The Guestbook (5 page)

Monday:

Take care
my
Annie
xx

**********

25
^th
– 28
^th
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

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2
^nd
– 6
^th
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.

Phil, Sue and Jack the dog.

**********

10
^th
May - ?

Barney Quinn

SATURDAY:

ALTHOUGH I AM HERE AS A GUEST, I WILL SOON BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF CHALK HILL. MY NEW HOUSE, APTLY NAMED THE SANDCASTLE FOR ITS YELLOW COLOURING, IS JUST GOING UNDER SOME MUCH NEEDED RENOVATIONS. I’M STAYING HERE TO OVERSEE AND HELP WITH ITS UPGRADE BEFORE I MOVE IN A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW.

I’VE NOT MET THE LANDLADY OF THIS LOVELY COTTAGE YET. THOUGH I SPOKE WITH ANNIE BUTTERWORTH ON THE PHONE, SHE WAS NOT HERE TO MEET ME. APPARENTLY THERE WAS SOME PROBLEM WITH HER PAINTING STUDIO AND SOPHIA LORENZO LET ME IN INSTEAD.

THE LOCAL VILLAGERS I’VE MET SO FAR SEEM TO BE SO FRIENDLY AND SO WILLING TO HELP. I EVEN HAD AN OFFER TO SEE SOME COWS FROM SOME MAN CALLED WILLIAM. NOT WISHING TO OFFEND HIM I ACCEPTED AND SPENT A RATHER DULL HOUR LISTENING TO HIM TALK ABOUT THEM AS I WATCHED THEM GRAZE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU, ANNIE, FOR THE BOOKS, MAPS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS OF THE LOCAL AREA THAT YOU LEFT FOR ME. THIS WILL BE A HUGE HELP IN THE COMING WEEKS.

MY TEMPORARY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR IS BEAUTIFUL. I’VE JUST SEEN HER IN HER BACK GARDEN CHASING THE CHICKENS BACK INTO THEIR PENS. THIS MUST BE ANNIE’S GRANDDAUGHTER.

WOULD IT BE CONSIDERED BAD FORM TO DATE THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF YOUR LANDLADY? I CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF HER. GOD THAT ARSE.

HAVE JUST MET THE BLONDE VISION. SHE’S CALLED ANNIE TOO, PROBABLY AFTER HER GRANDMOTHER. ANNIE WANTED TO KNOW IF I HAD SETTLED IN ALRIGHT SO I IMAGINE SHE HANDLES THE COTTAGE WHEN HER GRANDMOTHER ISN’T HERE. I’M GOING TO ENSURE ALL MY DEALINGS ARE WITH THE YOUNG ANNIE FROM NOW ON. SHE IS LOVELY. THE DRESS SHE WAS WEARING WAS SLIGHTLY SEE-THROUGH IN THE SUNLIGHT, SHOWED OFF HER LEGS BEAUTIFULLY. SHAME ABOUT THE BIG SANDALS, KIND OF RUINED THE IMAGE A BIT, BUT AT LEAST SHE WASN’T WEARING THEM WITH SOCKS. I’VE ASKED HER TO DROP ROUND FRESH EGGS EVERY DAY.

HAVE JUST BOUGHT SUPPLIES FROM THE VILLAGE SHOP. LOCAL MILK, LOCAL BREAD, LOCAL CIDER, LOCAL CHEESE, LOCAL BUTTER AND LOCAL MEAT SO SAID THE VERY ELDERLY LADY AS SHE SERVED ME. NOT LOCAL CONDOMS THOUGH. SHE THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY FUNNY. SHE WAS STILL CACKLING AT HER LITTLE JOKE WHEN I LEFT THE SHOP.

SUNDAY:

LAST DAY OF REST TODAY BEFORE THE BUILDERS DESCEND TOMORROW. I’LL ASK ANNIE TO JOIN ME FOR A PICNIC ON THE BEACH. WILL PACK ALL THE LOCAL PRODUCE FOR LUNCH. AND NON-LOCAL PRODUCE FOR DESSERT!! WELL, JUST IN CASE.

Just dropping eggs off. There seems to be a bit of confusion. I am the Annie Butterworth you spoke with on the phone, I own Willow Cottage. The only living grandmother I have is called Cerise and lives in France.

Thanks for the comments about my bum and legs, very much appreciated. I’m glad you are making the most of the local produce and the non-local. It is always good to be prepared!!

A picnic sounds lovely. I’ll bring the chocolate chip cheesecake I made this morning for dessert. Much tastier than eating condoms, they can be a bit rubbery!!

