As the ferry docked, I dragged myself to the lower deck to retrieve my car.

The phone buzzed in my pocket with a message and I pulled it out, half-expecting it to be Liam. Instead, I discovered an email from Rob Disijk.

I’ve just come out of a meeting with the other councillors. And I’m pleased to inform you that the Noord-Holland government has reviewed your proposal and given approval for the dress and the other artefacts to be displayed on Texel for a maximum of four weeks, assuming the historical society is still happy to pay for transport and conservation requirements. I hope this pleases you. I agree with your suggestion that it would be wise to keep the Texel community on our side in case any other significant discoveries are made in the area. I trust you’ll let the society know? On another note, did you know the story about the find seems to have leaked out into the press? I just fielded a call from a journalist friend at De Telegraaf. Did you send out a press release stating the dress was owned by Catharina van Shurman? I only ask because I would appreciate a little notice next time you’re planning an announcement. I assumed you were going to wait until you could confirm the details. Or perhaps you’ve already done so. The government’s position on the exhibition won’t change, of course. We’re still happy for the items to be returned to the island for a short time. But please keep me updated on the scholarship and the progress of the exhibition, so I can stay on top of the latest developments and avoid any nasty surprises.

With my best regards,

Rob