October 9th, 1927 ~
October seems to be a busy month for us. You'd think the hotel business would be slowing down a bit, but not so! We've had four phone reservations come in just today. Two for late Friday afternoon and two early Saturday morning. That means we'll have a full house for the weekend. They all mentioned wanting to view our Fall colours. I hope they're not too disappointed. There isn't a lot of colour yet. I told them that but no one seemed to want to change their plans. Another couple of weeks the colour should be at it's peak. But the weather is fine and they should find plenty to do. It looks to be a good will pick them up at the train station. Ah, here comes Anna and the children. I'll finish this later.
Sam stuck his head into the office at lunchtime. He wanted to tell me he'd be going out fishing early in the morning, which would have been fine except Will was here and when he heard that he begged to go too. Sam told him sure before I had the chance to say otherwise. You see, fishing to Sam usually means sitting against a tree with his line in the water and falling asleep. Anna just doesn't trust him to watch Will by the stream, which runs especially high and fast this time of year, and I don't either really - So, I will be getting up early and going with them. Will's thrilled, Anna's satisfied, I'm resigned and Sam is probably wondering how he lost all control of his fishing trip.
Ah, there seems to be a bit of movement on the Mr. Molesley, Miss Baxter front. They were here for lunch yesterday and I think it's a good sign that they seem to be taking their half days off together. That will meet with Anna's approval. They appeared quite cosy, with their heads together, when I wandered over to greet them.
Miss Baxter asked about the twins and I suggested she run next door for a minute and see for herself as I knew Anna and the children were out in the garden. That gave me a moment to sit down with Mr. Molesley and catch up on how things were going up at the big house. When I asked him as much he must have thought I meant between him and Miss Baxter, for he grew red in the face and began to stutter. I was relieved when Archie came over to ask for my help in the kitchen. An embarrassing moment was averted.
I'll find out on my own how things are at the Abbey on Sunday. The whole family has been invited to Miss Marigold's birthday party. She's a quiet little thing, extremely shy, but I find her very sweet and William's quite taken with her. It sounds like it's going to be a grand affair. Anna has made the girls new yellow dresses just for the occasion. I'm glad we'll be able to pile everyone into the Austin and not have to put the twins in their carriage and walk to the Abbey. I always end up with Will on my shoulders and the way he squirms around does not make for a peaceful Sunday stroll. It will be so nice to see everyone, I guess.
~ John Bates
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October 9th 1927 10 pm
There, I've done it! I've just finished putting the last of the crocheted lace trim on Finn and Fee's fancy yellow dresses. You see, we're going to Miss Marigold's birthday party on Sunday - the whole family. It's to be held on the great lawn of the Abbey. It sounds almost like festival really, with children's games and pony rides. The Crawleys do know how to put on a party.
Marigold is such a shy, sweet little girl. I've often see her hide her head in Lady Edith's skirts. I hope it doesn't all overwhelm her. I remember once, a long time ago now, John said to me he felt a bit sorry for Lady Edith, but truth be told, that's exactly how I feel about Marigold. Lord knows there's no reason to, the child has everything she could want and she seems very well loved, but there it is. And my William is so taken by her. The little scamp. He doesn't see her often, but when he does he seems to bring her right out of her shell. Will is a character and he's turning into quite the charmer. I wonder who he gets that from?
So, after much pondering, it was decided we would make a book for the birthday girl. We know she loves to read, and really, what can you buy for a child who has everything?
Every evening for the past week, instead of a bedtime story, William, John and I have been writing a fairytale, well, Will has mostly. It's to be entitled, Princess Marigold and Her Brave Knight, Sir William of Bates. It includes much heroic dragon slaying by Sir William and swooning and hankie waving by Princess Marigold. Not exactly the way I would write it, but it is Will's story after all.
So my son the dragon slayer is coming up with the tale, I'm transcribing it and John is illustrating it and making the cover. It's been a great family effort and so much fun. I think I'll suggest we write another story just about our family. Queen Anna and Her Gallant Men - Featuring the Tiny Princesses.
You should see the pumpkins we have growing in our garden! William is having such fun watching their daily progress. The boy already has one chosen for the first pie from our very own garden and every day is a new battle to keep him from picking it too soon. To get his mind off of the pumpkins I'm going to send him to the back of the garden tomorrow with his little wagon and have him pick up the apples that have fallen on the ground. Apple pie, applesauce… Ah, I love this time of year!
