Hi all, welcome to my new story.
The last months I did some writing, but I wasn't happy about it. But, a few weeks ago I suddenly felt inspired when I sat in the sun on my balcony. In one day I wrote a little story, which you will find here.
It consists of 7 short chapters, about 1000 words each. My editor Lalizi gave me some good feedback and I hope you'll enjoy it. It is all in Johns POV.
John is no servant in this story. I really like the idea of him being Lord of Downton. I still hope some of the great writers here, will use this idea too.
I will post every other day, for two weeks. Let me know what you think!
1.
John Bates stared out of the window. He looked over his estate. Low hills where characteristic in this neighborhood and he had seen them all his life. Somehow, he couldn't enjoy the sight anymore.
He grabbed the bottle with alcohol from the windowsill and topped up his glass again. He poured the liquid to his throat and closed his eyes while he did this. He knew drinking didn't help. Most of the time, it only made him feel worse. It made the loneliness almost unbearable.
His parents had passed away a few years back. His wife Vera had died last year. He wondered what the point of living was from now on. He and Vera never had children. She never liked kids, and after a few times, she didn't like sleeping with him any more. He couldn't remember when had been their last time. Without an heir, the estate would be sold after his death. He was happy he would never see this himself, but the thought of this made him nauseous.
John looked around the room that once belonged to his wife. Her books were still stacked in neat rows on the bookcase. Her chaise lounge remained untouched. He couldn't imagine her sitting there and reading. She didn't have the patience to read for more than five minutes. All her expensive finery, like vases and sculptures, still remained in their spots. Some were covered with white sheets, sparing them from the dust. Yes, she did like spending money.
He didn't come here very often. Most of the time, the room was kept locked. There were so many rooms without purpose now. He didn't need much space for himself.
Without him noticing, the door to the room opened and a young housemaid entered, softly humming a song. She hadn't seen him standing near the window either. When he finally turned around to look from where the sound was, he just stared at her for a while. The blond maid was dusting the bookshelves, but was also looking at the books spines as though she were looking for a certain title.
He never thought about it, but of course this room had to be cleaned once in a while. Normally, maids wouldn't be in the room when he was around. They were supposed to be invisible to him, but John Bates didn't mind her presence this time. He was mesmerized by the movements of her hands; dusting, cleaning… but so gentle. She didn't move a thing. He had never watched anyone clean. It wasn't his job to do so. Only Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes kept an eye on the staff.
He remembered hiring the girl a few years back and coming across her a few times in the hallways. Staff always stepped back and let him pass without saying a word. Sometimes only a soft " 'morning," or " 'evening," was mentioned between him and the others.
The girl seemed in a good mood and it made him jealous. It also made him forget his own troubles for a moment.
"What are you looking for?" he kindly asked out loud without thinking.
He could see the girl was shocked by his presence. She looked at him shortly, before turning her gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry My Lord. You made me jump. Had I known you'd be in here, I wouldn't have entered. Excuse me." She started gathering her stuff to leave the room, when John asked his question again.
"It seemed like you were looking for something. Why don't you tell me, maybe I can help you?"
"Don't trouble yourself your Lordship. I was just wondering if I could find a certain book in here - One that isn't in the big library downstairs." Her cheeks flushed a little pink.
"Ah, so you are the maid who borrows a book once in a while. I like that some take time to read in their free time. I know you must be busy all day and tired after your long hours of work."
The maid only nodded and gave him a smile.
"Anna is you name, isn't it?"
"It is, My Lord," she said smiling, more confident now, feeling better knowing he remembered her name.
"So, which book were you looking for?" he tried again, now that he finally got her into a conversation.
"I was looking for Jane Eyre, sir. It's a romantic novel I've heard a lot of, but I've never had the chance to read it myself. I thought your wife might have found it an interesting choice for her collection, so I took the opportunity to search for it."
John Bates stepped closer to the bookcases, even though he had instantly known a book like that wasn't there.
"My late wife wasn't a romantic woman, so I don't think you will find it in here. I'm afraid I can't make you happy today," he said while walking back to the window. His face turned back into its sad expression.
"I'm sorry for being so bold, but… I can see you miss her," Anna told him.
"Well, missing is not the right word. I didn't love her, really. She was a good distraction. We argued a lot, fought a lot. Even all my friends left me because of her. I don't know what to do now I can't be angry with her. It all seems so pointless. Don't you think?" he turned his head while asking her.
"I can't be the judge of that. Although running an estate doesn't seem pointless to me," Anna answered with honesty.
"What's to become of it, without an heir?" he answered, smirking at her, taking another sip of alcohol.
"There is still time…" Anna began,… but knew she went too far and didn't finish her sentence.
"Well," was all John could say, pouring another glass full of strong alcohol, his back to her.
Anna took that moment to curtsy and leave the room unnoticed, like she had when she came in.