Sherlock: The Next Generation

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

The bell was the first thing that woke Martin, but what caused him to sit bolt upright was what followed. There was a sudden round of singing and there was a blur of figures around his bed.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Martin! Happy birthday to you!" Martin grabbed his glasses as this was sung and put them on so as to see properly. All four of the other boys had gathered around his bed, still in their pyjamas, with wide grins on their faces. Max was closest to his head, holding a square parcel which he promptly held out.

"Happy birthday, Marti," he smiled warmly and sat down on the edge of the bed. This example was promptly followed by the other three who also sat in various places on Martin's bed. As this happened Martin stared down at the present with an almost bemused and curious expression. Max had got him a present? Wow... He hadn't expected that. He had gotten presents from all of his family before coming back to school, which had been pretty great. He hadn't expected to get any on the day.

"Well go on, open it!" Max rolled his eyes slightly. "All four of us contributed to get it."

"I'm opening it, I'm opening it!" Martin shot a mock glare at Max as he carefully unwrapped it. A small cry of joy emerged from his lips as he stared down at its contents. At the back was a book of violin music from various theatre productions along with the piano accompaniment. There was also a nice, leather bound sketchbook and a set of watercolour paints. That was good. They must have known that his own were running out. He opened the sketchbook and found that there was a little note inside from each of them. The second page also contained a picture drawn by Max of Martin. It was really rather good. Of course.

"Thank you," Martin practically breathed. He suddenly moved forward and gave Max a tight hug, then Robbie, then Dan and finally gave one to Louis. "Thank you all. This is great."

"Glad you liked it," Max replied. He seemed to be doing all the speaking. It was in his talkative nature, Martin guessed. "We should probably get dressed now." There were nods all around as the four of them got off Martin's bed and moved back to their own.

Martin pulled the curtain around his bed after pulling out his uniform from his chest of drawers, placing the presents down on the end of the bed. A wide smile was permanently on his lips as he dressed. This was great. He was glad that he was with all of his friends to celebrate his birthday... But something was missing. Well, someone. Hamish. He really missed him. It was a fresh feeling. This was the first birthday he would spend without his twin. He was sure it would be a good day but... Not as good as it would be with Hamish.

*****

"Martin! It's our..." The words died on Hamish's lips as he realised he was talking to an empty bed. He hadn't managed to get to sleep until rather late in the night, catching about four hours of sleep before waking ready for the day. "Oh..."

Hamish dragged himself out of bed, sluggishly pulling on a pair of black trousers and a plain, but smart, white shirt. He had a long day ahead of him. Normally he looked forward to his birthday but without Martin it just wouldn't be the same. It commemorated the thirteen years they had spent together. They were meant to celebrate it with each other. Not alone...

Hamish guessed that he shouldn't really dwell on that kind of thing. Martin was up in Scotland at a school that suited him. He was thriving. Hamish himself had a great friend and wasn't the one away from home. At least he had Molly, Dad and Papa. And Aunt Molly, Uncle Mycroft, Uncle Greg and the various other relatives. Martin didn't have any of them. Just his friends. Though Hamish was sure that Martin had a good friend in Max. He was satisfied after his scrutinising deducing when they had first met.

"Happy birthday, Mish!" Molly was the first one to greet him as he emerged from his room, receiving a hug going on tackle from her. He smiled slightly, ruffling her blonde curls.

"Morning, Molly. Thanks, I guess." He disentangled himself from his little sister and headed into the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling it with a bit of cereal.

"Happy birthday, Mish," John swooped down on Hamish, planting a soft kiss on his forehead along with a slight ruffle of his hair. Sherlock looked up from the case files he was reading, a scowl on his lips. He wanted a kiss and his hair to be ruffled! But he guessed he would get exactly what he wanted later... For now John had to be all fatherly to their son and daughter. John noticed this slight scowl and bit back a laugh, shooting Sherlock a teasing wink before sitting next to Hamish. "We're going to go out later for dinner, just the four of us, and we'll do presents then. Is that okay?"

"Yeah..." Hamish mumbled as he finished his breakfast and headed out of the kitchen, back into his room to get ready for school. Just over half an hour later he was wandering the corridors of the school, in the direction of his locker. He already wished that this part of the day was over so he could go home. He hated school. It was so boring. The only good thing about it was that he got to see Mortimer. Speaking of the devil...

"Hey, Hamish," Mortimer was leaning against the lockers just next to Hamish's, a lazy smile on his lips. "Happy birthday. I guess you're a teenager now... Please tell me you won't become grumpy and snappy at school." Mortimer's tone was light and teasing, his dark midnight blue eyes twinkling.

"I'm already grumpy, Mori," Hamish retorted with a light snort, rolling his eyes as he opened his locker and grabbed his books. "Especially on the days when I'm helping solve a case... I don't like talking."

"Yeah, I know," Mortimer shrugged slightly. "There are days when I don't like to talk as well."

"Our silent days rarely coincide, though."

"A shame, that."

"Yeah," Hamish tilted his head as they started walking. "I have to say, today is verging on being one of those days."

"How so?" Mortimer arched an eyebrow, almost looking concerned.

"I miss Martin. More than normal. It's our birthday and we should be spending it together."

"Hey, don't worry," Mortimer put an arm around Hamish in a friendly manner. "Just try and be happy. That's what Martin would want. I'm sure he's enjoying himself up in Scotland. Don't dwell on it. No matter how far apart you are at least you know he's safe. And he'll always be in your heart. You'll see him the next holidays and can talk to him whenever you do. That's all that matters. So try and enjoy yourself."

"I guess you're right."