Page 17 of A New Life in Amsterdam

Back home, I settle my tulips into a vase and stand and admire my revamped and improved living room with its beautiful rug, Amsterdam portrait and the soft lighting that gives off a warm glow.

I can’t believe how much I have transformed this little houseboat already.

It is still a work-in-progress, but at least the living area is more enjoyable to relax in now and I don’t fall flat on my face when I walk in here, which is a huge bonus.

This evening, the wind is beating against the windows, and I am so thankful for how cosy it feels inside.

But before I can settle down for the night in my dressing gown and huddle up, I remember that I have left the deckchair at the side of the barge.

One gust of wind and it could end up in the canal.

I rush outside to fasten everything down, and see that Abe is doing the same thing.

I guess securing the barge will need to become second nature if I don’t want to lose anything overboard in a storm.

As I fight with the wind and my deckchair, Abe waves.

I try to shout hello and tell him that I have finished the last of the work inside, but he can’t hear me over the storm, so he comes rushing over asking if I need any help.

‘No, I was just trying to say that I finished the living room.’

‘Oh, I’d love to see how it looks. Let me go and secure everything back home and I’ll come over.’ So much for staying clear of Abe. Why does he have to be so friendly?

When he returns, I am surprised to see him standing at the door with a bottle of prosecco. I look around hoping Beatrix is close by, but she is nowhere to be seen.

‘It’s a housewarming present for you, now that you’ve finished some of the hard work.’

‘That’s so sweet of you. Still plenty of things to do but at least it’s habitable now. Thank you for the bottle. Please thank Beatrix for me too.’

‘You’re very welcome. We both agree that it’s tradition.

You have to christen your houseboat.’ I am not sure whether the tradition is to open the bottle, or if you’re supposed to smash it against the side.

I don’t want to waste prosecco and leave it to run into the canal, no matter what the tradition dictates.

‘Christening sounds good. Umm, would you like some?’

‘Ah, are you not doing anything?’

‘No, not really. I’m just sat here listening to the wind outside. No exciting plans. Where’s Beatrix and Ted? Do they want to celebrate with us too?’

‘Ah, Beatrix is at her book club tonight. But I’m sure Ted will join us. I’ll go and get him. I’ll be right back – don’t go anywhere!’

While Abe goes to pick up Ted, I search for wine glasses and then straighten down my jumper.

I’d be happier if Beatrix was here as I would hate for her to get the wrong impression and think I am trying to lure her husband away but at least Ted is coming.

When Abe and Ted arrive, I pour out the prosecco and pop a cushion down on the floor for Ted.

I sit down on my new pink sofa, which has finally been delivered, and perch myself as far into the corner as possible.

‘It’s looking great. You did such a good job. I love the rug.’

‘Thanks. I felt the nomad look suited this place.’

‘For sure. Have you always been a nomad?’ asks Abe.

‘Oh, no. I was married, paid my taxes, worked in the same job since I left school, had a home on a street where everyone kept up with the Joneses and…’

‘So, it’s true everyone’s called Jones in Wales?’ interrupts Abe.

‘Ha, no. I mean, it’s a saying. When everyone competes with each other.’

‘Oh, okay. So, what made you move to Amsterdam and leave the Joneses behind?’

‘Well, a lot of reasons. I needed a new start. To be honest, I had a bit of an addiction to buying things. I am getting better. But I suppose you could say I was verging on becoming a shopaholic. Then, as I was selling loads of stuff, an advert popped up for a houseboat – not this one. But it started me thinking how wonderful it would be to move here, plus I’d always dreamed of living on a houseboat.

My daughter had been telling me for ages I needed to do something.

I’ve loved Amsterdam since I came here with a friend, many years ago.

I thought it sounded like fun, and this was my ideal chance. ’

‘Well, I’m glad you did. It’s so good to meet someone different. Like Beatrix said, it’s good to have a new neighbour here.’

‘Yeah, it’s always nice to meet new people. So, anyhow, what about you? Have you always lived on a houseboat?’

‘No. You could say I was similar to you. You said you were a what? Shopaholic? So, I was a workaholic. I worked seven days a week. My ex-wife had had enough of it and couldn’t take any more.

Looking back, I see I was absent all the time.

We didn’t even have children because I would always promise after the next big deal, I’d have more time to be a father.

I was more worried about my boss getting rid of me in the competitive finance industry than I was about my wife finally having enough and leaving me. ’

‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘It’s okay. It was a big life lesson. As I got older it made me reconsider what I wanted in life. In the divorce, we sold the big house that the salary paid for, I got rid of my nice car and got a new home on the water. Thankfully Beatrix helped me get through it all.’

