Having been brought up in an overprotective family - especially as I was the eldest daughter - I started making up for missed fun, once I went to university. I used to go out three days every weekend. Nothing could stop me. My mother once told me the house was not just a hotel. In those days we did not go out till about 10 pm and often came back at 4 or 5 am. Then I slept till lunch time. When I look back, I was protesting against the sheltered life I had had and,had a vivid mind and curiosity about life and people.

One thing I always, or almost always, made sure of, was that I was in reliable company. I never drank too much at this age, mainly because I couldn't afford it. I have seen so many different places: gay, drug and criminal bars. I got stuck with a boyfriend on the beach once and his car had to be pulled out, being stuck in the sand. With one boy friend I went to an expensive striptease club in Antwerp. It may sound very courageous, but it took him a year to convince me to go. I guess my upbringing made me keep it safe as I had learned right from wrong.

I changed boyfriends more often than shoes. The problem was: I wanted someone who did not everything I wanted, but was superior or equal to me. I did not really want a steady relationship before I had finished university.

For holidays I used to go with my sister or a girlfriend. They used to be relatively calm; so these holidays were relatively peaceful and decent. At 27 years of age, there was nobody available to go on holiday with. Gathering up courage, I booked one alone, then nearly sold the ticket to my mother as I felt so scared of going by myself. Fortunately she would not take it and I did go to Corfu of all places. I like culture and picked a Greek isle with hardly any. On the plane I made friends with an elderly lady, so I would at least not have to eat alone. And it felt safer.

The first day I decided to go to a museum. An Italian guy joined me. He was not interested in any of the art. When he asked me if we could meet again, I said that we would just wait and see. This really meant that I had no interest whatsoever. He did not know this of course.

That evening Robert and I met for the first time.
For the next developments you have to wait till the next chapter.