Edith padded barefoot across the carpet of her flat, her slinky green dress glittering. Polished nails, but long ginger locks still hung down her back.

Outside the snow fell thick and fast to the dry grey ground. Edith glanced out the window and frowned, perfectly plucked eyebrows drawing together.

There hadn't been rain for a few days. The ground was dry, and the snow settled onto it calmly, shaking its coat and lying down.

Edith hated blizzards, and she hated being snowed in. It looked like this snow would settle, and she had guests in an hour.

She brushed her hair and turned to her unwilling flatmate.

'Hair up or down?'

Lavinia sighed. 'Why are you asking me? I just live here.' Putting two redheads together had not been a good idea. It was Edith's flat, she had bought it, painted it, furnished it. Lavinia had needed a place to stay while she was in New York, and Edith's parents had insisted she share. To be fair, Lavinia had objected almost as much as Edith.

'I only want a second opinion. Well?' Edith looked nervously out of the window at the thick white curtain falling. After much argument, Lavinia threw down her book and stormed off to her room, yelling, 'Oh, sort it out yourself Edith! I'm not your personal fashion expert!'

Edith shook her head, exasperated. Standing in front of the mirror, she carefully pinned her hair in a stylish twist, and added her climbing earrings. A touch of makeup and high heels completed the effect, and Edith twirled experimentally in the mirror.

The doorbell went suddenly, and it sounded like someone was leaning their whole weight on it.

'I'll get it!' Lavinia yelled. She must have been expecting one of her parcels, Edith wondered.

Yet when Edith came to see who it was, there was a frosty silence not entirely due to the blizzard conditions outside. Lavinia stood with her arms crossed barring the way in. Mary and Matthew exchanged confused glances. Matthew looked slightly guilty.

'Hello Matthew, Mary.' Edith stepped past Lavinia and kissed Matthew on the cheek. She nodded to Mary, the most they ever did.

'Where's Sybil?' Edith asked, just as a figure clad in Arctic weather protection burst onto the scene, breathing excitement and cheerfulness. Sybil exchanged a whirlwind of hugs and kisses then barged through the door.

'Why are you all just standing there? It's freezing!' She pushed everyone inside and closed the door. Divesting herself of her parka, two scarves, a bobble-hat, and two jumpers and leaving them spread out across the hallway, Sybil curiously explored the flat. A younger sister's privilege, she announced, and everyone loved her too much to object. Even Mary's cold, aloof façade shimmered on seeing her youngest sibling, rosy-cheeked and happy, laughing and sliding down the banisters like she was 8 again.

'Oh, this is nice!' Sybil said as she came into the living area. 'I really like the colour scheme, Edie!'

Mary sniffed, slid out of her expensive fur coat and gracefully relaxed onto one of the sofas. Matthew sat down next to her, and they conversed quietly in low tones like there was no one else in the room.

Lavinia huffed and stalked into the kitchen, where the sound of oven door clashing and woks crashing announced her anger.

Sybil flung herself onto the other sofa, ripped jeans and bright Christmas jumper contrasting with Mary's sleeveless dark red dress subtly complemented with black jewellery. Yet again, Edith felt second best, even in her snake-ish green floor length gown with a trail and gold accessories.

'So, Matthew, how is your latest case going?' Sybil interrupted the hushed conversation with a reproving glance at Mary.

Matthew turned to her and smiled fondly. 'I modestly think it's going to be a walkover."

Sybil leant forward. 'For the client? What is the charge?'

Matthew sighed. 'The charge is attempted murder and drug-smuggling. I think I can prove it pretty easily.'

Edith offered round drinks. She sipped her champagne and perched on the arm of Sybil's sofa. 'How can you prove it?' She asked, casting another anxious glance out the window.

Matthew smiled smugly. 'I can prove it-'

The doorbell went again, and Edith smiled secretly. Mary watched her, interested as to who it could be that made Edith look so happy.

Lavinia slammed the kitchen door, a signal to Edith that this time she was not going to answer it. Edith slipped off the sofa and smiled as she walked eagerly to the door.

Mary, Matthew and Sybil glanced at each other.

Mary groaned as she realised. 'Don't tell me she's finally found a man!'

Sybil cheered up immediately, but still gave Mary a disapproving look.

Out in the hall they heard Edith's voice.

'Hello Sherlock.'