During summer break, their parents call a family meeting. Father looks more grim than usual. Mummy is outwardly composed, but Mycroft can tell she's worried. (Not smiling, eyeliner smudged… this is bad. She's not been this agitated since Granny died.) Mummy pulls Sherlock onto her lap as she says, "Boys, I've some bad news. I've got breast cancer. I'm very sick, and it will take me a long time to get better."
Sherlock looks up at her with his huge gray eyes and says, "But you will get better, right Mummy?"
"Of course, love. And I will still play violin with you," she says, cloaking the sorrow in her eyes.
The next day, Mycroft heads to the library and checks out everything he can find on breast cancer. With no schoolwork, he throws himself into this pursuit. He has much to ask Mummy – what stage is it, what drugs will you receive, will you need surgery – but their family does not discuss such things. His parents think they're protecting him, but the lack of knowledge only heightens his anxiety. (At least Sherlock can deduce what's going on from Mummy and Father's behaviour. I can't watch them from Harrow.)
Mycroft's greatest fear is that he will never be trusted with the truth.
