I Never Forgot - chapter 4

                     



Basil’s little proposal surprised Olivia quite a lot. She never dreamt that Basil would suggest something as trivial as taking a walk in the park – especially being the sort of mouse he was.

Still, it pleased her; rather a lot. After Mrs. Judson came in with Olivia’s breakfast porridge, Olivia wolfed it down, forgetting about manners; even forgetting that Basil was in the room and raising an eyebrow in amusement at her ravenousness.

After she had finished and was full, Olivia darted upstairs to get ready, forgetting to hide her enthusiasm with a big smile spread across her face. In that time, Mrs. Judson sat down heavily opposite Basil in one of the armchairs, adjusting her white frilled cap. A few minutes of calm silence passed before she spoke. Basil had his eyes shut, though he was not asleep.

“She’s such a lovely girl, isn’t she?”

Basil suddenly opened his eyes then replied after a brief moment, “Yes… she… she is; Very charming. It’s um… nice to see that she’s grown into such a pleasant young woman.”

“Oh, come off it, you. She was always a beautiful and brave little girl. Her father must be very proud of her.”

Basil simply nodded absent-mindedly in the direction of the stairs where Olivia was getting ready. He didn’t look as if he was going to say anything else. Mrs. Judson tactfully – or so she thought - changed the subject.

“So,” She began, folding her big padded arms across her chest ,”What on earth were you doing last night, drooped over your wretched desk where it looked like a bomb had hit it?”

Basil stared at her for a moment, all outraged innocence. It didn’t take long for him to come with a perfectly adequate and brilliantly executed clever excuse, “Oh, you know me, Mrs. Judson. I’m getting older, my mind clouds up as it were, and I often forget to go to bed. Goodness, you worry too much for your own good, old girl,” Basil chuckled. Mrs. Judson frowned indignantly. She’d put up with Basil’s seemingly innocent wheedlings for many years; she knew that something else was wrong. But only being the old, humble landlady, she couldn’t really press it on further.

Not that she needed to. Olivia appeared on the top of the stairs, making her way down slowly.

Basil turned to look at her – and couldn’t look away.

Olivia looked beautiful; so utterly charming and charismatic like a fully-bloomed flower. She was wearing a pale pink dress - clinched in at the waist - with a lilac petticoat, with same-shaded lilac frilled fringing on the collar which displayed a fair amount of neck, unlike her last dress. Round her neck she wore a silver heart-shaped locket, and the bow on her left ear was now a dark pink. Her fur was soft and her eyes were bright with youth and vitality. She slightly self-consciously made her way to the bottom of the stairs, carrying a thin silk peach-pink shoulder shawl.  

Although she was dressed rather simply, Basil still looked at her like she was dressed in finery. He couldn’t help looking.

Olivia got to him and Mrs. Judson and gave them both a little smile. Olivia then draped her shawl around her shoulders and waited for Basil to prepare himself for going outdoors. He snapped into action and pulled on his Inverness coat and put his Deer Stalker hat on.

“Mrs. Judson, if anyone should call round here in my absence, please inform them that I will be back soon and if they wouldn’t mind waiting.” He said briskly.

Mrs. Judson nodded. “I’ll be seeing you both later then!” she chirped, as she shut the door behind them both.

Basil and Olivia glanced at each other. Basil grinned foolishly.

“Right, my dear, let us be on our way!”

---


Meanwhile, in a dingy and secret hiding place in the old basement of an abandoned flat not too far from Baker Street, a group of heavily shadowed characters were… having a little discussion. The atmosphere was heavy with a lust for revenge so strong, you could almost smell it. Thoroughly bitter and angry they all were, with very grim intentions. Their voices echoed ominously throughout the room as they spoke.

“Basil of Baker Street; London’s most famous and prestigious detective, single-handedly responsible for the demolition of all our glorious plans, am I right?”

“Most famously the overthrowing of the Great Ratigan, fifteen years ago.”

“Yes, we all know that…”

“Curse ‘im… how did Ratigan’s superior mind not triumph?”

“You would suck up to him, being one of his gang all that time ago.”

“Too right. The other guys just shrugged it off and went to live their own lives, but I was too into that ‘ole criminal scene… Ratigan was the perfect role model.”

