by Betty Neels
Mr van der Leurs had been reading his paper, but now he put it down.
‘Which museum are you going to?’ He sounded only mildly interested, and when she told him he said, ‘Ah, yes, an interesting place. You liked him?’
‘Yes. He’s very amusing and easy to talk to.’ She looked up sharply. ‘You don’t like him?’
‘My dear girl, what has that to do with it? You are free to choose your friends and I would never stand in your way. We are both, I trust, sensible people, tolerant of each other’s tastes and wishes. I hope you will have a very pleasant afternoon.’
He turned a page and returned to his reading, leaving her seething although she had no idea why she was put out. She knew that their marriage wasn’t quite like the normal matrimonial state but surely he should show some interest, concern even, in the friends she made.
Pieter Hirsoff came for her after lunch and, since Aderik had phoned to say that he wouldn’t be home until the evening and she had spent the morning painstakingly discussing household matters with Katje and Ko, Eulalia was quite ready to enjoy his company. And he was good company, guiding her expertly through the museum and then suggesting that they might have a cup of tea before he drove her home. He took her to a large hotel on the Leidseplein and ordered tea and cakes, and it wasn’t until she told him that she would like to go home that he put a hand over hers on the table and smiled across it at her.
‘Eulalia, we must meet again. This afternoon has been delightful. We are two lonely people, are we not? My wife doesn’t care to live in Amsterdam and Aderik is so engrossed in his work, I doubt if he is home as often as he might be.’
She was too surprised to speak for a moment. She might be twenty-seven years old but there hadn’t been much chance to gain worldly experience behind the canteen counter… She quelled a desire to lean over and box his ears; that would never do! He was a colleague of Aderik’s. She said in a matter-of-fact voice, ‘I’m sorry you’re lonely, but I’m not; I’m very happy. Aderik is a marvellous husband and I love living here. I know I shall make lots of friends—his friends too—and I’m sure you’ll be one of them. It was kind of you to take me out and I’ve enjoyed it but now I really must go home.’
‘I hope Aderik knows what a treasure he’s married.’ They were walking to the car. ‘I’m a persistent man, Eulalia.’
In the car she said, ‘You’re being silly now. Aderik and I have only been married for little more than a week; can you not understand that life for us is perfect?’
Which wasn’t quite true but surely she would be forgiven for the lie so that she could convince the man? She had thought she liked him, but now she wasn’t so sure…
Mr van der Leurs didn’t get home until almost dinner time. He came into the drawing room with Humbert, who had gone into the hall to meet him, and bade Eulalia a cheerful hello.
‘Did you enjoy your afternoon with Hirsoff?’ he wanted to know.
‘Since you ask,’ said Eulalia tartly, ‘I didn’t.’
He handed her a drink and asked, still cheerfully, ‘Oh? Why not?’
‘He got a bit, well, a bit intense…’
‘What did you expect? You’re a beautiful young woman. It’s only logical that he would chat you up.’
She tossed off her sherry. ‘What a simply beastly thing to say. And if you knew that he was that kind of a man, why didn’t you tell me not to go out with him?’
He had picked up the first of his letters and slit the envelope carefully before he answered.
‘When we married—before we married—I told you that you might have all the time you needed to get to know me and settle into your new life. I hope by now that you know that I meant what I said. The fact that we are married and like each other enough to live together doesn’t mean that I have any right to dictate to you.’
‘You mean that you would never interfere in anything I might want to do or with the friends that I might make?’
‘That is what I mean.’
‘You don’t mind?’ she began angrily, and was interrupted by Ko telling them that dinner was served.
After that there was no chance to go on talking about it. Mr van der Leurs, keeping his thoughts to himself, rambled on about this and that, making it impossible for Eulalia to argue with him. After dinner he told her that he had some phone calls to make and it was an hour or more before he came back to sit by the fire with Humbert at his feet.
Eulalia sat with her newly bought tapestry frame before her, stabbing the needle in and out of the canvas, regardless of the havoc she was making. They were quarrelling, she reflected, or rather she was trying to quarrel; Aderik was being most annoyingly placid. She wondered what she would have to do to ruffle that smooth manner. She couldn’t think of anything at the moment so she bade him a chilly goodnight and went to bed, her dignified exit rather spoilt by the kiss he dropped on her cheek as he opened the door for her.
She took a long time to go to sleep. She would have liked someone to confide in but the only person who would have done nicely was Aderik and he, she had to admit, seemed placidly indifferent, rather like an elder brother who didn’t want to be bothered but was tolerant of her.
And how absurd, she reflected, half asleep by now, discussing her doubts and worries with the very person who was causing them.
An opinion that was strengthened at breakfast the next morning; Aderik was his usual amiable self but quite clearly he had neither the time nor the inclination to enter into a serious discussion.
He handed her an envelope addressed to them both. ‘An invitation to the Christmas ball in a week’s time. The invitation was delayed until we returned here but it was taken for granted that we would accept. Send a note to Christina ter Brandt, will you? It’s a grand affair…’
‘I haven’t a dress…’
‘Then we will go and buy one. Tomorrow directly after lunch.’
