Stephen left rather quickly with Daniel after that conversation, and Thomas reemerged into the shop. "You got rid of her then?" he asked Chris.
"Of course, it was rather easy to keep her distracted, especially when it turned out she was quite a chatty person. I had to endure her going on about how amazing her husband is, and his work he does as a conductor on the railways. She was here because she was looking for a book on the history of the rail line that Brunel built, it was a specific one apparently, and it could only be that one. It is a skill, believe me, pretending to be interested in what she was saying," Chris said, rolling his eyes at the last sentence. "She did begin to glance towards the back door where you were, but quickly forgot about all that when I told her the book she was after was half price," Chris said. "She left happily after that."
"Thank you, I couldn't have managed that situation without your quick thinking," Thomas said. "The book wasn't actually half price was it?"
Chris smiled at Thomas's compliment. "No, it was new in the other day so it wouldn't have been, but I'm sure Richard won't mind. I reckon he would have done the same."
"I think you are right," Thomas said. He put his hands flat on the counter top and hung his head, breathing out a heavy breath as if he had been holding his breath all this time. He suddenly felt rather weak.
"Thomas are you okay?" Chris asked, putting his hand on Thomas's shoulder and forgetting any formality they tried to keep whilst in the shop. "You look pale, I could get you some tea?"
Thomas straightened up, and Chris drew back his hand. "It was just too close, and I worry that I may have said a bit too much to Stephen. He was scared Chris, I don't know if I made it worse for him."
"I heard a bit of what you said after the woman left. You told him what he needed to hear Thomas, it might just keep him a bit safer as a result. You did the right thing, I wish I had someone to give me that advice when I was his age. I may have turned out to be less of an idiot if I had," Chris said. "Shall I get you some tea? Or something stronger?"
"Thank you. I wish I could have had that too, but you're not an idiot Chris, don't ever blame yourself for what happened to us. I don't," Thomas said. "In truth I would love a drink but I am already a lot later than I said I would be so I should be getting back." Thomas picked up the keys that he came for, that had been lying on the counter this entire time. "Destroy these though," he added, picking up the note that Chris had shown him earlier, before leaving.
...
The wind howled through the tops of the trees in the woods a couple of miles outside of Downton village, although down on the forest floor it was relatively calm. Stephen jumped and looked behind him as he heard the low groaning noise of a old tree bending in the wind. "You alright?" Daniel said, "That's the second time you've jumped since we've been in these woods. If you want, we could go somewhere else."
"No it's fine, just feel a bit on edge after that happened earlier in the book shop," Stephen said.
"Mr Barrow didn't want to talk about Downton business did he?" Daniel asked as they walked.
"No," Stephen said. It was pointless lying, he wasn't very good at it. "He was just warning me, well us, to be more careful. We didn't notice how that woman was watching us, and he did."
"I didn't notice either, but then again, what were we doing? Talking in a corner of a shop," Daniel said.
"Well you got that book down off that shelf for me, and you took a little while to let go of my hand as you gave it to me," Stephen said.
"I thought that was discrete," Daniel said.
"Apparently not," Stephen said, looking down.
"You're not angry with me are you?" Daniel asked softly.
"No, course not. I liked the gesture, I'm just angry that such a subtle action was deemed dangerous," Stephen said, he hesitated a bit, slowing his walking pace. "And if I can be honest, I'm a bit scared. It's left me feeling on edge."
"What exactly did Mr Barrow say to you?" Daniel said.
Stephen didn't want to betray Mr Barrows' trust in terms of what he revealed about himself and his past when he talked to him. "He told me to be careful about how we appear to others, and to be careful who to trust, that even people we think we can trust we have to second guess."
"He was talking from personal experience am I right?" Daniel said.
"Couldn't say," Stephen replied.
"You trust me don't you?" Daniel asked. "Look I know we've only been doing this for a short time but I trust you completely." They had stopped walking now. It had been a short time, Daniel thought. They had become friends shortly after Stephen had taken a job up at Downton, but it was only in the past week that they had found something more between them.
"I do, you know that. It's just, it's not my secret to tell," Stephen said.
Daniel nodded, "I'm sorry, you're right. There has always been talk about Mr Barrow, even when I was younger, though I didn't know what they meant when they said it. There was an incident that saw two detectives turn up at a cricket match looking for him though, but nothing ever came of it. He's always seemed alright to me, Mr Ellis is nice too."
"He said another thing," Stephen continued. "He told me that the Downton staff are okay, even the Crawleys too. He doesn't think they would cause me any trouble, but it's best to try not to give them a reason to think about it." Stephen shivered then. He couldn't see much of the sky above them as it was mainly covered by the tree canopy but the clouds earlier had a look of snow about them. And as if right on cue, a snowflake landed in his hair, then another on his nose.
Daniel noticed too, "It's snowing," he said simply. He looked around them, and listened. Nothing but trees and fallen pine cones. He turned back to Stephen and caught his gaze, they were about the same height, he being slightly taller than Stephen but only by an inch. "Snow close to Christmas, rather appropriate."
"Yeah it is," Stephen replied.
"Could be romantic?" Daniel asked. Stephen nodded. They both closed the gap between them, but they weren't both quite in tune with each other yet and as a result the moment became considerably less romantic when Daniel stepped on Stephen's foot. "Oh sorry," he said embarrassed. It was only the second time that they have done this. Stephen didn't say anything, just smiled and took this as a chance to try that again. This time, as their lips gently grazed each other's, their kiss working out better.
...
