He pulls the large bolts from under her arm and takes her bag off her before she can even breathe a word of thanks.

Kneeling down she gathers the escaped goods back into the basket and feels her cheeks blush and a tingling warmth spread around her chest. Hopefully she could pass it off as the heat.

"Buying the whole store, Miss Baxter?" Mr Molesley chuckled to himself and fanned himself with his cap, he felt very under dressed next to her. Here he was gardening on his day off, covered in mud and sweating like anything! Whilst Miss Baxter was wearing a lovely summer dress (skirt? Dress? He wasn't sure!) that seemed to cling to her more than her Lady's maid uniform did. His eyes followed the curve of her skirt from her waist down to her…He blushed furiously and hoped she didn't notice.

"There was a sale" Miss Baxter stood back up with her basket better balanced and finally brushed away the stay hair from her forehead. The back of her hand came away damp and she grimaced, feeling her colour rise again. Not particularly ladylike to be caught hot and flustered. Trying the smile the moment away she continued "I just couldn't help myself, you know me! I do love fabric and sewing. And it's been such an age since I brought myself anything…I felt like a child in a sweet shop!" She grimaced again at the comparison being very much not a child herself – today she was feeling her age.

"I'm glad you had fun" He grinned back at her " I didn't know today was your day off? I wish you'd told me, I would have joined you." She blinked taken aback.

"…That is" Mr Molesley continued "If you'd had wanted company, didn't mean you had to have me near you…I mean with you…I mean.." He trailed off nervously feeling like he'd said something he shouldn't. It really was too hot to think today.

His discomfort was met with one of Miss Baxter's quiet smiles, the kind that made her eyes shine.

"I didn't realise you were free today Mr Molesley, otherwise of course I would have invited you. We could have had afternoon tea at the café" She chewed her lip feeling like she'd over spoken. They'd never been to a café together, just lots of pubs whilst on the search for Mr Bates's alibi. In fairness they'd spent quite a lot of time together in the last year or so, only it had suddenly halted when Mr Molesley had moved out of the Abbey to one of the teachers cottages a couple of month ago.

"Well…we could now?" His eyes brightened as he juggled with her fabric and shopping to get a hand free.

"It's past 4, Mr Molesley" Miss Baxter sighed and gently pulled her shirt at her chest, hoping to cool herself down "I believe to tearoom will be closed now"

"No, no! I meant..." He waved his free hand at the field he had come out of " …my house! It's just there, at the other end of this field!"

Her eyes followed where his gesture went; a cottage set back in the trees at the end of a field full of flowers. It was quite pretty really. Quite unexpected.

"It wouldn't be afternoon tea though" His carried on, grin dropping "But I do have a fruitcake"

She echoed his grin back, feeling suddenly weary in the humidity of the afternoon. "Sounds wonderful!"

With that they trailed their way across the open field. Miss Baxter kept a short distance behind, not wanting to barge into Mr Molesley's new life before he showed her the way. It felt presumptuous. Perhaps that was why she hadn't worked up the nerve to call on him yet. Well, that and the fact she'd only just found out where his house actually was.

Soon they reached the cottage and he swung open the back door ushering her inside, taking the rest of her shopping off her as he did so. Once the fabric and shopping was piled on his kitchen table Miss Baxter winced. She's definitely brought too much.

"These are lovely" Mr Molesley had plucked a packet of blue buttons out of the basket at random and stood admiring them, oblivious to the fact he was now alone with a women in his own home.

"Thank you" Miss Baxter smiled, fanning herself with her handkerchief. It was only slightly cooler inside the house than it had been outside and she was sure her hair was a mess and her face flushed. Not the sight she wanted Mr Molesley to see.

"Oh I am sorry!" He flustered, as if suddenly aware of her discomfort " Sit down, do sit down…" He waved vaguely in the direction of the next room "Let me get you a drink and a slice of cake and…well, whatever else you want really!" He laughed as if he'd made a joke and then paused, waiting for her to respond.

"Actually, a glass of water would be great. I didn't realise how hot it was going to be this afternoon"

"Of course, of course" He shook his head in his own silliness "I'm a terrible host, aren't I? Do go sit down Miss Baxter, you look shattered"

He immediately turned and busied himself with getting the food and drinks so missed her indignant look. Shattered indeed. Well, she was really. But she shouldn't look it! It was typical Mr Molesley she reflected, moving on from the moment, to say the wrong thing or to miss the obvious. He was so clever and yet…not. She almost giggled to herself at the thought of him realising his comment would cause offence; at first he'd be confused and then he'd be downright embarrassed and then he'd mumble and withdraw into himself.

