I'm really pleased with the response this story has had so far, especially the interest in the so far nameless character. So, let's go back in time a bit and see where this all started.
Darling: I know, right? ;)
Alice Scott Oneechan: Thank you! No, I am rather fond of a bit of mystery. Draws you in and allows me to change where I'm going if I want to. :) hmmm…are you, in fact, a cat?
Crimson TigerLily: really? I'm really glad you said that because sometimes my creative writing tutor tells me that it's too pompous for the ordinary reader. Apparently I should be dumbing myself down. To hell with that. Ahh the promise will come in several more chapters. ;)
A Chance Meeting
1 month earlier
"There's nothing I can do about it mother, I'm sorry."
John Watson looked up from the paper he was studying as he waited in the queue at the newsagents and stared in amusement at the girl down the aisle. She was holding her phone to her face with one hand, the other was wrapped around her elbow as she cradled several birthday cards, a sandwich, a packet of crisps and a bottle of coke. He forced himself not to chuckle when she looked down at the mints on the bottom shelf and then glanced over at her phone, quickly bending down and taking it from her face and snatching up a pack of mints before pulling the phone back to her ear and humming to her mother as though she had been listening the entire time. "It's not like I could stop her. She's got a boyfriend now mum and they're pretty serious, he's a nice guy. Mother…" she sighed exasperated and got into the queue behind John, "We all knew this was going to happen. I wasn't going to live with her forever. I'm a grown woman now, I'll find a new flat. Well of course I'm not moving back home, I love London and I have my job remember. I'm not moving back to Surrey because my best friend's moved out. Oh I don't know mother, I'll get a dog."
"S'cuse me sir, you're next."
John looked up at the cashier and his eyes widened, he'd been so busy listening to the girls conversation he hadn't realised the queue had moved along. He handed over the paper and looked over to the second cashier as the mystery girl unceremoniously dumped her purchases on the desk.
"Sorry." She mumbled, blushing and taking the phone away from her ear while she was paying.
"Pushy parents?" the cashier asked, the girl shook her head.
"She just worries."
"That'll be 8.45 please, unless you're interested in any of our chocolate bars for an extra pound."
The young woman shook her head and swept the food and cards into a bulging cloth bag as John grabbed his change and headed out of the store after her.
"No mum I was in a shop, look I'll call you back later when I'm at home. No mother the flat not your place. Ok, I'll speak to you later, bye, love you, bye."
She flipped the phone shut and delved into the left hand pocket of her black coat, her hand disappeared entirely as she produced object after object. A purse, some hairclips, loose change, a single chopstick, a nail file and finally an i-pod. A familiar buzzing in John's pocket forced him to take out his phone.
Out of milk and cigarettes.
Please rectify.
SH
John looked up from the text but the woman was gone. He sighed and crossed the street to the Tesco Express on the other side, picking out just the milk, he headed to the tills and watched the rain begin to fall. Just another day in London.
Sherlock will appear in the next chapter, have no fear.
