Sherlock: The Next Generation

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

"So how is it going with your girlfriend?"

Martin picked at his dinner, looking up at Dan as he put forward the question. They had been back from the Christmas holidays for three days. Martin was surprised the Dan, Louis and Robbie hadn't started questioning him earlier. They had been shocked when he had told them all after the summer holidays. They hadn't thought that he would be the first one out of the group of boys to get in a relationship. Their bets had been on Louis, who had a huge crush on a girl called Eve in their year.

"Fine," Martin mumbled, eyes on his food. He didn't want to talk about it. It was going well, of course. He just didn't like discussing stuff like this. Normally Max would save him the hassle, changing the subject when he knew Martin was uncomfortable. But Max wasn't there. Yesterday, only two days into the term, he had come down with pneumonia and had to go to the medical bay. He was still there, but recovering. None of them were allowed to visit him, though, just in case. But Martin was sure he would be fine. There had been times when he had been sent back home when he got pneumonia.

"So did you go on another date?" It was Louis who jumped in now, a wide grin on his lips.

"Yes we did," Martin replied quietly, glancing up at the other boys. "We went to see a ballet show." He bit his lip. "I'm going to go back to the dorms." He got up, clearing away his plate (with the food practically untouched). He hurried away, towards the dorms. He missed Max, that familiar presence that would always be by his side. His best friend. One of the people he was closest to, aside from Hamish and Kari. He got on with the other boys. He just got on better with Max.

Martin entered the dorm room, picking up his violin and heading out. He went to one of the rooms designated for music practice and shut the door. No one would disturb him. Which was good. All he wanted to do right now was play. Compose. Let music fill the air.

Martin took a deep breath, bringing his violin up to the shoulder. He carefully drew his bow against a string allowing a sweet sound to echo around the room. He quickly made sure that the violin was tuned before closing his eyes. He let his hands take over, flowing across the strings as he mentally composed a tune at the same time. There was no need for him to stop and write it down. It was a one off. A song that was created, and played, as a spur of the moment thing. Not to be ruined by being put to paper.

When Martin finished darkness had completely shadowed the outdoors. That didn't necessarily mean it was late, though. It was Scotland mid January after all. He just stood there for a few moments, in the dark room. Collecting his thoughts. He felt a sense of calm fall across him. Something that always happened after playing. He felt that now he could face the world. Face people. Maybe, just maybe, actually hold a decent conversation. Maybe he should speak to Hamish. Talking with his twin always made him feel better.

In the end, Martin didn't have time to contact Hamish. He ended up getting pulled into a game of cluedo that Robbie, Dan and Louis were playing with two girls, Eve and Becky. They wanted a sixth player and Martin was the only person who was indifferent to participating (everyone else was doing other things, supposedly. Not many people liked cluedo). Martin ended up winning. Though he never played cluedo (it was banned in the house. The memory of the attempt at a family game, which papa had argued against in the first place, caused much amusement for all). It seemed he had picked up some deduction skills from his dad, even if they were nothing compared to his brother and sister's. Then again, Sherlock wasn't all that good at cluedo. He was convinced that it was the murdered person who had done it.

The next day Martin was allowed to visit. He was warned that he was only allowed in for half an hour and not to tire his friend. Martin promised that he wouldn't. He sat down in the chair next to the bed, placing a few sketchbooks and pencils on the bedside table.

"I thought you might be getting bored," Martin explained. Max grinned at him with a nod.

"Bored out of my mind! They won't let me do anything! I'm perfectly fine." The lie behind those words were punctuated by a coughing fit. "Anyway I've dealt with worse. This was reasonably mild."

"They just want you to get back to full health." Martin patted his friend's arm, shrugging slightly. Max snorted, muttering something under his breath.

"So, anything interesting happen in the few days I've been stuck here in the medical bay?"

"Not really. We began new pieces in the various orchestras and bands, obviously. Maths is dreadful without you. I really can't do it." Martin frowned. "I've been having to do all the experiments in Chemistry on my own thanks to you getting ill."

"Not exactly my fault," Max replied with twinkling eyes. Martin grinned.

"The other boys asked me how things were going with Karina at dinner last night."

"How terrible!" Max teased, earning a mock glare from Martin. "Seriously, don't think about it. They're just curious. After all, none have them have gone out with anyone before! It's only natural for people to bug their friends for details like that."

It was? Martin couldn't say he would know. After all he had only had more than one friend since he had started senior school. So for just over two and a half years. So he would just go with Max's word. "If you say so. I guess I should really rub it in their faces, shouldn't I?"

"Most definitely," Max laughed lightly, pushing back a strand of chestnut brown hair. "And soon I'll be back to help you!"

"Yes. I look forward to that."