July 15th, 1927 ~

Today is going to be an exciting day for William and me. Now, that we've started teaching him how to read, the lad thinks he's a big man and he's been begging me to help 'run' the hotel. Of course, I couldn't be happier that my son wants to spend time with me, so today he'll be doing just that. He'll be mostly at my desk, drawing and pretending to read, but I reckon that we will both have great fun. The hotel is not fully booked right now, so I can spare some time and attention on him.

He'll come with Anna for lunch as usual, and then he'll stay the rest of the day while Anna goes home to have her well deserved rest. I think she'll enjoy being by herself…those days are rare and after the twins are born I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to make happen.

By the way, as I wrote in my last entry, I took The Amazing Remo to the council meeting so he could show some of his magic tricks and get the approval of all members and I am happy to say that he will have an act at the bazaar. I think he'll prove to be very popular with the crowd, young and old alike. He's a very personable gent, but as I've mentioned, quite a mystery to us. Ah well, who am I to judge? We all have had our secrets from time to time.

Anna is so pleased, Mr Grant will start working on our gazebo next week. He thinks he can have it finished before the bazaar. We shall see…I am not that optimistic, but then it doesn't matter really. We will have all the coming summers to enjoy it. It's funny to think about the bazaar…possibly by then, our two babies will be here with us. What a wonderful thought.

I can hear Daisy and Archie laughing outside in the garden. Archie always uses the herbs we grow to spice up his food…those two enjoy each other's company very much. I don't mind one bit though as they are hard workers and they're happy here. Happy employees make for a happy business. I just hope he doesn't get too distracted and mix the mint with catnip!

~ John Bates

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Anna could see her son and her husband approaching the cottage through the garden, and she couldn't help but smile to herself as she placed the bowl on the kitchen counter.

'Perfect,' she whispered, glancing outside again. The day was darkening, but a few rays of sun still cast a warm spell on her pale skin as she heard her boys conversation.

'Could I come with you tomorrow too, Daddy?' William asked his father, holding on to his hand with a serious look on his face.

'I suppose you can, until we have more guests. It's too busy for you when we have a full house.'

The boy nodded enthusiastically. 'I can't wait for another chapter of Gulliver's Travels tonight, Daddy!'

'Ah, me too, son. It was my favourite story when I was a boy just like you.'

Smiling, the two entered through the kitchen back door, greeting Anna as they did so.

'Your working men have return! Did you have a good day, my darling?' John said, kissing her temple lovingly. 'Oh…what smells so delicious?'

'Roasted lamb with mash,' Anna smiled. 'I did well today, didn't I?'

'I see that I have to take William with me more often…' John teased.

'Silly beggar. It's mostly walking around with these two that bothers me,' she said pulling William to her, hugging him and kissing his hair. 'I missed my darling boy so very much!'

William giggled as he tried to escape his mother's sloppy kisses, but he stopped fighting for freedom when he looked at the counter.

'Oh!' he gasped in excitement. 'What is that?!'

'Oh, that?' Anna looked up, 'well…why don't you go take a look?'

'A fish! It's a fish!' the boy ran to it, resting his hands on the counter while his blue eyes flashed as the golden fish swam peacefully in the round bowl. 'It's a fish!' William exclaimed, jumping up and down.

'Where did you get it?' John asked Anna, approaching the bowl and looking at it with amused eyes.

'Well…I may have asked Sarah to buy it when I was at the hotel for lunch.'

'Ah! That's why she asked me to spare her for an hour…you naughty girls,' he smiled at her.

Anna nodded quite proud of herself. 'Now, you can name that one, Will. We won't be eating it.'

'No?' the boy couldn't take his eyes off his new friend.

'No, that one is a pet, just like Jack.'

'And Charlie!' the boy added.

'And Charlie.' Anna rolled her eyes.

'Goldie! It's name is Goldie. Goldie Bates, the golden fish.' William smiled at the fish one more time before turning to his mother and wrapping his arms around her legs. 'Thank you, Mummy. I love it!'

'Now you will be a sweet boy and eat all your dinner, won't you?' Anna winked at him.

'I will eat all the dinners ever!' Will exclaimed and turned his attention back to his new pet.

'Oh, did you hear that, Anna? We should write that down and make him sign it,' John laughed to himself.

'Why don't you boys set the table while I finish the mash? If I do any more walking today I will certainly die…' Anna sighed, moving to the stove, with her hands on her back, trying to soothe the tension away.

'Just tell me…' John approached her from behind, resting his hands on her rounded hips, as she poured the boiled potatoes in a bowl. 'Didn't you miss this darling boy of yours as well?' he asked as he kissed the warm skin of her neck.

'That, John Bates, you will have to wait and see,' she turned in his arms to kiss him soundly. 'Now, that's enough of that, Mr Bates. You have to help your son set the table!'

John nodded chuckling, before kissing her one last time. He joined his son and they both set the table, with a candle and a bouquet of fresh flowers from their garden. Later that night, after the dishes and baths, they all sat in bed as Anna once again fell asleep to the sound of Gulliver and his adventures. Life couldn't be more perfect.

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I am so tired today, but so happy.

I made a wonderful dinner for my husband and my son and I had a little surprise for them when they arrived home.

I asked Sarah to go to the village today to buy a gold fish at Mrs Grace's store. She sells everything in there, even old bagpipes. Come to that! Anyway, Sarah chose a very beautiful golden one, the perfect size for the bowl that I wanted to use for it. So, when they arrived home for dinner, the fish was already swimming in his little home on our the kitchen counter.

I put him near the window so he can have some light and see outside. Well…I don't know if he really cares about seeing outside or not, but if he does, he has a nice view for our garden. His name his Goldie. William named it of course, and even John was excited about it. But on second thought, his home by the very kitchen window that Will and John claim to have seen Charlie, although you couldn't prove it by me, might not be the best place for him. We have that window open during the day…and Charlie is a cat after all.

Well, after that, we had a delicious dinner of roasted lamb and mash, and I am now waiting for John to finish washing up. William is already in our bed with Gulliver's book in his hands waiting for Daddy to read it to him, and I am waiting as eagerly. I just hope I don't fall asleep as I normally do, but I don't have much faith on myself…I am terribly sleepy. Oh well, John will tell me about it tomorrow, if I miss anything too exciting.

~ Anna Bates