Thank you for so many reviews and likes. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the start. A couple of things to mention; I was asked whether the island exists and in reality it doesn't, it's only a figment of my lurid imagination. The name is an homage to Arthur Conan Doyle to whom we are forever grateful for his creation of Sherlock Holmes.
Secondly for some reason fanfic hasn't allowed me to reply to some of your review, so apologies if you haven't heard back from me...hopefully the issue will be resolved soon.
I think that's all...shall we crack on...
Chapter 2
Molly found herself feeling a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension as she watched the ferry making its way into the harbour. She still couldn't quite believe that Sherlock was on it. When she'd arrived herself, a few short days ago, she had told herself that it would be good to have a break from him and everything that had happened recently; Mary's death, Sherlock's spiral back into drug use, the Baker St explosion and then everything that she'd heard about regarding Sherrinford and Sherlock's secret sister. It had taken a toll on all of them and she'd felt the need to escape.
That phone call and all the time they'd spent together at Barts recently wasn't healthy for her heart but she had long ago resigned herself to being single. Yes, she had the odd affair here or there but nothing serious; she couldn't bear to hurt anyone the way she had hurt Tom and as long as Sherlock was in her life, even though he was just a friend, no one else stood a chance.
She stamped her feet and rubbed her mittened hands together trying to stay warm. The temperature on the island was below freezing and the biting wind made it feel even colder. She was glad of the warmth of her aunt's house and was already looking forward to the hot chocolate...at least, that was if she could persuade Sherlock to indulge before getting started on the case.
She'd never spent Christmas on the island before. Summer holidays and Autumn breaks yes, never Christmas; but since her mum had died two years ago she'd spent the festive season alone in London and she hadn't wanted to endure it again, not this year. Her aunt had happened to invite her to spend the festive period on the island and Molly hadn't hesitated to say yes and she was glad she had.
She'd always got on well with her Aunt Evie, they had more in common than Molly had had with her own mother and her house was like a home from home for Molly holding all her childhood memories of holidays spent there with her parents in happier, simpler times.
She shook herself out of her reverie as the boat docked and she got her first sight of Sherlock, feeling that familiar constriction around her heart. His curls looked a little more wild and wind-blown than usual and his eyes were a vibrant blue today as they stood out in his pale face.
She made her way over to him as he made his way up the stone steps to the harbour carrying his bags along with him. As soon as he reached her he dropped the bags, gave her one of his most genuine smiles and bent to kiss her cheek in the way that he had twice previously and that were ingrained upon her memory. She wasn't sure whether she imagined it but he seemed to linger over it a moment longer than she would have expected; cold cheek pressed to cold cheek.
She removed a mitten and brought her hand up to his face. 'You're freezing. Why aren't you wearing a jumper?' She indicated to his suit and Belstaff which couldn't be affording him much warmth.
He smirked. 'A jumper! Do I look like John? My coat's warm enough. Shall we get going? I'd like to see where the body was found first and then we can talk to...'
'My aunt has made you some hot chocolate; she thought you'd like it after your long trip.'
Sherlock's mouth seemed to open and close like a fish as his brain processed this seemingly irrelevant and innocuous request. The detective in him told him to dismiss the offer outright but he had to admit he was cold and it had been an arduous trip and as he looked down into Molly's nervous face he found himself nodding.
'Ah...OK then, maybe your aunt could give me some useful background information on the history of the island and some of its residents, you can only pick up so much from police folders and Wikipedia. I take it we can rule her out as a possible suspect.'
Molly's face lit up in a most delightful way at his acquiescing to the invite and it seemed to warm his very soul.
'Yes, I think you can rule her out. She's still in good health for her age but I think pushing a grown man from a lighthouse might be a little beyond her capabilities.' She chuckled and gave him a smile. 'I'm not sure you can exclude me though.'
They had started making their way away from the harbour and up towards the small row of cottages about ten minutes away, where her aunt lived. Sherlock had initially looked around for a cab until Molly had laughingly told him that the only cab he might find on the island would be tractor shaped. His nose had scrunched up in disgust but he'd valiantly picked up his bags and walked alongside her.
'So, why can't I exclude you?'
Molly shrugged. 'Well, I knew the victim. More in my youth than now, we dated one summer, he...he was my first.'
Her eyes flicked to his face and away again as she said that last line.
Sherlock looked confused. 'Your first what...oh, a euphemism. You lost your virginity to him.'
When he looked back at Molly she had gone a delightful shade of pink which had nothing whatsoever to do with the cold wind.
'Yes, I did. But I hadn't seen him for nearly twenty years so I'm not sure what motive I could have now.'
'Oh I don't know. You could have secretly married and therefore you'd be in line to inherit. You could have borrowed money and not wanted to pay him back, you could have had a secret baby or lost one and held a long, deep seated resentment...should I go on?'
Molly stared at him open mouthed for a moment. 'No, no I think you came up with plenty. I'd deny it all but you already know none of that is true. You can probably tell by the way I wear my scarf.'
'No, just by the way you style you hair and the length of your laces.'
