Chapter 2.
The thick fur of the tiger skin scratched the fine stubble on his chin. Sherlock Holmes mumbled in his sleep and curled up under the rag he called a dressing gown. The faint noises coming from outside his door made his brow furrow. As they grew louder and more urgent he growled and,after forcing his aching limbs to move, slowly got to his feet slipping the dressing gown over his shoulders and tying the belt loosely around his waist.
Holding the knob firmly he opened the door to his chambers, not caring he was dressed in an undershirt and trousers, to find a flustered looking Mrs Hudson and a startled Inspector Lestrade. "What do I owe the pleasure at this time of day?" He sent a dark glare to his land-lady. "You know my rules, Mrs Hudson: No visitors before noon. Good day, Inspector." He went to close the door but Lestrade put his foot forward making it impossible without hurting the policeman and, as much as Holmes wanted to, he really didn't have the energy this time of morning. "Inspector..."
Lestrade jumped right in. He'd known Holmes long enough to spot when the consulting detective was in one of his moods." If she could pop into the station, it will only take five minutes. I have a nurse standing by to check her over. And then I just need to ask-"
"Absolutely not! " He snapped. "I told you before I've had someone give the girl a complete physical and there's no damage, she's not been broken. Also, if I recall, this is my case not the Yard's. Lastly, if you go against my wishes and drag her to the station then I will tell the others about last Christmas. One final warning, Lestrade, so pay close attention : the girl is not to be disturbed, she's been through a terrifying ordeal. She needs to rest. I will speak to you at a more appropriate time. Good day, Inspector." Nudging his foot away Holmes slammed the door in both their faces. Pressing his ear to it he could make out Mrs Hudson's apology, Lestrade's huff of annoyance and smirked. Moving away he searched the room for a clean shirt, finding one with just a tiny burn on the sleeve, and made his way into the bathroom for a quick wash and gargle of his home made mouthwash. The taste was off putting but Mrs Hudson had nearly nagged him to death about his lack of oral hygiene and threatened to clean his mouth out with soap. In the end ,to shut her up and find some peace, he whipped up the tonic from distilled mint oil with his chemistry set . Once refreshed he hunted down his pipe, lit it and sank into his favourite arm chair to wait for his guest to awaken.
The clock on the mantle told him an hour had passed when the side door, leading to the bedroom, edged open and a small face adorned with flamed curls peeked out. Emerald green eyes darted around the room and, spying Holmes waiting patiently,widened when caught.
"You are perfectly safe." He said calmly. "Nobody here will hurt you." The face pinked and the door creaked as it opened further. The girl nervously shifted from one foot to the other. "Ah, of course. " He gestured to another side door. She dashed through the bathroom door. Holmes emptied the contents of his pipe into the fireplace and sat back to wait for her. Scrubbed clean and relieved his guest moved timidly forward taking a seat on the chair comfortable she tugged the hem of the cotton undershirt, that Holmes had lent her, down to cover her knees and folded her hands in her lap. It was quiet for long minutes and then her stomach gave a loud rumble. She blushed and looked at Holmes in alarm but his brown eyes were surprisingly soft. "You are hungry." She nodded shyly. "Very well. We shall eat." As though it might have been planned, a well timed knock on the door made her jump. Holmes waved a hand to calm her and got up to open it. "Perfect timing as always, Nanny."
The woman he called ' Nanny ' knew she was there having helped Holmes settle her when they arrived on the doorstep of 221B in the early hours two mornings ago. She gave him a curt smile and motioned to the tray in her hands. "Breakfast for two, Mister Holmes." Holmes stepped to the side to allow her entrance while eyeing the teapot suspiciously." No, it's not poisoned." Laying the tray on the nearest surface she turned her head slightly, away from his keen eyes and winked at the girl."Will that be all,sir?"
Holmes, back in his chair, looked up from checking the contents of the pot. "For now, Nanny." He stared hard at her face, trailed down the rest of her body, nodded and went back to the tray. "Hm. You look very tense, Mrs Hudson. Clearly those herbal teas of yours aren't doing the trick. Maybe you should send for a doctor. I used I know a chap..." He stopped , eyes going cloudy and shivered. Mrs Hudson let a ghost of a smile grace her lips. If Holmes noticed he didn't let on as he was busy pouring tea for himself and his guest. Sitting back he sipped carefully before sighing contently " You're slipping, Mrs Hudson."
"Am I? Shame." She turned and started headed out picking up odd pieces of soiled clothing, "Oh, by the way, a young boy left a package for you at the crack of dawn. Said you'd pay him the usual rates when you see him. Shall I bring it up to you?"
