‘I’m ashamed to say I don’t.’
‘It meanscheers.’
‘Oh, yes, of course. How could I not know that?’
The beer tastes refreshing after walking around the book market and once again Abe’s recommendation is spot-on.
‘I meant to say that Beatrix asked if you wanted to join her book club? She said you might enjoy it. Now that I know you’re a reader, I may as well mention it. I wasn’t sure if I should ask, but they read a lot of English books, not only Dutch.’
‘That’s so kind of her. Yeah, that would be nice. I like Beatrix and it’d be a great way to make new friends. She seems very kind, just like you.’
‘Ah, she’s a good person. She always takes care of her younger brother. She always did when we were small, too.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. It’s important to have close family. How old is she? She looks quite young.’
‘Sixty-one, but don’t let her know I’ve told you.’
‘Really? I thought she was around…’ I stop myself from saying ‘my age’. I don’t want to bring that up just yet. I’d say Abe is in his fifties, but he might be younger than me. It’s difficult to tell nowadays with everyone looking so good. My gran looked as though she was 120 by the time she was sixty-eight. People age so differently now. They could be thirty or sixty. You can never tell.
‘Yeah, she’s two years older than me. She still treats me like her baby brother though.’
‘Well, you must have great genes. I’d never have guessed how old either of you were.’
‘It’s the Dutch way of life. I’m sure I wouldn’t be this way if I’d stayed in corporate life. I’d be a stressed old man.’
‘Hmm, stress definitely ages people. We’re so lucky to be able to live like we do.’
I might have had my teething troubles over the past few weeks, but sat here in a quirky bar with this gorgeous Dutchman, I couldn’t wish for anything more. Life is back on track again.
‘Talking of living well, perhaps we should eat something. Did you want to drink up and go for that dinner?’
‘I guess we should, although I love it here so much, I don’t want to leave.’
‘Me too. Who needs somewhere fancy? In that case, how about we order some snacks to share and stay here?’
We are always on the same wavelength. Do I confess to Abe that I have been eyeing up the delicious snacks coming out of the kitchen?
‘Well, I have seen people ordering some lovely-lookingbitterballen.’
‘Bitterballento share it is. They do the best here. Oh, am I being presumptuous? Did you want to share? Or do you want your own? It’s hard to stop once you start.’
‘Sharing is fine.’
The beef and gravy croquettes complement my Dutch beer perfectly and I sit back and take in the atmosphere. I relish every bite of my meal as I slowly get used to this easy-going pace of life. It seems that a stroll around a book market, followed by a pint and somebitterballen, is the recipe for the most wonderful date I have ever been on. Just shows how you don’t need to spend a fortune to have the best day ever.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I am still on a high after my date with Abe by the time Beatrix’s book club comes around. I love that our relationship stays so casual. There are no expectations to live in each other’s pockets, and no hurry to move things along. I feel so relaxed in his company. Although, as Abe takes me round to Beatrix’s flat for the first time, I confess how nervous I am of being there and meeting her friends.
‘You’ve got nothing to be nervous about. There’s no need for that. You’ll love Beatrix’s friends.’
‘But will they love me?’
‘Of course they will. Why would they not? They’re going to adore you just as much as…’
Abe doesn’t finish his sentence as Beatrix opens the door with the same smile her brother has.
‘Sandy, so good to see you.’
