A/N: Hello...sorry for the delay in updating. I'm currently working on a film and it's getting in the way of writing! Also Natureocs and I have lots planned, which we get very excited about and means I have lots of catching up to do...so stay tuned!
Thank you for all the amazing reviews and alerts, they do make me so happy!
Check out Nautrerocs new story 'Didn't Want That' the sequel, and continuing adventures of Angie, to 'Didn't Expect That'.
Chapter 31 - Acceptance
James Moriarty was not in the best of moods. Hearing about, seeing or reading his, so-called, best friend flirt with his wife and slowly drive her crazy with his tormenting comments as he stalked Angie, Percy's best friend and near sister, was beyond irritating. His tormenting had been the catalyst for Percy ending up in a three-week coma. He had had enough. Percy was his, he didn't like to share and neither did she. He had heard plenty; he dragged Moran into his office, not missing the relieved look on both Percy and Angie's faces.
"That's my wife you're making rude comments to. Watch what you say Moran. Don't make me tell you again." Jim's voice low, serious.
"It's only in good fun, mate. I didn't mean anything by it." Replied Moran jovially, not picking up on his employers' irritation or ignoring it.
"I told you to stop. Don't test me Moran." Snapped Jim. Moran sobered up seeing Jim's expression.
"I'm only getting after Angie. You know I wouldn't be foolish enough to mess with your wife." Moran held his hands up feigning innocence.
"Well she says differently. I'm not in the mood for you and your obsessions."
"Who says differently?" Questioned Moran, hoping to plant a seed of doubt.
"Percy."
"Well, you know she likes to exaggerate." Said Moran. Again trying to sew the seed of doubt into her mind.
"Not to me." Replied Jim with confidence.
"I promise, Jim, I'm not remotely interested in Percy. I'm just teasing her a little; she's just taking it too seriously." Defended Moran. This would be harder then he thought.
"You were interested enough to sleep with her, more than once. Don't feign innocence, I know all about it." Spat Jim, the mask slipping into the criminal Moriarty.
"Alright, the first time, she hadn't even met you yet, and yes, I was interested, but that ended quickly, then she met you. You think I would have introduced her to you if I were still interested like that? And the last time, we were both drunk, and quite frankly, she was mad at you, and we were doing karaoke, and kind of got caught up in the moment. It didn't mean anything, especially since I'm working on getting Angie back." Replied Moran, an air of vulnerability in his voice.
"Yet you still can't get Angie back. Interesting. You forget Moran, Persephone isn't my wife for no reason, she is worse than I am when angered. Leave her alone. If Miss Watson wants you, she'll come to you. I'd hate to have to let you go." Threatened Jim, an eerie smile creeping on his face.
"I can't wait and let Angie make that decision, she's blinded by her infatuation with the detective. Even though he's gone now, she's still holding on. I'm just trying to help her out a little." Said Moran, this was much harder then he thought. Something had changed; Percy had got to him, changed his mind. He'd have to step up his game, put some pressure on her.
"I've told you to leave it. Why do feel the need to disobey me?" Barked Moriarty.
"Since when do you get involved with my personal matters?" Sniped Moran.
"Since they affect your work and irritate me." Bit Moriarty.
"It's not my problem if it irritates you, and how is it affecting my work?" Retorted Moran. Sounding braver than he felt. Moriarty had lost his humanity in that moment; he was a man who could make you vanish by blinking.
"You've made mistakes and taken out targets that we're not authorised." Was the stoic reply form Moriarty.
"If you must know, when you started getting distracted with Percy, I started taking on other jobs. What you call mistakes were jobs for other clients. I don't make mistakes." Bit back Moran, offended by the accusations.
"I expect 100% loyalty from my staff." Said Moriarty darkly, emphasising the word 'staff' making it sound derogatory.
"Think of it as taking a second job while work was a bit slow. You know I'm freelance. That implies that I don't just work for one man." Mocked Seb, but seeing another shade of malice fall over Moriarty, he realised he's gone too far.
"You work for me and only me. The other option is less pleasant." Said Moriarty slowly, his voice low and menacing.
"Whatever you say, boss. It won't happen again." Replied Moran apologetically.
"Good, now get out of my sight." Spat Moriarty. Tired of this constant childish battle Moran kept playing of late. He would keep fighting if it meant keeping Percy safe. Before he left, Moran turned and said.
"Just so you know, that still doesn't mean you have control over my private life. I am going to get Angie back."
