1. From Stutley Constable: Mrs Hudson gets a black eye.
It is unusual for Mr. Holmes to suffer with nightmares, but he has not been himself since his return from goodness knows where. I wonder (and dread to think) what he has seen these last three years.
His cries are going on rather longer than Doctor Watson's would have. Oh...! Perhaps Mr. Holmes would always go to him and calm him down. Perhaps I should go to Mr. Holmes.
Poor dear! His coverlets are strewn all over the floor, even though he is quite still now. His cries have turned to quiet sobs and he is trembling. I have never seen him like this!
"Mr. Holmes...?" I lean over him and rest a hand upon his shoulder. What would Doctor Watson do, if he were here?
He jumps slightly, but then the sobbing and trembling stops. That's good!
Why am I lying on the floor? Ouch! My eye! I feel as if I have been struck!
"Mrs. Hudson!" Mr. Holmes is leaning over me, looking dreadfully upset. "A thousand apologies, my dear lady! I knew not what I was doing. Are you hurt?"
I permit him to help me to sit up and examine me in much the way that Doctor Watson would have. He would appear to have been well taught! I wonder if the good doctor knows just how much his friend has learnt from him.
"I shall get you a cold compress for your poor eye," he announces, before galloping downstairs.
Then he is back and tending to me with all the tenderness and concern of a devoted son. I forget, sometimes, just how kind and gentle this man can be.
"Mrs. Hudson, I truly am very sorry. I have lashed out at Watson in such a state, before now and that is unforgivable enough..."
"Don't be silly, Mr. Holmes. You knew not what you were doing."
He nods, his eyes cast downwards. "I apologise never-the-less."
"Yes, well, no harm done. I think I should like some warm milk, before I go back to bed. Would you care to join me?"
The way his face lights up makes my heart weep for him! You would think I had bestowed a kindness upon him that he had never known before! Bless me! What did he go through, during his travels?