The Guestbook Read online

  Olly said the same thing when he was here. He’s offered me his beach house in California. I may go there for a few weeks before the peak season hits.

  Tenby beach or California? Lord I know which I’d choose. Though I do have the added bonus of my lovely gardener, Connor. He is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. The most amazing arms, so muscular, thick strong thighs, lovely hands. I do so love a man who is good with his hands. If I was thirty years younger I wouldn’t mind having a go myself. He might be just what you need as a distraction.

  Thursday:

  Mmmm Tenby is looking more and more tempting. To see the Puffins of course.

  Yes, maybe Connor could take you over to Skomer to see them. There’s loads of secluded remote sections of the island.

  Haha, Hetty, you are wicked.

  Come for dinner tonight and we can discuss this in person rather than through the medium of this book.

  Not my fault you always seem to be out when I pop in.

  Not to burst your bubble my lovely, but I do have other people to see whilst I’m here. I’m cramming in as many morning teas, lunches and afternoon cake sessions as I possibly can with the lovely people of Wells. I’ll squeeze you in at seven tonight.

  I’m honoured.

  Friday:

  It’s been lovely seeing you again Annie. It was great chatting to you last night and I’m so looking forward to paying back your hospitality in Tenby in a few weeks. Give my love to William, that’ll freak him out.

  **********

  21st – 24th March

  Mr and Mrs Slater.

  Saturday:

  Thank you for the welcome basket and flowers. We are looking forward to a nice quiet weekend away. George is especially looking forward to the fishing. Thank you so much for the book on fishing and the bucket of ragworms you left us. I never thought I’d be saying thank you for them. They are the most hideous, disgusting creatures I have ever laid eyes on, but George is delighted. I am reliably informed ragworms are an excellent sea fishing bait.

  Mrs Slater

  The fishing is spectacular. I caught two big bass and a pollack today. We are barbequing the bass later.

  George Slater

  Sunday:

  The little beach huts are so cute. Is there any way to rent one for the day or weekend?

  Mrs Slater

  Just popped by to drop off some eggs.

  Most of the beach huts are owned by families and passed down through the generations. Many of the huts have been there since the Victorian era though there are many newer ones. They are a few on sale for around 50-60k and a handful that are rented out in the summer months. I think if you just type into Google ‘beach huts, Wells-Next-The-Sea’ you’ll be able to find a few companies that rent them out.

  Nick and I rented one for a week for our honeymoon. We slept there, even though we weren’t supposed to, on sleeping bags and air mattresses on the floor, there was nothing more exciting than waking up and opening the door and stepping out onto the beach every morning. Pure heaven.

  Annie

  Annie dear, I’m 73, George is 76, we don’t have much need for Google.

  I’ll get you the telephone number. If you let me know what dates you are interested in, I’ll email them on your behalf and find out if they have any availability and what kind of price you’re looking at.

  Monday:

  We’ve had a wonderful stay and George is most impressed with the fishing. Thanks for the help with the beach hut. We may rent one in the summer but we’ll stay here too, we’re too old to be sleeping on the floor at our time of life.

  **********

  28th – 31st March

  Mike and Sarah Littleton. And bump.

  Friday:

  What a beautiful cottage. I love the log burner. I definitely want to come back in the winter and sit by a big fire whilst the wind is roaring outside. Of course, we’ll be a threesome then. Our bump, getting bigger by the day, is due in four weeks. Mike is sure it will be a boy, I have a feeling it’s a boy too but I wind him up that’s it’s definitely a girl. He kicks a lot, so he’ll probably be a footballer. Or an Irish dancer.

  Sarah.

  Ha, I knew it was a boy, for the last nine months I’ve felt sure it was a boy. Just from the way you are carrying our bump and your cravings, the books say it’s probably a boy too. That’s it then, when we get back, I’m painting the nursery blue.

  Annie do you have a hot water bottle by any chance, Sarah’s back is hurting. We’re going down the beach now, if you read this before we get back and you have one, just leave it in the kitchen. By the way, the phone reception from the house is not great, any ideas where I can put a call through.

  Thanks Mike.

  I’ve left you a hot water bottle in the kitchen and a bottle of my favourite bubble bath, a good soak might help to ease the aches a bit. Go to the bottom of the garden to make calls, phone reception is good there.

