May 12th, 1927 ~

Finally! John found time to fix the steps and the stove is now good as new. He's really become quite the handyman! It seems there's always something that needs repairing around the hotel and the cottage. He has this little tablet he keeps in his jacket pocket and he's forever adding things to his to-do list. I happened to look at it one night when he'd placed it on his bedside table. He was off in the bathroom getting ready for bed. I noted all the finished items that had been scratched off, but what was left was still daunting, indeed. One item nearly brought me to tears. The silly, adorable man had written 'kiss Anna more often' - on his list! As if he needs reminding…

So this morning we are going to work on the nursery. Paint mostly, because we still aren't sure about the rest. I know I want a big chest of drawers to store the children's clothes and I was thinking about a little table in the middle of the room so they can draw and play together. It's still very early days and we will have time to decide better once the twins are born. But I do want William to have a comfortable room in the meantime, so today we are putting it together as best as we can.

Speaking of the twins, they've been moving a lot lately. I never carried two babies at once but I reckon that this is just normal behaviour. They must be squeezing each other and fighting for space and because of that my nights have been restless and sometimes my back aches terribly. Apart from that I am feeling wonderful. And now with my new vanity I must confess that I spend quite a bit of time fussing about, trying different hair styles. I've even tried some new face powders and rouge. Scandalous, I know!

Oh! I almost forgot. Lady Mary was here yesterday and she brought Master George along to play with William. The boys are quite the pair. They get along so well even with their age difference. It was a lovely visit and I hope that it won't be long until the next one. I do like talking to Lady Mary. Many years as her servant has made the two of us very close confidants.

Now, I must mention the new hairstyle Lady Mary happens to be sporting around. Short and straight hair. All the film starlets are wearing 'the Bob'. Ever so daring and according to some magazines, masculine and fierce. The new style makes women look more powerful, or so they say…I'm a bit unsure about the masculine part.

Well, Lady Mary was telling me how easy it is to style and wash, and there's no need to plait it at night and it's ever so fresh…and I was thinking that it would be ideal for me. With two more babies at once, I will not have the time for myself that I used to and the time I spend doing and washing my hair would probably be better spent with my children. Plus summer is coming and if the same happens as when I was pregnant with William, I will be terribly warm and sweaty, so I've been thinking about cutting my hair short as well. Maybe not as short as Lady Mary's, hers is rather daring, but I think it would be worth a try. Hair always grows back, doesn't it? Of course I would want to ask my husband first. He's always seems to enjoy my long hair, but it's a possibility. I've cut some pictures out of a magazine to show John. I'll have to think more about it.

I'll finish here. John just headed upstairs with his paintbrush in hand, no doubt to paint the ceiling while I'm not there to steady him and we can't have that! Also, it's almost William's nap time. That cheeky beggar needs to sleep or he'll be impossible for the rest of the day.

~ Anna Bates

As Anna said, Lady Mary was here yesterday with Master George and I must say that the boy is the spitting image of his father. So polite and already with the manners of a gentleman. Even though he's a few years older than William they get along so well. I enjoyed watching them play together out in our garden while the ladies talked inside. They played fetch with Jack and all I could hear was their happy laughter and the dog barking. This is what our life will soon be like…a house filled with the sound of happy children…and Jack's barks.

The boys made me put a leash on Jack because they wanted to walk him but it was all in vain. Jack was the one walking them in the end. It was a day well spent, and I hope Master George and William grow up being friends.

I see that Anna wrote about the new hairstyles and she already mentioned it to me at dinner and well, what can I say? She'll look beautiful no matter what. Honestly, I love her long blonde hair but if she wants to cut it short that's her decision. I'm sure it would look great on her. She'll probably have to go to London for that, I'm afraid they don't do those modern haircuts here. And I know how much she suffers with the heat in the summer, more even so when she's pregnant. I can't blame her for wanting her hair shorter and I imagine it will take her less time to get ready in the morning.

We were also able to finish painting the nursery. We painted it white and used the leftover soft yellow paint from our room for the trim. We got William's seal of approval! And in the end, Anna had to stop fussing about me and ladders because in her state she would be the last person getting on one. She insisted on hanging on to my backside though to keep me steady. I didn't complain.

It's getting late now and nearly time for bed. I should be going to help Anna with William's bath and his bedtime story. We'll write again soon.

~ John Bates