‘Oh, that’s cute. I definitely will. Thanks.’
I watch as Abe turns his attention to a beautiful woman who opens the front door of his houseboat. I observe her closely as she takes her shopping bags inside. Ted is jumping all over her and I realise it wasn’t only me he was pleased to see.
‘Ah, Beatrix is here. See you again,’ says Abe.
‘Yes, have a great evening.’
We wave goodbye to each other, and I summon the courage to face the musty interior again. After I have scrubbed the barge from top to bottom, unpacked and put the photo of Nicky and I up along with one of Hannah, I can finally see the potential in this place becoming a home. By the time I stop for a coffee, the sun has gone down on Amsterdam and I pop outside the front door for some fresh air before it gets too chilly.
I watch as a couple snuggle up together as they walk down the street and feel a moment of loneliness. Everywhere I look people are with others. Abe is next door with Beatrix and Ted, while I am here with just an empty mug of coffee for company. Feeling slightly forlorn, I head back in. It’s been a long, emotional day and I momentarily fall asleep on an old chair that’s been left in the living room. But within minutes, I am woken up by a cacophony of unfamiliar noises. The wood creaks and crunches and the sound of groaning old pipes startles me as I wake up. In my dozy state, I begin to worry. What if I can’t run from that hole in my life? All the other things I bought didn’t make me feel any better about myself. What if the houseboat doesn’t either?
Chapter Ten
By the next morning, I am much less emotional and convince myself there is no time to be lonely as I start to plan the restoration work. At Hannah’s suggestion, I take some ‘before’ photos. The green Formica kitchen worktops will be one of the first things I rip out since they’re practically hanging off already. For a moment, I consider starting some kind of blog, like the woman I read about in Brecon, although nowadays people would perhaps prefer Instagram or TikTok for the renovation updates. I then decide that it would be like inviting the whole world into my bedroom. Since I have always valued my privacy, I take photos of the progress to share only with Hannah and Debbie. It will be wonderful to look back at them when it’s all done. Had I bought something shiny and new there would be no fun in it. What sense of achievement would it bring if this place was already perfect and ready to move into?
Gerrit has been most helpful and called to say that he is on his way to take me to the hardware store as well as a carpet store to check out some rugs. For someone who earned his commission so easily, his after-sales service is astonishing.
I hear the beep from his little black car and rush outside as he waits for me.
‘Hi, I can’t stay too long. I have to take my son to football practice. So, I’ll take you to the carpet place first and then the hardware store.’
‘Thank you. I’m so sorry for taking up your morning. This is so kind of you.’
‘It’s fine. I moved to London for a year when I was a student. I know how it feels to move somewhere and not know anyone.’
‘Well, I really appreciate it.’
Gerrit knows the guy at the carpet store and is a regular customer. They chat in Dutch, and I wish I could understand them. What if he’s telling him to rip me off? But Gerrit seems genuine enough so hopefully it’s okay.
The sales assistant shows me some hard-wearing rugs that he says are ideal for a houseboat, but I am drawn to the most gorgeous red nomadic Shiraz rug with flecks of grey and black. It might be more Persian than Dutch, but it is so nomadic that it feels in keeping with my new life. This rug was made for me. I snap it up, paying for it with the car boot sale money, and the guy tells me it will be around two weeks for delivery since we won’t be able to fit it in Gerrit’s little car. Now the mission is on to paint and get the floors ready before my rug arrives. This is going to be the busiest few weeks of my life.
Next, we head to a hardware store where I find a great offer on power tools and, while I am there, I choose the wood that is needed for the flooring. Unbelievably, they have it in stock and they advise me that they can send a carpenter tomorrow morning to fit it. I can’t quite believe my luck, and it almost feels as though the god of houseboats is looking down on me. I’d have had to wait months to find a carpenter who could fit me in back home. They tell me that he can also sort out my kitchen worktops. Thank goodness for carpenters who want to make a few extra euros on the weekend! Perhaps it isn’t as difficult as I thought to renovate the houseboat – if you have a good team around you.
Armed with the equipment I need for the jobs I plan on doing, I arrive back home with power tools and some paint pots and brushes. I’m ready to give this houseboat the makeover it needs, but first it’s time for a coffee. Since I haven’t had time to stock up the fridge or the food cupboards yet, I put all the DIY stuff to one side in the kitchen and decide to treat myself to a hot drink along the canal and pick up a snack before I start.
I cross a bridge over the canal where a bicycle is decorated in pretty pink flowers. I look at the buildings around me wondering where the stork building is. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it on my travels. It will always remind me of my first day on the houseboat and meeting Abe. I must try and meet Beatrix next. It would be nice to have some female friends here.
I walk past some coffee shops and look for somewhere I’d feel at home. A lot of the cafes have youngsters enjoying all sorts of things. But one place looks a little more grown up, with its Georgian windows and neutral-coloured squishy sofas.
The smell of pancakes as I open the door is simply gorgeous and I go to the counter where a huge blackboard advertises hot chocolates and lattes. Knowing the afternoon of hard work that I have ahead of me, I order their speciality hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows along with a Dutch pancake. The young girl at the counter tells me to sit down and that it will be with me shortly.
I can tell this is going to be one of my favourite places. With its Eighties music and black-and-white memorabilia decorating the walls, it has the coolest vibe. Customers quietly read and I spot a little library in the corner where people are encouraged to swap books. When my pancake comes out with whipped cream, Nutella and a Dutch flag, I know I’ll be back. My hot chocolate is loaded up with cream and I am spooning a marshmallow into my mouth when I spot Abe walking in. I guess this is where most of the neighbourhood comes since it is so close to us.
I am tucked away in a corner and he doesn’t notice me as he walks to the counter. To my surprise, he then lifts the counter flap up and walks straight into the kitchen area at the back. I wonder if he works here.
I carry on eating my pancake when I see Beatrix walk in with Ted. We haven’t met yet and so she wouldn’t know who I was if I tried to get her attention. The staff all seem to know her as they chat in Dutch and make a fuss of Ted. He seems to love everyone and equally, everyone loves him. Beatrix goes into the kitchen while Ted stays with one of the staff out front. Customers start making a fuss of him and then he wanders about until he sniffs around and spots me.
‘Hello, Ted.’
He seems to want to jump up on my lap and so I help him up.
I’m stroking his head, telling him what a good boy he is when I hear Abe’s voice.
‘Hey, my new neighbour. Great to see you here.’
‘You too.’
I look at the chocolate feast I have on the table and feel like I have to explain myself.