  Annie

  The beach is lovely. Shame I had to cut our walk short, bloomin Braxton Hicks. I’ve had them for the last two weeks now and they’re getting closer and more painful. Perfectly normal says my nineteen year old male doctor when I went to see him last week. He even told me they weren’t that uncomfortable. How the heck would he know? I felt like kicking him in the balls and asking him whether that was uncomfortable. Thanks for the hot water bottle Annie. I’m off for a bath and then an early night.

  Sarah.

  Saturday:

  Braxton Hicks continues. According to my prepubescent doctor walking is good for it. So we’re going down to the beach today. I’m determined not to spoil our last holiday together by sitting around the house moaning. The weather is beautiful so I’m going to make the most of it.

  Personally, I would prefer her to take it easy, but there’s no persuading her to sit still.

  Managed to persuade her to sit on the beach today rather than walking too far. She’s so uncomfortable bless her. Another early night, but she’s not sleeping well either.

  Shit, Shit, Shit!

  SUNDAY:

  AS VISITORS TO WILLOW COTTAGE WE FEEL COMPELLED TO WRITE IN THE GUESTBOOK. BABY LITTLETON WAS BORN THIS MORNING AT 2.27AM. BABY WEIGHED IN AT 7LBS 2OZ. MOTHER AND BABY DOING WELL.

  JIM AND KATIE, PARAMEDICS.

  We would like to welcome into the world our new baby. Willow Rose took us quite by surprise a little after midnight. By the time the paramedics got here the head was already out. She was delivered shortly after. She is quite possibly the most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my whole life. I know all Mums say that, but she really is stunning. Mike was amazing, so calm and together. Though reading his previous comment maybe he was panicking under the surface just like I was. Although mine was more on the surface panicking.

  Sarah

  How can I fall in love with her so quickly, so immediately? I cannot stop staring at her. She is perfect in every way. We didn’t have a girl’s name; we were both so sure it was going to be a boy. But Willow, after the cottage seems to fit perfectly. Sarah was fantastic, so brave.

  Mike

  I can agree. Willow Rose is the most beautiful baby in the world. A first for Willow Cottage. We’ve not had babies stay here before, let alone be born here. What a wonderful surprise to wake up to this morning.

  Annie x

  Just came round to check on the mother and baby. Both seem to be doing well. Willow Rose is a good weight and is responding well to breast milk.

  Sally Jenkins - Midwife.

  PS Annie, the house looks amazing x

  Monday:

  We’re extending our stay by a few days. We need to get a car seat to take Willow home and Mike is not willing to leave us alone just yet to go and buy one. My parents are driving up from Cambridge and are going to stay in the other room. They are bringing all the things we need and we may go home Wednesday or Thursday. Luckily Annie doesn’t have any other guests coming until the weekend.

  Our baby Granddaughter is beautiful and w
hat a lovely place for her to be born. Thank you Annie for accommodating us at such short notice.

  Mr and Mrs Baxter (Sarah’s parents)

  Tuesday:

  Annie, thanks so much for the rubber ring. It is painful to sit down at the moment, how very thoughtful.

  Sarah

  Thursday:

  We’re going home today. Thanks so much for having us. I can’t believe how our life has changed so much over the last few days.

  Love Sarah, Mike and Willow Littleton

  **********

  5th – 19th April

  The Meechams

  Mrs Butterworth, the house is beautiful. Thank you so much for the Easter eggs for Megan and Isabelle, that’s so thoughtful.

  Mrs Meecham.

  MY EGG HAD CHOCOLATE BUTTONS WITH BITS ON TOP AND A PUZZLE ON THE BACK. ISABELLE’S HAD SMARTIES SO I HAD HALF OF HERS AND SHE HAD HALF OF MINE. I FOUND A SHELL THAT LOOKED LIKE A CAT TODAY. IT EVEN HAD WISSKERS WHISKERS.

  MEGAN AGE 6 ½

  Tuesday:

  I’m so glad you liked the eggs Megan and that you are enjoying the beach. If you would like to see some baby cows let me know and I’ll take you up to Butterworth Farm.