They both broke into chuckles at the ridiculousness of it all.
'Here we are...I think my aunt is looking forward to meeting you.'
'So, you've told her about me then. All good I hope...no, don't answer that we both know it would be a lie.'
He had to duck his head as he made his way inside what was a very small but cosy looking cottage. There seemed at first glance to be only two rooms downstairs, a front room which consisted of a three piece suite, the upright kind favoured by old people who struggled to stand up from a low seating position, a couple of footstools and bookcases and in pride of place in the corner was an artificial Christmas tree complete with tinsel, baubles and lights. Beyond was a reasonable sized kitchen, with old fashioned cupboards and implements and a large oak table with chairs alongside it; and beyond that a view behind to a small walled garden.
The fire was very welcome though as was the smell of the hot chocolate and freshly baked biscuits. It reminded him very much of Mrs Hudson's flat in Baker St.
To Molly the room seemed so much smaller with Sherlock in it. She was used to it just being her aunt and herself sharing the small space.
Sherlock politely greeted her aunt before being encouraged to take the seat by the fire so he could warm up. He seemed incongruous and out of place there. A part of her London life transported and dropped into her island life but she was in no way sorry to see him.
She hung his coat up along with her own and then sat down on the faded settee to drink her own mug of hot chocolate and eat one of her aunt's delicious oat and raisin cookies. It was a perfect blend.
After a few moments Sherlock spoke.
'I see the family resemblance with Molly. You're her father's sister, is that right?'
'I am yes.'
'And how long have you lived here on the island?'
'I came here when I was fresh from teaching college. I'd had other plans originally but...well, they'd fallen through and so I accepted a position here at the island school. It was only ever meant to be temporary but I fell in love with the place. It was more vibrant back then, more families and farms. Don't get me wrong, never more than a handful of children but enough. It didn't last though, kids don't want to stay on as they grow; they left for the mainland, for easier jobs and better lives. Luckily for me by the time the school was closed I was able to take retirement. Trouble is without a school there's even less to keep people on the island. It's only kept alive now by the meditation centre and the holiday makers but...well, it will see me out.'
'How many other permanent residents are there?'
'Ooh let me see. Most are connected to the farms. Here, in what passes for the centre, there are a few families; most are away for Christmas having left before the death. Of those that are still here there's myself, Barry and Pete, two door up; the Bakers, Matt and Kirsty, they run the little store cum pub at the end of the row. They have a two year old daughter Ellie and Kirsty's dad Keith lives with them. Kirsty and Keith have lived here all their lives…well, bar a spell in her twenties when she moved away. She found Matt, married him and then moved back to take over the shop from her dad as he was getting on and was recently widowed.'
Sherlock couldn't help but notice a faint blush on Evelyn's cheeks as she talked about Keith and he was sure there was some affection there…he'd be able to confirm it in time but it hardly seemed relevant to the case.
Molly's Aunt continued. 'Anyway Molly can probably tell you more about Kirsty, they've been friends for years.'
'The only other residents this side of the island are those up at the Manor House. Dr Piper moved here five years ago and opened up the meditation centre. He rents the house and grounds from the Conan family. His sister joined him. She's younger by quite some way…step-sister I should add, same mother but not sure who her dad was. I don't even know if she knows. Anyway, she runs the exercise classes for the residents of the centre. Then they have Ricky, you must remember him Molly, Ricky Wellsley. He's not the brightest tool in the box, not sure he's ever left the island but he loves it here…it's his whole world. He acts as a bit of a groundsman stroke odd job man for Dr Piper. He's the only staff at this time of year when it's quiet and he turns his hand to whatever they want. I believe there are a couple of visitors there at the moment but I'm afraid I know nothing about them.'
Sherlock finished his hot chocolate and put his mug down on the coffee table before standing. 'That's OK I'm sure I can find that out for myself. Well, thank you for the hot chocolate and food Miss Hooper it was very welcome and I'll no doubt pick your brains further on the residents.'
'You're welcome. And call me Evie or Aunt Evie, everyone does.'
Sherlock gave a quick nod and looked at Molly. 'Come on then Molly we can't dither here all day I need you to show me where the body was found, you never know for once the police might not have destroyed all the evidence.'
He gave her a quick smile and raised his eyebrows as she chuckled. He threw her her jacket and then put his own coat on, pulling his scarf and gloves out of the pocket adding them to his outfit to keep himself warm as much as possible.
Evie stood to see them out and put a hand on Sherlock's arm. 'If you're keeping my Molly out after dark would you see her back here? I don't like the thought of her being out at night with a murderer on the loose. It's a sad day on this island when you don't feel safe but I'd hate for anything to happen to my Molly it would devastate me.'
Molly started to protest but Sherlock covered Evie's hand with his own gloved one and he looked her in the eye. 'I'll keep her safe, I promise. You're not the only one who'd be devastated.'
He turned to the door and missed the blush and shy smile on Molly's face.
There you go, a bit more background about the island and the residents. Just need to set the scene before we can get on to the more interesting stuff. Just some hints of the feelings hidden below the surface. I hope you're still enjoying it. xx