Thomas was glad that he didn't forget his torch this time walking up in the morning. The sun didn't rise for another hour and a half yet and since it was cloudy, there wasn't even the light from the moon so it was almost totally dark walking along the lanes and paths to Downton. It didn't bother him that much. Darkness created a shelter from the world when he didn't want to be seen and it was just how things were this time of year, the shortest day or longest night, fast approaching. He switched his torch off before as he walked through the gate into the backyard at Downton, stuffing it into his coat pocket. But before his eyes could adjust to the darkness, a figure ran into him as he turned a corner, making him jump at the unexpectedness of the incident.
The light from the lamp outside the backdoor revealed the strangers identity. "Stephen? What are you doing?" Thomas asked.
The light was dim, and Thomas couldn't see his face that well, but he could tell that he was embarrassed. "Sorry Mr Barrow, didn't see you there."
"Clearly not, you should watch where you're going," Thomas said, feeling a bit irritated at being startled like that. "Though you shouldn't be out here at all really. Anything you want to tell me?"
"No. Um, sorry Mr Barrow. I was um..." Stephen paused, obviously trying to think of an explanation he could tell the butler. "There was a mouse you see. I was getting rid of it," he explained, not meeting Thomas's gaze as he spoke.
"At this time in the morning? Outside?" Thomas said.
"Um, yes. It was near the door you see," Stephen said, still not looking Thomas in the eye.
Thomas could tell by the way that Stephen kept looking towards the back door, that he really was hoping that he wouldn't be interrogated anymore. Thomas didn't believe his rather badly crafted excuse for a second. Stephen was outside for a reason that he didn't want anyone to know about. Staff weren't supposed to be out at this time in the morning or late at night without a good reason and he should have taken it further, but as he didn't know why Stephen was outside then he couldn't accuse him of anything. Thomas had snuck out many times when he was a footman, but he was more careful about it. He decided to leave the matter, at least for now. "I see. Well you should get inside and dress properly, before anyone else notices your absence," Thomas said.
"Yes. Thank you Mr Barrow," he said, wasting no time in getting inside. Thomas let him go ahead. He hoped that Stephen wasn't doing anything stupid. He had his suspicions, but would keep those to himself.
...
Later on that morning, Thomas was overseeing the family's breakfast upstairs. Traditionally, married women were allowed to have breakfast in their rooms, but more often than not Lady Mary and, sometimes Lady Grantham, would eat breakfast at the table now. It didn't bother Thomas one bit where they chose to eat breakfast in the morning, as he didn't see it as either his problem or any of his business, though he would reckon that Mr Carson would be disturbed by yet another tradition being thrown out the window, so to speak. The only thing that crossed his mind was it would be nice for himself to be able to eat breakfast at a more humane time in the morning, such as when the sun had actually risen. He supposed though he shouldn't complain. Not when Richard would be happy to cook him breakfast every morning he ate at home. Thomas had tuned himself out of the conversations going on at the table, though not completely so he would hear anything that would involve him. It was skill that he had perfected over many years, along with keeping an expressionless face whilst he stood there, even though there were many thoughts that were going on in his mind that would normally require an expression of some sort.
Unfortunately, Stephen who had been a footman for only a few months at Downton, had not mastered such skills and was gazing ahead of him out of the window. He had an expression on his face that Thomas would describe as a mixture of dreamy delight, and concern. This was no doubt linked to the incident outside this morning. He would have had a word with Stephen about professionalism whilst serving upstairs, but Stephen's day dreaming state of mind caught him out before Thomas had the chance to intervene. Lord Grantham had indicated that he wanted his coffee refilling. Indicated, not asked, as another skill that servants must accomplish is the ability to read the mind's of their superiors. 'It would make things a lot easier if Lord Grantham could just ask, but that's not how things are typically done. No idea why', Thomas thought, before giving Stephen a very poignant glare which seemed to wake Stephen from his dream. "Sorry M'Lord," Thomas said. "Stephen did not sleep well last night so is not himself."
"That's quite alright Barrow," Lord Grantham said. "You should tell Stephen to lay off the cheese before bed. Eating too much of that always gives me a restless night."
It was meant as a joke, but Thomas had a hard time resisting rolling his eyes. 'As if a footman on his wages would be able to afford to snack on large amounts of cheese before bed! They really have no idea do they?' Thomas thought. "Yes, M'Lord," he replied. He then heard Lady Grantham say something about how he shouldn't be eating such things anyway at his age as it was not good for his health, but Thomas was more occupied by thinking that he should try to get to the bottom of what is going on with Stephen, though he hates the idea of causing the lad to worry. Like he thought earlier, he has a rough idea of why he was out this morning and why he has been so distracted lately. The thing is, he has to be completely sure before he intervenes.
...
Thomas was relieved to get away that afternoon. It was his half day off and he was heading straight off to Thirsk to buy Richard his Christmas present for this year. He had been thinking long and hard about what to give him and he wanted to give him something special as this was to be their first Christmas spent together. He came up with an idea a few days ago, and was hoping that Richard wouldn't think it was too much. Getting something special like this though obviously was going to cost him. It was going to cost him a lot. Cost him an arm and a leg, as they say. He would not be spending much for several months after this, that was certain. It would have been worse though, if he wasn't able to call in one of the few favours that he was owed.. He would not eat for months if that wasn't the case. Richard seemed to have an endless list of contacts, and favours he could call on, which was probably a benefit of living in London and not a small village. Thomas though, only had a handful, though he was lucky in this case, that one such person, worked in a jewellers shop in Thirsk.
He found his way from the bus stop to the shop easily enough, even though it had been many years. Thirsk was much bigger than Downton village, but still not large enough to get lost in. He was glad to find he was the only customer in the shop when he arrived. "Thomas Barrow! It's been a while hasn't it?" A tall man with a smartly cut beard and neatly arranged dark brown hair, said from behind the counter.
"Hello Michael, you got my message then?" Thomas said. He had sent a note to Michael a few days ago when he came up with his idea of what to get Richard.
"Straight to business I see? Yes, I did. The one I put aside for you, has a unique price, as promised," Michael said. "Unique, but still not cheap."
"Oh I didn't expect it to be. But I appreciate the help," Thomas said.
"Anything for you. Consider it repayment for making my time in bloody France a bit more bearable," Michael said.
"We had to do what we had to do, didn't we?" Thomas said.
"Aye, we did. But how was I supposed to resist you when I saw you on parade in your uniform?" Michael said with a knowing smile.
"We were all in uniform so I don't think that had much to do with it," Thomas said.
"Perhaps, but you always outshined the rest Thomas. You still do," Michael said.
"Michael, careful! We might be overheard," Thomas said, lowing his voice.
"Oh relax! We're alone here. The boss has gone out. Gone to see a supplier apparently, though since that is the third time this week he has been out, I reckon he's gone to see his mistress. And his wife is out in York shopping, so like I said, we're fine," Michael said. "I suppose considering you have asked me for such a gift, that you wouldn't be available to relive some of the better memories from those times tonight, right?"
"I'm afraid not, no," Thomas said, as Michael handed over the box and Thomas looked inside. 'He will love this. Its perfect,' Thomas thought as he smiled.
"Shame. Though whoever he is, he's a lucky bloke to have found you, and to have your affection" Michael said, as Thomas handed over the money that they had agreed on earlier.
"Thank you Michael. I am grateful," Thomas said.
"No problem. Until next time then?" Michael said.
Thomas smiled, glad to be reminded of one the few good things that happened in those years in France. "Until then. Take care of yourself Michael."