On a rather grey morning mid-September, Basil was suddenly awakened by a loud noise. The detective jumped up with a startle and immediately went into a defensive position as though he was being attacked, before he realised the noise was the telephone ringing. Normally, he would've been annoyed at having had a rude wake-up call so early, even though he not a late-riser, but he had a gut instinct that it was important, from Olivia or Roger or Dawson, so he grabbed the telephone without hesitation. ''Hello, Basil of Baker Street speaking. Oh, Mrs Judson! Wasn't expecting you to call. No, don't apologise for waking me up so early.'' He became serious. ''Has something happened?''
Basil listened intently for his housekeeper had to say. When she was finished talking, Basil was overcome with numbness. ''Thank you for letting me know. Yes, we'll be there. Have you told Roger and Beatrice? Goodbye, Mrs Judson, we will see you then.''
His heart pounding, Basil put the phone down but stopped himself from having a breakdown. The detective got dressed in his usual attire and decided he wanted to go and see Olivia. He didn't want to wake her so early but she wouldn't mind. Plus, with the news he had just been given, Basil didn't want to be alone. He had spent enough years doing that.
Basil carefully opened and closed the door as quietly as he could so as not to disturb the staff, locking it. He trekked his way to the students' quarters, staring around at the empty, misty grounds as he did so. The atmosphere was so eerie and spooky, like a ghost town. It wasn't surprising given it was so early, and it was Sunday so everyone would want to have a lie in. Once he reached Olivia's door, Basil softly knocked on it so he wouldn't wake any other students. ''Olivia!'' he whispered. ''It's me.''
A few seconds later, his fiancée opened the door. She was wearing her white night gown with her tartan shawl draped around her. She looked tired but happy to see him. Saying nothing she let Basil in and closed the door. ''I'm sorry for waking you, darling.''
''You didn't. I was already awake. I couldn't sleep for some reason, so I made myself some tea.'' She pointed to the hot drink at her bedside table. ''Want some coffee?''
Basil said yes and Olivia brewed him some. ''I think I need it,'' Basil said in a faint voice, as they sat down on Olivia's bed.
''What's happened, William?'' Olivia asked.
Basil smiled weakly. She knew him too well. He tensed up, tightening the cup in his hands as though it was something delicate. ''Mrs Judson just called me. Inspector Newton and Caesar flew to Suffolk the other week and retrieved Violet's body, with Ruby's taking her place.'' He took a sip of coffee. ''Inspector Newton told Mrs Judson yesterday evening; he wanted to make sure Violet's body was safe and preserved before letting us know.'' He smiled slightly and drunk some more coffee. ''I appreciate that. The funeral will be held next week.''
''That was fast.''
''Indeed, but I'm not complaining, the sooner it's held the sooner we can say a proper goodbye to our beloved aunt.''
Basil placed his cup of coffee on the bedside table and started sobbing. Olivia placed her cup next to his and held her fiancé. After finishing their drinks, Olivia wrapped her shawl around Basil and put him to bed, as if he was a child, and cuddled close to him. Basil returned the gesture and held her tight in his arms. ''I don't want to be alone,'' he whispered.
''You won't be. You'll always have me, William,'' Olivia whispered back. ''I'll be there with you.''
Basil kissed her forehead, and the crying soon drifted him off to sleep.
A few hours later, they informed Miss Callahan of the situation and the headmistress immediately gave them her permission to go back home for a few days the following week. Despite everything they had said, Basil was feeling bad about Olivia having to miss a few days of classes, but Miss Callahan assured him they would sort it out. ''She's a smart girl, she'll catch up on what she missed in no time,'' she said confidently, and Basil agreed.
Before they knew it, Basil and Olivia were back at 221½ Baker Street. Basil got out Violet's old framed picture from his drawer and placed it on the mantle, surrounded by orchid petals. ''They were her favourite flowers,'' Mrs Judson explained to Olivia. ''Her mother's, too, apparently.''
The day before the funeral, Roger, Amanda, Duncan, Lucy and Beatrice all returned from Wales and were staying with Belle.
''As tough as she is, Grandma doesn't do well with a lot of travel,'' Amanda said, explaining Josephine's absence.
