Clouds
~A Downton Abbey series
Author: TopOfChaplin
Pairing: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent
Other characters: Lord Grantham, Lady Grantham, Mary, Edith, Sybil, Tom Branson, Matthew Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, Violet, Mrs. Patmore, Ms. O'Brien, Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Carson, Daisy, Ivy, Alfred
Genres: Angst, Romance, Drama
Rating: M
Summary: A young man comes along who's had a rough past. Thomas is given orders to keep an extra eye on him by the Lord himself. But Thomas is damaged too, and what no one knows is that what they need is not acceptable. Not in 1920, and Downton Abbey is no exception. But the sky is quickly changing, and everyone will feel it as the clouds roll in. A dangerous change casting its shadows over the abbey.
Acknowledgements: I do not own any of the characters, and all events are purely fictional. The story does not follow the series correctly at all times, and some circumstances are changed.
Cumulus - Part 2
~ Cumulonimbus is a dense towering vertical cloud associated with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability, and that occur from Cumulus clouds. ~
"Now Jimmy, I expect you to remember what we went through this morning. You'll be doing the dinner serving today along with Alfred."
"Of course. I'm a quick learner Thomas," Jimmy replied in a modest tone as they were walking downstairs for lunch.
Thomas hadn't asked Jimmy about the greeting of the staff at breakfast, and Jimmy hadn't shared. Thomas would leave it to him for now, he had his own appearance to keep up around the others. As they entered they kitchen Ivy and Daisy were chattering about Jimmy but silenced as the two men entered, giggling to themselves. Jimmy gave them both a small smile, not shy, rather reserved, Thomas noticed.
"Now you two, help me get the food on the table will ya? It ain't moving itself." Mrs Patmore spoke to the kitchen maids with an extra glance in Jimmy's direction. She was not the first one to do that today. They were all curious to why an inexperienced footman had been given position with an Earl. Thomas seated himself in his usual seat and Jimmy sat down across from him. O'Brien and Alfred entered then, and Alfred sat next to Jimmy, already chatting away with him about the upcoming weekend.
"Ey Jimmy we might get Saturday afternoon off Carson says. The family is heading to dinner elsewhere. Thought we could head into town. Swooning of pretty girls that day a week," he spoke with a cheeky wink at Ivy.
"Don't you have better to do in your spare time than checking town girls up?" Daisy plotted in, noticing his flirting with Ivy.
Jimmy shrugged with a smile."Why not. Need to see this place other than the inside of the house."
Thomas pretended to busy himself with the days newspaper, sipping a strong coffee. He hated it when it got stale. "Careful not to catch trouble yet Jimmy. Alfred 'ere is a bit of a troublemaker."
"Thomas doesn't know how to humour himself. He's best at throwing nasty comments at people and smoke."
Thomas didn't even look up from the paper as he spoke. "Ivy dear, pour me some new coffee will you?" He gave her an honest smile as she did.
"Thank you," he empathized the words and gave Alfred a snug smirk, who frowned down on his plate. O'Brien watched it all from her seat at the far end, drinking it all and storing it up for a later occasion. Like she always did. It used to turn to trouble for someone at a later occurrence, but it had been weeks since she and Thomas had got conflicted when Alfred had showed up, pissing Thomas over the brick, and she had yet to bring something to the open. Alfred was less than pleased at Thomas' encounter with Ivy, and remained silent and grumpy through the rest of the meal.
Thomas was naturally good looking and could be charming when he wanted. Alfred was interested in Ivy, but Thomas observed her growing curiosity for Jimmy.
"Jimmy would never say such things like that Alfred. He's a proper gentleman," Daisy spoke, and Ivy nodded agreeing. "I'm sure you'll be a great footman with such charms and positive attitude," she told him all smiles.
"Oh well I do hope so. I like it here already." Jimmy kindly replied. Yes, Thomas could see how he would be likeable among the staff, and if he pulled off in his work as well he would surely be welcome to stay. Something about that fact should make him Thomas' natural enemy, but he was certain even if he didn't have it as an extra duty to look out for him, he'd want to help him. It was not like Jimmy threatened his position, and the downstairs had good of some fresh air breathed into it. Alfred and Ivy's recent joining hadn't exactly brought much but tension and juvenile drama.
There wasn't much to report during lunch. Mrs Hughes made small talk with Jimmy, and every now and then Anna, or Ivy would question him something. Thomas was starved when the food was served, yet he couldn't seem to eat much. He left the table at first chance and stepped outside in the back for his usual midday dose of nicotine.
"Can I have one of those?" a voice Thomas had been installed to like spoke behind him only a few minutes into his peaceful break. Thomas let out a lazy puff of smoke and turned slowly to gaze at him before retreating his head to scan the field in the distance.