HAVE NEVER BLUSHED SO MUCH IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. ANNIE COULDN’T STOP LAUGHING ABOUT IT. SHE HAS THE LOVELIEST LAUGH I’VE EVER HEARD.

PICNIC WAS LOVELY. WE TALKED A LOT. ANNIE IS VERY FUNNY AND SWEET. I GET THE SENSE SHE WAS HOLDING SOMETHING BACK FROM ME. SHE’S BEEN HURT IN THE PAST, SOME CHEATING EX-BOYFRIEND SCUM MOST LIKELY. WE’RE TAKING THINGS SLOW FOR NOW.

MONDAY:

URGH, THE BUILDERS HAVE ARRIVED ACROSS THE GREEN AT SOME UNGODLY HOUR. BETTER GO AND MAKE TEA AND SUPERVISE THE EXTENSION AND NEW FITTED KITCHEN.

DESPITE THAT I HAVE FOUND THE BEST BUILDERS MONEY CAN BUY, DESPITE THAT I HAVE PAID THEM EXTRA TO HAVE THIS JOB FINISHED QUICKER, THEY STILL STAND AROUND A LOT AND DRINK TEA, THEY TOOK AN HOUR AND HALF FOR LUNCH AND HAVEN’T BROUGHT ALL THE PARTS/TOOLS THEY NEED TODAY.

MY DAY HAS JUST GOT ONE MILLION PER CENT BETTER. I HAVE JUST SEEN ANNIE NAKED. OH MY GOD! SHE IS BEAUTIFUL. SHE HAS A TINY MOLE ON HER BUM, A SCAR ACROSS HER SHOULDER, BUT SHE IS PERFECT IN EVERY SINGLE WAY.

I PERHAPS SHOULD ADD WHY I SAW HER NAKED, I’M NOT A SLEAZY PEEPING TOM. THERE WAS A FOX IN HER GARDEN AND ANNIE SAW HIM JUST AS SHE WAS GETTING OUT THE SHOWER. WITHOUT A MOMENT’S HESITATION SHE RAN DOWNSTAIRS AND OUT INTO THE GARDEN TO SCARE HIM OFF BEFORE HE COULD EAT THE CHICKENS. I OF COURSE RAN ROUND TO HELP TOO, THOUGH THE FOX HAD ALREADY GONE BY THEN. ANNIE WAS A LITTLE EMBARRASSED TO HAVE ME SEE HER NAKED BUT SHE STILL HAD THE GOOD GRACE TO INVITE ME ROUND FOR DINNER. I DID ASK WHAT THE DRESS CODE WAS AND WHETHER I SHOULD COME AS CASUALLY AS SHE WAS DRESSED. SHE SAID MAYBE I SHOULD WEAR A TIE. SORELY TEMPTED TO TURN UP JUST WEARING A TIE BUT NEED TO REMEMBER WE’RE TAKING THINGS SLOW.

TUESDAY:

A GREAT EVENING WITH ANNIE, SHE MAKES ME LAUGH A LOT.

Just dropping off fresh towels. I had a lovely evening too. I’ll be at the painting studio all day today until quite late tonight but maybe we can do it again on Thursday.

I WOULD LOVE TO.

THE BUILDERS HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS TODAY DESPITE THEIR CONTINUAL TEA BREAKS.

Wednesday:

Hi Barney. I’m Sophia, the cleaner, we met on Saturday. I normally pop by once a week to tidy things up but we’ve not had any long term residents before. If you would prefer to be left alone rather than me coming in and disturbing you then please let me or Annie know.

Annie is walking around with a huge grin on her face about her dates with you. I haven’t seen her this excited and happy for a long, long time. She’s had a difficult few years so just be careful with her. Be patient and I promise you it will be worth it. She is a lovely girl with a beautiful heart.

I’ve just been told off for writing this, apparently she doesn’t want you to know about her past so I’ll say no more about it. Though quite how she expects to keep it quiet in Chalk Hill is beyond me.

I am not made out of china; I do not need to be treated as such.

Though I do appreciate you’re only looking out for me.

EVERYONE HAS BAGGAGE SOPHIA, I’M SURE ANNIE’S IS NO WORSE THAN ANYONE ELSE’S. IF SHE DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT THEN I WON’T PUSH HER OR ANYONE ELSE FOR INFORMATION. WE ARE TAKING THINGS SLOW AND AS I AM MOVING INTO CHALK HILL PERMANENTLY I HAVE NO INTENTION OF HURTING HER OR TREATING HER BADLY. I WOULD BE A FOOL TO, NOT LEAST BECAUSE I’D THEN HAVE TO FACE THE WRATH OF YOU AND THE OTHER TWELVE VILLAGERS THAT HAVE ALREADY WARNED ME OFF HER.

