Another double prompt:
- From Domina Temporis: Santa Claus
- From YoughaltheJust: Candlelight vigil
"Mrs Hudson!" George and Betty shouted from her kitchen door, careful not to come inside in the soot-covered clothes they'd been wearing for Mr Holmes.
Mrs Hudson rushed over to greet them - as far as she knew, Mr Holmes' case was solved, and the diamond back with its rightful owners, but cases had changed on an instant before. "Does Mr Holmes need something?"
"Candles, lots of candles!" George said quickly.
Betty took the end of her grubby plait out of her mouth to whisper, louder than she likely intended, "But they're not for Mr Holmes, George! They're for us!"
Mrs Hudson put her hands to her hips. "And why do you two need so many candles?"
George looked down sheepishly, but Betty answered, "They're for Santa Claus! We have to make sure he knows where to find us!"
Mrs Hudson immediately softened. "You don't need candles for that, dearie. Santa Claus will always know where to find you."
"But he might see dad first, and dad will tell him we haven't been good enough for presents," George said quietly. "Or dad will sell the presents and we won't get anything."
Mrs Hudson looked down to Betty, hoping the little one would disagree, or at least not understand, but Betty was nodding, her hand clutching her brother's sleeve, and her plait end back in her mouth.
Mrs Hudson closed her eyes for a moment, lamenting the cruelness of the world, especially to children, then opened them again. "How about, instead of giving you candles, I'll keep a candle going all night so Santa Claus can see it. Then, when Santa arrives, I'll ask him to leave his presents for you here."
Hope slowly dawned across both children's faces. "Really? You'll watch for Santa all night?"
"I will."
A hint of doubt shaded George's face. "You promise?"
"I do. I promise."
Both of them broke into blinding smiles. "Thank you, Mrs Hudson! We'll see you on Christmas!" They scrambled merrily out of her garden, chattering between themselves about what presents Santa Claus might bring them.
Mrs Hudson sighed, but couldn't help smiling as she watched them go. It would be a long candlelight vigil, watching for Santa Claus, but the children's happiness the next morning would be worth it.