Later that afternoon Thomas was enjoying a bit of a moment of peace to himself. He took a sip of tea from the cup on his desk and sighed. After the events of earlier in the day, he reckoned he deserved that, and the piece of cake that he had stolen off the table while Charlotte and Mrs Patemore weren't looking. His peace was interrupted by a knock on the door. No rest for the wicked, he thought to himself. "Yes," he called out.
"Sorry to disturb you Mr Barrow," Stephen said, coming into his office closely followed by Daniel. They both were carrying several pine cones each. "You wanted these?"
Thomas had almost forgotten about that excuse he made up for Stephen and Daniel. "Oh! Um yes, put them on the floor in the corner over there, we can use them to decorate the mantelpiece in the servants hall later," Thomas said. "You still have a few hours to yourself Stephen, not expecting you back until six."
"Oh I know Mr Barrow, but we were getting cold outside, it has started to snow a little," Stephen explained. "I was wondering if we could sit in the servants hall for a bit?"
"Yes, I see no harm in that. You've been helpful with arranging the supplies for the Christmas day feast Daniel, so feel free," Thomas said.
"Thank you Mr Barrow, for everything," Daniel said.
"No problem," Thomas said as the two of them left.
...
The clock in the servants hall chimed six, when Thomas walked in, coming down from upstairs. He was about to sit down in his favourite chair when the telephone began to ring in his office. He picked it up on the fifth ring, "Hello Downton Abbey, this is Mr Barrow the butler speaking," he said.
"Thomas, I'm glad it was you that answered," Richard said.
"Richard, what's the matter? Why are you ringing? I thought you'd be home by now," Thomas asked, worried. He stretched over and kicked the door shut with his foot.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. I'm not going anywhere tonight," Richard said.
"You're not in trouble are you?" Thomas asked, the worst possible scenario flashing into his mind, although the realistic part of him told himself that the police would be very unlikely to give Richard a phone call to his boyfriend.
"Oh no! Nothing like that, I'm at my parents place. Well next door actually, I'm using Mrs Potter's telephone," Richard said, reassuring Thomas.
"Are they okay?" Thomas asked.
"Yes they are well," Richard said. "I'm stuck here because it is snowing very heavily here Thomas. No trains are going anywhere from York, at least not tonight."
"Oh," Thomas said, sounding disappointed.
"I know, I'm sorry," Richard said.
"Can't be helped," Thomas said. "I was hoping to talk to you tonight. A lot happened today that's all."
"Well you could talk now?" Richard said.
"Not something I can say whilst being overheard Richard," Thomas said.
"It's fine Thomas, Mrs Potter is okay. I think I've mentioned it before, but she knew about me before even I did, so no worries on that score. Plus, the door is closed and she is upstairs. She is also a little hard of hearing," Richard said. "You, my darling, can say whatever you like to me," he said as if to emphasise that they were safe.
Thomas could feel Richard's cheeky smile down the phone as he spoke and it was enough to lighten his mood. "Stephen, you know, the footman."
"Yes I know," Richard said.
"There was a situation in the shop today. A woman noticed his familiarity with a friend of his," Thomas said. "Chris noticed too and we had to step in. He distracted her and I talked to Stephen in a rather blunt manner. I scared him I think." Thomas went on to tell Richard about what he said to Stephen, Richard listening only saying the odd word to show that he was still there on the other end of the line. "Tell me I did the right thing and didn't overdo things?" Thomas asked. "Chris seems to think I did right."
"And he is right Thomas, you did. Cruel to be kind, you know," Richard said.
"Yeah I know. Thanks," Thomas said. "I shouldn't have told you but I thought you should be aware in case either of them need our help again."
"Or in case we need theirs," Richard said.
"Yes I suppose,"Thomas said.
"You won't say a word about this to anyone?" Thomas asked.
"Not a word my dear," Richard said. "You can trust me."
Thomas hesitated. "Richard, about what I told Stephen about trust, I do trust you completely. You, and maybe a few other people, are the exception to that. I should have explained to Stephen that there are exceptions."
"I know you do. And I reckon Stephen will figure that out for himself, if he hasn't already," Richard replied.
"Also, Chris had to sell a new edition of a book at half price to get that woman to leave happy. I hope you don't mind, given the circumstances?"
"He did what he needed to do, so it's fine. Tell him not to worry about it," Richard said. "On the subject of Chris though Thomas, you could invite him up to Downton tonight in my place. You will have to send my apologies that I cannot be there tonight." Yesterday, Mrs Hughes had asked if Richard would like to join them for their evening meal today, Thomas had almost forgotten about that.
"Are you sure?" Thomas asked.
"Yes, I think it would be a good opportunity for him to meet everyone. It would get any introductions out of the way and make the Christmas day meal he has already been invited to more relaxed I think," Richard said. He meant what he said, but it still pained him not to be there.
"It's a bit short notice but I'll send a message to him and see if he would like to come," Thomas said.
"Good, well I'll say goodnight to you Thomas," Richard said. "I'll see what the situation is like tomorrow with the trains and call you to let you know."
"Yes, though snow hardly ever disappears in a few days let alone one night," Thomas said negatively.
"I will find a way to be with you at Christmas Thomas, I am a determined fellow, especially when I have you to motivate me," Richard said. "Besides I have a gift for you that I have to give to you on Christmas day."
"Oh yes you do," Thomas said. "You sure I can't have any clues?"
"Absolutely sure Mr Barrow," Richard said. "I promise you that you will love it."
"I know I will," Thomas said. "I love you, goodnight."
"Love you too," Richard said, putting down the phone.