Thank you for the nice reviews. Let's go on with our two favourite couples' adventures ;)
- Are you alright, Anna? asked Lady Mary, shooting an inquisitive glance to her maid.
As she was dressing her mistress, Anna had suddenly been overwhelmed by a bout of nausea, and she had wavered for a moment, closing her eyes and putting her hand to her mouth. She quickly shook it off, taking a deep breath, and smiled to her employer.
- Yes, quite alright, Milady.
Lady Mary turned her attention back to her reflection in the mirror of her vanity table, and Anna went on with her tasks, listening to Mary's chatter about the new projects she had been discussing with Tom Branson. Anna forced herself to focus on Lady Mary's words, so as to push away the waves of nausea that kept rising through her chest. However, after a short battle, she was defeated, and hastily brought again her hand to her mouth, and whispered:
- I'm so sorry Milady, before hurrying to Lady Mary's newly installed en-suite bathroom, where she threw up in the toilet.
When she emerged from the bathroom, looking rather embarrassed, Lady Mary was eyeing her with a look that mingled worry and amusement.
- I'm so very sorry for that Milady, Anna apologized. I do feel better now.
- Anna, have you eaten something foul, or are you…
She let her sentence trail off, but she couldn't have made herself clearer. Anna chuckled lightly and a crooked smile dawned on her pale face:
- You know, once I told Mrs Hughes that Mr Bates could read me like a book, but I'm starting to think that you can too… Yes, I am with child.
- I'm very happy for you Anna, beamed Lady Mary. And as for reading you like a book, well, that was not very discreet… I didn't need to be that clever to put two and two together… she smirked.
- Yes, I'm so sorry about that Milady, but I'm having that strong morning sickness these days. I never had them for Johnny…
- You know what they say, every pregnancy is different. You remember when I was expecting Master George, I had those sicknesses, what helped me was a ginger and lemon decoction. You should try some.
- Oh, thank you Milady, I will.
- So… another Bates baby, well, well. Bates must be ecstatic.
- We both are, Milady, but… you know we've learnt not to get our hopes up to fast…
- Oh, speaking of which, we will need to arrange that visit to Dr Ryder! How far along are you?
- Only about a month. But, I'd like not to wait too long, since you know, how it went last time…
- Yes, of course. We should schedule it for next month then, maybe? Oh, I know, we're supposed to go to London at the end of May, you know, I told you, we're all invited to Andrea Whistleby's wedding. She's Lady Shackleton's daughter, that makes her Henry's cousin. Papa and Mama are coming too. You can schedule your appointment then. It'll be soon enough, do you think?
- I think so Milady.
- Well that's settled then. I'll let you telephone Dr Ryder's practice.
- I will. Thank you Milady. Will that be all?
- Yes, thank you Anna. See you later. And take care of yourself, she added with a friendly smile
Anna nodded and left the room.
x x x x
A few hours later, Miss Baxter was walking up Downton village's main street, running an errand for Lady Grantham. As she made her way to the post-office, she saw Mr Molesley going out of Mr Bakewell's grocery shop. The man was deep in his thoughts, and almost bumped into her. He startled out of his reverie just before hitting her square in the chest:
- Oh, Miss Baxter! My apologies! How are you today?
- I'm fine Mr Molesley, and how are you?
- Even better now that I've seen you, he beamed.
Miss Baxter could not easily be qualified as an emotive teenager, but she nonetheless flushed a bit at Molesley's compliment.
- You're a flatterer, Mr Molesley.
Noticing the letters in her hand, Molesley asked:
- Are you on your way to the Post Office? Then we could walk together for a bit if you will, for I need to go there too.
- Alright, I'd like that.
They started walking side by side, as Miss Baxter went on:
- So, my sister replied to me, she'd be thrilled to have you too on Sunday next. I was just going to post her my letter to confirm our coming. I'm sorry, I didn't ask you, I assumed you still wanted to.
- Oh, of course I still want to, that's so very nice of her to have me. And of you to want me there too.
He said that as if he couldn't quite believe that any woman would want to spend any quality time with him.
- Nonsense Mr Molesley, you know I enjoy spending time with you.
- Yes, that's what baffles me… he said in a puzzled tone.
