Fic: Daisies: G

[smallhobbit]

Title: Daisies
Form/Word Count: 314
Characters/Pairing: Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes
Rating: G
Warning/Content: (Retirement era) Watson received a surprising request

I was quietly enjoying the afternoon sun in our garden when a young girl’s voice woke me from my doze.

“Dr Watson, we were wondering, well, I was wondering, if we could, um, if you wouldn’t mind…”

I opened my eyes and smiled at young Lizzie Hopkins, who was standing by the hedge between our gardens.

“What is it you would like, Lizzie?” I asked.

“Emily’s mamma’s favourite flowers were those daisies and I wondered whether she could have a few to put on the grave.”

I recognised Emily Rowlands, a girl of about Lizzie’s age, whose mother had died about six weeks earlier.  “Of course,” I said.  “Come round and pick some.”

The two girls came round, and Emily picked a few of the flowers.

“You need more than that,” I said.  “I have plenty so take some more.”  After she had done so, I asked, “Do you have something to tie them up?”

Lizzie took one of the ribbons out of her hair.  “Use this,” she said.  “It will go with the flowers, and I have others.”

Emily smiled at her friend, and carefully tied the bunch up.  “Thank you very much, Dr Watson.  I’ll go and put them on her grave.  Goodbye, Lizzie, I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

We watched as Emily walked off down the hill, and then Lizzie said, “I must go too.  It will soon by time for tea, and mamma will want me to lay the table.  Thank you for the flowers.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Lizzie ran home and I went into our cottage. 

Holmes had clearly observed what had happened, because he said, “It was kind of you to give Emily some of your flowers.”

I shook my head.  “No, the kindness was Lizzie seeing how much her friend wanted the flowers and asking me for them.”

Holmes smiled at me.  “Whatever you say.”

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[smallhobbit]

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