A/N: Thank you for all the reviews, etc., since the last chapter was posted. All of it is, as always, greatly appreciated. I value every single one. Thanks to those who reviewed for the first time. I hope that you choose to review again.
I want to especially thank my wonderful betas: Tripp3235, mswainwright (in absentia for this chapter due to her busy schedule) and _livingfree (on Twitter) (in absentia for this chapter due to school work). Without these wonderful people, who listen to me gripe and have the patience to slog through chapter after chapter despite their busy lives, the quality of every aspect of this story would be much poorer indeed! :)
To provide a time reference for the weekly readers, we pick up in this chapter the morning of May 27, 1919.
Disclaimer: Not mine. All Downton Abbey characters belong to Julian Fellowes and ITV. I'm just playing with them.
Chapter 32
Sybil spent the following morning finishing some of the finer work on Cathleen's bridesmaid's dress. After lunch, Sybil stopped by Mairin's before she went shopping for food for the family's supper. Mairin was more receptive to Sybil's pleads and agreed that Brigid's Sunday best was good enough. When she returned, she spent the rest of the afternoon cooking the meal with the occasional question for Mrs. Branson. It was the routine that Sybil had been keeping most days since she arrived in Dublin and as Sybil had always thrived on routines, she did not want to vary from it on this day.
It was the calm before the storm and she wanted to savour it. Her sisters were arriving the next day and she doubted that she would be able to enjoy the peace of living with Tom's mother following the same routine once they arrived. When Tom was there that evening for supper and some time afterward, Sybil spent so much of it by his side that he asked quietly when his mother had to attend to something else with Cathleen, "Is everything all right?"
"Yes. No. I don't know," said Sybil. "The thought of my sisters' arrival tomorrow has me in tumult. On the one hand, I long to see them because after we're married, I won't be seeing them for quite a while. On the other, I'm still upset that my parents aren't coming and I will be reminded with every topic we discuss."
"You know you can always change the subject," said Tom gently. "You can show them Dublin and our flat. Likely they will be spending time following your mother's instructions. After all, they are still responsible for getting the wedding breakfast together." Seeing tears well up in Sybil's eyes, Tom pulled her closer and tried another tact. "Try to enjoy it as much as you can. You are marrying only once in your life, at least I hope it's only once or else I will be dead and we can't have that."
Sybil smiled through her unshed tears. She had almost made it a full day without crying. After thinking about it, she said, "You're right and they will be gone within a week, I should make the most of it."
"I have some good news," said Tom. "I forgot to mention that when I was speaking with Mr Connolly yesterday, he offered to loan us his car for the day of the wedding. I would have it from when I leave work at noon on Thursday until Friday at noon, but that would solve our problem with how to get from the church home after the wedding breakfast."
"That's very kind of Mr. Connolly," said Sybil, stroking his arm. "He must like you very much."
"I'm not sure about like or not, but he did call me his star columnist and he did tell me that circulation has picked up since my column started and the letters about it have been steadily coming in."
"That's wonderful," said Sybil, proud of Tom. "I knew you would excel as a journalist."
"I'm glad you knew, because I wasn't so sure and it can be difficult to have to come up with a thought provoking article every week."
"That should make you appreciate Pastor Whelan's sermons more," said Sybil, teasing him.
"Well, it certainly gives me a better appreciation of his ability to come up with a different sermon weekly," said Tom. He looked at Sybil beside him. "Do you like attending Rathgar Christian church?"
"I do," said Sybil, looking at her hands, "I feel inspired and at home there. Would your family mind if we decided to attend service there rather than attending the local parish?" Sybil knew that Tom wasn't much of a church goer and that he would go wherever she wanted.
"Mairin might make a fuss, but Ma won't mind," said Tom, stroking Sybil's hand. "If she did, she wouldn't have sent us there to get married."
"Good," said Sybil, smiling. "I was worried that your mother would object and after all that she's done for us, I'd rather not oppose her."
"She'd probably want us to come here for Sunday dinner since she won't see us at church, but you wouldn't mind would you?" asked Tom.
"No, especially not after I start working in September and won't be able to visit during the week," said Sybil.
"I'm very happy that you and Ma have become fast friends," said Tom. "I was afraid that you two wouldn't get along."
"How could you think that I could dislike your mother?" asked Sybil, giving him a look. "She has been nothing but helpful and kind since she wrote back to us the first time."
"I was worried when she first wrote telling us that she thought we were very foolish," said Tom truthfully. "I thought perhaps she would take a stand and just rush us through the motions."
