A/N- Happy New Year to everyone who reads my stories, I hope 2019 is good to you and your loved ones.

Thank you to those who have engaged with this story so far. It's really quiet around here, isn't it? Hopefully it will pick up with the release of the Downton film later on in the year. A bumper upload today, I have the next four chapters ready to go. So here they are. Enjoy and if you feel like it, give me a follow or a review, I appreciate every one.

Disclaimer- Downton doesn't belong to me.

The phone call offering John the part of Mr Peter Henderson had come the day after his audition with Anna. After a two hour phone conversation with Robert and with memories of his scene with Anna fresh in his mind, John knew he had to take the part. Yes, it was television, a world he had always been reluctant to revisit, but he knew deep down he'd regret it if he didn't accept. Although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he didn't want anyone else to be Peter. The role was his.

Now, he found himself sitting at a rather large round table, the principal cast members sitting with him. There were familiar faces from television programmes he had seen recently and from the handful of times he had watched Downton Grange. There were some faces he recognised that he hadn't even realised were in the show.

Robert, who played James Gallagher, headmaster and geography teacher was sitting on John's left. It would turn out that their two characters would become firm friends, John looking forward to acting with Robert once again. Then there was Anna on his right, whose role was Miss Charlotte Atkins, biology teacher. John was grateful to be sitting in the middle of these two people with whom he already shared an acquaintance.

However, directly opposite him was a certain Charles Carson, a massive British television icon who had a number of starring roles in some of the most famous programmes ever broadcast. He played maths teacher David Arnold, John didn't know how he had neglected to remember this legend was in the show. It made him realise immediately what a stellar cast Downton Grange possessed.

Other household names were also sat with them, John coming to the read through in the knowledge he would be meeting Phyllis Baxter, Elsie Hughes and Margaret Patmore. He wondered if the latter remembered his part as 'police officer number three' as she played the lead in an episode of the crime drama in which she made her name. He guessed not when she had greeted him with a polite handshake and a friendly 'nice to meet you.'

Then there were the younger members of the cast, John quickly understanding why a magazine had labelled them as the best looking actors on television. There was Anna, of course, but she was also accompanied by Gwen Dawson, a beautiful, talented young actress who John had seen in a play a couple of years ago. He was unfamiliar with the work of Daisy Robinson, apart from her work on the show but it was obvious she was a popular cast member.

John felt his age amongst the younger male cast, all of them were clearly good looking and took care of themselves. Thomas Barrow was the only one with whom he was familiar, remembering his time as singer in a popular late nineties boyband before he turned his hand to acting. Tom Branson was an Irish actor, John knew him from an independent film he had seen the man in and had been very impressed. Finally, Andy Parker and Jimmy Kent had joined the show in the last half of the first series, Downton Grange being their first television roles.

And so, these were his new cast mates. John had forgotten how much work a read through could be, as well as daunting. But once he had read a few scenes, he could feel himself becoming more comfortable with the atmosphere and those around him. This was of course helped by how effortless Anna made it seem. Most of his scenes were with her, he was coming to realise. They had only seen the first couple of scripts before today, and although there were inklings something would happen between Charlotte and Peter, John wasn't expecting for their characters to be this involved with one another.

They broke after a couple of hours, John rising from his chair to walk over to the refreshment table to replenish his drink. They had just read quite an intense scene between his character and that of Thomas Barrow, Mr Adam Firth. He had been kept on his toes by the former singer but John felt he more than held his own.

'You're doing great, John.'

He felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to be met with the beaming smile of Tom Branson. John reciprocated. 'Thanks, I forgot how intense these read throughs are.'

'Ahh, you make it look easy,' the man continued, reaching across the table for an apple. John nodded his head in gratitude as Tom took a bite of his chosen snack before returning to the table. John followed, looking up to notice Anna sitting alone, scrolling through her phone. He carefully rejoined her, not wanting to disturb her.

'Do you ever wonder how we ever got along without smartphones?'

