While Huib went to his shed to get tools with which he had to do some minor repairs in the guest house, Annerieke and Margreet went to work in the dining room, cleared things up and continued on their way to the laundry room.
As they hung up the laundry, Margreet thought about the vases she'd bought. "Annerieke, may I pick a few flowers from the garden every now and then?"
"Of course! There is such a small pruning shears in the container next to the washing machines, if you can't pick them, you can always cut some of the bushes."
“Very nice, thank you! I bought two narrow glass vases yesterday, I think they can hold at most three twigs or stems per vase, so I won't have to empty the garden!"
Annerieke laughed: “That will not happen so quickly either. Sjaak, our gardener has taken care of so many flowering shrubs and bulbs at my request that we will not miss a few flowers! Although, tomorrow will be November again, so most of the flowers have finished blooming. But take what you need! So, the laundry is hanging, the work is done, we will take a tour through the garden, then you can choose which flowers you would like to take with you today at the same time.”
Margreet took the pruning shear, Annerieke grabbed a basket and together they walked through the bushes. At the edges of the estate there were so many bushes with paths in between, and small open spaces with seating areas. And even though it was almost November, there were still quite a few flowers.
“Those hydrangeas, unbelievable that they are still in bloom. The colors are a bit less, but I think they are beautiful. I'll take a few of those."
“Good idea, even in the vase they stay good for a while. And by the time they die, you can try to dry them, then bundle them up with a piece of string and hang them upside down somewhere on the landing, on your towel rails or something.”
“I have two rails, and I only need one, so I can use the second one just fine.”
Annerieke nodded. They walked on and came to a large vegetable garden where a slender man was working. “Hey Sjaak, may I introduce you to Margreet? She is our newest family member, helps us with the housework and lives in the attic in the guest house. Margreet, this is Sjaak, our gardener.”
Sjaak came over to her, held out his hand, which was dirty from the earth… Margreet didn't hesitate for a moment, put her hand in his. “You are doing a great job Sjaak, the garden is beautiful.”
“Thank you Margreet, I am very satisfied with it myself. I have a wonderful job here, and a house of my own a long way down the estate. I have a great life here!”
Margreet laughed, saw by his face that he really meant it. "I'd like to believe so! I stole some of your hydrangeas," she pointed to the flowers in her hand. “I bought two narrow vases for my windowsill, so…”
“Very right girl, there is plenty, so enjoy it!” While Annerieke filled her basket with vegetables for the evening, Sjaak asked Margreet: “Have you seen our wild garden yet? Many people would call it a weed garden, but I don't believe in weeds. I think weed plants are beautiful in their own way, but people call them weeds because they often grow in places they don't want them." He pointed to a corner she hadn't been before. “If you think it's not too cold, you should sit there very still for a while. You will see that birds will come and pick at the plants. They pick out the seed. I once sprinkled a handful of birdseed in between, which resulted in spiky plants that give new seed. I can enjoy it so much, it is a true bird paradise!”
“How nice, I love birds, no matter what kind, they are just funny. Their chirping and chattering, their sprightly movements, and I would love it if they dare to come close to me…” Margreet looked a little dreamily in the direction Sjaak had pointed. “If the sun is still shining this afternoon, with my coat on… I'm sure I'll last a while there. Thanks for the hint Sjaak!”
Annerieke had now finished and they walked back to the guest house together.
“I'm going upstairs for a while, put the flowers in the vase. I'll see you in the kitchen soon!" Margreet ran up the stairs and thought on the first floor that she could calm down a bit, she was home but there might also be guests in their rooms. They wouldn't like her drumming on the stairs. More calmly, she continued her way to the attic. She filled the vases with water and placed the flowers in them. It fitted with ease, and it looked nice in front of the window. Friendly was the word that came to Margreets mind. She stared at it for a moment, then picked up her cell phone to see if there was anything special out there. An e-mail from her parents, she really wasn't waiting for. She put her cell phone back, she would read it this afternoon. This afternoon ... she was going to rest this afternoon, was her plan... but it seemed that she had already planned her afternoon quite full. Hang up the bars, read and answer the mail, to the weed garden… If it wasn't too cold, that last one could be a resting point.
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