CHAPTER 21: A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
Early morning, three days later
John Bates' Old Room
Thomas escorted Dr Clarkson to the attic where the doctor confirmed that Bates was no longer contagious. "I suppose you'll be happy to return to your wife and baby, Mr Bates."
"I'll be pleased to accept my marching orders, Dr Clarkson."
"You're still recovering, Mr Bates. Take it easy for a day or two." Dr Clarkson turned to Thomas. "Mr Barrow, he's not to return to work until the day after tomorrow."
"I understand," replied Thomas.
As Dr Clarkson prepared to leave, Andy appeared and handed a newspaper to Bates. "Lady Mary said to give this to you, Mr Bates."
"Thank you, Andrew. Please escort Dr Clarkson to the front door."
Bates sat to read the item Lady Mary had circled while Thomas stripped the beds. "What is it, John? Some extravagant dress that Lady Mary wants Anna to copy on the cheap?"
"No, nothing like that." Bates read the item to himself.
SAD FATALITY AT DOWNTON—Baird Hopwood, Master Plumber, died on Friday evening at Downton Village Cottage Hospital as the result of an accident he suffered in the course of his work earlier in the month. On Tuesday, March 16, about 1:30, deceased showed his assistant, James Martin Walsh, a cut on his right hand between his thumb and forefinger that he had acquired while cutting pipe. Mr Walsh said he dressed the wound with bandages from the first-aid box. Deceased took aspirin and continued to work as he thought the cut was minor. Dr Richard Clarkson said deceased was admitted on March 23 and died on the 25th, death being due to a septic hand complicated by tetanus and asphyxia, due to tetanic spasm.
Deceased had moved to Downton recently from Wetherby after purchasing the plumbing business of Sydney Gordon. He had expected to be joined soon by his wife, Mary Ann Hopwood, who remained with her sister in Wetherby awaiting the birth of their third child. Mrs Hopwood reported that deceased was well-known in Wetherby where they had resided for some time. Deceased took considerable interest in the Church and Sunday School and often read lessons in the Church. He was of great assistance to the Vicar, Rev. H. Williams, who expressed sympathy for Mrs Hopwood and the family.
Bates set down the paper and regarded Thomas for a moment. Then he stood and closed the door.
"What was it?"
"You'd better read it, Thomas."
Thomas took the newspaper and read the obituary. He tossed the paper on the table without looking at Bates. "I remember the bandage. It was a small cut ... nothing really." His voice was flat. He turned his back to Bates and began to pack Bates' bag.
Bates stepped behind Thomas, and Thomas could feel his nearness.
"Thomas..."
Thomas didn't respond.
"Thomas, please turn around."
Thomas hesitated. "John, don't."
"If I allow you to feel sad, will you allow me to hold my little brother?" Bates placed his hands on Thomas' arms.
"John I didn't know he was married."
"I know you didn't."
Thomas turned and accepted Bates' protective embrace. He clung to Bates and cried. He cried because he had loved Hopwood, he cried because Hopwood had been a monster, and he cried because Hopwood was dead. He cried until he had no tears left. "I'll send the cuff links to his wife. She can sell them."
"You know best, little brother."
"I'll write a note saying they were found when the flat was cleaned. I don't have to sign my name."
"That's right."
Imagine, John, three children! How awful for them."
"It is awful."
Bates did not release Thomas, and Thomas allowed him to hold the world at bay for a bit longer. "I won't cry again for that bastard."
"Good."
Noon that same day
The Bates Cottage
Bates was resting in his chair when Anna arrived home, carrying Timothy and lugging a hamper.
"There's my darling boy!" It had been only five days, but Bates could see immediately that Timothy had grown. Anna settled Timothy onto his lap. "Do you have kisses for Daddy? Daddy has kisses for you!" He held up Timothy and kissed his cheeks and his belly. Timothy smiled and made noises and grasped Bates' ear. "Does Mummy have kisses for Daddy?"
"I've been saving them up for five days!" Anna kissed Bates affectionately. "That's all now until you've eaten."
"I'm starving!"
"Thomas told Mrs Patmore that you had lost weight while you were sick and asked her to fatten you up." Anna unpacked the hamper and laughed. "I see she intends to fatten you up with one meal. Look at all the goodies she sent!"
