December 22
From BookRookie12: A chair gets tipped over
"Grab the end of his lead," Watson reached out for the elusive restraining device. But, Toby was too quick. The leash slipped through his fingers.
One of the Irregulars leapt on top of the table.
"Get back down here immediately, young man," Mrs Hudson scolded as she unsuccessfully tried to corral the excited canine.
"Oh, all right," the Irregular jumped down. "This is fun! It's like a circus. Can I have a cup of hot cocoa?"
"Not right now, Jimmy. I'm a little busy. Why don't you help us catch Toby?"
"But he doesn't want to be caught. He likes running around."
"Running around inside is not the proper place for a dog to exercise, Jimmy." Mrs Hudson grimaced as Watson toppled onto the floor after narrowly avoiding the rambunctious Toby's speeding form.
"Oomph!" The poor doctor scrambled to his feet, dusting off his trousers.
"Toby, sit." The doctor's stern voice reverberated over the chaos.
Unfortunately, Toby chose to focus on jumping onto a chair at that precise moment. With a mighty push from his hind legs, he leaped. Being of a more diminutive stature than either Holmes or Watson, Toby's front paws managed to reach the edge of the chair, his back did not. He valiantly tried to scramble with his forward momentum but sadly; the laws of gravitational pull prevailed. Both dog and chair tipped over.
Although unhurt, Toby let out a startled 'yelp' while Mrs Hudson let out a satisfied, "at last," as she circled her hand into Toby's lead.
Watson did a quick survey to ensure that no one was harmed. He breathed a sigh of relief. The room appeared to have entertained a small tornado but otherwise was still standing.
"Why don't you take Toby out for a small stroll – outside – while I straighten up this mess?" Mrs Hudson asked Jimmy. "When you come back, I'll fix you that hot cocoa you asked for earlier.
Toby wagged his tail happily as he exited the flat with Jimmy holding tightly to his lead.
Watson gave Mrs Hudson a grateful nod. He picked up the tipped chair and began to assist the long-suffering landlady in straightening up.