As they came to the Post Office, he held the door open to Miss Baxter, letting her in before following her inside. When they went out a few minutes later, Miss Baxter smiled to Molesley:
- So, I must go back to the Abbey now, I have plenty of work awaiting me. Let's meet on Sunday at the bus stop?
- Very well, I'll be there, I can't wait!
Phyllis hesitantly reached out to his hand and gave it a little shy squeeze. She was about to let it go and turn away, but he held back to her hand, and slowly brought it up to his mouth, leaving a chaste kiss on the back of it.
- Have a good day, Miss Baxter.
- You too, Mr Molesley, she answered.
He walked away, a foolish smile hanging on his goofy face, as if he couldn't quite believe his good fortune. As she walked back to the Abbey, Baxter breathed in and out several times, trying to tame the butterflies in her stomach. How unlikely was it that love should present itself so late in life, after years of work and misery. And how amazing that this new love should make one feel so young at heart. She had always looked fondly at people in love, like the Bates, or even the Carsons, but she had never thought she would one day know that feeling.
x x x x
Anna was in the boot room brushing some of Lady Mary's shoes, when Bates entered, holding his Lordship's riding boots. As he skirted around Anna to reach for the polish on the nearest shelf, he brushed his hand lightly on her shoulder.
- Are you feeling alright my darling?
She smiled.
- Yes, better than this morning. Goodness that morning sickness is a real nuisance! Lady Mary guessed, by the way, given that I almost threw up on her…
- Good Lord. Well. You'd have had to tell her soon enough anyway. How did she take the news?
- Oh, she was very kind, as always. She suggested I scheduled my appointment with Dr Ryder at the time the family will go to London for Mr Talbot's cousin's wedding.
- Oh, yes, that's a good idea. I was thinking, since we'd both be going with them, we could also attend to my mother's house. See in what state it is, and see with the agent to put it on sale.
- Alright, we could do that.
Silence stretched for a while, as both of them focused on their tasks. Until Anna started again:
- I've been thinking…
- Yes? he replied, expectantly.
- Our bed and breakfast hotel… Could it be in Downton village?
- Most of the houses are run by the Estate…
- There are some that aren't, and that way, we'll never lose touch.
- With Lady Mary, he completed.
- With the Abbey, and all who live in it, she corrected, even if she did of course mean Lady Mary. Mrs Hughes also came to her mind though. She would even be glad to see Phyllis Baxter now and then.
- What do you say? she added.
- That your wish shall be my command, he answered with a devoted smile, reaching for her hand.
- Someone might come in… she objected, as he came closer to her.
- Well then. Let them see what true love looks like.
- Let them see what true love is, she agreed, welcoming his kiss.
x x x x
Mr Molesley and Miss Baxter had been sitting side by side on the bus to Ripon for about twenty minutes, and while they entertained a meaningless social conversation, Molesley kept looking at her gloved hand, resting on her thigh. He wanted very much to put his own hand on hers, but couldn't quite gather the courage. Several times he had almost initiated the movement, only to abort it in an emergency as panic invaded his brain. What if she thought him inappropriate? What if she told him off? After an intense inner battle that brought pearls of sweat to his temples, he concluded that since she had been the one to grab his hand the other day, and since she had not scolded him for kissing her hand, obviously she should be alright with him taking her hand again. So, he inhaled deeply, and finally moved his hand to cover hers, in what he hoped to look like a nonchalant gesture. When she felt the touch of his fingers on hers, Baxter finished the sentence she was in the middle of, and looked down for a split second to their joined hands. Then she looked up to Molesley, granted him a discreet smile, and carried on with the conversation as if nothing had happened. However, she was cheering inside, exulting that he at last seemed to have understood that she was open to courting. Seeing that she didn't react badly, Molesley started to relax slowly and happily engaged in the conversation.
When they had hopped off the bus, Molesley offered his arm to Baxter, and he let her lead him towards her sister's house. After a few minutes' walk, they were standing in front of the little terraced house in a working class neighbourhood, and Baxter knocked on the door. Children yells could be heard through the door, before a young girl opened the door:
- Aunt Phyllis, hi, she said, letting them into the house.
