He gave an embarrassed grin. “Sorry. It’s my job to be vigilant and notice things. Sometimes it’s hard for me to turn it off. Does it bother you?”

“Not really. I was just curious. My job with the Huizengas also requires a certain amount of watchfulness, but I’m grateful for the chance to be free from the responsibility for a few hours. I’ll bet you’re a very good policeman.”

The music changed to a slower tempo, and Erik reached for her hand. “Are you ready to try dancing? It’ll be easier now that the band is playing a slow song.”

“Sure! I’ll give it a try.” Erik was a patient teacher, and Ans liked dancing once she got the hang of it. Being in his arms was the best part of all. He smelled wonderful, like mysterious spices from distant places. She hoped he would ask her out again and wondered if it would be too bold of her to suggest they go to the cinema some night. She was working up the nerve to try when two men at a nearby table got into a heated argument. Erik immediately became alert as their voices grew louder, and when one of them shoved the other, Erik stepped over to intervene.

“Hey. This isn’t the place for roughhousing. There are women here. Why don’t you go outside and cool down?” For a moment, it looked like one of the men might take a swing at Erik. Ans held her breath. But the man seemed to change his mind after assessing Erik’s strong build and ready stance. He turned away and stormed out.

“You did that very well,” Ans said, breathing again. “Do you know him?”

“I’ve seen him here a few times. He always drinks too much.”

“I told you Erik was married to his job,” Jansje said with a laugh as she joined them.

“Well, I think what he did was wonderful,” Ans replied. “I bet he’ll be chief of police someday.”

When the evening ended, Ans accepted Erik’s offer to walk her home. “I had fun tonight,” he told her. “Would you go out with me again sometime?”

“I was hoping you would ask.”

“How about a noon picnic in the park by the Burcht tomorrow?”

“The Burcht? I don’t think I’ve been there yet.”

“It’s in the oldest part of Leiden, right where the two branches of the Rijn meet. It was a fortress in ancient times. It has a great view of the city.”

“I would like that, but . . . um . . . I have to go to church with the Huizengas in the morning. It’s part of my job. Can I meet you afterwards?”

“Sure.”

They shared a lunch of bread and cheese the next day, spread on a blanket near the canal. Swans and ducks floated in the water, undisturbed by the pleasure boats drifting past on the peaceful Sunday afternoon.