Weekly Provisions Chapter 5

I am so annoyed at the conclusion to the Green saga that I've decided to right the wrongs here.

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Mr Bates pushed Green up against the wall, his forearm against the valet's windpipe.

"You attacked my wife," he said slowly and clearly.

Thomas, Fred and Anna watched, holding onto each other as Green made choking noises.

"What?" Bates loosened his hold a little.

"These women—" spluttered Green. "They're all liars."

"Anna wasn't lying!" shouted Thomas, stepping forward. "You were attacking her."

Green ignored him and spoke to Bates. "Really, mate. All women lead us on and then protest when it's too late."

Bates paused. "All women?"

Anna stepped forward this time. "H-how many women have you attacked?"

Green looked at her. "I just took what they offered, that's all."

"I wasn't offering you anything!" she shouted. "John, you have to believe me."

"I do." Bates smiled over his shoulder at his beloved wife.

"I can vouch for that too," said Thomas, glaring at Green.

"You know nothing, you stupid footman."

"Under butler!" Thomas bristled, but Fred laid a hand on his arm.

"Don't bother," he muttered.

"So," continued Bates. "You've had a few young ladies. You must be quite the ladies' man, eh?"

Anna hesitated, mouth dropping open.

"It's alright," Thomas whispered in her ear. "Trust your husband."

"I do seem to have what the ladies are looking for," said the valet, straightening his jacket. "They can't resist me."

"Did you meet these ladies all at your place of work, or places you visited?" Bates asked.

"All over. They definitely wanted me, then regretted it afterwards. Whores."

Thomas and Fred rolled their eyes at each other. "He loves himself," muttered Fred.

"Someone's got to." Thomas frowned, but seeing Anna trembling and alone in front of them, gently pulled her arm so she came back to stand between himself and Fred.

"We'll look after you," said Fred. "You're safe with us."

She looked up at the two men towering over her and smiled a little.

"So," said Bates to Green. "You've had a lot of lady friends in the past, and my wife caught your eye at Downton."

"Yes." Green smirked, but his expression soon turned to a grimace as Bates shoved him against the wall again, this time with his elbow in his windpipe.

"You are scum," he hissed, then said over his shoulder, "Thomas, fetch the police."

Green gurgled and thrashed about, threatening to break free but before anyone else could move, Fred leaped forward and twisted Green's little finger in a vice-like grip, making him scream in agony and stop trying to escape.

"Thanks," said Bates.

"I want to say something," said Anna. She walked up to Green. "I know that last time you were here you attacked my friend, Ivy. She was so frightened she swore me to secrecy but I know what you did to her and to me and you won't get away with it. You are the most disgusting, perverted creature I have ever met. I can't imagine any woman wanting you if she knew the first thing about you. I hope you rot in hell." She turned and went out of the door.

"Better not get on her wrong side," said Fred to Bates, who had paled a little. Fred twisted Green's finger further, as he'd begun to struggle again when Anna spoke.

"I never knew she could be so fiery," Bates mumbled to himself, then turned back to Green.

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Inspector Viner took Green away, after witness statements from Anna, Bates, Thomas and Fred. They stood in the yard watching him go.

"You bastards, I'll get you, see if I don't," spat the valet as he struggled in the grip of two policemen.

"Not where you're going, sonny," said Viner, cuffing him on the head, whereupon he fell silent and they dragged him into the police van.

The witnesses, as well as Lord Grantham and Carson, watched the van drive away.

"How shocking," said the Earl. "Very well done all of you for stopping this vile monster. I hope you are well, Mrs Bates."

"Oh-oh yes Lord Grantham. Please-please don't tell anyone about this." She clung to her husband.

"Of course not. It will be a secret between the six people here. Your honour shall not be smeared. A fine member of the household like yourself deserves praise, not condemnation." He swept off.

"Well done, Mr Bates," rumbled Carson. "And Mr Barrow, and—er—young Mr Tufton. Sterling work." He too strode off.

"While thanks are in order, I'd like to thank you too," said Bates, shaking hands with Thomas, then with Fred. "If it wasn't for you—well—god knows what would have happened. I think I'd have been guilty of murder if that man had touched my wife."

"Well as you know, John, we've never seen eye to eye," said Thomas. "But you saved me from prison that time and I've never forgotten it."

They smiled at each other, then Bates took Anna back into the house, arms round each other.

"Thank god we were there," said Fred. "That poor woman."

"Yes, she's been good to me. But where the hell did you learn that trick with the little finger? I'd better watch out if you ever get annoyed with me." Thomas smiled.

"Well me dad was never proud of me but he knew I was likely to be bullied due to the way I am. He taught me all sorts of moves to defend myself."

"Really?" Thomas grinned. "You'll have to show me."

But Fred sighed. "With all this excitement, I'd almost forgotten he was dead."

Thomas hugged him. "I'm sorry."

"I just thought of something," he mumbled into Thomas's shoulder. "Me dad left his business to me."

"So, you're rich now. Don't forget me when you're out dining with the King."

Fred slapped his arm. "No, what I meant was. I can't run the business on me own, can I? I need a partner."

"So, you're saying…?"

Fred pushed Thomas away from him at arm's length. "Will you be my partner in the grocer's business? I know what to do with the orders and you can charm the customers into buying more."

Thomas stared at him—was he blushing? It was hard to tell in the dim light. "I would love to." He smiled. "Should I give in my notice to the Abbey?"

Fred smiled back. "Maybe not just yet but when we've got up and running. You could come and live in my house—me and me mam will just be rattling around in it otherwise."

"Are you being serious?"

"Of course, you daft beggar. I wouldn't say it otherwise."

"Then I'm in." They both stepped forward at once and kissed each other for a long time.

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So Thomas and Fred lived happily ever after running Tufton's Grocers. Mr and Mrs Bates left Downton to run a Bed and Breakfast, and had two children. Green was given life in prison to pay for the terrible rapes he'd committed against nine women, including attempted assault on Ivy. Mr and Mrs Bates were forever grateful that Thomas and Fred had saved her from the evil valet and they all kept in touch.