Chapter 10

A/N This was such a difficult piece! I wrote the chapter, decided it was rubbish, deleted the whole thing and started fresh… I hope you like the result,

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'Lady Grantham, I was surprised to find my former maid working for you,' Lady Felsham said softly to the countess of Grantham. Dinner was going well, John and Thomas were at their best behaviour to make up for Timothy, who she supposed wasn't feeling very well. Lord Aysgarth and Mrs Levinson were lively and entertaining guests and so she felt safe to inquire without anyone else noticing.

'Are you really? Because you gave her a very good reference and so did your housekeeper,' Lady Grantham said, acting surprised.

'Yes, yes I suppose I did. She was very good at her job. Has she ever….well, said anything about her time with us?'

'I don't think so, no. She's very discreet. I'm very content about her work and so is Mrs Levinson, she even gave her own maid extra free time because she knows Baxter and likes her.'

'Yes, of course. I must say I have never had a guest who brought their housekeeper with them,' Lady Felsham continued, looking slightly uncomfortable. 'You explained she is a friend of our Mrs McKay, but still it's unusual. Have they known each other for long?'

Lady Grantham smiled. 'Oh yes, since they were both very young I believe,' she confirmed. 'That's why I brought Mrs Hughes along. It was at Mrs Levinson's suggestion I have to admit, but I agreed with her. Why not, I thought to myself.'

'Have they stayed in touch all those years?'

'I believe they did, yes. I know it's very unusual to bring one's housekeeper so she could meet with a friend, but have I shocked society really that much? You seem to be very upset about it.'

Lady Felsham's cheeks coloured slightly. 'No, no. Not at all. Mrs McKay can be quite outspoken at times, that's all,' she explained.

Lady Grantham nodded. 'Oh, just like Mrs Hughes. She can't see injustice being done and do nothing. Is that a Scottish trait of character, would you say?'

'I...perhaps yes. I don't know.'

Lady Felsham now looked so uncomfortable that the Countess took pity on her and decided to leave her in peace for now. She smiled sweetly at her and turned her attention to John, who was sitting next to her and had a pleasant conversation about art.

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During the after dinner coffee in the drawing room, Mrs Levinson managed to corner Mr Timothy without anyone else noticing. The conversation didn't last very long.

Mr Timothy suddenly went very pale, muttered an excuse and left the drawing room in a hurry. Lady Felsham rose from her chair. 'Timothy, what's the matter? Are you unwell? We'll send for the doctor! I…'

Mrs Levinson slipped a note to one of the footmen and softly asked him to deliver it to Mrs McKay at once. The boy left the room and Mrs Levinson turned to lady Felsham.

'That won't be necessary,' she informed her. 'I suggest you call his book-keeper instead.'

'What? I don't understand!' Lady Felsham whispered.

'Come on mama!' Thomas frowned at her. 'Don't act as if you don't know about his business because I know you do! I have seen your signature on numerous documents!'

'I...what…'

'What's this all about?' John Felsham demanded.

'Well, I didn't intend to inform you all here in the drawing room but I have no choice now. Three days ago a man approached me, saying he knew of some fine girls and was I interested. I had no idea what he was talking about, but out of curiosity I let him speak up. 'For Leadenhall Street 122 sir!' he said. I told him I couldn't recall having met him before and he nodded. Said he was taking over for Reed and that Reed had told him to contact Timothy Felsham.'

'But you are Thomas!' Lady Felsham cried out.

'Yes. Same initial. I always suspected Tim of fishy business so yesterday I went to Leadenhall Street. I spent the whole day there and I was shocked!

'It's Timothy's property and he lets the flats,' Lady Felsham said.

'No mama, it's a…'

Mrs Levinson felt she had to cut in. It was obvious Lady Felsham couldn't cope with the truth blurted out. So she stepped forward and announced cheerfully: 'Well, whatever it is, it's not Mr Timothy's property anymore. I bought it from him ten minutes ago. I look forward on having my own place to stay here in London!'

Everyone was stunned speechless. Lady Grantham hid a smile and Lord Aysgarth, who was totally ignorant of the facts choked on his drink.

'I say, will somebody tell me…' he began and Mrs Levinson smiled at him. 'I will Charles, but not now, I'm sorry.'

'But Mrs Levinson, that building, you need to know…' Thomas said, looking genuinely concerned, but she patted his arm.

