CHAPTER 12: MAKING AMENDS
New Year's Eve
Lady Edith's Wedding
St. Michael's Church
Thomas spotted Bates and Anna already seated in the church. He slipped in next to Anna who was pleased to see him. How wonderfully fat she was, just as she had described in her last letter. But Bates did not so much as acknowledge Thomas' presence. He sat quietly reading the wedding programme. Was he waiting for Thomas to speak first? Was he silent because he did not want to make a scene in public? Thomas tried to answer Anna's questions with good humour, but his heart filled with grief. Nothing had changed. He and Bates were not friends after all, and Bates' letter had meant nothing.
Thomas stood with the other guests when Lady Edith entered the church escorted by Lord Grantham. He was stunned by her elegance. Was this the same gawky girl he had seen when he first arrived at Downton? Thomas wondered if he had changed as much as she had over the years.
After the ceremony, Bates and Anna and the other servants disappeared. Thomas knew the staff was spread thinly and would be occupied for the rest of the celebration. Still, he wanted to see the house again.
Lady Edith's Wedding Reception
The Abbey
Today was the first time Thomas had ever been welcomed at the front door of Downton Abbey as a guest. Lady Grantham greeting him warmly, commenting that there would not have been a wedding if Thomas had not saved Lady Edith from the fire. As he wandered about the Great Hall, Thomas could see Carson's hand in every perfected detail of the proceedings.
Thomas was listening quietly to the latest Abbey gossip when he heard Carson speaking in a loud, annoyed voice. How unlike Carson to forget himself in front of guests. Thomas turned and saw that Carson had spilled some champagne. His hands must have been shaking again. Anna had written him about Carson's affliction. Lord Grantham, Lady Mary, and Mr Talbot were gathered around, and Mr Talbot was offering to pour the champagne. Thomas knew how upsetting that would be for Carson. He immediately stepped up and offered his assistance.
The next thing Thomas knew, Lord Grantham was conferring with Carson and offering Thomas the job of butler at Downton Abbey. Butler of Downton Abbey! Thomas accepted as graciously as he knew how. Within a few minutes, he was pouring champagne, wondering what had happened. How had his fortunes changed so quickly? All he had done was offered to help. Thomas tried not to think about how Bates might react to the news.
After Midnight
The Servants' Hall
As the evening wound down, Lady Mary descended to the Servants' Hall where she knew the staff would be welcoming the New Year with their own celebration. She stepped into the hall, apologized for the intrusion, and expressed her wishes to all for a happy New Year. She asked Thomas to speak with her in the library, and he followed her up the stairs.
"So Carson has found his replacement," Lady Mary began as they climbed the stairs.
"I hope Your Ladyship is satisfied."
"I'm satisfied. You understand that Carson will remain a sort of elder statesman of the Abbey, as Lord Grantham put it. Are you content with that arrangement, Barrow?"
"I'm content, milady. I know Mr Carson will want me to start off on the right foot."
"Quite right."
In the library, Lady Mary turned to Barrow. "You're a guest in this house tonight, Barrow. Let's take a seat, shall we?"
"If you insist, milady." Thomas waited for Lady Mary to sit and then joined her.
"I want to discuss Carson. He's been employed in this house since before I was born. I have many fond memories of him."
"I'm certain, milady."
"I remember when I was five. I was terribly frustrated because I couldn't make head nor tail of all the cutlery Lady Edith and I used at our pretend dinner parties. Lady Edith may have been the younger of us, but she already had it all straight and was constantly correcting me. So you see, Barrow, our rivalry began early."
Thomas smiled. "I can imagine, milady."
"One afternoon when Lady Edith had been taken somewhere or other, Carson came to the nursery with a surprise for me. He had cut out paper dresses and suits for all the cutlery. We dressed a full place setting of forks, knives, and spoons, and he told me a story for each piece to help me sort it out. I can't remember them all, but my favourite was the fish fork, Philomena Fishwife. Carson warned me that if I put her in the wrong position, she would become angry and spit fish bones at me."
"I can see why you're fond of Mr Carson."
"Tell me, Barrow, do you recall our conversation about making amends?"
"Yes, milady. Do you know now what you want to ask of me?"
"I can't bear the thought of Carson being made to feel unnecessary. He will never be unnecessary to me. And I hate the thought of him being humoured. He would see straight through that. Do you understand?"
"I believe so, milady. You should have no concern where Mr Carson is concerned. He's taught me almost everything I know about being in service. If I want to be successful as butler of Downton Abbey, and I do, I would be foolish not to seek his advice. Even having been an under butler here, much will be new to me."
"I'm glad we understand each other, Barrow. Now we're square." Lady Mary stood and Barrow followed suit.
"Now I have a favour to ask of you."
"Certainly, milady."
"I've left something in my room. Would you please take care of it?"
"Of course, milady. What is it you'd like me to do?"
Lady Mary smiled. "Go to my room, Barrow. You'll know what to do."
"But milady..."
Lady Mary looked at Barrow blankly. "Barrow, we're not going to have an argument, are we, when you haven't even begun in an official capacity?"
"No, of course not, milady, but..."
Lady Mary interrupted, "Right. Then off you go."
