Annerieke had been working in the kitchen for a while as the front doorbell jingled. She washed her hands and went into the hallway. She welcomed Daniel and Fiona with her usual kindness. As she showed them around, she told them the standard things she always communicated to new guests. Then she took them upstairs, showed them the bathrooms, and took them to their room.

When she asked them if they needed anything else or had any questions, Fiona suddenly came up with the reason for their arrival, "Daniel and I just got married for 10 years, but we're not coming here to celebrate. We wanted to get away and find out in an unfamiliar environment whether we really want to continue together. We have no quarrel, but... well, I don't know how to say it, it's a vague feeling, I think."

Annerieke nodded thoughtfully, "That doesn't seem easy to me, especially after so many years. I think you are brave to face whatever is going on and want to work on it, try to figure out how you want to move forward. I can't give you a solution, but I want to point out that all of the staff here have one big desire, and that is for the people who come here to find some emotional healing. I mean, we have a desire to help people with that. We notice that everyone goes through a process in their own way, and sometimes it can be good if you get some help with it. We are not psychologists, but we like to listen, and if we think we can share something from our own experience to support, then we will. So... feel free to ask us if you have any questions."

Daniel nodded, "How special, thank you for offering. And who are the employees? Or will we discover that on our own?"

Annerieke shot up in laughter, "You'll run into Margreet and Lisa on your own. They make sure that things stay tidy on this floor. And sometimes they help in the kitchen and the dining room. And they are the ones who take care of the laundry every day. And Wednesday night, on the dance night, they are always there too. Margreet has a relationship with my son Huib. He does the administration here, but mostly works in the big barn a bit further down the road. He is a woodworker. And our gardener is called Sjaak, and he has a relationship with Lisa. I myself was married to Erik. He set up the guesthouse here, but he died in an accident. Now I have a relationship with our former friend Simon. He is moving in with me, is busy with that." Annerieke pointed in the direction of their houses as she continued to speak, "All the staff live in the three houses further down the estate. And starting Wednesday, Simon will be leading a remodeling of the young people's houses. The builders will be here in the kitchen with the coffee and lunch, so that will be a bit noisier, but otherwise they are mostly busy back there. They have their own way, their own access to those houses, so the boarding house can continue nicely on its own in peace."

"That all bodes well! Can we also walk around the estate or would you rather keep that private?" asked Fiona

Annerieke smiled, "Our houses are basically private, but the estate is for you too, so enjoy it!"

"We're definitely going to try that. Thanks for all your explanations and your tour!" Daniel nodded to Annerieke.

"You're welcome, I hope you have a good time here. I'm going back to the kitchen, make sure we can put a warm meal on the table tonight."

.

Annerieke was only halfway up the stairs when the bell rang again. Marcel and Janny Verhey came in.

"How nice that we could come here so quickly, lovely to get away from it all for a while." Marcel shook Annerieke's hand.

"Yes, really fantastic, we were so ready to get away from the merry-go-round," Janny told her.

"I'm glad you're here, just as guests, but also for Lisa and Sjaak."

Marcel nodded, "I've already briefly informed Janny, and if Lisa and Sjaak are okay with it, we'll go along with them. What happened to that young lady... it has to stop! Oh, let me stop right there, because I can already feel that intense anger rising again! Those wretches!"

Janny reassuringly put her hand on his arm, "You do what you can, dear, and if I’m allowed, I'll join you."

Annerieke smiled, "Fine! It feels good, I have faith in you. Shall I show you around?"

She preceded them, shared what was necessary and, as with the other new guests, told them who the staff members were.

"I'll leave you for now, I'll get started on dinner. If you have any questions, you can almost certainly find me in the kitchen until dinner."

"Good luck with that! I feel like going out to explore the estate for a while, to have a nice walk." Janny looked at Marcel questioningly. He nodded at her, after which they went down the stairs behind Annerieke to pick up their coats again.

To chapter 161. Support for Sjaak and Lisa

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