"Regardless how she would have seen me, I would have been very grateful for any help she gave us," said Sybil earnestly. "When we arrived here, I knew no one but you, and by extension, your family. I would have been very foolish indeed if I didn't take help however it was offered."
Tom took Sybil's hand in his in this juncture and said quietly, "This is why I adore you so. You always try to focus on the positives in every situation."
Sybil blushed at his compliment. "I'll try to live up to your expectations and try to focus on the positives of my sisters' arrival tomorrow. Did you know that your mother is still having my sisters over for dinner on Saturday evening?"
"Yes, she mentioned it when I spoke to her on Monday morning," said Tom. "I think you were changing when she mentioned it. She wants Mairin and Ciaran to only bring their spouses and specifically said that she wanted everyone in their Sunday best."
"She's asked a couple of girls in the neighbourhood, Libby and Nora, to come help with the cooking and the serving that day and she's borrowing a full china service and cutlery set from her aunt."
"Yes, they are her neighbour's , Mrs. Campbell's, nieces," said Tom. "Both have a good head on their shoulders and since their sister, Una, is housemaid near Cork and their brother, Niall, is a footman near Kildare, they know how to serve properly. The china set must be from Aunt Ava."
"Yes, that's her," said Sybil.
"She's my grandmother's youngest sister," said Tom. "She married very well and lives near where your sisters are planning to stay."
"Does all that really matter?" asked Sybil. "All the trouble your mother is going through for my sisters, I mean."
"Ma wants to make a good impression on them while they are here," explained Tom. "She wants to show your sisters that you won't be living in squalor with uncivilized folk and that you'll be treated well by my family. She always worried when Niamh and I went off to a new position. She just wants your sisters to go back to Downton to tell your parent that you'll be fine here."
"I've never thought of it in that way," said Sybil. After a short pause, she added, "Your mother is very considerate to go through all that trouble for me."
Tom chuckled. "I'm not sure that it's all for you. Ma has a bit of pride and wants to show that while we're not an upper class family that we still know how to host a dinner for one."
"Still it's very considerate."
Mrs. Branson sat down at her chair again with some darning and asked, "Is what very considerate?"
"All the trouble you're going through for my sisters on Saturday," said Sybil.
"It's no trouble at all," said Mrs. Branson. "I want to show your family a real Irish dinner, not something they will find at that hotel of theirs and I can't do it all just by myself. Besides, I figure that once your sisters are here, you'll be spending most of your time with them, as you should."
"I hope that I will spend at least one more evening here after tomorrow," said Sybil. "I've enjoyed my time living in your home. I've learned so much in such a short time."
"Well, we'll all miss you when you're married, Cathleen especially," said Mrs. Branson. "She's already been asking when we'll see you again. I told her that we'd see you at Mass every Sunday."
Sybil looked at Tom, who then spoke up. "About Mass, Ma."
"What about it?" asked Mrs. Branson, looking up from her work.
"Sybil and I were just talking about it and we've decided to continue going to Rathgar Christian Church after we're married," said Tom. "We both like Pastor Whelan and his sermons are very inspiring and since he's marrying us without a residency requirement ... We hope you won't mind?"
"I see," said Mrs. Branson with a neutral tone.
"You know that I've not been inspired by the sermons at the local parish for years," said Tom in a pleading tone. "If you recall, I used to argue with Father Fitzgerald over a number of things in hopes that he would say something more interesting and the fact that I'm inspired by Pastor Whelan and his sermons make me want to attend church regularly again, should have some weight on where we should attend services."
"While I'll not say that I'm not disappointed by your decision, I know that your view of the local parish has never been a good one. So given the choice of you attending Rathgar Christian vs not attending church regularly at all. I must say for the sake of your everlasting souls that I'd much prefer the former than the latter."
"Thank you, Ma," said Tom. "I appreciate your support in this matter. You know I'll hear about it from Mairin."
Mrs. Branson nodded. "Your sister did consider becoming a Sister once. She takes after your Da in this."
"And you remember my arguments with him when I was Connor's age."
"I do, which is why I'm not surprised by this decision especially after I heard his sermon the other Sunday. I'll expect the two of you for Sunday dinners then." Mrs. Branson did not phrase the last bit as a request.
"Of course, Ma."
"Thank you for your understanding, Mrs. Branson." Sybil finally had the courage to speak up.
"I'm sure that Cathleen will be overjoyed," said Mrs. Branson." She was already lamenting about the short time she'll be seeing Sybil after Mass."
