July Writing Prompt 2014 #03 - A character's hidden talent saves the day
Title: Unfortunate hidden talents.
Author: rojo3131
Rating: PG
Character: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson. (ACD)
Word Count: 678 -this thing kept growing and growing!-
Prompt: Hidden Talents
Summary: “We are grown men that had lived away from our childhood home for longer than most. We shall manage”
In the first years of sharing quarters with my brilliant friend, Sherlock Holmes, I discovered his many hidden talents and surprising abilities. Deducing skills, physical feats and a very talented violist shared a roof with me and life was quite amazing and unexpected.
However, it was in the year of 1883, shortly after a particular gruesome case in which I was slightly injured, when we were finishing a delicious breakfast -of which Holmes was still like a ravenous wolf-, Mrs. Hudson announced that she was leaving for the country to take care of her sick mother. We both nodded and wished her mother well. My offer to go with her and do what I could for her mother was sternly turned down.
“You’re still convalescent Dr. Watson. I couldn’t ask that of you. And my brother in law is treating her already. I’m sure that will be enough. However- her hands started twisting her apron, in a nervous gesture that was out of place for her character- I quite ashamed to tell you…”
Holmes for some reason after this, cleared his brow and interrupted her.
“Ah. Don’t worry Mrs. Hudson. We are grown men that had lived away from our childhood home for longer than most. We shall manage.” I couldn’t quite control the slight frown. What was Holmes talking about?
“But Mr. Holmes…”
“The faster you pack, the better will be. Go ahead.” Mrs. Hudson looked quite stunned and I was losing my patience.
“Thank you Mr. Holmes.”
Once Mrs. Hudson was out of the room, I turned to Holmes who was adjusting the pegs on the violin.
“She couldn’t get a cooker on such short notice and she was quite ashamed for leaving, though she prepared cold meals that should hold us for a couple of days. However there’s nothing to fear, I’m sure we both know how to manage with food and in any case, we can always go outside” - My good friend explained.
“Ah. Well I know a couple of recipes but I’m an abysmal cooker Holmes.”
“I also know that my dear boy, however I’m quite good. It’s basic chemistry after all. We’ll go outside for breakfast and supper and I’ll prepare dinner.” Now he lifted the instrument to his shoulder. “Bach?”
I already knew he was not going to eat all three meals but I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Always”
To say that Holmes cooking skills were excellent is an understatement…that is, until he got distracted reading an apiculture book. Apparently the book was so absorbing that he mistook ingredients for the roast he was preparing for some unknown powders he was using to his week long, obscure experiment.
That night he was called away on a case but since I was out on voluntary work at St. Barts, he was mindful enough to leave me a note, saying that he would be away for a couple of hours but that the roasted lamb was ready to eat.
I waited for some time, until it appeared he was not going to come home in the near future. So I started on the roast which, except for that peculiar taste in the end, was quite good. After that I lit my pipe and started to read one of my favorite novels. My stomach felt restless but I attributed to a heavy dinner and overindulgence on wine. I settled again and made an effort to concentrate on my reading.
By the time Holmes returned, I had already emptied my stomach and was sitting on the floor, with a bucket by my side feeling quite miserable. One look at me and the detective was down the stairs, calling for a doctor and turning around to the kitchen, tasting his own creation and giving a display of his excellent knowledge of the French language.
Needless to say that when he climbed the stairs again, he was red-faced - a rare sight- and apologizing profusely. I never wanted to know what the "little extra ingredient" was in the food that night but some years went by until I was able to taste roasted lamb again.
Author: rojo3131
Rating: PG
Character: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson. (ACD)
Word Count: 678 -this thing kept growing and growing!-
Prompt: Hidden Talents
Summary: “We are grown men that had lived away from our childhood home for longer than most. We shall manage”
In the first years of sharing quarters with my brilliant friend, Sherlock Holmes, I discovered his many hidden talents and surprising abilities. Deducing skills, physical feats and a very talented violist shared a roof with me and life was quite amazing and unexpected.
However, it was in the year of 1883, shortly after a particular gruesome case in which I was slightly injured, when we were finishing a delicious breakfast -of which Holmes was still like a ravenous wolf-, Mrs. Hudson announced that she was leaving for the country to take care of her sick mother. We both nodded and wished her mother well. My offer to go with her and do what I could for her mother was sternly turned down.
“You’re still convalescent Dr. Watson. I couldn’t ask that of you. And my brother in law is treating her already. I’m sure that will be enough. However- her hands started twisting her apron, in a nervous gesture that was out of place for her character- I quite ashamed to tell you…”
Holmes for some reason after this, cleared his brow and interrupted her.
“Ah. Don’t worry Mrs. Hudson. We are grown men that had lived away from our childhood home for longer than most. We shall manage.” I couldn’t quite control the slight frown. What was Holmes talking about?
“But Mr. Holmes…”
“The faster you pack, the better will be. Go ahead.” Mrs. Hudson looked quite stunned and I was losing my patience.
“Thank you Mr. Holmes.”
Once Mrs. Hudson was out of the room, I turned to Holmes who was adjusting the pegs on the violin.
“She couldn’t get a cooker on such short notice and she was quite ashamed for leaving, though she prepared cold meals that should hold us for a couple of days. However there’s nothing to fear, I’m sure we both know how to manage with food and in any case, we can always go outside” - My good friend explained.
“Ah. Well I know a couple of recipes but I’m an abysmal cooker Holmes.”
“I also know that my dear boy, however I’m quite good. It’s basic chemistry after all. We’ll go outside for breakfast and supper and I’ll prepare dinner.” Now he lifted the instrument to his shoulder. “Bach?”
I already knew he was not going to eat all three meals but I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Always”
To say that Holmes cooking skills were excellent is an understatement…that is, until he got distracted reading an apiculture book. Apparently the book was so absorbing that he mistook ingredients for the roast he was preparing for some unknown powders he was using to his week long, obscure experiment.
That night he was called away on a case but since I was out on voluntary work at St. Barts, he was mindful enough to leave me a note, saying that he would be away for a couple of hours but that the roasted lamb was ready to eat.
I waited for some time, until it appeared he was not going to come home in the near future. So I started on the roast which, except for that peculiar taste in the end, was quite good. After that I lit my pipe and started to read one of my favorite novels. My stomach felt restless but I attributed to a heavy dinner and overindulgence on wine. I settled again and made an effort to concentrate on my reading.
By the time Holmes returned, I had already emptied my stomach and was sitting on the floor, with a bucket by my side feeling quite miserable. One look at me and the detective was down the stairs, calling for a doctor and turning around to the kitchen, tasting his own creation and giving a display of his excellent knowledge of the French language.
Needless to say that when he climbed the stairs again, he was red-faced - a rare sight- and apologizing profusely. I never wanted to know what the "little extra ingredient" was in the food that night but some years went by until I was able to taste roasted lamb again.