Today my life starts afresh.
Today it starts anew.
The past is but a crux
I will force a way through.
A little chant that had become an emotional anchor over time played harmoniously with my mind's chorus. It was refreshing, given the immense changes that were turbulently rocking the proverbial boat that was, in every sense of the word, my life. If somebody had asked me eight years ago if I had would intend on relocating in the eventual future to the United Kingdom with a menial career as a 'checkout chick' at the local Tescos, I likely would have retorted with a nonchalantly forced 'huh?' followed by a request to bugger off. Which wouldn't have really been out of character for me, considering I would have been 19 years old at the time with an A+ average, and an expected 93 on my UAI (University Admissions Index). I also would have been in Sydney, Australia; my home.
So it was fair to say my priorities had changed since my young, budding academic days when I had so much to offer the world. I could have been a doctor, or a physicist (I hate physics), but setting that point aside I could have been brilliant. So how did a distinction average student manage to fall so far as to end up with a minimal-wage job, beeping cans (and occasionally stacking them) in a supermarket? How in the hell did I end up agreeing to move what little possessions I had into a dingy basement flat in London?
It's a long story.
Well, not long in the sense that you might absolutely be bored to your wits end, but I suppose complicated is the best word to describe it. Complicated, unfair and nasty. Yes, nasty. I like that word; it seems to resonate with how I feel about the whole situation, and when you hear the whole story you'll understand why.
"So, Miss Andrews, you're not at all bothered by the damp?"
A motherly tone snapped me from my train of thought. Embarrassingly enough, I'd apparently been standing in the middle of my flat and staring vacantly at the wall. I did that sometimes, staring at things. But with my past history, I tended to find myself reflecting on trivial matters such as being screwed over in life, or my god-awful job, just to name a few.
"Please, call me Sam… And the damp? Of course not." I slowly began to turn, a smile enveloping my previously blank expression as I came face to face with the adorably hospitable landlady. Mrs. Hudson, I believe. "It's just what I'm after, and the location is second to none." I beamed. "Plus, the damp can be easily fixed, and I'm willing to pocket a few coins aside to contribute to the repairs, if you'll allow me."
"That's kind of you to offer, dear." A warm, and utterly one of the most genuine smiles I had ever seen planted across her face. She's clearly got such a tender heart.
"One would think it'd be expected, especially with a landlady as lovely as yourself." I returned a smile, although unfortunately not laced with nearly as much sincerity as she had shown me. That wasn't to say I was buttering her up for a better rate, but social situations were not my strong suit and with the aim of 'not' wanting to draw attention to myself, I'd concluded that it'd be within my best interest to be a tenant with some degree of social skills as opposed to becoming a total recluse. With all that had gone on in the past few years I would have much preferred the latter, but that just drew attention.
"You're too kind." She chuckled. "May I ask dear, your accent-.'
"Australia." I jumped to the question before it even became a question. "Sydney, to be exact. And yes, I'm here to live. Also; and just to clear up any concerns that you may have as a landlady, but I don't party, do drugs nor will I upset the flat with abhorrently loud dubstep." I figured it was best to iron out any apprehensions that she might have prior to myself making a much more permanent stay in this flat. "I've a regular income from the local Tescoes three blocks down, and on the rare occasion I do decide to frivolously spend my earnings, it will likely be on the theatre." Good. Very good; I'd practically had my 'good tenant' spiel pre-rehearsed, and was pleased with the outcome.
Apparently a tad overwhelmed with my onslaught, she gave a gentle chuckle. "That's absolutely fine dear, the boys upstairs are likely to give more grief than you ever could." She sighed. "Speaking of which, they're not in at the moment but when they return I'll have them drop by to give you a proper welcome."
"Oh, you have tenants upstairs?" I suppose I'm not surprised. Central location, close to absolutely everything in the CBD, and London is a densely populated city. Of course I'd be putting up with more than just the landlady. Stupid, stupid, stupid…
"In 221B, but only two." Suddenly a look of hesitation passed her eyes. I may not be an expert in reading micro expressions and whatnot (I 'had' seen all the episodes of Lie to Me), but it was clear she wasn't sure as to whether or not she'd feel comfortable disclosing something. Something related to the flat mates, no doubt.
"But?" I chuckled, lightly folding my arms across my chest.
Thinking about it for a moment, it appeared as though she finally gave into temptation. "Have you heard of Sherlock Holmes, or Doctor John Watson?"
I paused. The names rang a bell or two, but I'd only been in the country for a few days, and I wasn't one to constantly peruse the Internet. Whatever news I did hear; both local and international was often absorbed via a newspaper. There was something about holding the daily grind in ones hands that made it feel a little more real. "You'll have to forgive me, I'm not too familiar with local celebrities." I chuckled. "But I've only been here for a few days, so jet-lag may still be getting the better of me I'm afraid."
Relief appeared to wash over the landlady. Was there something important regarding these two? I suppose I'd find that out for the duration of my stay in this flat, which hopefully was indefinite.
But with my past always nipping at my heels… Not likely.
"Sherlock Holmes, the worlds 'only' consulting detective, and his live-in assistant, Doctor John Watson. You'll certainly hear about them in the news, they've become a sensation, what with that Moriarty fellow and all those awful men he's put in prison."
