A stag night with the average age of twenty brushes past our chairs as they rush off to the next pub, already merry. I look at them and think how I don’t miss my youth. I wouldn’t change anything. I certainly wouldn’t want to be young now with camera phones recording everything. I’m glad I spent most of my partying time in the Eighties. I mean, the music was a lot better then, for a start.
We stay at the bar for an hour or two when a rowdy band starts to play, and Debbie and I both agree we should finish the night back home. Something else that has changed as I have got older is the fact that I can’t bear too much noise. Thankfully neither can Debbie.
Reaching home, I sneak a peek over at Abe’s houseboat as I open the front door. His lights are on. Perhaps, just like me, he prefers to be at home in the evenings.
Debbie is only too happy to head to bed as soon as we get in and, since we have a party tomorrow, it is probably for the best. Besides, I’m more than happy to have an early night. After all, it means I can lie in bed and think about Abe and the bird’s eye view I had from the canal cruise today. Now that will most certainly give me sweet dreams tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Debbie has always loved entertaining. She is forever doing a Macmillan coffee morning and when her son, Ollie, was younger, she would be in her element having the school mums over and arranging bake sales. So, I am not surprised to see that she is up at the crack of dawn the next morning and, by the time I get up, she already has the oven on ready to bake for our party. I hope she realises that my teeny oven is going to be nowhere near as effective as her top-of-the-range Rayburn at home.
‘I popped out early to the supermarket. I hope you don’t mind. Thought I’d bake one of my Victoria sponges. We can show your Dutch friends that we have good food in the UK too.’
‘Fantastic… And if nobody comes then I can eat it all myself.’
‘Silly, of course people will come. I bet they’re looking forward to seeing you again.’
‘I don’t know. I really should have put an RSVP on the invites. At least then I’d have some idea. I just didn’t want to stress everyone out since it was so last-minute that I decided to throw this thing.’
I haven’t spoken to Abe about it and he hasn’t popped over to say he is coming either. I am still so embarrassed by the fact that he caught me ogling him on the canal. Why do I always make such a buffoon of myself when it comes to him? I have never felt so clumsy and silly around a man. I always seem to be mortified about something I have done.
‘I was thinking I could make some cucumber sandwiches, what do you reckon?’ asks Debbie.
‘Do the Dutch like cucumber sandwiches?’
‘I’ve no idea, but I thought we could put on a British night. Of course, it’s your party. But how about jugs of Pimm’s and cans of apple cider?’
‘Sounds great, although they might think they’re at Wimbledon and not at an autumn houseboat-naming celebration.’
‘You’ve a good point. Okay, let’s rethink this. How about pumpkin soup, apple and blackberry crumble, as well as my speciality Victoria sponge, pumpkin spice lattes and mulled cider?’
‘Now that sounds amazing. Shall I give you a hand with the cooking?’
‘No, you know what I’m like. I’m in my element. Leave it to me. You organise the decorations and I’ll carry on with what I do best.’
‘Fabulous. I’ll pop to the shops in that case, and pick up what I can to decorate.’
I rush out, not having brushed my hair properly as I am in such a hurry to get organised with the decorations. As soon as I leave my front door, I see Abe locking up.Oh no, do we have to exit our homes at the exact same time?I quickly pull my hood up and try to pass incognito, even though I realise I look like one of the guys down the Red Light District. I don’t manage my disguise though, and Abe shouts over to me.
‘Hey, Sandy.’
‘Oh, hello, Abe. Didn’t see you there.’
‘You all set for your party later?’
‘Yeah. I’m just off to get some bits to brighten the place up. Are you coming over tonight?’
‘Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it. I’m really looking forward to it.’
My heart skips a beat at the thought of him joining us.
‘Ah, good. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to make it.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t miss my favourite neighbour’s party.’
I giggle nervously and consider his words. Did he really sayfavourite neighbour? Mind you, I still don’t know who Abe has living on the other side of him, so perhaps that is someone totally miserable, and anyone would be an improvement.
‘Anyway, I’d better get going. I’ve left Debbie in charge of the oven, and it can be a bit temperamental. I don’t want to leave her for too long.’
