From SheWhoScrawls: December 12: The Loch Ness Monster

Scotland in December is bleak and incredibly cold. Despite the shelter that Holmes and I had assembled with old branches and lined first with heather and the many rugs that we had brought and also in spite of our overcoats and heavy cloaks, we shivered as we kept our watch of the loch before us and huddled together for warmth.

"This is ridiculous," I grumbled to my companion. "How could the Loch Ness Monster possibly exist? This is nothing but a wild goose chase old fellow."

My friend sniffed. "You realise of course that the 'monster' could simply be a relic left from the time of the dinosaurs?"

"Well, it is not going to exist for long on its own is it?" I snorted. "Admit it Holmes. This is nothing but an elaborate hoax!"

The fellow merely shrugged and drew the rugs about us closer. "Never dismiss a thing until it is disproved old chap."

"If you are happy to remain here I shall stay with you."

He smiled and touched my wrist. "Thank you Watson. Your support and company is appreciated."

I shivered anew. "Your hands are cold! Have we any more brandy? I think that you need some."

"We should try to make it last," he responded as he pressed himself closer to me.

I had to agree; it would not do to run out of our warming drink when our vigil had barely begun.

A snowstorm arrived as night fell. As the snow covered our shelter in its heavy blanket, the temperature within gradually became the more comfortable.

"Mm," Holmes mumbled as he rested his head upon my shoulder. "Not so cold now."

I smiled. "Are you tired old fellow?"

"Work never makes me tired," he declared sleepily. This is indeed true, but we had barely moved since we took to that shelter and I know that idling does wear the fellow out.

As I listened, my companion's breathing became regular as he fell into slumber. With a hum of contentment he settled himself more comfortably and mumbled something that sounded as if he was bidding me a good night.

"Sleep well Holmes," I barely breathed in reply as I drew our rugs closer. I did not wish for my friend to become too cold while he slept.

I awoke with a start to find daylight streaming in through the gap in the branches that served as a door and that Holmes had left me alone, wrapped in the rugs.

With some alarm I shrugged off the rugs and left the lean-to in search of my companion. I found him down on his face in the snow, quite heedless of the chill in the air. He sat up on his knees when I approached and gestured at the snow before him with his magnifying lens.

"It must have passed our camp during the night," he grumbled when I joined him. "Why the deuce did you permit me to fall asleep?"

I shrugged and sniffed. "You were tired."

"I distinctly remember informing you that I was not."

"Yes indeed; moments before you succumbed to slumber."

"Hum," he gave me a small, rueful smile. "Perhaps you did only have my best interests at heart..." my friend then thrust his glass back inside his pocket with a groan. "But we slept through a perfect opportunity...!"

I touched his arm gently. "Some mysteries are simply best left unanswered perhaps. At least you found some traces, even if you did not catch sight of the beast itself."

Despite my best efforts to comfort my companion, however, he remained despondent and annoyed until the next interesting case presented itself. It truly was a relief when it did.