𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄 | Jamie Tartt

THIRTEEN, SHERLOCK HOLMES

DELICATE
THIRTEEN, SHERLOCK HOLMES

hollie.

I HUNT HIM DOWN. stalking through the crowds doing the thing I was actively trying to avoid all night, my father.

I step into the chill of the night. The majority of the paparazzi have cleared off, at least until people leave which many few have done yet. He stands in the entryway, with the girl in the green dress. A girl he stands close to, who doesn't look four years older than me.

The velocity of my heels on the floor turns their heads, the girl must know who I am as she backs away slightly — I ignore her, as I look at the grey haired man.

" I need to talk to you." I state, my tone affirmative as he looks at me in this state which he hasn't done often.

" Hollie, I'm a little bit busy-" he starts but I shake my head " I'm sure your friend can wait for you outside, it's not that cold." I say not even looking at the woman who just pulls from my father further.

There's distain for me in his eyes as he nods at the green dress girl as she exits through the doors. Once they close he looks back at me letting out a small, dissatisfied sigh.

" what is it-" he starts, but I'm too angry to even speak fully formed sentences.

I step forward, trying to look big, powerful over a man I've only felt small in front of — " what fucking nerve do you have!" My question is the rhetorical kind but of course it doesn't stop him from answering.

he looks amused " what?" he asks, like the victim again. Only fuelling the fire in me even more.

" it was her night!" I point my finger into my dads chest as I notice his nonchalant expression. Like he's tired, " hers! You couldn't let her have one moment of glory!" I shout. I don't care about the people passing by I'm angry, I'm a volcano of rage for the man before me.

Rupert grabs my wrist, my hand goes limp and my eyes widen and tearful in an instant and I feel so much smaller again

" you better watch your tone, I am still your father."

The words come out of his mouth and I scoff, amused by the title he's bestowed upon himself.

"since when have you ever been a fucking dad to me?" I shout, not even caring for the turning of heads in the almost deserted room

" you don't give a shit about me unless it impacts how you're perceived! I don't remember you ever staying up with me when I had nightmares, or taking me to the doctors when I was ill, or do literally doing anything to amount you to 
anything more than a sperm donor!" My voice breaks, my heart aches as I confront the man.

He looks angry, " I raised you, you little shit!"

Another scoff leaves my lips " raised me, you really think you raised me?" I laugh

" no-no! the maids raised me, Rebecca -" I point my extended arm towards the main part of the gala "-she raised me, you just pushed me aside when I wasn't helping your reputation with the press!"

" you forgot about me the second the cameras turned off and the doors to the house closed." I told him.

" and yet still, you come to these events and you speak to the press and  you feel entitled to act like the fucking victim in all of this!" I watch as he twitches with anger " like you're the one who didn't parade around with women a quarter of your age making mum look like a fool." I tell him,