'It's all right my boy,' she said. 'I know all about it and my lawyers are working on it as we speak. They will be fine, I assure you.'

'I don't understand but I'm sure we will have a long conversation about this tomorrow,' Thomas smiled at her. 'That's right boy,' she answered.

'But I don't understand. Poor Timothy….' Lady Felsham wailed.

'Timothy is a crook, mama,' Thomas told her.

She fainted.

o-o-o-o

In the servant's hall Mrs Hughes had been having a pleasant conversation with Mr Philip Barrow, much to her surprise. She had not liked him at first, he seemed almost as cold and aloof as Thomas, but his whole expression changed when Thomas became the topic of the conversation. It was obvious that he cared about his little brother very much and had wanted only the best for him. 'He's seven years my junior, our father had disappeared when I was twelve and by that time our mother was at the pub most of the time,' he told her,' so I had to take care of him. I'm afraid I spoiled him a bit, or gave him wrong ideas, I don't know. He never seems to be happy with what he has achieved, not even now. He wrote me last month that he is appointed to be the new butler very soon, because he had told them about Phyllis Baxters' past and they were so very grateful for that.'

Now that was a surprise to Mrs Hughes, but she kept a straight face.

'I said I want to come over for the occasion, we haven't seen each other in years, but he seemed hesitant, I don't know why.'

Suddenly, he smiled at her. 'I want to thank you Mrs Hughes, I know you have been kind to Thomas at a time when he was very down and depressed, he wrote me about it. You are one of very few he likes, I'd have to say, and I'm glad he'll be working with you.'

Mrs Hughes swallowed and didn't know what to say. Poor Mr Barrow, she thought. Even deceiving his own brother.

A young footman entered and passed Mrs McKay a note. She read it, got up and nodded at Mrs Hughes and left the room.

'But what about you, Mr Barrow?' Mrs Hughes asked the young man.

'Ah me… I've made a mess of my life. I can tell you, I suppose. I wanted the best for my brother and so I went on with master Timothy's scheming. It was innocent at first and I thought if I could make myself a secure position in his web, Thomas would gain by that. Instead he chose poorly, every time again. So here I am, the brat's footman and partner in crime and nothing good has come from it. I'm sick of it, to be honest. I have managed Timothy's affairs for the last month or so, he is getting worse and worse. Drinking to excess and I believe he's on some drug as well. I don't know what to do, his mother doesn't want to know.'

'Why are you telling me?' Mrs Hughes asked.

'I feel it's crumbling down. Poor Phyllis showing up here with Lady Grantham and the American lady, and you! Mrs KcKay's friend. She's the only one who always saw through his scheming and I dare say he's even a bit afraid of her, even when she can't really harm him.'

'I only came along to visit my dear old friend,' Mrs Hughes said.

He chuckled. 'I don't believe in coincidence, Mrs Hughes. I have a hunch about what's going on and I can tell you, I'm glad it's over. Mr Timothy needs to be hospitalized, for his addictions and other issues. I suppose that's how it will end; the nobleman in a posh hospital and me going to prison as the villain who cooked it all up.'

'But that is not the whole story,' Mrs Hughes whispered.

'It isn't, but who'd believe me.' He sighed, pulled a packet of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. Mrs Hughes got up and poured him a dram of whisky. He smiled at her.

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.'

Barrow sat quietly for a while, smoking and sipping his drink. Then he got to his feet.

'I'd like to go to my room now and have an early night,' he announced. 'I have a feeling Mr Timothy doesn't need my assistance tonight, and I expect tomorrow to be a busy day with the police and other affairs. Would you walk me to my room please, Mrs Hughes?'

It was an unusual request, but she got up and accompanied the young man to his small room in the servant's quarters. At his door, he smiled and took her hands in his.

'I didn't want anyone to overhear but…Thomas was never going to be the new butler at Downton, wasn't he?'

She could not speak, just shook her head.

'I thought so…and nor is he the second most important person in the household.'

'No, he isn't,' she whispered. 'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be, I'm just glad you told me what I already knew.' He lifted her hands to his face and kissed her fingers. 'I wish I'd met you earlier. Goodnight, dear Mrs Hughes.'

He turned and went into his room.

'Goodnight Mr Barrow,' she spoke to the door.

o-o-o-o-o

A/N Please leave a review if you can spare a moment and tell me what you think! Love, george x