He hadn't been anticipating her question, John making sure Anna was talking to him before he replied. She had indeed been addressing him. 'Back in the day all we had to rely on was a diary and a landline.'

'I couldn't imagine that,' Anna gasped, tapping her chin with her index finger. John was coming to realise in his short experiences of her Anna really did have the most endearing way about her. 'Anyway, it seems like we are going to have a lot to do together in the next few months.'

'Yes, it does. I wasn't expecting it to be this much, though.'

'Well, it wasn't meant to be,' Anna explained, holding his full attention. 'Evelyn was so impressed with your audition and our scene, that he pushed the story writers for more scenes between me and you.'

'Really?'

Anna nodded. 'Yes, really. I hope that doesn't disappoint you.'

'No, not at all,' John was quick to reply, offending Anna being the last thing he wanted to do. He swallowed hard. 'On the contrary, I shall look forward to it very much.'

*************************************************
It had been one of the younger cast members who suggested the cast went out for dinner the evening after the read through. This sort of thing wasn't really John's scene, but he didn't want the others to think he was standoffish and kept himself to himself. Well, not yet anyway.

At dinner, he had been sat with Charles, Elsie and Margaret which John had to admit he had thoroughly enjoyed. All three of them were actors he admired and it had been a joy to sit with them and listen to their tales. Watching his cast mates, it soon became obvious to John that Robert was very popular, particularly with Tom, Gwen and Anna.

The elder statesmen of the party had left to return to the hotel, whilst John had been encouraged to stay by Robert. It was nice to reminisce about his past endeavours, a time in his life where he had felt invincible and that everything he touched turned to gold. No worries, no cares, just doing what he loved with people he loved doing it with.

It had been cathartic almost to talk about the good old days that John had taken a while to realise a lot of the younger cast had left. On the other side of the table Gwen and Anna remained, locked in a close conversation, and Robert had now engaged Tom in a debate about politics or something or other. Everyone else was gone.

Alone with his thoughts, John found himself staring at Anna, watching her as she spoke. She had come to dinner in a navy blue dress, her hair cascading in blonde curls that danced upon her shoulders. The truth was, she was stunning and it was becoming more difficult for John to ignore. He knew she was seeing someone, nothing was ever going to happen between them, John didn't even want another relationship. But he felt a connection between them at his audition, and he had felt it again today at the read through. They could be friends, he supposed. Perhaps however, she was just that good an actress.

Gwen rising to her feet made John shake himself out of his momentary daydream, she leaving Anna and disappearing towards the ladies. Before John had a chance to steady himself as Anna met his gaze, she was walking towards him, he soon came to realise her intention was to sit beside him.

'Can I ask you something, John?'

'Yes.' He could sense she had drunk a fair bit, her demeanour more friendly towards him than it had been before.

'Do you have anyone special in your life?'

He felt himself blush, John clearing his throat as he considered her observation. 'Erm, no. Not at the moment.'

'Why not?' Anna shrugged. 'A good looking, talented man like you.'

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 'Why do you ask?'

'I just wondered, that's all.' John decided to focus on a point beyond Anna's shoulder rather than retain eye contact. He hated talking about this. It seemed Anna could sense his awkwardness. She placed a hand on his forearm. 'I'm sorry, I should have said when I've had a few drinks I become a little more loose lipped. Gwen's always telling me that. '

'It's fine, honestly,' John replied, looking down at her hand where it lay on his arm. He was actually surprised she didn't know about his past. The papers had covered it enough at the time. 'Do you really not know?'

She shrugged her shoulders again. 'Know what?'

John raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'Well, in the past couple of years I have been through a horrendous divorce.'

'Oh my God,'Anna gasped, laughing awkwardly as she brought her hands to cover her face. 'I am such a ditz. I'm so sorry.'

'Anna, honestly. It's fine,' John assured her, 'everyone else knows about it so I'm actually surprised you don't. The tabloid coverage on my marriage breakdown was pretty extensive.'

'I don't read the papers or magazines,' Anna answered truthfully, 'and I don't really watch the news.'

