Two days later and the day of the much anticipated cricket match had finally come around. It was a perfect day for it too. The sky was clear with only a few small white fluffy clouds dotted across it, the horizon was coloured a misty white with summer haze. It was a warm day but a refreshing breeze meant that the heat was not unbearable. Having said that Wilde had spent most of his day so far lying stretched out in the dappled shade of Richard's rose border, perfectly content in staying there for the rest of the day too with the calls of various species of birds calling to each other, and the casual buzzing of bumble bees as they flew from flower to flower around him. Richard had even decided to have breakfast outside, not with Thomas unfortunately as he had to be at Downton in good time today, but Wilde kept him company enough and Chris joined him for a little bit later. They were going to close the shop a lot earlier today at lunchtime as they both, along with many others from the village, will be at the match this afternoon. They also had some last minute preparations to get organised for Thomas's picnic during the morning whilst they worked as well. Today was going to be busy, and multitasking will be key.
...
"Well I think that is the last of it," Izzie said, as she put the lid on a tin that contained some food that Chris had been hiding at his place for the last few days. She and Lucy had been over there this morning collecting it and bringing it back to Richard and Thomas's kitchen. They had walked back from Chris's cottage with caution, as they did not want to accidentally bump into Thomas on the way and then have to explain what they were doing with several tins and boxes of food. They also had a few bottles of wine and a special type of lemonade that Izzie remembers from some of her childhood when she spent time at Richard's house when they were younger. Cherry lemonade didn't actually contain any lemons but it was heavenly. Chris had buried it in his garden along with the other drinks to keep them cool and fresh and it worked a treat.
"How are we going to eat all of this?" Chris asked, looking at the table covered in empty trays and dishes that used to contain the food that was now in tins to keep them fresher. "You don't think this is too much?"
"Nah," Richard said. "I think amongst the seven of us we should be okay and anyway, we can have this lot for lunch for a few days after if there are leftovers."
"So how are we going to get all this to the field this afternoon?" Lucy asked.
"Well that will be a bit of an effort I'll admit," Richard said. "I was hoping to borrow a car from Downton but it would be tricky to do that without Thomas knowing so I think we will have to take turns to take it up there and get things set up."
"Well we could but you can't," Izzie said.
"Why?" Richard asked
"Well if you disappear from the cricket match mysteriously without Thomas then he is going to be suspicious and maybe even go looking for you. We can't have him turn up here while we have all the food and crockery out," Izzie explained.
"And I'm not sure I will be much use either, for obvious reasons," Chris said, nodding towards his leg. "Sorry."
"It's fine Chris, we can get things sorted. As long as you get to the field before I get there with Thomas then it will be fine. Probably best you stick around after the cricket match anyway, if we all go it might get Thomas's attention more," Richard reassured him.
"I can manage that. Have you thought about what you are going to say to him to get him to the field later?" Chris asked.
Richard smiled. "I have. Telling a lie within a truth. I'm going to say that I have had the sudden desire for a late afternoon walk to one of our favourite spots and that I thought we could tie it in with dinner. Oh and I'm gonna blindfold him when we get close."
"He'll be okay with that?" Lucy asked.
Richard smiled knowingly to himself. "He will be yes. Not the first time that's all I'll say."
"Many reasons why he won't forget this day then," Chris said. "It's a shame that we have no idea when Larry is going to turn up though. I'm sure he will turn up in one of those fancy cars of his and a car would have been a help with all this lot," he said, gesturing to the food. "It will be a lot for you two to carry," he said to Izzie and Lucy.
"Um, maybe I can help?" They all turned around at the unexpected voice of Jimmy Kent who was standing in the open doorway of the kitchen.
"Jimmy!" Richard exclaimed as he shook his hand warmly in greeting. "I thought you weren't coming until later?"
"No, well I got an earlier train so I arrived last night," Jimmy said. "I would have knocked sorry, but the door was open."
"It's fine, we left it open to let the breeze in, good to see you again Jimmy," Chris said.
"I should introduce you Jimmy," Richard said. "This is Izzie Thornwood and Lucy Fisher, they are the friends of mine I mentioned in my letter."
"So you are the man who caused so much trouble for Thomas many years ago," Izzie said.
"Izzie don't tease him. That's all in the past," Richard said.
"No, quite right. Sorry Jimmy, I have also heard that you have been a very good friend to Thomas since and that does you credit," she said.
"It's okay. I probably deserved that, I regret nothing more. But I value Thomas's friendship highly," Jimmy said. "I brought these as promised," he said, putting down a cardboard box which he then opened and took out several bottles."