"Leave or I'll kill you." Replied Moriarty.
"Alright, I'm leaving." Exclaimed Moran, leaving hastily.
Moriarty sat at his desk. He needed to calm down. There was something about Sebastian that had changed. He had always been useful and completed the jobs required, but just like when he and Percy had started to see each other, he got oddly possessive and rebellious. He simmered down when he realised that Percy was a permanent fixture in his life. Since the return of Angie, he'd reverted back, pushing his luck, ignoring orders. Percy had said something was wrong with him, he should have believed her before. He took a deep breath and rubbed his hands over his face. Slowly he began to calm down.
I stood behind the stove, Angie chopping various vegetables on the counter. I loved having her over, it felt so normal. Recently, with Sherlock pulling his disappearing act I wanted to keep her company as much as possible, although something was bothering me. The previous night I had seen some new pictures of Angie whilst she was at Cambridge, Seb had commented on a lot of them, he kept making references to a flat they shared. I decided it was easier to just ask her.
"Angie, did you and Sebastian live together?"
"Why do you ask that?" Asked Angie, a little confused at my random question.
"Just something I saw Moran posted on one of your photos." I replied.
"Does it really matter now?" Said Angie, harshly.
"No, I suppose it doesn't, but I thought you would've told me. I didn't even know you were dating anyone back then. Why did you keep it from me?" I asked, hurt she'd kept it from me.
"Because...it was after I found out about his 'work', and I knew that no one in my family would have approved, even if he wasn't a hitman, and I didn't want to be a bad example for you, especially because I knew you'd end up finding out what he did for a living. Plus, it was pretty much going against almost every moral I had ever set for myself. I'm sorry." Answered Angie, she sounded disappointed. She didn't look happy thinking about it. I felt bad for bringing it up.
"Its alright. I just feel like there is so much I missed." I admitted. I had missed her so much when she'd left for college and I was left in Wales on my own. Even skipping ahead at school didn't help that much.
"I did mention him a few times. That 'friend' whose house I was staying at that one winter holiday before I came home. And I think I mentioned him a few other times, indirectly." Said Angie, still sounding glum. She sounded almost tired of the memories, like they wouldn't leave her alone.
"Oh, right." Was my sparkling response.
"Well, I guess there's no harm in telling you now. You know how he lives up in North London, and when I moved here, he didn't want to come down all that way every day, so he kind of convinced me that he move in with me." Added Angie. I nodded in response, thinking of the word 'convinced'.
"He does that doesn't he?! Persuades you to do something and when you think back, you wonder why you did something." When we first met the times he 'convinced' me to get drunk, sleep with him, come on a job with him, the list went on.
"I have a lot of those thoughts." Said Angie, both of us had stopped our tasks, staring into space slightly.
"I just want him to vanish." I admitted. If he died, I wouldn't be sad. It was a horrid thing to say or think, but it was true.
"That'd be nice. That's why I don't want to be alone around him, I'm afraid he can still get that same hold on me." Revealed Angie. She sounded so scared. I turned the heat down and walked round to where Angie was standing and wrapped my arms round her.
"I'll be with you as much as I can." I consoled.
"Thanks. I don't want to give in, not again. I've got to stop giving in." Said Angie determinedly.
"We'll fight it." I said.
"I have a feeling that's gonna be hard." Angie was right, it would be hard but together we could do it.
"Then we fight harder." I said, giving her a smile.
We went back to our various tasks. Not only was I cooking dinner for us, but also I was making food for Mycroft. I loved my brother dearly, and he was a brilliant cook, he just rarely bothered. He had also mentioned that work was busy. Roughly once a month I made him a huge care package of food so he would eat properly at least once a day.
"You staying for dinner Ang?" I asked.
"Only if you want me to, Percy." Answered Angie, still sounding downhearted.
"Your always welcome sweetie." I replied with a smile. Angie didn't notice my smile fall as the kitchen door opened.
"Hey, I didn't expect to see you so soon. Something smells delicious. Is this your work of art, or Percy's?" Greeted Moran, coming up behind Angie and wrapping his hand round her waist.
"Keep your hands off of me, especially when I have boiling water in my reach." Snapped Angie, pulling away from Seb.
"Get out Seb. Don't touch Angie." I bit out. His presence made my skin crawl.
"Alright, hold your tempers. I know how women get when they're cooking. I just wanted to say hello to my two favorite girls." I had to resist throwing a knife at him. Sexist pig.
