Hi! So here's another update! To tell the truth, Chapters 1 to 3 and the first part of this Chapter has been up for a long time. I must admit, I can't help but fit in a bit of Tom and Sybil!
No, Abner Mason wasn't seeing things. His only child William was alive.
But how did that happen?
Hours ago, he had returned into an empty house. Mrs. Mellor, his kindly neighbour looked after the house for him for the day. When she heard that William died, she was in tears. Wryly, Abner thought whether she was crying because she was really sad, or because her hopes of her daughter Jenny ever marrying William were forever dashed. Well, they actually were. All the girls in Malton had their eye on his boy—one, because William being William, was kind and had a good word for everybody, and two, the lad was passably attractive. Three, the farm was a fairly large—and prosperous property—and he, Abner Mason owned it. In time, William would inherit it—regardless of his position at Lord Grantham's home. A girl marrying into the Mason farm (and family) would count herself lucky. Then again, regardless of whether his son was dead or alive, Jenny Mellor wouldn't stand a chance. William only had eyes for his wife, the former Daisy Robinson, now Daisy Mason.
"Come in, my lord, my lady—and Mr. Carson," Abner invited the three visitors. His eyes misting, "I thought I'd never see you forever until I'm six feet under meself," he told his son.
"I'm here now, Dad." William said, rather weakly. He had a long and rather exciting day. Surprisingly, he didn't wheeze while he spoke and breathed. Before he died, he had difficulty breathing. Well, miracles do happen, don't they?
Lady Edith and Lord Grantham examined the house and its contents; it was the first time they had entered the home of one of their employees. But William Mason was a special case. He saved the life of his lordship's heir, and the former second footman's father observed that his lordship and his daughter were very much grateful and wanted to do everything for William. Abner Mason was touched. He heard Lady Edith graciously conversing with his neighbours, and explained all that happened, and remarking how extraordinary it was; but all of them agreed that it was lovely—a lovely miracle that William was alive once more. Amused, Abner noticed that it was her young ladyship was doing all the talking, and her father murmuring his assent.
"How do you feel, my boy?" he asked.
"Strange, Dad. Strange. But I'm happy just the same. I'll still get to see you, the farm, Downton, and Daisy. How is she?" William asked.
Abner shook his head. "Lady Edith said that Daisy was quiet after and didn't speak to a soul 'cept for Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Patmore, and a maid called Anna. She's very distraught."
William nodded. He thought of his wife. He missed her already—badly. He would ask Mr. Carson permission to speak to her.
While his son was preoccupied, Abner caught his lordship's eye, and they walked to the small parlour where his wife used to have tea with her friends. Abner asked Lord Grantham to sit, and his lordship graciously accepted the offer. Lord Grantham spoke. "This is extraordinary, but no less cheering. And...I would like to do something for William."
"My lord..." Abner began, but Lord Grantham put his hand on his shoulder. "I would like to have William checked up by Dr. Clarkson. And see if further treatment is needed for him. This is because...well, I...I would discuss with Mr. Carson the possibility of a promotion for William. Before the war, Mr. Carson has seen more potential with William than with Thomas, the first footman. But since he has married Daisy, we would rework that plan. Part of that plan is to rebuild his strength. I would still have to discuss this with Mr. Crawley, since William was Mr. Crawley's batman. I would like to discuss this with you again in the future."
"But my Lord—" Abner began.
"Think nothing of it, Mr. Mason. Your son has saved my heir. He is a good lad and a good worker, and his good work should not go unrewarded. I feel that this is not enough. He deserves more."
"I am grateful my Lord. For your kindness to my son. William has always said that he has never known a kinder employer—then again, his job at your home was the only one he had."
"Like I said, Mr. Mason, we are the ones who are grateful. What is important is that William gets his strength back. I would like to quote Mr. Carson and say that the lad has potential, and has a bright future for him indeed."
"Thank you, my lord."Abner Mason said. He was touched to hear that William was well-regarded in his former employer's home and that he would have a job for life! Not that it was the important thing, but still...he was happy. And the most important thing? He wouldn't be alone—his family would grow. He would allow his son and his daughter-in-law to work if that was what they wanted. The world was changing; the war had seen to that. And probably someday, he'd have grandchildren. Ah, Abner. One thing at a time. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
News, however, travelled more slowly at the Downton Cottage Hospital. Ladies Sybil and Mary Crawley delivered the sad news to Matthew Crawley, their cousin, and William's direct superior in the regiment.
