Part 20 (1/2)

They returned home from Scotland the next day Sherlock slept for most of the journey He was exhausted, both mentally and physically None of the others seemed inclined to talk In those occasional moments when Sherlock's mind rose fro newspapers or justout of theMatty dashed off the train at Newcastle and ca full of bread rolls That was the extent of anything oodbyes as passengers disembarked around them and porters unloaded crates and boxes fro around?' Rufus said to Crowe, phrasing the question that Sherlock had been wanting to ask but didn't dare

'No reason to go anywhere else now,' Crowe replied He had his left arinia's shoulders She looked pale 'We don't need to run any azed down at Virginia and then across at Sherlock 'In fact, we've got a shovelful of reasons to stay As long as the cottage is still standin', an' nobody's moved into it, ah think you'll be seein' a deal more of us in the future'

'I think I speak for all of us,' Stone said, 'when I say that I' without you around, although to be fair it would also be a lot safer'

Crowe extended his right hand towards Stone 'You were there for us e needed you That's the only definition of friendshi+p that counts, in my book Thank you'

Stone, taken by surprise, shook Crowe's hand He winced at the pressure of Crowe's grip on his still tender fingers 'I'd say it's been a distinct pleasure, Mr Crowe, but it hasn't; and I'd say don't hesitate to call on us again if you need any help, but I'o that opportunity' He sardless of all that, however a you're more than welcome'

Crowe shook Matty's hand next 'Son, you're brave an' you're street-smart With your instincts an' Sherlock's brainpower, you make an unbeatable combination Thanks'

'You're welco unco the centre of attention

Crowe turned to Sherlock He gazed at hi moment, then shook his head 'Sherlock, whenever ah think ah've gotten you figured out, you e to surprise me Ah'm not sure which one of us is the student and which one is the teacher any more Ah suspect that it's more a partnershi+p of equals now, but ah'm not uncomfortable about that Ah'm not too old to learn' He paused and sed 'Fact is, Virginia an' I would be dead or on the run now, if it weren't for you Ah owe you lanced away, out at the bustling scene of the station forecourt 'I don't like change,' hein my life familiar, and I need to knohere I can find it That counts for people as well as things'

'Well, son, you knohere we are Don't be a stranger now'

Crowe dropped his arinia's shoulders, ready for the two of theinia stepped closer to Sherlock

'Thank you,' she said simply, and kissed hi apart fro off with her arh her father's

In the station, the train's steam whistle sounded It was ready to leave

'I think,' Rufus Stone said, breaking the heavy silence, 'that I need a stiff tot of ruers Or a stiff tot of liniers Either one will do The rum in the Farnham taverns tastes like liniment anyway' He cocked his head as he looked at Sherlock 'Let's delay restarting the violin lessons, eh? I suspect that your fingers will be a lot ile than mine for a while, and I hate to be eer to his forehead and saluted 'Until next time, Mr Arnatt'

Stone walked off jauntily Sherlock watched hi over all the goodbyes, but his lips were still tingling with the inia's kiss

'See you tomorrow?' Matty said

'I suppose so,' Sherlock replied 'The only thing I can think of now is sleep, and lots of it'

Matty glanced at the crates that had been unloaded froood scoff there,' he said 'I think I'll follow them crates for a while, just in case an accident happens and one smashes'

Sherlock smiled Matty was irrepressible He would always survive, no matter what happened In fact, Sherlock wouldn't be surprised if, in fifteen or twenty years' tihly successful businessman with interests all over the country But he would still be stealing pies off market stalls, just to keep his hand in; of that much Sherlock was certain

'People think there's an obvious dividing line between things that are legal and illegal,' he said quietly 'I think if I've learned anything sinceto Farnharey in between the white at one end of the scale and the black at the other end We just need to be careful where we stand'

'As long as I'm closer to the white end than the black end, I'rinned suddenly, then turned and ran off

Sherlock held on for ato happen He wasn't sure what that thing ht be, but he had a sense that the stor on Eventually, when nobody else ca at all noteworthy happened anywhere around hiht a ride on a fare back to Holates and walked up the curving drive to the front door, carrying his bag of clothes and toiletries

The door was unlocked, and he pushed it open Sunlight streamed across the hall The space that for sonoas filled arht It was like an entirely different house Had he finally got used to it, or was this solantine's departure? Had she taken the shadows and the darkness with her?

As he stepped into the hall, a figure appeared fro room

'Ah, you must be Master Sherlock,' a voice said

Sherlock's tired gaze took in the fored woman with straw-coloured hair pulled back into a bun that was secured at the back of her head with a net Her face was kind, and her eyes were brown and lively Although she wore black there was soave the impression of parties and dances rather than funerals and wakes

'Yes,' he said 'I've been away for a few days'

'So theyou back soon' She smiled 'My name is Mrs Mulhill, and I am the new housekeeper I started yesterday'

'Welco forward to working here very'I'm sure you have laundry that I can take If you want toyou a tray of tea and some biscuits The master and the mistress are out at the moment, but they will be back for dinner'

'Tea and biscuits,' he said, 'would be wonderful'