Later that day David had returned to Thomas and Richard's kitchen to join them, and Chris who had decided to stay also, for dinner. He had enjoyed a satisfying day, getting to know the area. It hadn't taken him that long to wander around the main village. Downton was small, and having lived in a city for a large part of his life, he found himself almost surprised at how tiny the place was by comparison. He liked it though. He had gone to the pub, the Grantham Arms, for an hour or so, and had walked up towards the church and around the small churchyard, which was empty and peaceful in the morning sun. The majority of his time had been taken up by exploring the countryside outside of the actual village. He had no idea how far he must have walked, but he just went where his feet led him and it was nice not having a particular destination or a time he had to be somewhere by. He walked casually along tree covered country lanes, their dappled shade refreshing him along with the cooling breeze through the trees above. He found himself climbing over stone stiles in the hedgerows that must be hundreds of years old, with their granite steps worn down and polished in places where many feet had trodden on them before him. He had crossed fields and walked through a shallow stream, and despite a hasty retreat from a field that contained several cattle with large intimidating horns, he was growing more and more fond of his new rural home.

He had eventually found himself on the road that would eventually take him to Downton Abbey and did consider going back there to see Thomas but thought better of it. If Thomas was busy and unable to see him then no one else, apart from Phyllis, would even know who he is. As luck would have it though, Thomas had been walking back towards the village just at the same time he had been standing in the road trying to decide his next move. Thomas decided it for him and having discovered it was actually a lot later in the day than he realised, they walked back together. It had still been a little awkward between them at first. They were best friends and more for their youth but that was a long time ago now. Decades had passed and they had a lot of catching up to do. However, it didn't take them long to fall back in step with each other and in no time at all, they fell into talking like they always used to, back in the den in the woods they built as children. They talked freely and on that short walk back, they began to fill in the gaps they had missed out on.

David was now tucking into a fish pie that Richard had made and on complimenting Richard on his cookery skills, he discovered that Chris wasn't too bad at that either. That triggered another memory of his day he had just spent walking and exploring. As he had been on his own for the majority of the day his thoughts were allowed to flow through his mind uninterrupted. Mundane thoughts sometimes, others about things he would rather forget, others about things he hoped for and a large section of thoughts that, if his mind was organised by files, would be filed under 'thoughts concerning Chris'. That file would have been rather large as he kept on popping up in his mind. He knew how Richard and Thomas had met but he didn't know when Chris came into the equation. How long has he lived here? How long has he had feelings for Thomas? How long has Thomas known? Does he have any affection for anyone else to the same degree? Do I stand a chance? The last thought had surprised him, but he couldn't lie to himself that he was now hoping that there was a chance. He didn't realise that he liked Chris that much. He had known him for about a day now and he was already thinking this way.

He had tuned out of the conversation that Thomas, Richard and Chris had been having. The last he had heard was Thomas telling them about some disaster in Downton's kitchens, but for all he knew the conversation had moved onto other topics entirely. Maybe he was in denial. But Chris had literally attacked him as soon as he saw him. In most cases if someone threatened his life he would not feel inclined in the slightest to forget all about it and become friends in such a short space of time, if at all. And David knew how it felt to be threatened for real in that way, all too well. Instead he had found himself thanking Chris, flirting maybe, he wasn't sure. Well he did flirt but whether he intended too was unknown to him at this point.

His thoughts were interrupted by a meow that came from the direction of the door, left slightly open. He loved how Thomas and Richard had a pet cat. He had a fondness for animals, especially smaller ones. Thomas had told him how he had rescued Wilde from an out of season storm a couple of months ago and how Richard didn't need too much persuading to let him keep it. He had told him about how Wilde had a mischievous nature and all the trouble he had found himself in since they had adopted him. It did not surprise David in the slightest that Thomas would save the little creature from the rain and the wind, tuck him under his coat and carry him home. David knew of Thomas's kinder side. Thomas often put on the appearance of not caring. It was a defense mechanism that he developed as things became difficult for him as he got older. Thomas had started to tell him about how he made so many enemies at Downton in the beginning as a result of not wanting other people to see his vulnerabilities. They had talked about this on the road earlier but had to stop when they neared the village.