''I didn't want Duncan and Lucy to miss school, but they wanted to come and say goodbye to the great-aunt they never met,'' said Roger.
''I still can't believe it's finally happening,'' Beatrice said, getting teary-eyed, and the three siblings hugged. ''After Ratigan took her that night I never thought we'd get to say goodbye to Aunt Violet. Now we can give her the send-off she deserves.''
The next morning, which was sunny (as Violet would've have liked), Basil stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his black tie that matched his jacket and trousers, along with a white shirt. He looked as though he was going to be sick. Olivia stood next to him, wearing a black dress. The detective squeezed her hand. Mrs Judson, Hiram, Dawson and Pauline were also dressed in black. After having breakfast, which father and daughter insisted on making, Basil looked in the mirror at least half a dozen times.
''I just to look my best for her,'' he said.
''And you do,'' said Olivia, rubbing his back.
There was a knock at the door. Dawson answered it and there stood Roger and his family. ''Hello, Dawson,'' Roger said, and the doctor could tell he was trying to be strong.
''Come in, Roger,'' Dawson replied, and the Basil family stepped into the parlour. Once more, the three siblings hugged, but didn't weep. Olivia joined in as well.
''I'm not going to cry anymore,'' Basil said determinedly, wiping away his last tear. ''Violet wouldn't want that.''
''Daddy said Violet liked orchid flowers so we brought some,'' Lucy said, as she and Duncan held a single flower in their hands.
''Even though we never met her, I'll still miss her,'' Duncan added.
Roger and Amanda hugged their children.
''Shall we get going?'' Beatrice asked, and everyone nodded.
''The church isn't far,'' Basil said, after taking a deep breath.
Without another word, the group left Baker Street and headed off to the church, which wasn't far. The sky suddenly got greyer, reflecting the gloominess of the occasion, though the sun was trying to break out again. This wasn't the first time Basil wondered if the weather adjusted itself according to his mood, as if he controlled it.
As Basil and his group reached the church, they stopped when they saw their friend Victor Richmond with his grandfather, Samuel, each holding a bouquet of orchid flowers. Both men were dressed in mourning suits, and as usual Samuel looked at Basil as though he wanted nothing more than to strangle him. ''This is surprise, Victor,'' Basil said.
Victor started to open his mouth when his grandfather, pointing his cane at the detective, interrupted: ''I am here to say goodbye to my Marianne's daughter, and you can't stop me, detective! I lost the chance to say goodbye to Ratigan, I am not going to make the same mistake with his sister.''
''You were right about him, William,'' Roger said, anger in every syllable. ''It makes me sick anyone would want to say goodbye to Ratigan.''
Victor and Samuel looked at him in surprise. ''Two Basils?'' Samuel asked incredulously. ''Now he's created a clone of himself. I always thought he had a screw loose.''
He then winced in pain. Basil, Olivia and Dawson all recognised the indication of this and glanced at one another.
''He's Basil's twin, Grandfather,'' Victor said, rolling his eyes, his voice betraying a hint of impatience.
''Don't get smart with me!''
''Amanda, take the children inside,'' Roger said, and his wife led Duncan and Lucy into the church with Pauline's help. Mrs Judson followed suit with her arm around Beatrice, in case Samuel brought up what Ratigan did to her. All four ladies glared daggers at Samuel. ''My name is Roger Basil,'' he added, and shook Victor's hand. ''Nice to finally meet you, Victor. My brother and Olivia have told me all about you. You are a fine man, but your grandfather …''
He glared at the old mouse. He wanted nothing more than to chew him out for speaking highly of the rat that had caused great harm their family and others rodents across Mousedom, but it wasn't the time or place, and he didn't want to make a scene at his aunt's send-off.
Victor understood. ''I know, it makes me sick me, too,'' he agreed in a whisper, looking at his grandfather in shame, before looking at Basil. ''If you don't want Grandfather here, I'll take him home, just say the word.''
''I will not –!'' Samuel started to say, wincing in pain again, before Basil held up his hand for silence.
The detective looked at Samuel in thought for a good minute, as though he was looking for something, keeping calm and collected, before taking a deep breath.
