I ran up the few steps to the front door, lifted the knocker and held it. Once I let it hit the plate there’d be no turning back from my new life. I gave three determined knocks. The housekeeper, a woman of sturdy frame and resolute airs, opened the door and almost dragged me inside by my elbow. In the entrance hall there were two gentlemen seemingly waiting. Geertje grumbled, ‘Might as well take the lot of you up now. I doubt he’ll welcome the interruption.’ At the same time she was stripping me of my coat as you would a child. Then she gestured at a tray of mugs and a jug of beer on a side table, but as I made to lift the tray, she told me, ‘Wait,’ and handed me the jug only. Then she waved her arms, herding us up the stairs like errant sheep. She followed close behind with the clippety-clop of her clogs and the clanking of mugs on the tray. When we reached the door the gentlemen hesitated and looked at each other. Geertje huffed at the delay and pointed with her chin at the door.
