Thomas and Jimmy were chatting in the servants hall, only to be interrupted by O'Brien,
"Is that Latin? I should try it on Mr Carson, make up some points" she butted in.
"Never mind Latin I need a magic spell" said Jimmy, who then went off to bed.
O'Brien pulled out a seat opposite Thomas,
"He's a funny one isn't he" she remarked as Thomas deeply exhaled the smoke from his cigarette, "You can't pull the wool over my eyes, I know what's going on"
"Your quite wrong Miss O'Brien, he's a proper little ladies man"
"Oh, if that's how you want to play it."
"What are you going on about?"
"There's no need to bark. I only know what Alfred tells me."
"Well, if he says Jimmy's interested in me he's lying."
"Oh dear, was it supposed to be a secret?" she ended before sloping off to bed.
Thomas didn't know what to say, he was feeling relieved inside knowing that the feelings he had for Jimmy were mutual. He went upstairs, changed for bed and perched himself on the edge of his bed, his head a state of utter turmoil. If O'Brien was right then he and Jimmy could be together but he was also worried that O'Brien had got it wrong.
Blinded by love therefore unable to think rationally, he crossed the corridor to Jimmy's room. Inhaling deeply before he entered, closing the door softly behind himself. There was Jimmy in his bed, snoozing away peacefully looking beautiful, his curved lips full and pouted, the nostrils of his buttons nose twitching softly as he breathed, his face serene and calm, a few loose golden locks falling onto his forehead.
Thomas made his way over to the bed, sat on the side of it leant over him, cupping the side of his face tenderly, moving his face closer to Jimmy's and pressing his lips to the young footman's….the door swung open,
"I'm sorry to wake you Jimmy but I…Oh my God" came Alfred's voice as he stood in door way.
Jimmy sprung up abruptly, looking confused and angry,
"Get off…get the bloody hell of me, Alfred it's not what you think"
"Don't do that please. Alfred doesn't matter, no-one will believe a word he says, he's nothing" begged Thomas.
"What are you doing? Why are you in here?" shouted Jimmy,
"Because of what you said. Because of all there is between us" said Thomas, before trying the cup Jimmy's face.
Jimmy pushed Thomas' hands away,
"There's nothing between us except me fists if you don't get out" threatened Jimmy. "And if you tell anyone…" he shouted to Alfred despairing that people might think he was "like that".
"But what about the things you said?" asked Thomas, tears forming in his eyes.
"I said nothing except get out, go on get out Thomas" he said slamming the door as the valet left.
Jimmy felt angry there was no doubt about it but he felt something else too, he lay in bed sobbing, furious at himself, he'd known it was Thomas, he had smelt his delicious smoky, minty scent, he had felt his soft hand on his face, he knew Thomas was kissing him and yet he lay there and let him, Jimmy thanked his lucky stars that Alfred had come in when he did.