Sloppy Kisses
Mary knew she was getting progressively drunker, but honestly, she couldn't care less. Her life had turned upside down in the past few months since Patrick's resignation and she had been working to death. But for what? Her father had yet again turned a blind eye to her contribution and was intent on filling Patrick's vacant position with some guy from Manchester.
Sometimes Mary seriously contemplated leaving the family business and join a different company. It's not like she didn't have enough offers. Michelle from The Times had sent her another email today offering her to join them. The pay was great, and she would finally be getting the respect and authority she deserved; but Mary just couldn't abandon Downton Chronicles. Ever since she was a teen and Robert had taken her for a tour of the offices, she became fascinated with the world. She had always been an aware and informed individual, but since she witnessed the newspaper publishing business first-hand, she started taking an increased interest in reading them. Every morning since that day, Robert and Cora would find her poring over newspapers, her breakfast growing cold.
As she grew up, Mary always imagined working in that office. Thus, to no one's surprise, she took up Journalism in her uni. In her final year, Mary interned at The Times and was offered a position there immediately after her graduation. But she had turned it down and joined Downton as a junior research assistant. Over the years, under Charles Carson's expert guidance, she became one of the most respected names in their world. Though there were whisperings about nepotism, those were quickly quashed down as her articles shone in their own merit. Within the Downton office, Mary's ability to get work done in time and pushing others to do the same earned her reputation as a tough but skilled and efficient taskmaster.
After the assistant editor Lang retired, Mary was the obvious choice. But for some mysterious reason, Robert had passed her over and instead appointed Patrick. With Patrick's resignation, Mary had thought that her turn had finally come. But again, she was disappointed.
"This is it." she declared, more loudly than was necessary but then again, she didn't care anymore.
"This. Is. It." she repeated, "I won't be passed over again. Damn that Manchester guy, what's-his-name. I'll make him leave as soon as I can. That will show Papa."
"There, there, take it easy darling", Sybil replied from her side.
Sybil was worried about Mary and she had been the one to suggest that they meet for a couple of drinks and relax before the "Manchester Guy", as Mary called him, started at the office tomorrow. Unlike everyone else, Sybil knew exactly why Robert had not given the position to Mary. He still saw them as his little girls and was not convinced that they were ready for big responsibilities. But Sybil knew otherwise. After she had moved to London for her university, she had been living with Mary and she knew her sister was more than capable of taking up the mantle. If only Papa would see that.
Suddenly Sybil's phone rang, breaking both the sisters out of their musings.
"It's Edith. I have to take it."
"Really? I'll bet you she's calling you to cry about her social life, or the lack thereof ", Mary snorted.
Sybil just shook her head and went to the corner to take the call.
Left by herself, Mary downed her drink and returned to her musings. Who was this guy who would end up in the position she deserved? Making up her mind to do some digging, Mary took her phone out and opened the email her father had sent last week.
"Matthew Crawley" she said out loud, "Hmm, wonder if he's a cousin of some sort."
"Who's that?" Sybil asked, coming back to the table.
"The Manchester Guy" Mary replied.
"What did he do before?"
"It says here he started as a columnist in The Globe and then became the political correspondent."
Mary quickly opened the Globe website and scanned one of Matthew Crawley's articles.
"Well, at least he doesn't sound like a total moron, unlike Patrick", she said finally.
Sybil just narrowed her eyes and smirked. This Matthew Crawley might have to endure a little less difficulty compared to Patrick, but knowing Mary that was still a lot.
Matthew sat at the dining table of his new apartment. This was to be his new home.
Home… he still couldn't think of the word without thinking of Manchester, and thinking of Manchester inevitably led to memories of Lavinia and he could feel the onset of the familiar pain again.
More than a year had passed since she had left him and broken their engagement, but he still hadn't come to terms with it. The only way he could escape his sadness was by diving into work, and that's what he had done. But living in Manchester, and driving by the roads which held memories of innumerable moments from his relationship with Lavinia, had proved torturous and he had finally taken the leap and shifted to London. Isobel was still in Manchester and would come over when he had settled in a bit in his new job.
Matthew had to admit that the timing of this new job was fortuitous indeed. He was surprised when he got the offer. The meeting with Robert Crawley (no relation, he had checked) went well. However, talking to Patrick, who he would be replacing had made him a bit apprehensive. Patrick had said that overall, the job was good and the environment was nice but, he should be aware of one Mary Crawley. Apparently, she acted like she was the queen of the place and everyone else was beneath her. This account had disturbingly clashed with what Anna Smith, his acquaintance from the Downton office, had said.
However, one thing was evident from both the accounts; this Mary Crawley was an intimidating woman. After reading her op-eds, it was also clear to him that she had strong opinions and a fearless voice.
Matthew was very much looking forward to working with Mary Crawley.