The five entered the villa bickering.
"Sherlock, if you had heeded my advice, we wouldn't have been standing on that dock for 3/4 of an hour."
"Yes, & if you had listened to me & realized that that was not an opportune moment to begin discussing the state of nuclear activity in the Far East, we wouldn't have been tardy getting our cab. Truly, this is your fault."
John was already tired of the banter, "Ladies, can we stop long enough to enter the villa? I'm tired & hot." Mary smiled assent.
They entered, & Molly was struck by the loveliness of it. Open, airy. Since it was stationed near the top of the island, the view it afforded was quite lovely. There was tasteful decor, antique looking furnishings. The stucco walls were cream colored, & there was a stone fireplace at the far end of the sitting room. Windows donned every exterior wall, so there was little room for artwork. Oh, yes. Molly was dumbstruck.
The tile floors felt cool on her feet. She had immediately shed her sandals upon entering the place.
"Oh wow," she said. "Sherlock, it's beautiful."
"It is, yes. Well, shall we claim bedrooms?" He took his bags to the back of the villa where Mycroft had already settled into the largest room.
"I thought it the most tucked away, & since I plan on spending most of my time alone, I thought it the most logical choice," he was explaining to his brother.
"It's also the largest, Mycroft. But it matters not. Take it." And he moved into another room, careful not to take the larger bed, mindful of John & Mary. He began to unpack. He heard Molly in the hall. It appeared that her choice was the room next to his. Well, obvious choice. She too realized the sense in having the couple claim the largest bed.
He smiled.

Molly needed to get out & enjoy the garden. She dressed in one of her three frocks & ventured out. Absolutely wonderful. The foliage was brilliant...so many colors, & the sea rocked slowly back & forth against the island, lulling the inhabitants into a soft stupor. She stepped through a rocky path when she took notice of Mary. She decided to go & have a chat, since the journey was spent in such a hurried fashion.
"Hi, Mary?"
"Oh, hello Molly. Lovely, isn't it?"
"Very, yes," Molly replied. "So...I think I heard you say that this was your first holiday with John. Must be very exciting for you."
"It is. And a bit odd, what with such a large group. But then, I suppose it doesn't really matter. We are here, after all."
"Yes. I hadn't thought about that. I've not travelled much, so I suppose I just jumped at the opportunity."
"Are you & Sherlock close?"
"Close? No...I wouldn't say that. I mean, who is he really close with? John. Mrs. Hudson, perhaps...that's about all, no?"
Mary looked at her with a quizzical look about her countenance. "Yes. I suppose so. So why did he invite you? Forgive me, but it seems odd."
A soft breeze blew in from the sea. Molly looked out at it, & noticed that the sun hung lower now in the sky.
"It is odd. I don't know. But I figured I may as well come than not. I'm not sorry."
"Of course! I didn't mean...I'm glad you're here. It would've been so awkward...me, & all those Holmes boys," she laughed, & Molly joined her in her amusement.

"What is going on for dinner, mate?" John was hungry.
"Well...the cook doesn't arrive until tomorrow morning, so I suppose we eat out."
"Cook? Spared no expense, eh?"
"It's a holiday, John. And I don't cook," Sherlock noticed the two women in the garden. He supposed he should go & see what their thoughts were on dinner.
Molly was obliging, as was Mary. They settled on a restaurant within walking distance of the villa, Mycroft deciding to have a walk in the opposite direction. It was a pleasant dinner, full of local seafood & crisp salads. John remarked on Sherlock's appetite.
"Well, the mussels are excellent. Why shouldn't I finish it off?"
"Right, & the wine is too, apparently. I'd be careful mate. This place seethes with primal appetites," he looked knowingly at his friend
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. The food is good. What's so primal about that?"
John looked to Molly in answer. She blushed, guessing what he meant by it. John Watson had had too much to drink, & Mary noted it duly.
She said, "We should head back, love. You'll be sorry in the morning if we linger too long..."
And they left.
Sherlock took the money left by John & paid the bill.
"Shall we, Molly?"
She smiled & rose from the table.
They began to walk back to the villa leisurely.
"Are you pleased with the accommodations?"
"Of course, what's not to like?" Molly smiled at her companion.
"Quite. I took your advice & rented a villa. I think it was best."
"Yes," she replied. "Is Mycroft alright? He is an odd one."
"Odd is an understatement. Yes, I dare say he is. He isn't used to company, so I imagine he will be spending most of his time alone, enjoying the garden."
"Oh, but you don't."
"Don't what?"
"Enjoy being alone," she smiled.
"No. Not as much as I once fancied, no." And they made their way into the villa.
They parted outside their respective rooms. Molly thought he was much more pleasant than she had imagined him to be. Sherlock thought she looked lovely in the pale light. He wished to dismiss it. And for the night, he did, only to revisit the thought in the morning.