Continued: it's a bit of a long one...
Chapter Ten
The light was shone in both of his eyes. One at a time. He looked straight ahead at the doctors request and sat quietly while other tests were performed.
It seemed he was doing well by the doctor's repeated statement of good.
He sat on the edge of the bed and the man in the white coat tapped his knee cap and replied 'good' once again when his reflex made his leg pop out.
The bandage was off of his head and he felt the relief of the lack of pressure around his head wound. The swelling had gone down quite a bit, he could see out of both eyes again, but the sting of the wound exposed to the air of the room was making his eyes water. He reached his hand up to touch the sutures but his mother grabbed his hand before he could touch them.
"Don't touch it George. You have to keep it clean so it doesn't get infected." Mary smoothed out the hair on his head, her fingers coming close to the injury but not quite touching it.
"Listen to your mother Master Crawley. It seems she knows what she is talking about." The Doctor stopped his testing to smile at the woman in the room.
"Of course I do." Mary's response evoked a laugh out of her son.
"So Doc? What do you think?" George asked the man who had just examined him.
"Well, I am still concerned by the level of concussion you sustained but you seem to be recovering well enough. Your symptoms are diminishing by the day and I think if there was a more serious brain injury, it would have manifested itself by now. I'm going to keep you one more night but I feel good about discharging you tomorrow. You'll be home for Christmas Eve, how is that for a gift?"
"That's good. I can deal with that."
George didn't seem as excited as his mother thought he should be. He had been practically begging to go home earlier that morning. And now, he seemed almost nervous.
Mary thanked the doctor as he finished up his exam and left the two of them alone in the room.
George lay back down on the bed and winced when he put his hands behind his head and stretched his arms.
"Aren't you excited to go home?" Mary sat on the edge of the bed beside her son and fussed with his blanket until he was covered properly.
"I am. But once I leave here, I lose the protection of these walls. I think I can handle the scandal, but it still makes me nervous. Does that make sense?" George's blue eyes were soft with worry. "Bates wants my head on a platter."
"I understand better than you will know. Don't worry. I will have Papa speak with Bates and perhaps we can get him to see the situation for what it was. Just a horrible accident. Are you sure you are going to stick by your story? You have nothing to lose by telling the truth." She reached up and brushed the piece of hair out of his eyes that so often fell down. The texture of it was more familiar than she would admit.
"I am sure." The tone in his voice made Mary look up. It sounded familiar. Confident. "I can handle a scandal. Sybbie shouldn't have to. It was just an accident. She is the kindest, sweetest person I know, and knowing she caused so much grief will destroy her. She deserves the chance to have a normal life and this would haunt her forever. If she ever wakes up that is." George had a tear in his eye and his mother reached up to wipe it away.
"Tom says she's come around a few times, but nothing more than a few mumbles and she slips back away. The Doctors think she'll come around any day now. Her responses are getting faster and faster. I think she'll be alright. Her face is quite bashed, but she will still be beautiful. She looks a lot like her mother. Now, when she wakes up, will you continue to take the blame?"
"I wish I could have met Aunt Sybil. I only hear good things about her. And I have a plan. I will talk to Sybbie as soon as I can and convince her that my story is better. There's no need for her to change the tale."
Mary nodded her consent at his idea and wondered if it was truly the best plan, but it was George's plan and he had sworn her to secrecy. It had been a bit of a heated argument at the time and she didn't wish to rehash it there and then. She changed the subject.
"You would have adored her. Your Aunt. And she would have taught you a thing or two about a thing to two. She was a wonderful person who didn't care what people thought of her and she followed her heart. I actually see a lot of her in you. All the good things." Mary smiled at her son when he got that embarrassed little look that he got whenever he was complimented. "I hope you follow your heart. No matter what. And I see why you are doing this. Because you do have a huge heart. And I love you for it. No matter what happens, I will be on your side.
She reached up and brushed his hair out of his eyes again."
George laughed out loud. "I do enjoy that we're speaking more easily now, but you embarrass me a little. I'm sorry I just never pictured you being so lovey towards me."
"It is my job as your parent to embarrass you. And be on your side no matter the scandal. I was soft and for a time. But then I stopped. And I am sorry for that. You deserve better." Mary's eyes got a bit misty at the memory of that time in her life, and she quickly changed the subject. "Did I tell you your Aunt Edith will be here tomorrow?"
"Ugh. Is she bringing the Italian with her? And her," George made a face, "darling children?"
Mary laughed. "Yes she is. And you will be nice to both her and your cousins."
"Why? You're not." George kept a straight face. "And what about her husband?"
"He is free for the teasing. Heaven knows he does beg for it." They both laughed. Edith's Italian businessman of a husband was an endearing character. And by endearing, Mary meant barely tolerable. She wasn't even sure if Edith liked him all that much.