"My my, perks of the job I see," Chris said as he picked up one of the bottles. "The place you play at must be fancy?"
"One of them. I can't just nick alcohol from behind the bar at any old place though," Jimmy said.
"Ah yes, you and the club owner then?" Richard asked. "Is it serious?"
"Yeah, well I don't know. I'd like it to be," Jimmy said.
"Well whoever it is must be special as you have gone red as a beetroot Jimmy," Izzie teased.
"Izzie leave him alone," Lucy scolded but she couldn't help but smile.
"Folks, we have a problem," Chris said, putting his head around the door between the kitchen and the shop. He had just left to go and check on the shop, not wanting to leave any customers waiting. "Thomas is on his way over here right now!"
"What?" Richard said, shocked.
"As in, Thomas is just across the street at the moment. He's talking to someone right now but he's gonna be coming over any minute," Chris said, glancing back in the direction of the windows.
"But the food is all over the table," Jimmy said. If Thomas saw this then it would give the entire surprise away.
"Why's he coming over?" Lucy asked Richard.
"No idea, probably forgot-" Richard stopped putting his hand on his own forehead in dismay as he realised why Thomas was coming over. "-He forgot the spare set of keys that he has. He usually puts them in the office before we leave but he forgot yesterday and found them in his pocket when we got back. I was gonna remind him, but I forgot too."
"Well we can't just stand here. Hide everything now!" Izzie ordered, snapping everyone out of the momentary moment of disbelief that their plans were about to be ruined. It worked as with that everyone was busy hiding tins and trays and dirty dishes in places that you would never normally expect to find such things. There were sandwiches hidden in the biscuit tin, freshly cut vegetables were pushed off the chopping board and hidden in the oven, and the food that was already packed away in boxes and tins were hidden on top of cupboards, under the sink, on a chair at the table covered by Richard's jacket that he hastily took off and draped over it to hide them from view.
Chris pushed a tin containing his apple pies under the cupboard with his foot and looked around the kitchen, searching for anything that they may have missed that would give anything away. He nodded satisfied and mirrored the others' relieved expressions. He opened the door to the shop again, just in time to see Thomas walking up to the shop door. He then saw something, or more likely someone, who hadn't been hidden from Thomas's view. "Jimmy! You can't be here!" he exclaimed.
"What?" Jimmy asked, confused.
"He's right, you're as much of a surprise as all the food Jimmy," Richard added.
"Um, thanks?" Jimmy said, not sure if being compared to tins of food was a compliment or not.
They heard the shop door bell ring as Thomas opened it. They wouldn't have time to get Jimmy out the other door or upstairs without Thomas seeing or hearing him. Chris suddenly had an idea. He opened the office door with one hand and with the other he grabbed Jimmy by the arm and pulled him towards the small room. "Hey! What are you doing?" Jimmy protested.
"Hiding you and saving the surprise for our friend," Chris said quickly. "Now get in there and stay quiet."
"And if Thomas wants to come in here?" Jimmy asked as he stood in the office doorway.
"Okay fine. Get over there," Chris pointed as he practically shoved Jimmy towards the back of the tiny room. "Hide behind those, he won't need to look over there for his keys," he said, indicating for Jimmy to hide behind the boxes of stock for the shop that had yet to be sorted through. Jimmy did as he was told and hid behind the boxes, crouching down as Chris piled the boxes high enough so hopefully Thomas wouldn't see his friend hiding behind them. He then shut the door of the office as calmly as he could so Thomas wouldn't think anything was up. Inside the now dark office, Jimmy shuffled a bit to get his feet into a better position so they didn't fall asleep. Now that he was here he smiled to himself at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Chris shut the door just as Thomas walked into the kitchen. "Thought it was quiet out front," he said.
"Hello darling," Richard said, leaning a bit too casually on the table, in a failed attempt to make it appear that everything was normal. "Are you here for the keys?"
"Um yeah," Thomas said as he looked around at the people in the room. Nothing strange to see Izzie and Lucy here, or Chris of course, but they all seemed to be on edge. And he knew what fake calm smiles looked like. "You all okay, has something happened?"
"No, everything is fine. Izzie and Lucy were just stopping by here on their way out weren't you?" he said to the two women.
"Absolutely. We are just about to go for a walk," Izzie said, playing along.
"Yes, it's a lovely day for it," Lucy added.
"You sure? You look anxious Richard," Thomas said.
