I take a photo of the completed houseboat as I wait for Abe to pop over to his place to get whatever he has in mind. Then I send the photo to Hannah and Debbie. I am astonished that I have managed to get it all so beautiful in so little time. If I could have dreamed of the most idyllic houseboat to live in, it would be this one. There is nothing I would change about it.
As Abe walks back towards me, I can see him carrying a bottle and something red that I can’t quite make out. I try to squint but have no idea what it is.
‘Here, the final piece to make it home,’ says Abe. I look at what he has in his hand and realise that the red item is a little pair of wooden clogs for me to put out on deck.
‘Oh, Abe! This is the final touch? They’re so cute.’
‘I thought they’d be a nice decoration for you. They used to always be on the deck, by the front door. When they cleared Henrik’s place after he died, I couldn’t bear the thought of someone throwing them out, so I took them to keep safe. It’s up to you, but I thought perhaps they could be a memory of the last owner. A mark of respect to him? Perhaps you can even use them to grow flowers in. Some people do that.’
‘I absolutely love that idea.’ I throw my arms around Abe and thank him once again. ‘What would I do without you?’
‘You’d be fine without me, although maybe you wouldn’t have quite so much fun,’ says Abe, handing me the bottle he’s brought over.
I look at the fancy bottle of champagne in my hand.
‘Wow, this looks expensive.’
‘It’s the last memory of my old life and the one thing I didn’t leave behind when I came here. It was a gift for reaching a target at work. It was too nice to open. All these years, I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. I think it’s time to open it. After all, we are celebratingNew Beginnings, right?’
‘Are you sure? Once it’s open it’s gone forever.’
‘I’m sure. Just make sure you don’t drop it on the way in.’
I pretend to let it slip, but truthfully, I am holding onto it for dear life.
Together, we walk inside, and Abe opens the champagne while I search for a suitable glass. Unfortunately, I don’t have any champagne flutes, and I quickly realise that I shouldn’t have sold all the crystal glasses I had back home. We will have to make do with the tumblers.
Just as Abe is talking about the history of the champagne and where it comes from, someone knocks on the door. It makes me jump and I am relieved that I no longer have the bottle in my hand.
‘You expecting anyone?’ says Abe.
‘No. Not at all. That’s strange.’
I open the door to find Beatrix standing on the doorstep.
‘Hi, can I come in? I have something urgent to tell you.’
‘Yeah, of course.’
‘Ah, Abe. You’re here too. That’s good.’
‘Is everything okay?’ I ask.
‘It’s more than okay. I have the most amazing news. The stall is yours. I had a call from my contact there. It’s yours, but you will have to arrange your market pass and street market licence first, or they’ll have to give it to the next person on the waiting list.’
‘Seriously? Does he not need to meet me or see my stock? I haven’t been to see him yet.’
‘I told him how talented you were, and I showed him a photo of that jumper you made and the miniature Ted. He’d not seen felt animals before and he loved them. So, he said for me to come and tell you that it’s yours if you want it.’
I look at both Abe and Beatrix, who have the biggest smiles on their faces.
‘What a day this is turning out to be. We were just celebratingNew Beginningsbeing finished, and now this. Beatrix, you’re going to have to join us for some of Abe’s special champagne.’
I pour her a glass and we all squeeze together on my sofa. As I sip the champagne, I realise that it doesn’t matter what kind of glass I am drinking out of. It is who is sitting beside me that is important.
Chapter Thirty-Six
When I arrive at the market, the stall manager, Fabien, is waiting in the office for my pass, along with the other documents he has requested. I have been quite impressed by how easy it is to get all the required documents in the Netherlands, whether it has been for the houseboat or setting up a market stall. The country is so efficient compared to other places. Beatrix comes with me to meet Fabien for moral support and to ensure there are no hiccups. Fabien is a jolly man. He is friendly but doesn’t beat about the bush when it comes to the rent.