"Not a chance. You're not a smoker."
"I've smoked before."
"Maybe, but you don't smoke."
Jimmy stepped up beside Thomas, who was leaning against the stone fence that parted the back area of the kitchen from the grounds. He didn't say anything but he was daring Thomas with his eyes. Thomas watched him for a moment before taking a long drag and dumping the pint, and exhaling him in the face. Breathing in the cotton cloud of smoke, Jimmy gave the tiniest cough and Thomas smirked, stepping past him before he did something ridiculously stupid that his imagination was running wildly through his mind.
"Don't do bets with Alfred, and don't take anything O'Brien says seriously. That's not advice, it's an order," Thomas told him over his shoulder.
"And how do I know it's not you I shouldn't listen to?" Jimmy replied baldly, but there was amusement in his tone. Thomas turned before the door.
"Maybe you shouldn't. But if I were you I would. For if you do, I can promise you the things I'll be teaching you the rest of the day will give you a free pass to first footman within the end of the month." Thomas went to go back inside, but caught Jimmy's grin over his shoulder first.
"Oh, and you probably shouldn't tell any of that to Alfred if you want to be saved of days of whining and sour blunter your way."
The rest of the day went by in a blur and its usual busy manner. By the time dinner was to be served upstairs, Jimmy proved himself exceptional, and Thomas didn't miss the nod of approval from the Lord. As they were clearing away and setting the table in the kitchen later, Thomas gave Jimmy's good shoulder a light squeeze, whispering "You can thank me later."
Jimmy smiled back, obviously pleased himself, but he did nothing to brag of it as he was complimented during the meal.
"You might not have the experience, but there is surely nothing that seems to show that you were not cut out for a job as a footman Jimmy. You certainly impressed upstairs tonight. Carson received positive words from both Lady Mary and the Lord himself." Mrs Hughes told Jimmy, her kind smile directed at him.
Carson cleared his throat. "That is true Mrs Hughes. But remember this was only his first day. Now, we'll see how it goes the next few weeks. He has still things to learn, and more challenging tasks to meet."
Mrs Hughes gave him a look and he added, "But your first day could definitely have been a lot worse."
Thomas felt like snickering to that, but it was Carson's way to say he was pleased, and there was no need to ruin the good mood around the table tonight. Alfred even gave Jimmy's back a good slap, not knowing Jimmy's outstanding meant stepping down for himself yet. Thomas had to bite his inner cheek to not throw a comment on the action to Alfred as he saw Jimmy wincing ever so slightly from the contact.
It was late and everyone had headed to bed, but Thomas waited up for Mr Crawley's return from London and went to the kitchen for a cup of tea. Surprised, he found Jimmy sitting by the old piano.
"You should play something," Thomas spoke, trying for casual as he waited for the pot of water to boil.
"It's late."
"You should play."
"Someone might be disturbed."
"I want to hear you play."
Jimmy didn't turn his head but he could still see Thomas in his side view. Slowly he started pressing the white and black keys. The tune was most beautiful Thomas noted, yet so sad. He'd never heard it before still it made him think of himself as a young boy. Confused, scared, having nightmares about the grand clock in the house that would tick faster and faster. And angry. He'd been so angry at his father when his mother had died. Angry when he'd sent him away to work. Angry at a God he'd never really believed in.
Now his pulse was too high, throbbing against his neck and hammering in his chest.
"Stop,"
he found himself blurt out, but Jimmy kept playing.
As the tune drifted off, lingering in the air, Thomas' tea was long forgotten. Jimmy stared at him as he stood, but Thomas couldn't focus on him, eyes staring into the air. Without a word Jimmy left, and a few minutes later the bell summoned Thomas back to present. Taking a deep breath and fixing his clothing, he headed off to meet Mr. Crawley in the entrance hall.
"Mr. Barrow, thank you for waiting up."
Laying in bed later Thomas stifled his sobs in his pillow, not even knowing any more why he was weeping, but he couldn't stop. All he knew was that Jimmy sat with his faith in his actions, for Thomas had tried and failed yet again to not feel. But all the time spent concentrating on not feeling had left him shallow and empty. Space that Jimmy had crawled into since his hopeful eyes had met his own outside the front door of the abbey, a seemingly beautiful man, with something locked up inside.
In the room two doors up, Jimmy sat on the floor, back to his bed, glancing at the clock on his night table as it ticked close to eleven, trying to keep his hands from shaking. Checking four times that his door was locked, before he fell asleep on the floor, clutching his pillow. Pocked knife within arms length.
"So you were in the army," Jimmy confirmed as he stood in Thomas' room the next morning.
This time on Thomas' request. He hadn't had the time yesterday to ask about his shoulder and did a quick check before Jimmy completed his dressing. At Jimmy's words, Thomas' eyes left his work on his collar, immediately going to his hat hanging down on the wall opposite his bed.