It was not until this moment, standing alone in his new sitting room that she realised quite how much she'd missed him.

Sighing Miss Baxter sat down, on what turned out to be a rather uncomfortable sofa, and looked around the room. It was rather messy, but then he hadn't been expecting company. Piles of books and papers littered the shelves and bookcases and a vase of dying flowers sat on the mantelpiece. Two photos stood either side of the vase; one she assumed was his mother and father and the other she couldn't' make out, it seemed like a lot of people in a garden. The windows were open behind her bringing in a much needed breeze. It was an oddly reassuring room. Very much Mr Molesley's own.

"Here we are" He grandly carried a tray into the room and placed it on the little table by the sofa and sat down, leaving a respectable space between them. She wished he'd sat closer.

"Damn" Miss Baxter blinked, startled, as he jumped up again "I forgot your glass of water."

In an almost comical fashion Mr Molesley dashed out of the room only to return seconds later with the promised drink. Miss Baxter accepted it gratefully and smiled, sipping the cool liquid as she relaxed back into the seat.

For a moment of two they sat in companionable silence.

"I wish you'd called sooner" His offhand comment surprised her and she sat back upright. She felt bad and flustered again, though that wasn't his intention.

"Oh, I didn't mean it to sound like that…" He offered her a piece of fruit cake, eyes apologetic "I just…I think I'm missing the lifestyle of the big house, you know? Lots to do there, always people to talk to…well, mainly you to talk to" His ears blushing red with his honesty but she chose to ignore them and took the offered cake.

Miss Baxter smoothed her skirts over her legs, thankful to be sitting down out of the heat. "I didn't want to intrude Mr Molesley. If I'm honest I was waiting for an invitation"

"…I didn't think of that" His brows furrowed and he absentmindedly sipped his tea.

"It is a lovely house Mr Molesley" She said looking around the room again.

"Thank you Miss Baxter" He flashed her another big smile and her chest fluttered. "I really can't take any of the credit though, only the mess is mine." He paused to sip his tea "…which I am sorry about by the way, next time you come I promise it will be spotless!"

She laughed at that knowing it wouldn't be. But if she was really being honest she liked the mess. It was very comforting.

"So what are you going to make with your new purchases?" He enquired, raising an eyebrow over his teacup.

"I'm not sure yet!" She chuckled lightly at her frivolous spending. "Maybe a summer dress or something for Daisy or Anna or the baby…I just couldn't help myself really!" She ate a large cherry from the cake "…They had the most wonderful sewing machine Mr Molesley"

"Did they?" He looked around into the other room to see her things on the table "Did you get it?!" His voice went up an touch whenever he was surprised. She'd missed that.

"Oh goodness, no! I can't imagine carrying that back AND the things I just got! It was struggle enough as it was!" She giggled light heartedly enjoying the idle chit chat. "And I spent more than enough today"

"…But you would like it?" Mr Molesley questioned as he poured her a cup of tea, more out of habit from a life of service than her asking for it.

"I guess not" She helped herself to another piece of cake to go with the tea "I already have one, don't I? I don't need two!"

"Oh" He trailed off in thought.

They chatted about this and that and Miss Baxter caught Mr Molesley up on the gossip of the Abbey he'd missed and the afternoon turned into evening. They'd relaxed more onto the sofa and Miss Baxter now sat with her legs folded under her drinking what must be her 6th cup of tea. The heat of the day had cooled somewhat and the hazy evening light looked lovely over the field behind them, but Mr Molesley was not looking at that. He was looking at another view.

"I like your hair like that"

"Like what?" She smiled bemused "It's always like this?" Reaching up she patted her hair and found it was not, in fact, always like this.

"Oh goodness! Do you have a mirror?" She could feel the loose strands now, around her face and curling down the back of her neck. "It's so untidy!"

"Here look" He smiled wistfully, wishing he'd kept his thoughts to himself "There's one in the kitchen"

She followed him through to the kitchen and was instantly reminded of how much she still had to carry back to the Abbey. Pursing her lips at her own greediness she looked into the small mirror at the bottom of the stairs. Her hair was a mess. Well, it was still in the bun she'd pinned it into this morning but some brown curls had come loose and she found she looked rather bohemian. She realised she'd never checked it when she took off her hat.

