‘Then how about we try going on a date? We can see how it goes.’ Abe smiles as he awaits my reply.
‘A proper date?’
‘Yeah, we can go for dinner to that place I told you about. We still didn’t go there. I’m not the most romantic man, so don’t expect candles and flowers, but I promise you good company and even better food. Why don’t you give it some thought?’
‘Okay. I’ll do that. I’ll pop round tomorrow and let you know.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise.’
‘Okay, now go and finish that order and I’ll look forward to your answer.’
Abe kisses me on the cheek, and I walk inside with that spring in my step I often have here. Despite the workload that is still waiting for me on the table, I sit down with a big smile and get to work. I’m going to get through this and tomorrow, I’m going to give Abe my response.
I’m going to go on my first real date since my divorce. This really is a new beginning.
Chapter Twenty-Five
After I have been to Dam Square in the morning and dropped off the parcels with the miniature felt cavapoos bound for the UK, I head back home to finish off one last felt dog. This one is the most special of all.
I have been working on it for a few weeks, making sure that it is as perfect as it can be and that it is identical to the real thing. I glue the eyes on and tweak the mouth, pushing more felt in around the face until I am completely happy with it.
By late afternoon, it is just right. Even I am astonished at the likeness. I carefully place the dog to one side. Then, I get myself ready to pop round to Abe’s with my answer about that date. I already have butterflies in my tummy as I imagine his response to me finally agreeing to go out. I wait until I know he will be home from work and, as the darkness descends, I walk the few steps to Abe’s, with the dog carefully encased in my hand. I knock on the door, taking care not to drop the little felt dog, and smile at the thought of Abe seeing what I have made for him. I’m sure he’ll agree that it looks exactly like Ted. As I walked over here, I pictured Abe’s face when he opens the door. However, when the door springs open, Camilla is standing there!
‘Yes, hello,’ she says, giving me one of her steely glares.
‘Oh, um, I was looking for Abe. Did I come at a bad time?’
I hear Abe’s voice behind her, and he comes to the door.
‘Sorry, I was in the bathroom.’
‘No problem. I, umm, just came to give you this.’
I hand over the dog and Abe strokes it in his hand.
‘Wow, this is amazing. Is this Ted? It looks just like him.’
Camilla is still standing beside Abe, and it doesn’t look as though she is going to let me talk to him alone.
‘Well, I’ll, um, leave you to it then.’
‘See you. Thanks again.’
I hear Camilla and Abe speaking in Dutch behind the door but my language skills aren’t quite good enough yet to understand what they are saying.
Thank goodness I hadn’t given him an answer to the date yet. I knew Camilla was hanging around and I should have listened to my head rather than my heart. I was right to be cautious. Anything could be going on between the two of them.
I hadn’t expected to be back home so quickly, and when I walk in, I realise just how cold it is. The temperature isn’t much better than outside. The heating is struggling now. I throw my jacket off and put a cosy onesie on to stay warm. I need comfort andcwtchesright now.
Then I pour myself a glass of wine and try to relax with a book, which is proving difficult. My mind keeps wandering and I can’t stop thinking about how I missed something so obvious with Abe. He is so bohemian and cool. Of course Camilla likes him. I never even asked what the relationship was between them. Perhaps he is not the monogamous type and thinks nothing of dating Camilla while trying to woo me. I suppose I have also played hard to get, so what if this is all just a playful challenge for him?
If there is one person that I need to speak to right now it’s Debbie. She met Abe and Camilla and will tell me straight out what she thinks. It will be lovely to hear her voice too. I dial her number and desperately hope she picks up.
‘Hey, you. How’s fabulous Amsterdam? I’m already missing the waffles,’ she says.
I try my hardest to keep my chin up and sound cheery.