"Mama?" George tried to get her attention back.
"Yes my darling?"
"Do you think it would be alright if I stayed at Crawley House with Grand-mama for a few days after Christmas. We both know Downton will be insane with all the people there, and it would be nice and quiet with just the two of us there. I might recover faster."
"Are you just trying to avoid Antonio's theatrics? Or his hugs and kisses?"
"Both of course." George winked at his mother. "But I really want to spend some time with Grand-mama over the holidays. I feel like she may need me. I can't explain it. Just a feeling I have."
"I completely understand. That is actually a very good idea. And then you are close to the hospital should anything happen." She looked concerned. She had seen him wincing repeatedly but he would never tell her what hurt. He didn't want her to fuss.
"Nothing is going to happen Mama. I'm on the mend."
"A week ago I would have said the same thing my boy. Now I am not as sure anymore about the randomness of this world" She stood up to give him a kiss on his cheek. "I hate to leave you, but I must get back to Downton. I shall give the girls a kiss for you. They will be very excited to see you. We all will."
"I love you." George felt strange saying the words.
She stopped at the doorway and turned back to him.
"I love you too." Her smile was warm and genuine. She left feeling good about her son. Worried, but that was good in her opinion. Their relationship was well on it's way to being mended and she was so happy for it. It had been too long deteriorating.
George was laying on the bed trying to get a nap after his mother left. He felt very tired but there were so many people coming and going from his room it was hard to get any real rest. Family, nurses, Doctors and anyone else it seemed just strolled in whenever they felt like it. He was exhausted. And it didn't help whenever he closed his eyes the visions of the accident kept bumping him back awake.
He just kept seeing those two girls on the road. And then striking Emma. The sound of it haunted him. He hadn't seen Lena since the accident and he was sure that her father would not let her have anything to do with him ever again. And she was probably mad enough herself too. He knew from his mother that Emma was doing well, but he hadn't dared to go near her room after what had happened with Bates. He wondered if that would ever be resolved. But it was still better in his mind that Bates was mad at him and not Sybbie.
His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knocking on the door. He sat up slowly and attempted to not be annoyed by whoever was there.
"Come in. I'm decent." He pulled his robe a little tighter and retied it.
A head popped to within his line of sight and he was startled because he had no idea who the man was who was standing there.
"Are you George Crawley?" The man asked him.
George took a good look at the youngish man standing in his room. He had no idea who it was. The man stood a little taller than he did and had short brown hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in awhile. The man wasn't dirty by any means, his clothes were well fitted and clean though not made of the greatest cloth. At first he seemed older by the way he stood and held himself but as George took a good look at his face he realized that this man wasn't much older than he was. He had a young face, but an honest one. He had dark blue eyes with incredibly long eye lashes. George thought to himself he must drive the girls crazy with those eyes. The man was good looking. A decent seeming chap.
George stood up slowly. The man looked trustworthy, but the incident with Bates had made him nervous.
"Yes. I am. And who might be asking?" George took a step towards him cautiously.
The man shifted his cap from his right hand to his left one and stuck his hand out to shake.
"I'm James O'Malley. Er... my brother Kev was your driver." George noticed the Irish accent that the man had.
"I'm so sorry that this has happened. I must offer my apologies. I was driving the car and I want you to know how truly terrible I feel for this situation." George was incredibly sincere as he spoke.
James continued to shake his hand sizing up the younger blonde man. His initial impressions of George being a snobby aristocrat were fading fast as he watched him. James realized by the look on his face that he was truly sorry. He pulled his hand back, and continued to form an opinion of the future Lord of Grantham.
His final opinion of George was formed when the younger fellow said nervously,
"You're not going to take a swing at me are you?"
James paused for a second. He liked George's honest approach.
"No mate. You look rough enough I daresay. I understand it was an accident, but it's nice to hear your apology. It means a lot to me. I just arrived about an hour ago. I dropped my bag in my brother's room and thought I would get some air. I saw the sign outside the door with your name on it and thought I would take a chance to meet you."
"I am truly sorry for your brother. I hope there is some way I can make up for it. Do you have a place to stay?"
"Thank you. I'm glad I could be here for him. They don't think he will make it, but at least he's got some family here now." James decided that despite the situation, he liked the younger man. He seemed real. Not like the stuffy aristocrats he knew of. "I was hoping to find an inn somewhere in the village. Do you know of a place that isn't too pricy?"
"Don't think of it man. Stay where you like and send the bill to my Grandfather, Lord Grantham. We'll cover any costs while you're here. You won't worry about a thing as long as your brother is here." George was so sincere in his offer that James didn't even think deeply about it.
"That is very kind Sir. I admit, I don't have a lot of money. I took my final pay when I left Dublin and was thinking I would have to find some work here to get home. But it's worth it to be here for my brother."
