From Domina Temporis: End of an Era
The death of our Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1901 rocked England to its very core. Even Holmes seemed affected; he took fewer cases in the months that followed and spent many hours staring out the window into the billowing London fog. It seemed impossible that we should be facing the end of a reign that had carried us safely through the past sixty-four years, and I was not alone among my countrymen in worrying for the future. Yet it was in the spring of 1902 that I received an even more staggering revelation.
"Well give it up, Holmes," I said, putting down my newspaper at last. "You have been quiet all morning. Is it a case?"
Homes smiled faintly in return. "Ah, Watson, do forgive me. I was unaware that my preoccupation had been noticed. Yet the subject of my preoccupation does concern you; indeed, I have been frightfully remiss in not bringing it up sooner. I am going to retire."
I stared at him in shock. "Wh... retire, Holmes?" The idea of my friend no longer solving cases was all but impossible to imagine. "When... but how?..."
Holmes's smile broadened in affectionate amusement. "My dear fellow, I have rarely seen you at a loss for words. I have been consulting with my brother Mycroft ever since Her Majesty's death. As you know, Edward has so far proven a popular King, yet there have been a number of little problems that have arisen; Mycroft has been quite diligent in his attempts to persuade me to lend my talents, such as they are, to dealing with such vexations. I really am sorry to spring it on you in such a fashion, Watson, but the fact remains that my career as a consulting detective has suffered a most regrettable decline since Moriarty's death. I am no longer the only one in England, and even the police, in their own way, are proving less incompetent in recent years." He waved a hand to cut off my protest. "No, I shall assist Brother Mycroft. I will, of course, require some little time to put my affairs in order, but I have hope to be started by the new year."
"And what of me?" I asked. My own voice sounded far away; I felt as though I were falling, consumed by a whirlwind of emotions.
Holmes sighed. "Ah, yes," he said. "That is my sole regret of the whole affair. I will instruct Mycroft to continue paying my portion of the rent, so that you may remain at 221B for as long as you might wish." He looked at me anxiously. "I know this is not what you imagined, and it is a poor way to reward my faithful Boswell. Yet the work that I would do would be of great service to King and Country, and there is no one else who could do it as well as I."
At this, I could not help but laugh shakily. "Same old modesty, Holmes." I drew a deep breath. "It is a lot to take in, but I am grateful you have trusted me with your intentions."
Holmes winced. "As I have not in the past, you mean." He shook his head. "Watson, your patience with my foibles has always been one of your most extraordinary features."
"But what will I tell others when they ask where you have gone?" I asked, setting aside my feelings to deal with later. I knew Holmes too well to think that I might change his mind. "For better or for worse, you are a household name. The people of London will surely wonder why you have disappeared, which would expose you to a most inconvenient scrutiny."
"That I will leave to you," said Holmes. "As you say, it would hardly do for the true reason for my departure to become known."
"I shall make up some other reason for your retirement," I said, then added, slyly, "Perhaps I will say you have gone to raise sheep in Sussex."
Holmes made a face. "At least let it be bees, my dear fellow. Bees at least are admirable creatures; their orderly nature has much to recommend it."
"Bees it is then," I said, then my smile faded. "I shall miss you, Holmes."
His face softened. "And I you." Then he cleared his throat. "But as I said, I will not be departing for some months yet. Shall we dine tonight at Simpsons?"
"I would like that very much."
A/N: And done! Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed this year; I wish you all the best in 2021.