  Annie Butterworth

  THURSDAY:

  THE COWS ARE SO CUTE. EIGHT BABY CALVES. WILLIAM SAID I COULD NAME THE BABY ONES. I CALLED THEM JAKE, BELLA, FIZZ, MILO, DORA, DAISY, SPOT AND SPLAT. SPLAT IS CALLED SPLAT BECAUSE HE DID A BIG SPLAT WHEN I WAS STROKING HIM. SPLAT IS MY FAVOURITE. SPOT HAS A WHITE SPOT ON HER FACE. ISABELLE LIKED SPOT BEST.

  MEGAN

  FRIDAY:

  THERE WAS A SANDCASTLE BUILDING COMPETITION ON THE BEACH TODAY. ME AND DADDY AND ISABELLE MADE A HUGE ONE WITH TURRITS AND FLAGS AND SHELLS AND WE CAME SECOND AND WON ICE CREAMS. I HAD CHOCOLATE WITH NUTS AND MARSHMALLOWS AND CHOCOLATE BUTTONS.

  SATURDAY:

  WE SAW THE SEALS TODAY. WE WENT ON A BOAT AND SAW THEM. ONE WAS VERY FAT AND HAD BIG EYES.

  SUNDAY:

  IT RAINED SO WE PLAYED ON THE WII. I BEAT DADDY AT THE BOAT GAME BUT MOMMY WAS BETTER THAN ME.

  TUESDAY:

  IT’S STILL RAINING BUT I HAVE A PUZZLE BOOK. ISABELLE HAS A COLOURING BOOK WHICH I AM HELPING HER WITH. IT ALSO HAS STICKERS. MY PUZZLE BOOK DOESN’T HAVE STICKERS.

  You can come round and help me make cakes if you want; I need help with the icing part too.

  Annie x

  THURSDAY:

  FOUND A FROG IN THE GARDEN. I DREW HIS PICTURE AND MOMMY HELPED ME TO TAKE HIS PHOTO ON HER PHONE AND PUT IT ON HER FACEBOOK. I CALLED HIM SLIMY.

  GOOD FRIDAY:

  I MET MR BUTTERWORTH TODAY. HE WAS NICE AND FUNNY. WHEN I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS ANNIE’S HUSBAND SHE SAID NO BUT HE SAID YES. BUT HE MUST BE IF SHE IS MRS BUTTERWORTH AND HE IS MR BUTTERWORTH. HE IS HERE BECAUSE THERE IS A PLATE OPENING TOMORROW. I’M NOT SURE HOW A PLATE CAN OPEN BUT MOMMY SAYS WE CAN GO ALONG BEFORE WE LEAVE AND I CAN PAINT SOMETHING. DADDY SAYS HE LOVES MR BUTTERWORTH. HE KEPT SHAKING HIS HAND AND SAYING HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIM.

  GOOD SATURDAY:

  WE ALL WENT TO THE PLATE OPENING TODAY. I PAINTED A FROG JUST LIKE SLIMY. I GAVE HIM PURPLE SPOTS BECAUSE I LIKE PURPLE. ISABELLE HAD HER HANDS AND FEET PAINTED AND PUT ON A PLATE. SHE CRIED. MR BUTTERWORTH ALSO PAINTED A MUG THAT SAID HE WAS THE WORLD’S BEST WRITER. THERE WAS LOTS OF GLASSES OF WINE BUT I HAD A GLASS OF ORANGE JUICE IN A SPECIAL WINE GLASS.

  Annie, we have had the best time and you have made the girls feel so welcome. Thank you so much.

  Love Rebecca, Ben, Megan and Isabelle Meecham

  **********

  19th – 21st April

  Oliver Butterworth. Black

  I’m glad I get to stay here tonight. The spare bed in Annie’s house is very uncomfortable.

  The grand re-opening of The Painted Plate was a huge success. The press turned up and there were even a good number of customers. Not bad for Annie’s first day. So many of the locals turned up as well to support her which was lovely. They all love her here, that much is clear. I wasn’t comfortable with the questions the press were asking about the reason The Painted Plate had stayed closed for so long. I just palmed them off with tales of decorating and renovating. Thankfully they were only local press and not the damned paparazzi that hounded us after Nick had died.