"He's gone, isn't he?" Matthew Crawley said hollowly. Mary nodded, tears slowly trickling down her cheeks. When Anna delivered the news to her, she was dry-eyed. But later on, Mary felt a prickling in her eyes. "I never knew I'd feel so much about it," she admitted. "He was a good lad. Everybody liked him. You see, I once spoke to him. William originally wanted to work as a groom. But his mother had grander ideas for him. She wanted him to be a butler someday. Out of love for his mother, William heeded her and applied for the position of second footman instead. There are not many sons who would do that for their mothers." Mary began to wipe her eyes with the handkerchief she had kept in her apron pocket.
"That's true," Lady Sybil agreed. "I was also informed that before he died, William married Daisy—you remember her of course, Matthew—the shy kitchen maid. She's a very sweet girl—I've had an opportunity to get to know her more while learning a few things about working in the kitchen," she finished.
"Yes, I do," said Matthew. "The first time I saw her, I thought that she was a delicate slip of a girl. But given the scope of her tasks, she must be very strong. William spoke of nothing else." He grinned. "The lad never smokes, but the cigarettes he gets, he barters them for extra paper or pencils. William could write. And he writes to her—sheets and sheets. If it's not her he's writing to, it would be his father. He told me that his mother was a schoolteacher before she married his father." Matthew sighed. "I saw him as a younger brother, not as a subordinate. He was just like a brother to me. It's sad to see what the war does to the young."
"You're hardly old yourself," Mary contradicted gently.
"William is only twenty three," Matthew replied sadly.
Out across the hall, the phone rang. As the nurses were busy with the patients, Sybil ran to get it. She answered the call.
"Hello, Downton hospital—Edith?"
"Sybil?"
"Yes."
"Sybil, is Dr. Clarkson there? Papa wants him to come."
"Is Mr. Carson ill again, Edith? I shall ask Branson to drive me home. Dr. Clarkson is out at Farley Hall. He won't be back till the start of the evening shift."
"Oh, Sybil, this is extraordinary news. William is alive."
"Edith," Sybil protested. The lad just died, and people are making jokes at his expense. What on earth is the world coming to? "Now isn't the time for jokes," she said sadly.
"Sybil dear, I'm not joking."
Sybil felt her knees go weak. "Are you serious—he is alive? How? What—oh, well then, I'll just go home. My shift is going to end anyhow, and I'll take on the evening shift at home. I see—I understand. We'll talk later when I get home. See you. I'll have to say goodbye to Mary and Matthew first. Bye." Sybil put the phone back on the receiver, and her eyes fell on the calendar. 26 July, 1918. Has the war been that long—has she been a VAD that long? Almost two years. The clock struck four in the afternoon, thereby concluding her day shift. She would continue it at home, as Downton had become a convalescent home. Might as well finish my report there, she thought.
Sybil went back to her sister and cousin. "Mary, my shift has ended. Edith rang up to say that Papa needs me to see to something. Don't go—I'll send Branson back to you. I'll explain to you later when you get home. Matthew, don't stir. I'll see you the day after tomorrow. Goodbye."
Tom Branson was surprised to see Sybil Crawley. Belatedly, he remembered that her day shift would end at four in the afternoon. "Milady," he began. He noticed that Sybil's face was rather flushed and excited, and couldn't wait to go home. "Tom, please." Sybil sighed. Then she looked up at him. "Have you ever been in contact with people who died and lived again?"
He started the ignition, and pretty soon, they were away from the hospital. "Are you talking about Jesus or Lazarus here?" It was one of the best things about their friendship—it was easy for them to talk about a variety of things. But as time went on, his feelings started to turn into love—Tom knew she felt that way, but he knew she wasn't at liberty to talk about it—or she didn't realise it yet. He raised his eyebrow at her, waiting for her to reply.
"No," Sybil said.
"We seem to be talking in circles here," was Tom's rather arid reply.
"William's alive," Sybil blurted out.
"God almighty," Tom yelped as he expertly managed to avoid hitting the tree on their way home. He took deep breaths, and feeling himself calm down, he asked, "How and when?" Sybil shook her head. "I haven't gathered the full details yet—I'll hear them from Edith later on. The urgency of her voice prompted me to ask for them when I arrive home."
"I understand. I can only imagine what it must be like at Downton right now," Tom said dryly.
"Oh, I agree," Sybil's reply was just as dry.
