Headstrong (A Benedict Cumberbatch Story)

Chapter 2

"Can you keep it down please?" I banged on number 45's door, trying to break through the barrier of music that was making the floor shake. I continued to pound on the door; my fist starting to hurt by the time it opened. Mrs Golderoy from number 47 and Matthew from number 44 both poked their noses out to see if I'd be successful.

"What do you want?" Ben's girlfriend Ellie (I'd discovered) demanded, a scowl on her face.

"It's 8:30 on a Sunday. Could you not wait until at least 10 to be playing your music so loud?" I said, forcing my voice not to quiver. 

"But it's our anniversary, can't we celebrate in peace?" she said; I stood my ground.

"Not really, no. All that loud music isn't exactly peaceful is it? And it's not very considerate to wake people up so early on a Sunday just because you've been together for 6 months - or however long it is."

"2 years, actually." she smirked, and I rolled my eyes. 

"Whatever, just... turn it down will you?" and I stalked back to my door. Just before I closed it, she called out,

"Aren't you going to congratulate us?" 

"Yes. Congratulations on waking me up and creating a mutual dislike between you and the whole building. Good day." and my neighbours cheered as I slammed the door. I paused in my hallway to listen for the volume change. There was a bit of shouting over the music, and then it became slightly more muffled; I had a feeling that it wasn't Ellie who'd turned it down. 

I considered retreating back to the warmth of my bed, but since I was already up (and in a bad mood so probably wouldn't fall asleep again) I fed Benedict and had a shower. 

The cat always had a habit of nosing into the bathroom at awkward moments, and this was one such moment.

"Get out you crazy moggie! Go on!" I through a towel at him and he turned his tail, fleeing back to the living room. 

**

I went to the supermarket later that day and was searching for Benedict's favourite cat food when a pair of strong hands grabbed me by the waist and planted me firmly on the ground at the end of the next aisle - just as a trolley full of old cardboard boxes came spinning rapidly past where I'd been standing moments ago. I turned to the owner of the strong hands, and came face to face with the human Benedict. He caught the trolley mid-spin and pushed it gently towards a uniformed man approaching us. 

"There you go." he smiled at me, and I shuffled nervously,

"Thanks for... saving me I guess."

"Yeah I suppose I did. It could have been hospital if you'd hit your head."

We stood silently for a few moments, with me not really knowing what else to say.

"So I didn't see you as a cat kind of person." he suddenly commented.

"Yeah, my cat's my roommate, very fussy about his food so I was scouring the shelves for his favourite." I explained my being oblivous of the trolley. He nodding understandingly before asking to my dismay,

"What's his name?"

"Benedict" I mumbled. And he cocked his head, holding a hand to his ear, "Pardon?"

"Benedict." I sighed, and Benedict - the human Benedict, gosh this was going to get confusing - chuckled. 

"He must be a very sophisticated, regal looking cat to deserve search a name." 

"Oh, look who's talking!" I laughed, and the embarassment between us disappeared as we chatted.

"So when are you next playing at the pub?" I asked, and he shook his head, embarassed.