"I promise everything is fine," Richard said. Nothing to see here Thomas, just your best friend hiding in the office, nothing more. Just don't look in any cupboards please? Richard silently begged.
Thomas turned to Chris. "You look a bit out of breath Chris," Thomas observed.
"Well I've just been rearranging the boxes in the office," Chris said, technically truthfully. "Got to keep things organised in there." Richard was grateful for Chris's smooth talking. Out of all of them right now, Thomas was least suspicious of him, Richard reckoned.
"Well I'd better be getting the keys then," he said to his weirdly silent friends and boyfriend.
"Allow me," Richard said, practically jumping in front of the office door that Thomas was about to open.
Thomas narrowed his eyes at him. "I can manage, they're only keys Richard." Richard backed off when Chris silently mouthed to him from behind Thomas that he should let him go in. Thomas opened the door as Richard stepped back and switched on the light. They had put the keys in one of the draws in the desk for safekeeping when he had discovered them on his person last night. Unless Richard had moved them, they should still be here, Thomas thought. "Ah,got them," he said as he put the keys into his pocket and shut the drawer.
"Wonderful," Richard said, as he stepped into the doorway casting a wary sideways glance at the place where he knew Jimmy was hiding. He had spoken with a bit too much enthusiasm for a bunch of keys and he immediately regretted sounding so pleased. Thomas gave him a suspicious look once again and then stopped, holding his breath as though he was intently listening for something. "Thomas what is it?" he asked.
"I don't know. I just feel like someone else is here," Thomas said, glancing around the small room. There were not many places anyone could hide in here. His gaze settled on the pile of boxes at the back of the room. Not many places apart from one.
"No one else apart from us," Richard said. "I think I would know if we had an intruder, Thomas," he said. Outside the room in the kitchen Izzie gave Chris and Lucy a worried glance as she reckoned their game was up. Jimmy watched from a tiny gap in the boxes and held his breath whilst quickly trying to think up a good reason for why he was hiding in here that didn't ruin Thomas's birthday surprise.
"Hmm," Thomas nodded and for a brief moment Richard thought they were in the clear but then Thomas took a step towards the boxes.
Richard had to stop him and there was only one thing he could think of right now that would work. Only one thing for it, he thought.
Thomas was about to put his mind at rest. Richard was probably right, he thought. He would know if someone was hiding in here. But his whole life had taught him that it was best to be safe. However he didn't get the chance to look as when he made to step closer to the boxes, Richard had taken his arm with a firm grip and pulled him close and into a ferociously intense kiss. In the unexpectedness of the situation, Thomas stumbled a little but then found himself backed up against the wall of the office right by the open door in full view of Izzie, Lucy and Chris. His mind was telling him that something was going on, but his body took over and he pushed any worries or suspicions aside as his only thought now consisted of how Richard was now taking over every part of him. His tongue in his mouth, the bruising force of his lips on his own, the heat that rose in his face as he recovered from the shock and started kissing Richard back with as much desire as Richard gave him.
Outside the room, Izzie said something to Lucy that made her laugh as they both watched the unexpected turn of events. Chris had an unreadable expression on his face as he watched before turning away and muttering that he should make sure the shop was okay. Jimmy, of course, was seeing all of this as well from his hiding place and he didn't know if he should be looking or not as he felt himself go red. It was not as if he hadn't seen them kiss before, but not like this. This was different.
Richard and Thomas finally parted after what felt like a blissful eternity. Thomas was still backed against the wall and Richard was still up close to him. Both were breathing heavily as Richard grinned into Thomas's eyes. "What was that for?" Thomas asked as he got his breath back and composed himself as best he could in the circumstances.
"Do I need a reason to be spontaneous Mr Barrow?" Richard asked.
"No, no you don't," Thomas said laughing through his panting breath. "I want to, but I can't really stay, Richard."
"I know. Besides I have company," he said as the two of them remembered that they had an audience.
Thomas looked to the side and saw Izzie and Lucy standing in the kitchen, looking amused. Izzie gave Thomas a little wave. "Oh," Thomas said. Chris was nowhere to be seen though. Richard stepped away from Thomas allowing him to get out of the office. Before Richard switched off the light, he glanced in the direction he knew Jimmy was hiding. "Sorry about that," Thomas said to the women.
"Hey don't ever apologise for that Thomas," Izzie said.
"I should be getting back. I was only going to be quick getting these," he said, referring to the keys. "I'll see you at the match later?" he said to Richard.
"You will Mr Barrow," he said before Thomas went back into the kitchen again.