Some people got along with animals, and others just didn't. Chris seemed to have the former rather than the latter. David watched how Wilde purred affectionately as Chris tickled Wilde's ear with the scar from an old wound on it. Animals know which people they can trust and be comfortable around and Wilde seemed fond of Chris, and not just because he kept sneaking him pieces of fish from his plate. Relaxed, Wilde twitched his the tip of his tail as he sat on the floor at the corner of the table between himself and Chris. Wilde has a past too, David thought as he studied the scar on his ear. That brought another question about Chris into his mind. How did he hurt his leg? Maybe he would tell me one day? It might matter to some people if Chris is not as mobile as most others. Some might consider it a turn off as such, but not him. David looked at Chris's face. Chris did look sometimes as though he has had an unfair share of burdens in his life. Maybe he has? But for all that, when he is relaxed like this, he looks-. David wasn't sure of the word. Charming, content, desirable? No. He looks perfect. He found himself watching the little smile at the corner of Chris's lips as he reacted to something Richard or Thomas said. The smile was accompanied by a little flick of his eyelashes and David could have easily found himself mesmerised.

Wilde then left Chris's attention and moved close to David. He reached down and tickled Wilde who decided that David's lap would be more comfortable than the floor. Before he could do anything, Wilde had jumped up and was now sitting up at the table on his lap, exchanging hopeful glances between the remains of the fish pie on his plate and David. David left his thoughts and rejoined the table as the cat's action caused everyone to laugh. David lifted Wilde off his lap and put him back on the floor as he shouldn't be allowed to get used to sitting on people's laps at the table, although he did give Wilde another piece of fish just after. Chris looked at him. "I think he likes you," he said.

David smiled at Chris, and although they were technically talking about the cat now sitting on the floor, David didn't break eye contact with Chris as he responded. "Yeah I think he does."

...

Chris blew a puff of smoke out into the evening air. He had slipped out after dinner. He needed a moment to himself. He lifted his eyes up to the sky above him that was still a deep blue but was becoming tinted with yellow and orange as the evening began to draw in. He wasn't even sure why he was still here. Sure, he has stayed for dinner a few times before when Richard had invited him but he was usually home by this time. He looked at his wrist watch. It was a present from Michael. One of the perks of working in a jewelers shop he had said when he gave it to him. Yep, he was usually home by this time. On his own.

David. He hadn't been the only one with thoughts this evening. Chris had seen him at dinner. He hadn't been listening to most of what he, Thomas and Richard were saying. Chris might have been concerned but David seemed to be okay as he kept smiling to himself. Chris had been curious though as to what or who was making him smile and who was so distracting. He had thought that it was probably Thomas. Perhaps he was thinking about old memories between them? David was still in his mind like he had been earlier today. Earlier though he hadn't minded too much. Especially when Richard seemed to be encouraging him to talk to him. Chris wanted to take Richard's advice. Trouble is, in order to talk to someone and get to know them you have to share things about yourself. And to do that, you need to be sure you can trust them. It wasn't that he didn't trust David. He did. Chris always trusts his instincts, he has faith in them and they are usually correct. His instincts tell him that David can be trusted. Thing is, he has only known him for a day, not even that really and can he be really sure? He wants to talk to him. Maybe I start with the odd few questions, tell him the odd few facts. Test the waters so to speak? Can't hurt right? Just then, his moment emerges as the side door opens into the alley where Chris is leaning against the wall, and David steps outside.

"Oh here you are. I was looking for you," David said, shutting the door behind him.

"You were?" Chris asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Yeah. Tommy told me you were out here. You alright?" David asked. Leaning against the wall opposite Chris, so he was just out of arm's reach.

"Yeah. Err, I just needed one of these," Chris said, indicating the packet in his hand. "You want one?"

"No. Not for me, thanks. Get too much smoke naturally where I'm from anyway. Plenty of smoke and dust in the air there already," David said. Neither of them spoke after that and David considered leaving but he didn't really want to.

Chris broke the silence. "Do you mind them?" he asked.

David looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Do you mind being around them when he was once with you and now he is with him?" Chris asked, keeping names out of it in case anyone could hear them.