They entered a home that was sparsely furnished, and obviously not wealthy, but clean and tidy, as much as a house sheltering three children can be.
- Hello Phyllis! beamed her sister, emerging from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
The two sisters hugged, and Phyllis introduced her companion:
- Mr Molesley, this is my sister Angela, and her husband Jake Dawson. This is Mr Joseph Molesley.
Jake got up from his armchair and came around to shake their hands.
- Is he your fiancé, aunt Phyllis? asked the teenage girl who had opened the door.
- Beckie! scolded her mother. This is not appropriate.
Molesley indeed looked embarrassed. He and Phyllis had not yet discussed of an official status.
- He's… a dear friend, concluded Phyllis.
- And we're glad to have him, added Angela. And these are my children: Rebecca, she's fifteen, and we call her Beckie, she said, gesturing to the teenager. This little one there is Stephen, he's four, and this is the birthday boy, Joseph, she ended, putting her hands on the boy's shoulder. He's nine years old today.
- Oh, God, your name's Joseph? Really? Just like me! exclaimed Molesley. I bet we'll be good friends then! he said, offering his hand to the boy.
Joseph the youngest was a rather thin, dark-haired and wide-eyed boy, and shyly shook Joseph the oldest's hand. All of Angela's children, like Angela and Phyllis, had raven-coloured hair.
- Sit down, Phyllis, Mr Molesley, offered Jake. Angela was about to bring tea.
- Yes, and the cake should be ready in a few minutes.
As they all took place around the table, Molesley asked:
- So, Miss Baxter tells me you only moved here recently?
- Yes, we've been here for four months now, answered Jake. I've been hired at Harding's rope factory. And do you work at Downton with Phyllis?
- I used to. But now I work as a teacher in Downton village's primary school.
- Oh, a teacher, that's impressive, commented Angela, winking to Phyllis. That must make a good pay.
- I don't complain, said Joseph good-naturedly. It does pay a little better than my old job as footman in the Abbey.
- I'd like to become a teacher, said Beckie bluntly.
- Then you'll have to work hard in school, advised Joseph.
- Beckie has left school two years ago, cut Jake. We need her to work. She's a housemaid uptown.
- Oh, replied Joseph, downcast. I'm sorry. But you know Beckie, I entered service when I was your age. I worked as a footman, as a valet, as a butler. Then life threw a load of hurdles my way, I was sometimes unemployed, and I worked as a delivery man, and I mended roads too. But look now, I'm a teacher. So you can always reach your goals. Don't stop dreaming, he said, trying to cheer the girl up.
The girl pouted, obviously not convinced by this hopeful tirade. Molesley turned to the young Joseph:
- And you, young master, what would you like to be when you grow up?
- I'll be an aviator! exclaimed the boy proudly.
And he entertained his audience for several minutes about the recent progress in aviation.
- This is all very well, cut his mother, bringing the cake from the oven. Don't we have a birthday to celebrate?
The afternoon was coming to an end, and Baxter and Molesley were walking back to the bus stop, arm in arm. Baxter looked to Molesley and said:
- Thank you for coming today. I had a very nice time. I hope it hasn't been too boring for you.
- Boring? Not at all, I enjoyed myself very much. I never had a family, besides my father I mean, it felt like an adventure to me! Although I felt rather sorry for poor Beckie. I think I unwillingly rubbed salt in her wound, talking about being a teacher… It's sad that bright minds can't access the education they deserve.
- Yes, well, life is life. We both know it's not always kind. And as you said, maybe she'll find her way later, like you did. I think little Joseph liked you very much anyway.
- I liked him too! He seems bright too. I don't know about his flying dreams, but it's sweet he has them.
- Yes, they're nice children, the three of them.
They walked for a little while in silence, until Phyllis talked again:
- Mr Molesley, I was wondering…
- Yes?
- If when we're alone like this… you might want to call me Phyllis. Since we're friends.
She had blushed rather obviously when Molesley looked back to her with a happy smile.
- I'd love to, Phyllis, he answered, as if trying the name on his tongue. And then you could call me Joseph.
- Alright, Joseph.
As they continued their way, Molesley held himself a little straighter, and brought his left hand to cover her hand that was clutching his right elbow.