Chapter 83: COLOSSUS
Later that day
The Grantham House
Thomas and Bates were the only out-of-town males who would be serving at Grantham House for the remainder of the season, so the men's quarters were rechristened the family quarters. Thomas had assigned Carson and Mrs Hughes to the butler's room, where he found them comfortably ensconced. Thomas was the butler, but Carson was much taller, and the butler's room housed the only large bed in the attic. Thomas was content to take the room down the corridor for himself, with Anna and Bates as his next-door neighbours.
Anna did not want to disrupt Emilia's schedule with trips to the attic, so she chose to have the baby sleep in the nursery with Miss Katherine and Master George. Timothy begged to stay in the nursery, too. "Help Kat-in! Help Kat-in!" Miss Katherine had taken her first steps the day prior to the London trip, and Timothy was convinced that she required his expert tutelage.
Miss Sybbie was thrilled to be assigned to Lady Edith's old bedroom. Miss Petty was equally but discreetly thrilled to be assigned to the bedroom next door. "Sybbie per-moted," Timothy explained when Anna came to nurse Emilia.
Anna repeated Timothy's remark to Bates who repeated it to Thomas. "Promoted?" Thomas chuckled as he and Bates dragged themselves up the stairs at the end of their long day. "I hope she won't be lonely."
"She'll be fine. She can always knock on Miss Petty's door."
"I suppose. Don't forget to set an early alarm, John. I'll meet you in the kitchen at 5.00."
"Anna will appreciate that!"
"Doesn't she have to wake up early for Emilia? It won't make any difference to her."
"I don't see why we have to sneak about like thieves before the pool opens," complained Bates. "Why can't we go in the afternoon?"
Thomas turned to Bates, who stood on the step below. "I want you to be successful, that's why. You won't be comfortable if you're being splashed and bumped by other swimmers. Morgan went to a lot of trouble to arrange an early entry with the caretaker."
"Don't expect me to be grateful," grumbled Bates.
"I expect you to show up," countered Thomas.
"I said I'd be there, didn't I?"
Thomas joined Bates on the step below and lowered his voice. "Stop it, John."
"Stop what?"
"This cavalier attitude. You can't ignore your fear, and you can't beat it into submission."
"What do you mean? Isn't that why I'm doing this ... to conquer my fear?"
"No, John. You're doing this is to lose your fear, not conquer it. There's a difference."
"I'm tired, Pooh, and I don't understand whatever the hell it is you're trying to tell me. I'll see you in the morning."
Thomas grasped Bates' wrist. "John, listen to me. You have to accept your fear, or I can't help you. You have to tell yourself, I'm afraid, but going to do this anyway."
Bates yanked his wrist free, took hold of the banister and hobbled up the stairs alone. He turned to see Thomas leaning against the stairwell wall with his arms crossed. Thomas was stubborn, but he was right. Bates had been wrestling with his fear the entire day, and it was no contest. Was he going to trust his little brother or not? Bates held up his hands in supplication. "I'll do it your way, Pooh."
Thomas grinned. "What lovely words!"
The next morning
Westminster
Grantham House was less than a mile from the Great Smith Street Baths. As they walked past St. James Park, Thomas asked Bates how to prepare bubble and squeak. Bates understood that Thomas was trying to distract him. He pried his mind away from swimming pools to the vision of his mum in the kitchen. "Boil the cabbage first, so it has time to drain. Then fry thin slices of cold boiled beef in a bit of butter. Be gentle or the beef will dry up. My dad would insist that beef shouldn't be fried for bubble and squeak, but my mum would fry it anyway. They had the same argument every time she served it." He chuckled at the memory. "While the beef is frying, slice an onion. Not everyone adds onion, but that's how I like it."
"I like it with onion too. What's next?"
"Press the cabbage to drain the last of the water and mince it. Then fry it with the onion slices in a bit of butter and salt and pepper until it's hot and the onion is cooked. You know the rest. Pile the cabbage on a dish and place the beef on top."
"But that's a cinch!" remarked Thomas. "I'll have to try it when we're back at Downton. Now tell me how to fix kedgeree."
They arrived at the baths to find the caretaker, Freddie Howe, waiting at the door. He was a heavyset man who smiled broadly in spite of his few teeth. He had a stutter and preferred pointing with his cigarette to speaking. He led Thomas and Bates to the pool and turned on the lights.
