Chapter 8: Talk To Me
Nancy's mind had wondered during her talk with Alice, she wondered what they would talk about, where they would start and if he would mention saving her life eight years ago. And now here they were sitting across from each other his intense gaze focused strongly on her face, it intimidated her slightly he seemed so stern and serious compared to earlier, but his tone was still soft and velvety as ever,
' I knew who you were the second I saw you at that fight' she met his eyes at those words, they had softened,
' I admit I was slightly shocked to see you again hence my behaviour that night, did you know who I was that night?'
'No to be honest I didn't realise until last night'
'How did you know, you never saw my face you were unconscious?' Nancy fidgeted in her chair slightly embarrassed at having to admit how she had known it was him,
' If I'm honest I remember how you smelt all those years ago, you smell exactly the same as you did then, and I know it's strange but I just knew it was you'
' It's not that strange, so miss Jones what brought you back to London?'
' I thought you asked me here to talk about last night?'
' Oh we don't need to talk about that I know all about last night, you were going for dinner with your friend, the servant let you upstairs, you discover the body, the killer sees you, I assume you escaped out of the window because the servants would have seen you go out of the door, you ran, he chased you removed your shoes, a very clever move by the way, the chase continued until you made it back to Baker Street and into my arms' Nancy stared at him, her mouth parted in shock, she hadn't told Lestrade about climbing out of the window or the dinner plans she'd had with Lenore, she had only vaguely told the story, how did he know those details,
' Did I miss anything Miss Jones?' Nancy shook her head,
' Now Miss Jones tell me about you, your life after you left London and why you came back'
' Well there's not much to tell I went to live with my aunt Maggie and uncle Harry in the countryside and my uncles friend Hugo Styck came to live with us not long after, my uncle educated me at home, I came back to London to visit my friend Lenore, she was excited because William, the man you were fighting, was going to propose to her and she wanted me to meet him'
' Interesting now tell me why you really came back to London?' Nancy looked at him; it was as though he could hear everything she didn't want to say out loud,
' What do you mean, I came to visit my friend'
' No that was a small part of why you came, what was the main reason you came, the reason you've been trying to ignore for years but couldn't stand any longer' Nancy's temper was getting the best of her,
' I don't know what you mean Mr Holmes'
' Yes you do, you're a smart woman Nancy, why wont you talk about it?' Nancy felt something inside of her snap,
'Why are you pushing me to talk about it? What do you want from me? Do you want me to relive the whole horrific experience for your pleasure?' Nancy walked angrily across the room, flinging the door open and slamming it behind her, Holmes hadn't moved an inch during her outburst, he had sat quite still and calm while she unleashed her anger on him.
Nancy walked out onto the street and took a deep breath; she felt at a loss, she didn't want to go back to Mrs Hudson's yet and face another enquiry from Lestrade, she walked slowly down the street, she was still angry as she bumped into a man and was almost knocked off her feet, the man caught her by the hand,
' I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going' Nancy exclaimed slightly flustered,
' You really should be more careful Miss Jones, you could hurt yourself' Nancy looked up Holmes stood before her his hands still held her arms to steady her, he suddenly became aware he was still holding her and slowly let go,
' I apologise for upsetting you Miss Jones, it wasn't my intention I assure you'
' No I'm sorry, I just find it very difficult to talk about and after what happened last night…' she trailed off as her voice began to quiver, every emotion she had pushed down last night and the anger she had felt moments ago were boiling to the surface and she could feel the tears pricking at her eyes, she turned her face away from Holmes, she had no desire to cry in front of him;
' You're scared it's going to happen again' Holmes finished her sentence for her, she nodded her head gently afraid if she nodded to hard the tears would overflow, Holmes placed his fingers gently under her chin and raised her face to his,
' You have every right to be scared Nancy, but I promise no one will hurt you' she felt all her anger and fear slip away with those few words,
' Now shall we take a walk?' he offered his arm to her, smiling at her, she linked her arm through his and couldn't help the small shiver that took her over when he placed his hand on top of her hand that was resting on his arm.