The evening of the film came round quickly and Ivy was very excitable throughout the whole day, she wouldn't stop going on about it. Jimmy was trying to figure out if she just wanted to see the gorgeous actor she kept going on about, or if she was in fact looking forward to going with him. Who was he kidding? Of course she was interested in him. He smiled to himself and at half seven, both himself and Ivy went off to the cinema.

They chatted a bit, but for some reason Jimmy felt a little exposed. He hadn't had a chance to really get out the house since he got his job, and whilst sitting inside the house all day long, he'd often spend hours wishing he could be out and about, but now he was out, with Ivy close next to him in the silent and cool air, and for some reason he wished he weren't. Maybe he'd gotten far too used to being in the warm comfort of the house. He shook off these odd feelings of uncomfortableness, and instead walk a little more upright and happy the rest of the way.

The film, was truly nothing special. Well, not to Jimmy anyway, although Ivy seemed to be close to tears at one point. He laughed at her afterwards, when he could see the red under her eyes, calling her a softie. She didn't take it as a joke, and as a result the walk home was painfully awkward, with the occasional apology from Jimmy which Ivy rejected each time with a death like glare. She walked a few steps ahead of him, grumpily, trying to stomp but failing. Jimmy couldn't help think she was a little pathetic, not just at that moment but generally. He'd noticed, every time he talked to her, she seemed to melt into a pool of giggles and lost smiles, it annoyed him slightly, that she couldn't be more... assertive of herself, and that she could never really control her emotions.

Jimmy watched her walking, and thought about it for a long time. Maybe this unsuccessful outing was what he needed to make up his mind about her. They didn't really fit together very well. Yes, she was pretty, as was he, and yes they did have a laugh together sometimes but maybe he was taking on too much of a task with her. It always felt like he had to make an effort around her, and it doesn't help to have Alfred constantly moping about and Daisy always giving him such suspicious looks. He didn't want to be on bad terms with her by any means, but maybe now was the time to stop whatever it was they had going now, before it turned more serious.

They approached the house, Ivy still sulking a little, until Jimmy grabbed her hand and turned her around to him.

"What are you doing?" she cried.

"Nothing silly, don't be daft, I just want to talk to you without you running off in a huff like a little girl."

Ivy looked hurt by that, but she said nothing and let him speak. "Look I'm sorry, for what I said outside the theatre, it's well within your rights to cry at a... sad film..." Sad? That's a questionable word choice Jimmy if that God awful acting was anything to go by, "but look I don't wish us to be unfriendly with each other, not at all, but I think..." he paused again, struggling to find the words to cast her off politely. Ivy looked at him with gleaming eyes, all feelings of bad temper washed away. Jimmy felt a little taken aback by her look of anticipation, it was like she was expecting some sort of declaration of love. "I think... we should get back, it's getting freezing," he laughed it off, unable to finish his sentence properly, and he more or less ushered Ivy all the way back up the path without letting her get a word in.

When they got back in, it was quite late, but quite a few were still up, relishing the fact they didn't have to get up particularly early the following morning. They entered the servants hall and of course Alfred was the first to ask questions.

"How was it then? Any good?" he said.

"Not to my taste but Ivy enjoyed it," replied Jimmy, feeling quite tired. Thomas turned round in his seat to see them properly, and just like that, the horrible feeling of exposure and insecurity Jimmy had felt all evening lifted from his chest. He felt at home again, causing Jimmy to frown. Was he supposed to feel like this? They both shared a warm smile and Jimmy relaxed into the chair next to him.

"Not to your taste eh? Why doesn't that surprise me," he chuckled knowingly.

"Yes well anyway... Up for a game of cards?" Jimmy asked, wanting to forget about the evening.

"Sure, why not. And hey, I have an idea, I'll go and get the booze, in celebration of the beginning of the holiday." Jimmy narrowed his eyes in concern.

"Alcohol? From where?"

"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, I do have my own things you know? Alfred, you in?" Thomas asked. Alfred looked up in surprise, it was very rare that Mr Barrow would be the one to invite him into the card game, he must've been feeling generous. Alfred accepted and went to sit opposite Jimmy at the end of the table by the fire. Thomas had left the room by now, but as Alfred sat, Jimmy couldn't help but flinch a little.

"Why not sit here on the end?" he asked, tapping the other seat next to him.

Alfred frowned, "what's wrong with this one?"

Jimmy hesitated. "Well, it's Thomas' seat isn't it? Don't want to be ungentlemanly like now do we? Just move it's not difficult." Alfred looked at him, tilting his head slightly in curiosity. Jimmy returned the look with a nasty stare. "I don't mean nothing by it, you know I don't, but... It's his seat, so move."

Alfred eventually gave up and at the end of the table instead, "why do you care so much about his seat? And since when do you call him Thomas? He is our superior you know" he asked. "I don't care about his seat I was just saying... And you know I call him Thomas, I always have, I don't know why!" said Jimmy, raising his voice a little, enough to make the maids down the other end turn the heads, right as Thomas came back in with bottles of beer. Jimmy had a feeling the evening could go badly, but he wasn't gonna complain at the opportunity to some free alcohol now was he?