When Bates saw the pool, he felt his throat constrict, and the humidity from the water made the air impossibly thick. As he struggled to suck air into his lungs, he looked about the large space. There were seats beyond one end of the pool, and curtained changing cubicles that ran about the other three sides. He looked up to see a balcony with additional seating. A large clock was attached to the balcony rail, and a sign hung below that read, SHALLOW END.
"Change quickly, John. Dawdling will only give you time to dwell."
Bates nodded and the two men stepped into separate cubicles. Bates followed Thomas' advice and changed as quickly as he could. I'm afraid, but I'm going to do this. I can't breathe, but I'm going to do this. I've forgotten how to dress myself, but I'm going to do this.
"I'm waiting, John."
Bates stumbled out of the cubicle and joined Thomas who stood below the clock. Thomas was wearing one of those newer two-piece swimsuits that showed off his athletic build: a sleeveless white top tucked neatly into dark blue trunks held up by a white belt. Bates was wearing a more modest one-piece costume of dark green: a sleeveless, thigh-length top attached on the inside at the waist to trunks, with red stripes banding his chest and the bottom edges of the top and trunks. He imagined that he looked like some forlorn Christmas tree ornament.
Thomas gestured to the water. "We're at the shallow end, John. See the wooden steps on the side?" Bates nodded. "I'm going in the water first to show you how shallow it is, then I'll help you down the steps."
Bates' legs were jelly, but he managed to follow Thomas to the steps. Thomas stooped, propped his hand on the edge of the pool and dropped himself into the water. "It's a bit chilly," he reported.
"Good. I'm sweating."
"Then you'll enjoy it." Thomas straightened to his full height. "See how shallow it is? Not even to my hips."
"I see."
Thomas climbed out and planted himself firmly on the steps. "Give me your hand, John, and I'll help you down. I don't know why they have steps without railings."
Bates backed up. "I can't do it, Pooh."
"Remember what I said, John. Allow yourself to be afraid. Be afraid and give me your hand."
Bates stared at his feet and silently commanded them to move, but nothing happened. "I'm sorry, Pooh. It's not working. I'm going to change." He stepped away from the pool's edge to give himself a wide berth as he walked to his changing cubicle.
"You can leave, but you'll have to walk back to Grantham House in your swimming clothes."
Bates froze. "What did you do?" he demanded.
"I didn't do anything, John, but Mr Howe took your clothes while you were watching me."
Bates rushed to his cubicle and flung open the curtain. "My shoes and Old Ram, too?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Fine! I'll wear your clothes."
"He took my clothes, too, John."
Bates knew there was no point in checking Thomas' cubicle, but still he pulled back the curtain. The cubicle was empty.
"John, he'll put back everything as soon as you get in the water."
Bates stood paralyzed, uncertain of his next move. He felt a hand on his shoulder and spun about.
"Calm yourself, John. There's a simple solution."
Bates pushed Thomas' hand away. "You would do this to me?"
"John, I'm not doing this to you. I'm doing this for you."
"Aren't you clever. You have an answer for everything."
Thomas remained even-tempered. "Stand here, John, and watch me." He returned to the steps and descended into the water. "Do you see that there's a railing about the edge of the pool?"
Bates was watching but refused to answer.
Thomas took hold of the rail. "I'm not swimming, John. I'm standing and holding the rail." He walked slowly towards the deep end while keeping one hand on the rail. "Do you see, John?" he shouted. "I'm walking and breathing exactly as if I were standing on dry ground."
Bates looked at the clock. His Lordship usually rang for him about 7.00. How was he going to explain his absence? He looked at the empty cubicles. I am not walking through Westminster in my swimming costume. I'd be arrested by the time I reached the park. He looked at Thomas, then looked at his feet. Walk, damn it! We have no choice but to do this!
Thomas turned when the water reached his chest. He was relieved to see Bates standing by the steps. "Wait for me, John!" He swam to the shallow end and climbed out. "Take my hand, John. There's plenty of room on the steps for both of us."
Bates took Thomas' hand. "I'm dizzy, Pooh, like some foolish swooning girl."
"No one's here to see but me, John. I'll catch you if anything happens. Feel foolish and take one step."
