Disclaimer: See part 1.
*****
The next morning I came down to breakfast, dressed and ready to leave. Apart from a little awkwardness regarding my back, no other discomfort could be seen to be plaguing me...I had long ago learnt to drink without over-zealous affliction in the morning.
Holmes was silent at the table, reading a newspaper and not so much as giving me a look as he said, "I should have thought you would still be in bed, Doctor."
"I am perfectly well, Holmes, and ready to visit the next person on the list." I replied as I walked to the window to look out over the street, a gesture I suspect I have acquired from Holmes.
"Surely your indulgence has not caused you to lose your memory of our discussion last night." Holmes commented dryly.
I turned back to look at him. "Our discussion? You are referring to your instruction I take it?" I replied pointedly.
"You may call it what you wish, Doctor, but it still stands. You are not to follow up on this case any further." He said as if instructing a pupil, still without his eyes leaving the newspaper.
I moved over to him and pushed the newspaper down so I could look at him. "And I meant what I said. I gave you my word. I shall see you out of this, Holmes." I replied, gently but firmly. I wasn't angry at his behaviour, more saddened. I realised that a lot had happened over the past few days, and I wasn't sure if he knew how to manage with it all. I turned and went to leave the room, not expecting an answer.
"Watson..." Holmes said after me, springing to his feet. He moved over to me and although his features were neutral, I could see a struggle in his eyes. He really wasn't sure how to conduct himself. He finally laid a slim hand on my shoulder. "Be careful." He said simply.
I gave him a warm smile and a nod before retrieving my rather inadequate coat and hat and leaving the warm surroundings of our rooms to brave the swirling bitterness of the winter morning.
*****
The next morning I came down to breakfast, dressed and ready to leave. Apart from a little awkwardness regarding my back, no other discomfort could be seen to be plaguing me...I had long ago learnt to drink without over-zealous affliction in the morning.
Holmes was silent at the table, reading a newspaper and not so much as giving me a look as he said, "I should have thought you would still be in bed, Doctor."
"I am perfectly well, Holmes, and ready to visit the next person on the list." I replied as I walked to the window to look out over the street, a gesture I suspect I have acquired from Holmes.
"Surely your indulgence has not caused you to lose your memory of our discussion last night." Holmes commented dryly.
I turned back to look at him. "Our discussion? You are referring to your instruction I take it?" I replied pointedly.
"You may call it what you wish, Doctor, but it still stands. You are not to follow up on this case any further." He said as if instructing a pupil, still without his eyes leaving the newspaper.
I moved over to him and pushed the newspaper down so I could look at him. "And I meant what I said. I gave you my word. I shall see you out of this, Holmes." I replied, gently but firmly. I wasn't angry at his behaviour, more saddened. I realised that a lot had happened over the past few days, and I wasn't sure if he knew how to manage with it all. I turned and went to leave the room, not expecting an answer.
"Watson..." Holmes said after me, springing to his feet. He moved over to me and although his features were neutral, I could see a struggle in his eyes. He really wasn't sure how to conduct himself. He finally laid a slim hand on my shoulder. "Be careful." He said simply.
I gave him a warm smile and a nod before retrieving my rather inadequate coat and hat and leaving the warm surroundings of our rooms to brave the swirling bitterness of the winter morning.