Feathers

The case had taken three days. After putting Catherine (aged 5 months) down for a nap, her father had finally managed to convince Sherlock (aged 37) to get some sleep too.


John made his way downstairs, and arrived back in 221A’s kitchen to find Mary and Mrs Hudson had moved on from looking at photographs of the latter’s new great-nephew.

“So you really were an exotic dancer,” said Mary.

John automatically glanced at the photo album, caught a glimpse of feathers and sequins and looked hastily away again.

“It wasn’t…” Mrs Hudson waved her hands vaguely. “It was more, you know… burlesque.”

Mary grinned. “Were you any good?”

John rested his hand on Mary’s shoulder. “I’m sure Mrs Hudson doesn’t want to talk about that.”

Mary turned and smiled at him. “You’re not embarrassed, are you?”

“Of course not,” said John. “Mrs Hudson taking her clothes off. Why would that be embarrassing?”

He picked up his cup of tea and took a large swig.

“Were you any good?” asked Mary.

“Not bad,” said Mrs Hudson, smiling a little.

“I bet you had lots of fans,” said Mary.

Mrs Hudson’s smile became rather more mischievous. “Just two actually.”

She stood up and demonstrated with a couple of feather dusters while Mary giggled.


John stared at the ceiling and prayed for temporary blindness.




A/N: Sherlock fanfiction: a 221B - a story in 221 words, final word beginning with "b". Holmes and Watson created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Sherlock and John property of Moffat and Gatiss, and the BBC.

221B form invented by KCScribbler (KCS).