221B Drabbles

by tsukinoblossom

My attempt at writing short stories in the 221-B format 221 words, last word starting with B . I'm really enjoying writing and I think these will encourage me to to do it more often and present an interesting challenge. Note: These stories are not sequential, or even necessarily in the same universe. Unless otherwise specified, each drabble is a unique, complete entity.

72. Batty

"Oh, Mrs. Turner, thanks so much for having me over." Mrs. Hudson settled herself onto her neighbour's chesterfield, picking absently at one of the hideous crocheted antimacassars draped over the back. "I just had to get out of there. The boys upstairs have been going at it for hours."

Mrs. Turner coughed. "I didn't think yours were... well, you know. The nice doctor one keeps insisting they're just friends, colleagues, whatever."

Blushing, poor Mrs. Hudson put her teacup down with a rattle. "Oh no, no, not like that. They've been arguing about something. Started out as bickering and it's turned into an all-out shouting match. Something to do with kidneys, I think. Best if I just don't ask."

The other landlady nodded. It was nice to have someone to commiserate with when it came to difficult tenants. "Mine have been arguing a fair bit too lately. Just little domestic issues though. Can't imagine either of them have anything to do with kidneys. Eugh." She shuddered delicately, but Mrs. Hudson just chuckled and studied her teacup.

"I don't mind the experiments. They're good boys, usually. Honestly though, I do wish they'd just get on with it and put their efforts into doing something more productive with each other. They're so oblivious. All that unresolved tension between them is driving me absolutely batty!"