I have to drag myself away from him so that I can make us some coffee, but quickly rush back. We cuddle up, clutching our drinks, and it makes me remember how nice it is to be snuggled up in bed with someone. I feel as though I have been alone for so long that I forgot about these glorious, lazy moments. I could stay in here all day with Abe.
‘What time is it?’ asks Abe.
The one thing I haven’t got around to doing is getting a clock in the bedroom. I don’t exactly need one when I have no set itinerary each day. That is the luxury of being retired.
I check my watch on the table beside the bed.
‘It’s almost nine a.m.’
‘Oh, no. I need to open up.’
‘Can Beatrix not do it?’
‘Nope, it’s my day to open. I’m going to have to run. I’m so sorry to leave you like this.’ Abe puts his coffee down on the side, letting some spill out as he’s in such a rush. I watch as he jumps out of bed, taking in his naked body as he throws his jeans on from last night. I have never had a man send so many shivers down my body.
‘So, will I see you tonight? I don’t want to keep you from your Dutch lessons,’ says Abe.
‘Of course. Maybe when I get back you can teach me some extra Dutch. It would be a lot more interesting, and you already taught me some pretty nice words last night.’ I smile.
‘I’m no teacher, but you’re a good learner. In fact, I’d say there’s not much anyone can teach you,’ says Abe, with a mischievous smirk. Then he rushes off, letting himself out, as I sink back into bed. I can smell the scent of his aftershave on the sheets and I want to revel in it a while longer.
It’s an hour later before I manage to take myself away from the memories of last night and this morning. I don’t know how I am expected to do any studying today; I can’t focus on anything except Abe, and I keep getting glorious flashbacks. So, instead of getting the language books out, I decide to head out to the flower market to pick up some more fresh tulips. Fresh air and tulips are much more my mood than studying this morning. I could almost do a happy dance as I wrap my scarf around me and walk down to the market, passing Abe’s coffee shop on the way. The windows are steamed up and it looks busy. I’m not surprised he had to rush off; I hope he didn’t have too much of a queue waiting for him.
I find myself smiling at everyone around the market as I pick up a bunch of bright red tulips. They totally match today’s disposition. I consider heading to Abe’s for one of his lovely hot chocolates but decide I might seem like a stalker if I turn up there after he’s only just left me, so I head home instead.
As I pass Camilla walking past Abe’s, her presence doesn’t faze me. She pretends not to see me as I attempt to smile at her. Perhaps Abe has told her that we are seeing each other.
Feeling revitalised after the fresh air, I pop my flowers in a vase and am singing to myself when someone arrives at the door.
I am surprised to find Beatrix on the doorstep with a plate of sandwiches that I recognise from the cafe.
‘Hi, Abe asked me to bring you these. He said you’d be busy studying and was worried you wouldn’t eat.’
‘That’s so sweet. Thank you.’ His kind gesture makes me feel guilty that I haven’t done any of the homework that I promised myself I would complete today.
‘Did you want to come in? I was just going to make a coffee.’
‘Umm, you know, I should get back… But it would be nice to get out of there for a bit. We’ve been run off our feet today.’
‘Well, come on in. I’ll make you a coffee and you can take the weight off your feet.’
‘Thank you.’
I put the kettle on while Beatrix rests her legs.
‘Hey, what’s this you’re making? It’s gorgeous,’ says Beatrix, looking at my work-in-progress on the table.
‘Oh, it’s going to be a jumper. Yeah, I’m doing a bit of knitting. It’s hard to stay focused sometimes but, when I put my mind to it, then it doesn’t take me too long to do something like this. It depends on the felting orders, though.’
‘Ah, yes. Abe showed me the amazing miniature Ted you did. Would you be able to make one of my cat, Percy?’
‘Of course. I can make practically anything. Dogs, cats, unicorns…’
‘That’s awesome. You have some serious talent.’
‘Thank you. I guess I’ve always been a little creative, but when you have to work in an office it kind of stifles things a bit.’
‘Too right. What do you do with your pieces once you make them? Do you sell your things? I’d love to have a jumper like that. Do you knit scarves, too? Sorry, I just love knitwear. I’m getting overexcited. I wish I could knit.’
