When All Must End

Chapter 2

October 1906

 For the glorious Empire, fall was in the air. The fresh cool breeze swept through the London streets as leaves of red, orange, and brown followed in pursuit. Couples young and old walked along the sidewalks, never minding the others around them. All that mattered was the love they felt for one another; the happiness that they both gained.

In a way, the same could be said for Basil of Baker Street as he stared out the window which looked onto the busy cobblestone street. For once in the last several months, he seemed calm and collected. Taking a deep breath, he allowed the crackles and snaps of the burning fire relax him. Reaching into the pocket of his smoking jacket, his heart sank when instead of his pipe, a small velvet box was what occupied the small space. Taking another rugged breath, he pulled the small box from its temporary home and glared at it with such dismay.

Four months prior, after some assistance from Dawson, Basil had went out and purchased an engagement ring for his beloved Paula. He knew that she was a simple kind of mouse, so simple was what he found. Opening the lid, inside, tucked in a gentle bed of red velvet, was a ring that seemed to be made only for his lover. With a thin band, on top was a light purple—almost amethyst—jewel surrounded by small diamonds. As nervous as he was, he was anxious for the moment that he would ask for her hand in marriage.

Sadly, at the worst opportune moment, Paula was struck with what at first was a mild case of influenza. So any plans of Basil proposing to her were set on hold until her illness passed. To the detective’s dismay, what was at first days became weeks, and soon months. Whatever hopes Basil had for her slowly vanished as her health diminished.

“Jonathan,” a weak voice called out, snapping Basil from his painful trance. Closing the box, he placed it back into his pocket before turning around to see Paula standing before him. She was in the same cream coloured nightdress she was in the night before, which irritated Basil greatly. And all she had to keep herself warm was her favourite light purple shawl. Her face pale and her hair slightly ruffled, she still looked beautiful to the detective.

“Paula,” he said, “what on earth are you doing out of bed?” She knew right away that he would worry and scold her for being up in her condition, but instead of letting it get to her, she ignored it. “Is something the matter?” he asked. “Is there something you wanted?”

“No,” she answered softly. “I’m just tired of being in that bed any longer.”

“But it is in that bed you should be, you know that.” Approaching her, he wrapped his arm around Paula as he began to lead her back upstairs to her bedroom to rest but instead of going willingly, she did her best to fight.

“Jonathan, please?” she begged, her tone helpless to his ears. “For months that bed is the only place I have been in. I just want a change of scenery.”

Wanting to protest, Basil chose not to as he backed down and led her to his chair. “Fine, at least let me put you by the fire so you can keep warm, it is a bit chilly this afternoon.”

Once seated, Basil took a seat in the green chair across from her. They just looked at one another before Paula sighed deeply and gazed over at the warm hearth. The scene broke Basil’s heart as she seemed almost hypnotized by the dancing flames. What was she thinking, he would wonder. Whatever thoughts were going through her mind, he was about to find out.

“Jonathan…,” she began, almost choking on his name as she spoke, “there is something I must discuss with you.”

“What about, exactly?” Basil inquired, fear rising drastically.

“About…about us,” she replied painfully, looking away from the fireplace and faced Basil once more. “About where we stand.”

“Darling, if I can only explain--”