June 1st, 1927 ~

Well, I must say, our first night serving dinners was a success! Honestly, I didn't expect so many people would show up, to the point of some having to wait outside for a table. I think the word has spread that Archie is an excellent cook, and indeed he is! Everyone was complimenting his food and telling me to thank him. Of course I passed on all this high praise. He just kind of shuffled his feet and hung his head and blushed. He's a modest man, I can see, and I'm glad for it. He seems to have a good heart too. William loves him already. Funny because my son can be a bit shy with new people, but not with Archie. They do say a child is the best judge of one's heart.

Mrs Patmore and Mrs Hughes dined with us, and they were quite impressed! I gave them a table close to the bar, because I do think they came mostly to see Sam. Mrs Patmore rarely took her eyes off him and Mrs Hughes could only shake her head and chuckle. Anna also came over for dinner and she and William sat with them. They all seemed to enjoy chatting and laughing with each other. It reminded me of many nights spent around the big servant's table at Downton. Some things never change.

William loves his aunties too. I could see he was having a good time as well. And he ate everything without a fuss! Now, that's something that doesn't happen very often. Sadly Anna and William left early. She becomes so sleepy after dinner. It's probably because of her pregnancy. And by that time William had fallen asleep as well. Anna can't carry him anymore, and I don't want her too! Our boy is a big lad, so I used that as my excuse to walk them home and spend a quiet moment with Anna, and I'm glad I did because I arrived home past midnight.

My wife and son were already asleep and I have to confess, that broke my heart a little because with serving dinners now I know that's going to happen more often than not. We planned on spending more time together when we bought the hotel, only I'm finding I can't just leave any time I want. I'm the owner after all, but my heart is divided.

Anna told me this morning that she tried to stay awake but she just couldn't, and obviously I don't want her to stay up so late, she needs her rest. I will miss putting my son to bed and talking to my wife until she falls asleep in my arms. Even if she comes to work after the twins are born she'll have to go home right after dinner and put them to bed. We need to put our heads together and come up with something ...some way for us to spend more time together as a family. Thankfully our home is so close to the hotel! I can check on them during the day as often as possible.

If every night turns out to be as good as last night, we should be able to pay our employees more. I hope so. I want them to be happy in their work. I need to talk to Anna about finding a couple of waitresses and maybe someone to manage the dining side pub at night too. We can't put that extra burden on Sam.

I must go now, I'm waiting for Anna and William to come for lunch. I can't wait to see them. I barely spoke to her this morning, and my son was asleep. Lunch is becoming the highlight of my day.

~ John Bates

Oh, what a night we had at the pub! I'm so happy for our little business, and I can really see it turning into something bigger with time. I was quite impressed with how well John managed everything with the help of Archie and Sam. I don't think Sam's ever had to serve to a crowd that size. So many people. Happy people! Enjoying their food and a good chat. It was lovely to see.

And I had such a good time with Mrs Patmore and Mrs ladies! They are so funny together. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of Mrs Patmore...she's very keen on Sam. She told me that without really telling me, and she said he has invited her on a picnic in the garden this coming week. Thankfully the weather has improved and the sun has been shining brightly. He'll probably take her to the stream that runs behind the hotel and along the back of the garden. Sam is an avid fisherman. In fact, other than bartending, that seems to be his only pastime. That is until Mrs. P entered his life. I hope her sake she likes to fish, or at least eat them.

I'm really proud of our garden right now. After all that rain the flowers are so colourful and bright. And the grass ever so green. William has been playing outside all day again, with Jack and Mrs Lee's boy. She lives just across the street and Edgar, her son is four. He's a good company for William. They have so much fun together.

I wrote in my last entry that I thought I'd been hearing a cat meowing and that I placed a bowl of milk in the garden just in case. Well, I think I'm right. Every day the bowel is emptied. But still no sign of the cat. The meowing is getting stronger. I know it's not Jack because he doesn't like milk. I wish I could catch a glimpse of it. I put William and Edgar on a search for it this afternoon but they didn't find anything. Of course their running and hooting and hollering probably scared the poor thing into hiding.

I'm glad I brought the journal back with me when I went for lunch with John. I'm afraid he won't be home before midnight again and I want to write in it as well. I guess I'll be doing that now. He takes it with him in the mornings and then I will bring it home after lunch.

I think I might start taking a nap too, so I can wait up for my husband at night, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. I always have something to do in the house or in the garden, or I'm knitting for these little ones. But I will try. I already miss falling asleep listening to John's low voice in my ear...and it has only been two days! Last night I was thinking that maybe, when the twins are born we could hire a nanny to take care of them while I'm in the hotel and I could stay with John until later but then...I would hate it. I want to be the one caring for my children. I couldn't leave my babies with someone else, that's not me at all. We'll just have to take the moses baskets to John's office and put them to sleep there. William will probably be following daddy around, or Caleb. Or maybe Archie! He let William measure sugar and flour with his help this afternoon for a carrot cake he was making. My little boy was so excited and Archie told him he could help him whenever he wanted. I can see that they will be good friends. Hey, maybe we'll have a chef in the family someday!

I'm going to put William to bed now and then I'll go to sleep. I'll just stick this picture I took of the pub in here too.

I love you, John. So, so much.

~ Anna Bates