Brothers United: A Time of War Part One
"Thomas, are you an idiot?" Tom raged at his older brother, his frustration evident in the fiery intensity of his words. "Why on earth would you want to join the Army in the time of war, helping our oppressors?" Tom's voice quivered with a mixture of anger and concern.
Thomas, standing before his younger brother, appeared both frustrated and conflicted. There was undeniable love between the brothers, a bond forged through years of shared experiences and mutual support. However, their outward appearances were not the only differences that set them apart. Tom, having spent his entire childhood in Ireland and later attending university in Cork, was steeped in the fervour of republican activity. His convictions ran deep, and he could not fathom his brother's choice.
Thomas, on the other hand, had spent his childhood in Bray with Tom until the age of fourteen, but his adult life had been predominantly in England. This divergence in experiences had shaped his views differently from his brother when it came to the Irish question.
"O'Brien said that they will be reducing staff at Downton because of the war, and I should get in early and join the RAMC," Thomas explained, trying to rationalise his decision. However, Tom's incredulous look made him realise that this explanation was inadequate.
"Why are you listening to that old witch?" Tom's eyes flashed with frustration. "RAMC! Are you mad? For God's sake, you speak seven languages, including German and French with no accent. You should bloody well tell the army that, and you'd get a nice cushy office job translating French grocery lists," Tom said, shaking his head in exasperation at his dunderheaded brother.
Thomas looked at his brother in surprise. He had spent so long downplaying his language skills that he hadn't considered them as valuable assets. "Oh!" he said as the possibilities presented themselves, his frustration now redirected towards himself for not realising this sooner.
"So, have you handed in your notice then and told them you are joining the Army?" Tom asked, concern etching lines on his face as he assessed the seriousness of the situation.
Thomas, his expression shamefaced, nodded in response. "Yeah, I spoke to Carson and handed in my notice. Carson looked pretty happy about it," he admitted, revealing the steps he had already taken.
Tom, unable to stay angry at his brother for long, stepped closer and grabbed the back of Thomas's neck, pulling their foreheads together. He sighed, his fingers brushing lightly against the hairs on Thomas's nape. "I love you more than anyone else in the world, even when you are an absolute idiot," Tom whispered with affection and exasperation intermingled.
"I love you too," Thomas whispered back, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions. Tom was not just his brother; he was his confidant and closest companion in the world.
"So, you love me more than Lady Sybil or is that, Lady Mary?" Thomas couldn't resist teasing his brother, who seemed to be in the process of charming both of the Crawley sisters, Lady Sybil and Lady Mary.
Tom blushed at the mention of the beautiful Crawley sisters, his feelings for them a source of inner conflict. He had engaged in lively conversations with both sisters, but he was just a lowly chauffeur, aware of the vast social divide that separated them. Though he had been submitting articles to various magazines and slowly building up his reputation as a writer, he knew he shouldn't be thinking of either sister in a romantic way, especially without a serious plan for his future. Tom was well aware that he was playing with fire, and he had had many a row with Thomas over the matter.
Tom's main aim in life was clear: to save enough money so that his beloved brother, Thomas, would be able to attend university and have the same opportunities that Tom had. As far as Tom was concerned, Thomas was wasted in a life of service at Downton Abbey. He believed in his brother's potential and was determined to see him rise to greater heights.
However, the new wrinkle of the war cast a shadow over Tom's plans and filled him with worry. He couldn't help but wonder if Thomas was being influenced by O'Brien, whose advice and schemes were notorious for leading to trouble.
Tom expressed his concerns to Thomas with a mixture of resignation and frustration. "You do realise if you join up, I'll have to join up too, just to make sure you don't do anything stupid and get yourself killed?" Tom's words carried a sense of responsibility, as he knew he couldn't stand by and watch his brother rush into danger.
Thomas, alarmed at the prospect of his brother being drawn into the war, looked at Tom with wide eyes. "I will tell you one thing; this war isn't going to be over in a matter of months like the papers are saying," Tom stated firmly.
Thomas, however, appeared sceptical at this declaration. "You really think so?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Tom couldn't help but give his brother a withering look, shaking his head at what he perceived as Thomas's naivety. "Honestly, Thomas," he sighed, "sometimes your cynicism fails you, especially when it comes to matters like this."
In Tom's eyes, Thomas was often too gullible and impulsive, quick to believe in grand ideas and schemes. That's where Tom felt his role was essential – to ground his brother and ensure he didn't make reckless decisions. He knew that Thomas tended to fall for every scam going, especially those whispered into his ear by the vindictive O'Brien.