''As much as I want to, I also understand that Marianne was someone very dear to you, Samuel, and I know how I would feel if I was to lose someone precious to me.'' He wrapped one arm around Olivia, and Roger glanced at the church where his family were. ''So if you really want to say goodbye to her daughter, then you may – but if you so much as make a scene, we want you gone. Am I clear?''
Dawson placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
''Don't worry, I'll make sure Grandfather behaves – and if Marianne was here, she would be most upset if you ruined her daughter's funeral,'' Victor added, knowing how to keep Samuel in line.
''I hate it when you're right,'' Samuel growled, and slouched into the church like a moody child who didn't get his way, but everyone noticed he was rather unsteady on his feet. ''At least I'll soon be with her,'' he added.
''Victor,'' Dawson said slowly, ''I have never seen your grandfather walk like that before. I know he's very old, and I don't mean to be rude, but is he …?''
''Yes. We found out only last week. Apparently, he's been ill for quite some time now, but he's only just started showing signs of it.''
''How long does he have?'' Roger asked, feeling sorry for Victor despite everything.
''A few months, at least. Perhaps until early next year.''
''Just like Toby,'' Hiram said, putting a hand on Basil's shoulder.
''If I'm honest, none of us are really sorry about it,'' Victor admitted, a little uncomfortably. ''I don't doubt he's not either.''
''That doesn't surprise me,'' Olivia sighed. ''I know he's ill, but with all due respect, could you please keep him seated as far away from us as possible?''
Victor nodded.
''I'm proud of you, William,'' Hiram said, beaming, Basil smiled weakly.
Olivia and Hiram entered the church, and Basil, Dawson and Roger were about to enter as well when they heard something and turned around. Inspector Newton and some rodents who worked at the mortuary were carefully carrying a coffin towards the church. Basil felt his heart sink when he saw it. ''Hello, William,'' Newton said, as they gently placed down the coffin in front of them. ''Don't worry, we were careful with her.''
''Thank you very much, Inspector,'' Roger said, shaking his hand in gratitude. ''Because of you, we can say goodbye to her. We thought we'd never get the chance.''
''I'm glad you now have that chance.'' Newton suddenly sighed and looked at Basil. ''The only problem we have now is that Angus is begging us to take him to Suffolk to say goodbye to his mistress.''
''If that's what he wants, let him,'' Basil said, to everyone astonishment. ''Despite his allegiance he, too, has lost someone he loved.''
Newton nodded. ''That's true, William.''
''I say, Basil,'' said Dawson. ''Olivia really is continuing to have a positive effect on you. The Basil I first met would never have said such things about a criminal, or an impertinent fellow like Samuel.''
''I agree with Dawson,'' Roger said. ''Ever since we were young one of your biggest flaws was your lack of empathy for others, though I know you didn't mean to be insensitive, and even before that night you were always rather reclusive. Now look at you! You are now more understanding of other people's feelings, and it sounds as though you have become more sociable.''
''It appears so, Roger. Olivia's sweet innocence changed me, and ever since we reunited that has not waned.''
''I also believe you had an effect on my brother as well, Dawson,'' Roger added, ''becoming a companion and good friend to him.''
Dawson appreciated the sentiment.
''William, Roger, I assume you want to carry your aunt in?'' Newton asked.
The Basil twins nodded. Dawson also volunteered to help. They needed one more person. Basil went inside the church to ask Hiram. The second he stepped inside, it was as though he was having a flashback. The last time he had been in here was for his father's funeral. The room suddenly changed, and Basil saw his 20-year-old self sitting with Roger, Amanda, Mrs Judson and 10-year-old Beatrice, who the housekeeper was comforting, watching Thomas's coffin being carried in by his friends at Scotland Yard, as if it was only yesterday. The younger Basil looked as pale as chalk when he saw the coffin, and the detective remembered what his younger self had been thinking: it's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault …
''William?''
The scene ended and Basil found himself back in the present. Olivia, Hiram, Mrs Judson, Beatrice Amanda and the children were all looking at him in worry.
''William, what's the matter?'' Olivia asked in concern.
Basil swallowed. ''It's … nothing,'' he said, but Olivia and Mrs Judson gave him looks to indicate they didn't believe him. ''I'll tell you later,'' he whispered.
''Is Uncle William alright?'' Lucy asked.
