An Evening Out
The clock announced the hour: a quarter of six. Basil paced rapidly in front of the fire dressed in his finest suit with a hat perched on a nearby table. Dawson sat calmly before the fire with his face hidden behind a book to disguise the knowing smirk he was sporting. "Calm down Basil," Dawson finally said with a glance over the top of his book. "Everything will be fine."
"This is something I cannot predict or understand, Dawson," Basil snapped. "This has not happened to me since I was a small boy…it is most unnerving."
"All the more reason to relax," Dawson sighed. "If you are nervous, imagine how Vivian will feel. It isn't as though she has been out all that much herself, you know. You have to help her feel relaxed by being relaxed yourself."
Basil sighed and ceased his pacing for a moment. "You are right, I know, but that does not ease my mind, Dawson."
Dawson shook his head as Basil resumed his pacing. Several minutes passed, and Dawson had just raised his head to say something, when both he and Basil heard the unmistakable sounds of a door opening and heels clicking against the floor. Basil gulped and straightened his tie as Dawson stood and beamed as Vivian came around the corner and into view.
She was dressed in a simple but elegant midnight blue gown that brought out her eyes and fur. Her shoulders were covered by a sheer blue material that almost blended perfectly with her gown. A silver bow glittered beside her ear, and she clutched a simple silver bag in her hands. A tentative smile played at her lips as she glanced between the two mice waiting for a sign of approval.
"You look marvelous my dear!" Dawson cried. "Doesn't she, Basil?" he asked with a glance at his companion.
Basil stepped forward and took Vivian's hand. "You must be the most beautiful mouse in the entire kingdom tonight, Vivian," he said sincerely before kissing her knuckles.
Vivian flushed scarlet at the compliment. "Thank you, Basil," she finally whispered. "You look very fine yourself."
Basil bowed and picked up his hat from the table. "Shall we then? I'd rather not rush anything this evening."
"I agree, we should go," Vivian agreed tightening her shawl around her shoulders.
Mrs. Judson hurried to the door, and Dawson followed behind Basil and Vivian. "Enjoy your evening," he smiled as Mrs. Judson opened the door for them. "And do be careful."
"Of course, Dawson, of course," Basil replied as he gently tucked Vivian's arm into his own.
Vivian beamed at Mrs. Judson and Dawson as Basil led her out the door and into the night. The air was cool but not so cold that Vivian required more than her wrap. Together, they walked out to the main street before Basil finally spoke.
"Would you prefer to find a handsome or walk?" he asked kindly.
"I suppose that depends on where we're going," she replied honestly. "I am in shoes rather unsuitable for long distance walks."
Basil nodded. "Handsome it is then." They quickly climbed onto the next cab they saw, and Vivian closed her eyes. Noticing this, Basil chuckled. "There's no need for that tonight, Vivian," he said. "I have no desire to test your skills."
"Oh but I do," Vivian grinned without opening her eyes. "Besides, I enjoy this exercise." As they rode through the maze of London streets, Vivian kept a silent count of left and right turns in her head in an attempt to map out where they were without being able to see. When Basil gently pulled her from the cab, she was quite certain she was wrong because it was impossible to think that Basil had actually brought her here.
"Welcome to Simpson's Vivian," Basil said quietly.
"I can't believe it!" she gasped finally opening her eyes.
Simpson's was a very well-known restaurant in Mousedom because it was one of the only places where mice were in the same building as humans. Only the highest of society could afford to make reservations, and even then reservations were hard to come by.
Basil merely chuckled at the expression on Vivian's face. "I take it you are pleased?"
"Oh Basil, this is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "How on Earth did you get reservations?!"
"Well, my dear, being me does have its advantages, although I rarely use them," Basil smiled slyly. "Shall we go in?"
Vivian accepted his arm, and together they entered the restaurant.
Dinner was an extremely enjoyable affair. While the two talked constantly about anything to do with detection, they knew very little about the other's personal life. Knowing how closed off Basil was regarding his personal information, Vivian offered to start.
"I'm the eldest of three children," she began. "My brother is fifteen, and my sister is eight. They are both wonderful children and much more worthy of the crown than I am."
"Why do you say that?" Basil asked.
"Well, Andrew, my brother, is much better with people and with money than I have any hope of being, and Mary, my sister, already has no problem with the spotlight while I have always tried to stay out of the public eye," she explained. "I really don't want to be queen, Basil. I've never liked the idea of that life."
"Does the Queen know you feel this way?" he asked quietly.
Vivian laughed darkly. "How do you tell the Queen you want no parts of your birthright?"
"I see your point," he admitted.
"I love my people, know that," Vivian added hastily. "I just don't think I'd be best for them. I've always felt like my life was meant for something else," she sighed. "Is that so strange?"
"Not at all," Basil replied. "I know something about not fitting a mold."
"Really?" she asked, her interest piqued.
Basil sighed and put his napkin down on the table. "When I was a child, my parents got it into their heads that I was going to be a doctor or a lawyer. They shipped me off to boarding school when I was seven, and I never went back."
"Oh my goodness, why?" Vivian gasped.
"My father and I never, and I mean never, saw eye-to-eye on anything," Basil admitted. "As soon as I saw my chance to get away, I took it. That's why I only remain in contact with my brother."
