Chapter 9
T he next day, the sun had barely risen in the sky as Rosie was one of the first to arrive at the flower market. Bright-eyed and with much of her usual cheer returned, she tidied her stall, waiting for the delivery of flowers, keeping busy as nerves grew in her stomach.
Other vendors began to arrive, including Finn who reluctantly nodded his head in her direction when she smiled and waved a greeting. She wouldn’t let him see that anxiety was biting at her, sending her morning coffee swilling around her tummy and threatening to reappear.
When the young deliveryman appeared, and she saw the correct blooms in his hands, Rosie couldn’t help but hop onto her toes and clap her hands together.
Her dad had been right: things were going to get better if she hung in there.
Yesterday had been such a disaster, the only way was up.
She hoped. She tried not to count her chickens and instead went to meet him, helping him with the bulky load.
‘Thank you! Thank you! Or should that be bedankt .’ He smiled and as he placed the load down, Rosie held out her hand. ‘I’m Rosie, by the way. Rosie Harper.’
He seemed surprised. Perhaps he couldn’t understand her English, or perhaps not many of the stallholders bothered getting to know the delivery people. She was sure Finn wouldn’t. He probably thought himself above all that.
‘Err, my name is Bas.’ His English was stuttering, the words spaced out as he had to think about the pronunciation.
‘Bas. Hallo!’
His smile grew wider, and he signalled behind him, ready to go and collect the rest of her order.
Rosie let him go and began sorting out her flowers.
She made some arrangements using the new delivery of hydrangeas and salvia, including the stock from yesterday, and as the market began to hum with activity, she felt ready for the day.
Her stall no longer looked a mess, now full to the brim with small green pots containing the herbs she’d ordered and brightly coloured flowers to tempt customers over.
Rosie stepped back with pride. She also wrote a sign in the prettiest handwriting she could manage, promising talks on the medicinal value of mint and the uses of basil and myrtle, an old Victorian plant her mum had always loved.
‘Wow!’ Emma said, coming over. ‘Just look at this place. I can’t believe it’s the same stall as yesterday.
’ She admired two of the large arrangements Rosie had made.
‘These are beautiful.’ She leaned in and inhaled the scent of the roses.
‘So gorgeous. I can’t believe you made these too. What time did you get here?’
‘Pretty early,’ Rosie replied. ‘But it was worth it.’
‘It certainly was.’ Emma turned her attention back to Rosie.
Her bright red hair was down, spilling around her shoulders, though she would tie it back when she began work.
Her long skirts had been replaced with blue harem-style pants decorated with a peacock-feather pattern.
‘Why didn’t you come and see me last night?
I came over after closing but you were gone. ’
Rosie could see the look of hurt on Emma’s face and knew she’d been selfish disappearing.
She should at least have popped over to say goodbye and explain.
‘I’m sorry about that. I shut early. The day had been such a disaster, it didn’t seem worth staying till the end and, to be honest, I was quite upset so I went home and had a good cry and called my family. ’
‘Did it make you feel better?’
‘It did. But I promise to make it up to you. If all goes well today, how do you fancy going for a drink after closing? I think by the time 5.30p.m. comes I’ll need one.’
Emma’s face instantly brightened. ‘Me too. That sounds great. See you later. And good luck.’ Emma hugged her and Rosie squeezed her in return.
‘You too! Hope you sell lots of cheese and... meat!’
Emma giggled and headed on her way as Rosie checked her card reader was set up to take payments. Everything was working as it should, and she was ready to face whatever the day was going to throw at her.
Though it started slowly, and her nerves mounted with every customer who walked past, eventually one stopped and bought one of her displays.
After that, it seemed that as more people browsed, others were attracted too and eventually Rosie’s stall was heaving.
She had to squeeze past people in the tiny space to see if they needed any help, and struggled to keep up with the demand for her attention.
Every time she put down the card reader she had to pick it up again as there was always another customer to serve.
As the time for her first talk drew near, Rosie’s confidence began to wane.
She’d never particularly minded public speaking, but speaking to people in another country, who spoke another language, was daunting.
What if they didn’t understand her? What if they asked her to speak in Dutch and she couldn’t oblige?
She really needed to double down on her efforts to learn Dutch, but for now she had no option but to speak in English.
