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Upon Returning From Milliways
Apr. 29th, 2012 09:05 amWhen Mary steps through the door from Milliways and arrives back at Downton Abbey, she breathes a sigh of relief. She had been told several times over that getting home would be a simple endeavour, but nothing tops the reassurance of actually standing in her own room again.
Over the next few days she finds herself pausing in doorways, just in case one leads unexpectedly to Milliways. It turns out none of them do. Mary eventually admits to herself that perhaps she wants to go back. Most of the people she met their had been friendly, if not all exactly her type of people, and even the strange, rude young woman had provided an interesting diversion. And the Lady Thayet (for although she had not given a title, she certainly must be a lady of some standing) had proven to be delightful company.
One afternoon O'Brien catches Mary examining a door before entering and gives Mary a questioning look. Mary glares sharply at O'Brien, but after that she stops searching for the bar at the end of the universe.
After the memorials for James and Patrick, the days settle into a dreary sameness. Mary and Edith are not returning to London for the rest of the season, though Edith seems too busy blubbering to care. Mama and Granny occupy themselves by scheming to unseat Papa's new heir—who turns out to be, of all things, a solicitor from Manchester—but they do not require Mary's input. Sybil is still convinced that Mary is hiding wells of grief just below the surface, and so gives her elder sister the time alone that she doesn't actually require. The truth is Mary is both bored and irritable most of the time, so perhaps Sybil is wise to give her a wide berth.
A few weeks go by like this, and Mary wonders if Milliways was real. And if it is real, what's the use a refuge she can't return to?
Over the next few days she finds herself pausing in doorways, just in case one leads unexpectedly to Milliways. It turns out none of them do. Mary eventually admits to herself that perhaps she wants to go back. Most of the people she met their had been friendly, if not all exactly her type of people, and even the strange, rude young woman had provided an interesting diversion. And the Lady Thayet (for although she had not given a title, she certainly must be a lady of some standing) had proven to be delightful company.
One afternoon O'Brien catches Mary examining a door before entering and gives Mary a questioning look. Mary glares sharply at O'Brien, but after that she stops searching for the bar at the end of the universe.
After the memorials for James and Patrick, the days settle into a dreary sameness. Mary and Edith are not returning to London for the rest of the season, though Edith seems too busy blubbering to care. Mama and Granny occupy themselves by scheming to unseat Papa's new heir—who turns out to be, of all things, a solicitor from Manchester—but they do not require Mary's input. Sybil is still convinced that Mary is hiding wells of grief just below the surface, and so gives her elder sister the time alone that she doesn't actually require. The truth is Mary is both bored and irritable most of the time, so perhaps Sybil is wise to give her a wide berth.
A few weeks go by like this, and Mary wonders if Milliways was real. And if it is real, what's the use a refuge she can't return to?