"Wow your quick thinking is quite something, I'm almost jealous!" Izzie said, after Thomas had left, to Richard.
"Worked though, didn't it?" Richard said.
"Yep, quite certain Thomas won't be thinking of anything else other than you now," Lucy said.
...
"You two finished then?" Chris said curtly as Thomas entered the shop.
"Yeah," Thomas said with a giddy smile still on his face. That fell though as he realised he was rubbing his relationship with Richard in his friend's face once more. No matter how much he tried, that kept on happening. "Sorry Chris, I had no idea he would-"
Chris held up a hand to silence him. "Thomas no, it's fine. He loves you and you love him, that is the way it is and I can deal with that."
"Really?"
"Yeah, now go and I'll see you at the match later okay?" he asked.
"Okay," Thomas said before he left. He felt conflicted. He still felt bad for Chris but he couldn't stop the feeling that his heart was about to burst through his chest. Was this how it was for normal people, when their sweetheart kisses them in public? he thought as he stepped out into the sun. It's nice.
…
"Well done Stephen, you are as good as you say," Thomas said as he congratulated Stephen on helping to make up for the loss that the Downton team started off with at the cricket match later that day in the afternoon. They had not got off to the best start with the match, their fielding skills were not up to scratch enough to compete with the village team. However, Thomas was still hopeful, and maybe even quietly confident, that they could turn this match around now that they were batting.
"Thank you Mr Barrow," Stephen said happily. He looked out over the field or neatly cut grass, manicured exactly by the cricket club's grounds men. He and Daniel were playing on opposite sides. Unlike Mr Barrow and Mr Ellis, they were not able to easily play on the same side without people questioning why. Stephen didn't mind too much though, they would catch up later and whoever was on the winning side would be congratulated by the other. Well he might be a bit grumpy if he's on the losing team, Stephen thought, but he'll get over it. Daniel was over the other side of the field and must have felt him looking at him as he turned towards him and nodded in his direction with a grin.
"We're a lot more even in the scores now according to Bates, thanks to you Stephen. Well done," Lord Grantham said to him, congratulating him also.
"Thank you M'Lord," Stephen said politely.
"I hope Barrow's lessons have paid off Ellis," he said to Richard.
"I hope so too, M'Lord. Mr Barrow has been a very dedicated teacher so I should be okay," Richard said. His wording was deliberate as he remembered their time in the sunken garden. Dedicated and attentive, he thought.
"Good, good. Glad to hear it," Lord Grantham said before leaving.
"Dedicated?" Thomas said quietly to Richard as they walked side by side over towards the clubhouse.
"An accurate description I reckon Mr Barrow," Richard said, whilst implying more, and Thomas knowing exactly what he meant. It is how people like them did things whilst together in public. They spoke with words that would sound ordinary unless you knew the context.
"Izzie and Lucy are late," Thomas observed.
"Yes, they had somewhere to be but will be here soon I reckon," Richard said. After the near miss this morning in the kitchen, he didn't want to arouse Thomas's suspicions anymore so hoped they would turn up as planned soon. Chris was here, at least he was leaning casually against the clubhouse wall at the far end, a half smoked cigarette in his hand, and he nodded at Richard when Richard looked over. "Ah there they are," he exclaimed as he saw his friends walking over to them.
"Sorry we're late Richard," Lucy said. "Izzie insisted that we go back to the hotel to change into something more appropriate, despite how I insisted no one would mind."
"I thought we should look the part Richard. What do you think?" Izzie said, gesturing to her now cream coloured clothing.
"You look very smart Izzie," Richard said. "Lucy is right though, the upper class ladies turn up in cream to watch. No one would mind."
"Well I'm not sure where I class myself so I thought why not," Izzie said. "I like the colour on me anyway and besides you're working class and you're in cream."
Richard shrugged, "Fair enough you win," he said.
"We haven't missed you play yet though have we?" Lucy asked.
"No, I'll be up soon though," Richard said.
"I'll go and find us somewhere to sit," Lucy said.
"I'll come with you, I need a drink," Thomas said.
Izzie took the opportunity of Thomas's absence and pulled Richard aside by his elbow. "Everything is in place," she said. "Jimmy is up in the field now. We had to leave someone up there to make sure no one nicks the food."
"Good," Richard said.
"He doesn't suspect anything?" she asked.
"He suspects something but I don't think he suspects what we have planned at all," Richard said honestly.
"Well that will be fine then. Right I better go and sit down like a good woman and watch you men play," she said with a note of sarcasm. Richard knew she wanted to be out there playing too, and he wished he could make that possible, but he had no idea how.