As the small crowd gathered, eager to learn about mint and all the uses it had other than for cooking, Rosie relaxed.
The talk went well, even though she’d noticed Finn frowning at her group and watching her intently.
Afterwards, several of the small potted herbs she’d had delivered were sold.
The day continued in the same vein and, thanking her lucky stars, Rosie raised her eyes to the sky as she tallied up her takings and closed her stall.
It had been a good day. Better than she could have hoped for.
Another bad one would have most definitely sent her home, despite promising her dad she’d stay until the end of the summer.
Now there seemed a chance she could actually make something of herself. A chance she could make this work.
Rosie quickly placed her order for the next day and made her way around to Emma, who was waiting for the final few customers to leave.
‘I hate forcing them out,’ she confided in a whisper. ‘But it’s past closing and you can get into lots of trouble if you stay open after other vendors. People don’t like it.’
‘Would you like me to help?’
‘Sure, but what can you do?’
‘Just you wait and see!’ Rosie walked over to a jar, picked it up and then looked dramatically at her phone.
‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it’s already past closing time.
They’ll be kicking us out soon!’ Her acting was more hammy than the smoked meat Emma was selling but suddenly everyone rushed to the till.
When Rosie had worked in restaurants, she’d learned a few tricks of the trade– like beginning to loudly clean, turning the lights up high and even sweeping and mopping the floor to give customers the hint.
Emma mouthed a subtle ‘thank you’ and worked quickly through the queue and before long, the last of the customers had been served and she could close the metal grille on her shop.
‘What a day!’ she declared, as she too cashed up her takings. ‘How about you?’
‘I was so busy– it was brilliant!’
‘That’s wonderful. Oh no—’ She suddenly frowned. ‘I lost count. Let me start again.’
Rosie quietened down while Emma finished off.
Browsing the range of foods and treats, she decided that if the rest of the week went well, she’d get herself something to enjoy on her day off.
Though she’d likely be working a seven-day week until she was more established in the market.
In which case, she might have to treat herself to something sooner.
‘There. All done,’ Emma declared. ‘I just need to drop this off at the bank.’ She held up a secure cash wallet. ‘I really need to go card only.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Rosie said. ‘We can find a bar afterwards. What do you prefer– red or white?’
‘Anything after the day I’ve had. I haven’t sat down, and my feet are killing me. I know a great place and I’m sure you’re going to love it.’
They exited the flower market and luckily the bank was only a few streets away.
With the cash deposited, Emma led them to a local bar on the banks of one of the canals.
The seats outside were full, the sound of people talking and laughing filling the air.
Inside, upturned wine glasses hung from a central bar like a glorious chandelier and all around was a mix of tall bar stools with high tables and more comfy chairs with low tables.
Rosie could just make out some pop music playing in the background, but she couldn’t distinguish the song.
They grabbed the only two v acant seats at the bar and ordered a bottle of white wine to share.
After taking a sip, Rosie sighed. ‘I needed that.’
‘Me too. You know, I was worried you wouldn’t be coming back.’
‘Really?’ She shouldn’t have been surprised; she had felt the lowest she’d ever felt the day before. ‘To be honest, I thought about it, but I decided I had to give it another try.’ She thought about adding for my mum but didn’t want to bring the mood down.
‘What made you move to Amsterdam? Don’t get me wrong, I love my city, but it’s not everyone’s first choice if they’re relocating.’
‘Honestly, the flower market drew me here.’
She explained about seeing it on her phone, how it was a last-minute decision and how she hadn’t felt that she’d had much to lose.
‘That’s so brave!’
‘Is it? I wonder if it was stupid, but either way, today was a good day and I intend to celebrate it.’
Rosie watched as Emma took a sip of her wine and glanced around. Her eyes lit up and Rosie followed her gaze to see Noah, the cheesemonger, walking past.
‘Hi, Noah,’ Emma said, spinning round so he spotted her.
‘Oh, hi.’ An awkward silence descended.
So, thought Rosie, there was definitely something going on between these two. Emma’s feelings were clear, but she wasn’t sure about Noah’s. Was he just shy? There was only one way to find out.
‘Did you want to join us for a drink?’ Rosie asked, seeing from the corner of her eye Emma’s face freeze in shock.
