Chapter Text
Phillys was looking at the woman in front of her with a face that she tried to keep as calm as it was blank.
Her interlocuter, who also happened to be her cousin, had just finished talking to her for half an hour about the troubles she had raising her only child, a fourteen-year-old girl.
Phyllis hadn't had the time to say more that ''hello'' to her and was sure that her cousin hadn't drank one single sip from her cup of tea. But the lady's maid still listened carefully to every one of her cousin's words and did not ler her mind wander elsewhere.
''I though that a little time in the countryside would help her, you know, clear her head. And everything is so...pretty, here ! And maybe with your husband, she'd appreciated a...you know...masculine figure.''
Phyllis lowered her gaze to the table. She could not even begin to think about what her cousin and her daughter felt after what happened last year. One of the reasons why she had listened to the speech of the one she hadn't seen in years.
''You would like for me and Joseph to take care of your daughter for some time ?'' Phyllis finally said softly. ''That's it, isn't it, Angelica ?''
The blonde nodded, visibly relieved, even though Phyllis had not even said yes yet. She sighed.
''I'd have to talk to Joseph about it, you know.''
''But you told me such good things about him ! I'm sure he would be fine with it.''
Phyllis had truthfully no memory of saying such things, but she did not utter a word about it. Instead, she hesitantly bit her own lip. Angelica looked at her with her big, begging eyes, and took her hand in hers.
''Please, Phyllis...you're my last hope...''
The lady's maid could not say no to this.
''Very well, Angelica. I'll take care of your daughter for some time...''
Her cousin instantly let her go and smiled gratefully at her.
''I knew you were gonna say yes, Phyllis. You've always been so...kind.''
Angelica did not let her cousin the time to answer and got up, thanked her for her hospitality, went to take back her coat and stood before the front door. All of that in such a short time that Phyllis didn't even finish getting up from her chair.
''Don't worry, you won't regret it.''
And just like that, she was gone. Phyllis sighed. She felt like she had just gotten into some sort of trap that she should have seen coming.
''Your niece ?'' Joseph said that night, frowning. ''I don't really have an objection, if it's fine with you...but how long would she stay exactly ?''
Phyllis smiled awkwardly.
''Well...Angelica didn't really say...''
''She didn't tell you ?'' He said, surprised.
His wife stayed silent, until he smiled at her tenderly.
''Of course I want to help you take care of your niece, Phyllis. As long as it's fine with you.''
''I think so, even though I never met her.''
She felt slightly bad for hoping that her niece would be nothing like Angelica.
A few weeks later, they still hadn't received any news from Angelica. Spring was coming to an end, and Phyllis was beginning to think that she hallucinated her cousin's visit.
One nice june evening, Phyllis and Joseph were quietly dinning with Thomas Barrow. A little routine had taken place, where instead of eating at the Abbey, which was now almost empty for the servant's dinner, Thomas came at their house before returning to sleep at the Abbey.
It usually wasn't more than once a week, and never for a very long time, but it was always a good one. Well, especially for Phyllis and Thomas: Joseph still didn't really know how to act with the butler, but he stayed polite and nice for his wife's sake.
''And your niece, she still isn't here ?'' Thomas said, raising an eyebrow.
Phyllis had told him about her chat with her cousin. Immediatly, Thomas became suspicious of Angelica. It was clear that he thought the woman was taking advantage of Phyllis's kindness. And he didn't like that at all.
''No. Maybe Angelica found someone else to take care of her.''
''It sounds as if we're talking about a pet more than a child,'' he scoffed.
Joseph offendedly glared at him, to which Thomas answered by a smirk. Phyllis sighed and decided to change the subject.
''Thomas, you should invite your friend from London next time.''
''What friend ?''Joseph asked, a little lost.
''None of your business,'' Thomas grunted.
Phyllis send him a warning look and he sighed.
''If he comes to York, maybe. If you insist.''
''Oh, I do,'' she said softly.
Before any of them could say one more word, someone knocked loudly on the front door.
''We weren't waiting for anyone tonight,''Joseph said, frowning.
''I'll get it.''
Phyllis stood up and came to the door, opening it without waiting for another knock. She was surprised to see a young girl, arms crossed on her chest, looking annoyed.
''Is it you ? Mrs Molesley ?''
''Yes,'' Phyllis said, confused. ''And you are...?''
''Linda. Angelica's daughter ? Does that ring a bell or is it the wrong house again ?''
Now that Phyllis looked at the girl, she could see that she shared the same blond hair as Angelica, and the same nose, but other than that she looked nothing like her cousin. The biggest difference between mother and daughter were the eyes. Linda's eyes were brown and at the moment, almost angry, while Angelica always had those soft blue eyes.
''Of course, I...wasn't told you would come here today. Is your mother there ?''
