It had not been pleasant. Holmes had not spoken a word for several minutes after I first spoke. He always boasted of observation and deduction, but it had obviously never crossed his mind that my getting married must eventually mean that I would be moving from Baker Street.

"Well," He said at last, "I hope you and Mrs Watson will be very… happy!"

His voice had never been so cold, or sneering and he sat down sharply. He had not looked me in the eye the whole time. I knew that this was the moment that either we parted forever, or I did something to fix it. Drawing a deep breath, I quietly asked the question that I really wanted to know.

"Holmes, I want you to come to the wedding."

He snorted in a contemptuous manner and would have given me another lecture on marriage there and then, but I cut across him.

"And I want you to be my best man!"

I think it was the first time I have ever seen him truly surprised and he looked at me for the first time, his eyes wide. When he could speak, it was quiet and very slow.

"My dear fellow, I'm speechless."

I don't know how, but I think he realised at this moment, that I would be back.