After coffee, the ladies put on their coats and walked to Annerieke's house. Margreet looked around. The estates were illuminated in several places with small lanterns among the bushes and trees. It was more decorative lighting than it really gave light.

“How beautiful this is, those little lanterns. So simple, but so beautiful,” Margreet was amazed.

“Yes, Erik and I didn't want it to be pitch dark here, it wouldn't be nice if we were walking home. But we also didn't want lamps to spoil the atmosphere of the night. This eventually became the solution. We don't have to walk with flashlights and yet it is not really lit up like in village streets. I'm not sure if it's because of that, but I do know that we regularly have animals here, small animals, like squirrels. Actually, I would also think it would be cool if deer could come here, but then the landscape would also be open to animals that we would rather not have here, foxes and wolves, or wild pigs that come to turn the ground. So in consultation with the forest ranger, we had fences placed around the estate. Look, there is my house, and Huibs house is a little further, more to the right there."

Margreet looked where Annerieke was pointing and saw her house, and a little further on, before Huibs house, which was not yet visible, a huge barn. "Do you have horses or something, over there in that barn?"

“No, that could be possible in itself, but Huib stole that shed for his woodwork.” Annerieke laughed: “In consultation, it was actually Erik's idea. Come with me and I'll show you."

Moments later Margreet looked around in the barn and was surprised. She sniffed the wonderful wood scent and admired the vast workspace. “So this is where he made those beautiful things… The space is overwhelming, large and nicely laid out with that work corner there. What a pity he doesn't get around to it anymore!"

“That's for sure, it's a great hobby for him which he really enjoys. I wonder when he will start working on it again… Shall we go to my house? We'll drink some tea while you can pick out a book quietly.”

They walked back to her house. Annerieke opened the front door and invited Margreet to enter. Surprised, she looked around. “How cool, it looks like a big blockhouse in here!” The walls were of light wood, the ceiling beams of slightly darker, more fiery wood. The kitchen was spacious, very roomy, perfect for someone who likes to cook. “Do you still use that kitchen Annerieke? You always cook in the guest house…”

“Not as often as I'd like. I can't, but sometimes I try new recipe here and when I come across a recipe that seems absolutely amazing, I can't resist it." Annerieke smiled.

“Do you ever cook or bake without a recipe?” asked Margreet. “I mean, you know the basics, you've cooked and baked so many times. Do you sometimes make something that you come up with yourself, something completely new?”

Annerieke thought for a moment. “No, not really…” she said in surprise, “you give me an idea, although I don't know how to do it. No idea how that works, come up with a recipe yourself…”

“It's not a must either, but if something comes to mind, you might try it,” Margreet thought.

Annerieke nodded thoughtfully, she could do that indeed. “Maybe I've gotten a bit too caught up in the daily routine of my work in the guest house, so I don't feel new ideas. I know what Erik would say: 'Feel Anne, feel and listen, your soul knows!'”

She picked up the kettle, poured water into it, and set it on the stove.

“Don't you use an electric kettle?” asked Margreet.

“No, I like this kettle. On our wedding day we were given a tea kettle and I immediately fell in love with it. We had a gas stove then, and when we switched to induction years later, I bought this kettle. Listen… the water is almost boiling! It works just as fast as an electric kettle, maybe even faster. What kind of tea do you want?” Annerieke pointed to a row of preserving jars with loose leaf tea, placed two large glasses on a tray and hung metal tea strainers in them. “I personally like a mix of anise, fennel and liquorice, my own star mix variant. Would you like to try that too?”

Margreet, who had been standing indecisively looking at the row of jars, nodded: “Yes, go ahead, I'm curious.”

Annerieke scooped some of the teas into the strainers and poured out the boiling water. She added a smaller glass, in which she would hang the tea strainers later when the tea had been sufficiently steeped. She led Margreet into an area that was part of the living room, but partially screened off from the living room. Curious, Margreet looked around the corner and slams a cry of surprise: “What a book paradise! Have you read all of those yet?”

“Yes, all of them, except those in that bottom compartment there, they are still quietly waiting for their turn. I'm reading this one by Ruth Rendell right now, it's a thriller, actually a psychological thriller. Ruth can describe the personalities of the people so well. When I read books by Nora Roberts or Ruth Rendell, I feel like part of the story in no time at all. I feel like the main character, but often also part of the other people. Very special, what those ladies can bring about! The tea is still way too hot, so feel free to look around first. These here are Nora's books, and this row are her murder-detectives, which she writes under her pseudonym J.D. Robb.”

“Which novel did you like best?” asked Margreet, who had no idea where to begin.

“I have no idea, I actually enjoyed all her books. It might be useful if you start with one of these, which are slightly shorter stories, then you can get a taste of it to see if it suits you.” Annerieke pointed to a row of books containing two titles per book.

Margreet randomly picked a book from the row. "I think I'm going to try this one." She turned the book over to read the description of the two stories. "They're both about a relationship, but it doesn't seem like they can get together easily."

“That's right,” laughed Annerieke, “that's pretty much standard with Nora's novels. It seems to be a hot topic, some sort of theme for her. I've had moments when I had trouble with that, but then I picked up the next book, and was immediately over my trouble again because she wraps the theme of relationships and all the problems around it in a new jacket every time, sometimes also with exciting intrigue. If this book clicks with you, they probably all click. Then come and use my bookcase as a library, otherwise they'll just stand here collecting dust. I love it when I can share them with you! Tea time, young lady, the tea must have cooled down a bit already!”

While they sipped the tea, which was still very hot, they chatted about the pension, the work, the guests. Annerieke noticed that Margreet regularly looked at the book in her lap, as if she longed to start reading. That's why, when they had finished the tea, she encouraged her to go: "I don't want you to leave, I like to chat with you here, but I think you want to test Nora, isn’t that right? ?”

Margreet blushed and nodded, "Yes, that's right, can you read my mind?"

"Oh no, I don't think so, but I kept seeing you looking at the book." Annerieke smiled and stood up. Margreet followed her lead.

"Don't you find it annoying that I'm going again already?"

“Well, I'm sure there will be many more such pleasant visits, once you're addicted to these books,” Annerieke smiled. "Enjoy it! Do I have to walk with you a little longer, back to the guest house, or do you know the way?”

“I do remember, it wasn't difficult, just across the fields between the lights, that way. Right?”

“Yes, you can't really miss it. Have a nice evening with your book and a good night afterwards! Do you lock the back door behind you?”

"Yes I will do that! Good night to you too Annerieke, and thank you! I'm glad I can borrow them from you," said Margreet, waving the book for a moment. "See you tomorrow!"

Afterwards, Margreet found it quite exciting to walk back to the guest house alone. The mood light didn't give much light, and it had become a lot darker in the meantime. Regularly looking around, she went on and was relieved to go inside the guest house. She locked the back door, hung her coat on the coat rack in the laundry room, and went upstairs. With a happy sigh she sat down in her rocking chair and started to read…

To chapter 14. Emotions come to the surface

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