Thomas heard the mischievous whispers of children on the stairs from his office. Quite loud whispers, it turned out. He had left the office door open as the afternoon was another hot one and he was welcome to any breeze he could find. The children often came downstairs when they were free to play away from their nanny. They were the only members of upstairs who would frequently join them. Many of the adults had probably not set foot in this part of the house for years and Thomas hoped that when Sybbie and George got older and eventually grew up, that they wouldn't forget their time amongst the servants. Thomas looked up from his work just at the same time George's face, grinning like he was enjoying keeping a big secret, appeared around the corner of the door. "Master George, what can I do for you?" he asked. Sybbie then appeared at the door too.
"We need to borrow some milk Mr Barrow," Sybbie said, before her cousin had the chance to speak.
Thomas smiled as he found the wording of her request rather curious. "I think you mean you would like to have some milk. You can't give it back once you've drank it."
"It's not for us Mr Barrow and we don't know how much she might want," George said.
"George it's a he, not a she," Sybbie said to him.
Now Thomas was even more curious. "Who else is in dire need of milk George?" he asked. "Do we have a guest I don't know about?"
"No one," they both said looking sheepish. "We need a bowl for it too," George added.
"Not a glass?" Thomas asked. He had a suspicion of who they were talking about but the children liked him playing along.
They both giggled, "No! Cats can't drink out of a glass Mr Barrow!" George said.
"George! It was supposed to be a secret!" Sybbie said.
"Ah I see, and where would this cat be now? He shouldn't really be inside you know," Thomas said.
"I don't think he's one of those from the stables or the garages Mr Barrow. We haven't seen him before now," Sybbie said.
"He's in the nursery, sleeping on nanny's armchair," George said with a broad smile. "We thought he might be thirsty. Hungry too. I was wondering if we could take him a fish for a snack? Cats like those."
"Perhaps we should stick to a bowl of milk for now Master George," Thomas said. He didn't think anyone would appreciate the smell of a fish upstairs. "Tell you what, I will fetch some milk and a bowl from the kitchen and take it up with you and you can introduce me to your new friend. How's that sound?"
"That would do very nicely Mr Barrow," Sybbie said. Thomas smiled at how she tried to sound more grown up as she spoke. Don't rush, enjoy being young while it lasts, he thought.
"In here Mr Barrow," George called excitedly from ahead of him and Thomas carried a bowl of milk up the stairs and along the hallway to the nursery. Daisy had given him a funny look when he had asked for a bowl and some milk in the kitchen earlier.
"Coming Master George," he said. He was not surprised in the slightest when he saw Wilde lying happily on his side in the sun that was hitting the armchair perfectly, the tip of his tail twitching ever so slightly with content. Wilde looked at Thomas in a way that made Thomas think he was pretending not to recognise him. He looked like a king on his throne, and perfectly happy.
"Shall I hold the bowl while he drinks?" Sybbie asked.
"I think it would be best to let him drink it on the floor Miss Sybbie," Thomas said. "He shouldn't be up here you know." And I shouldn't be encouraging this.
He handed the bowl to Sybbie, who carefully placed it on the floor. "There you go, drink up," she said to Wilde. "Do you think he has a name Mr Barrow?"
"We could name him," George said.
"He does have a name," Thomas said. "He's called Wilde."
"How do you know that?" Sybbie asked.
Once I tell them, everyone in this house upstairs as well as down will know. "He is my cat Miss Sybbie. Mine and Mr Ellis's to be exact. He lives with us."
"Oh I didn't know you had a cat Mr Barrow!" She said. "Did you bring him here with you?"
"No, Wilde likes to wander around it seems. He must have come in while the door was open and found his way up here to see you two. He's fond of company," Thomas said, watching as Wilde got up from his spot in the sun, stretched and yawned as if he had been working hard all day, and jumped down gracefully to drink the milk he was offered. George and Sybbie were stroking him on the back and Wilde didn't seem put off by that, or by the fact that George was fiddling with the end of his tail either.