David knew who he was referring to. "You're asking if I'm jealous?"

"Suppose," Chris shrugged.

"No. That is I don't mind them being together and I'm not jealous. We're a long way on from that. We both moved on. As long as I still have his friendship, then I'm good," David answered honestly.

Chris crushed his cigarette below his shoe. "Sounds so easy doesn't it?" he muttered as he looked down.

"What?" David asked.

"Sorry, didn't mean to say that out loud," Chris muttered again.

"It's fine."

"It's not."

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be, I asked the question. I started it," Chris said.

"If you want to talk-"

"-I don't," Chris said a bit too firmly, looking David in the eyes again.

David saw the pain in his eyes. "Sorry. The offer is there though alright?"

"Thanks. Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's not your fault, only mine," Chris said.

David silently argued back that it wasn't his fault or anyone's really. You don't get to choose who you love, but thought it was best not to say that out loud. Not now at least. "It's alright."

"I think maybe, this conversation could happen. But not now, and not here. But thank you," Chris said.

Chris gave David a small smile. David wanted to do anything to erase the pain Chris was feeling. He hoped he could find a way to do that, in time.

…

"Oh I almost forgot," Richard said as he came back from the bathroom later that evening. "I've invited my parents over in a couple of days. My mother quite rightly pointed out that they've never actually visited here before. I should have asked you before but I hope you don't mind?"

"No, I'd be glad to see them again. They should visit. I'll make a mental note to get home a bit earlier. I take it they will be here in the later afternoon?" Thomas asked from lying in bed.

"Yeah, I asked them to come around five. I know you won't be able to be back then, but they will stay long enough for you to come back I'm sure of it," Richard said. "I was going to clean the place up a bit that morning or maybe early afternoon."

"I could see if I could get away to help you," Thomas offered.

"You don't have to, you might be busy."

"So might you. Look, I don't mind really, I'd like to help," Thomas insisted.

"Thank you," Richard said. "But don't worry if you can't. The main thing is getting all of the cat fur off the chairs and the cushions," Richard said before disappearing off to the bathroom again.

...

Thomas laid in bed half reading the book in his hands and half watching Richard who was getting changed at the other end of the bedroom. David had gone to bed earlier, though Thomas doubted he was actually sleeping. He seemed to have had a lot on his mind today. Thomas noticed that he hadn't really been listening at dinner, and later after he had come inside from talking to Chris he had seemed even more preoccupied.

"On or off?" Richard asked him suddenly.

"Hmm, what?" Thomas asked, jumping out of his thoughts.

"Pajama shirt. On or off tonight? I can't decide," Richard asked him.

Richard was standing facing him, shirtless and his pajama bottoms resting low on his hips. To Thomas right now the answer was obvious. "Are you really asking me that?" Thomas said.

Richard saw the kink in Thomas's smile. His question had resulted in the effect he had desired. Thomas had been frowning and Richard suspected that his facial expressions were not due to the book he was holding as he hadn't seen Thomas turn the page in a while now. He was pleased at Thomas's response. "I was only asking for practical advice Mr Barrow," Richard said innocently, playing along.

"Hmm. Practical advice? Really?" Thomas asked.

"Well, it is a warm evening. I don't want to get too hot in bed. But then, lying still for several hours I might get cold. It's a hard decision," Richard smirked.

Thomas sighed. "Fine. Off alright? And you're so vain Richard!" Thomas said.

"Says the man who spends ages in front of the mirror arranging his hair," Richard remarked back.

"I don't!"

"Um, you do. But you're worth all the time in the world so I don't care," Richard said as he got into bed next to Thomas who had just turned over onto his side away from him as he clearly pretended to be annoyed with him. Richard smiled to himself, his plan to cheer Thomas up had worked. Thomas tried to carry on reading, not remembering where he had got too, as Richard cuddled him from behind, his bare chest against Thomas's back. Thomas had re-read the same line three times now. He had no idea where he was with it. All it took for him to let the book slip out of his fingers, the pages lost as they closed over each other, was Richard's breath on the back of his neck as he spoke. "Sorry for teasing you my darling," he said softly.

