‘So, you must pay by the first of every month, or the stall comes back to us. There are no excuses.’
‘I understand, that’s okay. I’ll make sure you get the rent.’
‘And if you want to give notice, you have to give one month.’
‘Okay. No problem.’
‘Good. This is your contract. It’s in Dutch, are you okay with that?’ says Fabien, handing it across the table.
‘It’s fine. My Dutch isn’t too bad, although I can speak it better than I can read it. I’m sure Beatrix can help me if I get stuck.’
‘Good. Okay. If you can read and sign it by tomorrow, then you’re good to go. Shall I take you to see where the stall is before you sign? I want you to be satisfied with your pitch.’
I am so excited at the prospect of having a stall that its positioning hadn’t occurred to me. It could be somewhere with terrible footfall. I can feel myself doing it again; rushing in feet first, just as I did when I boughtNew Beginnings.
‘Oh, of course. I think that would be a wise idea.’
Beatrix and I follow Fabien out of the office towards the stalls, although the market is now closed and they stand empty. The tables have tarpaulins pulled over them but, come Sunday, it will be busy here again. A Sunday market will be perfect for me as it will give me time to replenish my stock during the week. Even with the coverings over the tables, I recognise the layout from when I have come here with Abe. As Fabien races along, I pass the place where my favourite organic wine stall usually is, and then we stop near the woman who sells the teddies. I guess this must be the crafts section.
‘This is yours,’ says Fabien, pointing to a stall.
I can’t believe my luck.
‘This is great. It’s exactly the area I wanted to be in. It couldn’t get any better than here.’
Even though the market is now like a ghost town, I picture what it will be like when my stall opens amid the crowds, and it is once again the usual busy atmosphere. I wonder if there is any camaraderie with the other traders, or if it gets competitive?
It isn’t long until I find out. The following Sunday, with all the paperwork completed, I am allowed to open my stall.
It is early, and a frosty morning. Abe helps me bring the stock down on our bicycles. With both our baskets loaded up, we arrive to find the other traders busy setting up. I notice the woman with the teddies and smile at her. She gives me a friendly greeting and busies herself arranging her bears. Other traders nearby say hello and I start unloading the baskets until Abe leaves me to set up while he dashes back home for more stock. The only problem with not having a car is transporting stuff. One of the other traders whistles to himself as he sets up a stall selling home-made candles, and another sings a Dutch song. I needn’t have worried about the other traders welcoming me as the newbie; everyone is helpful and the guy on the stall next to mine introduces himself as Jose and asks if he can get me a coffee. I gratefully accept as I desperately need something to warm me up. As I display the felt animals and some of the knitwear I have managed to finish in time, I find myself humming a tune too. By the time Abe returns with the final bits of stock, I am grinning like a Cheshire cat.
‘You look happy,’ he says.
‘I am. This is just what I’ve always wanted. I was born to be a market trader. It’s so much better than being stuck indoors in an office. I should have done this years ago.’
‘It does seem to suit you. You need one of those market trader’s aprons you can tie around your waist to keep money in. Where will you keep the cash?’
‘Oh, no. I knew I’d forgotten something. My float!’ I start to panic. I had so much to remember, I knew I would miss something.
‘Okay. Don’t worry. I’ll go back and get it for you.’
‘Are you sure? You don’t mind all these trips back and forth?’
‘Of course not. Keeps me fit. I’ll cycle over and walk back with Ted. I’m sure he’d love to see you on your first day here. It’s a big day, for all the family.’
Abe’s words warm my heart.
‘Thank you.’ I hug him and find it hard to let go. His embrace is so comforting. I could have chosen to snuggle in bed with him on a Sunday morning, but there is plenty of time for that later. Now I have a big day ahead of me.
My first customer arrives just as Abe returns with Ted. It is a woman with two children, who adore the felt animals. She excitedly tells me that she has never seen them before. Perhaps felt animals aren’t a trend here yet. So far, I have no idea whether the knitwear will do better, or the felting. It’s hard to judge this early on but it seems to be the felting that everyone is attracted to. At least it works to draw in the crowds and then perhaps they might see some knitwear they like. Isn’t that how luring customers in works? I should know this more than most.
The woman takes two pink and white unicorns for her daughters, and I work out how many euros in change she needs. At first, I find it hard to work it out. I promise myself by next week I will set up a card machine. It is all a lesson. I thank them for their custom and, once they leave, I finally have a moment to chat to Abe and Ted.
‘Great start,’ says Abe.
‘Thanks.’ There is no time to chat as a man immediately comes up and admires one of the stripy scarves that hang on the side of the stall.
‘I’ll take this one,’ he says, in Dutch. Proudly, I manage to answer him in his own language, and I have another happy customer.