"Front first, wounded, and then an army doctor. Ran Downton a time at the end."
Thomas didn't like to speak of the war. Mostly because of the triggered memories from the front, but also his inner struggle as he returned. He'd been most head high with pride for leading Downton when it had wounded soldiers. But mostly it was a constant reminder of his own cowardice. The cowardice that had saved him, and the bravery that had killed so many others, or damaged them beyond repair.
"So I've heard. Ms O'Brien spoke rather fondly of your time in leadership."
"Bet she did."
"You know, none of the others quite understand why I bother to talk to you. Say I'll be good off when I'm finished trained for my job."
Thomas went to comb his hair back, never meeting Jimmy's eyes through the mirror. Thomas had waited for this, waited for the fall back from the other servants. Not even O'Brien was to be counted on now, though Thomas suspected she'd never really been more interested than to build him up to watch him break, and to have someone to share her sniggering with at the time. And steal fags from, surely she owed him greatly. Jimmy stepped closer.
"What a surprise." Thomas said indifferent.
"But they don't understand you do they. And you think I don't understand so you push me away. Better arrogant than weak, better mean than broken," he whispered to each of Thomas' ears, and his grip on the comb tightened to the point of pain in his palm. In his bad hand.
Jimmy's gaze left the mirror as he turned his back. Thomas bolted up then, realization dawning on him "He did this to you did he not? Came into your room at night and beat you to blood."
"Trying to beat sense into me he said." Jimmy didn't turn again as he spoke.
"You don't like to speak about the war because of fear. I don't like to speak of my war because of fear of meeting it again. I think we can leave it at that Mr. Barrow." His voice was soft and strained, but utterly composed.
And from that moment Thomas had the slightest of respect from the young footman. For Thomas knew pure stinging fear, and he would never, ever forget it. Getting up Thomas crossed the room in three swift strides, halting only centimetres from Jimmy.
"Let's stay out of the battlefield then shall we?" Jimmy nodded.
"Now, we have another day waiting and I'll be showing you the rest of your duties today. Starting with number one, a lesson in not being fired: know when to remain silent and never listen to any orders from Ms. O'Brien."
"Thought we'd established the O'Brien trouble already."
"Well, it's worth mentioning again."
"And remaining silent when found guilty of Carson is a must?"
"Excellent, I can see your way to success already James Kent."
"Well if it were to come to that, I do own it all to my outstanding teacher."
"Keep thinking that thought."
Jimmy could not remember the last time he'd felt so bright, having something to look forward to. And Thomas could not remember the last time he'd smiled as carefree and honest, and it almost scared him, but only almost for it felt too good.
"There'll be thunder tonight Jimmy, I'm sure of it. Care to join me for a walk then?"
Jimmy strained his head up to look at Thomas as they walked through the servants hall to the kitchen.
"I suppose, must be jolly to take a stroll in such lovely weather," Jimmy mocked.
Thomas snickered. "Not really. But it is a lot more fun to inspect the powerhouse when you can actually turn the power back on."
"Oh."
Mrs Hughes came out of her drawing room then and gave them both a knowing look. "Not putting the poor boy up for any mischief I hope...Mr Barrow."
He smiled strained at her as she left them to follow behind.
"Are you though?" Jimmy spoke with a hushed tone, but there was lightness in it. Thomas did not get to reply before Carson spoke up.
"Thunder you say, I haven't seen a dark cloud all day. Better show him something useful, like how to go to bed at a proper time. Nothing is worse than having to tell the footman to not fall asleep when he's serving breakfast," he trailed off with a hard tone, looking directly at Alfred who looked down, ashamed. Jimmy stood straight, waiting for a lesson of his own, and Thomas was quite amused.
"Certainly Mr Carson. Better not let him have that night off this weekend, I'm sure he'd be spending it...not sleeping," Thomas humoured in. Mr Carson seemed to contemplate it for a moment, giving Thomas a stern look before eyeing the guilty party.
"Best thing I've heard all day Mr Barrow, and to think it coming from you." He empathized you with a pause before continuing. "Alfred you'll be working Saturday night, and I will not hear any objections. And if I'm pleased with your work I'll consider it again next week. Now, lunch before the bell rings, we have work to do as Lord and lady Grantham are preparing their journey tomorrow."
Lunch went by, and Thomas kept a discreet eye at Jimmy, noting how he had both ears in the depths of the table conversations. Mostly listening to Carson's ongoing concern for the next big dinner when there'd be visitors from Scotland in a few weeks, already making cleaning schedules. Alfred was silent too beside Jimmy, though for obvious other reasons.
As they strolled out after supper, Thomas questioned him about it. "Why you were all ears earlier at lunch. Anything up your sleeve already?"
