Hey, thank you so much for so many positive responses to this story.I'm just hope that I can do it justice for you all. So, you've had the background shall we see how it all starts to unfold...

Chapter 2

Molly was hot, very hot, and not in a good way. Her hair felt like it was sticking to her neck and she could feel sweat trickling down her spine. Thank goodness she'd just worn a thin summer dress.

She was on day three of a ten-day holiday to Egypt and so far she'd managed to avoid the hottest parts of the day. She'd spent them either relaxing by the hotel pool or having a siesta in her bedroom but today was different. Today she was very excited and the heat was only a minor inconvenience in her adventure because today she was carrying out a lifelong ambition to have a cruise down the Nile.

This wasn't just any old cruise either, she'd spent ages researching it to find the best one to suit her needs and so now it was finally upon her she couldn't wait to get started.

She was joining the SS Karnak; a retro style steamship with no modern technology like TVs or wifi but with modern fittings in the bedrooms and bathrooms; it even had a small swimming pool at the aft of the ship (Molly was trying to be good and use the right terms, though she did keep getting them wrong). Another advantage was that because of the time of year there would only be about three quarters of the passengers than there would be in high season so it wouldn't feel too crowded on board.

She'd taxied down to the port area and she was now following her porter through the queues. He had all her luggage on an ancient looking wheeled luggage cart. Luckily she seemed to be on some sort of fast track so she was bypassing most of the queues which appeared to be full of locals buying tickets for shorter river ferries and crossers.

They made it to the river cruise terminal's small lounge where she handed over her paperwork; ticket, passport, visa and whilst she waited she was served a much needed cup of tea. She had been offered some Prosecco but she needed something to quench her thirst before she started drinking alcohol...maybe once she got on the ship though...

She took a look around at some of her fellow passengers and wondered if she'd be able to make friends with any of them. She had asked to be placed with other people for her meals as she hadn't wanted to dine alone and she wondered who it would be and she just hoped that she'd get on with them and that they'd be fun.

Half an hour later all the boxes were ticked and she was being taken onto the ship with details as to how she would find her cabin below the main deck; her luggage had already been delivered to her room whilst she was checking in. She took her time looking around the place that was going to be her home for the next week and she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She didn't want to do a full tour though; she was going to save that for when she was unpacked but she did walk across the ship to see the Nile properly for the first time. All those years of seeing it on the TV and mentioned in history books and now here she was.

As she made her way out onto the starboard deck she glanced to her left and her heart flipped over in her chest; there was a man about 20 metres away, walking away from her. He was about six feet tall, wearing a slim cut, lightweight cream suit and his general build and hair just reminded her so much of Sherlock and in a split second all her aims to relax and distract herself were gone.

She turned and hurried down the steps to the lower level to find her cabin and she internally berated herself. It had been well over twelve months since she'd seen or spoken to Sherlock and yet she still couldn't get him out of her system. Sadly, it wasn't the first time she'd "seen" him, it seemed to happen every few weeks and each time it was like a punch to her gut and her defences. How long would this go on?

She'd tried so hard. She'd found a new job and flat in Cardiff; said goodbye to all her friends, everyone that she knew in London. She'd tried to carve out a new life for herself, one that didn't revolve around a man that she loved but could never have and none of it seemed to make any difference. She wasn't happier, she wasn't more fulfilled or in a new relationship; she was just lonely. She'd hoped this holiday would help, would give her yet another fresh start, an adventure, but here she was already thinking of Sherlock and missing him so much it physically hurt.

Thankfully, there was a bar in her room and as she started to unpack her belongings she opened one of the miniature bottles of wine. She needed to get back into her mood of just an hour ago and out of this funk. There were only a couple of hours to the evening meal so maybe she should just take a quick nap and then enjoy getting ready. She could explore the ship properly in the morning.

Just as she was making her mind up to have a shower there was a tap at the door and she answered to find one of the stewardesses waiting outside.

'Dr Hooper, my name is Rana and I'll be your steward whilst you're on board.'

She talked Molly through the facilities both in the room and on board and then asked if she had any questions.

'Umm...do you know who I've been placed with for meals? I did ask to share a table.'

'Oh yes, a lovely English couple, two men, I'm afraid I can't remember their names but I can introduce you later if you make your way to the bar before dinner.'