Tom had spent the past two years at Downton, which had given him the opportunity to put a stop to some of Thomas's more hairbrained schemes, particularly those involving Bates. He tried to impress upon Thomas that it was acceptable to not like someone, but it wasn't a valid reason to go on a vendetta against them. It wasn't a personal affront to Thomas that an old friend and comrade of the Earl's had been hired as his valet instead of Thomas. Tom believed that Thomas needed to learn to navigate the complexities of life without letting his emotions lead him into trouble.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead before the war, Tom had finally managed to save enough money for Thomas's university fees. The brothers just needed to figure out a way for Thomas to attend university while Tom supported both of them. The war had certainly thrown a spanner in the works just as their hard work was on the verge of paying off, a fact that frustrated Tom to no end.
In the dimly lit chauffeur's cottage, Tom and Thomas huddled together, their voices hushed as they discussed the prospect of joining the army during the war. The gravity of the situation hung in the air as they weighed their options.
"Right, I will talk to his lordship about joining up after winter," Tom declared with determination. "I'll say I don't want to leave him in the lurch and so forth. I'll then lay it on thick about us being separated and that we wanted to join up on the same day."
Thomas listened carefully to his younger brother, his brows furrowed in thought. "O'Brien said I should join up sooner rather than later so I can get the pick of assignments," he mentioned.
Tom continued to look at his brother in disbelief. "You really want to be up to your arse in freezing mud?" he asked incredulously. "You are not going to get your pick of anything, no matter how early you join up. It just means you will have to survive the war longer."
Tom's gaze bore into Thomas's eyes with fierce determination. "So don't you dare sign up without me," he warned sternly. "You would probably end up in the infantry without me."
Thomas sighed and nodded in agreement. "Okay, I promise I won't sign up without you," he conceded, realising the wisdom in Tom's words.
"Right, so it's agreed," Tom said, his voice carrying a note of finality. "I will talk to Lord Grantham and get your resignation postponed until after Christmas, and then we both sign up together."
Thomas nodded once more, a sense of relief washing over him. He was glad that Tom had talked him out of joining up straight away. Their pact to join the army together, whenever that might be, was a testament to the unbreakable bond between the two brothers. They may have their differences and disagreements, but in the face of challenges and uncertainty, they stood together as a united front, determined to face whatever lay ahead side by side.
Tom Branson continued to navigate the winding roads, the motorcar purring along smoothly as he contemplated his mission. With each passing mile, he became increasingly aware of the stark contrast between his own perspective and that of the Crawley family, particularly Lord Grantham.
The war had consumed the world for a month now, and Tom, a man of principles, he had strong convictions about the futility and horrors of warfare, found himself questioning the sense of honour and glory that seemed to infuse those who were eager to join the conflict. He had studied history, particularly revolutions, and understood that great social changes could come with war, but he decried the waste of young lives for the political posturing of imperialist governments. He was careful with his choice of words when discussing such matters with the Crawley family.
Tom couldn't deny that the Crawley's, despite their privilege and social standing, were genuinely decent people. His experience with them had shown him their kindness and good-heartedness. However, it was precisely their elevated social status that sometimes left him feeling exasperated. It wasn't that he disliked them; in fact, he had grown fond of the family. Rather, it was their blindness to the perspectives and concerns of those outside their social circle that frustrated him.
In Tom's view, they often failed to recognise that different, yet equally valid, opinions and fears existed beyond their aristocratic bubble. Even someone as compassionate and socially conscious as Lady Sybil, with her dedication to political causes, seemed unaware of the unique privilege her wealth and social standing bestowed upon her. She could freely express her political beliefs, attend rallies, and champion her causes without fear of repercussions. It was a luxury that individuals like Anna, the head housemaid, or even Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper, could ill afford. The lower rungs of society had to be cautious about publicly declaring their beliefs, as it could jeopardise their livelihoods.
Tom, who was well aware of his own privilege as an educated man, recognised that he had greater freedom to express his ideas and thoughts compared to his brother, Thomas. Currently serving as the first footman at Downton, Thomas had even fewer opportunities to voice his opinions openly. This discrepancy in their freedom of expression was not lost on Tom, and it weighed on his conscience. However, Tom was no fool. He knew better than to voice such opinions openly, especially in the presence of his employer.
As they drove along, Tom decided it was time to embark on the first step of his plan to ensure that his older brother, Thomas, did not rush headlong into the dangers of war. He carefully chose his words, aware that he needed Lord Grantham's cooperation in this matter.
"So, my lord," Tom began cautiously, "you've heard that my brother Thomas is signing up?"
Lord Grantham, ever the traditionalist, responded with enthusiasm, "Oh yes, good show that, serving king and country."
