Chapter 5: Baker Street, London

A few months passed, summer faded and was quickly replaced by autumn. The observing space changed, it moved further away from Montague Street, something wasn't really right and Sherlock was trying to stay as far away from the place as possible. Father and daughter were sitting on a bench in Hyde Park, closer to the hotel where Alice was still staying.

Her reservation was nearing its end, but she didn't know how to tell Sherlock that. She had saved some money, but hardly enough to stay in London for another week, let alone months. She couldn't really turn to her mother, who had about the same amount of money in her bankaccount. So maybe she had to leave London altogether, something she didn't want to think about just yet. It did bother her, and anyone could see it, especially a man with an immensely high IQ who also just so happened to be a great observer. As they were sitting on their regular bench in Hyde Park, Sherlock continued to glance down at Alice, who looked tired.

'Something is bothering you.'

Alice was startled from her thought process when she heard her fathers voice. After their dinner at Angelo's, a few similar occasions had followed, but not many, since Sherlock apparently didn't need that much food, a waste of time according to him. All their other meetings were like the one right now, which was fine, but hearing her father actually talk to her was still something strange.

She looked up and met his gaze, which reminded her of something resembling the worried expression her mother had, but with him, it was hidden behind a mask of sternness. She just looked at him for a while, not really sure what to do or say since she hadn't planned to tel Sherlock so soon. He noticed her inner deliberation, and turned his head towards her.

'Alice, talk.'

Alice looked into the distance for a little while, but then she nodded, almost ashamed that it took her so long to think about what she wanted to say.

'My stay in the hotel is almost over. I can only stay there for another four days, then I'll have to leave.'

Sherlock looked at her, just looking, nothing more.

'And then?'

Alice shrugged her shoulders.

'I don't know, I wanted to get a place here in London, but I can't afford that.'

Sherlock nodded. He understood what she was saying. Apartments in London were expensive, that was a truth universally acknowledged. He turned his head back, facing the park again, but still listening to his daughter.

'So maybe I have to go back to my mother.'

Alice looked at her father, looking for a response, which didn't really come.

'You want to go back?'

Alice shook her head, Sherlocks eyes moved towards her, not another muscle was moving, showing no sign of emotion.

'Then you need a place to stay.'

Suddenly Sherlock stood up and started walking. Completely blown away by his words and sudden action, Alice remained seated for a while, until she quickly recovered and stood up, racing after to her father, who had by now almost left Hyde Park. She quickly caught up with him and followed him as he turned a few corners towards a location he apparently knew all to well. It felt like walking to Angelo's restaurant, like Sherlock had gone there before.

It was not long before they entered Baker Street, the street Alice had completely fallen in love with because of their clear white and perfect houses with their classic steps leading up to the door which had ornate numbers on them. Alice admired the houses all over again, but also tried to make sure Sherlock didn't see it. Suddenly he stopped in front of one of the houses, the one right next to a lunchroom Alice already knew, Speedy's. Sherlock looked at the door, his hands buried deep in his pockets.

'What do you think?'

Alice looked at her father.

'What do you mean?'

Then she looked at the door again and back to her father, the penny dropped.

'I-I can live here?'

Sherlock looked at her.

'Problem?'

Alice quickly shook her head, smiling brightly.

'No... No, if I could live anywhere, I would love to live here. I just...'

'Never thought you would. I know the landlady.'

Sherlock stepped forward and rung the bell.

'The main apartment might not be available, but she has other rooms in here as well.'

The door opened and an older woman appeared. She was about Alice's height. At first she looked a little bewildered, but then she recognised Sherlock and she smiled widely.

'Sherlock, so good to see you.'

Sherlock smiled a little.

'Mrs. Hudson.'

Mrs. Hudson smiled even wider when noticed Alice.

'Oh, who's your friend?'

Sherlock looked at Alice too, then he suddenly smiles wider, his eyes glistening softly.

'This is my... daughter, Alice Holmes.'

Alice's head shot up when she heard her father, she saw the smile, which made her smile too. This was the first time he had openly told someone about their relation, and the first time he had actually called her his daughter. Being Alice Holmes sounded strange, but it felt good. It felt like she was finally being accepted by her father, which had taken him almost two months. Sherlock and Alice looked at each other for quite a while, and Alice could read in his eyes he was actually proud of what he had said, it was a first step, but one in the right direction.

They looked back when Mrs. Hudson stepped forward towards Alice. Alice looked at her and noticed the open arms. Though she wasn't really one to quickly trust strangers or be close to them, in a hugging and embracing kind of way, she knew she couldn't resist the arms of this woman, who seemed so warm and friendly. She returned the embrace, much to the surprise, and maybe even envy of her father. Mrs. Hudson released Alice from her tight, but loving embrace and then looked back at Sherlock.

'Sherlock, is there something wrong? You haven't come by since the execution.'

Sherlock smiled again, then shook his head. Alice was a little surprised now, she had no idea what was happening. She could see that Mrs. Hudson loved to bake and that she wasn't one of the poorest, maybe not through the most legal ways, but that was hard for her to imagine. But execution, who should that be? She looked at the hands of the woman, no wedding ring, but there was a little mark where it was supposed to be. She had not been baking recently, so she wasn't not wearing it on purpose, maybe her husband was executed? But one thing didn't add up. What did her father have to do with all this? And why was Mrs. Hudson happy to see him if her had had something to do with the execution of her husband?