By the way, we had a fine dinner of fried fish and crusty homemade bread for dinner, caught by John and Will this morning. As predicted, Sam caught a nice nap.
Well, enough of this. My lovely husband just walked into the bedroom. He'll do his quick check on the girls and, oh yes...here he comes.
Anna Bates ~
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~ Sir William of Bates ~
It was a beautiful day for a party. White linen covered tables decorated with ribbons and balloons were strewn across the great lawn. The sounds of a Victrola playing lively music, and the laughter of the guests could be heard wafting through the air. This happy outdoor gathering was sure to be the last before the season changed for good.
There were children aplenty rolling down the gentle slopes of the park. Children of all ages and backgrounds. Sadly, they were probably not boys and girls the Crawley grandchildren knew personally because they didn't actually know any other children aside from their own cousins and little William Bates, of course. From the moment they first met him, a toddler in his mummy's arms, Will had owned the hearts of the Crawley cousins.
So it was, when the Bates family drove down the long gravel drive to the big house and exited their shiny new Austin, Will was the first one out, clutching his gift to Marigold in hand. Anna and John followed, each carrying a babe in their arms.
'Happy birthday, Marigold!' The boy ran toward the young girl as soon as he saw her and hugged her tightly when they met. 'Look, I have a present for you!' He showed her the little handmade book. 'I wrote it myself...mum and dad helped.'
Marigold smiled shyly and took the book in her hands. 'Thank you, William!' She read the title slowly. 'It's us! You wrote a story about us?'
'Yeah…' the boy scratched at his ear. 'I'm the knight and you are the princess.'
'William made me a book!' the girl said to Lady Edith as she approached them, a big smile on her face.
'How nice, darling!' Lady Edith put her arm around the girl's shoulders. 'Did you thank William? And Mr. and Mrs. Bates?'
'Thank you.' Marigold smiled shyly, leaning against the woman's legs.
'You're very welcome, Miss Marigold. I hope you enjoy it.' Anna replied, and John followed, wishing the girl a happy birthday.
'Why don't you take your book and show it to George and Sybbie? They do like a good story,' Edith suggested, running her hand protectively through Marigold's locks. "And be sure to take William over to the pony rides. He might enjoy that.'
Will looked over his shoulder for his parent's approval, a big smile on his face. Oh yes, he would definitely enjoy that. Once permission was granted he turned back to Marigold, "Great, but do you want to read your book first?
'Yes, let's go, William. I want to read it now!' And with that, the girl took William by his hand and they both ran back to the party, joining the other children.
'Your son is a charming boy. Marigold couldn't stop asking when he would arrive.' Lady Edith said, looking at the babies in the Bates' arms.
Anna smiled, 'William is very fond of Miss Marigold as well. She's a lovely girl. Will's been going on and on about the party all week.'
'Anna!' Mary's voice came from behind her sister. 'I was beginning to think you'd never get here.'
'I'm sorry m'lady, but with these two it was impossible to get away earlier. And they don't travel lightly,' Anna, added nodding to the large moses basket at John's feet.
'Oh but, no matter, you're here now! The children were asking after William every second. Despite the age difference they're simply mad about that boy of yours. Here, Bates,' Mary offered. 'Let me carry her, I am sure you will want to walk around and chat with some old friends. Papa was anxiously awaiting your arrival. Edith, grab that basket.'
John nodded quite unsure what to do. He didn't really want to walk around and chat. He would rather stay with his wife and daughters, or watch over Will while he played. But when he looked over at Anna, she gestured him to do as her former mistress had suggested.
'It will do you good to relax today,' Anna told him, winking ever so slightly. She knew too well what he was thinking at that moment. He would always chose to spend his time with her and the children, but she genuinely thought he should talk to some of his old friends. Break the routine from the hotel. While that reasoning made no sense to him - he saw all the friends he wished to see when they dropped into the pub - he agreed and placed the baby in Lady Mary's arms.
'Which one is this?' Mary asked.
'That's Fee, m'lady. Fiona. She has darker and thicker hair,' John pointed out, running a hand over his daughter's head before leaving them.
'I would never be able to know which one was which,' Edith remarked, quite impressed by the girl's resemblance.
'You would, m'lady. A mother always knows.'
xxxx
'Bates! My dear fellow, join me for a glass of wine!' Robert cheered as John approached him.