"I still think it looks lovely" Behind her Mr Molesley lent against the table "But then it always does" He coloured at his bold words wishing it was still warm enough to pass them off as the heats fault.

Miss Baxter blushed into the mirror as she tidied her hair feeling vain and foolish, glad that he couldn't see her reflection. When he did manage to say the right things Mr Molesley definitely got them spot on. She gulped at her refection. She'd really missed him the last month and now, standing in his kitchen at such close and intimate quarters, she just couldn't voice it.

"Might I take you home?" His gentle voice broke her daydream and she spun around abruptly realised she'd be staring into his mirror for too long.

"…Sorry, what did you say?"

He cleared his throat, realising his phrasing hadn't been great the first time round "I'll walk you back to the house if you'd like? I can carry the fabric?"

"That would be lovely" She smiled that smile again "I haven't a clue where I'm going to store everything!"

"Well…leave some of it here then? If you want?" He scratched the back of his neck distractedly and yawned.

"Only if that's okay? I'd hate for it to be in your way…I haven't tired you out, have I Mr Molesley?" She raised an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth tugged up into a half smile at the thought.

"Not at all. I've had a very pleasant afternoon" He picked up the bag of folded fabrics and looked at them thoughtfully. "I missed our talks"

Miss Baxter felt the breath she'd been holding release in a sigh.

"I have missed your company Mr Molesley" It came out sounding off hand and rather blunt. But there, she'd said it. She was rewarded with his humble smile and self-depicting shake of the head.

They left the cottage and made their way across the lush field as dusk started to fall. It wasn't warm anymore but not yet cold either. He offered her his arm as they reached the path and Miss Baxter took it gratefully. It was a welcome closeness from the last few months and she was glad of it. As they walked Mr Molesley talked about the plans he had for his garden and how excited he was for it to look nice come August, for the annual bazaar.

Miss Baxter thought back to her first Downton Bazaar. It seem quite long ago now, but she was glad of the nice memory amongst the horrid ones. She grinned suddenly remembering Mr Molesley ringing the bell on the test of strength. How exited she'd been…and how surprised he'd been! And how he'd defended her at every opportunity against Mr Barrows bullying.

"Penny for your thoughts, Miss Baxter?"

"Just thinking of when I first started at Downton, Mr Molesley"

"Oh" He went quiet for a few minutes and they walked on as the Abbey came into view over the hill.

At the entrance to the Servants Hall they paused. Now they were back and would have to say goodbye the air around them seemed hot and uncomfortable again. Mr Molesley cleared his throat nervously and attempted to straighten his gardening attire.

"Don't worry" Miss Baxter smiled ruefully "Mr Carson won't chide you!"

"It's not that" He mumbled, taking off his cap.

They stood for a few seconds longer facing each other, both trying to find the words.

"Youwillcomeagain…won't you?"

Mr Molesley spoke faster than his mouth could move.

Miss Baxter chuckled and bowed her head to conceal her smile. "Of course. That is, so long as I'm invited?"

"Same time next week?"

"Sounds perfect"

"Good" She reached out to take the bag off him and their fingers gently brushed. Nothing scandalous, nothing huge, just a touch.

They stood close together in the evening light.

On a sudden impulse she leaned across and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. Almost nothing. Almost.

He smelled like fruitcake and roses and mud. It made her heart flutter.

As soon as the moment happened it was gone and she turned to walk away, leaving Mr Molesley rubbing his cheek in astonishment, mouth agape. At the door she turned to look back at him and offered him a small grin.

"Goodnight, Miss Baxter" He waved funnily and beamed like a schoolboy.

"Goodnight, Mr Molesley"

With some difficultly she turned away and entered the Servants Hall. Not because she was tired but because she had desperately not wanted the moment to end. It was so clean and innocent and nice. So different to the last man…that man. She sighed and put her basket and bag on the table. The hall was quiet now, she'd missed the Servants dinner and everyone had their own thing to do, their own loved one to be with. Miss Baxter was glad of the difference in her parting with Mr Molesley now to that awful time he'd been told her secret. She hadn't been able to bear that.

How his face had crumpled. How his puppy dog eyes had glistened with confusion.

How he'd looked at her.

He looked at her different now.


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Yay! I finally got back into writing! Damn this adorable couple and their unfinished storyline!

Xxx