Tom couldn't help but clench his teeth at the simplicity of the response. "Of course," he replied diplomatically, "I will be very sorry to leave you." He glanced at Lord Grantham through the rearview mirror, noticing the faint beginnings of a frown.
"Leave us? Whatever do you mean?" Lord Grantham inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Tom seized the opportunity to explain, "Well, I swore that Thomas and I would never be separated again. I couldn't possibly let Thomas join up without me. I need to keep an eye on him. There's no telling what trouble he would get into without me." Tom allowed a hint of sadness to creep into his smile, ensuring that Lord Grantham could see his expression.
A note of worry entered Lord Grantham's voice as he asked, "But, but what would I do for a chauffeur?"
Tom responded confidently, "I'm sure you could find a chauffeur easily enough." He sensed that Lord Grantham was growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of losing his chauffeur.
Lord Grantham then offered a suggestion, "Maybe you shouldn't be too quick to join up?"
Tom shook his head in feigned regret. "I hate to leave you in the lurch," he emphasised, "but you couldn't expect me to abandon my own brother in his time of need, not when he is signing up to serve king and country." Tom carefully avoided expressing any personal desire to serve the King, as that would have been blasphemous.
Lord Grantham's reply reassured Tom, "No, no, of course you can't abandon your brother."
With the first part of his plan successfully executed, Tom allowed some time to pass. The journey would take at least 40 minutes, and he decided to let Lord Grantham stew for fifteen minutes or so, before presenting his solution. He had observed that, while Lord Grantham was not a bad man and usually a fair employer, that when it came to the Crawley family, it was the women who got all the brains. He was lucky the dowager Countess was his mother, she would eat him alive if he wasn't. As it was all the women ran circles around him, except for timid Edith, who seemed to be a rule follower, unlike her two bolder sisters.
As the miles rolled by, Tom kept a watchful eye on Lord Grantham, waiting for the right moment to reveal the next step in his plan.
The motorcar continued its journey along the country road, the hum of the engine providing a backdrop to Tom Branson's contemplation. He could see that Lord Grantham had been stewing in thought for a while, and it was time to offer a solution that would align with his lordship's interests.
With a bright and cheerful expression on his face, Tom turned his gaze to the rearview mirror, ensuring that Lord Grantham could see his sincerity. "I just had a thought, my lord," he began.
Lord Grantham looked at him with anticipation, hoping for a solution to the dilemma that had been occupying his mind.
"What about if I talked to Thomas and persuaded him to postpone his enrolment into the army?" Tom suggested with a warm smile. "We could suggest he delays it until after Christmas. By spring, you would have found a new chauffeur, or at least someone I could train."
Lord Grantham considered the proposal, the worry lines on his forehead gradually smoothing out. "Do you think he would go for that?" he inquired.
Tom, maintaining a thoughtful facade, allowed a touch of hesitation to creep into his response. "I'm sure I could persuade him," he said. "We are all we have, after all. I think he would do it for me."
Lord Grantham's face brightened with relief and gratitude. "Capital!" he exclaimed, convinced that this solution had alleviated his concerns. "You truly think of everything, Branson."
Tom nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. The first step of his plan was complete, and it seemed that Lord Grantham had come to the conclusion that postponing Thomas's departure was indeed the best course of action.
As the motorcar continued down the road, "Oh no," Tom said, a hint of concern in his voice, "I just thought, Thomas has already handed in his notice to Mr. Carson. Maybe Mr. Carson has already hired a footman?" Tom's worry was palpable, knowing full well that at present, there was no one available to fill the position.
Lord Grantham, seated comfortably in the back of his motor, turned his gaze toward Tom, his brow furrowing in thought. He took a moment to reassure Tom, his voice carrying a sense of responsibility. "No, no, Mr. Carson hasn't hired anyone yet," he assured Tom. "I will speak to Mr. Carson this evening and tell him there has been a change in plans. Thomas won't be leaving now until after Christmas," Lord Grantham affirmed, taking charge of the situation.
A sense of relief washed over Tom as he heard Lord Grantham's commitment to resolve the issue. A small smile graced his lips as he acknowledged his employer's swift response. "That's an excellent idea, your lordship, I will make sure to talk to Thomas about postponing joining up," Tom commended Lord Grantham, his appreciation evident in his words.
With this conversation, the first step was taken to ensure that Thomas's resignation would be rescinded, and the two brothers could continue to work and support each other. Tom knew that he needed to remind Lord Grantham on their return journey to solidify the plan, and he anxiously awaited word that the conversation with Mr. Carson had indeed taken place, securing Thomas's position at Downton Abbey.