July 16 - Lion's Mane Epilogue

[pompey_01]

Title: Lion’s Mane Epilogue
Author: Pompey
Universe: ACD
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Word count: 300
Summary: Watson has a concern about the Lion’s Mane.
Prompt: July 16 – Seaside specimens

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In early August 1907 I received correspondence from Holmes, asking if I would join him that weekend in Sussex. As I was still in practice, an occasional weekend visit was the best I could manage to see my old friend. Why he did not come up to London was beyond me, but as he refused to do so, it fell to me to do the traveling. Therefore, Friday evening saw me arriving in Sussex.

That night he relayed to me the details of what I mentally titled “The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane.” I found I had several reactions to his narrative.

The first, embarrassingly enough, was jealousy. I was not opposed to Holmes making new friends, even close friends. Even so, it was a bit of a wrench to hear how Harold Stackhurst seemed to have taken my place as his regular companion – particularly in light of Holmes’ unwillingness to travel to London.

The second was longing. The mystery was a splendid one and one I should have been delighted to accompany him during.

The third was concern following a sudden thought. “Holmes, are you sure there were no other such jellyfish the storm brought up from the south?”

Holmes looked at me with some surprise. “Of course. No other such attacks have been reported and the storm was over a week ago. I shouldn’t think a subtropical jellyfish could survive that long in cooler English waters, at any rate.”

I leaned forward and met his eyes. “Are you sure enough that you are willing risk another such attack?”

Thoughtfully, Holmes refilled his pipe, lit it, and puffed on it a few times. “No, Watson, I am not,” he said at last. “Tomorrow morning, if you are willing, we shall reunite for an investigation of a somewhat different kind.”