1. From Book girl fan - mistletoe
When I arrived at 221B Baker St, Mrs Hudson barely stuck her head out and murmured a hello before disappearing back into her rooms. Disconcerted but unwilling to enter her rooms without being invited, I continued upstairs and found the man who had sent for me buried under a mound of papers.
"I see you've been keeping it orderly around here since I left," I said dryly. Holmes blew out a breath of smoke and answered, cheerfully, "Watson! I am glad you've come. I have a client who promises to bring with her a most fascinating tale of a cursed ruby coming in an hour. I thought we could take tea until then."
"Do you have the materials?" I frowned. "Mrs. Hudson scurried away like a mouse when I arrived."
"Oh, is she still hiding?" Holmes said with an amused smirk.
"It seems I've missed an important household development."
"Oh, not so. It's a trifle, really, but nevertheless, amusing in its own way." Holmes chuckled. "Did you notice the mistletoe over our door?"
"I did."
"Well, yesterday my brother stopped by our stoop for a moment. The mistletoe is the work of the Irregulars, they're feeling festive, and I haven't discouraged them yet. Well, some of them happened to be making a report, and when Mrs. Hudson answered the door, I'm afraid they insisted on the tradition. The poor woman and my brother both emerged from a peck on the cheek much affected, and she's been hiding for much of the last day."
"And Mycroft?"
"Oh, he made a hasty retreat."
"Perhaps love is in the air," I teased.
Holmes scoffed. "Be careful on the stoop. The children are always watching, it seems. They nearly got me with a young caroler the other day."
"I'll have to keep Mary on hand," I agreed.
Hey guys! Sorry to be starting so late this year, but I'm going to get caught up when I can!