"Does he have to go then?" Sybbie asked.
"He will, I'm afraid. As I said he's not supposed to be here. I reckon though that since he has found two new friends in you both that he will come back regardless," Thomas said.
"He finished that quickly," George said, referring to the empty bowl and an even happier cat that was now licking his lips with satisfaction.
"I'd better take him home," Thomas said, adding Again, in his mind.
"Bye Wilde," George said.
"Bye Wilde," Sybbie added. "We'll see you again soon."
Thomas picked Wilde up, who was still rather floppy from sleep, which made things easier for him. As he turned around the children's nanny appeared. "Oh they are with you Mr Barrow," she said, relieved. "Oh that cat again. I saw him up here this morning. Ran off before I could catch him."
"Yes, um, I was just taking him outside," Thomas said, hiding the bowl behind his back, and in doing so he heard giggles from Sybbie and George. "Let me know if he comes back and I'll send one of the maids up to brush the cat fur off your chair."
"Oh don't worry about that Mr Barrow, I'll sort that out. I don't mind cats," she said. Thomas liked the nanny. Well if he didn't then she would not have been employed at Downton for very long. He would have made sure of that.
Thomas carried Wilde downstairs and into his office, so he could fetch his hat. He was wondering how much longer he could keep taking trips home to drop their roaming cat off. Perhaps the next time they just leave Wilde to his own devices, he obviously knows how to get to Downton so he could make his way home again on his own. Wilde, like Richard, Chris and himself a long time ago, had become part of Downton's odd family. He pushed the door open with his foot, his hands both taken up with holding the cat, and momentarily wondered why the door was open, since he was sure he had closed it. He then saw that the reason why it was open was his beloved Richard.
Richard must have been waiting for him. He was sitting in Thomas's chair (a crime that only Richard could get away with) casually. His arms were loosely folded across his chest and he was looking rather fine in shirtsleeves and a grey waistcoat. His typical 'Richard Ellis' grin on his face, only added to his appeal. "Ah hello Mr Barrow," he said as Thomas walked in, pushing the door closed a bit. "Got Wilde again I see."
"Yeah he was with the children this time, I think we will have to accept defeat with keeping him away from here," Thomas said. "Richard, not that I'm complaining but what are you doing here? It's the middle of the afternoon."
"Here to see you my love-" Richard said.
"And-" Thomas prompted, as Richard was sounding far too mischievous for there to be nothing else.
"And, I needed to check with you what time we were meeting for my cricket lesson later. I never asked when I was here this morning. You know me, Mr Barrow, I don't like to be late to any of our dates," Richard said.
Thomas put Wilde down on the floor, who just sat there and began cleaning himself, like cats do whenever they have a moment spare. Thomas smiled. It was a private joke between them both about Richard's promptness, since he was late on what Thomas supposed was their first date over five years ago in York, although on that occasion he showed up just at the right time. "So it's a date is it?"
"I think it could be," Richard said.
"You looking forward to it then?" Thomas asked.
"I think I am, even if I know it's guaranteed you will have to show off your skills at the game at some point," Richard said. "I will feel like a fool, but it will be worth it watching you." Richard smiled at Thomas's appearance. He reckoned Thomas hadn't looked at himself in the mirror as he came downstairs with their cat. Wilde was molting fur a lot since it was summer and it was all over Thomas's clothes. He must be the most untidy butler in the whole of England, he thought.
"I'll make sure you feel anything but foolish, since it is my job to treasure you," Thomas said. Richard was looking at him rather intently. Thomas looked behind him, to be sure that Richard was indeed looking at him. "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?" Richard said innocently.
Thomas sighed. "Right, fine. Richard, get out of my chair and come here."
Richard had been hoping they could have a repeat of their time spent in this chair a few months ago, the time before Larry burst in on them. Thomas though, who was still standing by the slightly open door had other ideas clearly. Richard smoothed down the wrinkles in his waistcoat as he walked over to Thomas. Richard smoothed his hand over Thomas's chest, and then his shoulder. "I was looking at you like that Thomas because you have black and white cat fur all over you," he said, brushing some from his hands.
