Not Quite A Disaster

Shortly after I moved into 221B I had discovered, through a short conversation with my new landlady, that it was only a few weeks until her birthday. I had some money set aside for drink and outings and decided to use it to get a gift for Mrs. Hudson.

On one of my daily walks I stop at the florist. They had a beautiful assortment of flowers and plants but one particular pot of dark pink flowers caught my eye. It was small but quite pretty and I'm sorry to say it was what I could afford. I only hoped our landlady would like them. With the gift concealed in a box, I started home.

I made it home without incident. The box remained by my chair through the evening to keep Mrs. Hudson from discovery it while cleaning. When I heard her retired for the evening I set out to water them. Unfortunately Holmes all but burst into the sitting room and almost immediately spotted the plant.

"For a young admirer?" he asked shedding his coat and hat. He was in a better mood than this morning so I let the teasing alone.

"Actually, they are for Mrs. Hudson. Her birthday is on its way and I decided to get her a gift while I had the money. I haven't a clue as where to put them though."

He looked around the sitting room then lit his pipe. "You can place them in my room. I have several things stacked by my window. I can rearrange the piles to keep them hidden."

I quickly agreed and handed the pot over to Holmes. I thanked him repeatedly for concealing the plant for me. He waved them off and sent me up to bed after I failed to stifle a yawn.

All went well for a fortnight. However, for the week leading up to Mrs. Hudson's birthday I was unable to gain access to Holmes' room to water the flower. He had locked himself up in his room and refused to allow anyone in. London had been unbearably hot for most of that week and I could only hope that he was taking care of the little plant.

The day before her birthday Holmes emerged from his room in his dressing gown and slippers. Upon my mention of his 'charge' he went wide-eyed and I hurried to gather up the pot. The poor thing was wilted and browned by the heat and sun; its soil was hard and as dry as a desert. I ignored his many attempts of apologies as I headed out to discard of the wilted plant.

Holmes went out shortly after that and I sat at my desk figuring out how I would be able to pay my share of the rent and a new plant. Sighing, I finally came to terms with the simple fact that I could not afford both. I settled in my chair with a book to read the day away.

Mrs. Hudson made an excellent roast dinner that night. I was in the middle of enjoying my meal when Holmes appeared in the sitting room carrying a box. It stayed in a corner while he partook in some of the roast and until the dishes were cleared.

"I trust this will make up for my negligence of the first?" he asked as he opened the box.

Peering inside I saw that he had stopped at the florist on his way home. It was another flowering bush a bit larger than its predecessor. It was covered in small flowers in all shades of pink with contrasting dark green silky leaves.

"Holmes, it's absolutely stunning!" said I picking up the pot. I looked over and saw that he had the appearance of a small child that just accomplished something he was told was too hard.

"The florist said that it would not get much bigger than what it already is. I made sure so it could be kept in the house."

We waited until Mrs. Hudson went off to bed to sneak downstairs. Holmes placed it on the table next to the kitchen door where she would see it in the morning. I placed a note with birthday greetings from both of us in front of it then we both retired for the night.

Early the next morning, we met -just as planned- at the top of the stairs. We heard Mrs. Hudson head towards the kitchen and we peeked over the railing. She gasped at the sight of the flowers and stood admiring them for a moment before reaching for the note.

Holmes and I returned to the sitting room with a smile.