...
Chris stubbed out his spent cigarette beneath his shoe as he watched Izzie and Richard talking. He had been watching the match for a while from his current position and now he needed to stretch his legs so to speak. It wasn't good for him to be still for too long. Ironic maybe, considering it would be assumed that an iffy leg would need rest, not exercise. He walked around the side of the building behind him that was the cricket club's clubhouse. No one was really around inside, and he wandered inside expecting to be alone, forgetting that Mr Bates was inside, as he had once again taken on the role of scorekeeper. Like him, a leg injury long ago had left him walking abnormally. Unlike him, Mr Bates did not have to lie about the cause of the injury. "Alright Mr Bates," he said.
"Mr Webster," Mr Bates said with a nod.
"Don't mind if I join you for a moment do you?" Chris said, sitting down. "If you do, I'll go."
"No I don't mind," Mr Bates said. The silence between them was awkward for a minute. Mr Bates knew Mr Webster of course, he was Thomas's friend, but they had never spoken much before. They never had the reason too, he supposed. "Cricket of any interest to you?" he said to break the silence.
"Never played it before, and I won't have the chance now," Chris said as he looked out over the field.
"The war?" Mr Bates asked, referring to Chris's leg.
"Yeah," Chris lied. "You?"
"The war too, though a different war," Mr Bates said. Chris nodded. They were quiet again.
...
"Richard, you're up," Thomas said as he ran over to Richard.
"Right, well wish me luck," he said.
"You won't need it but good luck," Thomas said. "Remember, don't overthink it."
"Noted Mr Barrow," Richard said, patting Thomas on the shoulder and running off.
"You think he'll be good Mr Barrow?" Stephen asked.
"For someone who hasn't played before he's learnt quickly," Thomas said whilst not taking his eye off Richard.
Richard took up his position and tried to concentrate but not concentrate too much. Just hit it, just hit it, he told himself in his mind. The ball was bowled and for a moment he thought he'd miss but then he heard the satisfying clang of the ball hitting the bat in his hand before he ran.
"Yes!" Thomas exclaimed. Stephen, who was the only one standing close enough to him to hear that, smiled at Mr Barrow's joy.
After Richard had finished his turn he walked back towards the gathering of Downton's team and those watching, he had no idea how the scoring worked in the game but apparently he had done well enough to help Downton gain some more on the village team. The gap in the scores was now narrowing and Thomas was up next. His result earned him several appreciative pats on the back and handshakes, but Thomas's smile was the only reward he seeked. "I did okay then?"
"More than just okay Richard, that ball went flying I swear," Thomas said proudly. He too slapped Richard on the back but let his hand linger there a little more than what was necessary. "Come on, let's get you a drink."
...
"So what did you think?" Richard asked Izzie.
"You weren't a complete disaster," Izzie said. "Only joking, you were great. I bet the other team didn't see that coming, well done. I hope this match doesn't go too long though. I honestly don't know how they can all stand it."
"Who?" Thomas asked.
"All the women who are just sitting here watching. I haven't moved an inch and I am more tired than if I had run the perimeter of this cricket field several times over," she said.
"She's bored," Lucy explained.
"No, not bored. I did want to see you play Richard I promise and I am looking forward to watching you Thomas, I just-"
"-You want to be part of the action?" Richard said, finishing her sentence.
"Precisely," Izzie said. "I could play better than a lot of the men who I've watched so far."
"I know you could, I'm sorry," Richard said. He felt guilty.
Izzie shook her head. "No, not your fault. I'm just a bit further ahead than most of society. It can be a right pain sometimes."
"I know, but I love you for it," Richard said.
Izzie smiled. "Careful Richard, folks might think we're a couple if you say things like that!" she teased.
Richard, Lucy and Thomas laughed. "You know what I mean," Richard said.
...
"Not bad," Chris said to himself as he watched Richard play. "The lessons with Thomas paid off."
"So that's where he was disappearing off to for hours," Mr Bates pondered.
"Thomas didn't tell anyone?"
"Well I wasn't there anyway so I can't say but Anna told me," he said.
"Hmm," Chris said.
Mr Bates watched him. He looked deep in thought. He didn't know too much about Chris Webster but then again he has never really had the reason to talk to him much. He seemed to be a private man though. Nothing wrong in that, but it made him curious. In fact he had been curious since Mr Webster first visited Downton for Christmas last December. It was something he said, or maybe the way he said it, that had made him wonder. Mr Bates also had suspicions that Chris was lying about something. Perhaps all his time spent in prison gave him an instinct for whether people were being honest or not. "It wasn't the war was it?" he asked, telling himself he was treading on dangerous ground and that it was none of his business.