"Oh," Thomas said. He was looking down at Richard's hand on his chest. It was brushing off some of the worst of the fur, but was now lingering on his chest close to his heart that he was sure that Richard could feel was beating all the faster from his touch. "Could you take Wilde back with you?" Thomas asked, looking into Richard's eyes.
Richard met Thomas's gaze. Looking someone in the eye isn't always easy, the eyes give away a lot. The case was true here as well though as Richard watched how Thomas's eyes were watching his own but also kept flicking down to his lips and then up again. Richard was thinking the same thing. "I could of course," Richard said. "But I was hoping that you could find a place for me in your busy work schedule?"
"I don't know. I am a very busy man," Thomas said.
"I know you are. But perhaps I can persuade you that I'm worth it Mr Barrow?" Richard said.
Thomas didn't need persuading, but the feel of a Richard's firm hands on his hips, pulling him in closer to him, would have worked if he did need persuading. "I know you are. How much time do you need?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe, half an hour?" Richard suggested. "Maybe I could be your sole concern for that time right now?"
"I think I can fit you in right now Richard," Thomas played. They stepped back, Richard letting go of Thomas temporarily so he could push the door of the office shut. Thomas then found himself up against the door. He fiddled behind him to turn the key in the lock. No one was getting in with themselves keeping the door firmly shut but he didn't know where this thing between them would end up going.
"You are most generous Mr Barrow," Richard said. Richard wasn't able to say more as Thomas had pulled him into a heated kiss. Thomas pushed himself and Richard away from the door just enough so he could loosen off his jacket and, with Richard's eager assistance, pushed it off him and onto the floor. Richard pushed them both back against the door. Their near constant kisses ignited a heat between them that was more stronger than any a summer sun could produce. Richard's tie fell to the floor as Thomas tugged it free.
"Six," Thomas said breathlessly into Richard's lips.
"What?"
"We can meet at six," Thomas said.
"Yes," Richard said as he kissed Thomas again. He had completely forgotten about his question earlier.
...
Wilde thought this would happen. His two humans were like this sometimes, they wouldn't leave each other alone. He had enjoyed a lovely day so far exploring this big house. He enjoyed it so much that if he could talk, he would suggest to his two humans that they should live there instead as he had so many places to explore and the small humans he had spent a lot of time with, were very attentive. They even brought him refreshment when he was sleeping. He felt ignored now though. He reckoned his humans had forgotten he was even here at all. They can't forget about me surely? And they have blocked my only means of escape too. How annoying!"
Thomas sat on a low stone wall waiting for Richard at the place they had agreed to meet. He looked at his pocket watch, just past six, he's gonna be late. Thomas smiled to himself as the warm breeze of the late afternoon brushed against his forehead and through his hair, of course he is. It was easy to convince Lord Grantham to give him a few extra hours off as well as allowing him to borrow some equipment. As soon as he said the time was needed to train his temporary valet in the art of cricket, then he had been only too happy to allow him to go. The game meant a lot to him, although it was more likely that his lordship was extremely competitive and didn't want the village team to win again, like they have done for the past few years. Thomas enjoys the game too since it always makes him popular amongst everyone else. He always gets the Downton team into a good place with the match, although this does not guarantee a win as he can't win the match on his own. He looked ahead of where he was sitting. The place he had chosen to teach Richard was not the most ideal for cricket. The grass was not cut absolutely short and the ground was uneven in places. They would never play a game here, but it was not a part of the grounds designed for the game. It was a sunken garden, stone walls on either side and large trees further beyond that. Over a century ago, maybe longer, it apparently used to be a small lake, but had been filled in to create the garden and a much bigger lake dug elsewhere on the estate to replace it. It was not used that much now, occasionally the family would take an afternoon picnic here, but other than that it was left alone. This was the reason he chose it. However innocent some cricket training might be, they could never be too careful what some people might assume if they had seen them together, hence the need for privacy. It was far enough away from many of the main paths and lanes and out of sight of any buildings and whilst it was a bit on the small side for an entire game, it was ideal for what they both needed it for.
