In this chapter, we introduce our heroine Rosa Spellgrove, who is based on Bella Spellgrove. Rosa's character is different from Bella's. Rosa wants to avenge her father at first, but as she gets to know Basil and friends, her quest for revenge fades and she falls in love with Basil. Her full name is Rosalina Ratigan, like Bella's full name is Belladonna Moriarty. I liked the song London Is London, it's a catchy tune. I've seen an upstairs siding in Basil's parlor from a picture I've seen on what's its galore .com (no space added), a website for the great mouse detective. You'll find it on Great Mouse Detective Sightings and clicking on the Models of the sets, you will see what I mean.
Enjoy!
A beautiful young girl mouse named Rosa Spellcove was walking through the streets of London, looking for some place to go to. She had silver fur, sapphire blue eyes, long black hair that reached her waist and a red-purple bow in her hair half up. She wore a red-purple dress with small puffed sleeves and a small red-purple hat with a few fake flowers on it.
Rosa gazed silently at the sights around her. There were tall buildings and lamp posts that towered over her, mice were hustling and bustling about, going this way to that way. Lady mice were selling lovely flowers and tried to sell some to Rosa, but she turned them down politely. She did the same when men tried to sell her pastries or old books.
She got herself caught in the crowd when trying to push her way through when a man accidently pushed her to the ground. Irritated, Rosa straightened herself and put her hat back on. As she reached down to pick up her purse, a young boy picked up her purse and offered it to her.
Higgins: You dropped this, Ma'am.
Rosa: Thanks. (takes the purse)
Higgins: You alright?
Rosa: I'm fine, really. I was only pushed, nothing serious.
Mike: Who are you talking to Higgins?
Behind Higgins was a group of five boys, dressed in dirty, torn clothes. The first one to speak was Mike who liked to be mischievous, Clark who likes to play pranks, Harry was the friendliest, Daniel wore glasses and he was a bit of a nerd, and Billy was short and chubby and he likes to eat.
Rosa: Oh my! That's a lot of you!
Higgins: We're the Baker Street Irregulars! We work for Basil of Baker Street!
Rosa: (chuckles) Oh, really? All of you?
Daniel: You sound doubtful.
Rosa: Well, your all dirty and-
Clark: Don't judge a person by its cover, Miss. Mr. Basil calls on us for assistance when he needs us.
Rosa: Does he now? Speaking of which, I'm looking for Baker Street to see Mr. Basil. But I can't seem to find my way there?
Mike: I thought everybody knew where Baker Street was. This your first time in London, Miss?
Rosa: Well, I've only been here once as a child, and I never got to see the rest of the city when my parents and I left for the country.
Harry: We can take you to Baker Street if you like that.
Rosa: You know the way?
Billy: Aye! We've been there many times.
Higgins: Here I stand in Piccadilly Circus
Mike: Nelson stands in Trafalgar Square
Clark: Big Ben stands by the River Thames
Harry: And will as long as the Thames is there
Daniel: London is a strange unchanging town
BSI: And take my word whatever you heard, London Bridge has no intention of falling down
The Baker Street Irregulars beckon Rosa to follow them as they continue their song and show her the sights of London.
BSI: London is London
Is anyone in doubt about it
London is London
It's easy to find out about it
London in springtime, pop knees, champagne
London in summer
Billy: Lots of rain
BSI: But who's complaining
London is lovely
Rosa: Let no one change his mind about it
BSI: Lovely and lively
Rosa: Yes that's the thing I find about it
BSI: You can of Paris, and Venice, and Rome
But London is London is London is England is home
Civilians: London is London
Rosa: Forgive me if I shout about it
Civilians: Nowhere's like London
So why are you in doubt about it
London is history, future, and past
London is mystery
Forever gasting, everlasting
London's a charmer
Rosa: I could go on for days about it
Civilians: Dripping with drama
I'd just know ways about it
You can have Kiro, and Kemps, and Kareem
And anywhere else that you're happy to be
But London is London is London is England is free
Rosa: London is somehow the only place I want to be in
Civilians: London does somehow make every mouse and human being
Being in London one has to take key
Cause villains about are about to succeed
But London is London is London is oldest by me
Harry: Well, what do you think of London, Miss?