He was looking through his post. ‘There are several invitations to dine and here’s a letter for you inviting you to have coffee with Christina…’
He added warmly, ‘You’ll like her: everyone does.’ He got up. ‘I must go—I’ve a full day ahead of me so don’t expect me until this evening. Why not do some Christmas shopping? Perhaps you can think of something to give Katje—and Mekke is getting engaged. I’ll see to Ko.’
‘And your family?’
‘I’ll take a morning off and we’ll go shopping together.’
He kissed her cheek swiftly as he went.
Leaving her with a great deal to think about. His family would come to stay at Christmas, he had told her that, but somehow she hadn’t thought any more about it. Now Christmas was less than three weeks away; there would be presents to buy and Katje to consult about meals and rooms. She choked back indignation; he had told her so little…
She sought out Ko. ‘Christmas,’ she said urgently. ‘People will be coming to visit. How long do they stay, Ko? And do we have a tree and holly and give presents?’
He assured her that they did. Christmas, he told her in his careful English, had at one time been a rather solemn occasion, more a church festival, while St Nikolaas had been a more important feast. But Holland had adopted many English customs so that there would be turkey and Christmas pudding, a Christmas tree and decorations and the giving of presents.
‘You will wish to consult with Katje, mevrouw, and decide on menus and beds for the guests. It will be a relief for mijnheer that he has you here to oversee the preparations.’
That evening after dinner, sitting comfortably together, it seemed a good time to her to broach the subject of Christmas.
‘There is a great deal I need to know,’ she began firmly, ‘and I would like you to tell me.’
Mr van der Leurs put down his newspapers, the very picture of an attentive husband. ‘Such as?’
‘Well, your family. How many are coming to stay and for how long?’ A sudden surge of indignation made her voice shrill. ‘I know nothing about them.’ She added pettishly, ‘Prob
ably they won’t like me.’
Mr van der Leurs, at his most reasonable, observed, ‘How can you say that when you haven’t met them?’ He saw that she was put out and added in a quite different voice, ‘My mother is the kind of mother one hugs and kisses and who offers a cosy shoulder if one wants comforting. My sisters are younger than I am; Marijka is twenty-eight, married and has two children—boys. Lucia is thirty, married, also, with two girls and a boy. Paul is the youngest, twenty-three, in his last year at Leiden. He falls in and out of love so often I’ve given up trying to remember their names.’
He smiled then. ‘Contrary to your expectations, they will like you and you will like them. They will come on Christmas Eve and Katje will be able to advise you as to where they will sleep and so on. I’ll get a free morning and we’ll go shopping together for presents. I believe that you will find it a Christmas very much like the celebrations in England.’
She had the lowering feeling that she had been making a fuss about nothing but there was still something. ‘I have to buy a dress for the ball…’
‘Tomorrow afternoon,’he reminded her placidly.
Not a very satisfactory conversation, she reflected; somehow she still felt that she had been making a fuss about nothing.
She went round the house in the morning with Katje, deciding which rooms should be made ready for their guests. There was time enough before Christmas but she wanted everything to be perfect…
Aderik was home punctually for lunch and while she went to put on her outdoor things he took Humbert for a brisk walk.
‘And we’ll walk too,’ he told her. ‘It’s cold but dry and quicker than taking the car. Where do you want to go first?’
‘The boutique where you bought my coat; there were some lovely dresses…’
She spent a blissful hour trying on one gown after another. It was hard to decide and she wanted to wear a dress which Aderik would like. Finally she was left with a choice between a pearl-grey chiffon which fitted perfectly but was perhaps not quite grand enough, and a pale pink taffeta with a square neckline, tiny cap sleeves and a wide skirt. She tried them on again in turn and stood rather shyly while Aderik studied her.
‘Have them both,’ he decided.
While the saleswoman had gone to supervise their packing, Eulalia said in a whisper, ‘But we’re only going to one ball…’
‘There will be others,’ he said. He had got up from the elegant little chair and was wandering around, to stop by a stand upon which a russet velvet dress had been artfully thrown. ‘Now, I like that. Will you try it on?’
The saleslady was already at his elbow. ‘It is mevrouw’s size and a perfect colour for her.’
So Eulalia was swept back behind the silk curtains and helped into the velvet dress and, studying her reflection in the long mirror, had to admit that she really looked rather nice in it…
‘But when will I wear it?’ she wanted to know as they gained the street once more.
‘Christmas Day. Now come and help me choose something for my mother…’
* * *
Eulalia had coffee with Christina ter Brandt on the following morning. The ter Brandts lived in a large house in a tree-lined road on the outskirts of den Haag. Aderik had told her that when they were first married Duert ter Brandt had been director of the main hospital there but the last few years had seen him holding the same position in Amsterdam. It was more than half an hour’s drive between the two cities but neither of them wished to leave their home in den Haag and Duert enjoyed driving.
Aderik had driven her there, going first to the hospital and coming back for her during the morning, and she had worried that he was wasting his time.
‘Not when I’m with you, Lally,’ he had told her quietly, ‘but it might be a good idea if we were to look around for a car for you. Can you drive?’
‘No. We never had a car.’
‘Then you shall have lessons. I like to drive you myself but there may be occasions when that’s not possible.’
