Combining my final four prompts, wishing everyone all the best for 2023. Huge thanks
to Hades for hosting this once more, and to Ennui Enigma for her wise counsel :-)
28 From goodpenmanship: long lost siblings
29 From YoughaltheJust: Mrs. Hudson is not a woman to be underestimated.
30 From Riandra: Black dog
31 From Book girl fan: The Last Waltz
The Last Waltz
Watson stares at Mrs Hudson;
Dark expression, furrowed brow.
"Holmes declines the invitation,
Won't attend…he's resting now."
Mrs Hudson smiles, undaunted,
Rolls her sleeves up, checks the clock;
Doesn't knock, announce her presence;
Only strategy is shock.
In she bustles, brisk, determined;
Holmes is slumped in bedroom chair.
He waves away the brusque intrusion…
Mrs Hudson doesn't care.
Up she steps to Holmes, mere inches
Separate them; face to face;
Taps her pocket watch "Ten minutes,
Till we need to leave this place"
"Leave me." Holmes replies, "Such parties
Leave me quite unmoved, depressed."
"Ridiculous!" …the firm reply.
Besides, you're there as special guest!"
"Nothing can improve my quite unfestive,
Melancholic state"
"Nonsense, your retirement is just cause
For us to celebrate.
Besides, the folk who put this all together
Have been working hard.
You will disappoint your friends, Irregulars,
And Scotland Yard"
Mrs Hudson checks his wardrobe,
Pulls down clothing from a shelf.
"Put this on or I'll be back
To get you dressed in these myself!"
Off she storms to join the doctor;
Listening in and quite impressed.
Threat appears to be effective
Holmes is very quickly dressed…
~0~
Off they go; a New Year's party;
(Technically, a Policeman's Ball)
Held inside a large, impressive,
Brightly decorated hall.
Holmes observes the milling guests;
Can name them, every one; he frowns…
So many folk who wish him well,
Retiring to the Sussex Downs.
Friends, ex-clients, Scotland Yarders,
Officers from far and wide,
Household staff and local traders;
Gentry, urchins; size by side.
Mice; small chairs upon a table,
Toby's bark, a feline's bell;
Lives enhanced by Holmes' existence;
All are there, to wish him well.
Mycroft even deigns to visit,
Standing next to…could this be?
Sherrinford, his long lost brother…
Eyebrow raised sardonically.
Understated Holmes' reunion,
Bridges all those missing years;
Sibling bond is somewhat stronger
Than, to most, it first appears.
Faced with such a celebration,
Sherlock Holmes begins to thaw;
Knowing peace and solitude,
Awaits him at the Sussex shore.
Watson stands by Mrs Hudson,
Proud that he has played his part.
Life is in a constant state of flux;
Things end …and others start.
The revelry continues
In a joyful, bright and festive haze.
Holmes bows low to Mrs Hudson,
Smiling as the last waltz plays;
They dance the old year out,
And toast the new year coming in;
As fresh, exciting chapters
In their tales begin.
~0~