Rosa: It's fascinating.
Daniel: You ain't seen anything yet. We're almost at Baker Street.
Rosa: Oh, good.
Higgins: You take the left turn and then you turn right, and then you find Baker Street.
Rosa: All right. Thank you again, boys.
Higgins: No problem, Miss uh…Ma'am, we didn't get your name!
Rosa: It's Rosa! Rosa Spellcove!
He walked fast pace down the street, away from the waving Irregulars. They were unaware of a small black bat watching them from the drainpipe. His attention seemed to be on Rosa.
While Rosa turned left on a corner, she didn't realize that she was being watched by two, large, yellow eyes. As Rosa looked both ways to cross the street, a large shadow fell over her. Rosa turned around and screamed when she saw a big, fat, orange cat standing over her. The cat raised a paw to pounce on her.
Rosa quickly leapt out of the way when the cat's paw came down at her, its claws tearing into her dress. Rosa ran across the street to get away from the cat. Before the cat could follow her, a motor vehicle drove by, sending the cat to scurry back to its hiding spot. The motorcar splashed into a puddle and onto Rosa, wetting her from head to toe. But she didn't care about being wet, she was still in hurry to get across the street and avoid getting stepped on by a horse pulling a coach.
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At 221 B Baker Street, Mrs. Judson was dusting the furniture when there was a knock at the door. She put down her duster, went to the front door, and opened it. Rosa fell through the door and landed on the floor.
Mrs. Judson: Oh my goodness! You poor dear!
She carried her upstairs, took her to the guest room and laid her down on the bed.
Mrs. Judson: Oh, look at your dress, and your soaking wet. What troubles have you been through, dear?
Rosa regained consciousness and opened her eyes to find Mrs. Judson looking down on her, concerned, but relieved to see she was ok.
Rosa: Where am I?
Mrs. Judson: You're in 221 B Baker Street, Miss. You fainted when I let you in.
Rosa: Baker Street? I'm in Baker Street?
Mrs. Judson: Yes.
Rosa: Oh, perfect! I was just coming here to see Mr. Basil. I sent him a letter telling him I was coming.
Mrs. Judson: Well, I'm afraid he's not here at the moment, but while you wait I'll make you some nice, hot tea, and some of my cheese crumpets.
Rosa: Of course. Thank you, Ma'am.
The second Mrs. Judson left to go back into the kitchen, Rosa got up from the bed and left the room. She went downstairs and looked around the parlor. She could see a chemistry set on the table, a violin that rested by the red chair, and a newspaper that read QUEEN HONORS DETECTIVE stood on the mantle above the fire. Beside the newspaper was a little gold bell, which Rosa picked up and held it gingerly. Suddenly, she heard a voice from outside.
Basil: We'll let you know if we find anything about the prison break, Lawless.
Rosa nearly dropped the little bell in the fire, and she raced back upstairs. Basil and Dawson entered the room.
Dawson: Who do you suppose our client is, Basil?
Basil: It's a mystery to me, Dawson. When someone writes to another, they write a name. It appears our client wishes to be unknown until she calls.
While they talked, Rosa peeked out from the corner to get a glimpse of the two gentlemen. Her eyes were mostly on Basil.
Rosa: It's him. (her face turns pink) He…he's…handsome. (shakes her head) Grr, what am I saying?
The two men didn't see Rosa as she watched them. Mrs. Judson came out of the kitchen when she heard the men come in. Rosa quickly retreated upstairs.
Mrs. Judson: Good to see you two came back.
Dawson: And I believe I can smell tea from the kitchen. I could use a cup myself.
Mrs. Judson: Actually, it's for the young lady upstairs.
Basil: A young lady?
Dawson: Who is she?
Mrs. Judson: She didn't say her name, but she's a very lovely girl, I'd say. But she was soaking wet when she came here, and her dress was torn with large holes. She must've been through a rough time.
Dawson: Good gracious. The poor girl.
Basil: Well, shall we go and meet our mystery client?
In the guest room, Rosa could hear footsteps coming. She realized she was holding the little gold bell she had taken earlier and she hid it under the bed, just as Basil and Dawson entered the room.