Chris looked over at him suddenly. "What?" he said with an edge to his voice.
"You didn't get your injury in the war?" Mr Bates asked. He expected Mr Webster to deny it but to his surprise he didn't even try.
"How did you know?" Chris asked.
"I didn't, I just wondered," Mr Bates said.
"So what's your theory then?" Chris asked, testing him.
"I have an idea but perhaps I shouldn't. I've already said too much and it's really not my business," Mr Bates said. "In fact, I'm sorry I ever voiced my suspicions."
"I'd like to hear it," Chris said tensely. Chris felt every part of him go rigid as if he was preparing for a fight. He could stop this now, but something was stopping him.
"The unfortunate circumstances you spoke of last Christmas. It was not poverty was it? It was prison," Mr Bates guessed. There was a flicker of expression across an otherwise blank face as he spoke and he knew then, even if Mr Webster denied it, that he was right. He could see the torment in the other man's mind as he tried to decide what to say.
"Fine, yes it was. Not perfect am I? How did you know?" Chris asked.
Mr Webster did not look away from him. He didn't seem to have any shame. Which was interesting because either he didn't care or he didn't think he deserved it. "Like I said, your words at Christmas dinner last year. You spoke in riddles, most people were fooled by it I reckon."
"And you were not?"
"Maybe at first, but I have thought about it since. It sounds familiar," Mr Bates said.
"Oh?"
"I was accused of murder a while back, and until my name was cleared I was inside too," Mr Bates confessed. It was not a time he liked to dwell on, but here it seemed he had found something in common with Mr Webster.
"You?" Chris asked in disbelief.
"You sound surprised?"
"Well everyone seems to like you, and you don't strike me as the murdering kind," Chris said.
"Well I wasn't. I was innocent," Mr Bates said.
"Well that makes one of us," Chris said.
Mr Bates was still intrigued.
...
Thomas was the second to last to bat for Downton. It was only Andy left now, who despite being in a similar position to Richard in that he had ties to both the village and Downton, had agreed to play for Downton and not the village, probably as a result of being persuaded by Daisy. Thomas flexed his fingers on the bat, getting the grip just right as he waited. They needed him to score well if they stood any chance of winning. If not, no offence to Andy, but the game was basically lost. He didn't really know why he was good at this, he just got the hang of it and he always had been. It was moments like this, standing waiting to strike the ball, that he felt important or that he actually mattered. In the years gone by, this was basically the only moment he felt like this. Richard though, made him feel like he mattered all the time now. He dismissed thoughts about the past or about Richard, he had to concentrate. He couldn't be distracted. The whole world seemed to slow down for a moment as the cleanly bowled ball headed his way and he struck it with the bat hard.
All eyes were on the ball that Thomas had just hit hard as it flew over people's heads and towards the edge of the field. All would depend on whether the village team could catch it. Richard let out a loud cheer, along with the rest of the Downton team as the fielders failed to catch the ball. "I knew it!" Richard exclaimed proudly as he ran over to Thomas who was walking back over to them with a winning (and rather dashing) smile on his face. "I knew it!" Richard repeated as he hugged Thomas.
"We're even now I reckon," Thomas said, almost matter of fact like.
"Thanks to you," Richard said. "Well done."
"Very well done Barrow," A cheerful Lord Grantham said. "We're in for a real chance now."
...
"He's very good isn't he?" Chris said, not really asking as he clapped loudly as watched Thomas.
"He's always had the feel for it," Mr Bates said.
"He's amazing," Chris said.
Mr Bates wasn't sure if he'd go that far. He also questioned whether he thought Thomas was amazing at cricket or just in general, and judging by the beaming smile on Chris's face, he was inclined to think the latter. Chris wasn't married and lived alone. He lived far out of the way of everyone else in a quieter part of the neighbourhood as if he didn't want people's attention. Chris had said how he had met Thomas in York, he knew that part of Chris's story he told was true, but there was more to it he was sure. They were friends, him and Thomas, but even then there seemed to be a grey area between the two of them. Something left unspoken that seemed to be silently phrased by Chris but not by Thomas. A longing in his eyes as he watched Thomas with Richard, a jealousy but never expressed bitterly in Thomas's direction, as though he was incapable of it. Chris could have gone anywhere after getting out of prison, but he came here to see Thomas. Mr Bates was piecing the puzzle together in his mind, and it then all suddenly made sense. Jealousy is normally accompanied by hate, but not if you love the person you are jealous of, he thought as he realised. Chris was incapable of hating Thomas or even disliking him for something small, he would take his side in anything, just as Thomas had been when Jimmy had been around. It was history repeating itself, although this time Thomas was not the one who was love sick. "You should be careful Mr Webster," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"You're being very obvious," Mr Bates said.