Thomas abandoned trying to pretend to be annoyed, because he wasn't and it was too much of an effort to do so. He turned around in Richard's embrace as he heard the book fall, abandoned onto the floor. "Don't be," Thomas said. He paused and looked at Richard shyly. "Besides, I kind of like it okay?"

Richard traced small circles on the middle of Thomas's spine with his fingers. "I will have to bear that in mind for the future." They both lay there in comfortable silence. The light was off but the hour was still early enough in the evening for it not to be totally dark in the room. Richard then changed the subject. He had something on his mind too. "Have you noticed how they are around each other?"

"How who are?" Thomas asked. Richard was clearly more awake than he was, as he was beginning to feel himself drift off.

Richard looked towards the door that had to be left very slightly open to allow Wilde to come in when he wanted too. He lowered his voice. "David and Chris."

"They seem to be getting on well considering how they first met. David can be very easy going, so I suspect that is why he easily forgave Chris for threatening him and almost strangling him," Thomas said.

"Maybe," Richard said.

Thomas could tell he didn't agree. "What do you think is going on?"

"I don't know. Maybe nothing, but I think David is very keen on Chris and vice versa. Chris admitted to me today that he couldn't stop thinking about him. He had been working on the accounts and had written nothing down all the time he had been sitting in the office. That's not like him, Chris is a perfectionist when it comes to work," Richard said. "And don't tell me you didn't notice David flirting when Chris still had him against the wall."

"Well I may have considered it, but I didn't think much of it. It's only been a day David's even been here," Thomas said. "Though now you mention it, maybe there is something or the potential for something. I don't know. I'd like to think there is. It's not fair on Chris to only ever have affection for...for me." Richard nodded. "And David, well I can guarantee he's a good guy."

"I may have encouraged it," Richard admitted. "I told Chris that he should talk to him, because it's the only way to get to know someone. I'm hoping I did the right thing there."

Thomas smiled. "I think you did. Chris can't lose either way. If David just wants to be friends then he will gain that, if he wants more then Chris could have that too. They won't be enemies that's for sure. I did notice from the moment they met, or at least from the moment it became clear to Chris that David wasn't a problem, that they just 'clicked'."

"I agree with that."

"I hope he can stay," Thomas said.

"I think David has even more motivation to stay now, if we are correct. Anyway he seemed very keen on staying," Richard said.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Thomas asked.

"Yeah. Worked for us, didn't it?" Richard asked.

"Well I was flustered when you all arrived, but I suppose it was wasn't it?" Thomas asked. "I remember your reassuring smile, the first time I saw you." Thomas trailed off as looked into Richard's eyes. It was a warm evening, and Thomas's body was telling him that it needed to breathe, that he needed to move away from the heat that was being exchanged between the two of them pressed up close to each other. But Thomas told himself not yet as moving away was the last thing he desired right now. Richard felt that too and they kissed lovingly as the light continued to fade around them.

Thomas then yawned, unable to resist his tiredness much longer. Richard chuckled close to him. "We'll say good night, okay? Sleep, don't hold back for me." Thomas fell asleep then, his last thoughts for the day being how he doesn't know what he would be or where he would be without him.

...

David had left his couple of cases containing everything he brought with him from Liverpool packed and ready to go in the 'spare bedroom' at Thomas and Richard's. He would come back and fetch them later when he booked a room at the inn later on. Before he left for Downton, Thomas had reassured him that if he needed too he could come back and stay with them. The offer was a kind one and David appreciated it, but he completely understood why it would not be a good idea for him to stay for long. The longer he stayed the more likely it would be that people might start to question why he is staying with them or more importantly, where he is sleeping. He couldn't put his friends in danger. Besides, this was supposed to be a new start for him, so he had to try and find his own way and that meant he needed to find work. Finding work in service would not be ideal. He really couldn't imagine himself doing that sort of job. Of course, beggars can't be choosers and all that, but opportunities for employment in service were few and far between now anyway. He had wondered about if there might be any chance of working at Downton but outside, maybe a gardener? He didn't really know what he was doing. He had never worked in a job which he had actually enjoyed. Most people don't but there was no harm in trying to find something he might actually enjoy or find satisfying.

