Chapter 9
Author Note:Julian Fellowes' brainchild, not mine - I wish!
"Oh Walter, that's fantastic! And I'd love to meet your aunt." Sybil said into the telephone mouthpiece. He'd phoned her to explain getting his charity off the ground. She was practically bouncing - she knew Walter was capable of something like this, and she believed in him very much. Metcalfe's Megitators was a brilliant idea, and she knew there were plenty of people who weren't happy with the war. What better way to make a point than to help pensioned soldiers and families?
"I guess Mrs. Crawley will be a bit sour that I've beaten her to the punch." Walter chuckled. Sybil laughed - Walter was right, this was exactly the kind of scheme Cousin Isobel would sink her teeth into. She mused on a thought for a second.
"Listen Walter, I'm sure the musicians you're hiring are chipping into the fund, but would it be crazy if I put money in too?" she asked. There was a deep breath.
"It wouldn't be crazy at all. I… oh Sybil, I could just kiss you."
"Well, maybe wait until the mistletoe's up again." the brunette smiled. Walter coughed, then willed himself to not get distracted by the oddly flirty side of his and Sybil's friendship. He changed tack by bringing something else up.
"If the other Crawleys come along, it should be a good turn-out. Anthony and Beatrice are showing their support, so you and Bea can team up and tease me."
"Walter! I would never do that!" Sybil laughed. "OK, maybe a little."
"I thought as much. And don't tell Bea this, but your teasing is better." Walter smiled. On one of Fenwick Cottage's sofas, Agnes Metcalfe chuckled, running her hand through her light brown hair as she heard half of what was being said. Her nephew's friendship with this Lady Sybil Crawley was clearly different from his one with Beatrice Taylor. Agnes might be a strict schoolmarm, but she wasn't devoid of humour and kindness. She'd save judgement for when she met the young woman.
"Monday 28th, then?" Sybil asked on the other end. "Perfect. It doesn't interfere with Granny no doubt winning the flower show. Again." she laughed. "See you then."
"Likewise Sybil. Give Edith and Mary my regards." Walter smiled, then hung up. He sat down on the sofa where Agnes was currently seated.
"I can gather that's a good camaraderie you've got there." the suffragette said.
"Sybil's great." Walter grinned. "Stepping outside and looking in for a second after a year of knowing her, I'd say we've become quite the double act."
Monday 28th June dawned sunny, and Walter had found a nice spacious area outside Fenwick Cottage for his concert. Beatrice and Anthony pulled up at noon.
"Ah, it's good to be home!" Beatrice teased as she got out of the car.
"140 miles away from your actual home." Walter said, not missing a beat.
"Alright, smart-aleck. Fenwick Cottage is my second home." Beatrice grinned as she hugged him. Anthony cleared his throat and it became a brief group hug.
"So the musicians are here, then?" the curly-haired man asked. Walter nodded.
"Did you two eat on the road? If not, I made sandwiches." the host replied.
"Don't worry yourself, we did." Anthony said. "And here's £4 to get the ball rolling."
"Downplaying the inheritance, then?" Walter teased. Anthony came from noble stock but through an illegitimate line. The three friends laughed and stood in silence.
"Well, as Anthony said, we should get things rolling." Beatrice proclaimed. After an hour, everything was ready for the concert, and the younger Crawleys turned up outside the cottage to find the porch empty. Sybil paused, sure the host was there.
"Where's Walter?" Edith asked. As if he heard her, the auburn-haired man appeared.
"Hello everyone, I was just wrapping up some loose ends." he breathed, kissing Sybil's cheek and shaking Edith and Mary's hands.
After Sybil had been very generous with what she put into the money pot, Walter guided her over to Agnes, whispering reassurances to not be nervous.
"Aunt Agnes, this is Sybil Crawley." he smiled. The older woman's lips quirked.
"It's simply wonderful to meet a trailblazer like you, Miss Metcalfe." Sybil said.
"I'm flattered, my dear." Agnes replied. "Walter tells me you're very passionate about equal voting, and that the two of you have become a bit of double act."
"Walter!" Sybil gasped comically. "Rest assured Miss Metcalfe, your nephew does most of the mischief." she grinned. "Although I must admit, Metcalfe's Megitators is the best bit of mischief he's ever come up with."
"Glad you agree, Sybil. Now I'll leave you two to talk. I have to start everything." Walter responded, making his way over to the stage where the other musicians were. After an announcement for the fair-sized crowd, the band went into a set that was a split between ragtime, blues and music hall. At the first music hall number, Sybil was reminded of Mr. Carson's begrudging admission of being one of the 'Cheerful Charlies', and fought back a laugh.
After an afternoon tea, there was a happy bubble of conversation around the cottage.
"This has been a lovely few hours, but we really should be getting back." Mary said.
"Why don't we take you back? It'll save Branson the trip." Anthony said.
"We do employ him for a reason." Mary retaliated. Sybil and Walter sighed in unison.
"Mary! Anthony and Beatrice drove all the way up here anyway. I don't begrudge their assistance, and you shouldn't either." Sybil said gently. Beatrice grinned.
"Leave it to Sybil to be the voice of reason." the dirty-blonde chuckled.
