‘You look like you just got out of bed. Anything you want to share? Where’s Abe?’ says Theresa, laughing as she peeps out from behind Beatrix.
‘He’s not here. It’s nothing exciting. Just had a bit of a headache. Anyway, now you’re all here, come on in.’
Fortunately, I have a bottle of wine in the fridge and so I get them all a drink and start where we left off during the last session. Beatrix has already made half a scarf, her friend, Alex, has half a side of the body of a jumper and Theresa has half a willy warmer knitted up. At this rate, she will be able to fulfil her wish of giving it to her husband as a Christmas present. I just hope he likes it.
As the ladies chat and sip their wine, I try my best to remain jovial with them, but I feel so flat that I am finding it difficult. I go to pour more wine when Beatrix approaches me, looking concerned.
‘Hey, I didn’t want to ask in front of everyone else, but are you okay?’
‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry about tonight. I honestly lost track of time. It’s been a bit of a mad weekend.’
‘Yeah, Abe said that he hasn’t seen you and you didn’t make book club. I was worried about you.’
‘Oh, yes, I’m sorry about book club. That was unforgivable when it was my book choice as well. I had a terrible headache, but I should probably tell you now that I don’t think I’ll be able to make the next one. I might not be able to come to any of them, actually.’
‘Why not? Have my brother or I done something to upset you?’
‘No, Beatrix. You’re so sweet. You’ve not done anything to upset me. You could never upset me.’
‘Then my brother has upset you. Is that what’s happened? I must be honest, he confided in me and said you didn’t want to see him. He can’t understand what went wrong. And neither can I. But I don’t know the facts, and you don’t have to tell me. I think it’s a shame, that’s all. You seemed so perfect for each other.’
‘Yeah, well, I also thought that but I guess we weren’t.’
‘We all did. I’m sorry you changed your mind about him.’
‘I didn’t change my mind about him. He’s a great guy, it’s just we are in different places in our lives.’
‘You’re both on houseboats in Amsterdam. I’d say you’re practically in the same place,’ says Beatrix, smiling.
‘It’s just that sometimes one of you wants more from a relationship and someone may want less. I guess you need to find that balance and, for us, we weren’t on the same page. My feelings changed over time, and perhaps I got too involved.’
‘Okay, well, that’s a shame because I know Abe was serious about you, but I understand if you don’t feel the same way. Anyway, this is not my business. Although, so you know, I’m also here as a friend, not just Abe’s sister.’
I listen to what Beatrix is saying. Abe was serious about me? It’s probably best I don’t tell her the truth about what I witnessed. Perhaps she doesn’t know.
‘So, anyhow, I spoke to the guy at the market. They think something is coming up very soon. A stallholder verbally gave notice, and management is waiting for them to give it in writing and then they’ll open up the waiting list. You might have that chance to get your stall.’
‘Really? That’s wonderful news.’
‘Yeah, isn’t it great? Let’s keep our fingers crossed it can be yours. Once I hear something, I’ll arrange a meeting for you.’
‘Amazing. How on earth can I thank you for this? It really would be a dream come true if it comes off.’
‘You don’t have to thank me. You’ve taught me to knit, something I always wanted to master, and look how much fun we have together.’
I look around at the ladies in the room as they chat and laugh with each other and my enthusiasm for our biweekly Monday-night knitting returns. No matter what happens between Abe and me, these ladies have become my friends.
‘Come on, let’s have another glass of wine,’ I say, as I put my friendship with Beatrix and the rest of the knitting group before any drama with Abe.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Since Beatrix told me that I might not have to wait too long for the market folk to get in touch, I fill my days with getting jumpers and more needle-felted animals ready in case I get my stall. I figure that I can always sell them online if all else fails. There is always someone looking for a felt cockapoo somewhere in the world.
By the time I have much of my stock ready, the spare room looks like it is waiting to be part of a jumble sale as I fill it up with miniature dogs, cats, unicorns and mohair jumpers and scarves. Perhaps it is for the best that I don’t have Abe to distract me. It is more important that I impress the management down at the market. I have never been more determined about something in my life, and I am going to make this stall work no matter what.
Four days pass and I have yet to see Abe, thanks to staying in and getting on with building my furry empire. On the fifth day, I have no choice but to go out and, as I know I have to pass the coffee shop to get to the supermarket for my weekly supplies, I feel a knot of dread in my stomach at the thought of cycling past. I try to convince myself not to worry, that he will be rushed off his feet as usual and busy behind the counter. In which case, unless he is staring out of the window, there is no chance of him seeing me. Still, I pop my hood up, so that I can try to remain incognito. As I start getting closer to the coffee shop my stomach does a somersault. That’s the problem with break-ups, you dread seeing someone for the first time. Perhaps I should just get it over with and then I will have nothing to worry about in future.
As I approach the coffee shop, I see the woman he gave his number to standing outside with a dog on a lead. They didn’t waste any time. Ted is playing with the woman’s dog and I realise how even Ted has happily replaced me. Then Abe walks out with a coffee in his hand and gives it to the woman. They sit down at an outside table. I can’t help but stare as I watch them chatting and laughing about something as the dogs play together. I want to keep on cycling as fast as I can, but find myself automatically slowing down as I watch, especially as I then see Beatrix coming outside and sitting down with them. So, Beatrix is in on this too. I almost feel a little betrayed, but I guess blood is thicker than water.
