Chapter Six: A Disagreement and Another One of My Dilemmas
"That's certainly a very strange problem," I said with my most charming smile.
"Yes. Do you speak French?"
I nodded. After all, I wasn't completely lying to him. I did have two and a half years of French under my belt.
"Good, then I do not have to worry about you insulting anyone while you are in Paris," the detective said.
"Since we'll be with you most of the time, I don't know why you would worry in the first place," I retorted.
"What?"
"You heard me," I replied quickly.
"I don't know what gave you that incorrect notion, but it would be best if you got it out of your head."
"You gave me that notion Mr. Holmes," I replied sweetly. "You said that I could assist you in your investigation, remember?"
"Yes but I didn't mean that you would be accompanying me anywhere. I merely meant that I would use you as a sounding board."
"You should have specified that before you took me on as an assistant."
"You cannot accompany me and that is final!" Holmes demanded.
"I happen to disagree with that Mr. Holmes."
After several more moments of bickering, Sherlock Holmes, wanting to leave the hotel room, glumly agreed that I could accompany him to the Paris Opera House.
"That's better," I replied smugly. My face suddenly reddened, when a realization hit me that dashed my hopes of joining the great detective. "You were right, I can't go with you."
"And what, pray tell, made you change your mind?"
"Becky and I cannot go parading around nineteenth century Paris dressed in twenty first century jeans, tee shirts and sneakers."
Watson smiled at me. "I think I can solve that problem."
"How?" I asked quietly.
"You see Mademoiselle, next to this hotel happens to be a very nice ladies clothing shop."
"Another problem Doc," I said sadly. "I'm kinda short on cash, which means I don't have any. How 'bout you Becky?"
"Ditto," my friend replied.
Watson grinned. "Money is not a problem ladies. Consider this a gift."
I jumped up from my chair and threw my arms around Watson's neck. "You're awesome!"
"I'm assuming that is a compliment," he said with a laugh. "Come along, we'll go there and the both of you can pick out some nice clothing."
"Watson," Holmes said sharply.
The good doctor turned and looked at his friend. "Since I have grown a second arm," he said with biting sarcasm, "I'm certain that Mackenzie and her friend will accompany us to the opera later this week. Please make sure you buy them something decent to wear."
Watson nodded and led me and Becky out of the hotel room and onto the street once more.
With my brain finally comprehending some of the things that were happening I lingered outside the dress shop for several minutes, attempting to take in my surroundings. There were several hansom cabs on the street, each headed to a destination unknown to me. I wanted to explore this new city, see everything it had to offer.
"Mac!" Becky's voice broke through my thoughts.
"What?"
"Come on!"
Reluctantly, I turned and walked into the dress shop.