He had stayed only a few minutes at the house and Christina had told him that she would be going into Amsterdam to have lunch with Duert and would see Eulalia safely home.
Eulalia enjoyed her morning; Christina was the kind of person one could confide in. Not that she did that but she was sure if she ever needed help or advice Christina would give it without fuss. And during the course of the morning she offered tidbits of information about the small everyday problems Eulalia had encountered.
‘Of course Aderik will have told you a great deal but men do tend to overlook the small problems—tipping and tram fares and whether to wear a long or short dress; that kind of thing.’
Which reminded Eulalia to ask about the ball.
‘Quite an event,’ said Christina. ‘Long dresses and any jewellery you can lay hands on…’ She glanced quickly at Eulalia’s hands, bare save for her wedding ring. ‘It’s all rather dignified and stately but great fun. You have met quite a few of the wives at the hospital? You’ll meet a lot more but you’ll only need to smile and murmur. You’re rather a nine days’ wonder, you know. Aderik’s family are coming for Christmas? They always do; they’re all delightful so don’t worry about meeting them.’
Christina poured more coffee. ‘What do you think of the shops in Amsterdam?’ she asked, and the conversation moved on.
She drove Eulalia back presently. ‘I don’t suppose Aderik will be back for lunch? It’s been fun meeting you; you must come again and perhaps we can meet Daisy one morning here and have coffee?’
She drove away and Eulalia, warmed by her friendliness, had her lunch and then sat down to write Christmas cards and make a painstaking list of people for whom she would need to buy presents.
It seemed a good idea to go shopping the next day. Aderik would be away until mid-afternoon but if she had an early lunch she would have time to do at least some of her shopping—the children’s presents, perhaps.
She went down to breakfast ready to tell him, to find that he had left the house in the early hours of the morning. An emergency, Ko told her, but he hoped to be home during the afternoon, probably around four o’clock.
So after lunch she set out with her list and a nicely filled purse. She felt at home in the city now although she was familiar only with the main streets. That morning, while she had been in the kitchen, she had told Katje that she was going shopping; it was surprising how well they understood each other as long as they kept their conversation to basics. Mekke had been there too, helping them out when they reached an impasse. Her English was only a smattering but she was quick to understand and quick to learn.
When Eulalia had mentioned that she wanted to buy toys for the children she had told Eulalia where to go: a large store near the Central Station. Mevrouw must take a tram to the station and then walk; the shop was close by and she would find all the toys she could wish for there. She had even drawn a map to make finding it easy.
Eulalia clutched it as she walked to the Leidsestraat and got into a tram. It took her a few minutes to find the street Mekke had written down and when she reached the shop it was packed with people so that it took her longer than she expected to find just what she wanted.
The final purchases made, she glanced at her watch. Aderik would be home in a short while and she wanted to be there. She joined the surge of people leaving the store and started walking briskly, confident of her direction.
She had been walking for several minutes when it dawned on her that she was in a street she didn’t know. Somehow she must have missed a turning. Not a serious matter, she told herself, and turned to walk back the way she had come. It was a narrow street and there were few people in it and no shops.
She stopped the first person coming towards her and asked the way; her Dutch was negligible but ‘Central Station’ and an arm waved enquiringly should be enough. It seemed that it wasn’t; she tried two more people and was about to try again when the faint drizzle became a downpour. She was brushed aside; no one wanted t
o hang around answering questions in such weather…
There was no shelter and she could hardly knock on a door, while to try and find her way on her own was a waste of time… She wasn’t the Colonel’s granddaughter for nothing; she walked on until she saw a telephone box.
It took time to find the right coins and decipher the instructions, and, although there was no one about, the street outside, its lights almost obscured by the rain, looked menacing. She dialled and heard Aderik’s voice.
‘It’s me. I’m lost and it’s raining…’
He was reassuringly calm. ‘Do you know the name of the street?’
‘No, it’s dark and—and empty.’
Mr van der Leurs, stifling a panic which astonished him, became all at once briskly reassuring.
‘You’re in a phone box? Tell me the number on the dial. Did you tell anyone where you were going?’
‘Yes, Mekke. To a big toy shop near the station…’
‘Stay where you are, Lally. I’ll be with you very shortly.’
‘I’m sorry to be a nuisance…’ Her voice had a decided squeak.
‘You’ve been very sensible, my dear; just stay where you are.’
* * *
Mr van der Leurs went into the hall and found Ko. ‘Ask Mekke to come here, will you?’
When she came, he asked, ‘Mekke, this shop you suggested mevrouw should visit—which street?’And when she told him he went on, ‘And is there another entrance?’
‘Yes, mijnheer, at the back of the shop.’ She put her hand to her mouth. ‘Mevrouw has lost herself?’
‘Only temporarily. Do you know the street? Is there a phone box in it?’
‘Yes. Turn left as you leave the shop.’
Mr van der Leurs nodded, whistled to Humbert and went out to his car. The streets were jammed with traffic but he knew a number of back ways…
He slid to a halt by the phone box and got out, opened its door and took Eulalia in his arms.
‘My poor dear, you’re wet and cold…’