Chapter 81: BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON

The next day

Downton Village

Joseph Molesley left the library holding Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, a recent work about the history of the relationship between morality and the pursuit of material wealth. Hidden in his briefcase was Joan's Best Chum, one of Angela Brazil's juvenile fictions about life at a girls boarding school. Molesley believed that reading modern stories for children would help him learn their lingo, but he saw no reason to advertise the habit.

As Molesley headed for his cottage, he caught sight of Thomas strutting down the street. He recalled Baxter saying that Thomas had been ill, and he could see a new, slender streak of white in Thomas' dark hair. Nevertheless, he seemed as attractive and cocky as ever, with his head bobbing this way and that as he greeted well-wishers. Molesley frowned. He's hoodwinked them. He's no do-gooder. Still, Baxter was fond of Thomas, and Molesley was fond of Baxter, so he had learned to keep his opinion of the bounder to himself.

As Thomas came closer, Molesley could see that he was carrying a book. No doubt, he was headed to the library, which meant they would pass each other. Molesley prepared to offer a slight nod of the head and nothing more, but Thomas did not pass. He stopped directly in front of Molesley. "Molesley, you're a fool!" he accused.

"What?"

"You'll never find another woman like Miss Baxter. If you don't come to your senses and marry her quick, she'll find someone who knows how to make a decision!" With that, Thomas stepped around Molesley and paraded to the library.


The Molesley Cottage

Molesley sat at his desk and stared at the books he had borrowed. Baxter would be leaving for London with the Crawleys soon after the eclipse. Molesley had deliberately selected a treatise that would occupy his mind and allow no idle time to pine for her. He had been confident that she would be restored to him when the Crawleys returned to Downton. As he flipped through the pages of the scholarly tome, he realized that Thomas could be right. Baxter might meet another man in London. A better man. A man who would not hesitate to present her with a ring. He was gathering the courage to face his options when he was startled by a frantic knock. He opened the door, and there stood Thomas.

"Molesley ... Mr Molesley ... please, I beg you to forget what I said. I spoke out of turn."

"You weren't Miss Baxter's messenger?"

"God, no. You must know that she would never resort to such a thing."

"I do, but I'm relieved to hear it confirmed."

"Please, Mr Molesley, I've known Phyllis Baxter since I was a boy, and I'll never forgive myself if what I said should cause a rift between you."

Molesley was surprised by Thomas' remorse and felt a twinge of sympathy for the man. "What you said was true. You've given me something to consider."

"What does that mean?" begged Thomas.

"That's between Miss Baxter and me. Go home, Mr Barrow. We've spoken sufficiently for one day."

"Please, Mr Molesley, tell me that I haven't spoiled things between you!"

Molesley was not ready to let Thomas off the hook. "Go home, Mr. Barrow."


The Abbey

"There you are, Mr Barrow," called Bates as Thomas came in the servants' entrance. "Where did you put the dance checklist?"

"In my notebook."

"Yes, but where's your ...

"Give me a chance to catch my breath, Mr Bates!" complained Thomas as he dashed up the stairs to the attic.

Bates paused briefly to weigh the situation before retrieving the newspaper from the servants' hall and heading up the stairs to Thomas' room. He announced his presence with a few taps of Old Ram. "It's Bates, Mr Barrow." He opened and shut the door and sat at the writing desk without giving Thomas a glance. "I couldn't find a quiet spot to finish the paper."

Thomas was seated on the edge of his bed. "There's a corridor of empty rooms up here."

Bates spread out the paper. "The light's better in here."

"So, John ... is this how it's going to be?"

Bates slipped on his reading glasses. "This is how it's going to be ... for a little while, Pooh."

Bates heard Thomas stand and pace behind him. "John ..."

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong with me?"

Bates turned the page and smoothed it. "You want a list?"

"I'm serious, John."

Bates turned and peered at Thomas over his glasses. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"I bumped into Mr Molesley and hauled him over the coals."

"For any particular reason?"

"For not proposing marriage to Miss Baxter."

"I see. I can't say that I disagree with you, Pooh. He should fish or cut bait. Isn't that how Americans say it?" Bates returned to the paper. "Of course, it isn't our business."

"I want to be in control of my temper the way you are, John."

"Me?" Bates removed his glasses. "Little brother ... what do you remember of your illness?"

"I couldn't sort things out then, John, but I believe I remember everything. Why?"

Bates kept his back to Thomas. "You remember refusing to eat? You remember my losing my temper and trying to force you? You were helpless, and I pulled your hair and slapped you. My behaviour was shameful, Pooh. I'm not the person for you to emulate."

"You had to find a way, or I would have been restrained! I would have been force-fed!" retorted Thomas indignantly. "There was nothing shameful about it!"

"Careful, little brother," responded Bates quietly as he donned his glasses. "You're in danger of losing your temper again."

"Damn!" Thomas was silent for a few moments and then chuckled. "I'm hopeless."

