Saving Basil
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I've decided to put "Saving Basil" under some mild editing. Just to make the writing a little bit better... Do enjoy the new-&-improved story!
Chapter 1: The Holmesington House
March 11, 1869
The sun shone brightly in the spring sky, which was speckled with puffy white clothes that rolled across the blue tapestry that spread over London.
In the city, ladies & gentlemen promenaded down the avenues, dressed in the height of British fashion. Boys in beanie caps & girls in frilly dresses pranced alongside their parents, clutching their favorite toys & candy close to them. Even pets were making their way down the street, lost in the sea of humans, yet still staying close to their masters.
Well, all except for one...
"Alphonse, stop growling at that squirrel!"
"Oh, Holmes, he's just a dog. Let him do what he wants!"
"Watson, please..." Sherlock Holmes whined, trying to keep a hold on his pet basset. "If Alphonse is to grow up to be a crime-solving hound, there's no way I can allow him to remain unfocused just because of a silly little squirrel!" More growling from Alphonse, as he prepared to chase the squirrel. "No, Alphonse...stay!" Holmes commanded, tugging on the leash as hard as he could.
But the dog's instincts got the better of him, & soon, Holmes, Dr. Watson, & Alphonse were running down the street.
Meanwhile, in the lower quarters of 221B Baker Street, the sound of children laughing & playing could be heard...
In the home of the Holmesington family, seven mice were gathered in the living room. The first mouse was a beautiful woman (& the mother of the 5 children that were in the room), Abigail Holmesington. Dressed in a pink blouse with a matching skirt, she had white fur, curly blonde hair, & sweet blue eyes that twinkled in their sockets.
The second mouse was a strapping young male, Abigail's husband Eugene. As one of the members of the Mouse Detective Agency, London's tiniest—& most efficient—police force, Eugene looked like he was fresh out of college, with his slick tan fur, prominent nose, & startling green eyes.
The next 5 mice were the firstborn children in the family, ranging from 3 to 10. Their names were Elizabella, Marcus, Shelldon, Beverly, & Belladonna (in no particular order).
As the children laughed & played, Eugene smiled warmly at them from behind his noon copy of The Illustrated London Mouse. While he was reading the stories & ads, Eugene let out a gasp of surprise, then quickly flipped the pages open, showing them to his wife, who smiled dreamily as she sewed a small blue baby blanket with her crochet kit.
"Abigail, dearest, look at this! Alan Ratigan's escaped from prison!"
"Oh, my!" Abigail gasped. "Do you think we should tell the children?"
"No, Abigail, we don't want to frighten them. It's best they not know what's going on. The less they know, the better for all of us..."
Suddenly, Eugene's dark musings were interrupted by the sound of a baby crying.
"That's probably Basil," Abigail said, getting up out of her chair & walking into the other room, carrying the blanket she had just finished.
"Frankly, Abigail, that baby's been a blessing for us, but if he cries one more time, I dread I'll go mad!" Eugene muttered under his breath.
"Don't cry, Basil, Mommy's here!" Abigail said soothingly as she picked up her son & gently cradled him in her thin arms.
Named after his great-grandfather, Basil looked just like his father, with his prominent nose, tan fur, & green eyes, which were closed tightly as he continued to squirm & sob.
"Rest now, Basil," Abigail whispered softly, tickling her son under the chin, turning his whimpers & whines to squeals of laughter, which subsided as he suddenly yawned & fell asleep. Abigail kissed her little one on the nose, & gently hugged him, before laying him back in his cradle, & tucking him in the blue blanket. After blowing Basil one last kiss, Abigail quietly tiptoed out of her son's room, & gently shut the door behind her.
"Here's your tea & crumpets, dearies!" a mousekeeper said later that afternoon as she wheeled in a cart full of teatime goodies.
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Judson!" Abigail said, offering some food to her husband & children. "We do appreciate it."
"Living under your roof has been a blessing for me ever since Joseph died!" 29-year-old Mrs. Judson said, smoothing out her apron & pouring some tea into their cups. "It's the least I can do, after all you've done for me!"
Munching on a cheese crumpet, 10-year-old Marcus asked, "Say, Mum, what were you & Dad talking about?"
"Nothing, son," Abigail lied, trying not to show it. "We were just talking about grownup things."
"Mummy, when we go to the park today, can Basil come along?" asked little Elizabella. "I'd love baby brother to come!"
"Of course, dear!" Eugene said, smiling as he tousled his daughter's hair. "That would be most delightful!"
"All of us together!" Abigail beamed. "The whole family!"