''Do you need something to throw up in?'' Duncan asked.
That made Basil chuckle, and he ruffled his niece and nephew's heads. He looked around the room. Perhaps it was because it had been many years, but there weren't that many mice or rats, but there were a few whom he recognised from Violet's school days. ''We need a fourth person to carry Violet in,'' he announced in a low voice so Samuel wouldn't hear. ''Hiram, would you –?''
''Of course.''
Basil smiled in gratitude and the two went outside with the toy maker. In a few minutes, the doors reopened and Basil, Roger, Dawson and Hiram slowly walked in, carrying Violet's coffin, and the organ started playing. The four men walked slowly, carefully down the room. Newton followed behind them and took a seat near Olivia and the others. To Basil, none of this seemed real. He glanced out of the corner of his eye as they passed Victor and Samuel near the back, Samuel clearly wanting to give him a mouthful and Victor looking at his grandfather sternly. The detective felt the weight of Violet's coffin against his shoulder. It felt like a small boulder, but it felt good. He looked straight ahead once more and saw an image of an alive Violet, smiling in amusement at her own funeral, the sun shining through the glass windows behind her like a golden apple. Her long black hair was dancing in the air as she waved at them. He would give anything to see that again for real, and smiled slightly at the coffin.
On the other side of the coffin, Roger was having similar feelings to his twin. He, too, imagined Violet smiling and waving at them. Violet had been the best aunt he and his siblings could have asked for. Roger remembered sitting in Violet's lap as she and their mother made up stories. Her warm smile and reassuring voice always comforted them whenever any of them were down, especially after their mother died. She had moved back in to care for her family, comforting Thomas, picking them up from school, helping Mrs Judson make their meals and tucking them in at night. She had been like a ray of sunshine through a difficult period in their lives. Oh, how Roger wished she was her now, having a laugh about all of this. Of course, if she was her now we would even be having this funeral, he reminded himself.
Having reached the front, the four mice carefully laid the coffin down next o a picture of her, and took their seats. The priest stepped forward and began his speech, but Basil hardly heard it as he gazed at the coffin. His mind flashbacked once more to the day they buried his father, with the priest being replaced by the 20-year-old Basil and Roger, who were giving a eulogy about Thomas, that while he had been somewhat difficult and stern at times, he also had a big heart and cared for his family, and how his brother Ratigan's betrayal had really shaken him up, but was determined to capture him. They then had spoke about how Thomas had been very brave, capturing dangerous criminals, just like how his son William also wished to do, with Roger adding that he and their mother Emily would watching over them. Basil then watched his younger self sink to the floor in fresh tears, with Roger hugging his twin. His mouth moved but sound was heard. It was as though he had lost his voice. But Basil knew what his younger self because he remembered: ''It's all my fault.''
''Now, I believe Violet's family would like to say a few words?''
Basil snapped out of it and the past once again disappeared. Roger and Beatrice were standing at the front. Everyone was staring at Basil, who felt Olivia squeeze his hand. ''William, do you not want to say something with us?'' Beatrice asked, in a tone to indicate she knew what was wrong with her brother. ''If it's too much, we understand and –''
Saying nothing, Basil immediately stood up and walked up to his siblings.
''We didn't write anything as we know want to say, from the heart,'' Roger said, cleared his throat. ''Long ago, at a time when they believed they could not bear children, our paternal grandparents went to the local orphanage and adopted two orphaned rats, one of them being Violet, who was just a new-born. Grandma Maggie told us that when she first heard Violet crying, she followed the sound and found a member of staff trying to feed this tiny baby rat a bottle. Grandma instantly felt a connection to the baby and fed her herself. Once they heard about the two rats' parentage, particularly how their father never wanted them, they vowed to give them the home and family life they deserved, though it later turned out the brother did not,'' he added with a dark scowl. ''Ever since they adopted her and her brother, Violet was always a part of our family, though our grandparents often took her to visit her real mother's grave. Despite not being a mouse, she had the heart of a Basil. She was the complete opposite of her brother, who we all know became a monster.''
