He went for a long, long walk along the beach that afternoon while Watson slept. The physician's words rang in his head like a death-knell. How could he have thought that this would be so easy, that all would be right if Watson would only awaken?
"There may be less damage than we think now; once he regains his strength he may find that his mind returns somewhat – by no means should we assume we are starting at the beginning in all areas. But remember, we still have no idea how much damage was done to his memory. We should be far more concerned with that, rather than what can be re-learned."
He was having a hard enough time accepting the fact that Watson had not recognised his face – what else did he not know? Did he remember anything about their past lives? Baker Street? His wife? Their acquaintances? The Afghan War?
Just because he could remember the events immediately preceding the shooting did not mean he would recall anything else. He was not certain which was worse, the physical damage or the possible mental incapacitation. Either way, it was still his fault, and if Watson did not remember that fact then he would need to tell him.
He viciously sent a pebble plummeting off the cliffs into the ocean below.