“To hell with that, Ratigan only got in the way.”

“You watch ya words, scum!”

“No!”

“Shut up, you two, now. More important business is at hand.”

“Yes… we shall make him pay for what he’s done…”

“Yeah, what he did to Ratigan!”

“And me…”

“To all of us!”

“Doesn’t he have that little brat Olivia with him now? That’s what you said after you spied on them and left that note.”

“Yes, he does. She’s there.”

“God, I’m so going to thrash her, the little whore!”

“Calm it, love. We must all wait until the time is ripe. We’ll all reap the benefits!”

“When will the time be ripe? I can’t wait to make them pay!”

“Oh, very soon, my dear, very soon…”

----


The sun was shining gloriously as Basil and Olivia arrived at Regent’s Park. It had been quite a walk, but they’d kept about of harm’s way and made it there eventually. Birds twittered happily, some of them being fed birdseed by the humans. Basil and Olivia walked the safest way for mice through the park, amongst all the flowers and bushes.

“Now, we must make our way to the Rose Gardens. They are most beautiful, especially in the summer. I have a feeling you’ll find the roses rather charming, especially a girl like you.” Basil led Olivia to an enclosed garden near the center of the park.

Sure enough, the roses took Olivia’s breath away. Being mice, roses obviously aren’t as small to them as they are to us. The roses looked magnificent; great looming flowers on thorny stems with petals spiraling into the center. They stood grandly in various gorgeous colours; red, yellow, white and pink.  Olivia gasped as a big smile spread across her face.
She approached a large, beautiful pink rose, and looked up to where the flower head was. The morning dew had not quite subsided yet, and the drops gleamed on the petals like diamonds in the shining sun.

“Wow…” Olivia whispered, “They’re so beautiful…”

Basil was very strongly resisting the urge to remark that the roses weren’t the only things that were beautiful. He cursed himself for thinking such foolish romantic thoughts, but couldn’t help looking at Olivia in all her cute splendor, admiring the roses. Her eyes were gleaming in happiness – she too couldn’t think of a lovelier situation. She was actually with Basil, alone, in this gorgeous setting…

“Basil?”

Basil cleared his throat clumsily, “Uh yes?”

“Thank you so much for bringing me here… I don’t think I’ve ever actually been to Regent’s Park before… it’s so…” She couldn’t think of the word, so she gestured all around the park with a look of adoration on her face.

Basil smiled at her.

“Shall we carry on? I can’t wait to see more of the park! What about the fountain? Oh, look over there, those flowers!” Olivia chirped excitedly. She started to walk off but suddenly Basil’s hand shot out and clasped her wrist, causing her to freeze.

A brief moment of thudding hearts and extreme blushing on both parts passed. Olivia’s eyes were wide as she turned to face Basil.

“…Basil? What… what are you doing?” Olivia breathed, completely aghast. His eyes were heavy with a feeling unbeknownst to him, and he was blushing profusely. He gently but firmly pulled her right up close to him, and furtively clasped a hand on her lower back. Olivia was so surprised, joyful, and slightly nervous at the same time that she could practically hear her heart hammering in her ears.

“I think that…” Basil whispered, making Olivia shiver, “That young lady… this is the most… opportune time…”

With that, Basil gently kissed a shocked Olivia tenderly, as both their hearts melted for one another. In a way, Basil couldn’t believe what he was doing, or what had made him suddenly do such a thing. He was kissing that little girl he had saved all those years ago… but she was a little girl no more. That was the past, and Basil could only concentrate on these unexpected feelings he felt in the present.

Likewise, Olivia’s head was spinning, as so suddenly her most clandestine wishes were coming true. Her hero had willingly embraced her and was now returning that secret love… the roses loomed overhead and sun gleamed as they shared more kisses, slightly more passionate this time.

“This is… so unexpected.” Olivia whispered.

“Definitely. Especially for me,” Basil chuckled softly, “But … for once, this is something I cannot over analyze…”

Olivia breathed out in joy as Basil embraced her.

They carried on strolling through the park, Olivia’s arm now hooked into Basil’s. Olivia closed her eyes in happiness, resting her head on the arm of her love. Basil looked down at her, smiling, surprised with himself, yet so undeniably happy…