June 7th, 1927 ~

Today is an exciting day for me. Anna and William are coming for lunch as usual, but they will stay on the rest of the afternoon. Anna wants to take over the reception desk and make sure I've been running the office properly. She says she's missed it and probably has, but I think she really wants to give me and Will some father and son time. I mean, I know I'm more fortunate than most fathers. It's not like my house is ten miles away, still it's always a bit difficult to leave the hotel for anything more than a few minutes at a time.

Yes, I have Caleb to help out, but we've found that guests like being tended to by one of the proprietors and since it's not always possible right now for Anna to be here, that task falls to me, which I love doing. Caleb always has so much work to do anyway, being our jack-of-all-trades and doorman and what ever else we ask him to do. As I write this he's up on the roof fixing a leak over room 9. Anna would never let me up there, nor would I want to.

So, Anna will be taking over today and I think it will do her good. It will benefit the both of us.

This beautiful weather of late has made our little hotel quite the popular spot for a relaxing holiday, whereas we used to be just a layover stop. A few enterprising gents are aiming to take advantage of that. Just last week Bernie Potter and his son Eddie dropped in wanting to hang a sign in the window advertising scenic tours around the countryside. Downton Village will soon rival Scarborough as a tourist mecca. I'm only half joking and I both welcome that and dread it.

Ah, I hear young Will calling my name. I guess it's time for lunch. I'll finish this later…

I'm back for just a minute. William managed to spill his milk all down the front of himself and into his shoes. Anna ran him home to change. I suggested we lay him in the sun and let the cat lap it up, but that comment was met with a glare. Up until that point it was a peaceful lunch.

During lunch Anna mentioned an idea she had about putting a few more small tables in the garden and turning it into a sort of outdoor tea room, to take advantage of this fine weather we're having. We'll talk more about that later, but I must admit I'm intrigued, and I think it could be accomplished with very little extra work.

Next week there will be a meeting of the village council, the first meeting I will attend as a member. I am eager to go and quite curious too. I remember Lord Grantham telling me all about them when I served for him. I'm looking forward to working with him and Mr. Carson on council projects. Truth be told, I was a little hesitant at first…but Anna talked me into it and as usual she was right.

~ John Bates

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His son's laughter was infectious, and although he was already tired and sweat was dripping down at his temples, John couldn't help but run to the tree where William was hiding.

'Where are you?' John asked playfully as he rested his hands on the trunk, knowing that his son would be on the other side, the boy's laughter giving his position away. 'Have you seen him, Anna?'

Anna was at the window of his office, watching happily as her men played together. 'I have no idea where he is, John,' she answered back, causing the boy's excited laughter to grow stronger, making his parents chuckle in delight.

'Oh no! I think we lost him, Anna. Maybe…maybe we won't see him anymore!' John said, turning toward the window, trying to sound sad, but as soon as his words left his mouth the boy rounded the tree and grabbed his legs from behind.

'I am here, Papa! I am here!'

'There you are, you little rascal!' John took William in his arms, lifting him in the air. The boy begging him to stop, too much laughing had given him a belly ache.

'Go call Jack, go on.' John watched as his son ran over to the dog who was sleeping under a bush. 'Oh my, I'm getting too old for this, Anna,' he said walking towards her. She was now leaning out with her elbows resting on the window ledge.

John had stripped down to his shirt and had his sleeves rolled up. He looked quite fetching to Anna's eyes as he ran a hand through his damp hair. 'You better get used to it…you'll be doing twice the running when these little two arrive,' she giggled, reaching out and pushing his hair off his forehead.

'And I can't wait!' he smiled at her before kissing her cheek lovingly, lingering for a moment as he enjoyed the feel of his hot lips against her cool skin.

'Mummy, Mummy! The kitty!'

The voice of their son made them look and he was pointing towards their home.

'In the window, mummy!'

'Where?' Anna looked, but alas the cat was gone.

'He was there Mummy. In the window!' the boy insisted, his chubby finger still pointing.

'Ah, I missed it!' Anna pouted. 'Everyone sees that cat but me.'

'Don't worry darling, you'll see it one day. He loves to sleep there in the sun. He's quite nice.'

'Quite ni-…how do you know?' she asked her husband raising her brow.

Um…I've pet him!'

'You what? I can't believe it! And you didn't tell me?'

'I didn't think to…after all, he sits there every day in the sun. Sleeps for hours.' The expression on her face caused John to flash her a cheeky grin. His wife was not happy about it.

'I'm the one who feeds him,' she sighed. 'He should let me see him…you don't even like cats that much.' Anna was disappointed.

'Yes I do!' John said, smiling. 'I just don't like when they wee on my things. You know my mother had a cat and…'

'Yes, yes, you've said, he would wee on your things I know,' she interrupted him, pursing her lips.

'Oh dear…I see you are in quite a mood about that cat,' he told her chuckling and placing a kiss on her temple. 'My moody girl.'

That made her smile and roll his eyes at him. 'Come inside you two, the sun is too hot. You are both sweating. It won't be pretty for the guests to see you like this.'

'As you wish my darling. William! Let's go inside. We are to be punished for spotting the cat!' John called to his son.

'What?! John now don't say such things. You know that's not true!'

Both father and son laughed as Anna sighed exasperatedly at her husband. Indeed she was a bit upset about the cat. After all she was the mother of their house, the one who was feeding him and the one who really wanted to see him, and the naughty animal showed for everyone but her.

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What a lovely day we had!

William and I spent the afternoon at the hotel and he had a wonderful time with his daddy. I am so happy every time I see them playing together and laughing. They are so much alike. William is catching every mannerism from his father and now, even the way he talks reminds me of John. It makes my heart ache with joy and love for the two of them.

And apparently, John has been spotting the cat regularly and is even petting him! Honestly, I am tired of being left out. I put the milk out every morning and night! The little beggar should show up to at least thank me for it. I know I'll see him one day…and William saw him too today and he told me but when I looked it was too late, the cat had already run away. John says he likes to sleep on window sill and sometimes he stays there for hours. How I've never seen him I know not. I think this is a game at this point, but this time I am the cat and the actual cat is the rat.

Daisy stopped in today while I was watching over the reception desk. It was her half day and she came to visit and brought me some fresh made scones that Mrs Patmore had just baked, and a jar of jelly. I can tell you, that it was a delicious combination. Mrs Patmore scones are the best!

Daisy had heard about our new cook from Mrs. H and was anxious to meet him and those two spent a good amount of time chatting about this and that, food mostly. I think Daisy was a bit taken by him but then, when is Daisy not taken by a charming young man? That would be the happening of the year!

I miss her. Daisy and I always got on so well and she grown into such a lovely young woman. It was nice to talk to her. I mentioned that we're looking for someone to help us in the pub and to manage the dinner crowd and she said she was going to ask around if anyone was interested. John is sending the ad to the paper in a couple of days.

Tonight will be another night where I'll go to bed before my husband is home. I already miss him, even though he teased me all day about the bloody cat and my awful mood. Well, carrying two babies at once in this ungodly heat doesn't help any. My belly is so heavy and I am having a hard time sleeping. The babies are awake almost all night and I can't settle with them moving around and fighting for space. The doctor said it was only normal but it is tiring. I am so anxious to have this over with, although that will bring on another kind of sleepless night. Well, I am a trooper…

I'm adding this picture I took of a tiny bit of our garden and the back portion of the cottage. I wish you could see it in colour.

~ Anna Bates.