A/N: We decided to start taking requests and we'll see if we can work them into the journal. No promises though. So if there is something you'd like to see happen just send your request to The Anna & Mr Bates Reading Room.

Thank you all for your support! :D

June 10th, 1927 ~

We are having a busy day today. For that reason my entry will be rather short.

Five couples checked out last night and we'll be receiving six as soon as the afternoon train arrives. That means we are fully booked - all twelve rooms! It's becoming the norm, for which I'm very grateful. We'll also be serving several businessmen from the area having their monthly luncheon meeting here today.

I do want to write about the first real village council meeting I attended yesterday. It was rather productive. We talked about the annual Summer bazaar that will take place on the Village Square in mid-August. I've been put in charge of the games, if can you imagine that? I can't, but Anna says I'll do just fine. I don't know where all of her confidence in me comes from. Games?

I suppose I could have mentioned the impending birth of our babies in August to get out of it but I hated to do that since this is the first thing they've asked of me. So we'll just hope for the best.

Among all of the usual games, we'll have the popular Coconut Shy, Tug of War, and a Sack Grantham Arms will be hosting a Pub Quiz in the evening.

Anna was disappointed when I told her she couldn't play for the House's honour, but to be fair no one else would stand a chance against my competitive wife. What that woman doesn't know could be written on a matchbook cover. If a life in service hadn't held her back I can only speculate how far she could have gone.

Poor Mr. Carson has been talked into doing the Punch & Judy show and a juggling act, dressed as a clown. He accepted, but only after Lord Grantham's enthusiastic approval. With his background on the stage I think it suits him nicely.

I'm now waiting for Anna and William to arrive for lunch but I won't have much time to keep them company today. I'll try to make it up to them by taking them on a picnic by the river next Sunday. I wonder if Will is too young to try his hand at fishing? I must run now.

~ John Bates

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The sun was shining through the open kitchen window as Anna washed up the dishes from their breakfast. They had just arrived back home from lunch at the hotel. William was playing in the back garden.

She could see him from the window moving his little wooden train through the grass and heard him talking and babbling to himself. There was a strand of golden hair falling over his brow. Anna could see her husband so clearly in his features and this caused a wide smile to spread across her face.

'You know, Charlie…you should let mummy see you. She would like you. I promise she would,' the boy said.

Anna furrowed her brow, her hands stilling as she peaked outside, but there was no one in sight and she listened more attentively to her son's conversation. At just over three, he was talking up a storm.

'What about I dig a hole for the train? It could be a garage.' William kept talking. 'You're gonna like the babies…there are two! Jack will like them too, won't you Jack?' The dog was sleeping in the shade under a bush. He didn't bother to open his eyes. 'He will, you'll see.'

'William? Who are you talking to?' Anna asked through the window, still trying to see who Will was chatting up.

'My friend Charlie, mummy,' the boy replied looking at her with a smile on his face.

'Charlie?' Anna thought for a moment before shaking her head lovingly. Surely her boy had an imaginary friend now. 'You tell Charlie you have to come inside, your biscuits are waiting for you,' she said, smiling. How adorable! She couldn't wait to tell John about it.

'Maybe Charlie can eat some biscuits too, mummy!' the boy pleaded excitedly.

'Of course, my darling. Tell him to come in then.'

A moment later her son was in the kitchen behind her, eager for his biscuit and milk. He sat at the table like a little man, and placed his napkin on his lap. The spitting image of John Bates.

'Where is Charlie then?' his mother asked placing a plate and a mug on the table.

'Oh, he didn't want to come. I think he's full.'

'Oh well, maybe next time,' she chuckled as she watched him eating.

And Charlie was full indeed. Full of the milk that Anna had placed out for him. He purred a little and licked his tail and fell asleep under the lilacs. It was too hot today for window sill sunbathing.

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I have such exciting news to share!

We are hiring a night-time pub manager, so John can spend most of his evening at home! And here's the exciting part, the new manager is to be Daisy herself!

She came by the cottage, and told me she was interested in filling the position. Of course I was surprised by this. We've all known for awhile she wanted to leave Downton, but to work in a pub? She told me she'd thought it over and came to the conclusion this was the best opportunity ever for her. She would still be close to all the people she loved, and as a bar manager she would have real responsibility and she would be able to put her education to use. Plus,with all of our out-of-town guests, along with our villagers it will be a challenge to her and a way to know more people and a bit about the world. She seemed very determined and excited at the prospect.

She then met with John at the hotel to settle everything with him and I can say, John is very happy about it too! He knows Daisy is a hard worker and a good girl, and he also told me that Archie was quite pleased when he saw her there.

This is the best possible outcome. Truth to be told, when we were looking for a cook I thought of Daisy for the position but I figured she wouldn't take it because she's always dreaming about something grand and different. I guess I was wrong after all. So, she will be our night manager and will also help Archie in the kitchen whenever he needs it. Unfortunately she can't start for a month or so, until they've found someone to replace at the Abbey.

Daisy has already talked it over with Mrs Patmore, who took the news very well, she says. I suppose she feels it's better than Daisy leaving Downton altogether. She thinks of Daisy as her daughter after so many years, plus I suspect she will be happy to have two of her favourite people working in the same place. With Sam and Daisy both here I have a feeling we can expect even more visits from Mrs. P.

One more bit of news to share - William has an imaginary friend. I think that's so adorable. I can't wait to tell John all about it. I've heard Will talking to him and his name is Charlie. I remember when I was about his age I used to pretend I had a little fairy always flying around me. Mother didn't like it that much because I was always saying that my fairy didn't want me to eat my veggies because they were bad. Children…

It's almost eleven o'clock and little William is already sound asleep. I promised myself I would wait up for John tonight and I will! I have tea, a book and Jack is sleeping at my feet. I dare sleep to take me tonight.

~ Anna Bates.