The night is just beginning, the terraces are full and a snippet of a Dutch sentimental song is drifting from a pub. In the Red Light District there are a ladies behind the windows who look at Mark approvingly, but they refrain from really ogling him because he has me on his arm. There are drunken tourists, and a vagrant type is vomiting over the railing of a bridge. There is no doubt that Amsterdam is a unique city. 'Her...

I told Steven that I am going to see Tessa in Naarden. Tessa told Lucas that she is going to have dinner with me, but instead she has a masterclass with the Pilates instructor. I meet Mark at Bird Restaurant on the Zeedijk. I am glad I decided to wear fancy lingerie, even though it will stay hidden under a woollen dress. It is autumnal outside, a stark contrast to the sultry night after Madama Butterfly. I am led to the t...

I flung open the hood of Goof, my VW Golf, and drive through the sun-drenched Dutch countryside with my hair flapping. The radio is blaring, I am on my way to meet Mark at his boat in Rijpwetering. I am nervous, I cannot hide behind the keyboard today and I am afraid I will disappoint him. Only Rose and Simon know that I am going to do this, and they both wished me a lot of fun. This is not the time to start doubting or f...