"What is wrong with you?" I asked with disdain.
"Can't I say hello to the woman I love? And you, Percy." Countered Moran.
"Just go away, Seb." Said Angie, sounding tired.
"You're so deluded. Angie can you pass me that knife?" I replied, changing my mind about the knife.
"I don't know if it's for chopping or for him, but here you go." Her sarcasm made me laugh. Seb did look a little apprehensive.
"Very funny, Angel. I missed your sarcasm." Cooed Seb, stepping closer to Angie again. Angie reached for the boiling water as she said.
"I was serious." Her tone acidic.
"I haven't decided. It would be a shame if you lost a hand wouldn't it Seb?" I asked almost gleefully. The thought of causing him intense physical pain was oddly appealing.
"There you go again. You two are on a roll today, aren't you?" Moran chuckled, but faltered when he saw my expression.
"Maybe you could lose and eye, or two?! No its deep-rooted hatred." I sniped.
"No really, we're serious." Agreed Angie.
"You always were a bit dark, Princess. I was thinking, Angel, maybe we could grab some lunch tomorrow?" Asked Seb. I was astonished at his bravado.
"Over your dead body. And that's not sarcasm." Ground out Angie.
"You always were so feisty." Flirted Moran.
"Dark, you have no idea Sebastian. I can arrange a dead body for you Angie." I said with a maniacal grin, but my voice cold as steel.
"Go right ahead, Percy." Agreed Angie. Moran took a step back from us both as he realised Angie wouldn't stop me and that she may even join in.
"Don't be ridiculous, Angel. You abhor violence." Said Moran with hope.
"So why would I get back together with you then? You're the personification of violence." She replied coolly. Touché Angie, I thought.
"Some things just can't be helped." He replied. The door opened again to reveal Jim. His shoulders were tense, but he was calm. That disappeared the second his eyes landed on Sebastian.
"How's dinner going lo...Moran what are you doing here? I told you to leave." Said Jim, his anger rising.
"What?" I exclaimed, to my knowledge, Seb had never directly disobeyed Jim.
"And apparently, you still have no self control whatsoever." Said Angie scathingly.
"I was just saying hello on my way out." Defended Moran. Sounding a bit nervous.
"Oh, so all three of us have told you to leave, yet you're still here...why?" Demanded Angie.
"My instructions were to leave, not stop and have a chat." Ground out Jim, Seb blinked and turned around.
"I was just on my way out. I don't suppose you'd want to see me off, Angel?" Back peddled Seb, leaving, but still having the audacity to ask Angie to go with him. He really was an idiot, but sadly a dangerous idiot.
"No, I don't." Shouted Angie, her restraint snapping.
"Your loss. I'll see you later." Replied Moran cheekily.
"Please don't." Muttered Angie.
"Walk out whilst you still have legs." Snarled Jim, escorting Seb to the front door. I heard it slam shut. Jim re-entered the kitchen. He came over to me and wrapped his arms round my waist. He sighed.
"I'm getting a bit tired of him." He said to me quietly, I nodded. I turned to Angie.
"Calm down love, he's just pushing the boundaries, it won't last long." I said, swiftly kissing him. I felt some of the stiff tension leave him.
"No it won't" He added, his voice still dark.
"I'm sorry Ang." I said to her, feeling awful.
"It's not your fault." She said automatically, not really with us in that moment.
"Anyway, what wonder are you creating? Asked Jim, nuzzling closer to me.
"You're mum's recipe for Irish Stew." I want to make his favourite. He smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Sounds good." He let me go and went to sit at the counter.
"Are you both alright?" He asked.
"Yeah." I replied, nodding.
"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine." Angie replied quietly.
"Dinner's just about ready, lets eat and relax. Come on Ang, it's gonna be fine." I said handing her a plate.
"Thanks." She replied, still looking distant. We all started to eat, none of us in the mood to talk. I noticed Angie ate a little, but mostly just pushed food around. When we finished I made Angie a cup of tea and Jim helped me clear up. I but the remainder of Angie's dinner into a bowl and into the fridge for if she got hungry later.
"Do you want to stay here tonight?" I asked Angie.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Thanks." She looked at me with relief.
"Angie stay in our room with Percy. I'll stay down here." Offered Jim. I smiled at him. He was such a wonderful man.
"You don't have to do that." Objected Angie.
"Just go with it." He pushed.