''She was kind, smart, beautiful, and she always cared for her family and friends more than herself,'' Beatrice continued, and looked in the direction of the group who had known Violet from school. ''Though she wasn't against the idea, she wasn't bothered about marriage or children of her own, as we were all the children she needed. She was a real rock to our father, especially when our mother was sadly taken from us. Violet helped him through a difficult time.'' Beatrice looked up at Violet's picture, tears in her eyes. ''I was only two when Mother died, so you were really the only mother-figure I had ever known, Aunt Violet, and no-one could ever take your place.''
''She was never one to hold a grudge,'' Roger added. ''Even when that unwell rat mugged her, with resulted in a few nasty scars. The only one she came close to hating was Ruby Mortimer. She was even sad, rather than mad, when her brother turned to a life of crime. Like our mother, she, too, was taken from us in the most horrific of circumstances and … and …''
Roger couldn't continue and began tearing up, Beatrice holding her brother. Basil stared at Roger. He had always been the strong one, never allowing himself to cry even though he wanted to. The last time he had cried in public was at their father's funeral, though he tried to hold as much back for Basil. Now Roger was the one bawling and he wasn't, because he had had vowed no to cry anymore today.
It was up to Basil to finish the eulogy. With a determined look in his eyes, the detective said: ''There isn't much left for me to say, as my dear siblings have already said everything. All I can say is that I wish he had died that night instead of Violet, and our father. Neither of them deserved it. I spent years blaming myself for their deaths, but I know now, it was never my fault.'' He smiled at his siblings, who were looking at him in surprise, then Violet's picture. ''I shall no longer wallow in misery over the past, Aunt Violet. I shall move on and live life to the full with the family and friends I have now. These last few months have helped me to do that, thanks to someone whom I treasure with all my heart.'' He smiled at Olivia again. ''I just hope now you can finally be at peace with Mother and Father, Aunt Violet.''
''And Marianne,'' Beatrice added, smiling. ''I'm sure she would be very happy to finally meet the daughter she never got to raise.''
Everyone smiled, too – apart from one person. ''That's all they can say about Marianne?'' Samuel muttered under his breath, and Victor glared at his grandfather.
With that, the eulogy had come to an end, and before the three siblings knew it, they were outside watching the coffin being lowered into the ground, carefully as though it might break. Apart from the priest, there was no word uttered, but there didn't need to be. Duncan and Lucy threw down their flowers onto the coffin. Olivia placed her arm around Basil, as did Amanda for Roger, and Mrs Judson for Beatrice.
After the ground was covered over, Samuel placed one of the orchid bouquets in front of Violet's headstone, glared at the two next to it as if he wanted to spit on them, and dragged Victor to another part of the cemetery, the old mouse's walking seemed to have got worse. ''We're going home now, William,'' Roger said. ''Coming?''
''You go, I want to stay a bit longer.''
''Are you sure, Basil?'' Dawson asked.
Basil said he was sure, holding up the remaining orchid he had. Roger and Dawson understood and left with the others, leaving Basil and Olivia alone. Hiram also walked off to another part of the cemetery.
Basil and Olivia stood in front of the headstone that had a fresh coffin buried beneath it, like an underground burrow, and stared at the writing:
Violet Patricia Basil
16th March 1850-17th February 1892
Beautiful daughter, Devoted Sister,
Loving Aunt
Basil breathed in and out. Olivia placed a hand on his shoulder. ''It's over, Livy,'' the detective said after a pause.
''It is,'' she agreed. ''As you said, she is now finally at peace – and with your parents.''
They stared at the two graves next to Violet's, Basil's parents.
Thomas Duncan Basil
7th December 1852-17th February 1892
Brave Detective
Hero to the very end
''Father …'' Basil choked up, then looked at the other one. ''Mother …''
Emily Alice Basil
27th April 1852-1st May 1884
Loving Mother and Wife
You will never be forgotten
''They can all be together now,'' Olivia said, staring at Thomas and Emily's headstones. ''William, would you mind if I visit Mummy? That'll be where Daddy is.''
''Of course, darling.''
Olivia hugged him. ''Thank you.''
The young woman led her fiancé through the cemetery until they saw Hiram standing in front of another grave. ''William, Olivia,'' he said when he saw them approach, wiping a tear from his eye. ''Violet's funeral made me want to visit Annabel so …''
''You don't have to explain, Daddy,'' said Olivia. ''I feel the same.''
