The chauffer drives Jimmy, George, and I into town. He drops George off first at a tall building. I couldn't make out what the building said, so I just shook it off and let George out.
"Goodbye, George. Have a fun time," I told my cousin.
He nods, a small smile creeping over his lips, "You too, Sybbie," I smile. I kind of liked it when George called me that instead of everyone else. I don't really know the reason why.
He walks off. Before I get back in, I see Jimmy still sitting up front with the chauffer.
"You can sit back here, Jimmy, if you'd like," I tell him smiling.
"Oh, I don't think her ladyship would like that," he replies staying put.
"Don't be silly, she won't even know, besides I'd like for you to sit back here with me,"
He looks at me funny, but gets out and says, "After you, my lady," I gladly slide in the seat while Jimmy sits next to me.
He seems rather uncomfortable.
"Um, Jimmy, what would you like to do today?" I ask him politely.
He looks at me and then looks at the ground, "My lady, it is not up to me,"
"Alright, first of all, you don't have to keep calling me, my lady, and second of all, since you've never been to London, you get to decide," I say matter of factly.
He pauses to think about it, "Alright, can we go see.. um.... maybe... the Queen?"
I laugh at that comment and then stop rather abruptly because he's looking at me seriously.
"Oh, um... we aren't aloud to see the Queen without an 'appointment' if that's what you'd like to call it, but we might be able to see Buckingham Palace," I tell him.
He nods, "Oh, that would be fine, my- I.. mean..."
"Sybil. You may call me Sybil," I say smiling.
He returns the favor, "Sybil,"
The chauffer drops us off at Buckingham Palace.
"Thank you," I tell the driver. He wasn't really our chauffer. He's just a taxi driver.
We walk up to a lady at a desk, "Hello, we are here to see a tour of Buckingham Palace,"
She gives us a sly smile, "I'm sorry, but tours are Monday through Thursday,"
Oh, man. It was only Saturday. I look at Jimmy. I feel bad for him.
"Alright, thank you ma'am," I tell her and we walk off.
"I'm terribly sorry, Jimmy," I say as we sit down on a bench.
"Oh, it's fine," he says.
I try to think of something else we could do. Tower of London? Maybe... that takes hours though. Perhaps, I could show him some shops? Eh, men aren't into shopping. I suddenly run out of ideas.
"I'm sorry, Jimmy, but.. I've suddenly run out of ideas of where to go..." I say looking down.
"It's perfectly alright. Would you like to take a stroll down the street?" he asks stretching out his hand toward me.
I take it and say, "I believe that would do me good, thank you,"
We start walking and we talk about our lives. The good and the bad. He tells me about how he first became a footman at Downton Abbey. At first he didn't like it, but he got used to it.
"You were there when my mother died?" I asked him. We suddenly got onto the subject of my mother who died giving birth to me. I wish I could remember her, but I was just a newborn baby when she died.
"Yes.. it was a tragic time for all of us," he says looking down.
"I wish she didn't have to die," I walk slower that before.
"We all wish she didn't. You look so much like her, Sybil,"
"I'm glad my father gave me my mother's name. It makes me proud of who I am," I look at Jimmy who's looking at me.
He smiles a bit," Yes, I'm sure it does,"
We walk around a little bit more when we see George across the street from us.
"Look, there's George!" I say waving at him.
He looks our way and waves back, "Let's go!" I say and we walk across the street trying to avoid the cars.
"Hello, George!" I say excited to see my cousin.
"Hello, Sybil," he surprisingly gives me a big hug.
"Jimmy and I were just going back to Aunt Rosamond's. Are you ready to go back?" I ask him.
"Yes, I think so," he nods. I notice he has a small paper in his hands. He quickly puts it in his pocket and we walk back to the house.
END OF PART 4
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