‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.’
‘It’s okay. It was a big life lesson. As I got older it made me reconsider what I wanted in life. In the divorce, we sold the big house that the salary paid for, I got rid of my nice car and got a new home on the water. Thankfully Beatrix helped me get through it all.’
‘That’s good. Beatrix is a lovely woman.’
‘She is,’ says Abe, looking down at Ted. ‘So, yeah, then Ted’s owner died six months ago and I took him in. He actually used to live here. Did you know this was Ted’s old home?’
‘Oh, poor Ted. I had no idea. No wonder he feels so at home here. Well, he’s welcome here anytime. How old is he?’
I look at Ted, who seems so content. I hope he doesn’t mind that I have made some changes to his old home.
‘He’s around nine.’
‘Such a sweetie. Well, I’m so glad he has a fabulous new home.’
‘Me too. He’s a good boy.’
I lift my glass and hold it out to Abe.
‘Well, cheers to the brilliant company of dogs.’
‘To brilliant company.’
Abe and I look at each other for so long that I eventually have to turn my head.
‘So, what’s next on the agenda for the home improvements?’ he asks finally.
‘I’m pleased you mentioned that. I wanted to ask if you have that number for the plumber to look at my boiler. I can’t seem to warm this place up.’
‘Ah, yeah. I’m so sorry. You did ask me. I’ll find it for you because you definitely need it. Wait until winter really kicks in. You need lots of layers here and something to cuddle up to.’
I avoid Abe’s gaze as he says this and jabber on about my hot-water bottle nervously. Why I am telling Abe about my hot-water bottle, I don’t know.
‘So, where is your husband to keep you warm? Or is that rude of me to ask?’
‘No, it’s fine. He’s in Australia.’
‘He’s in Australia and you’re in the Netherlands. How does that work?’
‘It doesn’t. He’s moved back permanently. We’re no longer together.’
‘Okay, is that so? I’m sorry. Breaking up is hard.’
‘Yeah, it is, but I also see my best friend who is quite unhappy in her marriage right now and she keeps telling me how envious she is. Paul and I weren’t unhappy. We just wanted different things in life as we got older. We never argued. It just came to a natural end.’
‘Well, that’s good. There’s nothing worse than arguing. My house was full of it, which is perhaps another reason I worked so hard, to stay out of the way. To be honest, my relationship was harder work than my career at times.’
‘Yeah, I know what you mean. It can be if you don’t get along. It’s not the best way to live. Perhaps, when we hurt subconsciously, or feel lonely, we do things that are unhealthy. We binge on food, alcohol, work too much, or, if you’re like me, shop too much. I’m glad you’re in a better place now though. So, how did you and Beatrix come to set the coffee shop up?’
‘Everything is about coincidence. The guy who owned this boat, Henrik, he was the previous owner of the cafe. He wanted to retire and asked me if I’d like to take over. I was still thinking about what I wanted to do with my life as I’d not long quit my job in finance when he approached me. It seemed like it was the ideal time to run my own business, on my own terms.’
‘Isn’t it funny how sometimes things present themselves to you at the right time? Like this place did with me.’
‘Absolutely. Sometimes you’re wondering what to do with your future and then something you never dreamed of comes along,’ says Abe.
‘So true.’
‘Here’s to new opportunities,’ says Abe, refilling our glasses. ‘So, once you finish the renovations, what then? Do you work?’
