A Sequel to

"Not Even the Best of Them"

by Susan Morrison

It was a rare day even in that summer of beautiful days but I was only vaguely aware of the scent of warm grass and of light dancing off the water far below. My eyes were fixed on the chess board, my mind on my strategy against a master opponent. Finally I moved the white pawn and sat back.

"Your move, Holmes"

I straightened and looked out over the sea, closing my eyes against the harsh dazzle of sunlight and when I opened them again saw not the warm, golden light of that long ago summer afternoon but the cool gray of a January morning. The delicious warmth enfolding my body was not compounded of gentle sunshine but of linen and goose down. Reluctantly, I let go of the dream and brushed back the hair from my eyes. There was no sound of breathing beside me and when I turned over an indentation in the other pillow was the only evidence of my bed mate's presence. I fumbled for my spectacles on the bedside table and sat up, shuddering as the cooler air of the room touched my skin. Hurriedly , I left the bed and padded to the suitcase by the wardrobe. Snatching up dressing gown, comb and brush I dashed back to the warmth of the bed where with little patience and much tugging I attempted to untangle my hair.

"Good morning, wife."

Holmes stood in the doorway to the sitting room, clad in dressing gown and slippers.. He walked over to the bed. "Problems?" he inquired, nodding toward the comb.

I shook my head.

"It's only a bit tangled. I didn't plait it last night; I was--distracted."

Holmes' lips twitched betrayingly but his voice was gravely courteous as he sat down beside me.

"Since I provided the--distraction, allow me to repair the results."

Deftly, he untangled the snarls and then began to wield the brush.

"Do you include hairdressing among your many occupations, Holmes? You're very good at this."

"No, but Basil the driver is an excellent groom and one mane is much like another."

I choked back a laugh and Holmes set the brush on the bed. He smoothed back my hair and gave it a gentle tug.

"Braid your hair Mrs. Holmes, before I'm tempted to distract you again."

Obediently, I divided the mass in two and began to weave it into the usual plaits while Holmes tucked the pillows behind his back and leaned against them. When I had finished he reached over and drew me into the circle of his arm once again, tucking the duvet around us both.

"Comfortable?"

"Mmm."

"We shall have to send some apologetic telegrams today, Russ."

"Yes, I don't want Uncle John or Mrs. Hudson to hear about our marriage from someone other than ourselves. I hope they won't be hurt, Holmes."

"They've both had years to become accustomed to my eccentricities", he said wryly. "I'm sure their delight will far outweigh any disappointment they may feel about not attending the ceremony."

"I hope you're right"

Holmes abruptly turned the subject, as he was wont to do. "When will you leave for Oxford, Russ?"

"The presentation is next Thursday. I shall go up on Wednesday to allay Duncan's fears that I might disappear again. He said something about a reception afterwards, but I don't think it will be long. The visitors have trains to catch."

"This is the same group that was to have attended originally, is it not?"

"Yes, they're returning from the conference and Duncan persuaded them to break their journey again. It seems I must defend my academic reputation before I've even made it."

"I'll come down on Thursday, then and we can travel back to Sussex together if that suits."

"Admirably. I only hope I don't need your support on the way home"

"My knowledge of theology may be scant, Russell, but I have no doubt of your ability to marshal a logical argument. If your theological exegesis proves faulty in that respect you need fear no other critic more than I"

"Your presence will indeed be a reassurance, Husband."

"Do you need reassurance in this enterprise?" he inquired softly.

"No. No, Holmes, you're right. I believe I could face any body with equanimity after passing your tests"

The warmth of the bed and the dim light served to lull me into drowsiness once more and I was tempted to give into it but other needs began to assert themselves.

"Holmes?"

"Eh?"

"I'm starving" A vulgar rumble from my stomach gave emphasis to my assertion and I felt him quiver with suppressed laughter.

"The evidence does point that way," he agreed. "Away with you and bathe; I'll order breakfast."

I slid from the bed and made my way to the bath, but paused to look back at my lawfully wedded spouse. I remembered the evening on the docks and his words to me.

"You do realize how potentially disastrous this whole thing is? I am old and set in my ways. I will give you little affection and a great dial of irritation..."

And I closed the bathroom door behind me, leaned against it, and laughed.