2. Car batteries
The words ACCU BEDRIJF are painted on our building, Dutch for "battery business". The neighbours tell us people occasionally knock on their door looking to buy one. This is remarkable to me, because even a cursory glance through their window reveals a living room and not a battery shop.
One Saturday morning there’s a ring at the front door. A man of about 70 is standing there, his wife or partner off to the side behind him. She has the energy of someone who’s been telling him not to do the thing he's just done.
He speaks to me in Dutch, and I answer, "Engels?" He looks to the side. His wife smiles a smile of infinite patience. He gestures with his hands. I squint. He says a few sentences, and I pick out the word “auto”. Ah, I say. No. We don't sell batteries. He points around to my neighbours. No I say, sorry, no one sells them. His wife continues smiling. He shrugs and walks away.