stonepicnicking_okapi: Sherlock Holmes (holmes)
stonepicnicking_okapi ([personal profile] stonepicnicking_okapi) wrote in [community profile] holmes_minor2023-09-06 03:34 pm

Fic: Popular Talk: Gen

Title: Popular talk
Rating: Gen
Length: 300
Summary: Mrs. Hudson's talk is popular.


“…but, Mrs. Hudson, might we trouble you, say, twice a year?”

Mrs. Hudson was flattered, but she didn’t let it show. If the president of the Greater London Landladies Society was practically begging her for an encore of her recent talk on household safety, namely, how to deal with assault to one’s domestic peace by sundry villains, well, who was she to withhold what might be lifesaving (and, quite possibly, upholstery-saving) advice?

And it wasn’t all talk. No, Mrs. Hudson saw that all those in attendance got to test her methods of parry and thrust and resourceful counterattack. Indeed, at this inaugural lecture, she’d picked up an idea about just how to use a curtain sash to immobilise an aggressor from old Mrs. Stephenson who, renting to mostly sailors on leave, knew a thing or two about tying a knot.

“It was so popular,” continued the president. “Everyone is talking about it. I’ve fielded no fewer than seven requests for another one. Really, it was the best talk of the series. The only one that even came close was Miss Polly’s Holiday Desserts. Really, I know it’s a lot of work for you—”

“Quite a lot,” agreed Mrs. Hudson.

“—yes, yes, but it was so very well received. Just splendid. That bit with the fire poker! I was on the edge of my seat! Do say you’ll do another.”

Mrs. Hudson kept her face impassive. Then she asked,

“At the Holiday Desserts talk, there was mention of a cranberry almond sponge cake recipe.”

“Ah, you wily bird!”

Mrs. Hudson inclined her head slightly, in unconscious imitation of her tenant before a high-handed client.

“Very well. You shall have it. But I’m going to insist on two talks a year for the rest of my term as president.”

“Deal.”
dustbunny105: (Default)

[personal profile] dustbunny105 2023-09-07 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
I love Mrs. Hudson's cleverness here and the little gesture she picked up from Holmes. The lady knows how to strike a bargain!
smallhobbit: (Holmes umbrella)

[personal profile] smallhobbit 2023-09-07 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
Delighted to see Mrs Hudson taking up the challenge of giving an interesting talk!
debriswoman: (Default)

[personal profile] debriswoman 2023-09-07 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, brilliant:-)
scfrankles: knight on horseback with lance lowered (Default)

[personal profile] scfrankles 2023-09-16 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I wish I'd been there for Mrs. Hudson's talk. It sounds amazing ^___^
gardnerhill: (Default)

[personal profile] gardnerhill 2023-10-06 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I have a fabulous recipe for marzipan stollen, which I'll be happy to trade for one of Mrs. Hudson's talks!

And of course a woman who rents to sailors would be able to hand, reef, and steer.