Mary's Nineteenth Century

"Mr. Minton, have you considered the option of women's clothing for Christmas presents?"

Mycroft had an innocent expression of "you said this first", without any guilt of being poked by Mary and rubbing his thoughts secretly.

"Well! That's really good advice. If you do, it will be the best Christmas present for me this year without a doubt."

"Ah--"

Mary smirked unabashedly, "Mr. Holmes, isn't the wind in Boston too strong for you? Otherwise, how could your intelligent brain not forget that skating is a dangerous sport, and the current skirt Pretending obviously won't allow people to act wantonly."

Subtext:

If you want two people to go skating together, then don't pay attention to other things.Be sober, women's clothing is impossible for women's clothing.

This reason is too objective and sufficient.

Mycroft couldn't refute that, although he was eager to see Mary's women's clothing, he cared more about the other party's skating experience.

"You're right, I didn't think well. So do you have any suggestions? For example, should I prepare skates, or rent shoes directly from the skating rink?"

Mary slandered this cunning way of asking questions, and did not give a choice at all that it was too cold to go out.But she replied, "I'll bring my own gear."

This is the agreement to meet at the Ice Lake in Regent's Park after Christmas.

Seriously, this skating is the official first date of the two.

Hearing the affirmative answer, Mycroft rarely felt that the days on business trips were too long.His patience was challenged when he had to wait another 48 days to see Mary again.

**

In winter, the nights are long and the days are short.In winter, there is always no ice and snow.

As the weather gets colder, the date is approaching.

It is said that Londoners started ice sports very early.As early as the 12th century, after the large wetlands on the outskirts of northern London froze, young people would go out to skate in groups.

There were no professional skates at that time, but they couldn't stop people from wanting to do ice sports.The hard shin bone is made and polished and tied to the sole, which is the simplest skate shoe.Leaning on a stick with iron nails below it in one hand, a skating aid began to fly on the ice like an arrow off the string. ①

More than 700 years later, London has become one of the busiest cities in the world, and people's enthusiasm for ice sports has never diminished.

Current technological means are not yet capable of creating an indoor artificial skating rink, but the Great Lake in Regent's Park freezes in winter and becomes a natural outdoor skating rink.

12 month 28 day.

Mycroft focused on the weather. After lunch, the sky was clear and there were no clouds floating around. He silently prayed that the weather suitable for skating could continue.

Two in the afternoon.

A carriage drives from Pall Mall to Regent's Park.

Because the Christmas holiday has just passed, and today is not a Sunday rest day, not many people come to the ice lake to skate.

Mary watched with a little curiosity. It was her first time at a 19th-century ice rink. "I heard that the ice lake in Regent's Park is very popular in the deep winter, and I was worried that it might explode every day."

Mycroft just arrived in London yesterday, and he handed over related official duties in the morning, so he doesn't have to be on duty in the afternoon.

In fact, it was his first time to skate in Regent's Park.In the past, at most, they passed by in a hurry, and didn't want to end at all.

The entire ice lake is very large.

Around the lake, there are four simple tents.

The tent was wide open, and a sign was erected, "Provide: 1. Rental services for skates, poles, protective gear, etc.; 2. Skating guidance and auxiliary services; 3. Temporary storage services for personal belongings."

A group of uniformly dressed young men sat in the tent, who looked like skating novice assistants.

There are also several boxes on the ground with the nameplate of St. Bartholomew's Hospital on them, which should be storing first aid items.

Mary and Mycroft carried their own ice skates and poles, and carried a small medical kit in their pockets, so they didn't need to use the tent service.

There are many benches for skaters to rest along the lake.The two found a quiet place to sit down, tied the skates to the soles of their shoes, and started skating into the frozen lake.

In recent years, skates have continued to evolve.One-piece skates have appeared, that is, the skates are inlaid with special soles, which cannot be removed.Most of them are still bundled, just tie the skates under the shoes you wear every day, which is more suitable for mass players because they are easy to put on and take off.

In the cold wind, people don't have to take off their shoes and put on another pair in public, which also makes it easier for women to participate in skating activities.

Not many people came to skate today, but you can still see a few young men knelt on one knee to tie the skates for their female partners.

Seeing this, Mycroft subconsciously turned his head.

Very well, my dear Mr. Minton and needing his gentleman's service, is the ice skate that has been expertly tied on one foot, and the other.

"what happened?"

Mary seemed puzzled and blinked, "Your back hurts, do you want special service?"

Smile!

Mycroft switched to a standard smile for a second. He heard some strange words and sentences.

Mary tied her skates with one hand, and said quite frankly, "If you want special services, that's another price."

"cough--"

Mycroft almost choked on this, it was too much, Mary's words got worse and worse.He immediately refused firmly, "No, I can do it myself."

Then, there was a moment of suffocating silence in the air.

It seems that there are very easily misunderstood words of tiger and wolf, which accidentally popped up.

"I mean do it yourself."

Mycroft quickly added, but still something was wrong.

what happened? !How did the atmosphere go from pure skating preparations to an indescribable track like a wild horse?

Mary suppressed a laugh. She could have sworn by the name Mark Minton that she hadn't teased Mycroft.

"Mr. Holmes, are you all right? Why do you suddenly look very serious? Does it mean that you don't like me to tell the truth? I don't kneel on one knee to tie someone's shoelace, but I can be special to you.

