Two letters, copied to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson
[A small Burrowing Owl delivers two separate, prettily wrapped packages, one to the Watson house and the other to the sprawling Holmes manor. Tied to the top of both packages are neatly addressed envelopes, the names ‘John Watson’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ written on them in dark purple ink, and the tiny owl seems…almost reproachful when it delivers them to their intended recipients.]
Dear Sherlock and John,
I thought about not sending these letters at all. I’m not all that good at this sort of thing -confrontation?- but I wanted to let you both know that I realized what you did. Or what you tried to do through your brother, Sherlock. (I suppose this letter is sort of directed at him as well, but I doubt someone like him would bother to talk to me unless you prodded him to anyway.)
I wouldn’t have realized, you know, if I hadn’t been sick. I missed my lunch with Jim -you probably know that, don’t you?- and I was laid up in bed when John’s owl arrived. And I thought that it was quite…nice. To be invited to lunch with the two of you. I was going to say no, though, that I already had plans, but I was too sick to write a note back.
I guess when I didn’t respond, that’s when Sherlock’s brother decided to write me? Telling me that he’d heard great things about me.Was that even true?It was so out of the blue that I was confused, especially with the offer to be his apprentice…But then I saw the time. During lunch. Just like John’s offer. Very specifically during lunch. My lunch, with Jim, which I had told you about, Sherlock, and I’m sure you told John too.
I was
I like to think that we’re friends.veryangry at the time, but it wasn’t as though I could say anything when I was ill, and maybe that was good. It gave me some time to think about things. I’m still a bit upset, but I didn’t want to mess up what I wanted to say, which is this:At least sort of.I’m sure that you have good intentions, I really am, but instead all you did was made me feel like you think I’m dim and not clever enough to realize when you’re going above my head. If you have a real, serious problem with Jim for some reason, maybe you could’ve come and talked to me about it in person, rather than making up lies to keep me away from him.My opinion probably doesn’t count for much, but I think that maybe if the lot of you started being honest with people instead of trying to make everything complicated, you might be able to sort out…a lot more than just my lunch plans.
There aren’t any hard feelings or anything, I guess. If either of you want to talk with me, you always can. But I am going to spend time with Jim, and I wanted to ask you to please not try to interfere again. It’s…important to me, okay?
Anyway, I’m finished now. It is the holidays, and I wanted to say Happy Christmas, too, especially since I didn’t see you before I left. I hope your gifts arrived safely with the letters. They aren’t much, but I thought of you when I saw them. Have a wonderful break, and I’ll see you next term.
- Molly Hooper
[In the red and gold package addressed to John, there is a book:
There is a note tucked inside it that reads ‘I know you like mysteries (haha) and this one is a classic. It’s my favourite, I hope you enjoy it too. -MH’
The blue and bronze package is heavier, there are two things inside it. A tin of homemade biscuits, and a scarf with a note folded up in it:
‘You have your blue one, of course, but I thought one with a bit of red in it might suit you too for some reason. Also, maybe you can share the biscuits with your brother, if you want. ‘Tis the season. -MH’ ]