The girl snorted and slightly grinned.
''No. She wouldn't step foot in the countryside ever again if she could. Too much mud, you know ? I came alone, by train. Then I walked.''
''Oh, well...come inside, you must be hungry.''
The girl shrugged and went through the door, dragging her luggage behind her. Phyllis closed the door and followed her niece, still puzzled that Angelica wouldn't bother to come. Also, didn't she say she found the region lovely ? The lady's maid slightly shook her head to concentrate on the matter at hand: introducing the girl to her husband and Thomas.
''Linda, meet my husband Joseph, and my friend Thomas Barrow. Joseph, Thomas, here is my niece, Linda.''
''Hi, Mr Molesley. Hi, Mr Barrow,'' the girl said without much enthousiasm.
She still looked annoyed, but now on top of that she seemed to be slightly uncomfortable.
''Nice to meet you, Linda,'' Thomas said first.
''Y-yes,'' stammered Joseph. ''Very nice indeed. Are you joining us for dinner ?''
''I guess,'' she said quite warily.
But she was still standing in the middle of the room, apparently uncertain on what to do next. Phyllis decided to help her, and made a move to take her luggage.
''Here, dear, let me help you with that.''
''I don't need your help. And don't call me that.''
Phyllis stopped in her movement, taken aback by the harsh tone of the girl. Linda had narrowed her eyes, which were like daggers directed at Phyllis. The lady's maid took a step back, holding up her hands in the air in a sign if peace.
''Why not ?''She said, sincerely confused.
''Do I really have to explain ?''
''Yes,'' Joseph intervened. ''You were really rude right now. So you should explain yourself.''
He didn't like when people snapped at his wife, especially when she was just trying to help. Of course, he was still talking to a young girl, so his tone was moderate and certainly not agressive. Phyllis also didn't think he was capable of being agressive. But still, Linda flinched almost imperceptibly at his words.
''You don't know me, Mrs Molesley. I can't be dear to you. That's all. And I can put my luggage elsewhere by myself, it's fine.''
Phyllis did not know what to say to that. She looked at her husband, who seemed as lost as her. Thomas sighed and rolled his eyes.
''Just tell the girl where to put her things. The food's getting cold.''
Phyllis nodded and showed Linda a space to put the luggage.
''I'll show you your room after dinner, dea...Linda,'' she said as the girl nodded.
Then they came back to the table, and Phyllis noticed that the men had arranged a seat at the table for the girl, bringing another set of cutlery and another plate. Linda found herself next to Thomas, and in front of Joseph.
''Here,'' said the butler as he handed her the warm plate.
''Thanks,'' she muttered.
Thomas and Phyllis looked at each other briefly, and she knew he was going to talk to her once they were alone. But in the mean time, they were stuck in a now awkwardly silent dinner.
''I hope you like the food, Linda,'' Phyllis said gently.
''It's fine.''
''Do you know when your mother is going to take you home ?''
Phyllis knew Joseph did not mean any harm with that question. He only wanted to be informed. But it just sounded like they could not wait for Linda to leave their home, and it would not help her get comfortable with them.
Thomas saw the girl stiffen in the corner of his eye, but when she spoke, her tone was without emotion. Almost bored.
''I dunno. She didn't say. But I can go back right now if you don't want me here.''
''We never said such a thing,'' Phyllis hurried. ''You're welcome here as long as you need, isn't she, Joseph ?''
''Uh...yes, of course.''
''Also, you can call us Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Joseph. If you want.''
She nodded, then glanced at Thomas. She suddenly grinned.
''And you ? You don't want me to call you 'Uncle Thomas' ?''
''Mr. Barrow will be perfectly fine for now, thank you,'' he said with a hint of irony.
''What a shame,'' she shrugged.
The silence came back again for a time, until Phyllis broke it.
''Do you think Linda could come at the Abbey with me, tomorrow, Thomas ? Joseph has classes, and I wouldn't want her to be all alone for her first day here.''
''Well, I guess you could ask her Ladyship. What would she do, though ?''
''Shouldn't she go to school ?'' Joseph asked worringly.
A groan came from beside Thomas, who lowered his eyes to see the annoyed expression on the girl's face.
''Maybe you should just ask me what I would want to do instead of talking as if I wasn't there ?''
Phyllis smiled apologetically.
''I'm sorry. We're sorry. What would you want to do then ?''
Linda seemed surprised, as if she didn't expect to actually have a say the matter. Thomas didn't like that. In fact, he didn't like any of this situation, and he was set on saying that to Phyllis when he had the chance.
''I guess...going to your thing is fine,'' she gestured towards Phyllis. ''And I didn't go to school for the last four months, so I'll just redo my year if I can.''