"Cathleen and I have become fast friends," said Sybil, smiling. "Being the youngest child, I've always wanted a younger sister and Cathleen has filled that position nicely."
"And Cathleen has always wanted a sister closer in age, so it works out well," said Mrs. Branson. "Sybil dear, do you know what your sisters' plans are after they arrive tomorrow?"
"My mother wrote that they will be taking the ferry from Holyhead, so I'm sure that they will want to settle in the hotel tomorrow evening. She instructed them to send word once they have their bearings after their day of travels. I expect that they'll send for me on Thursday morning after breakfast. I suspect that we'll sort out the plans for the rest of the week then. I know that they will be here on Saturday evening for dinner, and attending services with Tom and I on Sunday morning and of course be at the wedding on Thursday afternoon."
"Ma, do you know when Niamh is getting into Dublin for the wedding?" asked Tom, thinking about logistics. "We need to ensure that she can get here in time for the service."
"In her last letter," said Mrs. Branson. "She was planning to leave the house at noon to catch the train from Athlone, which I believe arrives in Dublin at nearly three. I think she was planning to take the bus and tram to get her to the church."
"I can meet her at the railway station," said Tom. "I was just telling Sybil that Mr. Connolly at the paper is lending me his car from noon on Thursday to noon on Friday. I can drive the family to the church whenever it's convenient for them."
"That's very kind of Mr. Connolly," said Mrs. Branson, thinking aloud. "I'll let Niamh know when I write her this week. I know that Cathleen is taking the day off from work and you can take us and maybe Brigid when you get the car, since we should be there early to decorate the church. I know that Mairin will want to wait until the boys are out of school. Connor's school lets out about a half hour after theirs, so perhaps you can take Connor and the boys after you pick up Niamh and come back for Mairin and the others. As for Aileen and Maeve, we'll have to see how Aileen is doing that day. Then one final trip to get Kevin and Ciaran after work is finished."
"You might need to write all that down for me, Ma," said Tom. "I'm having trouble following all that detail now. I can't imagine that I'll be able to recall it all on my wedding day."
"No need to worry," said Mrs. Branson. "I'll have a list for you that day."
"Thanks, Ma," said Tom, consulting his watch. "I better be going. I want to get a few hours of work in before I go to sleep. I'm trying to get a start on the following week's column this week so that I can take a few days off after the wedding."
"I'll walk you out," said Sybil when she and Tom rose from their seat.
"Goodnight, son," said Mrs. Branson. "Don't work too late and over sleep the next morning."
"I won't, Ma," said Tom when he took Sybil's hand and led her to the front door of the flat.
When they reached the front door, Tom and Sybil stepped outside the flat for a little more privacy. Tom then pulled Sybil in for a long kiss. When they pulled apart, Tom said, "I don't think we'll have much opportunity for this once your family arrives, but we'll be married in less than ten days and we'll have more opportunity then."
"Finally, I can't wait," said Sybil with a smile. "I want to spend time with my sisters, so I may not be here much in the evenings after tomorrow. I know you're trying to work some overtime to get the extra column written so we may not see each other much in the next week. Might you be able to keep your Saturday and Sunday free?"
"I could do that, especially if we won't see much of each other the rest of the week. Why?"
"I'm sure that Edith and Mary will likely want to see you without the family and you could come with me to see them on Saturday before the dinner."
"We still have to find a ring before next Thursday," said Tom. "Perhaps we can spend a little time doing that on Saturday morning?"
"That's a good idea," said Sybil. "We can't get married without a ring."
"Ma wants us here when your sisters arrive," said Tom.
"That won't be a problem since my sisters will want to change for dinner."
"Of course," said Tom, smiling. "How could I forget." Seeing Sybil's sad face, Tom added, "Try to stay positive."
"I will try," said Sybil, looking up at him. "Goodnight, Tom."
Tom pulled Sybil in for another kiss before saying goodnight.
Sybil finished the last of the embroidery on Mrs. Branson's handkerchiefs after Tom left that evening and after ironing them along with her clothes for the next day, placed them into a small box that Cathleen had procured from work. She then wrapped it in some brown paper and tied it with a ribbon.
The next morning Tom announced that he would be working late that night and would head straight home after work. Disappointed, Sybil offered to do the dinner dishes instead in order to walk Tom to work, so when Tom left, Sybil walked with him. After offering his arm at the front stoop, Tom said, "I'm sorry that I won't see you tonight. I didn't get as much as done as I had hoped last night as I forgot to bring some papers with me. I'll see you Saturday."