"Excuse me?"
"You're affection for Thomas. You care for him?"
"He's my friend, yes. I see nothing wrong in my praising him for his cricket skills," Chris said.
"You're right, but even if Thomas had completely missed that ball you would have been the same," Mr Bates said.
"Don't be ridiculous," Chris said, his heart beginning to race in his head. He'd been a damn fool.
"You would. Because you love him."
Chris held his breath, as he felt his whole being go weak. He couldn't think. He tried too. I'm okay, I'm okay. Thomas trusts everyone at Downton. They all know about him, I'm okay. But what if I'm not? I can't go back. He couldn't see any escape. "What are you going to do with this information then Mr Bates? Are you going to let everyone know that Downton has another homosexual living among them? Should I be making my escape or should I beg you for mercy?" he hissed angrily, his defenses up.
"You don't strike me as a person to beg for anything Mr Webster," Mr Bates said.
"I'm not, but I will be for him. Don't make him part of this," Chris said.
"You know this is all unnecessary Mr Webster. You know that Thomas and Richard is the worst and best kept secret at the Abbey. I walked in on them only yesterday," Mr Bates confessed.
"Okay so you won't hurt them. But that doesn't mean you wouldn't turn me in."
"Who you are is none of my concern Mr Webster. I won't be the one to send you back to prison for that again. The police could be put to far better use rounding up people who really are a danger to society."
"What do you mean again? I never told you why?" Chris asked.
"I put two and two together. Although it was a guess really. I won't send anyone to spend time in a place like that unless they really deserved it. We have a few things in common also," Mr Bates said.
"We both have a physical disability and have spent time behind bars yes but you are nothing like me! You were never supposed to be there, whereas the law called me guilty!" Chris held himself back from completely shouting so he didn't draw attention to them both.
"The law is only someone's opinion at the end of the day, it's not always right or always just."
"I won't hate myself for who I am. I don't do that anymore. I'm sorry I got angry, I jump to defence before anything else when it comes to this subject," Chris said. "So you're not gonna say anything?"
"Nope. I will forget we ever had this conversation," Mr Bates said.
"Thank you," Chris said as he breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't just ruined everything and that he had one more ally he could be sure of.
"Besides, I imagine that Thomas would return to planning my demise if I did anything to hurt you," Mr Bates chuckled.
In spite of himself, Chris joined the joke. "Yeah not worth that Mr Bates."
...
"Well Andy isn't too bad," Thomas said to Richard later. "He doesn't need to do really well, just okay."
"Well perhaps you could join me for a celebration later Mr Barrow?" Richard asked, the picnic that was set up coming to mind.
"Hmm, I'd like that but perhaps we shouldn't tempt fate?"
Unfortunately at that moment came a painful "Ahhhh!" from behind one of the tents that had been set up to provide shade for the ladies watching. "Crap," Richard said as he and Thomas ran towards the sound of the person who they recognised as Andy, Downton's last batsman.
"What did I say about fate?" Thomas said, dismayed. "Andy, what happened?" he asked the farmer and sometimes footman, who was lying on the floor clutching his ankle in pain.
"Bloody guy rope! Tripped on it and now I can't stand on it," Andy explained.
After Thomas and Richard supported a badly limping Andy between them as they slowly made their way back to the others, Dr Clarkson confirmed that Andy had not broken anything, but would not be in any condition to play now, which Thomas thought was obvious. This placed the whole team in a dilemma as they were not able to reuse one of their players and they had no other man who could step in to take Andy's place. "I don't suppose there is anyone who isn't playing for the village who could be persuaded to join us for a price?" Lord Grantham suggested.
"Are you suggesting bribery M'lord,?" Mr Carson, who had come to watch the match, but was not in a condition to play himself.
"Yes I suppose it would not be honorable Carson, you are quite right," Lord Grantham said. His former butler's tone was enough to suggest that he did not approve. "I suppose we will have to admit defeat."
Thomas did not want that at all, but aside from cheating he couldn't think of a solution. "Thomas, I have an idea," Richard said to him.
