Hearts pounded and adrenaline pumped as the competitors got on the diving block. The gun fired as they all dived in what seemed to almost be in sync.
"This 57.6 Dyno Radio and we are here today at the Female Swim Meet Finals at the Bristol South Swimming Pool in Bristol. We got some huge name competitors this year. Don't we Jerry?"
"Yes we do Reggie. The St. Ferdinand Flamingos are here to make history today with Sara Holmes representing them today. She has some impressive times and almost prefect season on her track record. The pressure is on for her and it will be the first time they go on to the nationals in over 20 years" Jerry replied.
"They do have to watch out for the champions, The Bristol Badgers, represented by Meghan Denger with her prefect season" Reggie nodded.
"Right now it is head to head between Sara and Meghan with Sara in the lead and she is on the final lap. I cannot believe my eyes Reggie! The Flamingos have a chance to go to the nationals after 20 years! Meghan seems to be slowing down and Tracy Escabard is ahead of Meghan. Am I believing what am I seeing here today?!" Jerry cheered.
"The key is to keep up your energy consistent Jerry and clearly Meghan has failed to do that throughout this season which has almost ruined her record and it's getting close between Sara and Tracy" Reggie added.
They heard the buzzer sound and the crowd cheered "The Flamingos are going to the nationals! Sara has brought them there for the first time in 20 years. Amazing effort! The team is going wild over their victory. We will interview Sara later only here on Dyno Radio at 57.6" Jerry exclaimed.
Sara climbed out the pool and the team hugged her and she chuckled as the crowd cheered. The coach cheered and wrapped a towel around her "Get changed and Dyno Radio wants to interview you by the way"
"I heard. But I'm going to see my friend over there" She told her coach and went to John and Lestrade "Hey John, Greg... I would hug you but I'm wet" She chuckled.
"Understandable" Lestrade smiled. John held Rosie and Sara smiled "Hi Rosie" She kissed her head and Rosie babbled happily, grabbing hold of Sara's finger. Sara grinned before saying "Let me go get changed quickly, get interviewed and then we can go home" She walked away as Rosie smacked John with her wet hand, laughing.
Sara went in the women's Locker room to change when she saw Meghan approach "Hey Holmes" She walked up to her "You put up a fair fight and I wish you luck at the nationals" She put out her hand to shake and Sara shook her hand "Thanks Meghan. I appreciate it" She gave a grin as she went to her locker, unlocking the combination lock and grabbed her clothes and went to change. Minutes past and Sara came out in sweats and a T-Shirt with her Swim Team Jacket and sneakers.
The coach smiled and guided her along and was sat down in between Reggie and Jerry. Jerry then exclaimed "And we are back here on Dyno Radio with Sara Holmes who just made the Flamingos go on to the nationals after 20 years. Now tell me Sara, how does it feel to be given this honor?" He asked.
"Well, I wouldn't say it's an honor, but I'm glad the team and I are moving on and may get the championship title" Sara replied.
"What did you do to prepare for the swim meet?" Reggie questioned.
"Honestly just do my stretches to accelerate blood flow and read books or do homework" Sara replied.
"Very academic. Respectable. Is there anyone you would like to thank for your success?" Jerry asked.
"I want to thank my coach for the training I need and the everlasting support of the team. I couldn't do it with out them. I also want to thank my dad, my uncle and my friends John Watson and Greg Lestrade for supporting me as well" Sara smiled.
"Are there any tips you want to give to future swimmers?" Reggie added
"Always keep calm and keep a level head. It helps me" She giggled.
"Alright Sara. Thank you for talking to us" Jerry grinned
"Thank you for inviting me here" Sara told them.
"You've been listening to Dyno Radio with Jerry and Reggie and we are out" Reggie turned off the recording button. Sara stood and shook their hands before walking over to Greg and John again.
"You didn't have to thank us" Greg smiled and hugged her.
"It was the least I could do Greg. You and John have supported me when I needed it most" She grinned and hugged back before going home.
Back at Baker Street, it was mostly quiet except Sherlock doing experiments in the kitchen... again. Sara, Rosie and John had returned "Hi Dad" She smiled.
"Hello Sara" Sherlock greeted, seeing her all wet. His eyes widened and held her shoulders "What happened?" He asked. Sara glanced at John who sighed and walked away sitting in his chair. Sara sighed a giggle before taking his hands off of her "Dad, I had a swim meet today... Remember?" She asked.
"Oh... right..." Sherlock chuckled "How did that go?" He stood straight and cleared his throat.
"We are going to nationals" She smiled.
"Congratulations" Sherlock nodded "There's uh mail for you on the table" He gestured. Sara walked past him and grabbed the mail from the table and noticed the rent envelope, sighing before going to her room, shutting the door. John stood and put Rosie in her chair "Where were you? You promised you'd attend this meet and you didn't. What has gotten into you lately? You have made so many promises to her that you haven't kept. No wonder why she hides a plastic smile! What happens when she's graduating? What happens when she's off to her first day of college? What happens then Sherlock?" He asked irritated "You are not making things any easier for her because she has been paying the rent because your bloody broke!" He then glanced at the cigarettes "Are you serious?" He asked.
"You know what John? You think you've gotten everything figured out just because you have Rosie" Sherlock mocked "What happens then, What happens that Sherlock? Sara is a grown up and needs to take responsibility" He replied.
"That is enough! The both of you!" Sara shouted "Look, Dad may not be prefect doesn't mean you have a right to scold him. And Dad, I love you but I would like to be appreciated for barely being able to pay rent along with the other bills John and I split" She said.
"How much do I owe you?" He asked.
"3000 pounds and you owe John 1500 pounds" Sara replied "But case and point, you don't need to pay me back, at least pay John back however. After next month, I'm cutting you off of my money for rent. Find a case... do something!" Sara demanded. Rosie started crying from all the noise. Sara glanced at Rosie and sighed softly before picking her up "Come on Rosie... Our dads need to talk something out" Sara took them to Sara's and Rosie's shared room, shutting the door.
"John, I-"
"Don't even start Sherlock. You have no idea how irritated and disappointed I am at you for the drugs and the smoking. When will it end Sherlock? When will all of this just stop?" John asked sadly. Sherlock looked back at Sara and Rosie's room. He knew John was right in that sense and gave a small sigh "I'll look for a case tomorrow morning. I'll take anything despite how pretentious or stupid" Sherlock replied, turning to him "It's just the shock of Eurus and the stress of Mary's passing, I guess I just lost my way. I need to change my life around... for you, Sara and Rosie"
Sara opened the door and walked to them "John, Rosie is going to bed. Figured you wanted to say good night to her" Sara smiled softly. John nodded and walked past them. After some small silence, Sherlock finally spoke "Sara-"
"Don't Dad, I heard most of what you said and I very much understand about all the drama. So on and so forth, but we need to move on. You know, as a family" She smiled softly, holding his hand gently. Sherlock couldn't help but give a light smile as Sara pulled him into a hug and he hugged back in response "We'll get through it... I promise. No matter what comes our way" Sara mumbled in his ear as they pulled away. John gave a light smile "Rosie's asleep, I'm going to go to bed. I suggest you two do the same" He nodded, heading to his room.
"Night" Sara and Sherlock said in unison before going in their own rooms to sleep.