Thomas pulled out his pocket watch again. Ten past, where is he? Just then he heard him along with Chris. "Richard I am not totally incapable, I am feeling much better and can manage a few steps over a wall myself," Thomas heard Chris say.
He turned around, "Oh finally, I was beginning to turn to stone waiting for you," Thomas said to Richard.
"I decided to stop by Chris's place, that's why I'm late Mr Barrow," Richard said.
"I hope you don't mind me joining you Thomas? If you two want to be alone I get it and I'll leave okay?" Chris said, stepping over the wall, carefully jumping down the distance of about a foot on the other side.
"No you can stay. It's only cricket," Thomas said.
"You say that now, but I know you two," Chris said, sitting down next to Thomas on the wall. Richard gave Thomas a suggestive look. After their little 'moment' in the office earlier that day, which was careless now Thomas thought about it, he didn't plan on doing anything other than teach Richard enough so that he could play the game but now that Richard was here, he wasn't sure how well that would actually go. He concluded that Chris was right. "I'll rest here okay, if anyone comes then I can warn you both."
"Thanks Chris," Richard said.
"How are you Chris?" Thomas asked.
"Much better for getting outside Thomas. I think I will start climbing the walls if I don't get back to normal soon," Chris joked.
"Well if you do that, then I suppose we know you are better," Richard mocked.
"Funny," Chris said back. "You two should get on with your practicing."
"We should. His Lordship let me borrow a few things," Thomas said. "You should take your jacket off Richard."
"Thought you'd never ask Mr Barrow," Richard said. Chris rolled his eyes.
"Don't flirt with me, not now. I can't teach you anything if you distract me," Thomas tried to say seriously.
"You liked it all earlier," Richard grinned, shrugging off his jacket and his waistcoat.
"That was earlier. How am I supposed to explain to everyone what we did this evening if you have no skills in the match in several days' time to show for it? Come on!" Thomas said, tugging Richard by the hand down the gently sloping grassy bank to the flat floor of the garden. He had several cricket balls with him, just in case they lose some (that will depend on how well Richard hit's it) and a couple of bats.
"So what first Mr Barrow?" Richard asked.
Thomas picked up one of the balls and then a bat. "First, I think you should bowl a ball for me. Surely you can manage that?" Thomas asked, weighing up the bat in his hands.
"I think I can, but is this just so you can show off to us how good you are?" Richard asked.
"Don't tempt fate Richard. It's almost been a whole year since I last played this. I might be a bit rusty," Thomas asked.
"Don't be so modest Thomas," Richard said, catching the ball Thomas tossed in his direction.
"Right, you ready?" Richard asks as he prepares to bowl for Thomas.
"I think I should be asking you that question," Thomas said.
"Your confidence in me is overwhelming Mr Barrow," Richard states sarcastically. "I may not have played before but I have seen others play. I have picked a few things up you know."
"Give me your best shot then," Thomas asks. To Richard's credit, he bowls well for someone who has never played before, and Thomas hits the ball cleanly over a fair distance in Chris's direction, who was now sitting on the sloping grass bank. Without appearing to be paying much attention to the direction of the ball, Chris's reactions prove to be spot on and he instinctively catches the ball before it flew past him.
"Nice shot Thomas," Chris called out.
"Nice catch," Richard returned as he caught the ball Chris threw back in his direction.
"Not bad," Thomas said to Richard.
"And you're not at all rusty are you?" Richard said.
"You bowled well that's all," Thomas said.
"Hmm, I doubt that, but your humbleness is appreciated," Richard called out from a distance as he prepared to bowl again. "Again?"
"Go for it," Thomas called back. Richard threw the ball again and Thomas hit it perfectly once more, this time it landed over in some longer grass down the other end of the garden near some oak trees.