Bates held his breath. He stepped onto his good leg and followed with his bad leg until he was comfortably balanced on the first step. The cool water enveloped his ankles and helped to clear his head.
"Breathe, John."
"Right."
"Are you breathing?"
"I'm trying."
"Take another step."
"Isn't this enough for the first day?"
"No. Take a step, John."
Bates clung tightly to Thomas' hand and lowered himself to the next step. The water lapped at his knees, which made him gasp.
"One more step, John, and you'll be standing on the bottom of the pool. You'll feel more secure on the bottom than on that narrow step."
"Enough, Pooh," begged Bates, carefully turning away from the water. "This has to be enough for one day. I can't do more."
"Are you certain?" Thomas asked calmly.
"I'm certain."
"Very well. Have you got a good grip on my hand?"
"Yes."
"All right. Give me a moment to get my footing."
Bates felt Thomas shift his weight and step down to the pool floor. He expected Thomas to return to the bottom step. Instead, Thomas grabbed him about the waist and pulled him away from the steps and into the water. Bates flailed wildly.
"John, put down your feet and stand up!"
"I can't breathe!"
"If you're speaking, then you're breathing. Put down your feet!"
Bates found the bottom of the pool with his feet.
"Good. Now stand up. All the way, John." Bates straightened his legs and stood. Thomas kept firm hold of his waist. "We're going to walk together to the edge where you can hold onto the rail."
Bates nodded and extended his arms. As soon as they were close enough, he grabbed hold of the rail and pulled himself to the edge. "You bastard!"
"I know, John. I'm sorry."
Bates recited the litany of crimes that had been committed against him that morning. Thomas only nodded and repeated, "I know, John."
Once he had exhausted his list of offences, Bates felt calmer. He looked down at his legs in the water and then looked up at Thomas. "I'm doing it, aren't I?"
"I believe you are, Mr Bates."
Bates began to distance himself from his fear, as though he had watched panic overtake a man separate from himself. Had he actually been afraid to stand in this over-sized bathtub? "Perhaps, I could do a tad more, Pooh."
Thomas rewarded him with a broad grin. "We have a little more time. Hold onto the rail with your left hand only ... can you do that?"
"Yes."
"Now walk towards the deep end until the water's up to your chest. Take all the time you need. I'll walk with you."
Bates gripped the rail tightly with his left hand. He took a tentative step and felt secure. "I thought the bottom would be slippery, but it's not."
Thomas stopped them before the water reached their armpits. "Let's not press our luck. How does it feel, John? Is there less pressure on your knee?"
"I think so. It's ... buoyant."
"Let me show you what I'd like you to try next time."
"All right."
Thomas raised his arms out of the water and walked as quickly as he could across the width of the pool and back. "You have to push through the water, but it supports your weight at the same time. You can exercise your legs without hurting your knee."
"Let me try it once," asked Bates. "With you beside me," he added quickly.
Thomas shrugged. "If you insist."
Bates considered what he was about to do. "Yes, I want to try."
Thomas smiled. "All right, arms up!"
Bates let go of the rail but grabbed it again. I'm afraid, but I'm going to do this anyway.
"Breathe, John."
Bates nodded and took a breath. He let go of the rail and raised his arms.
"Good. Ready, steady, go!"
The pair took off across the pool. It took more effort to push through the water than Bates had expected. He was so concentrated on forcing his way ahead of Thomas that he paid no attention to the water splashing his face. He reached the edge, turned, and headed back.
"I thought you wanted me beside you!" shouted Thomas as he pushed off the wall to propel his return.
"Catch up!" Bates yelled back. When he reached the starting point, he shouted, "I win!"
"No fair," protested Thomas. "I didn't know we were racing."
"Are you going to cry, little brother?" teased Bates.
Thomas started for the steps. "Get out of the water, you cheat. We have a day's work waiting for us."
Bates hurried to keep up. He was not so comfortable in the water that he was ready to be left alone. "You'll have to get our clothes back from Mr Howe."
Thomas laughed. "Mr Howe put them back as soon as I pulled you into the water."
Bates hooked his arm about Thomas' neck in that way of his. "You devil! I ought to drown you right now."
"Then who would help you out of the pool?"
"Mr Howe."
