"Congratulations Mrs Bates."

"Then I was right?"

"Yes indeed."

"How far along am I?"

The doctor sat calmly behind his desk, his kindly face smiling at her.

"I think you're about four months pregnant."

Anna stared outside at the cold October morning, watching the leaves fall from the tree outside in the Doctor's garden. She hadn't even considered that she might catch again. She was getting old by the standards of most mothers, and with her chequered history of miscarriages, she had put any thoughts of siblings for little Josie behind her in the last two years.

"I didn't think I could..."

"I won't deny Mrs Bates, you're on the older side of things for motherhood, but your last pregnancy carried to term and delivered a healthy baby."

"Apart from the procedure I had in London."

"Yes, that's true," he hurriedly consulted his notes and 'hmmm'ed to himself "I would like to arrange for you to have that procedure again, just to be on the safe side."

"How soon?"

"As soon as possible. Could you come in tomorrow?"

Anna bit her lip and twisted her hands. Things were busier than ever at the hotel, but she knew even without having the discussion what John would say.

"Yes. What time?"

"I'll book you in for 10 o'clock in the morning. But please... I know the Gulls Nest is a popular guest house, but you must try to rest and not be on your feet too much."

"I'll discuss it with my husband."

"You do that Mrs Bates. And I will see you tomorrow morning for your procedure."

...

"Pregnant?"

"Are you pleased?"

"Oh my darling, I am so pleased, you wouldn't believe it... but is it safe for you?"

"The doctor wants me to have a procedure tomorrow, to make it safer for me and the baby..."

"Oh my God..."

"Don't worry, John. It's safe. I had to have this done last time."

"Was that why you went to London?"

"Yes, Lady Mary arranged it all for me. I was worried I was losing the baby, I had pains and cramps. But the procedure stopped all of that."

John sat very still in his armchair, holding his wife's hands between his as she sat opposite. Behind him, he could hear the babbles of his little daughter, who was helping their cook Jenny with the morning's baking for afternoon tea. His mind was reeling. He knew that Anna had experienced difficulties in their early attempts to start a family. He hadn't realised how serious they were at the time, but now the worries that were never far from his mind flowed in like a flood tide.

"I'll be alright John."

"I will make sure you are alright."

"But you can't manage this place on your own, how on earth do you think it will run itself if I don't help you?"

"I don't know yet. But what I do know is that you're going to put your feet up for the rest of today until you have that procedure tomorrow."

His face was smiling, but resolute. Anna sensed it would be futile to argue.

"We've only got the one room booked for today. Breakfast is done. I'll arrange for the afternoon tea, and they're going out for dinner. You can afford to rest until tomorrow morning when you see the doctor."

"What about breakfast tomorrow?"

"I'll telephone Edward, ask if he can come in for an extra shift."

Edward, a local lad, worked three days a week for the Bates during the low season, and full time during the high season. During the winter, he studied for his matric exams, hoping to go to catering school in the future.

"Won't he mind? What about his studies?"

"I doubt it. He's intending to propose to his sweetheart as soon as he can afford the wedding ring. He'll welcome to extra shillings. And it's only one day."

"But what about..."

"Shhh..." John cupped his wife's face in his hands and leaned forward to kiss her gently on the forehead. "One day at a time my dear. Now, you pop your feet up on this stool, while I fetch you a cup of tea. And then I shall go and look at the bookings and see what can be done."

"I love you John."

John gazed at her for a few seconds, marveling at how Anna's face was as beautiful to him now as it had been when he first met her in 1912. Almost eighteen years later, she was still one of the two most beautiful things he had ever seen, alongside his baby daughter.

"I love you too. And now I shall leave you. But you must promise not to pick up anything heavier than a tea cup for the rest of the day."

"I promise."

"Good girl."

...

Later that evening, after Josie had been put to bed and supper was over, John sat with the ledgers and looked at the bookings.

For the first time in his career as a hotelier, he found he was disappointed to be fully booked.

They had worked hard to build up a good clientele and for the first time this year they were getting returning visitors and regulars who were happy to return to the place. Unlike most guest houses, they could stay open all year around, as this was their home rather than a seasonal business. And as a result they were booked up until the 21st of December, after which they had agreed to stop taking bookings until the 3rd of January, to allow them a break to travel over to Downton.

There was no way they could close the hotel, or turn people away.

But Anna was right. He could not manage to place alone without her help.

John rubbed his eyes and sighed. He hated to admit that he needed help, but the time had come to call some in. Reaching for the box where he and Anna stored all of their correspondence from their friends, he began reading through the recent missives and considering who he could ask.

...glad to hear that your business is running successfully. Our house is a lot smaller, but we are attracting a reasonable number of visitors. Many of them come to visit the local estates and great houses, including Downton Abbey, and Charles has even been asked to lead some guided tours. He resisted at first, as you might imagine, but he has come around the idea and I think he is pleased to have reason to go back to the old place again. It does leave me busier than ever, of course...

So much for asking the Carsons, they clearly had their own priorities right now. The Masons obviously couldn't leave their farm.

...we're entering the busiest time at the moment, John is needed so often for meetings up at the school, and our boy Henry will be starting at boarding school in September. I dread him being away from home, but I know that he will settle in soon and have an excellent education, everything I wish for him. It will be useful, in a way, as John's sister is expecting her second baby in November, so I may go to stay with her for the last month of her time and help her through it...

Gwen clearly had enough on her plate. So much for that plan.

Rummaging into the box, John found another envelope with a third style of handwriting.

...perhaps we might be able to come and see you in the autumn. Joseph is not as busy with his tutoring during this time, he tends to be in demand during the spring when the exams are approaching. We were sad to lose Joseph's father last year, but we have been able to save some money from his inheritance and should be able to have a comfortable semi retirement...

John's eyes widened. Inside, he berated himself for not having thought of this idea before.

Who better to run a guest house, in the style of a valet and lady's maid, than another retired valet and lady's maid?

...

An hour later, after a long conversation with Anna, John came back downstairs, hoping that it wasn't too late in the evening for the conversation he was going to have. Reaching for the telephone, he put through the call and waited for the connection.

"Hello, Downton 278?"

"Mr Moseley, it's Mr Bates."

Starting their telephone calls on such a formal note had been their little joke since leaving Downton Abbey.

"John Bates! Goodness, how lovely to hear from you! Are you well, are Anna and Josie alright?"

"Perfectly fine, thank you Joseph. And how is Mrs Moseley?"

"Oh, Phyllis is very well, we both are, can't complain at all."

"I'm glad to hear it, very glad indeed. Because I'm telephoning to ask for a rather large favour..."