Chapter Text
“Alright, then. Let’s see you sorted.”
Greg turned his anxious brown eyes up towards the billeting officer and clutched his suitcase a little tighter as the man looked at the tag that was affixed to Greg’s coat. It had been scary on the train. Not the same sort of scary that he might feel in London with bombs falling but being packed into a train with kids he didn’t know to go someplace he didn’t know to stay with people he didn’t know… not knowing was a scary thing all by itself!
And he didn’t know how long it would be until he could see his mum again. She was working in a hospital and was very busy, so he didn’t see her as often as he’d like, but he did get to see her every day and now he couldn’t and that was scary, too. His dad was fighting the evil Nazis so he couldn’t see him either and now he couldn’t see his dad or his mum or his friends or anyone he knew. He didn’t mind being alone; he was tough and smart and could make do on his own, but… it was still scary. You could admit something was scary and still be tough.
And he had to be tough. Brave, too. He was here so he could be safe and his mum wouldn’t have to worry about him or lose him like she was scared might happen with his dad. His mum was tops, the best! He had to be tough and brave so she didn’t have to worry and hurt and could help the sick people and soldiers get better as best she was able.
It was still scary, though.
“Greg Lestrade. Alright, lad, have a seat over there with the rest of the children. The host families will be here soon and I’m confident you’ll be picked by a very nice family who will give you a good home.”
“I have one already.”
“Come again?”
“I have a new home. I… my mum said it was a done thing that I had a new house to live in until I come home. To my real home, that is. In London. Here…”
Greg sat on the floor and opened his suitcase, taking out a small, slightly rumpled note that he handed to the officer.
“Oh. Oh, I see. The Holmes family. Well, yes… can’t cross them, now can we. Lucky lad you are, though. They’ve got a fair bit of money and lots of land to run about on. Sons, too. One… I think their oldest is about your age. You’ll have a friend to play with, won’t that be lovely.”
“My dad knows their dad. He worked with their dad in London. Before my dad went off to fight the Nazis.”
“Soldier, huh. Fine fellow, you father is. Doing what’s right to kick Jerry square in the bollocks. Alright, then. I’m sure Mrs. Holmes… or her staff… know the train schedule but I’ll ring them up just in case and say you’re here safe and sound. Greg, was it? Go ahead and have a seat. You have a nibble packed with you?”
“Yes. I… ate my sandwich on the train. I’ve got my apple, though. And some nuts.”
“Good. There’s water in the pitcher by the cups. Shouldn’t be a long wait. The Holmes’s are punctual people, unlike others I might mention, like that Norbert Tiller who keeps me waiting every time he’s to meet me at the pub. Anyway, I’ve got a call to make. Run along, that’s a good lad.”
Greg nodded and closed his suitcase, looking about the large hall for a moment before moving towards an empty bench set along a wall under one of the windows. He could have sat on a bench with other children but he wanted to eat his apple and nuts and not have to talk to anyone while doing that. Not that he didn’t want to talk to the others, but not right now. He hadn’t napped on the train like some had and didn’t immediately see any of the kids in his train car that he’d chatted with on the trip and, besides, he was hungry and just wanted to eat and have a moment to… he didn’t know. Just sit and eat, really.
“Greg! Seems it’s your lucky day. They’re already here for you, lad. Come on, best get to it. Not right to keep the Holmes’s waiting.”
So much for sitting and eating. But he couldn’t be horrid because they’d said they’d take him in and Mummy said it was very generous of people like that to care about them and want to keep him safe. He could have his apple and nuts later. They were supposed to feed him, at least, that’s what Mummy said, so he could keep those aside in case he got hungry at night because they couldn’t put a lot on the plate at supper. Maybe he could get a job so he could buy food and help? Or show them how to grow things so they could grow their own food. His dad grew things for his wages and he’d learned a lot from watching and helping. Even knew how to grow a bit of veg because they had a little plot of their own to use and his mum and dad both grew lots of things to eat. Mum said to be helpful where he could, so…
“Master Lestrade?”
Greg looked around for the person who shared his surname then realized the tall, well-dressed man standing in the doorway was talking to him.
“Me?”
Best be certain, though.
“If you are Gregory Lestrade, then I do mean you. There is still time to claim you are Robin Hood, however, and dart away to rob the rich, so do think carefully.”
Greg giggled as the refined man waggled his eyebrows then stood as tall as possible and nodded firmly.
“I am Gregory Lestrade! Though I wouldn’t mind being Robin Hood. He knows how to shoot arrows and ride horses, which must be loads of fun.”
“I agree. I hope we are able to provide sufficient activities that you find your time with us to be loads of fun.”
“You… you’re not Mr. Holmes, are you? Mummy said he would probably be in London most of the time because of the war.”
“Well observed, Master Lestrade. I am Edwards, Mr. Holmes’s assistant and, for the time being, seeing you properly settled and assisting Mrs. Holmes with various tasks so her time in the country is both enjoyable and productive.”
“Oh. Alright. I know how to grow things.”
“That is an admirable skill.”
“I can help with that so there’s enough food for everyone. Mummy said to be helpful.”
“That would be very helpful indeed and I have little doubt the groundskeeper would appreciate the assistance. Perhaps you might convince Master Mycroft to join you. It would do him good to spend time outdoors.”
“I like being outdoors. There’s lots to do like play and work in our garden and throw balls and run.”
“And Master Mycroft would benefit from all of that, to be certain. Already you are contributing to our household, Master Lestrade. Very well done.”
Greg puffed with pride and followed after Edwards who motioned to join him to walk towards the large vehicle waiting outside the hall.
“That’s yours?”
“The Holmes’s actually, however, I am privileged to ride in it, on occasion.”
Instinctively dusting off his bum, Greg nodded once for no specific reason and gasped softly when another man exited the vehicle and opened the rear door.
“He’s wearing a uniform. Is he a soldier?”
“Charles? I have seen him fight a spanner when a nut was being particularly bothersome, but that is the extent of his military aspirations, I believe. He is Mr. Holmes’s, now Mrs. Holmes’s, driver.”
“He drives? What else?”
Greg missed the smirk that passed between Edwards and Charles who were mentally drawing up a list of various duties the driver, and the assistant, had to perform for the Holmes family. They stopped when the list required a new sheet of mental paper to continue.
“Oh, a bit of this and that, as necessary. It’s expected we all do what is necessary or helpful during this dreadful war.”
“That’s true. Are we ready to leave now?”
“Feeling eager to see your new home, Master Lestrade?”
“A little. I also have to wee.”
“Then let us be off. Charles, kindly use the ‘need to wee’ protocol for seeing us home in rapid fashion.”
“Of course, sir. Do prepare yourself, young master. It is not often that our speed reaches the necessary value for us to become airborne, but if the roads are clear I make no guarantees.”
A wide-eyed Greg climbed into the car and wedged his suitcase tightly under the driver’s seat to ensure it didn’t become a missile if they started to fly. That would be terrible! Though, he wouldn’t mind if that terrible thing happened because it would be the greatest thing ever. In the whole world.