Chapter Two

It had been three weeks since the kiss and Sybil had only seen Tom once and even then her Mother and Sisters had been present as they were going to Ripon to see how work at the hospital was going. While Sybil had been trying to catch his eye, he seemed to be avoiding her.

But Sybil was desperate to talk to him about what had happened, so when she knew that everone was sleeping, she quitely made her way downstairs, through the kitchens and out of the back. She ran as fast as her bare feet would allow across the Downton gardens without stopping until she reached the Chauffeur's cottage. She really hoped he wasn't asleep, as she didn't think she would find the confidence to do this again. But - luckily - as she drew nearer to the small cottage she noticed a dim light shining through the small, curtained window. She nervously walked down the path, to the door and - with shaking hands - knocked twice.

She heard bed springs and footsteps, saw the doorknob turn and a few seconds later, she was stood face to face with Tom. He didn't look very pleased to see her. Her stomach churned.

"What the devil are you doing her at this time, Milady?" He spat. "You'll catch a cold, not to mention if anybody sees you we're both in trouble."

"Let me in then" She said. At first, he looked as though he was about to do no such thing, but he knew she would order him to anyway so he stood aside and let her past.

"Is everything okay?" He asked wearily.

"Yes I just - I needed to see you. We haven't managed to speak since, you know and I think she should don't you?" She asked.

"Yes, I do. But at a more reasonable hour Milady." He answered shortly. "What is it about what happened that you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, why did it happen? What does it mean?" She asked quickly. "We virtually told each other we love one another and - well - that has to mean something. What do we do now?" She looked at him, expecting him to smile but he didn't. He remained stony faced. He didn't answer for a good few minutes. When he did, it wasn't the reply she had been expecting. Not the reply she had been expecting at all.

"It happened becase War had been announced and we simply needed comfort from one another. While I do love you, I don't love you in the way that I meant, not the way you want me to. I don't know what I was thinking, saying that to you. So, in a way, Milady it didn't mean anything. I am sorry." He told her. Sybil was horror struck.

She stood staring at him for a few moments. How could he be saying this? Someone must have found out and said something to him. Yes that was it. Maybe it was Mrs Hughes, or Carson. Or Maybe even her Father.

"Has someone said something to you and scared you off? Because if they have just tell me and I will deal with them." She told him. He shook his head and ran a hand through his brown hair.

"Mrs Hughes told me that I would end up with no job and a broken heart. She's right. I can't risk that. If anybody were to find out I wouldn't get a decent job again and I aren'y as lucky as you. I was my own family on day, Sybil and how can I have that if I have no decent job to support them." He told her. He looked sad. "And don't say we could run away, because we both know I will be made to fight this War and although I don't want to I won't be a coward. You'll be living a life on your own in a world you don't know. In a world you couldn't possibly understand. I won't ruing anything for either of us."

"But this isn't fair. What about what I want? Don't I get a say in this at all?" Sybil asked.

"It doesn't matter what you want and it doesn't matter what I want. We're from two different worlds and we can't possible be together no matter how much either of us want that to happen. I'm sorry." He said. All of a sudden Sybil was crying. Then she was angry.

"So let me get this straight. You toyed with me and you flirted with me because it was a bit of fun? You hed my hand at the garden party then planned to tell me how you felt because you were sad about the war? Then you kissed me because you were shocked?" She spat. "You don't deserve to even give me an explanation. I'm going." She made to leave, but he grabbed her arm. Then she noticed a suitcase at the end of the bed on the floor. "What is that?"

"I'm leaving. Going back to Ireland." He said honsestly. "Take this letter and please don't hate me." He picked a letter off the nightstand and handed her it.

Sybil wanted to rip it open but she decided she would see what it said first.

"Goodbye, Branson." She told him and she ran all the back to her room without stopping once.

When she was safely back in her room she opened the letter. It read,

Dear Sybil,

I have to go back to Ireland. I'm not sure I can stay here, where you are. That kiss was the best moment of my life. But we cannot happen and you know that.

I know I told you some horrible things, but I never meant any of them. You deserve better than me. You deserve someone who can give you the life you deserve. I can't promise you anything other than a life of uncertainty.

You will find a man who loves you - though not as much as I do - and I hope you will be happy.

If - one day - we meet again and there is no gap between out two worlds and neither of us are married, maybe it can happen.

I am truly sorry, Sybil.

All my love, Tom.

Sybil threw the letter in a drawer and broke down in tears.

When Anna arrived just a few hours later, she found Sybil still crying in the same position.

Sybil Crawley now knew what heartbreak felt like and she didn't like it. She didn't like it one little bit.

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Hope you enjoy. Next chapter up very soon.

xx