Chapter One

Baker Street

I opened the door to my house, shaking my umbrella trying to get rid of any excess rain before stepping inside. I took my coat off and hung it up, putting the umbrella in the sink. My teeth chattered as I rubbed my arms trying to warm myself up before moving to put the kettle on.

It hadn't been the best day for me. I had lost my job. Again.

This time I could honestly say it wasn't my fault, my stupid co-worker had tripped, pushing me into a customer and I spilled hot chilli onto their lap. Quite clearly she should have been fired and not me, even though me and the customer had a massive argument. I think he was over reacting.

I sighed before picking up the paper and flopping onto the couch. I turned my TV on not really listening to the news before opening the paper to the jobs section. Wincing at a few, such as dustbin lady, there was no way I was that desperate... yet.

I reached out to the table to grab my cup of tea, eyes still scanning the paper. I found a few options, I doubted I would be able to work in a restaurant so soon after my traumatic experience so I looked at the one option left for me.

Cleaning.

There was an advert for a cleaner needed at 221B Baker Street. I could do that. I clean this place, I looked around to see all of my stuff spread out everywhere. I bit my lip, clearly I wasn't as good as I thought I was. No one really had to see my own place before I cleaned someone elses.

I picked up my phone and dialed the number, waiting slightly impatiently for someone to pick up.

"Hello?" An elderly woman's voice came through the phone.

"Hi, this is Lydia Roberts. I'm calling to enquire about the cleaning position needed at 221B Baker Street." She gave an excited gasp.

"Oh yes dear hello. My name is Mrs Hudson." I heard someone muttering something to her on the other end "If you'd like to come round tomorrow for a cup of tea and we can discuss the details."

"Will do, how does one sound?"

"Sound perfect dear, see you tomorrow." We both hung up. I grinned, walking into the kitchen to grab some ice cream and a spoon before retaking my place on the sofa. I grabbed the remote to change the channel onto some movie that I had no idea of what the name was and dug into my ice cream.

I paused mid bite "Wait? Did that mean I was hired?" I shrugged it off before taking the bite. I would find out tomorrow.

The next morning, practically all of my clothes were on the floor. I'd never really gone for a cleaning post so I didn't know what was appropriate to wear. I held a black dress up to my body, shook my head and threw it on the floor. Definitely not, although that is something good to wear on a date. Not quite the impression I was hoping to give.

I found some black skinny jeans, threw on a red top with a black blazer and decided I looked smart enough for an interview but casual enough that it didn't look like I was trying too hard. I put on my black converse and decided I was ready.

I nodded, satisfied before turning back to the mess I'd made of my room. I winced, thinking I would clean it later, then scowled because I knew I wouldn't.

Oh to hell with it, I picked everything I could carry up and shoved it all back in my wardrobe, pushing the clothes when they tried to escape their fate. I quickly turned my back on it when I was content that they wouldn't all come tumbling out on me.

I'd sort it out later. I stopped, wondering where I'd heard that before before continuing towards the door. I took my phone out and googled Baker Street, seeing as I'd never been there before and it turned out it was only one street over, this was the perfect scenario for me, now I wouldn't have far to walk everyday.

I wouldn't describe myself as lazy. Others probably would.

I stepped out into the surprisingly sunny day, checking my phone to make sure I was on time, before making my way to Baker Street. It only took me five minutes to walk there, and there was a little cafe right next door, both things cheered me up immensely. I knocked on the door, completely missing the doorbells, and waited for it to be opened.

It only took a few seconds to open and a man just taller than me with slightly graying hair stood in front of me. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, is Mrs Hudson in?" I asked.

"Yes, come in." He held the door open for me, I walked into the hall and my eyes immediately went up the stairs where I could hear what sounded like a violin playing. The man shuffled past me and knocked on the door to my right.

"Mrs Hudson? Someone's here to see you." The door opened and the elderly woman smiled at the man.

"Thank you John, that must be our new cleaner." She caught sight of me and came bustling over "Hello my dear, if you'd like to come in." I was led into her flat, everything inside seemed to have some sort of pattern on. I smiled at the homey feel of it, she kind of reminded me of my nan.

"Tea?" I smiled, before sitting on the sofa.

"Yes please."

Mrs Hudson and I had a lovely chat about my new schedule. After clearing up the matter of payment and how much work is necessary we had to decide on how many day's I was coming by.

It was decided that I would come every other day but no Sunday's, we were both happy with this deal.

"Are you alright to start tomorrow?" Mrs Hudson lay her hand on my arm. I smiled and nodded, drinking the rest of the tea and standing up.

"I should get going, want to get here bright and early tomorrow." She chuckled and took my tea cup, taking it into the kitchen. I made my goodbyes and made my way over to the door, opening and closing it behind me I walked past the staircase, hearing footsteps behind me.

They stopped suddenly which prompted me to turn around. Standing there and staring at me was a man around 6ft, black curly hair and sharp cheekbones. He didn't say anything which made me uncomfortable.

"Um, hello?" He tilted his head and was seemingly about to reply but John, the man from earlier, came into view.

"Don't you dare Sherlock."

The now named Sherlock didn't look away from me as he replied "I have no idea what you're talking about John."

"Yes you do, you do and you're not going to." Sherlock sighed, placing his fingertips to the bridge of his nose before moving his eyes from me and brushing past.

"Sorry about him." John said, also brushing past me and both exited the house.

"Ah, I see you've met the boys upstairs." Mrs Hudson said as she saw me still standing there with no doubt a baffled expression on my face. I snapped out of it, giving her a confused smile.

"I think so."

I bid her another farewell before opening the front door of 221B Baker Street, I walked out into the still sunny day and heard the door shut behind me. Turning around I looked at the golden numbers hanging from the door, I could just tell that my time cleaning the place would be somewhat eventful. Even if it was because I had something nice to look at.

Sharp cheekbones indeed.