Bates held Timothy while he and Anna feasted on pork pies, scotch eggs, cheese, and pickles. "Do you have to rush back to the house, Anna?"
"No. Lady Mary said I may take off the entire afternoon to get you settled. I don't need to be back until the gong. Let's save the sweets and have low tea this afternoon, same as the family."
After they had eaten their fill, Anna picked up Timothy, sat in her chair, and nursed him. Bates gazed at them happily. "How I missed this." He stretched out his legs.
"Are you returning to work tomorrow, John?"
"No. Dr Clarkson insists that I wait another day, although I hate to leave Thomas short-handed. I've inconvenienced him enough already."
"Thomas won't go against Dr Clarkson's orders, John, and neither should you."
"No, I suppose not. Anna ..."
"Hmm?"
"Thomas enjoyed receiving your little notes."
"He took care of you when I couldn't. How could I send you notes and not include him?"
"It was kind of you, Anna. He's not used to being included. It meant a great deal to him."
"I'm glad. I saw Thomas before I left the house, John. He seemed exhausted. I think he could use a little fattening up himself."
"He's had a bad time recently.
What sort of bad time?"
"It's enough to say that he's had his heart broken."
"What do you mean, John?"
"Thomas fell in love with a scoundrel who treated him badly."
Anna was surprised. "Thomas fell in love with another man? That's not possible."
"What do you mean?"
"John, you know two men can't love each other the way we do."
Bates was shocked. "Anna, do you believe that Thomas isn't capable of love?"
"Of course he's capable of love, John. It's plain that he loves Timothy. I believe he loves us, too."
"He does love us."
"But to say that two men can love each other as you and I love each other ... the love between a husband and wife is a sacred thing, John."
Bates stared at Anna in disbelief. "Yes, Anna, it is a sacred thing. But it's not the only love that's sacred. What do you think it is when two men, two Thomases, have feelings for each other?"
Anna couldn't understand her husband's confusion. "It's ... physical, John. They don't love each other the way we do."
Bates leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his legs. "Anna, you shock me. You're horribly mistaken. Thomas loved this man, and now he's heartbroken. I won't have you dismiss his feelings."
Anna could see that she had disappointed her husband. "I suppose I'm old-fashioned, John. I've never really thought about it. Do you truly believe that Thomas was in love?"
"I know he was. I saw it."
Anna considered the possibility. Timothy had finished nursing and had fallen asleep. "I'm sorry, John. If that's what you saw, then that's what it was. It makes me sad to think that Thomas is suffering. Is there something we can do for him?"
That was his Anna. Bates leaned back in his chair. "I don't know." He shut his eyes. He was tired.
Anna refastened her clothing. "The two of you have eaten yourselves into oblivion." She placed Timothy in his cradle and sat on Bates' lap. "I'm so glad you're home."
"I'm so glad to be home. Thomas is good company, but I'd much rather have you on my lap."
Anna laughed, and Bates nuzzled her neck. If only he weren't so tired ... "Anna ...?"
"Yes?"
"If I had a brother, he would be a member of this family, wouldn't he?"
"Certainly."
"But my parents didn't give me a brother."
"No, they didn't."
"Anna, I've come to think of Thomas as my brother."
"I know."
"I mean truly, as my brother."
"I know."
"I want him to be a member of this family."
Anna laughed. "He is a member of this family."
"Thank you, my darling." Bates gave Anna a squeeze. "If anything were to happen to me, he would take care of you and Timothy."
"I know, John, but nothing's going to happen to you."
"Probably not."
"John, I'm sorry for what I said about Thomas."
"I know." Bates began to pull the pins from Anna's hair.
"John, you couldn't have waited until tonight? Now I'll have to put it up all over again!"
"I've waited five days for this."
"You devil."
Bates ran his fingers through Anna's loose hair. "Anna, I want to give Thomas a key to the cottage."
"Where will he sleep? In the cupboard?"
"Not to live, but to know he has a place he's always welcome."
"I know. I was teasing."
Bates wrapped a lock of Anna's hair around his finger. "Anna, do you think I'm being foolish?"
"Why is it foolish to give a key to a member of the family?"
Bates tilted Anna's face up and gave her a long kiss. Perhaps he wasn't as tired as he had thought.