"I insist. Don't worry about a thing. And please don't call me sir. Just call me George. I really don't mind."
There was another knocking at the door that interrupted them. George took a few more steps towards the door and noticed his Uncle Tom standing there.
"Everything alright here?" Tom took a tentative step in the room and noticed the other man standing there.
"Yes. I'm fine." George was still so grateful that Tom had been there to haul Bates out of his room that night. He had never been so scared that a man would actually attack him. It was nice to have his uncle on his side, even though Sybbie lay injured in a bed right now as well.
"Uncle Tom, this is James O'Malley. His brother was in the car with Sybbie and I."
The two men shook hands.
"I'm Tom Branson. It's good to meet you though I wish the circumstances were better. I am so sorry about your brother. My daughter was injured in the wreck." Tom looked carefully at George to see his reaction of this man. He didn't sense any negativity towards him.
"Thank you. It's good to meet you as well. I'm sorry about your daughter. Was she hurt badly?" James spoke easily to Tom though they had just met. He had been so nervous about meeting the family that his brother had been employed by but he sensed no up-tightness from Tom at all.
"She was. But we're hoping she's going to be a lot better soon. She's coming around slowly."
They all knew how James' brother was doing and no one brought it up.
"Uncle Tom, may I ask you a favour?" George looked tired and Tom noticed it.
"Of course. What is it?" Tom continued to eye James as the young man stood there and nervously fiddled with his cap.
"Do you mind getting James here settled in a room in the village? And tell them to send the bill to my Grandfather? His lodgings. Food. Anything he needs while he's here? I would be incredibly grateful if you could set him up. We owe him that."
"Of course. I was just on my way to have something to eat at the pub down the street. Would you care to join me? My treat." Tom noticed that George had suddenly turned very pale adding to his concern for the young member of the family. He was looking better than a few days ago even, but still not looking at all like his old self. He may never again with that nasty gash on his head. He clearly needed some rest.
"That is very kind of you sir. Thank you." James was truly grateful. He hadn't eaten since he had taken the boat across to the mainland sometime yesterday. He had been saving his money hoping he would have enough for a room for a few days. He wasn't sure how long he would be here and he was very grateful that the family seemed generous. He liked them of what he had met so far. He understood that accidents happened.
"It will be nice to have another Irishman to talk to. Are you interested in politics by any chance?' Tom smiled at the young man who opened his mouth to reply and gestured towards the door. "We should leave Master George to get some rest." Tom looked at George sternly.
George looked agreeable and the two Irishmen bid their goodbye to leave him to some rest.
James and Tom walked down the road a ways until they got to the pub that Tom had spoken of. They entered it and let their eyes adjust to the dimness inside. It was a quaint little place that Tom had been to often in his younger days. There was usually an ear to talk to inside when you needed one.
Tom glanced around to see if there was a table where the two of them could have a bite and also have a chat. Tom was intrigued by this young man. And the poor lad had been travelling to a place he'd never been before just to spend his days with his brother who would likely never know he was there. It would be nice to have a fellow countryman as a friend if it should transpire that James was a good a chap as Tom suspected.
Over in the corner was a man sitting at a table by himself. He had his back to the door and hadn't even turned his head when the two of them had entered. Tom looked closely, the man seemed familiar. He walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
John Bates turned his head.
"Hello Bates. Mind if we join you?" Tom actually wondered if the Valet would agree. They hadn't really spoken since the incident in George's room the night of the accident. Bates had been keeping to himself.
"Of course not. Please sit down." John cleared his newspaper from the table and moved his cup of tea to allow the other two men to take a seat with him.
Tom made the introduction between the two and they shook hands briefly. They discussed the condition of their loved ones currently in the hospital and the fault of the young man who was responsible. Apparently Bates had not decided to forgive yet, and became quite quiet when the Irish men discussed the situation.
The door to the pub opened again and Tom stood up rather suddenly when he looked towards the door. The other two men followed the direction he was looking and watched as a distinguished looking man entered and starting looking around.
It was Lord Grantham and when he spotted them he strode purposefully towards the table. Other patrons in the pub watched the older man walk to the table.
"Bates. Anna told me you would be here. I wonder if I might have a word with you."
"Of course Sir."
Tom introduced the young man at the table and Robert bid him his sincerest condolences about the state of his brother. James accepted them and said little else. The Lord was intimidating to him.
"Shall we leave you then?" Tom asked boldly and James looked at him as though he were crazy. He never would have spoken so bluntly to a man of position.
"No. Since you are all here, what I would like to say to Bates has merit to you as well." Robert removed his outer jacket and sat down with them and looked quite serious.
