From Book girl fan - A proposal.
"Doctor Watson! Doctor Watson!"
I had been walking down Burleigh Street[1], my head turned against the wind although my bowed position quite reflected my morose state. I turned to face whoever was shouting my name.
"It is Doctor Watson, isn't it?" He was struggling to be heard over the mounting storm so, when I nodded that it was me, he pulled us both into a more sheltered side alley. Thanks to Holmes's teachings, I could see from the stain on his shirtsleeve that he was a Doctor as well.
"Have we met?"
"I saw you just now in the offices of the Strand. Dr Arthur Conan Doyle." We shook hands, both shivering in the brisk air. "I am ever so sorry they turned down your book proposal."
I shrugged, truthfully bitter from the encounter. I had essentially been laughed out of the office. "I should not be surprised. It is my first attempt, after all."
"Even so, I am intrigued by your story. I have some experience in publishing myself." He extended his card towards me. "Not much, I admit, but if you are looking for representation I would be keen to read your manuscript. There are other publications, after all[2]."
I took the card and turned it over curiously. "Indeed. I will give it some thought, Dr Doyle."
"Take your time, Dr Watson. I hope to hear from you."
We both went our separate ways, his card nestled safely in my overcoat pocket.
[1] Where The Strand Offices were originally located.
[2] Like Mrs Beeton's Christmas Annual!