16 Amsterdam, Amsterdam

Lost in her thoughts and daydreaming about what happened earlier that day, helped Morwenna getting rid of the last anxieties she had about flying. It was exactly as Al had told her, quite exciting at the take off, but rather dull once the plane was high up in the sky.

She listened to the music Al had copied on the smartphone, gazing at the picture of Al she took that morning. About twenty minutes before the estimated arrival time, the air hostess came by to see if she was alright.

'I 'd have a look outside if I were you, you can see the coastline of the Netherlands and soon you'll see the flowerfields', she advized.

Morwenna woke up from her dreams and looked out of the window. The weather was beautiful, not a single cloud imn the sky, the view was stunning. She could see the outlines of the islands in the south, it was as if she was looking at a map of the atlas at school! The hostess noticed that the young girl was really excited about what she saw, pointed at the storm surge barrier below. 'That's our Neeltje Jans' an ingenious construction to protect the land in stormy weather.' It was really impressive from above. They also flew over the port of Rotterdam. 'What's that?', Morwenna asked, seeing huge machines in a desertlike environment

'They are creating land by pumping up sand from the sea. It's called the 2nd Maasvlakte. Creating more land is what we are doing since ages, with all the polders and so on. In 1986, a whole new province was founded, combining several different polders in one province called Flevoland'.

A few minutes later, the plane had past the agglomerations of Rotterdam and The Hague and then Morwenna understood why Al called it a quilt. The flat country was covered with patches in all colours you can imagin, bright red, yellow, purple, white, pink and even orange. At some place a bulb grower deliberatley had created a flowerfield in the national colours red, white and blue. Morwenna took picture after picture and was totally absorbed by the view. The 'fasten your seatbelt'- signs were on now so they were nearly there...

Earlier that afternoon, Martin manoeuvered the car through the narrow streets of the center of Amsterdam. The navigator of his car didn't help him much because many streets were closed because of big building works.

'That's because of the metro', Louisa knew, 'they are expanding the metro network and they need to dig a tunnel. Not an easy job, when you know that Amsterdam is built on a very sloppy underground.. Piles everywhere!'

'Yes, and bikes!', Martin grunted through his teeths, pushing the breaks firmly, to avoiding three teenagers wearing backpacks coming from the left.

'They didn't even make an atempt to respect the trafic rules!'

'Probably going home after school', Louisa mumbled.

Martin and Louisa were soon to learn that bikers rule the trafic in the center of Amsterdam and any other city center in the Netherlands. There were all kinds of types of bikes, old fashioned ones, racing bikes, even mountainbikes, whereas the country is as flat as a dheet of paper. They also saw several women riding carrier bikes with two, three or even four small children and todlers in the carrier. Bikes in all colours, bikes with all sort of persons riding them, very young, very old, men wearing suits, women dressed in tight skirts. Much to martin's relief, most of the smaller children wore special helmets, also in all colours and so did the some of the elder people.

'I'd like to rent a bike', Louisa anounced.

'God NO', Marin thought, but he was wise enough not to say much, just 'Mmm..'.

Carefully navigating the Lexus through the narrow streets, they finally arrived at the hotel. It was situated in the city center on the border of a canal.

'Oh Martin, it's beautyful here!'

The check-in was quick and functional, the lobby spacious and clean, just the way Martin liked it.

They settled in the room, which was also really large. There was enough space for James' cot and other baby stuf.

'Morwenna will have the room next to this. When she has to watch James, she can come over here, or we can move James' things to her room easily'.

'Thank you, my practical husband', Louisa, said and gave him a peck on the cheek'.

Martin's telephone beeped twice, he had received a text message. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and read 'plane has landed savely, luggage came quick, in the cab now. Driver says he can't believe he has to bring me to that hotel... Too posh for a lass like me..'

Martin sighed.

'What's wrong, Martin?'

'She's probably wearing one of her gypsy dreses... The cab driver doesn't want to bring her here'.

After having said that, he started to type a text: 'tell him to shut up and drive'.

After unpacking, Martin noticed that Louisa looked really tired.

'Louisa, Why don't you lie down a bit, or take a relaxing bath? To get some strength before dinner. After all, it was a long drive... I'll take James downstairs to discover the surroundings.'

'Oh Martin, would you? Aren't you tired as well?

'I'm fine, now come on James, let's go, let's give mummy some time for herself, hmm'.

He picked a book and a couple of small toys, put James in the buggy and left the room.

Martin quickly crossed the lobby, not wanting to meet any other doctor thacwould attend the seminar. He stopped a short moment at the reception desk, to inquire about something.

Then he went outside and walked in the direction the hotel receptionist had given him. Some blocks further away, he saw written on a shop window: "fietsenmaker", a bicycle shop.

'Goede middag meneer, kan ik u helpen, how can I help you?'

'Hmm, well, I am looking for a bike helmet'

The owner of the shop looked at Martin, estimating the size of his head.

'I'm not sure if I have your size in stock sir..'. The man in front of him had about the everage length of a Dutch man, but his head...

'Not for me, you idiot, for him!', Martin exclaimed, pointing at James in the buggy.

'Right, hmm, yes, of course, over here...'.

Martin lifted James from the buggy and followed the shop owner to the back of the shop, carefully navigating his large body through the exposed bikes. Seeing the colourful helmets, James squealed with joy and soon they found the right size and apparently the right colours too.

After a visit to a nearby fruit and vegetable shop, the Ellingham men returned back to the hotel.

Martin expected Morwenna to arrive soon, he decided to wait for her in the lobby. James was tired of being buckled up in the buggy and became fuzzy, so Martin let him play a bit at his feet. The boy made several attempts to pull himself up and finally succeeded giving his father a huge smile. Martin glowed with pride. 'Good boy, well done!'

The hotel door opened and his receptionist entered the lobby, looking around hesitantly. James saw her first and he happily tapped on the table with the small toy he was holding. Martin picked up his son and went to greet Morwenna.

'Thank god, no folkloric dress', he thought.

'Hello Morwenna, how was your flight?'

'Hello Doc, hello James! It was great doc, I've so much to tell you. Where is Mrs. Ellingham?'

Martin looked at her quizzically. She looked different, much happier than the last time he saw her.

Hmm, he thought, finally some progress between those two..!

'She's upstairs. Here, take James, I will take care of your luggage and the buggy etcetera.'

They were waiting for the elevator to come, when some familiar voice said:

'Ellingham...?'

to be continued

Thanks to all the persons who post reviews, they are more than welcome!