Howdy ladles and jellyspoons :)

I'm back after a brief silence... What can I say? As September approaches, tutors have been trickling in and bringing jobs with them haha.

Anyway... I hope you enjoy reading the next couple of chapters :)

I'd like to dedicate these next few chapters to:

Elliot: I'm glad you loved it sweetie! :D

Streetdog: Here's the more you were waiting for ;) haha

Anna: Who knows what the future holds?... Well, except for the person writing it ;) haha

melodyloveblack: Just wait and see m'dear :)

We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the maid brought in a telegram. It was from my darling sister Luna and her partner, Sherlock Holmes. It ran in this way:

'Have you a couple of days to spare? We have just been wired for from the West of England in connection with The Boscombe Valley tragedy. We shall be very glad if you will accompany us. The air and the scenery are simply perfect. Leaving Paddington by the 11:15.'

"What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Will you go?"

"I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at present."

"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases."

"I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained through one of them," I answered, offering her a small smile. "But if I am to go, I must pack at once, for I have only half an hour."

"Very well... Please, say hello to my sister in law, will you not? And remind her that she is welcome here any time she wishes. I feel as though she is avoiding me."

"Well my dear, you and Sherlock aren't on the friendliest terms," I reminded her gently, finishing the rest of my breakfast before rising to stand. "It can be rather difficult to ignore the elephant in the room as it were; a tension seems to surround the room that you both occupy." All I got in return was a small, non committal hum. Like a lot of people in my life, my beautiful wife, whom I would not change in the world, was rather head strong and would not admit to being in the wrong in any way.

My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Leaning against the wall, dressed in a similar crimson cloak was my sister who carefully observed her nails as though they were the most interesting sight in the country. As I grew closer, I caught the end of her sentence.

"Sherlock, he will come along. He wouldn't allow you to suffer my company." Even though I could hear the teasing tone behind her words, the obviously distracted detective had not and leapt to his defence.

"Nonsense pet. Spending time with my beautiful fiancée would be a luxury unrivalled however, I do not wish to drag you into any potential danger. I need someone who can hold himself."

"And I can not?"

"Of course you can, I would just rather you not have to prove it to anybody my love." Sighing, she seemed to give up on that small debate, choosing instead to stand by his side and taking his hand in hers. As she did this, his other hand released the luggage he was holding in order to cup her cheek softly; she leaned into his touch.

"I love you." However, just as he was about to reply, he caught my eye and in an instant, there was a comfortable distance put between the pair.

"It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely on when danger lurks. Local aid is always either worthless or else biased. If you will keep the corner seats with my darling Luna, I shall get the tickets."

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