Richard looked in the direction of where the ball had landed and then back at Thomas who, if he wasn't mistaken, was looking rather smug. "Oh now you are just showing off!" he said.
"Thomas, you should have chosen to teach Richard on the lawns outside the house," Chris called out as Richard ran off to fetch the ball. "It will get stuck in a tree soon I bet."
"Perhaps, but I couldn't the entire occupants of Downton Abbey watching us now could I?" Thomas asked.
"I suppose not," Chris said. He did wish he could join them, but he supposed he already was in a way.
They continued this way for several more times, Thomas demonstrating why, several years ago after kissing Jimmy and almost being fired and arrested, everyone was so keen not to let him go until after the cricket match. Richard didn't like how they considered using him and then casting him out, but didn't give it too much thought as that thankfully never happened. The ball was almost lost at one point so eventually they agreed to swap places. "Thomas I am going to look like a fool," Richard said as Thomas handed Richard the bat.
"You could never look like a fool to me," Thomas said. "Well not much anyway," he added grinning.
"Oh thank you," Richard said. "Aren't you supposed to be showing me how to do this though, instead of throwing me in at the deep end?"
"Well yes, but I think if you try without that first and then I show you, by the end of this evening you will notice your improvements more," Thomas explained.
"If you say so," Richard said, sounding unconvinced.
"Ready?" Thomas asked.
"No, but go on," Richard answered before Thomas bowled and he missed the ball entirely. Richard looked behind him and watched the ball roll off before coming to a stop. He couldn't then ignore Thomas's laughter. He loved Thomas's laugh, but loved it a bit less right now. "Funny," he said as Thomas continued to laugh at his expense. "Finished yet?"
Thomas ran over to him. "Sorry love," he said. Thomas fetched the ball back. "I think we should see what we can do about this." The bat was lying on the ground cast aside by Richard. Thomas picked it up, "Here, we'll start again okay?"
"Right. You lead me Thomas."
"Your grip is too loose for one thing, you need to be more firm," Thomas said, positioning himself behind Richard so that he had his arms around his waist, as he placed both his hands on the bat Richard was holding in front of him. He leaned in closer and spoke gently into Richard's ear, enjoying how Richard instinctively moved himself back a bit in their embrace of sorts. Chris watched from a distance. This is exactly why I need to keep a lookout for them. I knew this would happen. Richard gripped the bat tighter, concentrating was a bit more tricky now that Thomas was so close. "Not that tight, don't strangle it, think of it as a firm handshake," Thomas advised. Richard loosened his grip a little. "Better," Thomas confirmed. "Now, it's a bit hard to do this without me being over there to bowl but we'll concentrate on this theoretically first okay?"
"This is fine Thomas," Richard said. More than fine actually.
Thomas let go of the bat and Richard was left missing his hands against his own, but he was left feeling deprived of Thomas's touch only momentarily, as then Thomas placed his hands on Richard's hips. "Everything is in the hips," Thomas said. "Use your hips to swivel your body with the movement of the bat in your hands. Here," he said, keeping one hand on Richard's hip and returning the other to the bat as they then together ghosted the motions of hitting an approaching ball. How are you feeling?"
Richard felt the warmth of Thomas's breath brush his ear and the side of his face. Thomas couldn't see him as he closed his eyes briefly before answering. "Very good Mr Barrow," he answered truthfully.
"You think you will remember everything I've said?" Thomas asked.
"I will try, but you are not making it easy to concentrate," Richard said.
"Glad to hear it. I don't want you to think too much about what you are doing," Thomas said, suggestively.
"Oh?"
Thomas chuckled from behind him. "I only meant that when you are waiting for the ball, don't over think things. Pay attention yes, but don't over concentrate. I'm not sure what you were thinking, I was thinking Richard."
"Nothing at all Mr Barrow" Richard said as Thomas returned both his hands to his hips once more. "Nothing at all."
