John headed downstairs, still half-asleep even after his shower. He headed into the kitchen and saw Charlotte, his now six-year old daughter, seated at the kitchen at table, furiously swiping and tapping the screen of Sherlock's phone. John glanced over at Sherlock who was seemingly oblivious to the fact he was even there. Charlotte didn't even bother looking up as John took the seat next to her.
"I'm not going to get past this level this time, am I?" John wasn't sure if she was talking to herself but he decided to answer her anyway.
"What are you doing?" he asked, leaning over slightly.
"I'm playing Angry Birds. Daddy said I could use his phone. I'm stuck on this level though," Charlotte paused as she catapulted another bird towards a pig surrounded by rocks. "I'm not going to pass with a shot like that am I?" she said, scowling at the screen.
"Why don't you just restart the level and have another go then?"
"Daddy said the experience would be invaluable."
"Did he?" John looked over at Sherlock again, who this time looked up briefly from his microscope. "Did he say anything about it making you frustrated every time you get stuck?"
"No…"
John sighed. "Have you had anything to eat yet?"
"Yes…"
"Then why don't you go get washed and have another go later?" he suggested. Charlotte looked at him for a moment then turned her gaze to the phone again.
"Okay, just one more go first?"
John nodded. "One more go." He agreed.
John watched as Charlotte hit retry and started the level again for what she said was the fourteenth time. Sherlock peered over the top of his microscope surreptitiously.
Her first shot seemed to go well enough and the second one wasn't too bad either judging from her face. With the third shot however her body slumped. The defeat was almost tangible but Charlotte played on anyway. She watched the screen carefully, eyes widening as the rocks started falling to the ground.
"Please…" she whispered.
"It's a piece of software Charlotte. It can't hear you and it certainly won't respond." Sherlock said. John shot him a warning look telling him to shut up. In the end it didn't matter.
"I did it. I really did it," she turned to John. "I did it Dad, look!" She showed him the phone proudly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Well done. But no, you're not starting the next level right now."
"Fine," she sighed. "I'll get dressed first." She hopped off the chair and walked round to Sherlock.
"Thank you Daddy." She kissed his cheek quickly, handing back his phone before running to get changed.
"John."
"Yeah?"
"Put my phone on charge."