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settled in this area in 1798, and built Hope House on the very spot where my ancestors had been hill farmers many generations earlier.’
    She looked up at her mother. ‘It’s a fascinating story.’ She tapped the papers again. ‘I must ask Mr James to explain some of this to me,’ she said. ‘I need to find out more about it all.’
    ‘Huh, even if he could tell you more, it’s a question of whether or not he will,’ Margaret said, making a face. ‘Time is money to him, and his fees are costly. Or do you think he’s going to give you his time for nothing just to satisfy your curiosity?’ She gave Anna a long, hard look, and wagged her finger. ‘Not him!’ she said, and stood up with a sharp intake of breath. ‘There, I feel much better for saying my piece. Now I’ll go and make us some lunch.’
    They had just finished eating when Ieuan Rees rang back and asked what Anna wanted. She explained, and arranged for him to call in a day or so if possible. For the rest of the afternoon, she gave time exclusively to the old documents, going over the wills and deeds, the ancient inventories, and the huge copies of the Land Grants given to her ancestors by the British monarch of the time.
    As she studied the papers, she read out interesting bits to her mother, but by now, it was obvious Margaret was fed up with hearing about it and didn’t share the same enthusiasm. It was only then that Anna began to realise how much her mother was worrying about the huge responsibility that she had inherited.
    Her biggest fear was that Ieuan Rees would give some outrageous repair quotes, and suggest the restoration would be beyond her financial means. She wanted nothing to dampen her enthusiasm. Deep down, she knew that whatever he said, she was already committed to the place, and determined to go ahead if at all possible. She decided she had better keep a wary eye on things and sensibly acknowledged she was hardly someone with experience of this sort of thing.
    After a short period of silence about the inheritance, Margaret gave a sigh of acceptance and sat down with her daughter to look at the documents. As she did so, Anna smiled to herself at the gesture, and thought of the old adage: ‘ If you can’t beat 'em , join 'em’ , and hoped that her mother was doing just that.
    It was seven in the evening when Anna went to meet her two closest friends at the local inn. Liz Edwards was her best friend and joining them for a drink was her good friend Dot Philips, who was currently hoping to find a job in London. As she drove to the Rising Sun, Anna felt excited at the possibilities for the old mansion. It was just a case of working hard enough to get her idea off the ground. In fact, by now she could imagine the place alive with people, all clamouring to stay in the peace and quiet that Hope House would offer as a small hotel.
    The marketing would be the secret to success, and she knew how to do that. She smiled to herself as she figured exactly how she would advertise the place nationwide.
    Once Anna had told her exciting story, both friends congratulated her on her good fortune, and offered to help in any way they could. Anna kept her mind on how much she was drinking because she was driving home, but even so, it was after eleven when she returned to Rose Cottage, feeling more than a little exhilarated. ‘All set, Mum,’ she said, cheerfully.’ The girls are thrilled with the idea and they’re both willing to help. I think we’ll be up and running before long.’
    ‘Well, all right, but don’t forget the council planners,’ Margaret warned. ‘They’ll need to approve change of use for the premises from residential to hotel before you can start anything. And have you thought about how much rates they’ll charge you then? It’ll be a business, so it’s going to cost.’
    ‘I’ll meet that problem when I come to it, Mum,’ Anna said, waiving aside the remark. ‘I’m qualified in business management, remember. I know