Bates turned another page in the paper. "Aren't we all."

"It's getting late, John. We've got to get to work. I was reviewing my notebook this morning while I was polishing a tray. I must have locked it in the silver safe."

Bates closed the paper. "That's the one place I didn't look."

Bates felt Thomas' hands on his shoulders. "I'll run down and find it. I'll meet you in the pantry in a few minutes, you old goat."

"Right." Bates felt a kiss on the top of his head, and Thomas was gone.


Lunch, two days later

The Servants' Hall

Thomas did not see much of Baxter except at meals. At each gathering, he observed her surreptitiously while she ate, but he saw no sign of distress, no hint of a broken relationship. Perhaps Molesley had ignored his outburst.

Today, as the servants returned to their duties after lunch, Anna asked Thomas if he could come to the work area he had set up for her in the attic storeroom. "Let's go now," Thomas suggested. It was one of those lovely days when the entire family was out for the afternoon, and the servants had a brief respite.

As they walked up the stairs, Anna confessed that she was making no progress whatsoever converting her sketch into a pattern. When they entered the storeroom, Anna switched on the lamps. Her latest pattern was pinned together and draped over a discarded dress form that Gladys Cooper had sent along with the two rolls of pattern paper she provided at cost. Thomas knew that it came from the theatre Cooper managed on a tight budget, so he had insisted on paying for shipping.

Thomas walked slowly around the dress form. He reviewed the sketch that was sitting on the old table Thomas had appropriated from the storeroom and sanded smooth for Anna. He walked around the dress form again in the opposite direction.

Anna began to giggle. "It's awful, isn't it."

Thomas burst out laughing. "I'm glad you know it. I didn't want to break it to you."

"I don't have talent after all, Pooh," declared Anna as their laughter subsided.

Thomas examined the sketch again. "No, Anna, you have talent. You need instruction, that's all. Let me see what I can do. Perhaps there's someone in London who can help you."

"Thank you, Pooh."

"What's this?" Thomas waved toward a proper sketchbook and a set of Caran d'Ache colored pencils.

"They were a gift from John."

Thomas smiled. John never disappointed. "There's something John needs to buy for himself."

"What's that?"

"A swimming costume."

"Pooh, do you still believe you're going to teach him to swim? He won't agree to it."

Thomas sat on the old fainting couch. "Then help me to convince him, Anna."

"How?"

"Tell him ... tell him swimming is a sport he can enjoy with his children. He'll have a freedom in the water that he doesn't have on land."

Anna sat next to Thomas. "I hadn't thought of that. What else can I say?"

"It will keep him young."

"What?"

"Anna, be honest. John's not as active as he would be if he wasn't dependent on a cane. He's been gaining weight, and he's not as muscular as he used to be. If it weren't for the stairs he has to climb here, he'd be in terrible shape."

Anna sighed. "I know. I worry about it. I'm afraid of him aging too quickly. I'm afraid of losing him before his time, Pooh."

"I worry too. It's only going to get worse. Swimming will build up his chest and arms. It may even allow him to improve his bad leg, which will make the stairs less of a chore for him. Find a way, Anna. I need to do this for him."

Anna smiled. "All right, sweetheart. Leave it to me."


6.24 AM, Wednesday, June 29, 1927

The Meadows Outside Downton Village

Thomas gazed at the sky through one of the Eclipsia screens that Bates had purchased in bulk. It was the moment of totality, 99.95% totality in Downton according to the newspapers. Thomas was moved by the simple beauty of the event in spite of the clouds thinly veiling the sun. He wished he could join the others lying on blankets and watching the eclipse uninterrupted, but he was obliged to drop his screen regularly to check on the large group of children spread out in front of him. It was amusing to see the youngsters kneeling or sitting cross-legged on their blankets holding pinhole boxes over their heads. All except Timothy, who was younger than the others. He had righted his box and was sound asleep inside with his head resting on the rim.

It had been a glorious night. There had been an impressive cold buffet and dancing at the Village Hall. Thomas danced with Minnie and Anna and the more bashful women. A newlywed couple won the contest for best eclipse dance. The children played games in a large tent and made their pinhole boxes. Then there was the trek to the meadows with jazz band accompaniment. Mums pushed prams and dads carried sleeping toddlers. Families, courting couples, groups of single men and women, and the children with their pinholes set out their blankets on the grass. Babies and children slept and the band took a break while the adults enjoyed an early morning tea. The band played again and invited attendees to sing their favourite moon-themed songs. The band played its last song, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, at 5.30, just as the eclipse was beginning. The song wasn't jazzy, but young and old knew the words and sang along.

