‘Yeah, I heard terrible things about that oven from Henrik. You must be careful not to let it overheat.’
Oh. I guess a new oven should be next on my never-ending list of home improvements then. I think of Nigel’s words about the cost of boats. I am beginning to think he wasn’t just being a killjoy.
I bid goodbye to Abe and set off to the shops. I want to get back as soon as possible so that I can make sure everything is absolutely perfect for tonight; especially now I know that Abe will be coming.
By seven p.m. I have tied Dutch and Welsh flags all around the houseboat and we are ready to expect the unexpected. I might have no idea who will show up tonight, but at least I know Abe will be here, and Gerrit is coming along with his wife.
Debbie has arranged a mouthwatering display of autumn dishes and the smell of pumpkin soup is wafting through the air. With the mulled cider simmering away, you could almost bottle the smell in here and sell it as an autumn cologne down the market.
We put on some Nat King Cole in the background and wait for everyone to arrive. The one thing I have learnt about people here is that everyone is quite casual and, while back home I would have probably put on a nice dress whenever I was throwing a party, tonight I am wearing jeans and a jewel-coloured plum jumper that sweeps down at the neck, revealing a thin silver chain. I take one last look in the mirror and get ready to welcome Abe and the rest of my neighbours.
The first people to arrive are Pieter and Lotte, whom I met at the Halloween party.
‘Hey, you made it. Good to see you.’
‘We never miss a party. Smells gorgeous in here. Like cinnamon and spices,’ says Lotte.
‘Ah, that’s all down to my friend Debbie here, she’s amazing at catering for parties. Please do try one of her mulled ciders,’ I say, handing her and Pieter a cup each.
I leave them chatting to Debbie as I open the door to more arrivals. Six strangers, who I don’t remember from the party, turn up and introduce themselves as neighbours from further down on my side of the canal. They say their names quickly, but I am unable to remember or pronounce them, so I point to Debbie and tell them she will get them drinks. Let’s hope Debbie doesn’t ask me to introduce them to her. Next, Gerrit appears with his wife, who I have heard so much about. Annika is just as he described. Gerrit told me that she plays a lot of basketball and it’s clear by her athletic build. I feel quite unfit just looking at her. She is every bit as friendly and pleasant as Gerrit, and I excitedly introduce Debbie to them, leaving them chatting as I have to welcome another couple who I think I recognise from the previous party. They tell me how much they love what I’ve done with the houseboat. I thank them and then lead them over to Debbie, Gerrit and Annika for their choice of cider or pumpkin latte and rush back to the door to open it to yet more neighbours. As I am about to close the door, I spot Camilla making her way towards me. Ah, I wonder which houseboat she lives in. I bet it is the perfect one with the cutesy pink roses all around the door. I smile at her as she walks towards me.
‘Hi.’ I try to welcome her, but she still seems a little hostile.
‘Hello. Is Abe here yet?’
I am taken aback by her forthrightness.
‘Um, no, I’m sure he won’t be long though.’
‘Good.’ She walks in, almost barging past me. I look over to Debbie, trying to warn her that Camilla is more foe than friend. Other than Camilla, it is wonderful seeing how many strangers have turned up to my party. I never expected so many to show up, although there is one guest that I have been anticipating all evening, and so has Camilla. Eventually, I open the door to Abe and Beatrix, who are holding gifts. Beatrix has a single orchid in a pot for me and Abe has a bottle of the wine we picked up that day at the flea market.
‘Oh, you two. This is so thoughtful. Thank you.’ I lead them inside and put the plant pot in one of the windows so that people will see it when they walk past. It is far too pretty to be hidden away.
‘Can I interest you in the wine you brought, or would you like some of Debbie’s speciality cider?’ I ask them.
‘Cider would be nice, smells lovely. Thank you. The wine is for you, anyhow. You don’t need to share it. I remember how you liked it. Please save it for yourself,’ says Abe. He smiles kindly at me, sending my pulse racing.
‘Great, well, I think that must be everyone here. Let me get you those drinks.’ I watch Camilla make a beeline for Abe as they move in to mingle with the crowds. I hand Abe and Beatrix their drinks as Camilla approaches them and head over to speak with Pieter and Lotte. At least they are friendly faces.
Once the final guests arrive, an older couple called Danique and Eddie that I haven’t met before, I get everyone’s attention and start my speech.
‘I haven’t met everyone here yet, but to those I have, I wanted to say thank you. You’ve all been so kind to me. You have made this Welsh woman feel so at home and welcome in your country, and I appreciate that so much. I’ve also got to make a special mention to Gerrit for finding me my dream home and not trying to dissuade me from buying a houseboat that I had never seen. He must have thought I was really dotty!’
‘Ach, you’re welcome. I knew you’d love it in the end,’ shouts Gerrit.
Then I tell them all how I am renaming the houseboat and that it will now be calledNew Beginnings. We raise a toast to the new name, which all the neighbours seem to agree is the perfect fit, except for Camilla, who stares at me emotionless. Once I finish the speech, I notice her make her way out the door, without even a goodbye. I don’t know what her problem is, but the atmosphere feels much nicer once she has left.
From then on, the evening continues with the guests chatting politely and talking about life on their houseboats to Debbie. I think she has heard a whole new language this evening between all the talk of bilges, clogged sump pumps and the way they use the Dutch termwoonbootfor houseboats here. But I think they might be putting her off the idea of wanting to live on one, as they share some of the dramas they have experienced on board. I must admit, since I am still a complete novice myself, some of the stories also take me by surprise, especially the one about the previousDutch Schoonerhaving sunk and the neighbourhood trying to save all the stuff on board. I had tried not to believe that could happen, and it makes me glad that I was ruthless with my clear-out and there is no longer anything of great value, or anything particularly sentimental, in here. I have insurance, but still, it would be devastating to lose everything in the canal like that. Apparently, the incident onDutch Schoonerhappened all because of a water hose that leaked into the boat caused by frozen pipes. As the temperature gets lower, I will keep that in mind.
By the end of the evening, I forget my concerns about sinking houseboats and frozen pipes, as we are all merry and dancing. The subdued Nat King Cole music has been swapped for a dance CD that one of the new neighbours, who I now know is called Koenraad, has dashed home to get. My little houseboat has been transformed from a cosy home into a social hub full of lovely new people. The evening couldn’t be any better.
Abe finds me among the neighbours and asks me to dance with him to David Guetta. We laugh and smile as we come closer together and I feel that electricity between us again. Eventually, we sit down on the sofa, where I ask about Ted and anything else I can think of to make sure he doesn’t bring up the fact that I was caught gawping at him. He still hasn’t mentioned it and I pray he doesn’t. When I tell him about all the things that Debbie and I have done over the past few days, I make sure to omit the bit about the canal cruise even though he seems okay with me, and I begin to wonder if he really did see me. Let’s hope he has bad eyesight and needs a pair of varifocals.
‘I was thinking. Would you like to come to the market on Sunday with us?’ he asks.
‘I’d love to, but I have some catching up on the felting to do. I’ve an order back in the UK and I’m way behind after taking a few days off with Debbie. I wish I could come, but…’
‘No, it’s fine. I understand. We all have our jobs. Maybe next time.’
