Margreet followed Huib to the pick-up that was parked at the end of the driveway. Huib put the key in the lock and held the door on the passenger side open for her. “Go ahead young lady,” he said, grinning with a slight bow. He closed the door behind her and walked to the driver's side.
“It's nice, a lot higher than in my car,” Margreet remarked.
“Where have you actually parked your car?” Huib asked as he drove of the parking lot.
"There," Margreet pointed out, "by the side of the road."
“Oh yes, nice cart, really a young lady's car,” he teased her, “but this cart is more convenient for transporting stuff. Chunky and big, and comfortably high indeed. We have a nice view of the road and the surroundings!”
On the way to the village Huib pointed out some houses and other buildings. Sometimes he told something about the people who lived or worked there. “Forget all those names, you'll get to know them naturally once you meet them. And that's where we have our thrift store. It has no name, it’s just what it is, a thrift store. And as you can see, it is written in large letters.”
They got out and went inside.
“I have to pick up something at the cash register for Annerieke, you can take a look around already, I'll look you up again in a minute!”
Margreet decided to go all the way. She soon found a water kettle. And a little further on she discovered preserving jars, preserving bottles and spray bottles. She put a preserving jar in her shopping basket and decided to fill it with candies sometime. A preserving bottle and a spray bottle seemed useful to her for the sink in the attic, in which she could put some all-purpose cleaner for some small jobs. She also decided to bring a soap dispenser for the sink. And there, glass vases in all sizes. She chose two of different sizes, which she could put on the windowsill. She started to enjoy it more and more, it was so nice to create her own place. Even if it was only for one month, it would be her spot! In another corner, she saw all kinds of bathroom items. There she found a double rod for her towel.
She was so engrossed in her quest that she didn't notice that Huib had been following her for a while and was enjoying watching her so busy. When he saw her grab the towel rail, he came closer and asked, "Where do you want to hang it?"
Margreet was startled from her dreamy thoughts. "I don't know exactly yet, but I would like to hang my towel on it."
"Dear girl, we have a laundry basket, after you shower you can marble it in there."
Margreet laughed: "Yeah, I know, but if it only gets a little wet because I wipe my face with it in the morning, I'm not going to throw it in the laundry basket right away."
“Aha, I get it, we'll see where it can hang at home. Did you already look in the craft corner? I saw that they have a big tray full of knitting needles.”
They walked there together. Margreet was absolutely delighted! She chose a knitting needle tube and knitting needles of all sizes.
“Uh… how much are you going to knit?” asked Huib surprised.
“A lot, I'm sure, I just don't know what thickness I need first. All I know is that I love to knit, so I'm just collecting all sizes in advance. Crochet hooks will come another time. Oh look, measuring tapes, and sewing scissors, needles and pins, containers full! And look at this pincushion. For someone who loves handicrafts as much as I do, this is simply paradise Huib!”
Huib smiled at her, he was so pleased to see how much she enjoyed it. She came loose well, at least for this moment!
“Shall we have a look in the book corner over there? I also love to read…”
“Of course you can look there, but do you know that my mother has a large full bookcase? She's a bookworm, absolutely crazy about Nora Roberts' books, do you know her?”
“Never heard of,” replied Margreet.
“Doesn't matter, I'm sure you can borrow them from her. She has them all, a few hundred…”
“I'd love to try some books from another writer. What kind of books does those Nora write?”
“Well, I haven't read them,” replied Huib, “but I think they're mostly novels. And some thrillers, and she's written a murder-solving series that I started on recently. Not a series in particular, by the way, but they are all about the same detective who has to solve the murder riddles.”
Margreet shivered: “Not for me, that gives me nightmares… I remember that as a child I liked to watch detective series on t.v., but only if you didn't get to see the victims, nor the moment of the murder. I always enjoyed following the process of riddle-solving. Who would be the murderer?” she asked, with tension in her voice and big fearful eyes fixed on Huib.
Huib burst out laughing: “You can do it on stage in no time! Awesome!"
"Please no, I'd like to be on stage, but only behind the scenes!"
As they talked, they walked to the great hall with furniture. Margreet stopped as if stung by a wasp: “That rocking chair over there, that’s it, that model, that pillow, yes, that's it!” she exclaimed enthusiastically, ignoring the laughing reactions of the other customers, ran over to it, sat in it, and rocked in it merrily. “Huib, this is it, for real. I will stay here for the rest of the day, this is so delicious! What does it actually cost?” The price was not too bad, as Annerieke had predicted. As soon as she got up, Huib picked him up.
“You also wanted a nightstand or table by your bed, right?” Huib nodded to the room next door. “There are beds and everything that belongs to it.”
Margreet found a nightstand. "It looks like you've crafted it, you see, such beautiful lines!"
Huib smiled at her enthusiasm: “Yes, it could have been one of mine. Are you taking it?”
“Definitely, handy, small and beautiful! I have more than enough for today! Or wait, do they sell knitting yarn here too?”
“Yes, but rarely large batches for an entire sweater. People are more likely to bring their leftovers,” Huib said. He looked at his watch. "If you don't mind, we'll go to the cash desk now and go home, then we can take your stuff to your room before dinner."
"Good of you to say so," nodded Margreet, "let's do that!"
After paying for everything, they secured the chair and bedside table in the pick-ups box. Margreet saw that there was also a large box stuck in the back of the pick-up, but she didn't wonder what could be in there. She dropped her bag with her other purchases by her seat and got in. Along the way she was quiet, tired of all the new impressions and especially of her big step towards a life of her own!
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