The beginning of the end

The beginning of the end

The book presentation draws nearer. A milestone. Soof publishing her own cookbook. She’s worked her socks off. And she’s made a cartload of petit fours for the party. Mick is full of his new love. Proud of Soof and her new book. He wants the presentation to be a resounding success, with all the trimmings, and busies himself with the preparations. All this hoopla is not really Soof’s cup of tea. She’d prefer to keep things simple. But she likes the idea of having it in her own garden, instead of at her publisher’s stuffy officers.

It is public knowledge that Soof doesn’t like surprises, but Mick doesn’t know this yet. Soof gets nervous about all the goings on. She sees Mick and Gerrit engaged in a secretive conversation. And was that a ring box that she saw? She is shaken. Surely Mick isn’t thinking of asking her to marry him? In fact, it is Gerrit who is planning to use this festive occasion to propose to Hansje. Mick agrees to help and keep the ring safe for him, away from Hansje’s prying eyes.

The misunderstanding is making Soof anxious. How can she avoid this? What if Mick asks her to marry him in front of all the guests? How can she say no? She couldn’t possibly. She’s so worried, it is hard to get into a festive mood. More than anything, she wants to celebrate her book, with her friends and family, drinks and a little bite to eat.

Sasha also thinks up a surprise. A dance act by Bing, Dies and Mick’s children. She bribes her brothers into participating and teaches them their moves with the help of Rob. The publisher has invited a celebrity to generate some internet publicity for the book. An influencer. Who else but...Didier Broekhuis. Mick thinks it wisest to keep this from Soof for the time being. From his attic window, Kasper watches the garden being transformed into a fancy fair, podium and all. He knows that Soof does not like such attention, but Josien reminds him this is no longer his concern.

The guests begin to arrive. Soof is nervous. Soof gets a start when Didier turns up and asks Mick why he was invited. Mick explains, but fails to set her mind at ease. When Kasper spots Didier, he is determined to confront him with the fact that he is making money off his lamp behind his back. But he holds back because of Soof.

The book presentation gets underway: Soof is presented with the first copy by the one and only Jim Cole, who is there at Sasha’s invitation. Soof is pleasantly surprised, she’s beaming. Jim speeches, sings her praises. Soof speeches, thanking her publisher and Mick, her children, Joy and her mother. And everyone else she holds dear. The way to people’s hearts is through their stomachs, and her cookbook is a token of true love. When she finishes, Mick takes over the microphone. Soof runs off, worried sick that he might propose. During the book signing, she’s called back for another surprise. He’s bound to propose. And she’ll have to refuse him, in front of all those people. It tuns out to be the dance act. Soof enjoys the kids’ performance, but she’s dying on the inside. Worried sick about what might be next, She waves Jim off, who asks her why she didn’t invite him herself. She admits she was being overly modest. Jim tells Soof how much he cares about her. And that she should keep him in the loop about events like this in future. “Let’s stay in touch, okay?”

Soof is flattered, kisses Jim goodbye and beats a quick retreat inside with some champagne and her new book. She hides in a corner in Sasha’s room. When Gerrit wants to propose to Hansje, Mick searches everywhere for Soof, but cannot find her anywhere. He asks Kasper if he knows where she is. Kasper goes looking. Knowing Soof as well as he does, he finds her instantly, sits down next to her and listens to his ex-wife telling him how she doesn’t want to marry again. They talk. About their fears, the future, the past. A trip down to memory lane.

Meanwhile, Gerrit asks Hansje to marry him, without Soof being present. Hansje says yes, they’re over the moon. Josien makes the acquaintance of ladies’ man Didier, but she’s impervious to his charms. Didier asks Josien to get Kasper to call him. There’s a ton of money waiting for him. It turns out Didier has respected Kasper’s intellectual property right after all. Josien is pleasantly surprised, so happy in fact that her waters break. A little early, so she has to be taken to hospital. Gerrit and Hansje help her into the CookSoof’s van, since Kasper seems to have disappeared. Just like Soof. They lose themselves in each other, in the familiar, in their shared past. Seal this with a kiss. Sometimes it’s best to stick with an all-time favourite recipe.