Once the two arrived at the cottage, Anouk gave a cry of delight.

“Oh look how lovely and quaint the cottage is!”

“Yes well, now that you’ve arrived I shall take my leave of yo — ”

Anouk grabbed the old man’s arm once again. Mr. Brown was really starting to detest her for doing that.

“Oh wait, wait you can’t leave yet! I need your help.”

Anouk pulled Mr. Brown into the cottage, grinning widely. Once inside, she thrust her large satchel into his arms. The satchel was quite heavy and bulky.

What’s inside this monstrous satchel? Mr. Brown thought. It feels very wooden.

Inside the cottage, there were only two dusty rooms; the combined living room and kitchen with one single bedroom in the back. The cottage looked practically medieval compared to homes today.

The previous owner had left a table and a few chairs in the kitchen and a wooden rocking chair by the hearth in the living room.

Anouk went into the bedroom briefly to retrieve a broom and returned quickly to begin sweeping up.

“I’ll do a quick sweep and then you can begin helping me with my hobby.”

Mr. Brown gave a great huff.

“But surely madam you can accomplish these things by yourself. I really must get back to the park. It’s my only time to be alone.”

Anouk stopped and looked up at Mr. Brown in astonishment.

“And why is that? Are you quarreling with someone at home?”

Mr. Brown didn’t want to say anything, but because she knew his name she most likely already knew his history.

“My wife and I don’t get along.”

A look of concern came across Anouk’s face.

“My dear friend, I’m terribly sorry to hear that. Would you care to talk about it?”

“Not particularly Mrs. err . . .what was it again?”

“Bradigan, sir. And just Miss, not Mrs., I’ve never been married. But please I must insist you call me Anouk.”

Mr. Brown gave another grimace of a smile and set the enormous satchel down on the kitchen table as Anouk flitted around sweeping furiously.

“I always find talking out my woes and sorrows helps immensely.”

“I really don’t want to discuss it. Miss Anouk, if I'm to be your hostage I must ask, what's in your satchel?”

Anouk stopped sweeping and smiled mysteriously.

“Why don’t you open it and find out.”

Mr. Brown wasn’t very fond of guessing games but nonetheless, his curiosity was piqued. He opened the satchel and his eyes widened. An unmistakable lump rose in his throat and tears began to prickle from behind his eyes.

Inside the satchel, there were pristine wooden toy boats of all shapes and sizes. They looked exactly like the ones he and Charlie used to sail together.

He reached in and gingerly took out one of the boats.

“You carry around toy boats? Children’s wooden toy boats, in your satchel?”

Anouk gave him a knowing smile.

“Yes, apparently I do.”

Mr. Brown gave a half-hearted scoff and cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.

“Why would a world traveler such as yourself carry around children’s toy boats?”

Anouk took a deep breath and looked out the window. Then after a moment had passed Anouk looked back at Mr. Brown with eyes full of compassion.

“Would you like to know a secret Mr. Brown?”

Mr. Brown looked Anouk up and down then nodded.

Anouk leaned close to him and whispered, “I never know what’s in that satchel.”

Taken aback by her answer, Mr. Brown leaned away from her in astonishment.

“I do beg your pardon Miss Anouk, but since the moment I’ve met you, you haven’t made a lick of sense. Now I demand to know who you are and whether or not you escaped from some sort of mental institution.”

A serious look came over Anouk’s face.

“You’re quite right Mr. Brown. I will tell you everything.”

A playful look came across Anouk’s face again and she ran into the bedroom to put the broom away, then quickly returned. She snatched up the satchel and Mr. Brown’s arm in one fell swoop then led him towards the door once again.

“But first you must help me as you promised.”

“I didn’t promise you anything!” Mr. Brown cried.

Anouk laughed heartily and pulled Mr. Brown out the door and towards a path behind the cottage.