"Thank you Jim." I said walking over to him. I wrapped my arms round his neck and kissed him. As I pulled away I gave him a cheeky grin that received the curious eyebrow raise.
"Jim are you washing up? I have a sleepover to sort out?" I asked cheekily.
"Go I'll clear up. Have fun."
We grabbed Angie's supply of spare clothes from her usual room and headed up to my room. We both changed into our pyjamas and got into bed. We'd been silent for a while, when Angie asked.
"Percy, can you go with me to the airport tomorrow? My cousin's coming in."
"Of course Ang, oh I get to meet your cousin!"
"Yeah, he's the one who's a publicity agent. For you know what." She smiled at the mention of our secret project.
"Brilliant! This should be fun. How long is he staying?" I replied enthusiastically.
"I have no idea. He has the maturity of a 12-year-old, so he doesn't make plans. Although, I think he's looking to transfer over to London, so he might be staying a while." I nodded.
"Okay, what time do we need to leave to pick him up?" I asked, looking at the time, it was already eleven.
"Um, his plane is coming in at noon, so with traffic and stuff, 11? 10:30?"
"Perfect." I paused and looked at Angie, she was so withdrawn.
"Are you sure you're alright, since Seb left you've been really quiet?" I asked.
"I'm fine." Mumbled Angie, turning over.
"Come on Ang, its me you're talking to. You're not fine, I asked to be polite." I could've deduced it out of her, but that was unfair. I asked because I wanted to help her.
"I'm, uh...just trying to suppress some old feelings." She divulged.
"Do you still like Seb? Or is it, first love feelings that never quite go away but you can move on from?!" I asked.
"I don't know. I think it's stronger than that. But I know it's wrong, which is why I'm having a problem. Then I keep thinking about Sherlock...but I'm still mad at him, but...it's just all a mess." She admitted, sounding frustrated and close to tears.
"Okay, imagine this, if Seb got down on one knee and proposed tomorrow, what would be your answer? Just tell me the first word that pops into your head." I was hoping a direct approach might help, but I was wrong.
"Oh, I don't know. God, I hope he doesn't! I would know what to do! I mean, cause there's the matter of Sherlock, and then the whole part about Moran tormenting you, and killing your parents, and he and John hate each other, not to mention the overwhelming fact that he's a professional murderer!" I understood her fears and frustrations. I caught her eye and saw the tears falling.
"Angie, breathe, calm down. It was hypothetical. I understand your fears, take all the scary stuff away, ignore Sherlock for a minute and take the sad stuff away and just leave the man. How do you feel about the man?" I asked. It was the man underneath the scary exterior and title that you had to find.
"I...I don't know. I still feel like it's wrong to say that I...that I love him. And I'm thinking of him as he was ten years ago. I don't know how much he's changed since then, or if he was fooling me the entire time. And then, no matter how hard I try; my thoughts keep going back to Sher...I'm sorry. That's all I've been doing around you lately, is cry." He tears fell harder and faster. I again wrapped my arms round Angie and let her cry gently rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"It's alright, I shouldn't have pushed the issue, and I just want to help you. Cry as much as you need, that's what I'm here for."
"I know it's not your fault. Sorry. And thanks, for everything." She sniffed. I smiled at her.
"Always, what are best friends for? Laughing at stupid jokes, watching Dr. Who and griping about how annoying boys are." I said. Angie gave me small laugh. We sat and chatted until we both fell asleep at some early hour.
The next morning, both Angie and I got up and got ready to pick up her cousin from the airport. I left Angie in the bathroom and went in search of my husband. I went downstairs and first put the kettle on for tea. I then walked into Jim's office; there were bits of paper everywhere. He'd obviously been up most of the night working. For a second my heart gripped in fear that he'd leave for months again. I looked into the living room to find Jim sprawled on the sofa, fast asleep. He looked exhausted; he can't have been asleep that long. As I turned to leave, he woke up.
"What time is it?" He asked blearily.
"It's quarter to nine." I answered.
"Okay." He sat up and rubbed his face. I walked over and sat next to him.
"We're you up all night?" I asked.
"Most of it. Difficult project to sort out." He finished with a yawn.
"Come on, have some breakfast and then you can go back to bed. " I said firmly.
"I need to get more done."
"Love, breakfast then sleep. Wife's orders."
"Alright. Where are you off to?"
"I'm going with Angie to pick up her cousin from the airport." He nodded and followed me into the kitchen.
