‘Sandy, hi.’
I look around to see Beatrix dressed up as a gothic princess. She looks amazing in her long purple and black dress with her hair pulled back into tight braids.
‘Beatrix, how lovely to see a friendly face. I don’t know a soul here.’
‘We can’t have that. Let me introduce you to some people.’
I almost feel like a child on her first day in a new school as Beatrix takes my arm and leads me towards a woman dressed as a gory nurse covered in blood.
‘This is Annelise, who invited you. It’s her place.’
The woman, who must be in her early thirties, holds out her hand to greet me.
‘I heard a British woman bought old Henrik’s houseboat. Welcome, it’s good to finally meet you. Sorry, I should have written your invite in English. I just wrote them all out and posted them. I didn’t think.’
‘Oh, no. It’s fine. I’m supposed to be learning Dutch anyhow.Stroopwafels! You see? That was the first word I learnt.’
‘Ha. Well, that’s an important one, for sure.’ Annelise laughs and then tells me that I must meet Pieter, who spent a while in the UK.
‘Pieter, I want you to meet Sandy. She’s bought Henrik’s boat.’
Pieter is a friendly, jolly guy, with red cheeks and a smile that beams from ear to ear. He juggles his pint as he stretches his hand out to greet me.
‘It will be good to speak English again. It’s been getting rusty since I left as an exchange student.’
‘Great, well, I’m happy for you to keep up your English if I can practise my Dutch on you. I’m trying to learn. I start my lessons next week.’
‘Anytime. You’ll find me onShip Happens, it’s just on the other side from here.’
‘Ah, yes, I remember seeing that one.’
‘It’s not the finest houseboat here, but I love it. It’s named after my divorce.’
I can’t help but laugh and tell him how fabulous the name is. We chat about things he misses in England, such as the fish and chips he enjoyed on his school exchange in Barnsley.
Pieter insists I meet his girlfriend, who has moved in with him on boardShip Happens, and so we head over towards the bathroom where she is standing. Lotte is as friendly as her boyfriend and welcomes me to the community. Beatrix joins us and says Abe is on his way but has been delayed at the cafe.
I don’t know much about Beatrix, and I am about to ask her about herself when a tall, handsome Dracula walks in.
‘Ah, my brother finally got here,’ she says.
‘Your brother?’
I look in the direction of where she is looking and the only person that I can see is Abe.
Pieter waves him over.
‘I haven’t seen Abe for a while. It’s good to catch up.’
‘Sorry,’ I interrupt. ‘Is Abe your brother, Beatrix? You’re brother and sister?’
‘Yes, what did you think?’
‘I don’t really know. I thought perhaps you were together.’
Beatrix laughs so hard she makes a funny snorting sound.
‘Hi, what’s so funny?’ says Abe, joining us.