If it is inconvenient for you to bend over to put on your shoes, I can make an exception, but you have to increase the price accordingly, such as providing me with free desserts for a month. "

Mycroft: Oh!This explains, whoever believes is stupid.He was not stupid, he knew that he was just being molested again.

The word "again" is very illustrative.

"I appreciate your kindness. My waist is good enough to put on the skates by myself."

Mycroft maintained a steady tone, no longer entangled in this matter, and quickly put on his skates.

No words for now.

Leaning on their snow poles, the two got up and walked onto the frozen lake.Slow down at first and get used to it.

Five minutes later, Mycroft broke the silence. "Six years earlier, in January 5, the ice on Regent's Park Lake suddenly broke and more than 1867 skaters fell, 1 of whom died.

This major accident was a sensation, because most of the people who came to skate here were middle-class young people, and those who were killed and injured were also from this group.Then there was the Winter Ice Rink Rescue Team, those tent members stationed by the lake. "

Speaking of this, Mycroft naturally held Mary's left hand.

"Presumably you also understand the potential danger here, and you are the first time to skate in Regent's Park, I will hold you in case you accidentally smash a hole in the ice."

Mary didn't withdraw her hand, and even showed an extremely gentle smile in cooperation. "Mr. Holmes, are you sure you don't need to relearn the art of language?"

"Of course not."

Mycroft was straightforward, "I'm being blunt. I'm also the first to skate here, so please hold my hand, in case I accidentally fall out of a hole in the ice."

Now, it really seems like an objective description of a quick talk.

Mary nodded slowly, very good, this even used self-deprecation.

"Very well, Mr. Holmes, you are very well."

Mary spoke in a calm tone, and she couldn't tell whether it was a compliment or a criticism.Immediately afterwards, her left hand moved slightly, from being held to interlocking with Mycroft's fingers.

Then, Mary intentionally half-raised the hands they held. "So as you wish, safety first, we will fall together."

This action aroused the attention of others a little, but they didn't care too much after taking a look, and no one made a fuss.

Two men holding hands may be reported to the police for homosexuality on the main road, but it is normal on the skating rink.

Especially for the two men who looked like novices, it was only normal for them to help each other.

As for why the fingers are interlocked?

The reason is simple, that is, to hold on tighter.

The main thing is to look at their expressions. The two holding hands look like decent people.

It is slowly sliding from the corner of the frozen lake, and then begins to circle the lake.With their calm and unhurried posture, no one would suspect that they are messing with men and women.

On the ice, Mary and Mycroft moved slowly.Because I am not familiar with this natural ice rink, it is necessary to observe it first.

Even though they were as slow as the ladies in pannier skirts, the two kept sliding at a low speed without paying attention.

Whizzing--

From time to time, young ice skaters flew by.Some are so fast that there is a gust of wind, and some even whistle.

However, the concentration of the two is top-notch, and they are not affected at all.

Continue to move forward unhurriedly, and maintain a posture of clasping fingers in an upright manner.

Mary looked around with great interest. The branches were covered with snow, the flowers and trees were withered, and a row of snowmen were piled up by the lake to dilute the desolate chill. "Thank you for allowing me to enjoy Regent's Park from this angle, the scenery in winter is really unique."

"You are welcome. It is my dream to swim with you."

Mycroft kept a restrained smile as he spoke, doing his best to pretend to be a novice skater.

Today, he didn't plan to slide fast on the ice, he just asked Mary to slow down and walk around slowly hand in hand with him.

It's not a skating competition, so please do something quickly.Holding hands in full view could not have been better.

A cold wind blows.

The two did not chat anymore, but enjoyed their quiet stroll time.

Being able to find someone who is by your side, even if you don't speak, is reassuring.Not to mention the fact that the other person's breathing disturbed him, which is really an extremely rare thing.

Beginners glide slowly on the edge of the frozen lake.

In the middle of the frozen lake, the masters galloped and chased each other.

After Christmas, before New Year's Day.Regent's Park is a scene of joy and harmony.

After more than 40 minutes, the two circled the ice rink and returned to the starting point.

Mycroft breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, today, the lake surface was not broken and corpses floated out of the water.I wanted to ask if I should speed up for a lap next, but the sky changed suddenly.

Dark clouds gather, and it looks like there will be heavy rain soon.

"London, it's still the same, always cloudy and sunny."

Mary looked up at the change in the clouds, "Mr. Holmes, let's go back. I don't think you are interested in becoming a drowned chicken."

"Alright. Go home, it's tea time."

Mycroft had already arranged the menu for the kitchen.

The two went ashore, took off their skates, and prepared to walk towards the carriage stop.

Mycroft saw Mary staring deeply at the frozen lake. "Mr. Minton, did you not enjoy yourself? Next time, I..."

"No, today is fine."

Mary interrupted Mycroft with a smile, "It's really good, because it makes my heart happy to have your company."

Mycroft wondered, so why did Mary stare at the frozen lake in Regent's Park?

Mary took a step forward and whispered closely, "Because you have increased my pleasure value, so now I am seriously thinking about one thing. I have time to change places. Snow mountain skiing is more exciting than icy lake skating. I know you want I'm a woman, why don't you set a short-track skiing race, as long as you win, I will do what you want."

At the end, Mary seemed to think of the key point, "By the way, Mr. Holmes, can you do it? Oh, I mean skiing, can you do it?"