Chapter 4: Brook Moves into the Flat
Watson had been dreading the moment when Robert Brook was to walk through his doors. He wasn't sure why he was dreading it, though. It must have been a mixture of feeling guilt for getting a new flatmate and nervousness. He was nervous for his own safety… and for Mrs. Hudson's. What if this guy was a jack-in-the-box just waiting for John to crank the wheel so he could come out and kill him. Calm down Watson, John said to himself. He knew that he was worrying himself to death. This had to stop. He took a sip of the lukewarm tea he held in his shaking hand.
Ding... dong…
The doorbell rang and John Watson nearly jumped out of his chair. His coffee fell out of his cup and landed all over his trousers. It made him look like he had just wet himself. He went to his bedroom and changed his pants as quickly as he could.
Ding… dong…
"Coming!" John Watson yelled down the stairs, wearing his new trousers. He ran down the steps and unlocked the door. Mrs. Hudson was out shopping for groceries, therefore she wasn't present to greet Robert Brook. Watson was all alone.
"Hello," Robert Brook said with a smile, two identical suitcases in hand.
"Welcome," replied Watson.
Watson had learned from their previous meeting that Brook liked to talk but was also somewhat reserved. The kind of man who would strike up a conversation with someone, but wouldn't speak in front of a large crowd. This puzzled John because the man said he wanted to become a lawyer. Lawyers are supposed to speak in front of crowds. Nonetheless, John Watson led Robert Brook upstairs and showed him his new bedroom. Brook didn't seem impressed with his room, but he mumbled his thanks to John anyway.
John left the man to do his unpacking and knew that it would be awkward living together. You would think that after living with a man like Sherlock I could get used to anybody, Watson thought. However, this man put him on edge. Robert Brook was suspicious under Watson's eyes but yet Watson agreed to share the flat because he needed the money. He also needed a distraction… a distraction from thinking about Sherlock all the time; Even if that meant worrying about something else.
Try as he might, Watson couldn't sleep that night. He didn't trust the man in the other bedroom. In truth he wasn't just worried, he was scared.