Title: The Second Route
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length: 864
Summary: Esme takes a parcel to Sherlock Holmes, and stops to assist him.

Esme knocked on the door of 221 Baker Street and waited for someone to open it.  It felt quite strange not getting her own key out and letting herself in and she wondered how much had changed since she left.

Mrs Hudson soon opened the door and smiled at Esme.  “It’s lovely to see you, Esme,” she said.  “How are you getting on?”

“Very well, thank you, Mrs Hudson.  I’m sorry I haven’t been in to see you, but I’ve been busy.”

“I rather thought you would be.  Well, Mr Holmes is expecting you, so I won’t hold you up, but if you have the time do come and see me before you leave.  I shan’t bother coming up with you, I’m sure you remember your way.”

Esme thanked her and walked up the stairs to 221B.  She didn’t have time to knock before the door was opened and Dr Watson welcomed her in.

Sherlock Holmes looked up from the map he was studying, and said, “You’ve brought the papers?”

“Yes, Mr Holmes,” Esme replied.  “Here they are.”

She handed over a small parcel wrapped up in brown paper, which Holmes untied and glanced through the contents, before extracting two pieces of paper which seemed to attract his attention.  He then placed two markers on the map and tried to place a piece of thin string between the two, but found the string tying itself round his fingers.

“Can I help you, Mr Holmes?” Esme asked.

“Yes, if you’d be so kind,” Holmes replied.  “I’m trying to work out the quickest route between the two points, but it’s not very easy.  The roads twist and turn rather a lot.”

Esme walked over and assisted Holmes in laying his trail.

“Right,” Holmes said.  “I think I have it.  There seems to be only one route they could both have taken, but in that case why didn’t they meet each other?”

“I’m not sure you’re correct, Mr Holmes,” Esme began.  The she stopped.  “Oh, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Holmes laughed.  “Two months ago you wouldn’t have done so.  As it is, I’m interested to hear what you think.”

“Could you tell me anything about these two people?”

“Not much is known about them; there’s one man and one woman.”

“Oh, that explains it.” 

“Really?”

“Yes, Mr Holmes.  I believe the route you have marked out would be the quickest for a man.  But a woman would stick to the slightly wider streets; it’s so much easier with a skirt.  This is the way I would go.”

Esme traced out the route with her finger.

“But there are two public houses on the way, both of which Lestrade’s men checked out,” Holmes said.  “Surely, she wouldn’t risk being seen?”

“A lady, with a bonnet obscuring much of her face, could easily pass by on the opposite side of the street and would receive scarcely a glance.”

“And that is why they did not meet.  You were right to correct me, Esme.”  Holmes stared at the map.  “And so, when the woman set out to intercept the man and warn him that he was walking into danger, she took what she saw as the quickest route, not realising he would take another.”

“But, Holmes, why not wait somewhere for him?” Watson asked.

“She had her own task, and she didn’t have time to wait, she just assumed they would pass each other.”  He sighed.  “That does clear up that question convincingly.  I had hoped it would throw some light on the affair, but sadly it doesn’t.”  He returned to scrutinising the papers Esme had brought.

She waited for a minute before saying, “Is there anything else, Mr Holmes?”

He looked up.  “What?  No, that’s all.  I have nothing to send back.  If you happen to see my brother, then you may tell him I will write to him later.”

Esme walked to the door, which Dr Watson opened for her again.

“It was lovely to see you,” he said.  “I trust you are taking care.”

“Of course, Dr Watson.  I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”

Esme headed downstairs, and stopped at Mrs Hudson’s door, wondering whether to knock.  Mrs Hudson must have heard her, for she opened the door and said, “Do you have time for a cup of tea?”

“Yes, I don’t need to be back until later, so that would be lovely.”

She went inside and, over tea and biscuits, Mrs Hudson told her about all the latest goings on in 221B, including the recent conflagration of the curtains, to which Esme replied she’d thought they were different.  She said very little about her own work, beyond confirming that she was happy in it and Mrs Hudson didn’t press her, simply commenting how confident Esme had grown.

“I even corrected Mr Holmes at one point,” Esme admitted.

“Good for you.  What was the nature of your correction?”

“It was about ladies needing wider paths for their skirts.”

“Yes, even though the man occasionally assumes one for a disguise, he hasn’t yet grasped that fact.”

They both laughed, and Esme took her leave, promising to call in and see Mrs Hudson again soon.