David found himself walking casually along the same country lanes as he did yesterday. The sun was beginning to climb to the point in the sky where it's heat became more noticeable and the shadows cast by the hedges either side of the lane were growing smaller by the minute. He continued walking, the lane climbing gradually in height, and eventually as the slope levelled off the hedges gave way to fences stopping the fields of sheep either side of the lane from escaping. Ahead of him, he saw a van parked up on a green verge next to an open gate and a little further on, he saw a man who was busy hammering a wooden post into the ground. David was not greeted by the man first, but instead by a scruffy looking black and white sheep dog who came running down the lane towards him, totally ignoring the calls from the man working on the fence. The dog, who was clearly pleased to see him, whined and barked with excitement as it wagged its tail enthusiastically, so much so that the whole of the dog seemed to wiggle with joy at the same time. "Hello," David said kindly to the dog as he began to pet it as soon as it had calmed down enough to allow David to do so. The dog sat there panting and looking up at him with gleaming eyes. David laughed. "You're an energetic young thing aren't you? Shall we go and find your master?"

Maybe the dog understood but as David walked in the direction of the man at the fence, the dog sprinted back off in the direction it came from. "He must keep you on your toes," David joked as he approached the man at the fence.

"He's a troublemaker, but he's young so he should be," the man said. "He is slowly getting the hang of herding sheep. Aren't you Hector?" he said to the dog who had now settled himself at the man's feet, still panting with excitement from making a new friend. "I saw you walking around here yesterday I believe? You crossed this very field in fact. I was on the other side of the hedge, mending the fence on the other side. Sheep are ingenious animals in terms of finding new ways to escape."

"I was. I hope you don't mind?" David asked.

"What? Oh no! Don't you worry. People take a short cut across here all the time, as long as they leave everything as they find it, I have no problem with that," the man said, putting the hammer down and leaning back on the newly dug fence post.

David was relieved. Some farmers and landowners can have a problem with people walking across their land, although the man in front of him did not seem the sort to get angry over something so little. He had greying hair and an older face that was weathered and from working outside for most of his life, David assumed. He might be sixty, maybe older, but his face was kind and so that made him look younger. "I'm David Mortimer," David said.

"Mathew Tomlinson," the man said, as he shook David by the hand. "You're not a local are you? I can't say I've seen you around here before, except for yesterday of course."

"No, I have only been in Downton for a couple of days. I'm visiting a friend of mine, Mr Barrow," David said. 'Visiting' wasn't technically accurate but it was the safest option right now.

"Ah yes I know Mr Barrow, youngest butler I bet Downton Abbey has ever had," Mr Tomlinson said. "But I reckon, one of the best, from what I hear. The previous butler, Mr Carson, whilst he was very good at his job, he was a bit too, how shall I put it? Traditional. Mr Barrow is more willing to move with the times I think."

"I think he will be glad to hear that you think so," David said.

"You can feel free to tell him Mr Mortimer. Compliments are good for the mind I think," Mr Tomlinson said.

"I should let you get on, you have a lot to do it seems," David said, looking down the line of fence that had yet to be replaced or fixed. "Unless..."

"Unless?" Mr Tomlinson prompted.

"Well, I have nothing to do for a few hours. I don't mind lending a hand if you need it?" David offered.

"That would be welcome, if you don't mind," Mr Tomlinson said. "As much as I hate to admit it to myself, I'm getting on a bit and this isn't as easy as it used to be."

"You just tell me where you want the next post and I'll start digging," David said.

"Hmm, I hire farm laborers who are less enthusiastic than you," Mr Tomlinson joked. "The next one needs to be several paces to the right of this one, and then roughly the same until we reach the hedge." He passed David a spade and David started digging. "You're not afraid of hard work then? What kind of work are you involved in if I may ask?"

"I used to work on the docks in Liverpool, until very recently. I came to Downton from there a few days ago. I should say, I wasn't completely honest earlier, I'm not just visiting here Mr Tomlinson, I left Liverpool and I don't intend to return," David said. He was a little surprised with himself at his honesty with a person he's only just met, but he felt like Mr Tomlinson could be trusted.