"Will you be at the office later each night?" asked Sybil, taking his arm.
"I expect so, why?" asked Tom, putting on his cap.
"I may call you there sometime from the green grocers, just to hear your voice," said Sybil.
"I'll see you every morning when I come for breakfast," said Tom, stroking her hand. "Perhaps you can walk me to the office every morning?"
"I'd like that very much," said Sybil.
They spent the rest of the walk to the office talking of his next column.
When Sybil returned to Mrs. Branson's flat, she went into her room to put down her pocketbook before bringing out her work and her package for Mrs. Branson. As she sat down at her place at the table, she placed it in front of Mrs. Branson.
Mrs. Branson looked up at her. "What's this?"
"It's a small token of thanks and appreciation for all that you've done for me and taught me in the last month," said Sybil smiling. "With my sisters arriving tonight, I didn't know whether I'd have another opportunity to give it to you. I finished it last night after Tom left."
"You know you didn't have to do this," said Mrs. Branson, undoing the ribbon and taking off the brown paper.
"I did," said Sybil. "You've done so much for us since we first wrote you and you've taught me so much in the month that I'd been living here that I don't know what I would have done without your kindness and your help. This is truly a small token of my appreciation."
Mrs. Branson opened the box to reveal the four beautifully embroidered handkerchiefs. "These are beautiful. This work must have taken a long time," said Mrs. Branson looked at the fine details in the roses.
"Tom took me to a haberdashery the first week before he started work and Cathleen lent me her hoop and needles and got me the threads that I needed."
"You even have all three of my initials."
"Cathleen told me when I asked for her hoop and needles," said Sybil. "Tom was the one who suggested that I embroider some handkerchiefs for you."
"I'm not sure I've had such beautiful handkerchiefs before," said Mrs. Branson, truly moved. "Thank you. I will treasure these."
"I'm glad you liked them" said Sybil. "I did want to thank you for everything."
Looking at them with appreciation of the fine work, Mrs. Branson said with a little giddiness in her voice, "I'll have to bring one with me to Mass on Sunday. I'm not sure I'll be able to decide on which one. Mrs. O'Carroll is always going on about her daughter-in-laws this and her daughters that. Wait until she sees these."
Sybil and Mrs. Branson then continued with the work they had set out for the morning.
As Sybil and the Bransons were finishing their dinner, there was a knock on the flat door. Cathleen was the first to rise. "I'll get it."
Sybil could hear Cathleen asking whoever was at the door to come in and wait.
When Cathleen reappeared, she handed a note to Sybil. "The boy said that he's waiting for a reply."
Mrs. Branson spoke up. "Tell the boy to come in and have a cookie and some milk while Sybil composes her reply."
"Yes, Ma." said Cathleen, heading to the front door.
"Connor, can you get started on the dishes?" asked Mrs. Branson. "I'll help you clear the table."
"Yes, Ma," said Connor as he got up from the table.
Meanwhile, Sybil went into her bedroom and sat at the desk to read the note and compose a reply.
Dear Sybil,
Mary and I have arrived safely in Dublin and Anna is settling us in at the Gladstone Hotel. We are waiting for dinner to be brought up to the suite. Please reply to let us know when we can send a motor for you tomorrow morning. We hope that you can spend the day with us. We're all looking forward to seeing you.
Your loving sister,
Edith
Sybil took her fountain pen and a sheaf of note paper out and composed a reply.
Dear Edith,
Received your note. I'm glad to hear you're all safely settled. You can send a motor for me here at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to seeing you both.
Love,
Sybil
With that, Sybil sealed the note in an envelope and took out a tuppence from her pocketbook to tip the boy before going back out to the main room where he was finishing up his cookie and milk.
"Here you go and a tuppence for your trouble," said Sybil, handing the note and money to the boy.
"Thank you, Miss," said the boy, getting up from the table after emptying his glass.
Sybil walked with the boy to lock the door behind him. When she came back to the main area, she said, "They'll be sending a car for me for ten o'clock tomorrow morning."
"I'm sure your sisters are looking forward to seeing you," said Mrs. Branson, who was sitting in her chair working on a client's dress.
"And I'm looking forward to seeing them," said Sybil, walking over to the kitchen area, where she took over the drying from Connor.
A/N2: Mary and Edith are here! Now we are entering the final phase of the story. Yippie!
As always, please feel free to point out any typos and grammatical errors. Sometimes no matter how hard you or your betas look, these things get missed. As always, I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter good or bad, so please do review. :)
