I listened with growing unease as some of the members of my club began to argue for the need to protect borders against those who were potential threats. I wanted to protest that they weren’t the ones who would be involved in the actual protection and therefore in physical danger, but there seemed little point, so instead I stood up and went to retrieve my hat and coat before returning to Baker Street. As I did so, I heard one member say, ‘Poor chap, wounded somewhere out east, I believe. One of the unfortunates.’ I departed, muttering to myself that if they had their way, there would soon be many more unfortunates.

It was raining and by the time I reached Baker Street I was soaked. I had intended to walk off my fury but had only succeeded in making myself feel worse. I expected to be berated by Mrs Hudson on my arrival, but our landlady took one look at me and said she’d bring up some tea and would I like some hot crumpets. I was tempted to say a large whisky would be more appropriate, but refrained, since there was no reason to vent my fury on her.

As I entered our rooms, Holmes looked up and said, “Talk of defending the borders at your club?”

“What else?” I snapped. “Mrs Hudson is bringing some tea up, so…”

Before I could finish my demand that he clear the table, he was gathering together his papers.

It wasn’t long before Mrs Hudson arrived with a tray. “I’ve brought some extra hot water, plus some honey and a lemon in case you wished to make yourself a hot toddy,” she said.

I sighed. “Thank you, Mrs Hudson, I really appreciate the thought.”

“It’s no trouble at all, Doctor,” she replied and left us.

Holmes stood up and made a drink for both of us. “When the time comes, as I am sure it will, although I think and hope we have some years yet, I have every confidence you will offer your services. I know your views on the use of warfare to solve problems, and how it is nothing but a waste of young lives, but you will be there because every fibre of your being will want to aid the wounded. You will not be like those in your club, who watch from afar, but will once more be as close to the frontline as you can get.”

“Thank you.” Holmes’ affirmation, as well as Mrs Hudson’s kindness, meant a lot to me. I felt a little eased in my mind after my anger at the thought of the insistence on borders, so often man-made, being defended by other men’s blood.