Fic: Gifts must be given at the right time: G

[happyeverafter72]

Title: Gifts must be given at the right time
Wordcount: 314
Characters: Holmes, Basil of Baker Street, Doctor Dawson
Rating: G
Author’s Notes: Holmes presents a gift to his rodent admirers.


Holmes had always heard that gifts must be given at the right time, thereby avoiding any pitfalls. One might cause offence by presenting, for example, a new cookery book shortly after one has been invited for afternoon tea. He was dwelling on this advice from his station crouched behind his bedroom door, watching the mice in the sitting room. He had glimpsed them several times before. One wore an outfit very much like his own. The other was shorter and stouter. It seemed to him that the mice listened to him when he was explaining things to Watson, and he was sure that he had seen the mouse in the suit taking notes once. It pleased him to think that he had a little counterpart in the mouse world, using his methods to combat whatever crimes rodents perpetrated. He wanted to give them a little gift to show that he noticed and appreciated them, but he was conscious that he could very easily frighten them away by showing them direct notice. Hence, he was crouched behind his door with a lump of fine cheese and a miniscule notecard inside a small bag held in his hand.

When the mice turned away to examine the wastepaper basket, he saw his opportunity. Creeping forward very carefully, he placed the bag by the leg of an armchair, then retreated once more to watch. The mice noticed the bag as soon as they had finished with the wastepaper basket. Their noses twitched and they squeaked nervously as they scampered up to it. The mouse in the suit looked into the bag and let out another squeak that sounded more excited. He drew out the notecard and appeared to read it to his companion. Then they took out the cheese and scampered away, evidently finished for the evening.

Holmes smiled to himself. “You’re welcome, my little friends,” he murmured.

Comments

[smallhobbit]

That's lovely :)

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you!

[gardnerhill]

Oh yes, I have both sets of Baker Street residents aware of each other as headcanon too!

[happyeverafter72]

Quite right!

[scfrankles]

One might cause offence by presenting, for example, a new cookery book shortly after one has been invited for afternoon tea. That line made me smile ^___^

This is charming and adorable ^___^

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[debriswoman]

This is a lovely little scene…well penned:-)

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you so much!