"Customer walking in!"
The familiar yell had Jessie raising her head away from her phone, but the fakey no-I-really-am-happy-to-serve-you smile she usually plastered on her face for a customer soon melted into a genuine one. She ran to the kitchen only to stop short at the door and poke her head in.
"Doctor John's order, Lil!"
Jessie spun back around, heading to the restaurant's glass doors. Doctor John Watson was entering in at a brisk walk with a friendly smile; must've been a good day then.
" 'lo Jessie! Haven't been working too hard I hope?"
"Hey Doctor John, it's good to see you. It was pretty busy here before you came but it seems to have calmed down a bit now. Want to sit at my section?"
"Always do. How's school?"
Jessie had met her regular customer prior to becoming a waitress at The Sparrows; a small diner located right across the street from where she wanted to work someday. She'd actually shadowedj Doctor Watson there once, and now he made a point of sitting in her section whenever he fancied a meal after work. He always left a ridiculously generous tip, "helping out the future generation," he called it.
"Same as always, I was really looking forward to the weekend. You getting your usual?"
"Oh, and a cuppa hot tea please!"
"Coming right up."
When Jessie got back with the drink, John was reading the paper but smiled up at her as she approached.
"One tea, piping hot. Hey, I read your latest blog entry! Did you really dress up like a ninja from a comic book? And more importantly do you have pictures?"
John gave an easy, if a tad bashful, laugh, "Sorry Jessie, no pictures. You kind of had to be there, but yes I really did fake fight someone in a ninja costume…in public no less."
"I'm sad to have missed that. I loved the blog post, though! You guys got a case going on now?"
"That's actually why I'm here. We don't and Sherlock has been insufferable with boredom. I thought I'd delay going home for a while."
Eying a small family making its way toward the door, Jessie shot John a quick, friendly smile.
"Well, it's always good to see you. Your order should be ready soon."
For a while work dragged on, with John comfortably reading at his own table while Jessie cleaned up the spills of a three-year-old and took more orders. It was five and they were getting the mini rush of early dinner-goers before the inevitable rush around six thirty.
As predicted though, the door to the restaurant suddenly burst open and the purposeful strides of Sherlock Holmes made their way over to Doctor John's table.
This was always Jessie's favorite part. Doctor Watson raised his head at the footsteps and when his eyes landed on his friend, his whole face lit up as if Sherlock had made his day just by walking through the door.
And then of course Sherlock had to go and ruin it by shouting out,
"We have a case, John! Lestrade just texted me; there's been a triple murder!"
It was, of course, in a tone and volume completely inappropriate for conveying such news. John let out an exasperated sigh. The family in the corner looked absolutely horrified and the mum even reached over to cover her child's ears. If one listened closely, the sound of the cook's laughter could be heard from the kitchen. Jessie just calmly made her way to the back to grab Doctor John's order; already packed up to go.
"You do realize case is synonyms with shag right?" Lily quipped.
Jessie rolled her eyes but couldn't help the snort. As she wound her way through the tables toward the odd pair she saw that Sherlock had not calmed down and was still as animated as a kid on Christmas. He was even bouncing on his heals a little. Doctor John had one hand held out in a placating gesture and was looking around wincing.
"Sherlock-"
"Ah, Miss Jessica, thank you for the food. It's excellent that it's all packed up and ready to go. Come on, John." With that, Sherlock spun on his heel and nearly ran towards the taxi waiting outside.
John himself turned, cringing, towards Jessie.
"Here's your check and your food. I also included a little something for Sherlock, on the house, since you told me you were worried about him not eating much."
John gave her an appreciative look, "Jessie, you're a bloody angel! Thanks again. Oh, and here." The doctor dug in his pocket before handing Jessie his usual, generous tip. He gave her one final smile before running out of the restaurant.
"I expect to read all about this one." She called after him, before turning to deal with the other, scandalized customers.