Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following characters: Sherlock Holmes,
Dr John Watson or Mrs Hudson Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following
characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr John Watson or Mrs Hudson. Narrative: Dr J
Watson
There have been many reasons that I have not mentioned my sister before. For a long time it was too painful for me and was a taboo subject for Holmes; now, many years later I find myself taking up my pen again, more for my own indulgence than any other reason.
My sister was a two years my junior, and always the pet of my older brother and I. Her name was Sophia and a more sensitive and thoughtful soul you could not have hoped to meet. My father was always afraid that she would suffer from living in a house so dominated by men, without another female to keep her company (my mother having died shortly after her birth). I don't think she minded though; Sophia always preferred our company to that of her female peers.
After I had left for medical school my father, deciding that Sophia needed to see some of the world, sent her (with Anna, a friend she had made during her school years) on a tour of Europe. This was particularly in vogue at the time for the wealthier members of society. My father had saved for many years to afford this, and though I think Sophia would have preferred to stay in England, she was too polite to refuse. For the first few months she wrote me long letters recounting her experiences in France and Belgium, but then I was attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers and my address was continuously changing, so I lost contact with her.
We stayed estranged until one day I received a letter from her in my rooms in Baker Street. It read:
To my Dear John, I am so sorry I did not write sooner; I had no address to post my many letters too, although I did try! The post on the continent is so unreliable. I have been in Budapest for the last week and can make head nor tail of the postal system; I am reaching the conclusion that they do not have one! Excuses aside, I do send my apologies for the lack of communication.
I have heard about your awful injuries, and I send my sympathies. I have also shed my tears for our poor brother Mark. I was so very upset when I heard the news, and even more so when I could not come home for his funeral.
In two days I should have returned to England, and I am going to stay with father for a week. Afterwards, maybe I could come to London. You could show me the sights, for I have only been once before, and of course tell me of your life now. I have heard a little and, I must say, it sounds intriguing. Please send a reply to Fathers address, and I will pick it up there. I will save all the things I want to say until I see you, which I hope will not be too long! Fondest Regards, Sophia
This pleased me a lot, and as I smiled to myself, Holmes emerged from his bedroom and gave me a curious glance. "Good morning Watson, I see you have already broken fast. Ah - Mrs Hudson, thank you." He sat down, picking up the newspaper and the cup of coffee Mrs Hudson had just poured him. Holmes shot a few quick glances at the letter I still had clutched in my hands. He gave a small shrug and attempted to look disinterested as he dug into his eggs.
"Well Holmes," I smiled mischievously "aren't you going to ask me what this letter is about?"
I sat down opposite him. He looked slightly irritated, but then swallowed his pride.
" Alright Watson, I can hardly deduce much when you're clutching it in your hands. Despite the obvious fact that it was written by a young woman who has spent time in the continent recently, I can see nothing."
I ignored his accurate deductions, " I don't believe that you knew I had a sister Holmes." I said, trying to keep the victorious tone out of my voice. We had only been living together for little under a year, but it was the only real secret I had managed to keep from Holmes.
"No Watson, I did not."
I was pleased to note that he sounded slightly disgruntled.
"Well, Holmes, I do, and soon you may have occasion to meet her. She should be coming here to London in the next couple of weeks."
Holmes looked at me, his annoyance clear in his eyes "Am I correct in thinking that this is your only female relative living? Or are you getting ready to spring your mother and twelve aunts on me?"
I thought this was a little hypocritical coming from the man that revealed nothing about his kith or kin to me, and said so.
There have been many reasons that I have not mentioned my sister before. For a long time it was too painful for me and was a taboo subject for Holmes; now, many years later I find myself taking up my pen again, more for my own indulgence than any other reason.
My sister was a two years my junior, and always the pet of my older brother and I. Her name was Sophia and a more sensitive and thoughtful soul you could not have hoped to meet. My father was always afraid that she would suffer from living in a house so dominated by men, without another female to keep her company (my mother having died shortly after her birth). I don't think she minded though; Sophia always preferred our company to that of her female peers.
After I had left for medical school my father, deciding that Sophia needed to see some of the world, sent her (with Anna, a friend she had made during her school years) on a tour of Europe. This was particularly in vogue at the time for the wealthier members of society. My father had saved for many years to afford this, and though I think Sophia would have preferred to stay in England, she was too polite to refuse. For the first few months she wrote me long letters recounting her experiences in France and Belgium, but then I was attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers and my address was continuously changing, so I lost contact with her.
We stayed estranged until one day I received a letter from her in my rooms in Baker Street. It read:
To my Dear John, I am so sorry I did not write sooner; I had no address to post my many letters too, although I did try! The post on the continent is so unreliable. I have been in Budapest for the last week and can make head nor tail of the postal system; I am reaching the conclusion that they do not have one! Excuses aside, I do send my apologies for the lack of communication.
I have heard about your awful injuries, and I send my sympathies. I have also shed my tears for our poor brother Mark. I was so very upset when I heard the news, and even more so when I could not come home for his funeral.
In two days I should have returned to England, and I am going to stay with father for a week. Afterwards, maybe I could come to London. You could show me the sights, for I have only been once before, and of course tell me of your life now. I have heard a little and, I must say, it sounds intriguing. Please send a reply to Fathers address, and I will pick it up there. I will save all the things I want to say until I see you, which I hope will not be too long! Fondest Regards, Sophia
This pleased me a lot, and as I smiled to myself, Holmes emerged from his bedroom and gave me a curious glance. "Good morning Watson, I see you have already broken fast. Ah - Mrs Hudson, thank you." He sat down, picking up the newspaper and the cup of coffee Mrs Hudson had just poured him. Holmes shot a few quick glances at the letter I still had clutched in my hands. He gave a small shrug and attempted to look disinterested as he dug into his eggs.
"Well Holmes," I smiled mischievously "aren't you going to ask me what this letter is about?"
I sat down opposite him. He looked slightly irritated, but then swallowed his pride.
" Alright Watson, I can hardly deduce much when you're clutching it in your hands. Despite the obvious fact that it was written by a young woman who has spent time in the continent recently, I can see nothing."
I ignored his accurate deductions, " I don't believe that you knew I had a sister Holmes." I said, trying to keep the victorious tone out of my voice. We had only been living together for little under a year, but it was the only real secret I had managed to keep from Holmes.
"No Watson, I did not."
I was pleased to note that he sounded slightly disgruntled.
"Well, Holmes, I do, and soon you may have occasion to meet her. She should be coming here to London in the next couple of weeks."
Holmes looked at me, his annoyance clear in his eyes "Am I correct in thinking that this is your only female relative living? Or are you getting ready to spring your mother and twelve aunts on me?"
I thought this was a little hypocritical coming from the man that revealed nothing about his kith or kin to me, and said so.