Fic: Not As Expected: G

[smallhobbit]

Title: Not As Expected
Form/Word Count: 221B
Characters/Pairing:  Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Mrs Hudson
Rating: G
Warning/Content: Holmes decides to trick the new maid

 

It is inevitable that Holmes’ sense of humour should occasionally have unforeseen consequences.  One morning as I returned to Baker Street, after visiting a patient, I encountered Holmes, also on his way back, but still in his disguise as a plumber.  He was in good humour and suggested he go ahead and ring the bell, to see if he could trick Ethel, our new housemaid.

I muttered that this might not be such a good idea, but he ignored my more cautious nature and strode off.  I stood at a point where I could hear the exchange without drawing attention to myself.

Ethel opened the door, and Holmes greeted her with, “Good morning, miss, someone asked for a plumber to call.”

Ethel smiled.  “Oh good, I’m glad you’re here.  This way please.”

They disappeared together, and I hurried across to let myself in, so I could smooth any ruffled feathers which might have ensued.  I needn’t have worried.  Holmes had been conducted into Mrs Hudson’s kitchen, where I could hear our landlady telling this unexpected plumber about a dripping tap she wanted mending.

I continued up to our rooms, having no intention of getting involved.  After a while Holmes joined me, looking a trifle damp.

“All sorted?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said with a groan, “just a washer which was broken.”