Sherlock Holmes was staring at the wall. Not that he was saying it wasn't a nice wall but John had never seen Sherlock wait patiently for so long. Wait patiently for so long so still. Usually Sherlock's "waiting" involved a lot more arm waving.
"Erm… what are you doing?"
As if it wasn't obvious, "I'm waiting, John"
"Er… Right. Okay… Are you- are you waiting for anything in particular?"
Sherlock swung his head round to glare at his flatmate, "Yes John. I'm waiting for someone in particular." He sighed, his gaze returning to the wall.
John sniffed the air, "No need to be so patronising."
"Did you say something?"
John sniffed again. What was that smell? Could it be-? No. It couldn't be. Really?
Walking towards the laboratory cum kitchen John glanced around trying to find the source of the smell, "So this someone. Is it about the case?"
Sherlock smirked- the only expression he seemed capable of, "What case?"
John opened the fridge, "The soldier who's sister had gone missing." Not in there.
"It could be; I texted him. Said something about a Mr Emsworth. You'll need to look into that."
By now, John had looked through all the cupboards. What on earth was it? Turning, the smoking tray caught his eye, "What. On. Earth. Is. That."
Sherlock looked up. Then he glared down, "It's a present! It's for- here she is now!"
John stared at him. Sherlock Holmes giving someone a present?
"You intend to give them that?"
The front door slammed and the sound of someone bounding up the stairs three steps at a time crashed up to them.
A young girl, 14 at the most, appeared at the top of the steps. She ran into the room, her waist length murky grey hair streaming behind her. She stopped by the arm of Sherlock's chair, pausing. He didn't look up. The girl looked confused, her emerald eyes darting back a forth, "Oh!" she exclaimed, running back to the door and sharply knocking upon it twice.
She looked to Sherlock, "Sorry."
Sherlock heaved himself out of his chair. Turning to the girl, he glared, a look that would send any bad guy back into his cave. The moment lengthened, the girl's seemingly verdant gaze shimmering back.
Several moments passed before Sherlock sighed and asked "Yes?" The girl jumped into the air; throwing herself across the room into Sherlock's arms. (He patted her back awkwardly. Did people hug upon arriving in their flat? He supposed so. That what's-her-face, Lisa, she always jumped at John…)
"-And-I-missed-you-and-" The girl stopped to draw breath, "-And-I-was-going-to-visit-Mycroft-later-but-he's-at-the-palace-again-and-I-couldn't-leave-a-message-'cos-I-don't-think-his-new-secretary-likes-me-and-"
"STOP!" John yelled, looking between the slightly gauche Sherlock and the bubbly child exasperatedly "I'm sorry but... who the hell are you?"
The girl looked up at him from where she was now sitting cross-legged on the floor trying to tie the stunned Sherlock's shoelaces together. Sherlock yanked his foot away but the girl didn't seem to notice, "Me? Oh, I'm Pip!"
Pip jumped up in one fluid movement, brushing her stormy hair over one shoulder, "Have you eaten yet? I'm hungry. Food is an important part of a balanced diet you know. Shall I make us some chips? I like chips. Do you like chips? I'll make chips."
Then, as quickly as she had arrived, the girl was gone, bounding away into the kitchen.