Time for yourself and other difficult moments

Time for yourself and other difficult moments

A drain that’s melted away and a restaurant full of shit. Sometimes disaster has to strike to realise the balance is skewed. While everyone’s slaving away to get things cleaned up, Soof feels lost. She cannot even enjoy a plate of homemade döner and chips. The stench permeating the house and the restaurant is killing her appetite. And with her kids demanding her constant attention, Soof is exhausted. She urgently needs some time for herself. Mick asks her when was the last time she’s been by herself, alone. Not for twenty years, Soof realizes. High time for a holiday. On her own. Hansje and Gerrit think it’s an excellent idea. The restaurant’s closed anyway, and Soof is welcome to leave things to her mum. Hansje likes to feel needed. Gerrit offers her his family’s cottage in the woods, where no one will bother her. Sorted. At the same time, the perspective is daunting. But with a bottle of wine and a good book – bliss.

On the way there, Soof gets a little anxious. The cottage is really rather remote. But that’s a good thing. Peace and quiet. Very quiet. Before she loses herself in her book, Soof wants to call home. But there is no signal anywhere. She pours herself some wine instead. God, it’s quiet. So hard to lose oneself in a book. Why not go for a walk? Soof spots a jogger and is overjoyed to see another human being. However, the jogger isn’t really up for a chat. Soof decides to cook a meal. Cooking is always good. She’s enjoying it, finally feels relaxed. Until the gas runs out. How does one change a gas bottle? It’s amazing how so much peace and quiet can stress a person out.

Back home, Hansje goes into overdrive. She draws up schedules and bosses everyone around.

She is very strict with the boys and has them hand over their phones and other electronic devices to ensure they improve their grades. Kasper and Hansje have never really seen eye to eye, so Kasper leaves to take on a building job away from home.

Meanwhile, Rob asks Sasha out, but she only has eyes for Jim. She’s smitten.

Soof discovers that she can get a signal if she climbs onto the roof of the cottage. She calls Kasper, with the excuse that she needs help changing the gas bottle. Kasper tells Soof to come home, because her mother’s impossible. Not her problem, Soof thinks. For the first time in years, she’s free to do her own thing and she’d like some more time to do just that, thanks very much. She has no idea how, but no one else has to know that. She hangs up, angry. She can manage without the gas. She’ll eat her greens raw. It’s a long night. Too much cheese, too much wine and a long conversation with Rutger, the resident house mouse, who is very appreciative of her French cheese.

The following morning, Soof begins to question whether this retreat is in fact a treat. She gets back on the roof to read her kids’ texts, begging for their mum to come home. She decides to call Jim, who, within earshot of Sasha, promises to come and save her from her hopeless attempt to find relaxation. Sasha is disappointed. Jealous of her mother.

Back at the CookSoof’s, Hansje crosses a line when she tries to make everyone wear unflattering hygienic overalls. Joy leaves, calling Hansje a dictator.

Jim takes Soof to the Amstel Hotel to show her how to relax in comfort. They laugh, enjoying each other’s company. Jim even asks Soof to join him for a week in L.A. The gossip around her opens Soof’s eyes: she really doesn’t belong in Jim’s glamourous world. She needs to return home, back to where she belongs.

Gerrit tells Hansje how he feels, he doesn’t recognize her, the way she’s acting. He suspects she’s worried that no one needs her. It’s the truth, but Hansje will never admit it. A painful conversation, leading to a decision to put their relationship on hold for the time being.

Jim takes Soof home. The boys are over the moon, but Sasha casts her mum an icy look and slinks away upstairs. Hansje surprises Soof with a restaurant that is once again clean and tidy and no more toilet cabins in the yard. Hansje shows herself vulnerable, admitting that she’s chased everyone away. Soof is sweet, says that ultimately none of them can do without her.

Next, she goes up to Sasha, who confesses to be in love with Jim and blames her mother for trying to steal him away from her. Soof points out the age difference between them, telling her daughter that Jim doesn’t want her. She feels compelled to tell Sasha that she herself has been in bed with him. Sasha is disgusted and tells her to leave.

Soof goes over to Mick’s for a glass of wine, and, despite the painful run in with Sasha, she’s happy to be home. She’d forgotten how much she enjoys the hustle and bustle of her life. That she prefers not to be alone. And that she doesn’t need to be. Kasper comes home, only to see Sasha take off with her bags. She’s moving in with Vlinder for the time being. Soof tells Kasper what she’s had to tell Sasha. About herself and Jim. Yet another challenge for Soof and Kasper how to deal with this as divorced parents, living under the same roof.