The eclipse ended at 7.21. By then, most adults were packing away their blankets and collecting their children for the stroll back to their homes or their cars or the trains. Few would be expected to begin work on time that morning. As Thomas picked up Timothy, he thought he heard clapping. He turned to investigate and saw a group surrounding a man and a woman. The man was on one knee. With Timothy asleep on his shoulder, Thomas maneuvered in and out of the small crowd to get a better look. The man on one knee was Molesley! Anna was standing nearby and shushing the crowd. "Miss Baxter hasn't given her answer yet!" she cautioned.

Thomas was stunned. He held his breath waiting for Baxter's reply. He could not hear what she said, but it must have been yes because everyone was clapping again and cheering. When Thomas finally worked his way through the crowd, he shook Molesley's hand. "Congratulations, Mr Molesley! You put me through hell, you know, keeping it to yourself, but I suppose I deserved it."

Molesley looked at Thomas with confused amazement. "I'm getting married, Mr Barrow."

Thomas laughed and clapped Molesley on the back. "Yes, you are, Mr Molesley. You're going to be a very happy man. I'm jealous!"

Molesley blinked. "You jealous of me? Who would have thought!"

Thomas could not get near Baxter, so he carried Timothy to the Abbey nursery. He caught up to Baxter on the stairs when they both were headed to the attic to change. "Congratulations, Fizzy. I know Flossie would have been happy for you. I think she would have approved of Molesley."

"I think Flossie would have approved of you, too, Thomas."

"I hope so. It's kind of you to say, anyway."

"Isn't it peculiar, Thomas? Joseph has always had difficulty with important decisions. What do you suppose pushed him over the fence?"

Thomas bit his lip. "I have no idea, Fizzy. It must have been the romance of the eclipse."


That night

The Bates Cottage

Timothy was asleep in his bed, and Anna was sitting on Bates' lap, nursing Emilia. "Aren't we too heavy for you, John?"

"Never."

Anna studied Bates' expression and playfully tweaked his ear. "What are you thinking, Mr Bates?"

"What will you give me to find out, Mrs Bates?" he teased.

"I do have something to give you."

"Do you?"

"I do. Something you need."

"That can't be. I have everything I need," Bates replied dreamily.

"Not everything." Anna stood and placed Emilia in her cradle. Emilia was plump and healthy and could be counted on to sleep soundly through the night. Anna removed an item wrapped in white tissue paper from Thomas' shelf.

Bates chuckled. "A new hiding spot. I thought I knew them all."

Anna sat on the sofa with the item on her lap. She removed the tissue paper to reveal a man's swimming costume. "Here it is!"

"Anna! I'm not learning to swim!" Bates pushed himself out of the chair. "Thomas put you up to this!"

"There's no need to get excited, John."

"You don't understand, Anna."

"All right. Then tell me."

"I'm ... I'm not learning to swim, and that's that!" Bates declared with finality.

"John, please sit down."

"No!"

"Fine. Then I'll stand." Anna wrapped her arms around Bates' waist. "John, I can't bear the thought of losing you. I need to know that you could save yourself if you were ever to fall in the water again."

"I've explained it to you more than once! Knowing how to swim wouldn't have saved me. My foot was caught."

"Why couldn't you take hold of your foot and pull it free the way Thomas did?"

"Why? Because ... because the current pushed me downstream of my foot. I couldn't fight the current."

Anna did not want to hurt her husband's feelings, but she was determined to make him see sense. "The man I married could have fought the current."

"What? What are you saying, Anna?"

"I'm saying that I can't put my arms around you as far as I could back then. You're not as fit as you were, John."

Bates pulled away from Anna's grip and grabbed his hat and Old Ram. He opened the door and turned back to Anna to have the last word. "I'm 48, Anna. Almost 50! What do you expect of me?" He stepped outside and slammed the door behind him.

Anna was in bed when Bates returned an hour later. She listened to him undress and felt him slip under the covers next to her. She silently turned to face him.

"Anna, you knew I was a cripple when you married me."

"I knew you had a limitation. I never thought of you as a cripple. Not until now."

Bates rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. "Why now?"

"Because you're refusing to help yourself."

Bates was silent.

"If you learned to swim, then you could teach Timothy and Emilia."

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Thomas needs this. Let him take charge of you for a change."

"Take charge? He's the butler, for pity's sake, and last night he managed our most successful event yet!"

"That's not what Thomas says. He says it was all you. It was your idea, and you did all the work while he was ill."

"Good Lord! He knows full well why I was able to get things done. He had every step, every obstacle, every decision worked out in that damned notebook of his. That man can see around corners. Besides, he did his share of the work once he recovered."

"We treated him like a child, John, and now he doesn't trust himself."

"What choice did we have?"

"We didn't have a choice then, but we have a choice now. You still won't let him out of your sight."

"It's only been a couple of weeks."

"If you want to help him, John, then show him how much you trust him. Let him teach you to swim."

"Anna ... you don't understand. Learning to swim is ... it's terrifying to me."

Anna cuddled close. "I know, darling. You hate that it terrifies you, don't you?"

"Worse, Anna. I hate myself."