Dangerous Company - part 5
by Holmesianlove
Chapter 5: A Strange Visitor
Strangely, upon returning to Mister Holmes’ rooms the next day, there was no one there. In fact, for most of the day the place seemed deserted. It felt almost intrusive to unpack my things without his presence, despite us shaking on the agreement. It seemed he had no housekeeper at present. I made myself useful, straightening up a few things, washing the dirty tea cups in the sink. I tried not to disturb the half finished, strange looking experiment on the dining table. I went to the grocer, returning to cook us a warm meal. When night came, Holmes was still yet to appear. My stomach had begun to grumble loudly, so I fed myself, finally settling by the fire to read one of the impressive books from his many shelves. He startled me then, when he surfaced unexpectedly from his own bedroom with a dramatic yawn. He entered, wrapped in an elegant robe, his slippers scuffing gently against the floor.
“Oh good, you’ve arrived.” He smiled, briefly. It seemed genuine - his face even lighting up for the very short-lived moment. It felt good to be appreciated, even if so fleetingly.
“I hope you don’t mind, I tidied a bit and cooked a meal - if you’d care for some?”
He looked surprised. “Not hungry. But thank you. I hope you fed yourself?”
I nodded politely.
“You found the books. Do help yourself. I’ve read them all. They may as well get some more attention.”
“What? All of them?” My brow instantly scrunched in confusion as I looked around at the many shelves surrounding us.
“Oh yes. A dozen times or more,” he said flippantly, not thinking much of the statement.
I could not imagine how anyone had the time. He had to be exaggerating. “But I–”
“I need to go out for a while. Don’t wait up. Have you found everything you need?” he asked, as he removed his robe, draping it over the other armchair. He was already dressed in a beautiful waistcoat and dress pants complete with a stunning gold pocket watch that gleamed as it dangled at my eye height. Holmes grabbed a coat from a hook near the door and completed his outfit, straightening his shirt cuffs and buttoning his coat before turning to check on my response.
I nodded, noting that I felt a sudden pang of disappointment, not only that he was leaving already, but that I wasn’t invited along. He seemed to notice the expression on my face as his own face looked concerned.
“Don’t worry. There will be other times when I may perhaps need you to join me. This is not one of those times and I’d like you to have room to settle in, unhindered. Consider this place yours also, Watson. The only thing I ask is that my room is off limits. It’s my only private space.” He waited for me to agree.
“John,” I said in reply. It felt so formal to now be living together and still be addressing each other in such a way.
“Sorry?”
“My name. It’s John. But yes, I agree.”
“Very well then, Watson. I shall be on my way. That dinner does smell most excellent. I am pleased to know I have such a good cook for a house mate, that will be very useful for when we need to invite guests over.” He grinned. “Enjoy your book.”
And with that he disappeared, leaving me once again in silence. Somehow the room felt strangely warmer when he left and yet less vibrant at the same time. It was a confusing brew of sensations. I wanted to get to know this man. He was so mysterious. And so distant. I had a very real sense that he seemed enthralled at my presence, and knowledgeable about me without having asked me a thing yet. I was at a complete disadvantage. I knew nothing about him. I couldn't begin to understand what I had committed myself to. I was so busy daydreaming about it, in fact, I didn’t hear a new person arrive until the loud throat clearing caught my attention and I looked up to find an imposing figure in the middle of the room, glaring at me. I was embarrassed to discover him, unsure of how long I had let my mind wander.
He was dressed in an elegant pin striped three piece suit, his gold fob watch glinting in the fire light. It reminded me of Holmes’ watch earlier. He leaned his weight on an umbrella with a gold embellished handle and his hair was slicked very tightly against his scalp. “I don’t believe we have been introduced,” he said very stiffly.
I closed my book and looked him up and down before standing. “Well no. One generally knocks before entering an apartment, so I suppose that would usually be how one begins an introduction. If we’re discussing etiquette," I offered sharply.
He didn’t seem to like that answer. His lips pursed tightly like he had sucked a tart lemon. “You misunderstand me. It was you who I felt was misplaced, sir. Does Mister Holmes know you are in his rooms?”
“Ah… yes,” I frowned. “Of course he does. Does he know you are here? Have you made an appointment?” I tried again. “He is currently out on an errand.”
The man cleared his throat again and looked at his shoes, which I also observed were impeccably shined, Italian imported leather. This man was very unhappy indeed. With what, I couldn’t discern. But I was absolutely the cause of it. “Let’s begin this again. Who exactly are you and why are you in Mister Holmes’ lounge?”
“One would think if I am here already upon your arrival, it should be me asking you that question first, wouldn’t you suppose?” I replied, enjoying the game far too much. “For how would I be sitting here reading a book comfortably, if Mister Holmes had not invited me in here in the first place?”
He lifted his shoulders stiffly. “I suppose you are the flatmate he was hoping to find then?”
“I suppose I must be. So that answers one question. It still doesn’t help me with who you are though, does it? And why you are standing here, demanding answers without knocking on the door and waiting to be invited in, like a civilised human.”
“I am someone concerned with the welfare of Mister Holmes.”
“I see. His solicitor then, by the look of you.” I sat again, opening my book to show my lack of interest in his intimidation, and gave my attention back to the page I had been on, to find my place again as I spoke. “He’s out for the evening. And one should not be conducting business at such a late hour in any case. I would imagine that rather impolite. And unnecessarily overpriced too, for a solicitor. I expect when he returns home he will want to enjoy his respite. Good day to you, sir. I shall let him know you stopped by. If you would like to leave me your card?”
“I will do no such thing. I will wait for his return,” the stubborn man offered, his voice giving off just the slightest edge of indignation.
“Well I would like to enjoy my reading material and you have sucked most of the oxygen right out of the room already, so I think not. And as we have not been properly introduced, I would ask you to come again at another time when he is here to receive you properly. Thank you very much.”
“I'm not sure I like you, as his lodger,” he sneered.
“I’m not sure that is your decision to make. And, as it seems I’ve moved my belongings in already, your opinion is unwelcome. So… I shall let him know you hold grave concerns and that you stopped by. Thank you.”
I continued focussing on my book, ignoring him entirely. I heard a heavy sigh and when I looked up again, the man was, thankfully, gone.
The link to AO3
A huge thank you to @helloliriels for the stunning cover art created for #FTH2026
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