‘Really?’ Abe’s face lights up and we smile at each other. All the chemistry between us, that I sometimes try to deny exists, is clear to see from the look on both our faces.
‘Yeah. Life’s too short to worry about what can go wrong. Let’s go on a date and see where it leads.’
‘I’m so happy to hear that,’ says Abe, smiling.
Then, we both turn our heads as a loud hissing sound comes from the boiler room and water and steam spurt everywhere. If only the engineer wasn’t so busy listening, he might not have opened the wrong valve.
It isn’t the most romantic moment to agree to a date but, then again, Abe and I are hardly conventional people, and we both see the funny side as the steam begins to surround us and we start coughing and spluttering.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A new day can bring so many possibilities. My home is finally cosy and warm and I am going on a date, although I have no idea where to. The problem is, how are you supposed to know what to wear for a first date when you don’t know where you’re going?
All morning, I am a bag of nervous excitement. I have done lots of nice things with Abe but now that it has turned into an official date, it’s a lot more formal. I try to take my mind off my pre-date nerves by knitting. Then I try to do some felting, but my hands shake too much. I must calm down. I have a coffee but that makes me feel even more jittery. What is wrong with me?
By the afternoon, I practically jump out of my skin when I realise that Abe is at the door to collect me. I take at least five deep breaths before I calm down enough to greet him. He looks as gorgeous as ever with that shaggy coat he wears, and his ponytail. His eyes crinkle at the sides as he smiles at me. I look up at him and feel as though I am about to hyperventilate. He’s such a handsome man. While I am a nervous wreck, Abe is his usual confident self as he finally tells me where we are going.
‘As you may have guessed by now, I love going around markets. So, for our first date, I wanted to take you to a very special marketplace. Don’t worry, I’ll also take you for dinner afterwards.’
I am relieved that I chose to stick to jeans and a jumper and didn’t get too dressed up.
‘Oh, I wasn’t expecting dinner. Honestly, just going round a market with you is always fun.’
Although I am intrigued as to what sort of market he has in mind. It could be a meat market or even a fish market. I hope it’s not. I didn’t spray on my favourite perfume for it to be masked by the strong smell of herrings and mackerel.
Abe gives nothing away as we walk down the canal in the opposite direction to the market we usually go to. He strides ahead with his long, muscular legs and casual walking boots.
‘Are you cold?’ he asks.
‘Yeah, I am a bit.’
He holds out his hand to take mine and moves in closer to me. It feels amazing being so close to Abe, and I realise what I have been missing by being so reticent. Here on the streets of Amsterdam we look like any other couple, and I catch our reflection as we pass by the shop windows. It feels strange not seeing Paul as part of the couple in the reflection, but Abe and I look good together. Really good.
It doesn’t take long until I see some stalls in front of me and Abe tells me this is where he wanted to bring me for our first date.
‘It’s a special place for me. Welcome to Amsterdam Boekenmarkt,’ says Abe.
‘A book market? How wonderful.’ Thank goodness it’s not a fish market after all.
‘I could spend hours here. Look at all these books! It’s my favourite place to visit. Did you know that booksellers come from miles away to sell vintage books, first editions, and you can find cheaper paperbacks here too.’
Around the stalls, people gather browsing the books that are all laid out in organised piles in crates and on tables.
‘You can find out-of-print books – everything is here. It’s a book lover’s paradise.’
But then Abe suddenly looks at me as though he has just had a terrible thought.
‘Do you like reading? I just realised I presumed everyone does. I never asked you before.’
‘Yes, I love reading. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better place to come on a first date.’
‘That’s a relief. I didn’t think about it. Just because it’s my favourite pastime, it doesn’t mean it has to be yours too. Can you see how long it’s been since I’ve been on a date with someone? I didn’t think to ask,’ says Abe, as his face relaxes.
‘It’s perfect, honestly.’
‘So happy to hear that. Then let me show you my favourite stall.’
Abe holds my hand tightly among the crowds as we dash across to the other side of the market. The stallholder recognises Abe immediately. They speak in Dutch and then Abe introduces me.