"Morning." Greeted Angie. She was slowly getting used to being around Jim. Although this morning, he was slumped over the breakfast bar, half asleep."
"Morning." I greeted.
"Is he okay?" Mouthed Angie at me, I nodded with a smirk.
We sat in silence, as we are our breakfast. Jim was falling asleep where he sat. I told Angie I'd be ready to go in once I'd put Jim to bed. He woke up enough to walk upstairs and collapsed onto our bed, asleep as his head hit the pillow. I grabbed a blanket and pulled it over him. I kissed his forehead and grabbed my shoes as I went downstairs. We grabbed our coats and bags and left to hail a taxi.
We reached the airport in good time. Before Angie could grab her purse, I paid the cabbie. I knew money would start getting tight now Sherlock had gone, she hadn't taken on any cases recently either. We walked into the arrivals lounge and waited for her cousin. After a short wait a man a little taller than me cam towards us, he had bright ginger hair and a warm expression.
"Hey Blondie, long time no see." Greeted, who I could only assume was Angie's cousin.
"Hey, Red." Returned Angie with a big smile.
"Wait a minute, you're not blonde anymore! I can't call you that!"
"You could just call me by my name." Taunted Angie.
"Well, where's the fun in that?" Smirked the man. He gaze shifted and he looked at me appreciatively. I resisted rolling my eyes, I chose to smile instead.
"Hi, I'm Percy. Nice to meet you." I said holding my hand out to shake his. He took it and said:
"Hello, nice to meet such a radiant beauty."
"Alright, slow it down. She's married." Rescued Angie. He didn't seem to notice.
"Nice to meet a charmer, but I am married, and he gets a bit jealous." I said. Jim was a bit possessive at times.
"Oh? Oh, right, yeah I didn't see the...ring. Sorry, um...I apologise. Um, nice to meet you."
"Don't worry about it. Nice to met you too Red...or do you have another name?" I asked playfully. I wasn't offended.
"I think I do. Oh, right, Russ Macready."
"Nice to meet you Russ." With the tension broken, Angie brought us back on to topic as we hailed a taxi.
"Ever the comedian. Am I stuck with you or are you getting a hotel?" She asked.
"Well, I thought we could do some cousin bonding! We haven't seen each other in years!" Said Russ, a hopeful tone in his voice.
"I suppose I can put up with you." Smirked Angie. I liked Russ; he was bringing the playful carefree Angie back to the fore. I'd missed her. We had had so much drama and worry that we got stuck as grown ups and lost in the fear. It was refreshing to be around normality and family.
"Angie tells me you're in publicity?" I asked.
"Yes, I am. I love publicity, famous people, rubbing elbows with them. Not that I do it that much." He said.
"We might be needing your services soon." Said Angie. We shared a knowing look.
"Yes we might. Well I might know a few contacts for you to make." I offered, I did know all sorts of people, I could keep Russ away from the less savoury characters.
"Oh, really? I'm intrigued. Are these 'contacts' like 'your people get with my people' kind of thing? Cause I don't really have 'people' either."
"If you're done complaining about your lack of a social life..." Added Angie. Probably thinking about her own life.
"Very funny, Ang." Laughed Russ, obviously he could read Angie's sarcasm, unlike every other male we knew.
"A couple, they are just people who work with agents, but most of them will happily meet you for lunch." I said with a smile, Russ smiled back; he looked eager to get started. I then had a thought.
"Don't worry Ang, I won't corrupt your cousin." I caught her eye, so she knew I meant I wouldn't get him mixed up in something dangerous, she gave smile telling me she understood.
"Oh, I know, he's already corrupted." She smirked.
"Again, very funny. Sounds great, I love lunch. Although, Ang, what a boring stick in the mud like you could need publicity for, I can't figure out." Joked Russ, but he looked curious as well. I could tell he was intelligent. This would be fun.
"Angie isn't boring." I exclaimed. Angie was brilliant.
"My life happens to be very interesting, thank you very much. Percy and I are writing are a book together." Defended Angie. We did lead very exciting lives, sometimes too exciting.
"We're also writing it under pseudonyms, so if you could actually manage to keep this secret..."
"It's really important we keep this secret." I agreed. The repercussions of this book could be devastating. I abused Russ's attraction to me; I looked him straight in the eyes and placed my hand on his knee. His eyes glazed over for a second.
