May 26th, 1927 ~

After the lovely warm weather we've been having of late, the heaven's finally opened up this morning and it's raining. Anna should be very happy. Just yesterday she was saying how dry everything in our garden had become. But as much as I love sitting here in my office, listening to the relaxing sound of the rain, I'm afraid it won't make our guests very happy. I'm glad I picked up the new Agatha Christie book and the complete works of Sherlock Holmes for our lobby bookshelf the last time we were in Ripon. Hopefully, the guests will enjoy reading the to pass the time.

In fact, I might organise a couple of chess matches to be held in the pub this afternoon. I'll talk to Anna about the possibility of serving a small tea in the lobby for the lady guests. With Sarah's help, Anna should easily be able to manage that. I think she might enjoy it actually, and it's vital we keep our guests entertained and happy. I'll ring her up in a minute and mention it to her.

Anna and William will be arriving for lunch in about an hour. She can talk to Sarah about the tea then. With all this rain, I just hope Jack doesn't run through the mud again. He loves doing it but the results are never good for us and our floors and furniture. I don't think Anna will allow him to do that again, not after the time we had cleaning the lobby rug and sofa. And really, he needs to stay out of the hotel.

I worked in the pub two days ago and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! The locals were friendly and genuinely seemed happy to see me there. Anna and Will surprised me with a short visit too. I allowed William to come behind the bar with me. Now I know some might frown on that, but Anna and I were both there and we do have a very nice bunch of people who come in for lunch. His morals were not in any danger and he got to serve his mother a glass of cider. The lad was so excited! We couldn't help but chuckle at him. He then told her she couldn't leave without paying for the drink, and of course, that made us and those who heard it laugh. He's so smart, for a child who has just turned four. He must get it from his mother. I certainly don't ever remember being that smart, even when I was ten!

Sam is entertaining Mrs Patmore for lunch in the garden in two days. I hope the weather cooperates. Apparently Mrs Patmore enjoyed his visit, as I was sure she would. Sam is a good man, if somewhat gruff. He was uncharacteristically happy when he arrived back home after the visit, and I dare say I noticed a bit of a flush on his face. Anna was present and she noticed too.

On the chef front, we are going to interview four people tomorrow afternoon. I hope we can find the perfect cook for our hotel! The sooner we start serving dinners the better. Everyone is really excited about it and some people have already asked me when the grand opening of the dinner pub is. I have high hopes of it being a success.

Today we have guests checking out but an equal number arriving, in fact, we have been filled up for the past month. I will finish here because I really must go to the reception desk to greet the new arrivals getting off the train. Will write soon.

~John Bates

Oh, joy! It rained all day! How my parched garden has needed this. William was disappointed, as he loves having his adventures out back, so I set him to playing with his little wooden train and he seemed quite contented. I love being outside with him, but what a welcome relief it is to stay indoors now and then too, just listening to the rain against the window. It was perfect weather to read a good book.

On the other hand, Jack was miserable! Poor dog spent the day begging to go outside but I knew what he was going to do – roll in the mud and make a mess of the house. So I just let him go twice to…well, we all know, and I called him in right away. Gladly he came when I called, but the second time he looked back at the garden with longing in his eyes. I promised I would let him run all he wanted once the weather improved and I think he understood what I said.

John rang me about having tea for our lady guests this afternoon and Sarah and I were able to do just that. Luckily Will was in John's office and down for his nap at the time. It was a small tea, but the ladies seemed to enjoy it. John got together some chess matches and card games for the men, and I was pleased to see even some of the women took part. It turned out to be a cosy, pleasant afternoon, with a lazy fire burning in the pub room fireplace, Sam, with John's help, pouring the drinks and John socializing with the guests and almost looking like he enjoyed doing it! I never thought I'd live to see the day. Our life here agrees with him.

Now, I have to write this. John will poo-poo it, I know, but he looks ever so handsome when he's working in the pub. Rolled up sleeves and apron on. I do love when he wears an apron. I don't know why I just do. He's so tall and handsome behind the counter, I couldn't help but tease him when I visited the day Sam had off. And little William! I see that John wrote William told me I couldn't leave without paying for my drink. The little devil! I just had to kiss his chubby cheeks afterwards. He's adorable! And he's looking so much like his daddy. He has his blond hair, but everything else is from his father. He'll be the handsomest man in town when he grows up.

I'm thrilled Mrs Patmore and Sam will be lunching in our gardens soon. It will be a lovely date for them. I think they make the sweetest couple. Well, maybe sweet isn't the word to describe Sam. John tells me not to get too dreamy about it but everyone deserves someone to share the rest of their lives, don't they? I think they do.

I'm so excited about tomorrow. I really hope we can find our cook! One of them is a young man and from his letter, he reminded me of Alfred. His name is Archie I think, and I'm very keen to meet him. Maybe he'll be the one! I do find it interesting to have a male cook, or better, a chef! He has worked in two hotels and one country inn already, so he has the experience we are looking for. Oh my, I haven't met him yet and I'm already hiring him!

John just came in the room and told me William is sound asleep. That's good. I can enjoy my husband a little longer tonight.

~ Anna Bates