The Life of Viscount Downton [Book 1]

XLII

The first Christmas play at Downton went well, much to everyone's joy. As soon as the entire ensemble appeared in stage, the entire audience cheered in joy and stood up in their seats

Their parents love it, their teachers love it, and most of all: The Crawley Family love it...especially the Dowager Countess herself

Josephine Lewis smiles proudly as they all bowed down and look at the crowd. Her eyes then eventually found Alex's sky blue ones

He was beaming with joy as he clapped and stood in ovation along with the others. She smiles back at his direction, all while trying to hide the blush that was already being visible on her cheeks

***

At the after party inside the school, Jo was back in her day wear. And as soon as she enters the small hall, almost everyone in The Fellowship came running to her and gave her big hug

"Jo!! You did so well!" Alfie cheered

"Yeah! And the play was utterly beautiful!" Vince added "One of the best we've seen!"

"This is just...well, this is the best Christmas play ever!" Richie said "Not even us at Hampton can top off that!"

Alex, on the other hand, was...rather stuck in a conversation with same group of young ladies from earlier

"How did you find the play today, Lord Downton?"

"It was...really nice" Alex smiles politely, feeling uncomfortable already

"We did well on stage, did we not?"

Alex tries his best not to laugh at the girl, who seems to be the leader of the group, on what she had just said to him

"If you mean by standing in the corner and doing nothing in the last scene, which if I may take note is your only scene, then yes...you all did well" he then said "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to greet the real star of the show"

Alex politely excused himself from them again, before quickly jogging towards The Fellowship

"Alex!" Richie then said as they saw him "I thought you'll never cross the bridge to get here!"

"Well...there was a bit of a traffic" Alex grins playfully, making the rest of them laugh softly

"We'll leave you two be, then?" Alfie then said. Alex tries to protest at first, but slowly smiles and nods. The boys then leave them be, going to where the food and drinks are

"So, Lord Downton...how was the play?" Jo then asks in teasing tone as soon as they left

"I absolutely love it, Miss Josephine" Alex chuckles "No, but really...you absolutely did a great job in portraying Mama Mary"

"Did I really?" she chuckles softly as well "I was really nervous the whole time! I almost forgot most of lines, and my marks on stage as well!"

"And yet you've done all of them quite flawlessly" he said "I am very proud of you, Jo. Really...I am. More than you ever know"

Jo looks at him again, smiling sweetly "I am not going to pretend that I am very happy to hear that from you, out of all the people I know...and love"

Alex then looks back at her, and smiles back sweetly. His eye then caught the group of young ladies that he was talking to earlier

"You know...those schoolmates of yours think that we're together" he whispers to her. Jo then slightly turned around to see the group, who just quickly looked away after she saw them

"Oh, them?" Jo whispers back "They do have quite a crush on you ever since you appeared the Royal Parade a few months ago"

"Really?" Alex chuckles softly "No wonder why they were flirting with me earlier"