"My lips are sealed. I actually consider business secrets to be important. It's sill girl's secrets like yours that I don't bother keeping." He replied honestly and turned to tease Angie again. I removed my hand; secure in the knowledge our secret was safe.
"Oh, whatever." Poured Angie. I laughed at her expression, which made us all laugh. As we calmed Russ added.
"Seriously, though, your secret is safe with me. I take my job very seriously."
"Thanks." Added Angie, before she continued. "It's also nice to see that you've actually matured past 12 mentally."
"Perfect." I smirked.
"Only on the job. Off duty, I'm still the same."
"Oh goody." Moaned Angie.
"Growing up is overrated, you know that Ang." I said. I firmly believe growing us is boring and for the uninspired.
"Yes, I know. 'Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.'" She recited with an eye rolls me smile. I had said this many times over.
"Percy is absolutely right! You should see my Facebook cover. It's epic." Exclaimed Russ.
"I'll check it out." I replied before adding. "Exactly. Mentally, I'm about five." I chimed in it was true. I'm still surprised I am married and have friends.
"Awesome age to be at! I miss kindergarten. You know, you never miss nap time until it's gone." Reminisced Russ.
"Such a philosopher, too."
"I don't remember nap time, but I did love making sand sculptures." I said wistfully, I missed playing in sand pits.
"I liked story-time." Added Angie.
"Nerd!" Coughed Russ as conspicuously as possible.
"Hey! Nerds are cool!" Defended Angie.
"We are very cool! Geek and proud!" I agreed.
"Alright, alright! I know how obsessed, I mean passionate nerds can get." Said Russ playfully, holding his hands up in defeat. Both Angie and I gave him mock glares, but dissolved into to laughter again.
We fell into a comfortable silence, but still had a way to go before we got through the central London traffic back to Baker Street.
"So Russ, how long are thinking of staying in London?" I asked, hoping it was for a while. Angie could use the company and he was fun to be around.
"Uh, how long? I have no idea." He said sheepishly.
"In other words, he just got a one way ticket and didn't really plan." Said Angie with mock disapproval. I could tell she was happy to see Russ.
"Hey, 12 years old mentally, remember?" smirked Russ.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Laughed Angie.
"Even better, we'll help you get settled in London. I know a guy who knows a guy."
"You know a lot of guys, don't you? Know any girls?" Asked Russ, this made me laugh.
"A few, but one of them is your cousin, three are married, one's engaged and one isn't into guys. Sadly the rest are guys. My brother works in government and my husband is business, I meet all sorts." I said honestly it was true. He couldn't date Angie. Emma was married with a baby and Issy was engaged. Alex and Isabel were married. Lee was happy with her girlfriend.
"Alright, Romeo." Said Angie, grinning at Russ's antics.
"Thanks, though. You don't have to do that."
"It's no trouble, honestly." I replied with a smile.
"So what sort of business is your husband in?" I hid my panic, and Russ didn't notice the look Angie and I shared. I lied on the spot, I'd have to tell Jim I case he met Russ.
"Nothing exciting, it sends him abroad a lot though, not really sure what he does, I think it has something to do with banking."
"Oh, boring. So, Ang, is there another man in your life yet?" I was relieved when Russ dropped he subject and started probing Angie about her love life.
"Not currently. Just John."
"John is a good man though, even if he's your brother." I said gently.
"How is John, by the way?" Asked Russ.
"He's okay, managing. He's been through a lot this past year. We both have." Said Angie somberly.
"Oh, yeah, I read about you two and that detective guy with the funny hat and the weird name..." Russ didn't mean it the way his words came out, I cold see Angie's shoulders stiffen. "Sherlock. His name was Sherlock." Said Angie sadly.
"He was a good man, I found out he was the younger of my two older brothers." I added. Russ nodded, realising the atmosphere had changed so drastically.
"Right, yeah. Sorry about what happened." Apologised Russ awkwardly.
"I'm fine." Dismissed Angie.
"The book, it's partially in honour of him." I wanted to dedicate the book to both Sherlock and Jim; they were at the centre of so much that had happened in our lives.
"Oh, really? That's nice." Said Russ quietly.
"Yeah." Managed Angie quietly.
"We're here." I said. The taxi stopped, I paid the fare and let Angie and Russ get settled.
"Nice to have met you Russ, I'm sure I'll see you soon. See you soon Ang. Come over anytime." I said.
"Bye." They said together.
I walked home texting Jim to let him know I was on my way back. I wondered if he'd be awake?