"Not keen on city life then?" Mr Tomlinson asked as David dug the hole for the next fence post. Mathew reckoned that there was much more to it than not liking the city. Mr Mortimer had a kind face and from what he could tell so far, that matched his personality. However, there was a shadow over his expressions as he spoke of not intending to return. It was none of his business though, so he asked no more.

"Something like that. I needed a fresh start, and I thought finding Tom-, I mean Mr Barrow, would be a good place to start. We were childhood friends, it's been a long time since I saw him last," David said.

"Well that's good. The past can be the key to the present, and I suppose the future," Mr Tomlinson said.

"Is that a quote from somewhere?" David asked.

Mathew shrugged. "No idea! Just popped into my mind." David smiled and pushed his hair away from his face as it flopped down. Mathew was glad that Thomas had a friend in David as a child. Of course he had no idea what Thomas's childhood was really like, but he recalled a brief and frank conversation he had with him and Richard Ellis last December and he experienced first hand how difficult Thomas found it to talk about his family. It made him sad to think that Mr Barrow's parents and family couldn't continue to love him once they knew the truth about him. A parent's love was supposed to be unconditional. He assumed that David knew about Mr Barrow's 'nature' or whatever one should call it. He hoped he was right in that anyway as it meant that Thomas had someone else in his corner, so to speak. "I can't let you do all this work for nothing Mr Mortimer," he said. "How about after we're done, I drive you down to the village and I buy you a drink as a thank you?"

"You don't need to, but I would like that," David said.

...

"So if you have no intention of returning to Liverpool then I take it you are looking for work as well as lodgings?" Mr Tomlinson asked.

They sat inside at a table in the corner of the pub. Due to it being the morning, the place was empty except for the barman who kept disappearing off into the kitchen behind the bar through a door. "I am yes. I didn't think things through much when I left, it was a bit of a spur of the moment decision I guess," David said.

"Are you running from something?" Mr Tomlinson asked.

"What makes you say that?" David asked.

"Sorry, you're right, not my place to assume," Mr Tomlinson apologised, hearing the edge in David's otherwise friendly tone.

"You're right though. I got in with the wrong sort of people and I wanted out, that's all I'll say," David said. "I'm not usually this disorganised."

"So you like it here and want to stay?" Mr Tomlinson asked. Hector was sitting at his feet, resting his head on his lap whilst looking bored.

"I do, I have found a few reasons to want to stick around. Can't do that without money though," David said.

"Maybe I could help with that?" Mr Tomlinson said. Mathew had an idea that he kept to himself as they were driving into the village.

"I can't ask for your money Mr Tomlinson," David said.

"No but you could earn it. I appreciated your help today. As I said, I'm not getting any younger and whilst I hire laborers during the busy seasons, I do think I need some help with the day to day running of things. That job was supposed to go to my son, but he was killed in 1915 in the war and my daughter wanted to move away when she got married, which is understandable," Mr Tomlinson explained.

"I'm sorry to hear about your son," David said genuinely. The war had touched them all, and he knew that as one of those who came back he was technically one of the lucky ones, even if it still haunted him.

"Thank you," Mr Tomlinson said sadly. "But what I am saying is if you want it, the job is yours."

David wasn't sure if he was taking that offer in. He did not expect this at all. Not from someone he has only just met. "Are you sure? You don't even know me."

"I trust first impressions and I like your work ethic Mr Mortimer, I think if you accept this will benefit us both and those we care about." David assumed he was referring to Thomas being his friend. "If you need any more persuading, I have a little annex attached to the farm house. Again it was supposed to be for my son or my daughter if she wanted it but it's sitting empty at the moment and it could be yours if you want it?" David didn't answer. "I understand if you need some time to think this over."

"No. I don't sorry, I just didn't expect this. I would love to accept Mr Tomlinson. Thank you!" David said happily.

"Splendid! Well in that case, if you give me a few days to get a few things sorted then, you could move in?"

"I can, yes. Thank you!" David said as he put his drink down to shake Mr Tomlinson's hand warmly. He couldn't wait to tell Thomas the good news.