September 1, 1918

Downton Abbey

Sunday was Sybil's day off from the hospital so it was her day with Matthew. He had expressed an interest in seeing some of the wilder country so Branson was driving them up to the Yorkshire Dales for a picnic after church.

Since Sybil was walking to and from the hospital that morning there was no need for Mary to come but she tagged along anyway. Sybil plied Matthew with questions about Western Canada to such a point that Mary started to think that she might be considering emigrating there.

Matthew and Mary sat next to each other at church.

While they were waiting Mary leaned toward him and whispered "I am sorry about your sisters"

"It was a long time ago"

"Still"

"You don't think about it for a long time then something reminds you"

"Like me, with my question"

"No, Patricia brought it all back. There was nothing wrong with your question".

They shared a book for the opening hymn and when they sat down again they almost touched.

Branson collected Sybil and Matthew at the church when the service ended and they headed north.

Branson stopped the car close to Janet's Foss where they were going to picnic. Matthew carried the picnic basket and a blanket down to the waterfall. He spread the blanket out and Sybil opened the basket and started spreading the lunch out.

"What about Branson?" Matthew asked.

"What about him?" Sybil answered.

"Doesn't he get to eat?"

"Oh, Mrs. Patmore packed him a lunch."

"Can't he eat with us?"

"It is not proper ..."

"And I am so well known for my propriety." Matthew turned and called "Branson come down here and bring your lunch."

When Branson came to them he smiled at Sybil. Matthew motioned at him to sit down.

"Do you mind if we take out jackets off? It's awfully hot" Matthew asked Sybil.

She smiled her assent.

Matthew checked out the smaller but younger man. I can take him he thought, it'd have to be quick and dirty because of my wound but I can take him.

"Let's see what you have to contribute to our repast" Matthew commanded.

Mrs. Patmore had given Branson two thick roast beef sandwiches. There appeared to be mustard on them. She had given Matthew and Sybil a dozen small crustless sandwiches; cucumber, smoked salmon and devilled egg from the look of them. Branson had a piece of apple pie with a slice of cheese for dessert. Matthew and Sybil had some petite fours. Matthew looked at Branson's lunch and looked at his. Time to negotiate.

"What's your first name?" he asked Branson.

"Tom"

"Mine's Matthew" Matthew stuck his hand and they shook.

Sybil looked on bemused.

"I'll trade my lunch for your lunch" Matthew could see Tom was hesitant. "And I'll throw in Sybil as well"

Sybil gasped. Now Tom looked bemused.

Matthew laughed at them. "I didn't fall off of the cabbage waggon yesterday. I've only been here a few days and even I can see there is something going on between you two. Probably the only people in Downton who don't know are Lord and Lady Grantham and the Dowager Countess and I'm not sure about her, she's a sharp old bird. So why don't the two of you go have your own picnic while I eat Tom's lunch and then have a nap" He gave them a stern look. ""Just keep everything prim and proper or I will have to show you my dark side. Now I want to be back to Downton in time for Patricia's dinner time so govern yourselves accordingly."

Matthew... Matthew wake up" Sybil was shaking him.

"Hmm ...back already?"

"It is almost three."

Matthew stretched. He looked at the two lovers. Nothing appeared untoward.

"So how serious are the two of you?"

They both looked down.

Finally Sybil took Tom's hand. "We're secretly engaged"

Matthew had no snappy comeback to that. After a long time while Matthew tried, without success, to imagine how the Great House was going to take this news he asked "And when does the cat get out of the bag?"

"We are going to tell them at Christmas"

I'd pay good money to see it Matthew thought. As long as I wasn't in the line of fire.

"I presume the way you have it scripted is that you wait until everyone is full of Christmas cheer, you drop your little bomb, you weather the inevitable Crawley temper storm, your father gives you his blessing, and everyone lives happily ever after."

They both nodded.

"Just in case, just on the off chance it goes sideways...do you have a Plan B?"

They both shook their heads.

"So if you're fired" Matthew pointed at Tom "and you're cut off financially" he pointed at Sybil "and you're both cast out in cold you've got nothing."

They both nodded.

"If there is one thing I've learned in the trenches, other than keeping my head down, was that if you're going to poke the bear, or the Hun, as the case may be, you'd better have your escape route planned out in advance." Matthew reached in his jacket and took out a small pocketbook and a pencil. "This is the cable address for my unit, use it to get a hold of me in a hurry. This is my mother's address in Coalbanks, Alberta, Canada. If you do get kicked out I will lend you enough to get to Alberta, steerage class mind you. Once you're there no one will care what class you are or what nationality you are or how poor you are. They will give you a chance to prove yourselves or fall on your faces as the case

may be. My mother will take you in until you can get on your feet."

"Why are you doing this?" asked Sybil.

"Good. You've realized that there's always a quid for every quo. If you take me up on my offer there's something I would like you to deliver to my mother"

"What's that?" Tom asked.

"A little girl"