"We haven't done this for years" Mycroft moaned over the phone to Sherlock.
"They're usually not in the country, besides, it's Christmas."
"Since when did you start enjoying Christmas?"
"Since I have a friend now, I can rub it in brother mine. See you tomorrow" Sherlock smiled to himself as he hung up on Mycroft.
"So Sherlock, are we going to your parents' tomorrow then?" John asked returning to the lounge.
"Much to Mycroft's delight" Sherlock chuckled then opened his laptop.
"Any cases?" John asked settling down in his chair to read his newspaper.
"A client got in touch with me yesterday about a house in the countryside, it's been abandoned for a while but neighbours say they have heard noises coming from inside."
"Like a ghost?"
Sherlock shrugged "I doubt it."
"Well it seems quite festive, spirits and Christmas" John smiled.
"Let's go then" Sherlock closed the laptop and made his way over to the door.
"Wait, we're doing this?"
"A ghost of Christmas present? We can't miss this John."
The two hired a car and made their way over to the house, they found the door was unlocked and walked in, most of the windows were boarded up and any furniture around the rooms was covered in dust.
"From a first impression I'd say this has been left recently, otherwise this room would be in a worse condition than this" John looked around then paused as he heard a scale from the end of the room.
"This is still in tune, I believe the 'ghost' is still living here" Sherlock turned away from the piano and looked out towards the hallway "John, would you be able to go next door to the neighbours and ask them specifically what sounds they heard?"
"Sure, you'll be ok here?" John started to head out.
"Yes, now go" Sherlock sounded impatient to John but he ignored it.
Sherlock waited until he heard John leave the house then turned back to the grand piano, he pulled the stool out quietly and flicked his coat behind him before sitting down on the stool, he pressed down on the pedal and began to play a melody that he had composed long ago, as he remembered more, the playing became more confident and Sherlock began to breathe with the music, every passage he returned to was different in dynamics and technique, the melody echoed around the empty room merging with the silence of the house, everything became heavier, the weight of the music, his fingers, pedalling. He didn't even notice that John had returned. John stood by the door behind Sherlock in pure admiration, it seemed everyday he learnt something new about his friend, how was it that Sherlock looked professional in everything he did? He was just wearing his long coat, plain jacket and trousers yet the image being portrayed to John was almost as if he was wearing a whole tuxedo look. The piece gradually came to an end leaving the last notes reverting around the room long after the pedal was released, Sherlock bent down to smooth the crease in his shoe and John moved.
"Before you say anything, yes I can play the piano, I was put through lessons like my brother" Sherlock sighed resting his hands on his legs.
"I was actually going to say how good that sounded Sherlock. Anyway the neighbours say they can sometimes hear this piano and speech."
"Thank you John" Sherlock tapped his feet awkwardly on the floor.
"It was only an errand."
"No, for that" Sherlock nodded towards the piano "what do the voices sound like?"
"They say, the neighbours, it sounds like someone being tortured, where the piano comes into it, I have no idea."
"OK, well, we've searched downstairs, let's check the rest of the house, attic, spare rooms. You must've seen the classic scary films" Sherlock smiled standing up from the stool.
"Alright, but do not suggest this is like some paranormal film" John laughed as Sherlock passed him out of the door, John looked back at the silent piano before following his companion up the stairs.
"So what made you choose the violin and not the piano?"
"It's easier to move. And a little cheaper."
"Right, I see. Sherlock, wait. This is one of the rooms the neighbours say they hear the sounds from."
Sherlock turned and looked into the dim room which like all the others had wooden planks nailed onto the windows. Suddenly a small door caught his eye.
"Sherlock?" John frowned as Sherlock had just run into the room.
"Come in here and help me with these planks, we need some light, there's a door in here."
"A door?" John asked running over to the windows to help Sherlock.
"What if the voice has never left the house?"
"I don't understand, are you suggesting that someone is hiding in this house to avoid the public eye?"
As the shutters were finally removed, the pair got a much closer view of the hidden door.
"If there's a room through there, I've seen everything" John laughed to himself.
Sherlock opened the door and laughed "I knew it, come on out."
"Sherlock, but that's?"
"Vladimir Steinway, don't you read the papers, missing concert pianist, disappeared a month ago."
"This is why the piano was in tune, he wanted to hide but couldn't face the piano going flat."
"It's true, I needed to hide, I felt too in the spotlight and wanted to go and work on new material" his Russian accent was thick.
"You've been scaring the neighbours at night Mr Steinway" John frowned.
"I know I know. Am I going to be arrested for this?" Steinway asked looking over at Sherlock who was on the phone to Lestrade.
"I doubt it Mr Steinway, playing the piano in an abandoned house is not, I believe, a criminal offence."
"Well Mr Steinway, the police are coming but you're not being arrested, they're going to close this house and clear your name."
"Thank you Mr Holmes, for all the help" Vladimir shook Sherlock and John's hand then wished them a Merry Christmas "by the way Mr Holmes, that was a very beautiful piece you played earlier, don't give up that talent."
Sherlock blushed slightly "well thanks, c'mon John."
Lestrade arrived and Sherlock got into the car followed by John.
"I do like new cases, the same affairs and murders can get a little boring" John said watching the road change from trees to lampposts.
"You mean seeing me do something you never knew I could do?" Sherlock smiled.
"I just can't believe you didn't tell me."
"I know you play an instrument, what is it?"
John paused "clarinet, but that was long ago and I'm not thinking about re-learning anytime soon."
"Clarinet? I wasn't going to guess that I must admit."
"Are you going to invite Molly for Christmas Sherlock?"
"Do I have a choice?" Sherlock asked, but John simply laughed.