Grief Chapter 1: Informed

"Educate and inform the whole mass of people...they are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty"- Thomas Jefferson

Hello, readers.

Originally, I wrote this story in English class when we had a free lesson and I thought I would share it with you.

A warning though, I don't usually write fics like this (ones that are set in the past) and this is a bit out of my comfort zone.

But I'm putting it up to see what kind of response I get from it.

I hope you enjoy.

This is set after A Game Of Shadows but Holmes is alive.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sherlock Holmes.


Watson

Slowly I closed the door behind me and set off down the street.

It was a bitterly cold winter day in London and, as always, the streets were jam-packed with people walking one way and just a couple of lonely people trying to make their way in the opposite direction, fighting against the others. I didn't think they would make it.

I joined the throng of people and started away from Baker Street and on my way back to the house I shared with my wife, Mary.

Even though I now live away from 221b Baker Street, I still think of it as home as my best friend, Sherlock Holmes still resides there. Also there was the lovely, if some times formidable, land-lady Mrs Hudson, who on every occasion that I came to visit, insisted that I need fattening up and cooked me a gorgeous meal that I could never finish.

As I ascended the steps to my front door, I took out my keys from my waistcoat pocket, entered them into the lock and let myself in.

Unsurprisingly, my wife was nowhere to be seen. She was visiting her mother, who had recently come down with a terrible illness and my, lovely, caring wife had left for a few days to tend to her while she recovered.

As my wife was away, I was left to fend for myself as we had no house-keeper, because my Mary wanted the full experience of wedded life or something like that. I shall never understand women.

I am entirely ashamed to admit that I am a terrible, terrible cook and could burn water, so I was very glad when I managed to find some cheese and some fresh bread so I could make a sandwich, that much I could handle.

I had settled down with my sandwich a warm cup of tea and a newspaper, reading a admittedly boring article on the economy, when I heard the door knocker.

My first thought was to ignore it and get back to my paper, but you never know who could be knocking, it could be something important, so I went and opened the door.

And was surprised, but pleasantly so, when I recognised Inspector Lestrade standing on my door-step.

"Good afternoon, Doctor" He said pleasantly, but he looked a little sombre. he was dressed in his usual attire, a dark three piece suit and a bowler hat, which he tipped with his greeting.

"Good afternoon, Lestrade" I returned his greeting hesitantly, wondering what would get him to look so worried.

"Would you like to come in?" I asked politely, since he looked like he wanted to talk in a little more privacy than in the middle of the street. He nodded and I waved him in, and then closed the door behind him

He settled himself in an armchair next to the fire and waited until I had sat down before he started saying what he needed to say.

"I am afraid I have some bad news. Very bad news in fact" He said after a few moments of silence.

"Well, what is it?" I asked, wanting to know because he just looked so damn sad.

"It's…" He faltered slightly here, but then his voice got steady once again, "It's about your wife".

My heart sank a little with those words, but I needed him to continue so I urged him on with "What about her?" proud of myself when my voice didn't falter.

It must have been big news; otherwise they would have sent one of the younger constables instead of the Inspector.

"Uh.." He cleared this throat "There has been an incident" he finally murmured, so quietly that I could barely hear him.

"What kind of incident?" I demanded sharply, now worried beyond belief.

"An incident involving a hansom cab and…your wife" he eventually said.

My heart just about stopped, and all the little hope I had that Mary would still be coming back home, back to me, had vanished and I drew in a shaky breath.

"Is she..?" I couldn't bring myself to say that awful word, but Lestrade knew what I meant and he nodded solemnly.

I closed my eyes and leaned forward in my chair and put my head in my hands, breathing deeply, trying to keep tears from falling. I would wait until I was alone for that, but know I had company and I did not want to put any more strain on Lestrade as he looked run ragged, so I pulled myself together and looked back at him.

"The driver was drunk, I'm afraid, Doctor" He said, then a spark of anger entered his eyes and he said "He will get what is coming to him, Doctor, yes he will."

"I know, thank you, Lestrade" I muttered and he stood up to leave, giving me a friendly squeeze on the shoulder as he walked past, but when he reached the door he hesitated and turned back round to face me.

"I will check on you in the morning and Mr. Holmes has already been informed on your… unfortunate circumstances and I am sure he is waiting for you at Baker Street" and with that he left, leaving me and my own to wallow in my grief and finally let them tears flow.


Thank you for reading.

This is meant to be a one-shot but if anyone wants me to make a story out of it I will happily oblige.

Lozzy98