Hiram nodded and turned back to the headstone. ''Annabel, dear, sorry we haven't visited for a while, so much has happened. Olivia has begun her final college year before she graduates. She truly has become a fine, smart young lady, just like you.'' He smiled at his daughter.
''Hello, Mummy,'' Olivia spoke to the headstone. ''As I've told you before, I am thinking outside of the traditional housewife ways as you did. When I graduate, I am going to be a detective alongside the man I am going to marry soon.'' She turned to Basil. ''Let me introduce William Basil of Baker Street, the famed mouse detective.''
Basil stepped forward and stared at the headstone.
Annabel Maisie Flaversham
2nd June 1864-10th October 1887
Taken too soon
A true Scottish angel
Basil wanted to cry but held his nerve. ''Hello, Mrs Flaversham. I love your daughter more than anything in this world and I will always protect her and care for her, just as your husband wishes. He misses you dearly but he sees so much of you in Olivia so he is not sad.''
''Oh, William ...'' Hiram looked touched.
''My only regret is that I never got to meet you in person, but I know if Hiram approves of me, you would have also. As well as … as well as …'' Basil looked embarrassed. ''I don't know what else to say.''
''You've said everything, William,'' Olivia said, as she and her father hugged him,
''Thank you, William,'' Hiram whispered.
''I just wish you could be there to see us get married, Mummy,'' Olivia added sadly.
''She will be, my wee bairn, in spirit,'' Hiram assured her. ''Shall we had back now?''
Basil nodded and the three mice left Annabel. As they walked towards the entrance, they spotted Samuel and Victor at another grave, Samuel was laying down the other bouquet of orchid flowers and talking. They couldn't hear what he was saying but they were surprised to see genuine softness on his surly face. It was as if he had become a completely different person. After a few minutes, the two got up and starting walking towards the entrance where they were. ''What are you still doing here?'' Samuel asked rudely.
''We were visiting Olivia's mother,'' Basil said truthfully, not sure if he would be able to resist strangling Samuel if he made a remark about Annabel.
''A likely story!''
''Grandfather, please!'' said Victor, determined to keep the peace. ''I'm sorry,'' he added.
''Thank you for keeping him in line, Victor,'' Basil said.
Victor nodded and led Samuel away before he could continue ranting. The three mice heard him grumbling something anyway but didn't catch it. But they ignored it. ''William, you don't suppose –?'' Olivia said, staring at the grave Samuel had visited.
Basil nodded. As though being pulled by some invisible force, the detective made his way to the grave, Olivia following him. Hiram hung back, probably in case Samuel returned and spotted them. They stopped at short sight of the grave that had the fresh orchid bouquet when Olivia gasped, looking at the headstone next to in horror. The headstone had large crackled lines all over it, as if it had been smashed. It had obviously been glued back together.
''Percy's,'' Basil confirmed. ''It was smashed, a long time ago. I'll tell you later.
Olivia nodded, but she already knew who had been responsible. ''I think we've spent too much timer here now,'' she said. ''We'll come back properly another time.''
Basil agreed and with one last glance at the cemetery, the two lovebirds re-joined Hiram and the three made their way back to Baker Street.
''That really happened?'' Olivia said, laughing. Everyone was now gathered all of the tables and chairs at Baker Street, sipping tea and munching on crumpets, the family swapping their favourite memories of Violet.
''Yes, anyone else would've just been embarrassed, but Violet just laughed it off,'' chortled Mrs Judson.
''What's your favourite memory of her, Auntie Beatrice?'' Duncan asked.
Beatrice reached into her pocket and pulled out a doll. It wasn't the best-looking doll; the eyes were different-coloured buttons, the smile was lopsided, the dress was on backwards, and the hair looked more like spaghetti, but it had clearly been made with loving hands. ''When I was at school, this rich, snooty girl had an expensive doll with her and she wouldn't let anyone play with her. I was so upset that Aunt Violet made me my own doll instead. I called her Molly and she is my most treasured possession. I will never let her go,'' Beatrice added, holding her to her chest. ''She didn't look anything like the girl's doll, but I always loved Molly and Aunt Violet's gesture was so sweet. It's the thought that counts.''
