Thomas breathed deep before opening the door of the shop. He had listened during familiy breakfast that both Lady Mary and Mr Talbot would depart for London that morning, and won't be back in a couple of days. Through all the days he had been with influenza, Thomas had had a lot of time to think. He had began to smooth things with all the staff, even with his so called enemy Mr Bates. But, he knew he had a task to take care of. A painful task, but that needed to be accomplished.
When he heard the door being opened, Tom was answering a phone call, from one landowner, an old acquaintance to Lord Grantham. He was thinking of buying a new car, and Lord Grantham had talked him about the shop owned by two of his sons in law. Tom couldn't but think how different things were now, and wished Sybil were there to see it. He looked at a framed photograph of the two of them. It had been made on the day of their wedding, by Tom's brother, Seamus. Things had been so easy there in Ireland...his family had accepted Sybil as one of their own from the very beginning. As Eileen, Tom's only sister had told her, she had an Irish soul. Brave and courageous as very few English ladies were.
Thomas was looking at the cars, taking his time to admire each one of the models they had. He stopped for a long while by a Ford T.
-Good morning, Thomas. Are you looking for a car?
-No, not really, although now I have increased my...duties, I might need one. I just wanted to talk to you, and felt more confortable if I did it here.-He took the frame and took a look at it.- This one must have been a very happy day.
-It was, one of my happiest.
-I could tell it was the same for lady Sybil, by the way she looks at you.
Both men kept in silence for a while, each one of them remembering Sybil. Finally, Thomas broke it.
-I know I should have done this a long time ago, but at the moment I was lost in my own grief...I don't intend to compare it to yours, but...well, I did truly regret her passing away. I am not a usual visitor to the local parish, but I did go and pray for her, during a long time. It was all so unfair. And, if I am allowed to say, I do admire you by the way you fought for your place in the familiy, even without her to support you. Do you remember that night you brought home Miss Bunting? I felt it as if it was a betrayal to Lady Sybil's memory, and so I told Mylord. I guess I must apologize about that, too.
-It was a mistake, an awful mistake. I never should have brought her, or at least shouldn't have let her go upstairs. I know now, she only pretended to make a fool of me, and she didn't respect the family. For a while, I got to think I could get to like her, until I realised how she really was.
-She wasn't really well received downstairs either, although Daisy owes her a lot...
-I know, she did quite a good job. I will be pleased to give her my congratulations. Will this one be a good moment?
-She will be in Mason's farm, helping William's father.
-Too many people lost...that dreadful war. Well, if you don't mind, I'll take you there and then will drive you back home.
-Will it be proper, Mr Branson?
-Let's leave the etiquette for the big house, right? Here it's just Tom and Thomas. Shall we go?