"You have a brother?"
"Yes…Nigel. He works 'for' the Queen," Basil smiled. "He's an even more private man than me and just as observant. As I was saying, I never went home again. As soon as my days at boarding school were at an end, I began looking into study at a University. Now remember that my parents wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer; well, I wanted nothing of the kind. My interest lay in science and law and justice. My powers of observation had already led me to several adventures that had shown me there might be a career in my hobby after all. So, at University, I chose a curriculum that contained a little bit of everything."
"And then you became the famous detective you are today," Vivian finished with a smile.
"Well, not overnight, but yes: eventually I did," Basil shrugged.
"It must've been a lonely journey," Vivian observed.
Basil was quiet for a moment. "I suppose at points along the way, yes I was a bit lonely. But then, I've never really cared for company."
"Until Dawson and I came along," Vivian teased.
"Indeed," Basil agreed without the joking tone. "I don't know what I would do if either of you was suddenly gone from my life. I've grown quite accustomed to the pair of you always being there."
Vivian's face was one of utter shock. Basil never spoke of his feelings to anyone, but admitting his dependence on another life form was bordering on unimaginable.
"Perhaps that is why I dread the mail these days," Basil continued. "I'm terrified of seeing a letter from the palace calling you away forever."
Vivian reached across the table and seized his hand in hers. "You know I don't want to go back any more than you want me to. I'd give anything to be free."
Basil reciprocated the pressure on his hand. "I know my dear…I know. I think it would be best if we didn't speak of the inevitable." He released her hand and pulled out his pocket watch. "I believe we should be going," he said. "I want to be sure we have enough time to reach the theater and find our seats with ease."
Vivian nodded and stood from the table. "Thank you, Basil. The meal was lovely."
"My pleasure," Basil bowed.
They made the ride to the theater in silence, but it was not forced or uncomfortable. Once they reached the theater, Basil presented the tickets while Vivian glanced around them. The theater was very near to the East End of London, and she shuddered to think what had occurred there only a night before.
"Are you alright?" Basil asked, noticing her shudder.
"Just thinking," Vivian said knowing there was no point in pretending otherwise. "We're so close to where that poor creature died last night."
"I know," Basil replied putting an arm around her shoulders. "There is nothing to be done about it, Vivian. Best put it out of your mind for now."
With a final glance down the alley, Vivian allowed Basil to lead her into the theater and into their seats. Once she was seated, Vivian's attention was absorbed by the program and cast biographies until the show began.
"That was beyond excellent!" Vivian praised as she and Basil left the theater hours later.
"Indeed," Basil agreed. "Quite enjoyable."
"No carriages will be running through here at this time of night," Vivian observed.
"Agreed. Shall we walk to a carriage or all the way home?"
"I would prefer to find a carriage at some point, if you please," Vivian admitted.
"Of course you must be exhausted," Basil nodded.
As they walked past the East End alley, Vivian couldn't help but glance down it again to wonder about the events of the previous evening. Following her gaze, Basil came to a halt beside the alley.
"I just can't believe it," she admitted. "It so easily could've been me if it had been sooner."
Basil tightened his grip on her arm. Apparently, he had been thinking the same thing.
"Basil look," Vivian whispered pointing at couple down the alley.
It was clear that the young lady was leaving her job at the pub nearby with a gentleman escorting her.
"How kind of him," Vivian sighed.
"Especially considering the events of last night," Basil agreed. "I suspect every young lady mouse is looking for an escort this evening."
"Lucky for me I don't have to look far then," Vivian smiled up at Basil.
"Come now, Vivian. It isn't proper for a lady such as yourself to be out this late," Basil smiled back.
They arrived back at Baker Street by midnight, and they entered the house without a sound so as not to disturb Mrs. Judson or Dawson. Basil took Vivian's wrap and hung it on the hook. Together, they walked to the back of the house where the bedrooms were.
"Well, thank you ever so much for this evening Basil," Vivian said. "I've enjoyed myself immensely."
"I'm very glad to hear it my dear," Basil smiled. "I also enjoyed myself."
"Good night," she whispered.
"Good night my dear Vivian," Basil replied. As she made to pull away, Basil refused to let go of her hand. Without giving himself enough time to consider his whim, he leaned in and kissed her briefly on the cheek. He then quickly pulled away and hurried to his room.
Vivian stared after him with a dreamy smile etched on her face as her fingers rose to lightly touch the place Basil's lips had touched her. She slowly turned and disappeared into her room for the night.
The next morning, Vivian rose early and walked outside to fetch a paper from the paper boy that always sold on the corner. Once she was inside, she unfolded the paper and glanced at the headline. Her scream was heard through the whole house.
Basil was up and in the living room in an instant. "What is it Vivian?" he asked sharply.
In reply, Vivian held out the paper with shaking paws.
Basil accepted the paper and glanced at the headline. His eyes shot open in shock as he sank into his armchair. The headline blared:
SECOND MURDER VICTIM DISCOVERED IN THE EAST END
There's another chapter for you guys. I'm sorry it took so long; I have way too many stories all going on at once, and it's really hard to keep track of them all, so again I'm sorry. Thank you all for your reviews/favorites/follows; it means so much to me! I hope you liked this chapter, and let me know what you think. I hope to see you soon with a new chapter!