Page 77 of A New Life in Amsterdam

‘No, we did the right thing. Let them experience some of the magic onNew Beginningsfirst. That’ll make sure they want to move in next door.’

‘True. I like your thinking. Oh, I can’t wait for you and Ted to move in with me. It’s going to be wonderful. Ted will be back where he came from. Isn’t that lovely?’

‘It is. Who’d have thought it would work out with him moving back in? He’ll be glad to have us back home this afternoon. I must say I’m surprised you wouldn’t let him come with us today. Where is it that you’re taking me that we had to leave Ted at home? You know how he likes to come everywhere with us.’

‘I know, but Beatrix is with him. We’re almost there now.’

‘It’s a good job I trust you.’

Soon enough we arrive at the place I have planned for the surprise.

‘Right, since it’s your fifty-ninth birthday, I thought you might like a tattoo. I’ve researched this place and it’s one of the best. No pressure, we can always back out if you don’t want one. I’ve already explained the situation to the staff, and how this is a complete surprise, and that you might not want to go along with it. But I remembered how you said you wanted a tattoo before you hit sixty. You still don’t look a day over forty, by the way. But, yeah… Would you like a tattoo for your birthday?’

‘Seriously? You remembered me saying that?’

For a moment, I am worried my plan is going to backfire. How stupid of me to book a tattoo as a surprise. In hindsight, perhaps it isn’t the most sensible birthday gift. I watch as a big grin reaches across Abe’s face, and he pushes the tattoo parlour door open.

‘I love it. I think it’s the best birthday present ever.’

‘Really? You’re not just saying it?’

‘Nope. It was on my bucket list, and I needed someone to give me a push. It’s brilliant, and so thoughtful. I mean, I only have another year left to get one by sixty, so I’d better get on with it.’

I breathe a sigh of relief as a tall man with piercings through what seems like every orifice greets us and sits us down with some artistic drawings. The pictures are incredible. They are so beautiful that they look like they belong in one of the art galleries around the city.

‘I also have this book,’ says the tattoo artist opening another large plastic-backed book.

‘Many who come in for couples tattoos choose from this one. You can have the same tattoo or half a jigsaw piece, for example, and the partner has the other side that fits. There are so many choices.’

A female tattoo artist walks in and introduces herself to me saying that she will be doing mine.

‘You’re booked in for a tattoo also?’ says Abe, looking at me.

‘Yup, I could hardly leave you to do it on your own.’

‘Shall we choose a tattoo from the couples book then?’

‘I’m happy with that if you are.’

‘Wow. I always said it had to be the right tattoo, and this is perfect. Let’s have a look and see what we can find.’

‘You do know a tattoo is for life,’ I remind him one last time.

‘Well then, I guess now we’re committed for life. Is commitment really so bad?’ he asks.

‘No, not when you’ve found the right person.’

We browse the tattoo book together and point at the same one at the same time.

‘That one?’ we say jointly.

We laugh at our synchronicity as we both tell the artists which tattoo we want.

‘Yin and yang. It has to be that one,’ says Abe.

The tattoo artists prepare us both and we place our wrists out ready to be inked. As they sterilise the area and the coldness hits my skin, I realise there is no turning back. The noise of the tattoo gun starts up and I think to myself how commitment comes in all different forms. It doesn’t always have to be about a fancy ring. But just before the artists can begin, Abe grabs my other hand from across the bed he is lying on and squeezes it tight.

‘For life,’ he says.

‘For life,’ I agree.

‘Good, because now that I’ve found you, I want it to be forever,’ grins Abe.