Mr. Barrow and Mr. Kent
Note: Sorry this chapter's so very short. I've tried to do some research here and there as far as language and pop culture. Crossword puzzles came into fashion in the 1920's, but probably not this early from what I could find. Oh well.
Chapter 3
Back in his own room, Jimmy put the pocket watch away in his bureau and stood staring at the closed drawer, stroking his chin. It had seemed such a reasonable thing to do when he'd gone into the shop; replace the watch that Thomas had lost putting himself in harm's way for Jimmy's sake. But his impulsive decision to buy something much finer made him doubt himself in a way he couldn't put into words even in his head. And when he'd seen that man shaking Thomas's hand and leaning in close enough to arouse suspicion (if you already knew about Thomas's proclivities), he'd felt...odd. Suddenly the gift seemed far too ostentatious. It made him nervous. Fortunately, Jimmy happened to know that Thomas's birthday was in May. He knew this because Ivy had gotten all caught up in some astrology nonsense and demanded to know everyone's birthday one night. May 13 was Thomas's birthday as Jimmy recalled. He would give it to him then and it would make a fine gift. Yes, that made much more sense.
His door was open and Thomas peeked in. "Dinner."
Jimmy followed him downstairs, debating the issue of the horse groom in his head. A horse groom, Jimmy thought, with not a little disgust. He probably smelled like horses. What if he did take up with Thomas? Then Thomas would smell like horses. And what if they were found out? It wouldn't be the same as kissing a sleeping person against their will, but it would most definitely be a scandal. They would both be dismissed for sure. And what did Thomas even know about the man? Who could say if he was trustworthy? What if he knew about Thomas and was trying to lure him into a trap? Certainly, Thomas was much more likely to be as discreet as humanly possible given his past. But still. One couldn't be too careful. It was a bad idea all around, even if there was nothing Jimmy could say about it. He certainly wasn't going to tell a soul and he didn't want to start a row.
If nothing else, he didn't think the bloke was much to look at.
Thomas really could do better.
He was going over it all this in his head as he ate his stew, ignoring the chat around him until Thomas finally caught his eye and said, "What's got you so quiet?"
"Nothin'." Jimmy shrugged and looked back down at his stew.
Later that night there was cards. Thomas and Jimmy sat across from each other at the table and played Honeymoon Bridge as Jimmy chatted on about the boring girl in Ripon.
"She was pretty," Jimmy said. "Dark hair. All the girls wear it short now. Blue eyes. No personality though. Kept going on and on about hats. Why should I want to talk about girl's hats?"
"Didn't know you cared so much about personality," Thomas said, looking amused.
Jimmy was about to respond when Lizzie, the maid who'd replaced Edna, sat down next to him. She was working on a crossword and she asked him for help. She was as pretty as Edna and, to the relief of everyone downstairs, not at all interested in Tom Branson. She was very interested in Jimmy, on the other hand.
"Blimey, I dunno that sort of thing," Jimmy said. "Mr. Barrow would, he's the smart one."
"No arguments here," Thomas said quickly.
Lizzie was obviously disappointed, but she read a clue from her magazine anyhow. "Breaker of rocks. Seven letters. It might start with an S."
Jimmy shook his head. "I've no idea."
Thomas squinted and stared at his cards. Finally, he said, "Stanley. As in Henry Morton Stanley."
Jimmy smiled and said, "See?"
"Oh, yes that works," Lizzie said brightly. "Makes the other ones make sense now..."
"We're playin' cards though," Jimmy said. "Can't concentrate."
"Well, excuse me!" Lizzie said, and flounced off.
"I suppose you have a problem with her too?" Thomas said as they continued to play. "I know she's fetching. I'm not utterly blind."
"Too serious," Jimmy said. "I prefer a person who can take a joke. Or at least make one. Likes a good wind-up. That sort."
"I never knew you were so particular." Thomas said in a low voice. "Must be nice."
"How do you mean?" Jimmy said, trying to strategize his next hand.
"I mean you could have anyone you like," Thomas said. "Don't have to settle for whoever comes along that's actually willing and not too scared to so much as say anything."
The words bothered Jimmy deeply. It was an obvious point, but one he hadn't seriously considered. He realized that the "eligible footmen" comment wasn't much of a joke. Jimmy won the game and Thomas had lit a cigarette before they spoke again.
Finally Jimmy said, "You shouldn't have to do that. It's not fair."
Thomas looked confused. "Shouldn't have to do what?"
"Settle."