He grinned, 'Well, that would explain it then.'

'I'm sorry you've had such a lousy time recently,' Anna remarked, squeezing his arm once more.

John shrugged. 'Yeah, well...' He didn't know what to say.

Suddenly, the sound of her ring tone filled the air. Anna made her excuses and walked away from the table, moving to sit at a vacant one opposite. John sighed. Maybe it was time to make his departure. Rising to his feet, John looked to Robert who was still in conversation with Tom.

'See you later, boss,' John said, announcing his intent to leave. Robert turned his head, quickly telling John he would see him soon and Tom offering John the same promise. Nodding in acknowledgement, John began to stride towards the entrance to the restaurant.

'Oh, you're leaving John?'

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Gwen leaving the ladies. 'Yeah, I'll see you in a few weeks though?'

'Yes you will,' Gwen agreed as she closed the gap between them. 'I can't tell you how excited we are to have you on board John, all of us.'

'Well, that's very kind of you to say. I'm looking forward to working with you all too.'

Just as he stepped away to continue leaving the restaurant, he felt Gwen tug him back. 'Before you go, it's Anna's birthday just as we start filming and me and Tom are organising a small gathering for her to celebrate, please say you'll come. She's feeling a bit down about it all because her boyfriend won't be there and we wanted to do something special...'

'I'd love to,' John found himelf replying all too keenly causing Gwen to furrow her brow. He cleared his throat as he put his hands in his trouser pockets. 'I mean, it would be a pleasure to attend. If I'm not too tired from working for the first time in a year, of course.'

'Well, it would be great to see you there,' Gwen replied, tapping him on the shoulder. 'I'll know more when we meet up to start filming.'

************************************************
Joseph rolled his eyes as he just about stopped himself tripping over the pile of scripts that sat on the floor beside John's side of the sofa. He was carrying two beers in one hand and a bowl of popcorn in the other.

'I could have cracked my head open on the coffee table,' Joseph exclaimed as he carefully trod over the pile of papers. John was engrossed in the script he was currently reading, not even noticing Joseph's misdemeanour. Another two episodes of Downton Grange, series two had arrived on his doorstep that morning.

'Hmm,' John hummed as he turned the page.

'Don't worry about it. So, you been killed off yet?' Joseph asked, sitting beside John and handing him his beer. The bottle remained suspended in Joseph's grip, John not averting his gaze from the words in front of him. Joseph was losing patience now. 'Oi, John.'

'Hmmm?'

At the end of his tether, Joseph placed the beers and popcorn on the coffee table in front of him and snatched the script away from his friend.

'Hey Joe, be careful with that.'

'Will you listen to me, then?' Joseph snapped back, leaning forward to retrieve John's beer and passing it to him, this time he accepting it. 'Put the scripts away, it's movie time.'

'Sorry mate, I just want to make sure I have this stuff down before we start filming in a couple of weeks.'

'You mean, you don't want to look a fool in front of Anna 'the nation's darling' Smith.'

John glared at his friend. 'No. I just want to come across as the consumate professional I am.'

Joseph laughed out loud. 'Bollocks.'

'We have three kissing scenes so far in this series and I'm only up to episode seven of ten.'

Joseph took a sip of his beer before replying, 'I'm definitely not helping you with those scenes.'

John exhaled a deep breath, looking up to the ceiling. 'Joe.'

'John, you're an amazing actor,' Joseph began as he turned the DVD player on. 'I know it, the producers of this new show know it. Anna Smith knows it. So just relax. You can play this part with your eyes closed. Which is something you need to remember to do whilst your locking lips with Miss Smith. It won't look pretty otherwise.'

'Thanks for the tip.'

Just then, John felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Retrieving it, he was surprised to see a message from Anna. Making sure Joseph was occupied with the DVD remote, John opened the message.

Hi John, have you read the scripts? I just wanted to tell you it's some of the best stuff I've ever had. I can't wait to work with you. Anna x

John couldn't wait either.