"Ah." I nodded slowly, but the names didn't appear to register any familiarity. "I'll keep a weather eye out for their names in the papers. I'm a fairly easy tenant to get along with, so I can't imagine we're going to have any problems." I sighed, but she still looked a tad weary. "If that's what you're worried about."
"Oh no dear, not at all." Glancing down at her watch, I assumed she had somewhere she needed to be. Somewhere that didn't involve trying to explain to a new tenant that there was something wrong with one or both of the tenants who resided upstairs. I'll figure it out, I always do.
No, no I won't. I'm trying to keep a low profile, remember?
"I'm afraid I've got to be off, it was lovely meeting you Sam." Mrs. Hudson yet again graced me with an absolutely adorable smile, reached out and gave my arm a friendly pat, but just as she went to turn around she came to a sudden stop and flickered her gaze back towards me. "Oh! Silly me. When did you want to move in?"
I glanced around, and then to the overnight-sized bag that lay tilted at my feet. "Is now alright?" I glanced back up but she looked a little perplexed, and rightly so.
"Now? Don't you need to arrange to go purchase some furniture and go and pick up your things from your hotel?"
"Mrs. Hudson, with respect, these are my things." I gestured down to my overnight bag, which received a baffled gasp from the old woman. "I pack light."
"But dear, there's no furniture, not even a couch you can-" Bless her, she actually cares for my welfare and she's only known me for twenty minutes.
"My dear Mrs. Hudson, channel your worries elsewhere." I reciprocated her previous gesture of goodwill and gave her a gentle pat on her shoulder. Fortunately we were of equal height, well… I was possibly a tad taller by an inch or so at most. We were also likely the same weight, which (for my age) could or couldn't be considered a bad thing, depending on how you looked at it. I'd always appeared to be a little undernourished for my age, especially considering the past few years that had been both physically and emotionally taxing. If I ate, I tended to gain a little muscle and appear to have a rather athletic build. If I went a few days without, I seemingly began to adopt a slightly emancipated visage. Fortunately though, I had one of those 'youthful' faces that made slightly undernourished look 'slightly' cute. You know, having doe-eyed blue hues with that ancestral Irish skin (the kind that refused to tan, not quite practical in Australia but excellent for the United Kingdom), a small button nose and naturally pouty lips. To top that all off (literally), were dark brunette tresses that fell from the lip of the knitted beanie that wrapped around my crown.
"If there's one thing I can pride myself on, it's logistics." I smirked. "I'll arrange all that tomorrow. There's a company a few blocks down where you can just hire the basics in bulk, but you pay it off over time in small allotments. I called up prior to meeting you and they said that once I had the go-ahead from you, I could call and make arrangements. They deliver on the day, although it's a little late now…" I glanced down at my watch. "Being 4:30pm."
"Oh, yes." The landlady slowly, but still seemed a little weary. I need her to just give me the key and get the hell out of here.
"Look." I reached a hand into the pocket of my navy pea coat and retrieved a small yellow envelope with 'rent' awkwardly scribbled on the front. I wasted no time as I extended a friendly hand forward and palmed the envelope into Mrs. Hudson who appeared to be rather surprised. "This should more than cover the rent for the first month, plus a bit extra for the damp. And before you ask, I've got a small sleeping bag and pillow so I won't sleep too rough. You needn't worry." I offered the most sincere yet forced smile possible, to which I fortunately received one in return (albeit, a little uneasy from her end), and a nod. With another glance at her watch, she dipped her hand into her own pocket to fish out a key, and promptly returned the favor by passing it to my own hand.
"I've got a spare key of course, but do drop by if you've got any problems with the flat. Apologies for running off but I do have to run to the store… I'll drop by tomorrow just to see how you've settled in."
And with that, she was gone. I wasted no time as I bounded gladly over to the door and pushed it shut with a defining creak that echoed through the aged walls of this quaint little hovel.
"Alone… Finally." It's times like these where I wished I actually had a couch that I could just slump on and sleep. Unfortunately however, that wasn't going to get sorted until tomorrow. Worse still, I had told a bit of a fib when I mentioned that I had a sleeping bag and pillow in my possession. I wasn't lying when I said I packed light though; there was only so much I could grab from my previous residence in the midst of being shot at.
But amidst all the pain lingering from my past, for the first time in a long time I actually felt content. Granted, I was standing in the middle of a dingy little flat with damp peeling from the walls (and likely a severe health hazard for the immune deficient) but it wasn't just a dingy little flat anymore. It was home, and after all this running it was a soothing ray of sunshine to finally stop and catch my breath. Ah yes, this may not have been the life I originally intended to have, but I was finally content.
"From here on in, I'm Sam Andrews, resident of 221C Baker Street and my life starts today."
Author's note: I hope you liked the first little installment of this chapter! I'm sure you've got a few questions! Who is she? What made her go on the run all those years ago? What the hell happened in her past and how is this going to tie in with Sherlock and John? Just a note, this is Pre-Reichenbach. Why? Because I'm not inclined to take the helm of Mary Morstan. I love her character, but I'm not fussed on throwing her into the mix at this point. Anyhow, please review if you have the time!