"Sir, I do owe you an apology for my behaviour the other day. You shouldn't have witnessed that." Bates started the conversation that had been brewing since his outburst.
"I don't blame you Bates. I can't say I would have reacted differently. Well, perhaps I would have but I do understand the grief that you must have felt. I just can't have members of my household attacking my grandson over something we all know he would not be capable of doing intentionally. He is not an irresponsible boy and what happened was a twist of fate that we all know falls where it may sometimes."
He paused to make sure he had the attention of the three other men at the table. He did. The boy James looked terrified of him.
"I know the two of you," he now spoke directly to Tom and John, "have instances in your past that you are not terribly proud of."
They both nodded slightly, they dared not break eye contact.
"And the Crawley family has supported you both through them. Now, I know it may take some time, but I'm asking all of you to find it in your hearts to forgive George for his terrible mistake. He needs our support as much as Sybbie and Emma do. And O'Malley too." He added the last bit when he noticed James hanging off of his every word. Through fate, the young man had a role to play in their stories now.
He continued, "I have always been proud of Downton Abbey and our ability to act as a loving household. I'm calling in any personal debts that I may have so that you can forgive George in his hour of need. He's a good lad, and his life will not be easy with this story following him around the rest of it. I know the three of us have made mistakes, but can you imagine where we would all be if someone had not stood up for us? And forgiven our indiscretions?"
He paused to let his words sink in. He stared especially hard at Bates. The man's face was unreadable.
Bates looked around at the other two at the table and recognized that they were all staring at him. He was the hold out.
"I don't know if I can forgive him quite yet Sir. Emma's life is changed as well. For the stupidity of a young boy who should have known better."
"It is tragic. I'm not denying that. But we will take care of her. You know this by now don't you? The Crawley family will never let her go without for anything she needs in her life. You have my word of that."
The stare-down between he and Bates continued. Neither man was giving.
The bartender had come over while they were silent and asked if any of the men needed anything. Even Robert noticed that James looked hungrily around at the other tables. Robert reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a few coins and a gold piece that fell onto the table. He put the coins in the bartender's hand and asked that some luncheon be brought for everyone at the table. John declined. He had already eaten.
The gold piece rolled a bit and stopped spinning near the hand of the valet. He stared at it and eventually picked it up.
He turned it over in his fingers and stared in shock at his Lordship.
"Where did you get this?"
Robert looked closely at the piece in John's hand. It was the gold cufflink.
"Carson gave it to me the other day. It was brought back to the Abbey with all of George's clothes that he was wearing at the time of the accident. Shame though. It seems the other one has gone missing. George will be heartbroken I'm sure... They belonged to his father. MC for Matthew Crawley." Robert suddenly noticed the strangest look on the face of his long-time valet.
John reached into his pocket and pulled out the matching piece.
"Where did you get that?" Robert reached for it and John placed both of them in his hands.
"The day of the accident, Emma was brought in with a tourniquet tied around her arm. The doctors say whoever tied it likely saved her life. When the nurse took the tourniquet off, I noticed it was a sleeve that had been torn off the shirt and had this cufflink still attached to it. I kept it so that perhaps I could thank the man who saved Emma's life that day. I never clued in that MC might stand for Matthew." John's thoughts were roaring in his head. The revolution of who had saved his daughter's life was like being kicked in the stomach.
"I think perhaps it's time we went and spoke to George about what happened exactly that morning." Robert looked Bates in the eye again and the man looked full of shame.
"I couldn't have known it was him. I just didn't realize. Sir, I must apologize... my behaviour was so completely inappropriate. Can you ever forgive me?"
"I have nothing to forgive you for Bates. We all know how much you love your daughters. No one will hold it against you. But perhaps, there is a young man in the hospital who would like to hear that he is no longer on your hit list..."
"Of course. I will go at once."
"I'll go with you. We can't have George frightened half to death when you go barging in his room again."
The two older men put on their jackets and their hats and strode out the door with great purpose. The man with the limp was slightly ahead of the other.
The bartender came back and placed three bowls of stew on the table. He enquired about the men who had departed so quickly and made a move to take one of the bowls back.
James reached out and snagged it.
"I could eat it if that's alright."
Tom smiled. His first impression of the young man was changed only by the fact that James suddenly seemed a lot younger than he had first suspected.
While they ate, James stopped long enough to ask,
"Who is this Matthew bloke?"
"That is a very long story. I'll tell you someday."
"Lord Grantham seems like a very good man."
"He is James. One of the best I've ever met. Not faultless by any means, but a good man."
Tom dug into his stew. He wanted to get back to Sybbie and they still had to find James a room...
To be continued:
(fixed a mistake from an earlier chapter. ;) Shoulder belts 1955-59 ish. Lap belts only... 1930's... oopsies.)
Maybe this family should have invented them. heehee My bad for that.