''Indeed,'' agreed Mrs Judson. ''Violet was never very good at sewing but she tried her best.''
''Just like Mummy,'' Lucy giggled. ''She hand-made me similar dolls and I love them all.''
Amanda hugged her daughter.
''Perhaps I could've have taught her to make toys,'' Hiram said.
''My favourite memory,'' said Roger, ''was when she helped me charm Amanda.'' He smiled shyly at his wife. ''I was never timid, but around Amanda I would get tongue-tied. Along with Mother, Violet helped how to become more confident around her. It really did help. Suffice it to say, it's thanks to Violet I am now married to the woman of my dreams.''
Everyone went sighed.
''And what's your favourite memory, William?'' Olivia asked.
Basil smiled. ''The first time she took Roger and me to the Natural History Museum.''
''Why is that not surprising?'' Pauline asked, rolling her eyes, and Dawson chuckled.
''I had wanted go but Father refused to take me, so Violet offered to take me instead, and Roger tagged along. Mother was pregnant with Beatrice and still suffering from the early morning sickness stage. You can imagine how captivated I was, absorbing knowledge about history, my mind turning like my chemistry set! I was particularly intrigued by the sections that had pieces of mysteries attached to them! It was one of the best trips I had ever had.''
''Mine, too,'' said Roger. ''Seeing my little brother's face light up made me so happy, and while I wasn't interested in history as much, I did find some it fascinating.''
Duncan and Lucy teased their father for being more like his twin than he cared let on, making everyone laugh. Later on, Roger and his family bid farewell to everyone, saying they would leave tomorrow. ''We'll see you off then,'' said Dawson.
Basil and his siblings shared a hug. ''I'm happy it went smoothly,'' said Roger, ''and that that mean-spirited Samuel didn't spill it.''
Basil agreed, laughing bitterly.
Dawson, Pauline and Hiram also bid Basil and Oliva farewell. ''Thank you for helping out today, old chap,'' Basil said, hugging his good friend in gratitude.
''You're welcome, Basil, anytime, as you well know.''
''Thank you as well, Hiram,'' Basil said his father-in-law.
''I can appreciate how much it meant to you, William. I fussed over wanting everything perfect for my dear Annabel.'' He squeezed his daughter's hands.
After putting on their coats, the Dawsons and Hiram left Baker Street, leaving Basil, Olivia and Mrs Judson alone. Mrs Judson went to the laundry room to start on washing. Basil approached the mantle where Violet's portrait stood with the orchid petals. ''Everything went just as smoothly as you would've have wanted, Violet,'' Basil said, as though the picture was alive. Here then looked at the fireplace, scowling darkly. ''Forgive me, but …''
''What is it, William?'' Olivia asked, seeing Basil looking as though he wanted to throw something.
Saying nothing, Basil went upstairs and reappeared minutes later carrying a lot of old photo albums. He took out a pair of scissors, sat down on the floor and opened an album. Basil got work with the scissors and Olivia understood: he was cutting Ratigan out of every single family picture, and throwing them in the fire, as he had done with his portrait, the symbolic reminder Basil had kept that his uncle was still at large, until that night in years ago. This was the same, Olivia had no doubt, as she watched Basil cutting and snipping at Ratigan's pictures so vigorously like an animal chasing its prey, while at the same being careful not to cut anyone else out by mistake. By the time he was done, Basil was standing in front of the fire, breathing in and out as though he had been chased. ''That felt good,'' he said to Olivia.
Olivia placed an arm around him and they sat on the blue couch. ''I don't blame you.''
''I meant to do it ages ago, Livy,'' Basil said, his voice like venom, ''but I never got round to it. My obsession with seeking justice for my family kept me busy.''
Olivia nodded.
Basil then looked in the corner where the bag of journals Newton had brought over from the Ratigans lair resided. He walked over to the bag picked it up and carried it over to the couch. ''William, are you seriously going to –?''
''Of course I am,'' Basil said stubbornly, digging through the bag. ''I just want to find any mention of Violet in them first. I suspect there are, given Violet did mean a lot to Ratigan.''