'M'Lord, I don't drink.' John said, smiling at his old comrade in arms.
'Oh right! I forgot. What about tea? We have tea, don't we Molesley? Or punch?'
'We certainly do, M'Lord.'
'I'm all right, thank you,' John replied, trying to spare the footman from more work. 'How are you, M'Lord? I trust everything is well.'
'Indeed, Bates. Indeed it is! Everything is wonderful. I was actually just talking about that to Molesley here. And you? I see your wife was already snatched from you,' Robert chuckled.
'She was. My daughters too. They always have something to talk about.'
'Oh yes, yes they do, Bates. Mary was saying just this morning that she couldn't wait to have a good chat with Anna today. Many years together, I reckon. They were both really just girls when Anna began to dress her. There's something special about that.'
'Yes, there is,' John agreed.
'We have been through the same, haven't we Bates? We were both young men when duty called us to Africa, and then all the years you worked here.' His Lordship sighed heavily.
Lord Grantham was turning maudlin, John feared. 'Oh yes. especially the years I worked here, M'Lord. I met Anna in this house, started a family here…'
His Lordship considered this. 'It's almost as if we are a big family, isn't it? Anna and Mary practically grew up together, and now your children and my grandchildren are friends. The family lives on in our children.'
John nodded, quite touched by his former master's words, but he didn't respond. He wasn't sure if he should. So as the valet he once was, he chose to remain silent and only nodded in agreement. That was his place really, because no matter how much his lordship thought of him as 'family', the truth was they would never be. There would always be a line dividing them, even if nowadays that line was thinner than it used to be.
xxxx
'Awww look at 'em! The little darlings...'
There was a crowd of women gathered around Anna and Mary, the reason being, they held the twins. The girls were wide awake. Alert and looking at everything their big sparkling eyes could take in.
'When I visited the other day I couldn't get over how much they looked like Mr. Bates. It's amazing,' Baxter gushed, smiling down at the babies.
'And young Will is the perfect combination of both!' Mrs. Carson remarked, as she grabbed Fee's chubby fist.
'Must be really upsetting, after all those long nine months and labour, that your girls take after their father, who's only done the good part to have them here.' Mrs Patmore wrinkled her nose at the idea.
'Oh no, Mrs. Patmore. Not upsetting at all. I love that all of my children look like their father, because even with the blond hair and blue eyes William looks like him too, really.' Anna replied caressing Finn's cheek with her fingers. Indeed the spitting image of their father, exactly how she always pictured them while they were growing inside of her, and she wouldn't change it for the world.
'Oh! Was that a smile?' Mary spoke excitedly, looking down at Fee in her arms. 'I think she smiled. Did she smile, Anna?'
'Oh they are smiling now. William didn't give them any rest until they were able to. Finn is the more serious though.'
'One more thing she takes after her father,' Mrs Patmore remarked again.
'May I hold, Finn?' Miss Baxter asked.
Anna nodded with a smile, placing the girl in the maid's arms. 'Oh my, she's so sweet. Just look at her, Mrs Patmore.'
Mrs. Patmore considered this. 'She's sweet all right, a little angel from heaven, but I prefer when they talk and eat proper food. At least I know how to please them that way.'
'I am sure you know how to please them now, Mrs Patmore.' Anna giggled at the cook. 'Why don't you hold one and see for yourself?'
'Hold Fee, .' Mary offered her the girl. 'She's heavy. I'm not sure I can hold her for any longer.'
'They eat very well.' Anna smiled at her former mistress.
'Another thing taken from Mr. Bates!' The cook laughed at her own joke before turning silent, as the girl was placed in her arms. 'Oh my Lord….'
'Isn't it nice, Mrs. Patmore? To hold such a sweet baby in your arms?' Miss Baxter spoke, rather enamored.
'Oh yes...I guess…'
'See, she loves you!' Anna clapped her hands together, when Fee reached up and grabbing for Mrs. Patmore's nose.
'I suppose they are not so bad after all.' Mrs Patmore smiled at the baby, her heart melting when the girl let out a big, happy squeal.
'What about we take a walk around the garden, Anna? Just the two of us?' Mary suggested.
'Go Anna, we'll take care of your girls,' Miss Baxter encouraged. 'Take as long as you want.'
Anna thought for a moment, before agreeing. 'It won't hurt, I guess. But if something happens, come and get me or Mr. Bates right away.'