''Why didn't you go to school ?'' Joseph frowned.
''None of your business,'' she hissed.
''And you're rude again, he muttered. ''They will love you downstairs.''
Thomas saw her slightly flinch, and he sighed.
''I'll try to find you something to do so you're not bored.''
''Thank you, Thomas,'' said Phyllis. ''You're a lifesaver.''
''If you say so,'' he said ironically, even though he knew she was sincere.
They finished eating the main course, and Phyllis stood up to get the dessert, with Joseph following her to help her with the plates. She had forbidden Thomas to do anything while he was their guest, and he didn't dare disobey her on that. So he was left with the girl, who was tapping her fingers on the table abstently.
Thomas didn't know what to say. To be fair, he was never one for small talk. Thankfully, the girl decided to break the silence first.
''Mrs Molesley is a lady's maid.''
That didn't sound like a question, but he answered anyway.
''Yes. And I'm the butler.''
That always felt good to say.
''Why do ladies in particular need someone to dress them ? They're stupid or something ?''
He snorted.
''It's a question of tradition, I suppose.''
''Some traditions are really stupid then.''
''I agree,'' he said sincerely.
''Like, the mistletoe. Why would some plant make you kiss someone ? If you both want to kiss, then kiss. And why that plant in particular ? What did the other plants ever do to you ? Urgh. So stupid.''
He looked at her, amused. He wasn't expecting her to go on a vocal rampage against mistletoe. When she stopped talking, she looked at him like she expected him to do something to shut her down. But he only snorted.
''You really don't like that poor plant.''
''I don't like the...meaning. The plant's fine.''
''And I'm sure the plant's grateful that it found grace in your eyes.
She slightly giggled.
''Stop saying plant ! The word sounds weird now.''
''Well, you began it with your talk of plants,'' he purposefully said the word once more.
''Stop ! She giggled again.
''Well, you two seem to be having fun,'' Molesley commented when he came back with the plates for the dessert.
Linda stopped giggling and looked at him with narrowed eyes, as if she didn't know how to take the comment.
''We were,'' Thomas answered before she could.
She glanced at him, considering if he was being mean to the man, or lying in some way. She saw genuine amusement and a little bit of mockery, and relaxed slighty.
''I'm sure you'll like the dessert, Linda,'' said Phyllis from the kitchen. ''Daisy, the assistant cook of the Abbey, did it for us.''
''Is it a cake ?''
She sounded genuinely interested.
''See for yourself,'' she said as she brought what was in fact, a cake, to the table.
It smelled divinely good, as everything made by Daisy did. Linda seemed impatient to have a slice, and Phyllis was happy to serve her first. But she was so impatient, she completely forgot to wait for the others to get theirs to begin eating it, or maybe she just didn't care.
''You...you should wait for Phyllis to be seated, at least,'' Molesley said in a small voice, as if he was scared of the fourteen-year-old girl snapping at him. Thomas rolled his eyes to the ceiling.
But Linda simply pulled a face and dropped her spoon, suddenly wary again. She gulped down the piece that was in her mouth.
''Sorry,'' she said quietly.
''It's fine,'' Phyllis said midly. ''You seemed very excited to eat it.''
''I...guess,'' Linda said slowly and carefully, as if she was trying to not get into a trap.
Phyllis smiled at her and sat at the table, before beginning to eat the cake. Thomas and her husband did the same, but Linda seemed blocked, looking suspiciously at her spoon.
''Don't let that idiot stop you from eating a good cake,'' Thomas whispered to her.
He didn't talk loudly only for Phyllis's sake.
''Right,'' Linda said with a small grin.
Then she began eating the cake again, even more hungrily than before.
''Thank you for being nice to Linda,'' Phyllis said to him when he was at the doorstep, ready to go into the night.
''You know me. Kindness incarnated,'' he grinned. ''But seriously...your cousin, she seems strange to me. Well, she already did before, but now even more.''
Phyllis sighed.
''Maybe she is still shaken from the death of her husband. That can change a person.''
''Maybe. But it doesn't change the fact that...''
''...you think I should be wary, yes. But I can't really do anything about it now, can I ? I will just take care of Linda while she's here.''
And something told her it wouldn't be that easy.
''And you'll do nicely,'' Thomas smiled at her sincerely. ''Well, it's not that I hate to chat with you, but I should get going. I have work tomorrow, if you didn't know.''
She smiled at him with tenderness in her eyes, which made Thomas both happy and uncomfortable. He still didn't know exactly how to receive real affection from others, after receiving crumbs, or none at all for so long.
''Good night, Thomas,'' she finally said. ''And don't forget to ask your friend about the dinner.''
''You will bother me with that every day until I do it, won't you ?''
''Yes. So do it,'' she giggled as he was walking away from her, into the dark.