Jimmy shrugged, pulling his coat tighter, gazing up in the dark. "Just trying to fall into things. A listener learns more than a speaker."
"I suppose."
Thomas lightened a smoke.
"Seems you were right about the thunder, and I must confess, I'd like to know how you do it."
"Do what?"
"Predict it. Read the weather signs."
"Could've been lucky guess for all you know."
Jimmy met his eyes with raised brows. "But it wasn't."
Taking a long drag, Thomas replied.
"No it wasn't."
Then he smirked before speeding up. "And it'll be drizzling soon enough too, so hurry up." Jimmy shook his head, slightly amused, but hurried along as the cracks of thunder broke through the sky for the third time.
"Bloody hell how do you know what's what in this moulder?"
"You don't, not really. But this is the main switch, always try that one first if the power goes. And if not, then you start somewhere and go through them all until you find the right one."
Jimmy was peering over his shoulder, standing on his toes. "You suppose it'll go out tonight?"
"It might. The wide open surroundings prove this the point of most power shut downs probably in all of the county. Though if it's the main power line it usually recovers on its own." Thomas checked the rest of the fuses before closing it up. Jimmy was peering out one of the two small windows facing towards the abbey.
Thomas dared to take a strike.
"So what did you do then, in your former employment position?"
"Oh bits of that and some of this. I didn't have any specific position, used me for whatever they preferred." Jimmy's voice was distant again. A fact Thomas gladly would have exploited had he been anyone else.
"Seems a bit...chaotic if you ask me. Would have thought the house of one of the Earl's acquaintances would be of more order."
Jimmy laughed coldly then, absent mindedly drawing on the fog on the corner of the glass. "I'm sorry for intruding on the subject again."
"Yes well, I suppose you are curious of my...experience." The way Jimmy said those words sent chills down Thomas' back, and another rumble of thunder broke the stretching silence. The rain was coming down heavy now and Jimmy smirked.
"Okay how 'bout this, you reveal your hidden talents and I'll tell you some of mine."
Thomas took a seat on some wooden boxes that read 'Property of British army, Medical Section', that had been stocked here two years prior or so, and thought a second of the irony in that.
"Hidden talent, and who said I have such?"
Jimmy shrugged. "Oh none, but everyone has."
Leaning back and straightening his hat, Thomas thought for a moment. "Well I'm a fair enough dancer I would say. And I know how to repair clocks. I'm also brilliant in cricket, and chess if I want to be. And I'm a good liar too I suppose, or maybe it's just everyone else who's terrible at interpreting and reading people."
A breathing pause. "Now you."
Jimmy left the window. "You sure you want to know though? I'd have to sworn you to secrecy of a lifetime."
The chills returned to Thomas of Jimmy's tone, and when he looked up to meet the eyes of the valet, Thomas swore he saw Jimmy's lip quivering for a moment. "But first I have to know if I'm right."
"Right about what?" Thomas' voice sounded weak to himself, and maybe a quarter of an octave too high.
"Your preference. Of...people."
Thomas' heart was beating wildly by now, but it wasn't even a secret what Jimmy was about to confirm. With Thomas' slight hesitation Jimmy had his confirmation.
"You're different as they so hesitantly calls it, but you can't help it can you?"
Thomas couldn't look Jimmy in the eyes any longer.
"Oh but Thomas you are not the one who should be uneasy. You see I have talents. I'm a great baker for one, and an excellent fire maker. I play piano and violin and sing. I can entertain with card tricks too. Oh, he liked that very much my former employer."
Jimmy got up and waltzed over to where Thomas sat stiff.
"But there were other talents he cherished even greater. Talents he'd give me rewards for. Dinner for instance, if I did exceptionally well. And a rare time he was more than sated he would let me go a few days without a mark upon my skin."
Thomas was fighting the urge to run but kept still as a rock, eyes glued to the ground. Jimmy leaned down, voice sounding strong but foreign.
"Yes indeed Mr. Barrow, I have such great talents. Wouldn't really come handy as a footman though would they, or perhaps they would. Wouldn't you know, Thomas."
The next second Jimmy's cheek stung as Thomas slapped him hard, and then Thomas was out the door and he didn't even bother to turn and collect his hat that fell off in the process.
Jimmy stood breathing hard behind as the sound of the thunder echoed off the sound of Thomas' last steps out and into the storm.
Authors note: Thanks to all who've supported my story so far. I love to hear from you. For those curious to Jimmy's past, things are not all clear yet but bits and pieces wil come soon enough. A couple hints were revealed in this chapter though, I wonder if any of you caught any of them. Any feedback is appreciated, so pretty please leave a review my fellow Lords, Ladys, footmen, servants and maids (oh whatever floats your boat, I couldn't resist). And thank you for reading.
