Around two o'clock, one of the maids mentioned that Mr. Stringer was needed at the reception area. It was time to pay the workers their wages, so Sidney and Mr. Stringer followed the maid. They found a group of workers waiting for them. Sidney asked the whole group to follow them to his sitting room upstairs. Truth to be told, the newcomers did not know what to make up for this and gave side looks of a surprise to a smiling Mr. Stringer. He nodded his approbation to the plan, though so what more could they do but follow?

Once in the sitting room in question, Sidney explained the changes to occur. He also apologised for going through all that uncertainty and gave them enough wages for three weeks. The men were more than relieved! This meant that their families would have food on their table for the month. So great was their relief that they expressed their gratitude and relief for the funds. The discussion then veered to more practical issues such as the delivery of the materials and the schedule to be followed for the rebuilding of the burned apartments. Details were settled, and arrangements were made for the work to begin again at nine in the morning.

Sidney also explained that there would be further work within the next three weeks. In addition, Mr. Levinson's, Mr. Nash's, and Lady Susan's apartments were to be built should any of them wish for further employment. There would also be another house to be made for himself and Miss Heywood to be their marital home and additional repairs to the Parker residences. This meant that he could provide them with employment for the remaining of the year. The men grinned widely at that as they wondered when the next month's salary would come.

Mr. Stringer took over from Sidney and explained to his friends about Mr. Nash and his architectural apprenticeship here in Sanditon and his engagement with Miss Alison Heywood. Once the pronouncement of his engagement came out of his lips, the workmen surrounded him, patting his back with their most sincere congratulations.

This reassured Mr. Stringer as one of the things that he had dreaded was the disapproval of his childhood friends as many of those men were. His relief showed in his face, and Sidney wondered how well his future brother-in-law hid his worries. He hoped Alison would draw him out a bit more and get him to share what he felt as Charlotte had done with him. He knew that this act alone would be the making of James Stringer.

The men invited their new employer and Mr. Stringer for a celebration drink once they were all down in the hotel's reception area. Both men politely refused and asked for a rain check until the following weekend at the end of the working week. They all parted amicably and went their own way after that.

While all the men discussed business, Mr. Thompson patiently waited for Mr. Sidney Parker to descend. Sidney hoped to spend some more time with Charlotte. Yet, seeing Mr. Thompson waiting for him at the hotel's sitting room entrance was a sign that his solicitor had news. Thus, he invited the man to his own sitting-room again for further business discussions.

Both men sat down to make plans. Mr. Thompson told him that the tenants of the old Parker house were to depart next week. The lawyer gave Sidney a list of all the repairs that would have to be done on all the Parker residencies if they were to be rented out or used by the family soon.

Sidney knew that Charlotte would love to have her family here for the wedding. He also knew that the Heywood clan would fill his childhood home to the brim, and they would save a small fortune on hotel fees, especially if they were to stay in Sanditon for the next three weeks. However, since it was his decision, Sidney decided to discuss it with his in-laws. He considered that even if they declined his offer, Tom's family, Diana, and Arthur, could move there instead. Therefore, he directed Mr. Thompson to get the staff to clean the house and make any necessary repairs by the end of next week.

He considered as well that Mr. Smith and his family. Why not get Diana and Arthur to move to Trafalgar House and give the Smith family a base for Tom's training? That would also be another source of income to help rebuild the apartments. With his mind, he asked Mr. Thompson to proceed with the repairs of all the Parker properties just in case. Mr. Thompson, the diligent lawyer that he was, took notes and promised Sidney an update by the end of the week.

Mr. Thompson thanked Sidney for his time and retired for the evening. Sidney was keen to go downstairs and tell Charlotte of his plans. He found her amidst a bustle of activity, playing a noisy card game with her siblings. The doting fiancé in him could just see how good she would be with their children. He just stood at the hotel's sitting room entrance, watching her play until she felt his presence in the room and sent him a blinding smile as bright as the sun. That was all the encouragement he wanted from her to join them as the new playmate. Thus, it happened that they all spent another half an hour playing and laughing with the children in the room.

The evening wore off without a hitch. The adults relished their time playing with the children and how a simple children's card game could bring out their hidden childlike carefree spirit.