Whee! Chapter 2! Hee hee, I'm pretty sure this one is better than the last. Somebody on the reviews said that I should add more visual richness to the story. I promise I will eventually, but you see I'm saving that for the christmas decorations prompt...Because this is set at the beginning of December you see and it's going to move on from there. :) But thankyou for the constructive criticism! :)
Mrs Hudson was in a very festive mood. In Holmes' opinion, she was far too merry. He didn't like it. At present, she was walking around the house, singing. It was about the sixth time he had had to endure O Come all ye Faithful, and as much as Holmes' enjoyed a good song or two, he couldn't bear Nanny's singing any more. Gritting his teeth, he stomped to the door of his room and flung it open.
"NANNY," he roared.
Mrs Hudson suddenly appeared from inside Watson's old room, a look of exasperation on her face.
"Yes?" she said calmly. Trying to keep calm was the only way Mrs Hudson could deal with Holmes. God knows she was fond of the man, but he was an irritating wretch most of the time.
"Will you please keep that infernal racket down? I'm trying to concentrate!"
"Concentrate on what? I wasn't aware you had any cases Mr. Holmes." Mrs Hudson smirked. At the moment the detective didn't actually have any cases. Either everyone was too busy with Christmas or crime had decided to take a break. The latter was highly unlikely.
Holmes ignored her question by changing the subject.
"Nanny. I though I told you to take that stuff down," he growled, pointing at what was hanging below the window at the top of the first flight of stairs.
"The mistletoe?"
"Yes, that."
"It's traditional; I'm not taking it down."
"Nanny, Nanny, Nanny," the detective sighed, shaking his head. "You clearly don't understand. I'm sure I've already explained. Mistletoe is dangerous. Women, namely clients who may end up asking for my assistance in the next few weeks, may spot that mistletoe and get…ideas."
Mrs Hudson snorted with laughter. Holmes scowled.
"It's not funny Nanny! Take it down!"
"Mr Holmes, may I remind you that you are my tenant! This is my house and if I wish to hang mistletoe up then I shall! Now, leave me alone so I can sort the Doctor's old room out for our guest."
Mrs Hudson turned around and walked back into Watson's room. Holmes stood still and let the information he had just received from the landlady sink in. A guest?
"What guest?"
Mrs Hudson shrieked and jumped slightly. Turning around, she saw that Holmes had followed her into the room and was staring at her intensely. She shouldn't have said anything. He wasn't going to leave her alone now.
"Just a guest," she replied nonchalantly.
"A relative of yours?" he asked.
"No."
"Then who?"
"Just someone the Doctor has invited to keep you company…" Mrs Hudson had a feeling that Doctor Watson wasn't going to like the fact that she was giving the surprise away. But she didn't care. Holmes was going to find out today anyway.
"Who the devil-" Holmes suddenly froze, realisation dawned on his face and he went very pale. "Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. Please tell me he didn't! Please tell me he didn't invite…her."
"Mr Holmes, that's no way to speak about a lady whose photograph currently resides on your desk," replied 'Nanny' smartly.
"What are you implying?"
"Only that you must have feelings for her," Mrs Hudson replied promptly.
"I don't!" he snarled.
Holmes stormed out of the room, making as much noise as he possibly could along the way.
"What are you doing?" Mrs Hudson called, feeling very much like she was talking to a small child.
"I'm taking down this infernal mistletoe before she-GOOD GOD!" There was a sudden loud bang as something hit what sounded like one of the walls and a yell of "OUCH!"
Mrs Hudson ran out of the Doctor's room to see what had happened. Holmes had thrown himself against the wall and smacked his head in order to get away from the mistletoe. He was now sitting on the floor, rubbing his head and cursing loudly. Stood below the mistletoe was Irene Adler, looking faintly amused with the situation.
"What on earth happened?" asked Mrs Hudson.
"I was already walking up here when he came to take it down," Irene nodded her head up towards the mistletoe. "I hope you don't mind, but I let myself in. It's freezing out there."
"No that's quite all right my dear," the landlady replied, blinking in surprise.
"Unfortunately for Sherlock, he wasn't quite quick enough when he moved away," said Irene with a wicked grin.
Irene lent down and swiftly kissed the detective on the lips. When she pulled back there was a look in her eye that seemed to say: 'Ha ha! Got you.'
Holmes groaned inwardly. He was going to kill Watson.
