I want to find you happy and healthy and courting a girl from the village.

Those words replayed in Jimmy's head for days after Mr. Barrow had gone to America with Lord Grantham. After agreeing to be friends with the under-butler (which Jimmy was a little terrified of doing at the time) he noticed how the older man kept his distance and how relaxed things were between them. Jimmy's trust in Thomas grew slowly in time. They would spend time together playing cards, talking about almost anything, sharing a laugh and also good gossip, Jimmy saw what a great friend Thomas really was.

Things with Ivy were finally over. He tried to be civil with her but she would throw a nasty look at him and that was that.

It had been five days since Mr. Barrow had gone and Jimmy secretly admitted to himself that he missed the man. Mr. Carson had told the servants that both Lord Grantham and Mr. Barrow were finally on their way towards New York and that it would take a few days for them to get there.

Later that night, Jimmy was sitting alone in the servants hall playing solitaire. That's how I feel, solitaire... He glanced at the rocking chair by the fire. He's always sitting there reading the paper or chatting with me. Jimmy was the only one that knew why Thomas always sat in that chair in the late evenings. After all, Jimmy was curious, so one evening, he asked.

"The heat of the fire helps my hand," Thomas explained with a small smile as he raised his gloved hand.

"Oh," Jimmy said feeling like an idiot. "Does it really hurt?"

Thomas nodded. "Especially when nights are cold."

"Oh," Jimmy said again feeling stupider than before. Thomas chuckled.

For some reason, Jimmy felt special about being the only one to know about Thomas' reason about the rocking chair. So he made sure that no one sat on that chair except Mr. Barrow.

"I don't see his name written on it," accused Mr. Moseley one evening. "Why are you always saving that chair for him, anyways?"

"Look," Jimmy said impatiently, "just don't bloody sit on it, alright?"

Mr. Moseley raised his eyebrows and said, "I give up," and walked away.

Jimmy smiled at the memory and continued his game of solitaire. Mrs. Hughes walked in and saw him. "James? Aren't you going to bed"

Jimmy looked up from his cards and smiled at her. "I will in a little," he said softly and Mrs. Hughes saw how Jimmy lost himself in thought. She sat across from him, Jimmy snapped from his thoughts and looked at the housekeeper.

"You miss him," she said knowingly.

Jimmy frowned. "Miss who?"

"Mr. Barrow," she chuckled. "You miss good old Thomas."

"I-I, Uh," Jimmy stammered and felt his cheeks burn. "He's my mate, is all."

"Of course he's your mate, and I'm glad you're his friend, James. Mr. Barrow is a good person," she smiled.

"That he is," Jimmy grinned.


Five days turned into four weeks. There were news that Lord Grantham was dealing with some issues with the Levinsons. No news of Mr. Barrow. That irritated Jimmy.

"At least they could tell us how Mr. Barrow is doing," huffed Jimmy.

Mr. Carson rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Mr. Barrow is perfectly fine, if not, we would have known otherwise, so consider this a good thing."

Jimmy slumped back on his chair and sighed heavily. "I suppose."

At that moment, the bell for the Drawing Room was rung and Mr. Carson stepped out of the room. Mrs. Hughes sat next to Jimmy and spoke in a low voice. "Now, James, there is no need to become so impatient."

Jimmy closed his eyes. "I know and I'm sorry. It just bothers me that they don't take Mr. Barrow into consideration of things, s'all. I just want to know if he's well."

Mrs. Hughes smiled. "I'm sure he is, don't you fret about it anymore."

Mr. Carson came inside the servants hall and everyone stood. "Right, so tomorrow night, Lady Grantham is having a guest, her name is Countess Hardwick. Apparently she is just back from New York and saw Lord Grantham while she was there and says to have some good things to tell the family of what is going on over there. So I want everything prepared for tomorrow night. James and Mr. Mosely, you will polish the silver at once."

Jimmy and Mr. Mosely looked at each other and groaned. I wonder if this Countess will have anything to say about Mr. Barrow.