Alice didn't have a long time to think about it, since her father just continued talking. She didn't want to miss any bit of it.

'I am very sorry, there were other things on my mind.'

Mrs. Hudson smiled and stepped back in a little.

'Oh I understand that dear, but why don't you come in, I just made a fresh pot of tea.'

Sherlock looked at Alice, who smiled, nodded and then followed Mrs. Hudson inside. She saw stairs and next to that two doors. Sherlock followed in her footsteps. Mrs. Hudson lead them towards the one open door at the bottom of the stairs and into a cosy living room with a linked kitchen. It was a little small, but big enough and it looked very homey and cosy, without being messy. Alice smiled, she liked this a lot, though there were not enough books in the house for her liking.

'Sit dears, just make yourself at home, take of your coats. That includes you, Sherlock Holmes.'

Alice looked back at her father, who had clearly not intended to take of his coat, but after Mrs. Hudson told him explicitly, he did so, reluctantly. Alice also took of her coat and sat down on a couch. Sherlock didn't take a seat, until he saw Alice looking at him. He sat down on a chair. Alice had to stop herself from laughing, which her father made sure of by throwing her a fierce look. She knew he didn't like to be bossed around, so being surrounded by two women who would tell him exactly how to behave was hard on him. Mrs. Hudson entered the room again with a tray and three cups of hot tea. She put them down on the table, handed one cup to Alice and one to Sherlock and then sat down in a big chair with her own cup.

'So Sherlock, why are you here?'

Sherlock put his tea down and sat up even straighter.

'Yes Mrs. Hudson.'

He looked at Alice and then back to Mrs. Hudson.

'I am looking for a place for my... daughter.'

Mrs. Hudson also looked from Sherlock to Alice and back, but her smile had disappeared.

'Oh but Sherlock, you know the apartment upstairs is not vacant.'

Sherlock nodded and leaned forward, his arms leaning on his upper legs.

'I know, but you do have another room.'

Mrs. Hudson remained quiet for a while, she was clearly thinking, Alice could see the frown form in the woman's forehead.

'You... you mean C Sherlock? Or the little studio behind the lunchroom?'

Sherlock nodded.

'The studio behind the restaurant, C is too small and too mouldy, sorry. I know the studio is empty, and I need a good place for her.'

Mrs. Hudson continued to look from Sherlock to Alice and back, Alice in the mean time just listened. A little studio behind the lunchroom, she didn't know what to expect, but she did like how her father was suddenly really trying to get her into that room he had in mind for her, even though Mrs. Hudson hadn't given her approval yet.

'Sherlock..'

'She is 15 years old Mrs. Hudson, I can't just leave her somewhere.'

Mrs. Hudson was suddenly shocked, but then she leaned forward to a little, though not as much as Sherlock had done, he was sitting up straight again.

'You could take care of her Sherlock, like you should.'

Sherlock looked away, suddenly embarrassed.

'I can't.'

Now it was Alice who spoke up. She saw and read the shame in her father eyes. No matter how hard he would try, he couldn't be a proper father for her. In the end, she needed someone who could look after her. And someone who needed to be looked after, couldn't look after someone else, even if that someone was her father.

'Please Mrs. Hudson. I know Sherlock is not world's perfect father, but at least he is trying. If this studio is vacant, I would gladly take it. I could even help in the lunchroom if you want me to...'

Mrs. Hudson looked at her and she was suddenly at a loss for words. There it was again, her awkwardness around people. As long as nobody was looking and she could just say whatever she wanted without being interrupted, she could talk. But one glance from a stranger would be enough. She would lose her entire ability to speak in a mere second.

Sherlock had looked up when he heard Alice's voice stop, and immediately noticed her insecurity. He had never seen it happen before, but then again, he had never heard Alice talk to anyone but him, and he was her father. Now he realised that even with him she sometimes avoided eye contact when they were talking. He cleared his throat softly and Alice and Mrs. Hudson both looked at him. His eyes were completely focussed on Alice, who saw what he is trying to achieve. She could talk to him, even with his eyes piercing into her soul. Sometimes she would still feel insecure, but not as often as with other people.

'I don't want anything else but live near my father. But if I can't find a place to stay, I'll have to go back to my mother. But I don't want to leave this life behind. I can help in the lunchroom, as long as I don't have to face people, since I am not really good around them...as you probably already noticed.'

She looked up at Mrs. Hudson again, trying not to make direct eye contact with her.

'Please Mrs. Hudson, I might not be a perfect person, but I can try.'

Mrs. Hudson looked at Alice for a while, who looked down a little, making her look even more insecure. Not that she was trying to look like that, but it helped her in preventing eye contact. Therefore she didn't see Mrs. Hudson's smile returning on her face. The landlady got up and walked towards Alice, who followed the feet move on the floor and she felt Mrs. Hudson sit down beside her on the couch. Suddenly, the landlady had taken Alice's hands in her own, making Alice look up, into the glistening and smiling eyes of Mrs. Hudson.

'Then you can have the room my dear. On the condition that you help me in the kitchen from time to time.'

Alice's face cleared up and she looked at Sherlock, who looked pleased and nodded. She looked back at Mrs. Hudson and smiled even wider.

'Thank you Mrs. Hudson.'

Mrs. Hudson smiled and softly touched Alice's cheek with her fingers.

'It's my pleasure dear, you are more than welcome in 221 Baker Street.'

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11/4/2018: minor changes made to comply to further research