The first frost came in November. Although it never lasted long in the little coastal town, the leaves were crystallised on the trees outside when Joseph opened the front door of the Gull's Nest. Blowing into his hands and stamping his feet, he quickly inspected the guttering for leaks and swept the leaves away from the front step.

Turning back inside, he stooped in front of the mirror to straighten his waistcoat and bowtie, smoothing his hair to one side before going into the dining room to check the tables, straightening knives and forks and inspecting one or two teacups. None of the guests were down yet, there was still twenty minutes before breakfast was officially due to be served.

Two weeks in and they were beginning to find the natural rhythm of the place. John helped and advised as much as possible and soon realised he could leave many of the duties in the capable hands of his faithful friends. Which was good, because Anna had recently come down with a cold, and so John was preoccupied with her even more than usual. She'd been horribly sick for the last day or two.

Phyllis was bustled in with a pile of neatly folded table clothes and napkins and headed for the corner storage cupboard.

"Everything alright Joseph?"

"Oh yes, quite alright. Although it's bitter out there today."

"It feels colder here than at Downton."

"Aye, it is a bit. How's everything upstairs?"

Phyllis bit her lip, stood up slowly and closed the cupboard doors.

"I'm not sure."

"Not sure...? Wh... what do you mean?"

Phyllis dropped her voice and stepped closer, glancing around to make sure nobody else came into the room.

"Well, normally Mr Bates is up and about by now. But there's been no sign of him, and when I passed their room I could hear him talking to Anna. He sounded worried."

"Oh dear. I hope her cold isn't worse."

"Do you think we should do anything?"

"Carry on dear. We just need to carry on. If they need anything they will tell us."

"Mr Moseley?"

Joseph spun around at the sound of John's voice behind him. John's face was white, haggard and sleepless.

"Could you go for the doctor please? Anna's having stomach pains..."

Mr Moseley's stomach dropped. Phyllis gasped behind him.

"Right away Mr Bates."

Joseph hurried out of the door, pulling his coat off the rack as he passed.

"Mr Bates, would you like me to go and sit with Anna?"

John's eyes were strained and sore. His head ached and he longed to cry, but didn't dare drop his guard when his guests were expected downstairs at any minute.

"No, I'll stay with her. Could you take care of serving the breakfasts please? I know it isn't normally something you do..."

"Of course. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."

...

Upstairs, Anna lay back against her pillows feeling weak with fear. Surely this couldn't be happening. There was no blood, she had not bled, but her stomach was wracked with cramps. They had started earlier in the night, then stopped for a while. But since 6am, they had returned, bringing with them nausea and sweats unlike anything she had ever dealt with while carrying Josie. Her attempt to drink some tea had not been successful.

"Darling?"

John came back in, carrying some water and a toast rack with some two slices of dry toast.

"Joseph has gone for the doctor, darling... Could you try to eat something?"

Bravely Anna took a sip of water and nibbled the corner of a piece of toast.

"Has anything... are you..."

John floundered, looking for the words, worried beyond measure about his wife and the child she was carrying.

"There's no blood John," she murmured. "I can't see any blood. I don't know what's happening..."

"It's alright my love." John sat beside her, scooping up her hand into his. "We'll get through this together. Just like everything else we've dealt with."

Please God let her be alright. Don't let this be anything serious, please God, don't take my wife from me.

Very slowly, Anna managed to drink half of the glass of water and take a few nibbles of toast. With every bite, John grew more hopeful, though her face was still damp and white.

There was a knock at the door, and Phyllis' voice could be heard.

"Mrs Bates, the doctor is here..."

John rose to let the doctor in.

...

Ten minutes later, the doctor emerged from Anna's room and came downstairs, with a solemn expression.

John sprang to his feet from the chair in the reception area of The Gull's Nest.

"How is she?"

"Resting, for now. She's more comfortable than she was. She finished one of the pieces of toast."

"And the baby?"

"The baby is fine, Mr Bates. But your wife is going to need some extra loving care."

"What's wrong with her?"

"It's a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. You know it better as morning sickness."

"But ... she hasn't had any morning sickness this time. Why is it so bad now?"

"Anna has had a mild infection. Nothing too serious, and I've given her some penicillin which should clear up the rest of it. But it has upset her natural balance and her stomach is very tender. She's finding it difficult to keep food down and will need complete rest and considerable care."

"Will they both be alright?"

"If you can make sure that she rests and eats little and as often as she's able to, she will be fine."

John offered up a silent prayer. She was going to be fine. Thank goodness.

"If I might make a suggestion Mr Bates..." the doctor wiped his glasses. "Your hotel is in good hands with the help you've brought in, and the best hands your wife could be in are yours. But the comings and goings of a prosperous guest house are not the best place for quiet and rest and sleep. And the longer it takes for Anna to regain her strength, the longer you will be under greater strain, and you must take care of yourself too. For the sake of your little girl, as much as anything else."

John listened silently. It wasn't like the doctor to make such long speeches.

"Anna is going to need close supervision and regular visits from a doctor. While I'm happy to do this, I'm not sure this is the best place for her right now. You might want to give that some thought before we decide what to do next."

"I understand doctor. Thank you for coming so swiftly."

"I'll see myself out, and pop back to see Anna at tea time."

"Thank you doctor."

John sank into the chair, almost weak with relief as his head fell into his hands. Tears slowly rolled down his cheeks and into his hands.

"John?"

There was a light touch at his shoulder. Phyllis looked down at him.

"Come away..."

Without a word of protest, John allowed her to lead him away to his and Anna's private sitting room. He sat quietly as Phyllis, with good instincts, located everything that was needed for making tea and brewed a small pot. Sitting opposite, she poured a cup for him.

"What did the doctor say?"

Soothed by the peaceful familiar actions and quiet presence of an old friend, John breathed out slowly and began to explain the situation. Phyllis sat and listened, without interrupting.

"So, Anna needs complete rest. And you need to watch over her."

"That's about the sum of it. And that's before we think about little Josie."

"Where is Josie now?"

"In the kitchen, with Jenny. But she can't stay in there all the time. And I can't have her with me constantly if I need to watch Anna."

Phyllis' heart went out to John. He looked weary beyond measure, worn down by cares and worries in the last week. He needed care and cherishing too.

"Just stay here and rest for now. Breakfast is almost done, Joseph will clear away. I'll take care of the desk and paperwork while people check out and then later I can take Josie out for a little while, if you like."

Too tired to argue, John nodded sadly as Phyllis bustled around, tidying up the few things in the room that needed setting to rights. By the time she was finished, he was already asleep in the arm chair, worn out by the night's worries and morning's fears.

Quietly, Phyllis let herself out and went down to the desk. Rummaging through the address book, she found the number she wanted and reached for the telephone, putting through a call to Downton.