'Come on, who'd want me for a flat mate?'
Although there were the obvious difficulties of finding Sherlock, Mike had been lucky enough to be told by Sherlock where he was planning on moving, then recommended John visit Mrs. Hudson.
"You must me Mrs. Hudson." John smiled as he shifted his walking stick and held out his hand, "I'm John Watson."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." She took his hand and gestured inside.
"I heard you might have a place available?" John inquired as he walked in and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh yes," she replied with a sad smile, "The new tenant, Sherlock Holmes was meant to move in today, but sadly he was in an accident."
"Sorry."
She nodded her head, "He'll be fine, he wouldn't leave knowing he hasn't finished his work. He still has so much to offer."
John pressed his lips into a thin line. He wasn't entirely sure how to talk about someone he hadn't met before, especially in this kind of situation.
Sherlock…
"Right, so do you want to have a look at the flat?" Mrs. Hudson asked with an awkward laugh.
John nodded and followed her slowly the stairs to the flat. He glanced around the room, nodding approvingly.
Around the flat there were a few piles of boxes as though someone had already moved in. "Um, what are they for?" he asked.
"Oh, sorry. Since Sherlock was going to move in today, he had sent his property over." She continued with a shrug, "If you want, I can move them into the spare bedroom upstairs."
Sherlock…
"Ah," John nodded slightly before moving around the sitting room into the kitchen doorway. "This will be fine," he smiled, "Very nice indeed."
"I'm not exactly sure how long you'll be able to stay."
"Oh that's alright." John replied, "It's only temporary until things pick up for me." He paused for a brief moment, biting his bottom lip. "The thing is, I don't have much money."
"It's fine." she smiled, "Sherlock was getting a special deal anyway, so I'll let you get away with that."
Sherlock…
"I'll go make us some tea." Mrs. Hudson finally said as John sat on one of the lounges, "Then we can discuss the rent. Rest your leg, dear."
John rolled his shoulder, a part of his mind wandering back to Sherlock.
Sherlock…
It's the only thing he's heard all day. First from Mike, and now from Mrs. Hudson. Who is Sherlock Holmes?
After a long discussion, a few laughs and two cups of tea, John and Mrs. Hudson came to an agreement about John moving in.
He was allowing John to be a tenant of 221B for as long as he wanted, and that he would get the same special deal that Sherlock would have been getting with the rent. She had also given a small warning that if Sherlock returns, he isn't an easy person to live with.
"Thank you Mrs. Hudson." John grinned as he wrapped his arms around her, "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I suppose, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Of course. Take care of yourself."
John released her, then took a few steps out the door, "Will do."
The name still lingered in the back of his mind on the taxi ride, that he couldn't help but look it up on his laptop when he got home.
…Sherlock Holmes…
'The Science of Deduction'