Chapter 16
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"What have you been up to?" asked Freddie.
"Nothing!" said Jimmy too quickly, "I was just…" Jimmy racked his brain trying to come up with any reason for his being there before giving up realising there was nothing he could say that Freddie would believe.
"I have to go" muttered Jimmy as he quickly shoved past the valet and was behind his door before Freddie could get another word in. Jimmy leaned against the door and hearing the faint sound chuckling and a door open and close.
Jimmy swore, why of all people he could have bumped in to did it have to be Freddie!
His night with Thomas had been more amazing then he could ever have imagined and Jimmy hated the idea of Freddie knowing about it and thinking it was anything less then what it was. It also forced Jimmy to face the fact that although this may all be completely new to him, it was obvious that Thomas had prior experience with who knew how many others, Freddie included. While Jimmy was well aware his own actions with Freddie hardly made him innocent, he knew that that what he had shared with Thomas was something completely different, on a whole other level that they alone had shared. As much as Jimmy wished to deny it, it bothered him that Thomas had already shared so much of himself with Freddie and others.
"What makes you think you're so special" said a voice in the dark corner of Jimmy's mind.
Shaking his head he pushed his insecurities to one side, determined not to let them spoil things. He jumped as a hall boy rapped on his door.
"Six o clock" shouted the boy before moving on to the next door.
Jimmy tossed his jacket (which was still in a crumpled ball under his arm) to one side and grabbed his towel before heading to the bathroom hoping to get in before a queue formed.
By the time Jimmy gat down to breakfast he was feeling much better. He had to stop himself from automatically sitting next to Thomas, instead he took his usual seat next to Alfred. Thomas, who had been watching Jimmy since he entered the room, nodded with approval. He didn't mind the other staff noticing they were on friendlier terms but didn't want them speculating any further than that. The last thing either of them needed was for suspicion to fall on them.
Freddie dropped into the seat next to Thomas breaking him out of his revive. He nodded hello to the valet who smiled back. To Thomas' surprise he looked up in time to see Jimmy glaring at Freddie. Thomas raised his eyebrow in question but when Jimmy caught him staring his eyes dropped to his porridge.
As Mr Carson entered the room the table sprang up and remained standing until the butler sat down at his usual seat at the head of the table.
"Good morning everyone, now the schedule today has a few changes…"
Thomas drifted off as Carson began handing out the new duties for the day. He stifled a yawn already feeling the effects of a sleepless night. Or maybe it was just Carson's voice. Raising a hand to cover another yawn the butler's attention focussed on him.
"Perhaps a journey to the village would help wake you up Mr Barrow. I understand Mrs Patmore was left short on yesterday's delivery so you go and pick up the missing items."
"Of course, Mr Carson" said Thomas biting his cheek to hold back an angry retort.
He knew the delivery to which Mr Carson was referring had been short four bags of flour which not only would be heavy to carry but also were not even needed until next week due to a last minute change in the menus.
Mrs Hughes frowned. She too was well aware of this and while she did not want to raise the subject to Mr Carson in front of everyone, she did insist that one of the footmen should accompany Thomas. Carson begrudgingly agreed.
"James, Alfred, one of you can accompany Mr Barrow".
Jimmy's heart lifted and upon hearing a groan from Alfred seized his opportunity.
"I'll go if you like" he said to the ginger footman.
"Really?" asked Alfred in disbelief surprised by his fellow footman's sudden selflessness.
"Ye, I wanted to go into town anyway to pick up some…" Jimmy racked his brains "combs… for my hair."
Jimmy knew it was a feeble excuse but Alfred seemed to accept it.
Jimmy met Thomas' eye across the room and smiled shyly at him.
Jimmy turned to face the head of the table.
"I can go into the village Mr Carson."
Carson's eyebrows rose, it was practically unheard of for Jimmy to volunteer to do anything he didn't have to. However he simply nodded his thanks.
Carson was not the only one confused by Jimmy's sudden change in attitude.
"It's not like you to be so obliging James", commented Mr Bates. "Something you want in the village?"
"Or someone?" asked Freddie mischievously causing the maids to giggle into their napkins.
"No!" said Jimmy too quickly blushing furiously.
Alfred seeing his friend's distress tried to be helpful.
"He needs to buy new combs for his hair" he explained.
The table was silent for a beat until everyone erupted into laughter. Even Carson appeared to be fighting a smile.
Luckily the bells behind them began ringing calling everyone to task and they went about their duties still chortling.
"It wasn't even funny!" fumed Jimmy some time later as he and Thomas made their way down the pathway out of the abbey grounds
"I mean, explain to me what is so hilarious about having to buy a bloody comb for God's sake!"
Thomas wisely stayed quiet deciding not to mention that it was probably the footman's fascination with his own reflection that had tickled the servants so much.
"Just forget about it" consoled Thomas. "It means we get to spend the morning together away from Downton and something tells me we are going to be terribly delayed."
Jimmy smiled for the first time since breakfast. "Oh alright." He conceded, "But you're buying lunch!"