Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action

By Darlene Foster

Amanda is in Holland to see the tulips with her best friend, Leah. They travel the canals of Amsterdam, visit Anne Frank House, check out windmills, tour a wooden shoe factory, and take many pictures of the amazing flowers of Keukenhof Gardens. She is keen to find out what happened to her great uncle who never returned from WWII and was declared missing in action. What she doesn’t expect to find and fall in love with is Joey, an abandoned puppy. While trying to find a home for him, she meets Jan, a Dutch boy who offers to help, a suspicious gardener, a strange woman on a bicycle, and an overprotective goose named Gerald.

Follow Amanda around the charming country of Holland, filled with colourful tulips, windmills, and more bicycles than she could have imagined. Once again, intrepid traveller Amanda encounters danger and intrigue as she tries to solve more than one mystery in a foreign country. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing
• Release date: Sep 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781771681728

Book preview

1

WHO IS THAT BOY? ASKED AMANDA.

Her great-aunt adjusted her glasses and squinted at the faded black-and-white photograph in the battered album. That is my oldest brother, Harold. She placed a wrinkled hand on her heart and glanced away. I believe he was sixteen in that picture. Let me see … yes, it was just before he joined the army and went overseas.

You mean he was in the war?

Yes, he fought in World War II. Harold was so excited to join up he lied about his age. A tear rolled down Great-Aunt Mary’s cheek. But he never came back. Missing in action was what they told our parents. She sighed. I still miss him after all these years.

That’s so sad. I didn’t know anyone in our family had been in the war. We’ve been learning about twentieth-century wars at school. Amanda looked at the picture again. Is that his dog beside him?

Yes, that was Joey, his cocker spaniel. Joey was devoted to Harold. He went to the railway station every day waiting for his master, until he passed away seven years later. Aunt Mary had a faraway look.

Here, you can have this picture. Aunt Mary carefully took the snapshot from the silver corner tabs holding it in place. Harold had spunk, just like you. And he wanted to see the world. Last time we heard from him, he was in Holland.

Really? I’m going to Holland to meet my friend Leah Anderson from England next week. She wants me to see the tulip fields. You like tulips, don’t you, Aunt Mary?

Oh, yes. They are my favourite flower. One time, Harold saved up his pennies to buy me a tulip for my birthday.

Amanda took one last gulp of tea and brushed her bangs from her eyes. Thanks so much. I need to get going. She kissed her great-aunt on the cheek.

Have a wonderful time in Holland. Say hi to Leah from me. Aunt Mary waved from the doorway.

Amanda hung on to the picture of the great-uncle she never got to meet, wondering what he would have been like.

Amanda Ross adjusted her glasses and peered up at the tall, colourful houses as she stepped off the curb. The scalloped roofs pierced the sky, making her feel shorter than usual. She didn’t notice the bicycle until it was too late.

The woman cyclist swerved to miss her. The bike clattered against the railing. An avalanche of vibrant tulips tumbled from the basket, landing at Amanda’s feet.

"Dombo!" shouted the woman.

I’m so sorry. Amanda dropped to her knees and frantically picked up flowers. She held up a white one with red stripes. This one is so pretty.

It is called the Canada 150 tulip. It was named for the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Canada.

Really? I’m from Canada.

That is very nice, but you really must watch when you cross the street here in Amsterdam. There are many bicycles.

I’m so sorry about that. I’ll be more watchful from now on. Amanda lowered a large handful of colourful tulips into the basket attached to the front of the woman’s bike. Something moved at the bottom of the basket.

Before she could see what it was, the woman quickly covered it with tulips. She shoved a Canada 150 tulip under Amanda’s nose. Here, you can have this one. She got on her bicycle and skilfully made her way through the throng of pedestrians and other bikes on the bridge that crossed a canal.

Are you OK? Leah ran up to Amanda. We should have warned you about the bicycles.

Maybe you should stick closer to us. Leah’s dad noticed the flower in Amanda’s hand. What have you got there?

A Canada 150 tulip. The woman who almost ran me over gave it to me.

Leah pointed. "Hey, there is the Dutch pannenkoeken house I told you about. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starved."

This time, Amanda looked both ways before crossing the street.

Mmmm, these sure are good. She took another mouthful of a flat pancake heaped with apples, cinnamon and whipped cream. Thanks a lot for inviting me to join you here in Holland.

I had to be here on business, and Leah wanted to come along. It’s one of her favourite places. She needed some company. Mr. Anderson smiled. Besides, it’s always nice to see our young Canadian friend.

Yes, and we have so much catching up to do. Emails and texting are great, but it’s always better to chat in real life. Leah grinned at Amanda.

When they stepped out of the restaurant, a cluster of bikes flew by. Amanda thought she saw the woman who almost ran into her among them.

Can we go on a canal tour boat, Dad? asked Leah. It’s such a marvellous way to see the city.

Sure, that’s a good idea. That way Amanda can get a good view of things from the water. I recall she enjoyed the sailboat ride off the coast of the Isle of Wight. He ruffled Amanda’s short brown bob. Just a quick ride today.

They boarded a long, low boat that took them at a leisurely pace through busy canals. Mr. Anderson explained, Amsterdam was built around the canals. The city is below sea level.

Why doesn’t it flood then? Why don’t the houses sink? And why are they so tall and skinny? Amanda had so many questions.

Leah smirked and pulled back her long blonde hair into a ponytail. I’m sure my dad, the engineer, will be able to explain all that.

Mr. Anderson cleared his throat. Well, the houses in Amsterdam used to be taxed on frontage, so they built tall, narrow houses to save money. Wooden stilts driven into the wet ground before construction were used to support the houses. That is why they don’t sink.

Amanda pointed. Why is that one over there leaning sideways?

Due to the wet ground, some of the supports are now rotting, causing houses to tilt and sink into the earth. They now build the houses with concrete foundations.

Leah rolled her eyes. I think it’s time to get off the boat, as I’ve had enough of the construction lesson.

They disembarked at the next stop, in front of a shop with large wheels of cheese piled high outside the door. Once inside, the sour-milk scent of cheese greeted them. A cheerful girl in a pointy white hat with wings on each side handed out samples.

Yum, this cheese is so good. Amanda smacked her lips. Let’s buy some for a snack later.

Mr. Anderson took out his wallet. Good idea. We’ll take a wedge of Gouda and one of that one we just sampled. He pointed to the cheeses.

You mean the Edam? asked the sales clerk. These are good choices.

While Leah’s father paid for the purchase, the girls went outside. Amanda heard a whimpering sound. Did you hear that? she asked Leah.

Did I hear what?

A sound like a baby or a baby animal. I think it came from over there. Amanda pointed at a large garbage can across the road. There it is again! She stepped off the curb.

Amanda, watch for bikes! Leah shouted.

One whizzed past, barely missing Amanda. She didn’t even notice. She headed for a cardboard box sitting beside the smelly garbage. Bending over, she opened it. Curled up in the bottom, a brown-and-white puppy with the biggest chocolate-brown eyes she had ever seen stared up at her. The puppy whimpered and put his head between his front paws.

2

WHAT IS IT? ASKED LEAH AS SHE CAME UP BEHIND AMANDA.

You won’t believe this. It’s a puppy! She reached into the box and pulled out the quivering dog. He’s soooo sweet. Amanda hugged his soft, fluffy body close to her.

"Who would leave a puppy