Lady Mary's Room
Thomas opened the door to Lady Mary's room and stepped inside wondering how on earth he would know what it was Lady Mary wanted. He was stunned to see none other than Bates and Anna on Lady Mary's bed. "Oh! Excuse me!" Confused, Thomas turned to leave.
"Thomas, wait!" Anna called. Thomas turned to Anna. She was wearing a nightgown, and Bates had removed his coat and collar. Thomas felt the colour rise in his cheeks. Then he saw the baby. The baby had been born!
Before Thomas could piece it all together, Bates was standing in front of him. Thomas could see that Bates' face was full of emotion, but he could not identify what emotion it was. Was Bates going to shake his hand, smack him, or throw him out? They were not in public now. Thomas held out his hand. "Congratulations, John."
Bates looked from Thomas' face to his hand to his face again. Then he threw his arms around Thomas and embraced him. "I'm a father, Thomas! I have a son!"
Thomas hesitated for a moment and then clapped Bates on the back. "Congratulations!"
Bates released Thomas and stepped back. "Don't you want to meet him?"
"Yes, but ... John, something's happened that you may not like."
Bates saw the concern in Thomas' eyes. "What is it, little brother?"
Little brother. It warmed Thomas to hear those words. "Mr Carson is retiring, and Lord Grantham has hired me as butler."
Bates smiled. "Did you hear that Anna?"
"It seems as though congratulations are in order for you as well," answered Anna. "Congratulations, Thomas!"
"Then you don't object?"
Bates laughed. "Why would I object? I have a son! Now come along and meet him."
Thomas looked at Anna. "Is it all right, Anna?"
Anna smiled and nodded. She was tired, but she understood how much it meant to Thomas to see the baby.
Thomas approached the bed. "Congratulations, Anna."
Bates glowed. "This is my son, Thomas!"
Anna scolded, "I believe I helped a wee bit, John. This is our son."
Bates laughed. "Excuse me. Thomas, this is our son!"
Thomas leaned over for a peek. "So this is young Bates. Does this handsome lad have a name?"
"Timothy Colin Bates," replied Bates and Anna together. "Timothy was John's father, and Colin was mine," added Anna.
"May I hold him, Anna?"
"Of course, Thomas."
Thomas picked up the baby, carefully abiding by Anna's instructions to support his head. "Hello, young Bates, I'm your Uncle Thomas." Thomas strolled about the room, gazing at Timothy and telling him about all the wonders he would see at Downton. When Timothy began to fuss, Thomas held him firmly against his shoulder and gently bounced as he walked. "Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, pease porridge in the pot, nine days old. Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it in the pot, nine days old." Timothy calmed easily. "There you go, Tadpole," Thomas cooed.
Bates sat on the bed next to Anna and watched Thomas contentedly. "Thomas, there's a matter we must discuss, you and I. Do you still intend to make amends to me?"
"You know I do, once you decide." Thomas looked up from Timothy. "Why? Do you know what you want?"
"Certainly I know." Bates winked at Anna. "I want you to teach Timothy everything you know about cricket."
Thomas laughed. "That won't feel like much of a punishment.
Bates shrugged. "Who said making amends has to be a punishment?"
Thomas regarded Bates. Bates would be able to toss a ball with Timothy, but he would never be able to run and play with him the way Thomas would. Not with his cane. Thomas realised that Bates had bestowed an honour on him. "I accept, John, but I don't think young Bates is ready quite yet. I believe this young man wants his mum."
"Do you hear that, John? Mum!" Anna revelled in her new appellation.
Thomas returned Timothy to Anna. Bates stood and took Thomas by the arm. "There's something else we need to discuss, Thomas. It seems that I must make amends to you."
"To me? What do you mean?"
"Thomas, that night we went to the Grantham Arms ... the next day, I couldn't remember much of what happened. I had blacked out. I remembered your hands on my throat, but I couldn't remember what led up to it."
Thomas did not want to spoil the New Year by talking about that dreadful night. "You don't have to..."
"Let me finish, Thomas, please. Before I came to Downton, I suffered many a blackout after a night of drinking. I didn't want to admit to Anna or to you or even to myself that I had sunk that low again. It was weeks before I confessed it to Anna. She had to tell me what actually happened that night, or I never would have known." Bates swallowed hard. "Please understand, Thomas. I was deeply ashamed. I struggled to write you several times, but I couldn't get past my own foolish pride until a few days ago."
"What changed?"
Bates smiled. "We missed you." He put his arm around Thomas' shoulders and gave him a squeeze. "I missed you, little brother."
Thomas looked at Anna, and she smiled and nodded.
Bates continued. "When I saw you at the church today, I was so embarrassed by my behaviour that I didn't know how to begin. I hoped you would say something."
Thomas smiled sheepishly. "I was waiting for you to say something."
Bates stood squarely in front of Thomas and clasped his arms. "Thomas, I'm ready to make amends. I would be pleased ... Anna and I would be pleased if you would consent to be godfather to our son. What do you say?"
The colour drained from Thomas' face. He was overwhelmed. "Yes! I say yes! What else would I say?"
Anna saw Thomas sway. "Oh dear, John, catch him!"
"This has been the best day of my life," Thomas declared as his knees buckled.
