Chapter Two. A Brief Interlude

I had spent a pleasant afternoon with Miss Elaine Brooke, a beautiful girl of twenty five with refined manners and (to quote Holmes) a face that a man might die for. I always had to smile when I recalled that phrase, it was so unlike Holmes. Although, while he was seemingly immune to a woman's charms himself, he could still recognise and appreciate a woman's beauty. Elaine's hand rested lightly on my arm and the soft autumn sunlight played on her face. Her eyes were far away. She brought her eyes to mine, and all words failed me. She was beautiful, I was aware of the situation in which I was beginning to find myself and began to worry about Holmes' reaction. I broke our gaze, rather abruptly I feel. She didn't seem to sense it but went on gazing at whatever vision had caught her attention. I followed her eyes and my breath caught in my throat when I realised she was staring at Holmes. I groaned under my breath. Holmes seemed to hold an irresistible fascination for women; I couldn't say why he was such a damned impossible man. Maybe they felt they could tame him, little did they realise Holmes was too far gone. I knew he had seen us as he was attempting to find the nearest escape route. I smiled as Elaine leaned over to me and whispered,

"Isn't that Mr. Holmes?" Her eyes were fixed on him as he unsuccessfully attempted to wrestle his way through the throngs of theatre goers.

"Yes." I wasn't prepared to encourage this fascination, but Elaine would have none of it. She pulled my arm rather too eagerly in the direction of Holmes. By this time he had realised that escape was futile and submitted himself to the longing gazes Elaine was bestowing upon him, gazes I would have died to be on the end of. Holmes was an ass.

"Watson," he said politely taking my hand.

"Good evening Holmes." I said shaking his hand maybe a bit too roughly. He winced slightly and I released him, "This is Miss Elaine Brooke."

Holmes took her hand and kissed it lightly,

"Enchanted Miss Brooke." I had to look away, it was almost painful. I was well aware he was doing this to annoy me. Holmes always knew what he was doing; he was conscious of the effect he had on women and in spite of his avoiding them, understood them perfectly and knew how to manipulate them into indulging his slightest whim. I sighed in annoyance. Holmes winked at me as he released Elaine's hand. I could already see she was besotted. It was impossible, my relationship with Holmes. I had resigned myself long ago to the fact that I was always be second when it came to Holmes, with my work and with my women; but when the fact was so startlingly presented to me, it still hurt.

"Where are you off to at this time of night Mr. Holmes?" Elaine asked sweetly. I raised an eyebrow at Holmes who was completely ignoring my presence.

"Oh a detective never ceases to work Miss Brooke." He said rather dramatically.

"Elaine please." Her eyelashes giving Holmes their best performance.

"Certainly Elaine, a beautiful name for a beautiful lady." Holmes replied in his most sickly sweet voice.

"Oh my God." I said quietly.

"Did you say something John?" Elaine enquired flashing her brilliant eyes at me.

"Yes John did you say something?" Holmes glanced at me, laughter dancing in his eyes.

"I simply said it's getting late."

"It didn't sound like that." Holmes said still smiling at me; I gave him a swift kick as I moved around Elaine to take her arm. A kick he avoided with alarming dexterity.

"Yes it is getting late, John would you mind walking me home? I don't feel like taking a cab. It's such a beautiful night." Her eyes had acquired that dreamy look again, I was vaguely aware of Holmes smirking behind me.

"Of course I'll walk you home."

"Yes, it is such a beautiful night after all, and Watson here is the only man I know who can appreciate a beautiful night to the extent it deserves." He placed his arm around my shoulders and I forced a smile.

"Well goodbye Mr. Holmes." Elaine said somewhat sadly and held out her hand. Holmes took it and bowed over it but did not kiss it this time. His interest in my predicament beginning to fade.

"A pleasure Elaine, I hope we shall meet again soon." His eyes still sparkling he turned to me, I smiled sarcastically, "Watson I shall see you shortly I have to see my brother about that problem we had earlier."

"Of course, good luck." I said taking the hand he offered me.

"Thank you I think I shall need it." He raised his eyebrows at me and bowed to Elaine then ran off in the direction of Trafalgar Square.

"What an extraordinary man," Elaine mused, her eyes following Holmes until he was merely a spot in the distance, "He's very good looking isn't he? Not at all like I thought he'd be."

"Yes…" I said slowly, "Holmes is somewhat enigmatic."

"He has wonderful eyes." I had lost her, I sighed.

"Yes, I hear that quite a lot."