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Mr. Barrow has had unusually little time for Master George in recent days. Normally, the butler doesn't miss the opportunity to take Master George for a few piggyback rides around the gallery until Mr. Barrow is completely out of breath and red in his face. Sometimes he plays catch with George in the garden, which usually degenerates into a little scuffle in which George, gasping and laughing, tries to avoid Mr Barrow's quick hands, which tickle him mercilessly until the little boy is laughing in his arms.
But these games and liberties have become more and more the exception in recent weeks. And Master George is not quite sure what the reason for this might be.
Maybe it's because of all the work that now lies ahead of the employees due to the upcoming wedding of Uncle Tom and Aunt Lucy.
Maybe it's the broken boiler, which has been acting up so often in the last few months.
Or maybe it's the new valet his grandfather has hired. What was his name again? Li... Ellis! Yes, Ellis...
Master George hasn't heard much about the man yet, except that Donk keeps raving about being dressed by the same man who used to dress the king. Although George still doesn't understand why this is such a big deal.
After all, kings have to be dressed too, don't they?
Anyway, since the arrival of Mr. Ellis, Mr. Barrow has completely lost interest in Master George. Instead, he seems much more preoccupied with Donk's new valet.
Master George, for example, saw the two of them at the table in the servants' quarters the previous week on a quiet evening, laughing and grinning. And then, out of the blue, they kissed.
Ugh.
Henry always tells George not to tell anyone about this discovery. But George doesn't know why he shouldn't. After all, it's no different than when Mum and Henry or Donk and Granny kiss.
Both is unbelievably disgusting and Master George really wonders what adults find so nice about kissing.
But then, Mr Barrow noticed him in the middle of his kiss with Mr Ellis and jerked backwards and nearly fell off his chair. Mr. Ellis also looked at George uncertainly, George noticed his trembling hands in his lap. Both their faces were pale and their eyes widened in shock. George remembers how he silently stumbled backwards and out of the kitchen before one of them could scold him for sneaking around.
Master George doesn't know to this day why Mr Barrow flinched like that. As if George had hit him. But they were only kissing...
The other servants, Mama, Granny, Donk, Tom... no one ever reacted like that when Master George saw them doing it.
'You can't tell anyone', Henry's words echo in George's head. He didn't ask why he can't tell anyone. Why no one is so obviously happy for Mr Barrow.
Isn't that what one does? Be happy for someone when that person has met someone who is important to them?
Mum always told George to be happy for people who fell in love. Like Uncle Tom and Aunt Lucy. Or Aunt Edith and Uncle Bertie.
George frowns thoughtfully. He once asked Uncle Tom why no one ever talks about it. Why this information is only given in whispers, like gentle gusts of wind.
Master George is glad he asked Uncle Tom. Mama would probably have just brushed him off, told him it wasn't for little boys. But Master George is not little. He is already seven years old and he thinks this is old enough to learn and know many things.
After all, Mr Barrow always answers all his questions...
Blinking hard, George remembers Uncle Tom's words.
'Because a lot of people don't like it when two men are in love.'
These words confused George.
Just because certain people don't like it doesn't mean Mr. Barrow has to be so frightened. Mr. Barrow is his best friend and George would never be mean to him or hurt him on purpose.
Uncle Tom sighed and said that many people don't understand. And that people avoid things they don't understand. That they are afraid of things they don't understand.
And sometimes fear turns to hate.
Master George, however, does not understand why people are so quick to hate. George is often afraid too. In his room after a nightmare. Or when he has fallen over and bumped himself while playing.
But Mr. Barrow is always there to help.
And if he isn't, there's Henry or Granny.
And he doesn't understand why people should be afraid of Mr. Barrow.
But George doesn't dare ask Mr Barrow either. Instead, the boy summons up all his courage and intercepts Mr. Ellis in the corridor a few days later.
The valet seems visibly confused and gives George an uncertain, almost fearful look, as if expecting a scolding. George notices that this look has been creeping into his presence more and more often on Mr. Ellis' face since George disturbed him and Mr. Barrow in the servant's quarters.
George lowers his eyes guiltily. It was not his intention to frighten Mr. Ellis. He just wanted to know if Mr. Barrow would play with him again. But now Mr. Ellis seems unsettled and imperceptibly takes a few steps back.
George's lower lip trembles and Mr. Ellis seems to notice this as his expression softens and a cautious smile creeps onto his lips.
'I'm sorry, Master George. I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just surprised to see you here. Is there anything I can do for you?'
George exhaled in relief, but now wonderment stole into his gaze. Why do adults always want to do something for him? He is already old enough to do certain things himself. He wants to do something too. Not just sit around idly. He wants to help.
George shakes his head resolutely.
'You love Mr. Barrow.'
It's not a question. It is a statement. And Mr. Ellis seems to need a few moments to process this statement.
Finally the valet swallows dryly, his face pale and his eyes preternaturally large in his eyes.
'Yes, Master George. I love Mr. Barrow.'
An excited smile appears on George's face.
'That's great. Mr Barrow seems much happier now.'
Mr. Ellis gives him a thoughtful look before he begins to smile shyly.
'That means a lot to me, Master George.'
But now the future Earl of Grantham seems a little stern, his face scrunched up in concentration.
'Is something the matter, Master George?' Mr. Ellis' voice now sounds small and frightened again, but George shakes his head.
'As long as Mr. Barrow has time for piggyback rides.'
Now Mr. Ellis begins to laugh. A loud, clear, hearty laugh that fills the whole corridor and makes George's heart swell. After a moment's hesitation, Mr. Ellis picks him up from the floor and looks into the boy's face with a smile.
'I can assure you that Mr. Barrow has more than enough time for piggyback riding, playing tag and hide and seek.'
George smiles, 'Good. And if you ask nicely, you can play too. If it makes Mr. Barrow happy.'
And with these words he leaps from the valet's arms and dashes down the corridor, leaving a speechless and deeply touched Richard Ellis behind him. A lone tear rolls down a cold cheek onto the expensive carpet.
Perhaps, Master George has not found out why everyone acts so strange about Mr. Barrow and Mr. Ellis. But there will be enough time for him to ask them. And until then, he is happily playing hide and seek with Mr. Barrow and Mr. Ellis, since he thinks, he has just found a new friend.