"You do Ellis?" Lord Grantham asked before Thomas had the chance to say anything.
"I do M'lord. A way to bend the rules a little, or at least exploit a loophole," Richard said. Thomas thought he looked pleased with what he was about to say.
"Go on," Lord Grantham prompted.
"Well, we have no available men to join the team but lots of women. And I don't think there is anything in the rules of this game that says a woman cannot play," Richard said. Thomas gave him a knowing look when it dawned on him what Richard was about to suggest.
"Maybe Mr Ellis, but there is nothing saying they can either," Mr Carson said.
"Nothing to say they can't though," Richard said.
"M'lord we can't have a woman play on a men's team. It wouldn't be proper," Carson protested. "I doubt any of them know the game anyway."
Lord Grantham however, looked interested in the idea. "Well I for one would not want to just walk away from this game without a fight Carson. Do you know any women who would be willing to play and are good enough, Ellis?"
"I do M'lord," Richard said. "My friend Izzie Thornwood," he said proudly as he turned to look in Izzie's direction, prompting Thomas, Lord Grantham and Mr Carson to do the same.
Izzie looked up, "Anything the matter?" she asked.
"Fancy a game of cricket Izzie?" Richard asked cheerfully.
"I'd thought you'd never ask," she said, getting up from her chair.
"M'lord! You cannot be serious!" Carson said.
"If you are happy to Miss Thornwood, then we would be grateful for your help," Lord Grantham said. "I don't want to pressure you."
"Nonsense! I would be delighted!" Izzie said. Carson huffed and Thomas enjoyed the feeling of his displeasure at this surprising turn of events. "Richard I will need to change though. I can't run as well in a skirt. I will need your trousers!"
That last sentence made Richard, Lucy and Thomas laugh, whilst Lord Grantham wasn't sure where to look or what to say. Carson meanwhile had gone bright red.
...
"Chris, where have you been?" Thomas asked as Chris walked over to join him and Richard, who was now wearing a different pair of trousers, having given his up to Izzie. Apparently, Izzie already knew that they would fit.
"Oh I had an interesting chat with Mr Bates. We had quite a lot to say," Chris said. "But don't worry, I still watched you both."
"He wasn't being a pain was he?" Thomas asked.
"No, not in the end. It's all fine, I'm glad I talked to him," Chris said.
Thomas was about to ask what he had to say to Mr Bates that was so interesting when Richard interrupted him. "She's going for it Thomas."
"How did the other team take the news that we recruited her?" Chris asked.
"Not too well at first, but since I was right and there is nothing in the rules stopping her from playing on a men's team then there was nothing they could do," Richard said happily. He shuffled and Thomas smirked as he knew why.
"Nice trousers Richard," he said quietly.
"They're long enough but they're a bit tight, it was all we could find at the time and I couldn't go running back to the village to change," Richard said.
"I don't mind them being tight, suits you," Thomas said. Richard bit his lip as he smiled and gave Thomas a friendly shove.
Over on the pitch Izzie had just finished adjusting her hair so that it wouldn't get in her face. She had not come prepared for this occasion and so had nothing to tie it back but Charlotte had been very helpful in lending her something so now she had her hair neatly tied back as she picked up the bat and confidently walked over to take her place. She didn't want any of the men who were judging her and expecting her to fail to think she was nervous. She was excited, she had wanted to do this and was delighted to get the chance, but if she was honest with herself she did feel a bit nervous. She looked over to where her friends and Lucy were standing. Lucy gave her an encouraging smile. "Don't expect me to make this easy for you madam," the bowler for the village team said.
"I don't want you too. It wouldn't make it fair," Izzie said back.
The rest of the Downton team and spectators stood in almost silence. This was it, she thought. Her aim was simple, she was going to hit this so far that no one would have any hope in catching it. She did exactly that.
"Bloody hell," Chris exclaimed as they saw how the ball reached far out into the field away from any of the village teams fielders.
The result was cheers all round, and as Izzie ran back over to them again she was met halfway by a delighted Lucy who threw her arms around her. "I'm so proud of you," she said, so only Izzie could hear.
"We should make this a regular thing," Thomas said.
"I think you have taken Thomas's title as Downton's best Izzie," Richard said, giving her a hug.
"Hey I wouldn't go that far," Thomas said.
"I did alright didn't I?" Izzie said.
"You most certainly did," Richard said to her as they walked back to the tents where they were met with more congratulations. Thomas and Chris were walking ahead of them. "I will be needing my trousers back though," he said.