  Oliver Black

  After flying in from New York yesterday, I’m feeling so jet lagged it’s like I’m drunk. My mind is racing and I’m clearly not thinking straight. I just offered to accompany Annie on a walk on the beach. She always goes for a stroll on the beach after dark, she’s done it as far back as I can remember. Why I felt the sudden compulsion to go with her I don’t know. It’s a recipe for disaster; moonlit stroll along the beach, the waves lapping gently on the sand, the deserted solitude, my beautiful best friend, what on earth am I thinking? What’s worse is that I’m now putting my innermost feelings in this damned book.

  I have already betrayed my brother in the worst possible way just six months after he died, I can’t let it happen again. I just have to remember that she’s my brother’s wife, she is not the girl who rode on the back of my bike as a kid, she’s not the girl I shared my first kiss with. She is my brother’s wife, nothing more than that. Arghhh why am I writing this stuff?

  Sunday:

  Early hours Sunday morning. I’m so tired now, think I’ve been awake for thirty nine hours. Of course we sat on the beach and talked, of course she got cold and I put my arm round her, of course she sat next to me with her head on my shoulder. I didn’t do anything. She’s my brother’s wife.

  Oh Olly!

  Woken up around lunch with breakfast in bed. Annie is a wonderful cook and I’m feeling a lot better now that I’ve slept. Yesterday was just the inane ramblings of a madman.

  Flying back out to New York tomorrow, for which I am thankful for.

  I did not go for a walk with Annie tonight.

  Monday:

  Take care my Annie xx

  **********

  25th – 28th April

  Rosie and Jake Hamilton

  Friday:

  Hi again Annie, just back for a weekend. It’s so sweet that Willow Littleton was born here.

  Jake and I are in the middle of doing up our new home so it’s nice to have a break even if it is only for a few days.

  Rosie

  HI ANNIE. IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK.

  JAKE

  Saturday:

  Another day at the beach today. I could walk on that beach every single day, I love it here. I’m trying to persuade Jake to move.

  Whoa! The power has just gone out. We’ve not had any dinner yet.

  A QUICK CHECK HAS REVEALED THAT THE WHOLE VILLAGE OF CHALK HILL IS OUT AND BY THE SOUNDS OF IT ALL OF WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA IS OUT TOO.

  Wow! What an amazing night. Shortly after the power went down and we were wondering what we were going to do for food, someone set up a barbeque on the village green. People started coming out of their houses with burgers, chicken, sausages and whatever else they had in their fridges. Annie told us to come out too even though we didn’t have anything to contribute towards a barbeque. There was so much food and drink that everyone in the village was catered for. Someone built a big fire and many people returned back to their houses to bring out blankets and duvets. We all sat together well into the night eating each other’s food and drinking cups of hot chocolate and chatting until the early hours of the morning. There was such a huge sense of community.

  THE POWER IS STILL OUT BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER (EXCLUDING MY WEDDING DAY OF COURSE). WE HAVE MADE SOME REAL FRIENDS TONIGHT AND I CERTAINLY COUNT ANNIE AS ONE OF THEM.

  JAKE

  Sunday:

  The power is back on, just in time to cook breakfast. I’m not sure eggs and baked beans would be easy to cook on a barbeque.

  I think I might be pregnant. It’s so early in our marriage and I wanted time alone with Jake before we had kids. We have spoken about it though. Jake would like a whole football team.

  WHAT??!! YOU
WRITE THIS IN THE BOOK AND NOT TELL ME FIRST.

  Monday:

  I’m not pregnant. Though I wanted more time, I can’t help feeling a huge sense of disappointment. I had already started to think about names.

  MY DARLING ROSIE, THERE’S PLENTY OF TIME YET. I LOVE YOU AND WE HAVE THE REST OF OUR LIVES TOGETHER.

  TILL NEXT TIME ANNIE

  JAKE X

  **********

  2nd – 6th May

  Phil and Sue Martin

  We have had a lovely time here in Wells-Next-The-Sea. Our dog Jack loved the beach so much he had to be carried off it at the end of the day. Not an easy feat considering how big he is. Willow Cottage is delightful. The Frog and Rhubarb does fantastic food and even lets in dogs, which was great for us.