Chris was growing tired of watching now. He couldn't leave, he would never forgive himself if someone came along and saw them both and he wasn't there to warn them. He lay back in the grass, his hands behind his head and looked up at the sky, patchy with white clouds, above him. He would listen out for anyone, for a while, instead he decided.
He wasn't sure how long he had been lying there, the sounds of the breeze in the trees and the calls of birds above him as they flew, along with the sounds of his two friends enjoying their cricket lesson. He guessed he had been lying there for about half an hour but it was hard to gage the passing of time correctly without a watch. Amongst the peaceful sounds of a summer's evening though he was sure that he heard two other voices off in the distance behind him. He held his breath and concentrated his hearing, still lying down as he was reluctant to move out of sheer comfort, the heat from the sun warming him all over. The wind could play tricks on the ear, making things sound closer than they really are. He sighed, Probably nothing, he thought. But then he heard them again, closer this time it seemed. Two women's voices. He sat up and looked around, shielding his eyes against the sun scanning their surroundings for the sight of anyone else. The wind had picked up and was making it impossible to tell which direction the people were coming from. He was about to get up and warn Thomas and Richard, when they were right behind him, just beyond the stone wall. "Well well, he's not going to learn much the way they are going." Chris spun around horrified that there were two women, two he didn't recognise as well, standing right behind him, and who had clearly noticed Thomas and Richard on the lawn below them all. The woman who spoke was tall and had dark brown wavy hair done up loosely under a light blue hat. He was wearing a cream blouse and sky blue trousers. The latter was unusual, he knew that some women had taken to wearing trousers but it was still a rarity and considered outlandish by those with a more 'traditional' mindset of how a woman should look. It didn't bother him though, he was not exactly that keen on traditional values himself, and besides right now he had more important things to worry about.
Chris's mind was in a whirl. He had to say something, do anything but he found himself frozen. "Don't tease them," the other woman said. She was a few inches shorter and over her deep blonde hair was a light beige straw summer hat, the brim of which moved a little in the breeze. She was in red and white patterned summer dress and stockings and smiled at Chris. It was then, despite his panic, that he noticed that they hadn't actually moved to do or say anything about what they were witnessing. He then supposed he was being impolite at just staring at them both. "You friends of them?," the blonde woman asked him.
Southern accent, Chris observed, not from around here. Although you are, he thought looking at the woman who had spoken first. Yorkshire accent, like Richard's. "I might be," he said.
The woman in blue smiled, "I think we should introduce ourselves to you don't you think, Chris?" she asked.
"You should but-" Chris stopped. "How do you know my name?"
The woman laughed, "I'm a friend of Richard's," she said.
"You're Izzie?" Chris asked.
"I am and I know for a fact that you must be Chris Webster as who else would be sitting here watching those two down there, keeping watch for them? Richard has told me about you," She said.
"Has he?" Chris said, wondering how much they knew.
"Don't worry, not your whole life story Mr Webster," the other woman reassured. "I'm Lucy by the way, Lucy Fisher. I'm Izzie's-"
"-girlfriend," Izzie said, finishing Lucy's sentence and looking fondly at her. "I am glad we are finally in some company where I can refer to her as such. You make a refreshing change from everyone else we have encountered in our time here so far Mr Webster. She's been 'my friend' or 'travelling companion' or 'distant cousin' so far."
Chris stood up slowly as he had been lying on the ground for a while and was a bit stiff as a result. "Never been called that before, but I am glad to meet you. Richard always speaks highly of you both, despite how you have teased him about his cricket skills," he said.
"Oh well I am like a sister to him Mr Webster-" Izzie began.
"-Chris please," Chris said.
"Chris, and so I have a duty to tease him," Izzie said wickedly. Chris could see how they could have actually been brother and sister, they had the same sense of humour. "Speaking of which, I should go and introduce myself. We are here a day early so it should be a surprise," she said.
"I'll stay with Chris Izzie okay?" Lucy said.