He picked up a random journal and flicked through it until he found entry of his uncle's. Olivia craned her neck to have a look:
21st May 1893
Not much has happened today, except that I visited my mother's grave. Not that pathetic Maggie Basil, but my real mother, Marianne Ratigan. Yes, I once loved Maggie Basil as my mother, but I was only a youngster then and didn't know any better. She and Bernard might have claimed they wanted me and Violet, but I know they didn't, especially after that family-stealing pipsqueak Thomas came along! Not a patch on my real mother. The whole reason she had dear Violet was so I wouldn't be lonely. Awwwe, how sweet. I was always a prodigy, which I also inherited from Mother, who taught me a lot about it before she met her tragic demise. But why she married my father I will never understand. He was a scrawny worm, Percy was, unworthy of being mine and Violet's father! That's is the only thing I resent Mother for, leaving us with that insufferable idiot! He never wanted us! He abandoned us, left us to rot in that awful orphanage! I remember how he would look at me as if I was some smelly disease, no different to how the other children would look at me. Oh, I relished the day I destroyed his headstone, and I would do it again!
But enough of that, I have more important matters to think about. I am working on another wonderful evil scheme, one of my most ambitious ones yet, alongside the Big Ben Caper and Tower Bridge Job. It all depends if my new right-hand bat Fidget achieves what I have asked him to do. He's not the most competent of henchman I have ever had, but he gets the job done, though his intelligence level is nowhere near on par of mine and my Precious Ruby's.
Speaking of which, it is my birthday in a few days and I look forward to sending the long weekend alone with my Evil Viper and what's more, I am finally going to ask her to marry me. Oh, I have dreamed about it for so long, since the early days of our courtship at university. Hmmm, Ruby Ratigan, I like the sound of that.
After finishing the entry, Basil and Olivia looked at each other, both feeling slightly nauseous. ''So it was Ratigan,'' Olivia said.
''Yes. It was always obvious, and made even more clear in this journal, that Ratigan held utter contempt for his father, on par level with Father and me. Grandma Maggie and Grandma Bernard even talked about how Ratigan would often express resentment for Percy.''
''As I said before, I believe Percy abandoning him and never wanting him was one of the many contributions to him becoming the Napoleon of Crime.''
Basil agreed.
''What I don't understand,'' Olivia added, frowning, ''is why did he change his last name back to Ratigan, the name of the father he loathed?''
''It was actually Marianne's last name. Percy took it when they married. He never cared much for his own, apparently.''
''That makes sense. But at the party, didn't Samuel refer to him as 'that Percy Ratigan'?''
''True, but don't forget Samuel is old so it is plausible for him to forget certain details. He can't even remember Violet and Ratigan's first names.''
''True. Do you think Ratigan might have turned out differently if Marianne hadn't died?''
''Maybe,'' Basil replied, staring at the fireplace. ''Who knows?''
After reading through all of the other journal for any mention of Violet, though rather exhausted from cutting up the photos, Basil threw each of the journals into the fireplace, watching them incinerate, looking like coal.
''That's enough now, William,'' Olivia said sternly. ''You'll make yourself sick if you do anymore. You're tired out already.''
''I'm sorry, Livy,'' Basil said, smiling guiltily. 'I just wanted to erase all traces of my nefarious uncle.''
''I know, and now you have, so let's get to bed.''
Olivia turned off the fireplace, took Basil's hand and she led him upstairs, holding him tight as Basil felt himself bring emotionally drained as he had finally vanquished the demons of Ratigan and Ruby that had plagued him for to long.
Sorry about the delay, right after finishing the last chapter my hand suddenly got struck with a trapped nerve so I had to rest if for a while.
As promised, Basil and his family were finally able to say farewell to Violet, a beloved member of the Basil despite her relation to Ratigan.
I also wanted to explore Ratigan in regarding his feelings towards his birth parents since that had never really been touched upon before. Could Olivia have been right? Could Ratigan really have turned out different if Marianne hadn't died at childbirth? Or would he have still become the Disney Villain he was?
Time to answer some reviews:
MillenniumPrincess: It's funny you should mention the wedding plans, you won't want to miss the next chapter.
Curse of Kings: I can understand what you mean. I tried think of other names for the villain but none of the others sounded right.
Next time, after a rather emotional chapter, there will more cheers as Basil and Olivia finally prepare to tie the knot.
See you soon!