"Do you think you can manage all those stairs? Don't want you to hurt yourself, do we?" There was a teasing glint in his brown eyes.
She huffed, "Mister Holmes...For your information Dr Watson says I'm in perfect health,which is more then I can say about you. Good day, sir!" Feathers ruffled she marched out, slamming the door behind her. Holmes flinched at the sound and the uncalled-for mention of his former house mate.
"Nannies," he said after a while with a shrug, "think they know everything." Placing his cup back on the tray he picked up a slice of buttered toast and munched thoughtfully. The girl drank her tea in silence but he could see her gazing at the sausages under his lashes. He groaned inwardly, he needed to break the ice if he was going to advance in his case, something that would make her feel welcome and him not awkward. Glancing at door an idea popped into his head. Sitting forward he rested an elbow on his knee and cupped his chin. "Hm, I've got myself a tiny problem and can't see a way out. Maybe you could help me."
"What,like an experiment?" she asked,pushing back chestnut curls from her face. While she'd been debating to venture out of the bedroom or not she found one of Holmes' notebooks crammed end to end with countless ideas for experiments, drawings of the oddest inventions and theories. She sat up a little straighter her green eyes twinkling with interest.
"An experiment?" Holmes frowned slightly but then he looked closely at her and was instantly reminded that was how Watson used to look. Bright eyed and eager to learn. It wasn't what he had in mind but...this new turn might just open her up. "Yes...Yes, of course an experiment!" Reaching for the sausages he picked one up and examined it between his fingers. The girl had put her cup down next to his and was now doing the same thing. "Over the years that woman has tried to kill me with her cooking. What I need is a food taster. So here's what I propose: You take a bite out of yours and if it's not dangerous and you don't die, I'll take a bite out of mine."
"That sounds silly." She sniffed the cooked meat anyway. "Don't smell bad. Don't look bad either." Holmes raised a dark brow, she shrugged and took a big bite. She smiled, "Mm...yummy!" then looked up, " Hey!" Holmes had already eaten his and was now working on his second, she pouted. " You fibber. You're not scared of her cooking at all."
"Well...If you don't want yours..." He reached for another one but she snatched the last three up and held them away. "That's no way for a young lady to behave. You are a guest in my home and you will act accordingly."
"Sorry, Mister Holmes." Replacing the sausages back on to the plate she retreated back in her seat folding her hands in her lap once more. "Didn't mean to make you angry." Her lower lip trembled and she sniffed.
Holmes blinked and suddenly felt an uneasy, and unfamiliar, churn in the pit if his stomach. He had not meant to upset her just clarify the way things were done. He was not used to dealing with persons so young, apart from his gang of little misfits, and was at a lost how to make things right. Again, he thought back to when Watson was still with him and how he looked after losing the rent money gambling. A gentle pat on the knee or top of the head worked,Watson would look at him with grateful eyes and nod before going to bed. Agreeing mentally that it was worth a try he rose from his armchair, crossed the gap between them and patted her softly on the top of her head.
She sniffed again, "I'm sorry." She whispered looking up at him, emerald pools glistening sadly . "I'll go back to the other room now."
"Hold on one moment, child." He knelt beside her resting his arms on the arm of the chair. He gestured to the uneaten food on the tray. "There's still more tasting to be done. Why don't you get started on the eggs. Here," Quickly finding a pad of paper and a working fountain pen, he gave them to her, " write down if they're safe or not while I'll head downstairs for a minute." Standing with a groan he made his way to the door, glancing back he saw her raise a loaded spoon of scramble egg with one hand and sniff it carefully while scribbling down her findings with the other. The briefest of smirks crossed his lips as he hurried down the steps. "Mrs Hudson?" He shouted reaching the hallway. "Mrs Hudson! Blasted woman, never around when you need her." Spotting a badly wrapped bundle on the side table he had just picked it up when somebody knocked on the door. "Door, Mrs Hudson!" She didn't come and the knocking grew more insistent. Holmes grumbled,"Must I do everything myself ?" Taking hold of the handle he yanked the front door open ,nearly braking off its hinges. Seeing the person standing on his front step made his eyes widened."What are you doing here?"
Dr John Watson gave his oldest friend a tired smile, " I hate to ask,Holmes, but have you got room for one more?"
Watson has returned but why?
I think Holmes is a little off. Must fix that.
Next chapter we'll finally have the girl's name and a clue. (Ooh!)
Until next time
M.x
