‘Ah, right. Do you live near here?’
‘Yeah, not too far away. I live on a houseboat on one of the canals.’ I’m still so proud of my new home that I love telling random people that fact.
‘No way? That’s so cool. I’ve always wanted to live on a houseboat, haven’t I, Barry?’ she says looking at her partner.
‘Oh, yes, she loves them. You’ve started her off now. I’ll never get her to stop talking about them. I’ve promised Tracy we’ll try the Norfolk Broads one day.’
‘That’s definitely our next holiday after meeting you. We must do it,’ she says enthusiastically.
They both start asking me all sorts of questions about the houseboat and as I answer them, I feel like pinching myself. For the first time in my life, I am not Hannah’s mother, or the accounts assistant at the council, but an interesting woman who owns a houseboat on the canals of Amsterdam. My next mission is to learn Dutch; after all, I can’t live in a country and not attempt to speak the native language.
‘So, what made you move to a houseboat? It’s quite a big thing to do.’
‘It was one of my wilder moments, I suppose. I saw an advert on the internet and bought it. I hadn’t even visited it and just bought it from what I saw online. I truly don’t recommend you do that, but it paid off. I’m very lucky that it was a risk worth taking. We’ve got to take risks sometimes, don’t you think?’
‘I always say that, don’t I, Barry? You’ve got to grab life with both hands. Make the most of every moment. You’re so inspirational and brave. You should do TED Talks about giving it all up and moving here.’
‘That’s very kind of you. I’m neither inspirational nor brave, to be honest. I just realised that I didn’t have much to lose and took a chance.’
‘Well, I really admire you,’ she says.
‘Thanks.’ I drain the last of my beer, which is quickly going to my head. That beer was stronger than I thought. Then I bid the couple goodbye and head off in what I hope is the direction of home. Now I understand why Gerrit gave me the floating key ring.
The sun is already starting to go down as I head towards home. The temperature has dropped since I was sat outside, and the thought of a nice hot cup of coffee is spurring me on as I walk. As I pass some of the buildings, I count the windows as I go by, remembering a story about how people used to be taxed by the number of panes. Some of the buildings I pass have so many windows that I wonder how the owners could ever have afforded to pay the taxes. Maybe they were showing off their wealth. I would have probably chosen to put up wooden boards in front of the windows, like some of them have, to avoid such a hefty penalty. Then, as I am looking at the next set of windows, I reach a house on the corner where I see a large stork built into the architecture. For a moment I wonder quite how many beers I have had, until I recall what Abe told me about the stork house. I take a photo of it on my phone and excitedly hurry back to tell Abe I found it. I feel like I have been on a treasure hunt.
I have a spring in my step as I rush home to tell Abe and Beatrix about the stork, but as I approach, I notice that something has been moved on my doorstep. It looks different, and then I realise that something near my front door is slightly off. There is something different about the location of the reclaimed rocking chair I picked up in a flea market. I hold my hand up to the wind. Has there been some kind of huge breeze that is strong enough to shift a rocking chair? It’s been the most beautiful day, so that wouldn’t make sense. As I get closer, I can see something orange either side of my door. How strange. Someone has been here. At first, I feel afraid. What if someone has burgled my houseboat? I have heard of things like this happening when I did my research back home. I even heard of someone stealing a houseboat and sailing off with everything inside; fortunately, this one can’t move. It’s bad enough having someone break in, so imagine having your whole home stolen.
Nervously, I approach my front door, wondering if I have anything heavy in my bag to knock someone out if I have to. But, as I get a closer view of my door, I notice the orange objects I saw from afar are two beautifully round, large pumpkins. Surely a burglar wouldn’t leave a calling card, unless there is some kind of Pinching Pumpkin Thief of Amsterdam that I am blissfully unaware of. How strange.
Chapter Fifteen
Although I am surprised by the arrival of two pumpkins on deck, I must admit they suit the place. They are just what I would have picked had I been able to carry them. They are perfectly plump, and if there was a pumpkin contest, I’ve no doubt they would win. I look around for signs of who could have been here, but I don’t see anything, and I notice that my lock hasn’t been tampered with, so I gingerly open the door. Despite everything looking exactly as I left it, I still call out in case I have missed something. Fortunately, it is silent and there is nobody in sight, so I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Since the only people I know around here are Abe and Beatrix, I pop over to thank them for dropping the perfect pumpkins off. I wanted to tell them about the stork house anyway, so it gives me the perfect excuse.
Ted greets me on deck and lets out a friendly bark as he spots me.
‘Hello, Ted. Are your mam and dad in?’ I ask.
A guy in a long black coat walking past the barge overhears me and gives me a strange look. Then I notice Abe, who is pottering about on the other side of the roof. I should have guessed he wouldn’t be too far away if Ted is around. Abe must be doing some work on board as he’s wearing navy dungaree overalls splashed in paint. His ponytail is tied back as always, and he looks like he could be one of the famous Dutch painters at work. How can someone look so good in overalls?
‘Hey, how’s your day?’ he says.
‘Great. I came to tell you that I saw the stork house. I came across it on my walk.’
‘That means you’re practically a native now.’
‘Well, I’m still finding my way around, but… Anyway, I also came round to say thanks for the pumpkins. They’re so gorgeous. So perfect, and they look amazing.’
‘Pumpkins? What pumpkins?’
‘The two you dropped off outside the front door.’
‘You know, I should have thought of doing something like that for you, but I’m afraid that wasn’t me.’
‘It wasn’t you? Maybe Beatrix?’
‘No. It wouldn’t have been her either. Not guilty, sorry.’