"She has to be at home." Mary whispered under her breath. Edith almost sniped back at her older sister, but realised it wouldn't be beneficial in company.
"It'll be a bit of squeeze, but we can all make it to Downton." Beatrice stated.
"Sybil might have to sit on Walter's lap, though." Anthony smirked. Walter went red and Sybil managed an awkward smile while the others laughed.
"See? Troublemaker." Walter muttered, locking eyes with Sybil, who nodded.
"He's joking, of course, but it should be fine." Beatrice said gently. It was a squeeze, but the six of them made to Downton Abbey. Nearly. About a mile away from their destination, the car jolted and stopped in its tracks.
Anthony tried to get it going again, but after a few minutes, this proved fruitless.
"Any bright ideas, anyone?" he asked. Sybil shared a look with Mary.
"Mary, don't say 'I told you so' about this, but…" the younger brunette started.
"Now is when we need Branson, isn't it?" the older one replied. Sybil nodded and got out of the car, slowly walking in the direction of the Abbey. Shrugging, the other five followed her. About twenty minutes later, the rag-tag group were at the double doors.
"Mama, Papa! We're home!" Mary called out. Cora walked out into the foyer.
"It's good to have you home, darlings." the countess smiled. "But why the delay?"
"Car trouble, Lady Grantham." Walter explained. "Of course my friends Anthony and Beatrice here were set on bringing your daughters back to Downton. But Anthony's car broke down about a mile off." he finished. Anthony flashed Cora a weak smile.
"Beatrice Taylor. Sorry about this, Lady Grantham. If it's not too much trouble, could we borrow Branson to look the car over?" Beatrice asked, introducing herself.
"Of course, and it's a pleasure!" Cora said, shaking the blonde's hand.
"If patching it up takes too long, the Grantham Arms is open." Walter said.
"Nonsense! We can always serve three more at dinner. And I don't really want any of Sybil's friends driving in the dark, so you must spend the night!" Cora beamed.
"I can see where Sybil gets her good nature, Lady Grantham." Beatrice said.
"Oh thank you, Miss Taylor." Cora replied. "I'm sure Branson isn't too busy."
"We'll see where he is." Sybil said, Walter nodding along. As they walked away from the makeshift group, Mary looked at Beatrice and they remembered a chat from the previous August. It was obvious then and obvious now - Walter was very sweet on Sybil and would no doubt follow her anywhere. Soon enough the musician and his brunette companion were in the garage. The stench of petrol was heavy in the air.
"I'll handle this." Sybil said, blue eyes shining. "Branson, I need your help."
"Of course, milady. What's the trouble?" the Irishman asked, his eyes on Sybil.
"A friend's motor seemed to die about a mile away from Downton."
"And Lady Sybil was the only one with a bright idea." Walter half-teased. Branson looked at the auburn-haired man with a cold stare. Walter responded with a level-headed stare of his own.
"Very well. I'll fetch some tools. Where's the motor?" the chauffeur asked. The three of them headed towards the broken-down car, Sybil and Walter leading the way.
"Branson may be chatty with you, but I don't think he likes me." Walter whispered to Sybil, avoiding the other man's eye-line. "I'd go far as to say he doesn't trust me."
"He's driven to Fenwick, but you've never really spoken." Sybil replied levelly.
"Well that's true. But I've never had a problem. Are you keeping up, Branson?"
"I am, sir." the Irishman responded with a slight edge to his voice.
"I imagine tending to motors is also a form of exercise." Walter half-smiled.
"The Crawleys do keep me busy. Especially Lady Mary and Lady Sybil."
"I'm glad to hear it, Branson." Sybil grinned as Walter laughed at the comment.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from my best friend." Walter said, nudging Sybil playfully and kissing her cheek. The chauffeur's face deepened into a scowl. Within twenty minutes they were at the stranded motor, and things got to work.
"Hmm… just an overheated engine and cracked flywheel." Branson said.
"Do you have another flywheel in the Downton garage?" Walter asked.
"I'm quite sure I don't, unfortunately. I'll go down to Ripon in the morning."
"Anthony can reimburse you if it's necessary." Walter replied. Sybil smiled.
"Very well." Branson proclaimed through slightly gritted teeth. Sybil knew what his issue was - possibly accepting money from someone richer. She thanked him, and the trio walked back in a slightly uneasy silence. When Walter and Sybil walked through the double doors, Carson was armed with a letter.
"Some post arrived for Mr. Metcalfe while you two were out, milady." he boomed, addressing Sybil. For a split-second, Walter felt like he was getting the cold shoulder from all of Downton's staff, but he shrugged it off - he and Carson didn't chat.
"Thank you Carson." Sybil smiled gently, handing the letter to Walter, who opened it.
"Should everything go well in Turkey, Billy Russell's on leave soon. He doesn't say how soon though. His hip is fully recovered." he read. Sybil saw the date on it.
"May. I knew that letters take a while from the war zones, but I'll have to ask Papa whether such a delay is usual." she said, deep in thought.
"Oh of course, Lord Grantham knows some bigwigs at the War Office."
"He does. But let's see whether Anthony and Beatrice have had enough of Mary and Edith squabbling for one day." Sybil exhaled, trying for humour. The duo made their way to the small library, feeling determined to brighten things.