"Alright, I'll be back in a minute," Izzie said, touching Lucy's arm tenderly before striding off down the slope and taking off her hat in the process letting her hair fall out of its loose arrangement.
"She does things with a flair doesn't she?" Chris observed as he and Lucy sat down.
"She does, and she isn't fond of being told to tone things down or what to do. She's special," Lucy said. I've never met anyone like her." She watched Izzie approach Thomas and Richard and give Richard a big hug, Thomas as well. "She has missed Richard more than she'd ever care to admit. We owe him a lot."
"Oh?" Chris asked. "How come? Sorry I don't mean to pry."
"It's fine. There are only a few people we can tell anyway," Lucy said. "We owe Richard our relationship. We split up several years ago and he got us back together. It was more complicated than a break up though. I worked at Selfridges a couple of years back, I had been there for many years. I actually met Izzie on my way to my interview for a position there as a sales assistant. It was at Bond street station in London. I was late and she held the lift for me. But anyway, a couple of years ago they appointed a new head of sales who took a disliking to me. I didn't hold back on the way he was managing some things in store and he didn't like me saying so. We clashed on several occasions and in the end, he blackmailed me into leaving my job. He somehow found out about my true relationship with Izzie and he threatened to expose our secret if I didn't go so I had no choice."
"Did he still get to you two after that?" Chris asked. Their story was all too common.
"Not directly no. But I was shaken by it and I was worried he would go after us anyway so I decided to break things off with Izzie, so that she no longer had a connection to me, so if anyone came after me it would just be me they hurt, not her as well. I told her I had met someone else and then cut all ties with her, just like that. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I found a job elsewhere in the city and I've been there ever since. It's not as prestigious as Selfridges but I'm happy there," Lucy explained. She looked down at Izzie with Richard and Thomas. "Richard refused to believe I had been seeing someone else, he was convinced there was more to it. He spoke to some of my former colleagues at Selfridges, the ones we could trust, and managed to find out where I was working now. He gave me a long talk telling me that somethings are worth taking a risk for and that opportunities don't come along often and so when they do, you must make the most of them. I think he was speaking from experience. His relationship with Thomas was still long distance at the time. Anyway, a few days later I turned up at Izzie's place and we patched things up and carried on. I moved in with her after that."
"He's a good person. I owe him a lot too," Chris said. "Thomas deserves to have him."
"I used to hate him at first you know?" Lucy said. "I was jealous. I thought he and Izzie were a couple. Once I found out I couldn't have been more wrong, I liked him more."
"He never liked me when we first met. Saw me as a threat in his relationship with Thomas," Chris said.
"And were you?" Lucy asked.
"No. Not even close," Chris said.
Lucy heard the sadness in his voice. It was clear to her then. She looked at his face. It was covered in several scars and fading bruises. "How did that happen?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Got beaten up in York several days ago. Thieves after money and then they recognised me from somewhere," Chris had no idea if Izzie and Lucy knew about his time in prison, he strangely didn't mind if they did and was half tempted to mention it, but he hated talking about it as talking just reminded him of a time he'd like to erase from his memory. "They knew who I was and made things worse for me after. Richard's parents found me and Thomas and Richard took me home and have been helping since. It was Richard's idea to invite me along today. I have been needing fresh air for days."
"But you are getting better now?" she asked.
"Getting there," Chris said. It was funny, he had only known Lucy for a few minutes and it was already so easy to talk to her.
...
Meanwhile, several minutes before...
"I can't imagine you will improve too much unless you attempt to hit the ball Richard!" Izzie said. Thomas and Richard both jumped at the unexpected company.
"Izzie? You're early!" Richard said, as she gave him a big hug.
"I've missed you too," Izzie said. She turned to Thomas. "Come here Mr Barrow. Don't think you are going to escape," she said as she hugged Thomas whilst Richard laughed at how Thomas had no idea how to respond to such a spontaneous act of endearment. "You are still rather a catch aren't you?" she observed.
