I thought the thing to do next was to write all those missed conversations in my story The Politcs Of Love. Each chapter will be in different parts of the story so i'll put in little notes of where in the story each conversation happens, so here it is! Hope you like it!

Jo x

After the announcement of war-August 1914-before chapter 1.

The whole atmosphere of the garden party had changed so dramatically since Robert read out his telegram to everyone. Some people couldn't take it in, they realised what this meant and burst of in tears. Her Ladyship had to retire to bed; the miscarriage and then this had taken its toll on her. Others seemed almost unaffected by the news, but it was clear that they were just putting on an act and carrying on with the party, as if nothing had ever happened. Branson leant against the side of the house, gazing at Lady Sybil. After delivering the message to her he wouldn't be needed until the end of the party, but it was such a beautiful day outside he would've felt a bit cold and lonely inside. Staying out of sight whilst watching Sybil was a much more enjoyable way to spend the day. He knew what war would mean, to him and to the rest of Downton, but he couldn't think about that now. All he could think about was her, and her delicate hands he'd been holding a little while ago.

Ever since she'd heard the news of Gwen's employment, ever since she'd held Branson's hand, all she could see was his shining blue eyes looking deep into hers, deep into her soul. How could I not have seen it before? Was I blind? She pondered. She knew that he was a dear friend, one that she could always count on for an escape from the hectic life upstairs. She remembered how she'd fought for him when her father wanted to fire him. If he went she went. She wouldn't do that for any ordinary chauffeur, even if they were friends and he'd done nothing wrong. But she could see now, he was no ordinary chauffeur. She felt so warm inside when he spoke to her in his soft Irish accent, her stomach flipped and her heart started beating like a drum when he wrapped his fingers around hers. Oh, his fingers! They may have only been touching her hands, but it touched her heart. She finally caught sight of him leaning against the side of the house and she flashed him a loving smile, one which he had to respond to as his eyes met hers.

Mr Bates was taking a walk around the house to clear his mind of the war, of Anna, when he came across the young chauffeur.

"Terrible news isn't it?" Branson jumped right out of his daydream as Bates started speaking.

"Hm? Oh, yes. Yes it is. When is war ever a good thing? You know that better than I Mr Bates." Bates looked down at his bad leg. Yes he did know that full well.

"I dare say it will bring a lot of heartache to Downton. We men will have to play our part."

"Maybe not you Mr Bates, I think the army might realise you've already paid the price."

"Maybe. But poor Lady Mary, Matthew will have to go off to war no doubt. I think there will be a lot of other sweethearts who will be separated because of this." Bates could see where Branson's gaze was at. He hoped that he would catch onto his hint.

"I think there are many things in this world which could separate two sweethearts. War, death, destruction…social boundaries." He only hoped he wasn't saying too much.

"Quite so. And if the other person don't feel the same way then,"

"Then?" Branson wondered whether Bates somehow knew about Sybil's feelings towards him.

"Then there's nothing else you can do but grit your teeth and endure the heartache."

"And what reasons might there be for this person not feeling the same way?" Branson wanted to get to the bottom of what Bates was hinting at.

"No attraction or friendship. Maybe she knows it can never happen…class boundaries and all that." Branson let out a sigh before turning to Bates and saying,

"What are you implying Mr Bates with your words of knowledge?"

"Nothing lad, just…you know. Be careful." He gave Branson a pat on the back before rejoining the party, leaving Tom to his solitude. Two warnings in one day. Maybe they knew that Sybil's feelings lay elsewhere. Maybe Matthew? Oh, he hoped not. But how could she? He saw how she looked at him after she realised they were holding hands, how could she look at him like that and not mean it? But then his gut instincts took over and he knew that he was just a chauffeur, and she was a Lady, and that nothing could ever happen. How could a daughter of an Earl have any feelings whatsoever towards a humble chauffeur? With his spirits well and truly obliterated, he made his way inside. Seeing Sybil was the last thing he wanted to do now he'd been pulled back down to earth.

What do you think? Should I carry on with this idea? Please review!