Page 35 of A New Life in Amsterdam

Everything has been a learning curve since I arrived here and, as I lie in bed, with the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, I think I may have had my final lesson. Every word Theresa said was true. How have I lived so long without a Dutch guy in my life?

Waking up with Abe sleeping beside me, I smile at the sight of his strong shoulders peeping out from under the duvet and his hair loose over the pillow.

I can’t help but stare at him as I remember last night.

He stirs as I stroke his hair and he opens his beautiful, mesmerising eyes to look at me.

My stomach does a little somersault as he smiles.

‘Good morning.’

‘Good morning, Abe.’

‘So, I guess last night wasn’t just a nice dream, huh,’ he says.

‘Nope. It wasn’t a dream.’ Abe pulls me closer and I kiss his chest.

‘Maybe we should have done this sooner,’ he says. He might have a point, but I still think it was better we waited and let all this tension build up between us.

‘Oh, I don’t know. I think it was perfect timing.’

‘But look how we missed out. Last night was incredible.’

‘It certainly was.’

‘Now that we know how good we are together, I want to make the most of every moment with you. How about we have a repeat?’

‘Sounds good to me.’ I smile.

Just like last night, everything is perfect.

If I was pessimistic, I would think he is too good to be true.

How can someone have it all? He’s gorgeous, kind, educated and so selfless in bed.

But the best bit is that, right now in this room, he is all mine.

Although I still worry that it might not stay like that, I try to push those thoughts out of my mind and not spoil this magical moment by thinking about the future.

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.’

‘I’d be happy to teach you. But you might need a bit of patience.’

‘What a great idea. Knitting classes. Why don’t we do that? We can have sessions around mine, or you can do them here. Knitting classes on a houseboat sounds fun.’

‘That’s not a bad idea at all. I’d never thought of anything like that, although my dream is to…’

I consider admitting my dream to Beatrix. I know Abe previously mentioned that she has some contacts at the flea market, but I would hate to get a stall there due to favouritism.

‘I was thinking of opening a stall, once my Dutch is a little better. That’s my dream, anyhow.’

‘That’s a great idea. I have some contacts down at the market. The one we went to when we first met. Would you like me to ask them if they have anything available? You might have to join a waiting list.’

‘Oh, I don’t want any special treatment, but I’d be interested in knowing how long the waiting list is.’

‘Leave it with me. I’ll find out for you.’

‘Really? That would be wonderful. I wouldn’t mind being added to the list because maybe by the time something comes up, I could be ready. I still need a bit more time.’

‘For sure, I’ll do that. What name shall I call your enterprise?’

‘Ooh, I hadn’t thought of a name.’

‘Every business needs a name.’

‘Hmm. It would have to be something crafty,’ I admit.

‘Yes, something to do with knitting and crafts,’ agrees Beatrix.

‘Get Knotted? No, that sounds a bit negative. It’s hardly welcoming!’ I say.

‘How about something like Spin a Yarn,’ says Beatrix.

‘Hmm, people might think I’m some kind of liar.’

‘Okay then. Let’s keep it simple. Cosy Creations by Sandy?’

‘I love that idea. I can see it now. Perfect.’

‘Great. So, you have your business idea, now we need to find you a stall.’

‘If only it was that easy.’

‘Have faith. I’m sure something will come up.’

‘Thanks, Beatrix. You’re as amazing as your brother. You two really are so helpful to people.’

Beatrix smiles and gets up to leave.

‘Talking of being helpful, I’d better get back to that brother of mine. I’m not being very helpful now.’

For the rest of the afternoon, once I’ve finished my homework, I focus on my goal of launching Cosy Creations by Sandy.

I finish off the jumper and start on a new piece of felting since I will no doubt need samples to persuade the market to have me there.

It’s going to take time to get all the stock made up, but, if there is one thing I have learnt on my journey here, it’s that reaching your goal takes hard work and tenacity and that is something I am not afraid of.