BARNEY

I’m sorry the villagers have felt the need to speak to you about me. They’re very protective. I promise you I don’t have any foul or hideous diseases. But if you want to call it off, I’d completely understand.

Annie x

GLAD TO HEAR OF YOUR GOOD HEALTH! I’M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO DINNER TOMORROW NIGHT. EVEN VILLAGERS WITH THEIR PITCHFORKS WOULDN’T STOP ME.

THURSDAY:

WITH AN EXTRA CASH BONUS HANGING ON THE END OF A STICK FOR THE BUILDERS IF THEY FINISH IT ALL BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK, THEY ARE NOW WORKING LIKE TROJANS. THEY ARE STILL GOING THROUGH MORE TEABAGS THAN I’VE HAD HOT DINNERS BUT AT LEAST NOW THEY ARE DRINKING WHILST THEY WORK.

HAD A LOVELY DINNER AGAIN TONIGHT WITH ANNIE, DRANK A FEW BOTTLES OF LOCAL CIDER AND THEN A VERY DISAPPOINTING WALK ON THE BEACH. IT COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE ROMANTIC WITH THE MOON SHINING OVER THE WATER BUT WE STILL HAVEN’T KISSED YET. IT’S SO FRUSTRATING. I KNOW I SAID WE WERE TAKING IT SLOW, BUT AT THE MOMENT WE AREN’T EVEN MOVING.

Friday:

Just popping some eggs in. I’m sorry you were disappointed with last night. There are quite a few single girls in the village and surrounding areas who would be more than willing to move quicker. You’d probably be better off with one of them.

Annie

MY LOVELY ANNIE. PLEASE DON’T GET UPSET BY MY SLIGHTLY DRUNKEN RAMBLINGS, THAT CIDER IS POTENT STUFF. I DON’T WANT ANY OTHER GIRL, I ONLY WANT YOU. I SUPPOSE I THOUGHT THAT IF WE HADN’T EVEN KISSED YET THEN WHAT I REALLY WANT TO BE DOING WITH YOU WAS A VERY, VERY LONG WAY OFF. I’M HAPPY TO WAIT, BUT I DON’T WANT TO JUST BE FRIENDS WITH YOU, I WANT MORE, MUCH MORE. IF YOU DON’T SEE US GOING THAT WAY, THEN I’D RATHER KNOW NOW.

JUST GOT BACK FROM A DAY AT THE HOUSE, THE KITCHEN IS NEARLY DONE AND THE FOUNDATIONS ARE FINISHED FOR THE EXTENSION.

NO WORD FROM ANNIE, I BETTER KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANGRY VILLAGERS WITH BURNING TORCHES.

Saturday:

I like you Barney, I really do, and definitely more than just as friends. I’m just not sure I’m ready for a relationship yet. This is all so new for me and quite honestly more than a bit scary.

JUST GOT BACK FROM A RUN. I DON’T WANT TO RUSH YOU ANNIE, I’VE GOT ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. I’M HEADING OVER TO THE HOUSE NOW, THE BUILDERS ARE PUTTING IN HALF A DAY TODAY. I’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU OVER FOR DINNER TONIGHT. NO CIDER THIS TIME THOUGH.

ANNIE’S COMING FOR DINNER TONIGHT, WHAT ON EARTH DO I COOK FOR SOMEONE WHO IS SUCH A BRILLIANT COOK HERSELF. MY TALENTS LAY FIRMLY IN THE ‘SOMETHING ON TOAST’ DEPARTMENT. MAYBE A TAKEAWAY IS THE ANSWER. I CAN SPEND MORE TIME CHATTING WITH HER THEN.

FEEL LIKE SUCH A SHIT. HAD ANOTHER WONDERFUL EVENING WITH ANNIE, BUT SHE FINALLY TOLD ME WHY SHE WAS HOLDING BACK. THERE WAS ME THINKING SHE’D JUST HAD A CRAPPY EX-BOYFRIEND NOT THAT HER HUSBAND, HER CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART HAD DIED TWO YEARS AGO. NO WONDER SHE IS HESITANT TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP. SHE MUST FEEL GUILTY FOR MOVING ON AND CONCERNED FOR WHAT THE VILLAGERS WILL THINK ESPECIALLY HIS FAMILY WHO LIVE HERE TOO.