‘Yeah, do,’ Emma added, recovering quickly. ‘Sit down, take a load off.’ Noah glanced around but there were no other chairs. ‘Oh, you can sit here if you like, I can get another.’ She hopped off her stool as Noah held his hands out, palms up, to stop her.
‘No, no, no, that’s fine. I’m here with some friends anyway. Thanks, though.’ He turned to Rosie, and she quickly introduced herself. ‘Nice to meet you, Rosie. I’ll, umm... see you tomorrow, Emma.’
He headed off in the direction of the toilets and Emma climbed back onto her stool and lowered her head onto the bar. ‘What was that? Why? Why do I act like an idiot around him?’
‘I take it you like him?’ Rosie asked, sipping her wine to hide her smile.
‘He’s gorgeous! Don’t you think he’s gorgeous? And he makes the best cheese. I LOVE cheese.’
‘Everyone loves cheese. He seems sweet. Very quiet, though.’
‘I know. That’s why I always try and start conversations but half the time he says no and backs away from me like I’m crazy. I know I can be too much sometimes—’
‘You’re not too much. But I know the feeling. I’m a chronic over-sharer and sometimes other people don’t like that.’ She remembered Max shouting at her not to talk to herself. It was the absolute worst that she found him so attractive when he clearly wasn’t interested.
‘Maybe I should just leave him alone,’ Emma said. She’d let her long red hair down after work and with a flick of her hand tossed it back over her shoulder.
‘Let’s swap places,’ Rosie said.
‘Why?’
‘So I can watch him and see if he’s interested or not.’
‘Have you done this a lot, then?’
‘I’ve been on a lot of dates, yes, but never found anything that lasted more than a few months. Some of the guys I’ve dated have been nice– some better than nice– but... I don’t know. I just haven’t ever fallen head over heels in love.’
They shuffled about and Rosie watched as Noah returned. He smiled at Emma as he passed and as the evening went on, it was clear he had a thing for her too. Every time he could, he glanced over, especially when Emma laughed or stood up to go to the ladies’.
‘He’s definitely into you,’ Rosie declared.
‘Really? Are you sure?’
Rosie nodded.
‘What if he’s been watching you and not me?’
‘He hasn’t. Look.’ She pretended to sneeze incredibly loudly. So loudly, in fact, that nearly everyone else in their immediate vicinity turned to look at her. Everyone except Noah. He carried on his conversation and didn’t even flinch.
‘Why did you do that?’ Emma hissed. ‘You sounded like a cartoon character.’
‘I wanted to test something. And I’ve got one more thing to try to be sure. Give me your earring.’
‘What?’
‘Give me your earring. I promise, this is a great test.’ Emma handed it over and Rosie leaned forwards as if to speak to her and dropped it on the floor at her feet.
‘Rosie!’ Emma jumped off her stool and knelt down to find it. Just as she put her hand on it, Noah appeared. ‘Is everything all right, Emma? Do you need some help?’
She stood up, her face flushing as red as her hair. ‘My earring– it fell– I dropped it– I’ve got it now. Thanks.’
‘Oh, okay. Cool.’ He gave her a shy smile and stepped away.
‘See! He’s totally into you,’ Rosie confirmed. ‘Totally.’
Emma grinned, her smile lighting her eyes and filling her face with joy. ‘He’s into me! He’s into me!’ They jiggled about in their seats. ‘But what do I do? Every time I try and ask him for a drink or something, he says no.’
‘Well, he’s clearly shy. You need to get him on his own, flirt with him a bit, break down his barriers, let him know you’re definitely interested and not just being polite.
Then, if he hasn’t asked you out within a few days, you ask him.
When he feels more comfortable with you, he’ll definitely say yes. ’
‘You’re my hero, you know that?’ Emma said and Rosie laughed. ‘Will you help me?’
‘Help you? With Noah?’
‘Yeah. Help me get my man.’ Emma emphasised each word. ‘Sorry, I’ll calm down.’
‘I mean, I’ll do what I can.’
Emma held her wine glass up in a toast and they clinked them gently together. ‘That calls for another bottle.’
Before she could protest, Emma had stuck her hand in the air and ordered another one, and all Rosie could do was sit back and relax.