Margreet enjoyed getting the dining room ready for the dance night, just as she had in previous weeks. She was looking forward to it! She had helped Annerieke put the finishing touches on the appetizers. She had enjoyed making the sushi the most, and they tasted delicious! She shoved the plates of sushi into the refrigerator; they would be served a little later in the evening. She brought the small bowls of raisins, mixed nuts and salts to the dining room in advance and divided them among the tables. Annerieke provided glasses and drinks.

While Huib was finishing his preparations in the music corner, people were trickling in. Margreet and Huib winked at each other when they noticed Simon.

Margreet saw that he was looking around a bit shyly and went up to him: "Hi Simon, how nice that you've come too. You will be a regular guest here in the near future. How long do you think you will be busy with the renovation?"

"Hey Margreet, you're right, I will be a regular here. Annerieke has asked me to come and have coffee and lunch in the kitchen again with the builders. That's going to be something, we have a double team, full house, but she doesn't care, they all belong here. Really great! And the renovation ... we need the whole month of December, and for the house of Sjaak and Lisa certainly part of January. I'm looking forward to it, I love my work, but to work here is even better, good atmosphere and all."

Margreet laughed, "It sure is! I hope you have a nice evening, have fun!"

"I will be fine!" Simon was clearly looking forward to it.

Huib saw that everyone, including his mother, was present. He put on a quiet piece of music, to which some people began to dance. Although there was plenty of room for everyone, some couples seemed to wait a bit longer, perhaps seeing which way the wind blows.

Simon was among those who stayed put. Deep in his heart he wanted so badly to dance with Annerieke, but he felt like an adolescent boy trying to ask a girl to dance for the first time. He was afraid, afraid that he wouldn't be able to control his feelings and that she would notice that he loved her. Strange really, he wanted her to know, to feel that he loved her, but letting her know, he found very scary. More than ever, he longed for her, but wondered if it was already the right time, and if she liked him that way.

He felt himself getting angry, angry at himself. He just had to follow his heart, just do what he so longed to do. So when Huib put on the second piece of music, a song, he stood up and bowed to the woman of his heart, "Annerieke, would you like to dance with me?"

Annerieke smiled at him, nodded and stood up. She had noticed since Simon had returned, and had stopped by to see her, that he treated her in a certain way, friendly but timid, as if something was bothering him. He had come back into her mind at random. She had tried to remember how that was in the past, between Simon and her. She knew from Erik that Simon had been struggling with something, had had a problem with something, and that they had gone through it together, men among themselves. She really only knew that it had been intense, intensely difficult.

Other than that, she had never noticed anything about Simon, had she? This morning, however, she remembered that he had always looked at her in a special way, with a kind of warm gaze, but he had never said anything that could indicate that he loved her or something like that. Oh well, it's understandable that he hadn't said anything along those lines at the time. After all, wasn’t she married then, very happily married?

She allowed Simon to put one arm around her waist and take her hand with his other. She didn't look for anything behind it, it was a normal position when dancing to this kind of music, but while dancing she experienced that she started to glow from the inside, as if a fire slowly started to flare up. It didn't shock her, she recognized the feeling, she had experienced this to a much greater degree with Erik, when she met him, and again and again throughout their marriage.

So after all, she thought, there was something between them, between Simon and her, a click, a soul connection. She looked at Simon for a moment and smiled at him again. She looked deep into his eyes and saw in him what she felt in herself.

She lowered her eyes, feeling a slight confusion. The connection was really there! But... surely her soul had always clicked with Erik, so firmly, so surely... could it really happen a second time?

She remembered Huib's words, with which he had urged her to embrace a new relationship if there was a soul connection, to be happy with someone again. He had said, that he had no idea who it would be about, but that he had received this unexpectedly and with great certainty on his heart. And Annerieke knew what that meant! His soul had received something, an encouragement, an incitement to her!

She sighed deeply, relaxed into the dance and laid her head on Simon's shoulder. Simon's arm shifted slightly around her waist. He very gently pulled her closer to him. He longed so much to love her, to care for her, to protect her... although he had no idea what he wanted to protect her from... He wanted to make her happy. He knew, from Annerieke's answer to Elly's question, that she was happy within herself, but he wanted to add whatever he could give. He had no idea how, but the attraction that existed between them was so strong, so special... As they danced on, he gently caressed her back. He wanted to say something to her, but found no words.

Huib and Margreet had followed them while dancing, giving each other a squeeze when they saw Annerieke lay her head on Simon's shoulder. They were happy for them, enjoying it together.

To chapter 138. You saved my life

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