I am back! I'm glad to see that the Christmas special has given you Thomas fans a re-awakening! Oh and that Christmas special!
SPOILER ALERT - I hadn't quite made my mind up about Jimmy until I watched it..Because of the whole 'kissing' incident I didn't like him but felt I should spare him from total rejection as he was saw sense and 'withdrew all charges.'
I've decided I like him after he kept Thomas company at the end, when he ran away from the mugging I was cross "WHY HAVE YOU LEFT HIM FOOL!" and was delighted to see him return with the Downton entourage! When Matthew died I had some bad déjà-vu...anyway..
This story continues! Welcome you new watchers and keep well you regulars, you know who you are! Made up place in this chapter, at least as far as I know...
"What? In here did you say?" Thomas heard a voice come into the room and looked in horror as one of the guest, Robert Askindale 5th Duke of Brooke Lumley strode in followed by a very guilty valet. The valet that Thomas had asked to fetch Carson.
The valet looked nervously at Thomas who returned a disappointed glare. "Oh Victor what have you been drinking you stupid man, if the others see you you'll be the subject of ridicule!" The other Duke, Robert, began wiping up the drool on the drunken man's chin with a handkerchief he'd pulled from his jacket. He turned to his valet and cleared his throat, "We'll need a rich cup of coffee and some orange juice...Don't just stand there stupid boy!" The valet had a wounded look of innocence but obeyed his employer.
Thomas thought that Robert was perhaps over-reacting, what little colour Thomas had in his face suddenly drained as he suddenly remembered Carson's parting words, "...and make sure no one else finds out!" He swallowed hard and felt his heart quicken, he knelt down on the floor beside Robert who was still sorting out the Duke. "It's alright sir, the breakfast gong's going any minute now and it'd be a bit suspicious if you were both missing." He looked defiantly at the Duke of Brooke Lumley, if he knew anything about the type of men who'd be friends with the Duke, he knew that he'd be conceited and vain.
Appearances mattered to this stereotype of aristocracy and the slightest threat of social humiliation could drive them crazy. The gong rang and Robert looked at the semi-conscious mess on the floor, "No, 'tis too late now, I might as well stay with him" Thomas's nervous heart sank.
"Very well then your Grace." He nodded in pretend agreement and they both turned quickly to face the door as heavy footsteps attacked the hallway.
Carson's face appeared round the door and the rest of him followed. He looked down at Robert and then back up at Thomas, shaking his head and looking disappointed. On the way upstairs he'd had to try and contain himself, he'd already almost ran downstairs to fill Miss Hughes in on the gossip. She hadn't been moved and Carson's excitement hadn't been given closure. He was positively over-joyed to see that one of the aristocratic guests had made an appearance.