The Diary of 1886- By Mrs Hudson

by an ounce of shag tobacco

It appears that in the year of our Lord 1886, Mrs Hudson, owner of 221b Baker Street, keeps a diary of all the goings on in the lives of not only herself, but of her lodgers, the esteemed Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr Watson. For only now is the life of a long suffering housekeeper revealed! Expect mystery, murder and most definitely a pot of tea!

1. January 1st

Well, well! I'm glad our dear house keeper has taken up a hobby between her good care of me and Holmes. -Dr John Watson

I knew Mrs Hudson had been doing something; Cooking, cleaning, sewing… Not writing a book. For goodness sake read the damn thing or I won't hear the end of it. – Mr Sherlock Holmes

1st January 1886

Well, it is a brand new year and once again a new diary to fill (Courtesy of Dr Watson.) I have made a short list of things I wish to accomplish over the upcoming year:

Take a steam train to Devon to visit my sister.

Have a key copied for Mr Holmes' room. (He is forever locking himself in and never allowing me and dear Dr Watson in. I respect his privacy but when he refuses to see anyone when he is deathly ill I must make exceptions.)

Make a different flavour conserve. Although Dr Watson favours strawberry, a woman my age needs variety in her life!

Meet the Queen. (Quite a possibility when living with Mr Holmes.)

5- One has not quite thought of this one yet. Hopefully something will come up.

Oh I have had such a lovely day. Both Mr Holmes and Dr Watson greeted me with high spirits when I went up to lay out their breakfasts. Dr Watson was already ready at the table whereas Mr Holmes was sat in his chair smoking his pre-breakfast pipe over a copy of the Times.

"Anything in the paper Holmes? Oh thank you Mrs Hudson! Happy New Year."

"No, nothing worth my interest… Good morning Mrs Hudson. No, everyone is still asleep no doubt. Even the criminals are still in bed."

"Hmm, Well something… Mrs Hudson this is superb! Something will come up old chap, do not worry."

At this, Mr Holmes huffed and tapped his pipe on the side of the fireplace before standing up and taking a seat at the table. I thanked Dr Watson for his heart warming compliments and wished them both a good day and to dress soon in case they would have to greet visitors.

I did not see either of them until eight… No, I lie! I saw Dr Watson leave for practice, but I believe I heard Mr Holmes leave earlier today on one of his errands. He had not returned when I took dinner up for them and had still not arrived when I went up to bring the plates down. If I am lucky, he will ask me for something when he gets back, goodness knows when that will be. I must go and ask the doctor if he would care for a cup of tea before he goes up to bed. I know this weather does havoc on his shoulder and I know a hot cup of tea raises his spirits. After I myself must go to bed so I can rise for an early morning. Good night.