'Of course, Anna, don't worry. Now go. You deserve a little rest as well,' the lady's maid stated, rocking the baby in her arms ever so gently.
Anna's babies were in good hands.
xxxx
'One more time, George!' Marigold pleaded her cousin to read the story again.
'I've read it twice already. You stay here and read it if you want. I'm going to mount my trusty steed and go slay that dragon who lives at the edge of the garden. Who's coming with me?' George suggested but Marigold turned her up nose at that idea, being just a tiny bit afraid of the ponies.
'Don't worry, Marigold,' William said, understanding his friend's fears. 'We can read it again later, before I go home, and you can read it every night before you go to bed,' William said, trying to reach an agreement between cousins. 'And besides, Princesses don't need to ride mighty steeds. That's what the brave Knights do.'
'This Princess rides a mighty steed!' Sybbie piped up, pointing to herself.
Marigold looked down at the ground, her shyness not allowing her to speak up.
Lady Edith, noticing what was happening, walked up to the group of children. 'Now isn't this Marigold's birthday? I think she should be allowed to say what she wants to play at. Go ahead darling. What do you want to do?'
Marigold remained quiet.
'Auntie Edith is right. It's Marigold's day. What should we play then?' Sybbie asked.
Marigold just shrugged her shoulders.
'How about Hide and Seek? I know you like that, don't you?' Will suggested. 'Marigold?'
This produced a big smile on Marigold's face and she nodded her head enthusiastically.
'Yes, Hide and Seek! And I am counting,' George said. And the children dispersed, running wild to find the best hiding spot.
The party lasted all afternoon. Spirits high and joyful, everyone eating until they could eat no more.
John had found Anna on one of his walks with Lord Grantham, and the two former servants and their masters continued strolling together for a while longer. Finally the Bates' were able to find some time to be on their own when Lady Mary was called to the telephone and His Lordship was waylaid by his mother.
They continued strolling the grounds for a bit longer, finding themselves in their old nest, the courtyard. They agreed that while this place had served them well during their time in service it held nothing but fading memories now. Good and bad. After reminiscing for a few minutes they returned to the party in search of their children.
They found Miss Baxter, Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Carson still sitting where Anna had left them, Mrs. Patmore was by this time a child-care expert. They were happily talking with everyone who stopped by. The Bates' girls seemed to be a main attraction at this party.
John looked over to the great lawn to see his son playing Hide & Seek with the other children, hiding behind trees and bushes and even people.
And then it was time to go. Anna gave him 'the look' and asked him to round up William.
This was easier said than done, but finally the boy came running, a disappointed expression on his face.
'Already?' he asked, pouting. He was dirty and sweaty and tired, but it was all good.
'We have to go Will, the girls are getting fussy.' John said, running his hand through his son's damp hair.
'Spoil sports,' the boy harrumphed, crossing his arms.
'Will, they are babies. They can't run and play like you do. They get bored from being picked up and touched by everyone who stops by. They need a good feed and sleep. And you do too, I believe, sir.' He smiled at William, knowing too well that once the boy had his dinner and a bath he would fall in bed and be asleep in a second. 'Now go say goodbye to your friends. And thank them for inviting you. Your mother is already waiting in the car.'
William nodded obediently, not so upset now. He imaged if he was just a tiny baby and couldn't play, he would be really bored too. With a smile he walked toward his friends who were waiting for him to finish with his father.
'I have to go. My baby sisters need to rest,' he said.
'Tell your Papa to bring you here more often, William.' George extended his hand for a manly handshake.
'I will.' William took the boy's hand, giggling as they parted. And turned to hug Miss Sybbie and finally to Miss Marigold.
'Thank you for inviting me to your party, Princess Marigold.' He hugged the Marigold for a bit longer, and when they stepped back she kissed his cheek.
'Thank you for your present, Sir William. It was my favourite.' Marigold smiled at him one last time and he walked back to his father waving goodbye to his friends.
'I see Miss Marigold really liked her present,' John said as he took William's hand to walk him to the car. 'You even got a kiss!' he chuckled down at his son, noticing how red and flushed the boy was.
'I guess that was my present,' the boy said shyly. 'After all, I did save her from the horrendous dragons on my book.'
'Indeed, Sir William of Bates. The most horrendous dragons of them all.'
The journal entries are written by handy for the bus & terriejane.
We'd like to thank the lovely annamays (aka fuzzydream) for being our beta.
Thank you for reading :) please review