Thomas awkwardly straightened his shirt out after the hug. "I had no idea you were coming. Richard, you knew?"
"Ah yes I did," Richard said.
"We're here on holiday Thomas, I told Richard we were coming but we came a day early," Izzie said. She gave Richard a quick look. She and Lucy were really here for the surprise Richard was planning for Thomas in a few days.
Richard saw Lucy talking to Chris over near the wall. They seemed in deep conversation. "And how long have you been watching us?"
"Long enough to conclude that you two have gotten yourselves rather distracted by each other. I doubt much cricket has actually taken place am I right?" she asked.
"Not much no, he is rather distracting," Richard said.
"Well as much as I would hate to interrupt you two, you need to be good enough for a match Richard, so how about I help?" she asked. "I'll bowl for you and Thomas can guide you as I assume that is what you were doing before you were too distracted to remember? But first, I would love a go myself if I can?"
"Be our guest Izzie," Thomas said, passing her the bat. He was rather curious as to how good she was. He wondered if she had chosen to wear trousers on purpose to make playing cricket easier. He had not seen a woman in such clothing for ages, it was not common, especially in a small village. They were probably not designed for the countryside though. "Richard can bowl good enough."
"Oh, okay well in that case, you bowl Richard, and don't hold back," Izzie said, taking up her position.
"Would I ever?" Richard teased. He threw another clean ball in her direction, which Izzie hit perfectly sending the ball over into the longer grass where Thomas had hit it earlier.
Thomas nodded in approval. "Well I think I might have some competition here," he said.
...
Izzie was brushing her hair in the mirror of the small bathroom of their room at the hotel they were staying in. They had got a room with twin beds to be safe, but had been in luck to find that they were both doubles, so instead of having to push two beds together they only needed to use the one. They ruffled up the sheets of the other though so that the maid who cleans the rooms would not suspect anything. Despite the fashion for women to have shorter hair now, she always liked her hair longer, and saw no reason to change it just because it was the fashion to do so. She finished and pulled on her dressing gown, a thin one considering it was July, and joined Lucy in the bedroom who was lying in bed with a book. It was dark outside now, and after arriving in Downton only that morning and being out all day, they were both tired. She had played cricket with Thomas and Richard for a few more hours until they both had to get back to Downton for the evening. Richard had improved over that time, and despite being a distraction, Thomas had taught him well. She reckoned he would be alright for the match, he had been hitting the ball a decent distance by the time they called it a day. She poured herself a glass of water and drank it as she closed the curtains, getting into bed next to Lucy, who didn't seem to be concentrating much on the page she was reading. "What's the matter? You haven't been reading much of that at all have you?" She asked.
"No, not really," Lucy book the book down and then slid herself down so she was lying down and let Izzie snuggle into her, enjoying the scent of her perfume as she held her. "He loves him," she said.
"Who loves who?" Izzie asked.
"Chris loves Thomas," Lucy said. "And he's breaking his heart over him, but is in no rush to escape either."
"Richard was vague about them. I figured it out that Chris had feelings for Thomas but didn't know he still does," Izzie said. "It's tough when it's like that. He can't turn it off so it would be better if he cut ties entirely but he can't. Did he tell you that?"
"Not in so many words but it is all over his face. I hope he can move on soon," she said sadly. Lucy had enjoyed talking with Chris, she found it easy to talk to him.
"If he lived somewhere with more opportunity to meet people then it would be easier," Izzie said. "But York is not an option anymore I don't think."
"No," Lucy agreed.
"We could introduce him to some people. There is a man in my publisher's office who I think I am right about. I could get a reason to send him up to Yorkshire," Izzie thought.
"I think he needs to find someone on his own," Lucy said. "If his love for Thomas is so strong then, only one stronger could break it and I think he has to find that."
"You are right," Izzie agreed. "You always are with these things. You care a lot," she added. Lucy turned around and met Izzie halfway in a long lasting kiss as the lights from the street outside glowed through the curtains.