‘That’s good. Beatrix is a lovely woman.’

‘She is,’ says Abe, looking down at Ted. ‘So, yeah, then Ted’s owner died six months ago and I took him in. He actually used to live here. Did you know this was Ted’s old home?’

‘Oh, poor Ted. I had no idea. No wonder he feels so at home here. Well, he’s welcome here anytime. How old is he?’

I look at Ted, who seems so content. I hope he doesn’t mind that I have made some changes to his old home.

‘He’s around nine.’

‘Such a sweetie. Well, I’m so glad he has a fabulous new home.’

‘Me too. He’s a good boy.’

I lift my glass and hold it out to Abe.

‘Well, cheers to the brilliant company of dogs.’

‘To brilliant company.’

Abe and I look at each other for so long that I eventually have to turn my head.

‘So, what’s next on the agenda for the home improvements?’ he asks finally.

‘I’m pleased you mentioned that. I wanted to ask if you have that number for the plumber to look at my boiler. I can’t seem to warm this place up.’

‘Ah, yeah. I’m so sorry. You did ask me. I’ll find it for you because you definitely need it. Wait until winter really kicks in. You need lots of layers here and something to cuddle up to.’

I avoid Abe’s gaze as he says this and jabber on about my hot-water bottle nervously. Why I am telling Abe about my hot-water bottle, I don’t know.

‘So, where is your husband to keep you warm? Or is that rude of me to ask?’

‘No, it’s fine. He’s in Australia.’

‘He’s in Australia and you’re in the Netherlands. How does that work?’

‘It doesn’t. He’s moved back permanently. We’re no longer together.’

‘Okay, is that so? I’m sorry. Breaking up is hard.’

‘Yeah, it is, but I also see my best friend who is quite unhappy in her marriage right now and she keeps telling me how envious she is. Paul and I weren’t unhappy. We just wanted different things in life as we got older. We never argued. It just came to a natural end.’

‘Well, that’s good. There’s nothing worse than arguing. My house was full of it, which is perhaps another reason I worked so hard, to stay out of the way. To be honest, my relationship was harder work than my career at times.’

‘Yeah, I know what you mean. It can be if you don’t get along.

It’s not the best way to live. Perhaps, when we hurt subconsciously, or feel lonely, we do things that are unhealthy.

We binge on food, alcohol, work too much, or, if you’re like me, shop too much.

I’m glad you’re in a better place now though.

So, how did you and Beatrix come to set the coffee shop up? ’

‘Everything is about coincidence. The guy who owned this boat, Henrik, he was the previous owner of the cafe. He wanted to retire and asked me if I’d like to take over.

I was still thinking about what I wanted to do with my life as I’d not long quit my job in finance when he approached me.

It seemed like it was the ideal time to run my own business, on my own terms.’

‘Isn’t it funny how sometimes things present themselves to you at the right time? Like this place did with me.’

‘Absolutely. Sometimes you’re wondering what to do with your future and then something you never dreamed of comes along,’ says Abe.

‘So true.’

‘Here’s to new opportunities,’ says Abe, refilling our glasses. ‘So, once you finish the renovations, what then? Do you work?’

‘I was thinking how I’d love a stall in the market we went to the other day. I make things – like crafts – so it would be great to sell them there.’

‘If you’re serious, I’ll ask Beatrix. She knows everyone down there. I’m sure she can help.’

‘Yeah, I am serious. I think. Give me a few weeks and I’d love to talk to her about it. I can’t believe how kind you’ve been to me since I turned up. You’ve helped me with everything. From kneepads to work.’

‘We couldn’t have you wearing those fake kneepads, could we?’ Abe laughs and my face flushes with embarrassment. How could I have been caught in such a state?

‘Well, thank you. You’ve really helped me settle in… both you and Beatrix.’

‘It’s not a problem. Maybe I’m trying to make amends for being a little self-centred before. I worked in a business surrounded by greed. I learnt the hard way what is not important and what is. Kindness, compassion and being helpful are much more important than material things.’

‘Oh, I can relate to that. I guess shopping and buying far too much to try and fill an empty space in my life was a bit like that.’

‘It looks like we really get each other then,’ says Abe.

His ponytail flips to one side as he looks at me for a moment. His lopsided smile sends a tingle down my spine.

‘Yes, indeed,’ I say with a big grin.

But then I quickly kneel down to play with Ted and change the subject. Abe and Beatrix are the only friends I have here, and I don’t want anything to spoil that.