"Good luck!" Thomas pulled free and ran through the water followed by Bates in close pursuit. He reached the steps first and raised his arms in victory. "I win, you old goat!"
Thomas and Bates left the humidity of the baths and stepped into a pleasant, sunny morning. Bates spread his arms. "I feel wonderful."
"I'm glad, John."
"You did this, Pooh. I never could have managed it without you."
Thomas felt his chest lift. "Good. One point for me."
John stopped walking. "Thomas, are you keeping score?"
Thomas looked up with surprise as he always did when John addressed him by his proper name. "The one who's lagging behind can't help but keep score."
John drew closer. "I don't want it to be that way, little brother. There's no score between us."
"No?"
"No!" Bates began to walk towards the park. "Besides, you're a terrible scorekeeper, Pooh. You cured me of my fear of water. That's not a small thing."
"John, you're not cured. It's not that easy to overcome a phobia."
"What do you mean? I was up to my chest in water, and I was fine."
"I know. It was exciting to see, but ..."
"But?"
"Don't be surprised if the fear returns from time-to-time while you're learning to swim."
"Then you believe you can teach me?"
"I can teach you, John."
"Good."
The two men walked a while in silence and watched London come to life.
"John ... how is it that a man who's not afraid of anything is afraid of the water?"
"Not afraid of anything!" Bates laughed heartily. "What do you take me for? One of the heroes in those storybooks you read to Master George?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
Bates laughed again and tousled Thomas' hair.
Thomas pulled away. "Don't do that! We're in public!"
Thomas and Bates walked again in silence.
Thomas could not contain his curiosity. "Are you going to tell me or not?"
"All right, little brother. Imagine me not as the colossus you see before you ..." Thomas snorted. "Do you want the story or not?"
"Yes, tell me."
"Imagine me as a four-year-old boy let loose from my mother's apron strings for the first time to find my place among the neighbour boys. I followed the gang to their favourite swimming hole and saw immediately that their brotherhood had a hierarchy. The top-tier boys could swim. Naturally, I wanted to be at the top. Swimming didn't seem difficult, and I had no reason to believe that I couldn't. I stripped as all the other boys had and climbed the rock that the boys used to jump into deep water. I held my breath, closed my eyes, and leapt."
"Oh no!"
"Oh yes! As soon as I hit the water, I began to paddle and kick as I had seen the other boys do. Immediately, I sank to the bottom. I pushed off, and my head broke the surface long enough for me to get another breath and scream. I swallowed water as I went down and my lungs ached for air. I didn't know that the other boys were swimming towards me. I managed to break the surface once more, but I had swallowed too much water to scream. The oldest of the boys, Nucky, grabbed me about the chest and pulled me out. He threw me hard over his shoulder, which forced me to spew the water I had swallowed down his back. He slapped my bottom, and tossed me on the ground. I screamed while he dressed, and I screamed all the way home where he dragged me by the arm. He shoved my clothes into my hands and left me naked and wailing on my doorstep where my mum found me. I remember every detail as though it happened yesterday."
"My poor Bonnie John."
Bates felt his lungs tighten.
Thomas clasped Bates' shoulders. "That was a long time ago. You're a colossus now!"
Bates smiled weakly.
"Did you tell your parents?"
Bates shook his head. "Nucky and his mother came by later, and Nucky bragged about saving my life. My dad offered to teach me to swim, but he could never get me back into the water. You're the only one who's managed it, Pooh."
"May I be there when you tell Anna what you accomplished this morning?"
"You have to be there, Pooh," answered Bates, "or she won't believe me!"
The two men stepped inside the servants' entrance where Thomas was accosted by Mrs Hughes. "There you are, Mr Barrow. The Dowager left this note for you after I retired last night. One of the local hires left it on my desk by mistake. I've already had a word with him."
"Thank you, Mrs Hughes."
Bates and Thomas started up the stairs to change into their day clothes. Bates glanced at the note in Thomas' hand. "Mr Barrow, are you and old Lady Grantham having a flirtation?"
"Very funny." Thomas opened the note. "She says she's having tea in her sitting room today with an acquaintance whom she wishes to impress."
"Doesn't Mrs Hughes make those arrangements with Mrs Patmore? Why is she involving you?"
"She wants me to make an appearance."
"I see. What is it now, Pooh? The black bottom?"