'Great, that sounds fine. I'll see you upstairs in a bit.'

Molly felt a bit more relaxed as she showered and changed for the evening. Tonight, being the first night, wasn't formal dress but more relaxed. Tomorrow would be the first of the black tie events and Molly let her fingers run over the fine material of her new dress, hanging in the wardrobe. She couldn't wait to wear it.

Thankfully, as it moved into evening the temperatures were coming down a bit. She was still easily able to just wear a dress but she could have her hair down and not worry about ending up too hot or sweaty.

She picked out the black velvet dress that she'd worn to that Christmas party at Baker St all those years ago and she sighed and shook her head before changing into it. Honestly, she was a grown woman, she had to get over this. New memories, that's what she needed.

She kept her legs bare and paired the dress with some sexy black sandals and some silver earrings and when she'd finished applying her makeup she smiled at herself in the mirror.

'Come on Molly, you're finally here. Pull yourself together and enjoy it. Sherlock can go screw himself if he didn't want you...Coz you're amazing.'

Grinning at her reflection she picked up the last of her wine and poured it into the glass tumbler that she'd found by the mini kettle.

Finally, she went out onto her tiny balcony. It was about ten feet across and only a couple of feet deep with two wooden deckchairs but it was enough; she hadn't wanted to be cooped up in an indoor cabin. She leant on the railing and now that they had finally set sail she watched the water endlessly flowing past the side of the ship; smelling the tang of the water and seeing the bank opposite as the city started to give way to the more rural and desert like areas that they were heading into and she give a big sigh. She could feel the stresses of earlier starting to dissipate and her good mood returning. She'd always been fascinated by Egypt and its history and now she was here and she couldn't wait to explore it in the flesh.

As the warm wind riffled through her hair she took a final swig off her drink and then she made her way back inside closing up the French doors a bit but leaving a gap to let some air in. Her balcony was fully enclosed and it felt safe enough to leave it partly open.

It was time...she took a deep breath and then left her cabin and made her way upstairs to find the main bar and dining area. It was easy enough to locate; the music and sounds of voices drifted out towards her calling her in and she made her way through to find the area buzzing with people.

She spotted her steward, Rana, and made her way over to her. The younger woman smiled widely as she saw her and quickly finished serving up the tray of drinks that she held to an elderly couple sat nearby.

'Dr Hooper, shall I introduce you to your dining companions?'

Molly nodded her head. 'Yes please, it would be good to get to know someone.'

'Follow me, they're already in the dining room. I'll get you seated and then take your drinks order.'

Molly followed her through from the bar which opened onto the front deck of the ship; the tables and chairs spilling out so you could choose whether to sit indoors or outdoors.

Inside the dining room it felt much more grand and formal. The tables were all fairly well spaced out and about half full with the noise of people chatting, the clink of cutlery and plates from those already eating.

Molly saw the backs of two guys, one dark and one blond as she walked up and she felt a nervous flutter in her stomach at meeting them for the first time.

'Here we go. Please, can I introduce Dr Hooper, she'll be joining you on your table. Dr Hooper this is Mr Jay Byrne and Mr Robert Byrne.'

The two men stood as Molly approached smiling at her in such a warm, easy way as to put her nerves to bed immediately.

She held her hand out and smiled. 'Please, call me Molly.'

They looked to be in their early forties and they each took her hand and shook it. The blond identified himself as Jay and the dark one, who was definitely receding, as Rob.

It was Rob who picked up the conversation. 'I'm glad we can call you Molly. Dr Hooper sounds very formal and intimidating but you don't seem to be either of those things. You seem just our type. Now sit yourself down and please tell me you like your wine because we've already ordered a couple of bottles.'

Molly grinned. 'I do.' She thanked him as he poured her a glass of red and promised that she'd pick up the tab for the next bottle.

Jay took up the conversation as she took her first sip; she had to acknowledge that they had excellent taste in wine, it was so smooth, with a rich, fruity flavour.

'Isn't this place amazing? I can hardly believe we're finally here. We've been wanting to do this trip for ages.'

Molly nodded. 'Same. Have you had a chance to explore the ship yet? I must admit I crashed out in my room after I'd unpacked and I've hardly seen any of it.'

Rob nodded. 'We had a quick look around earlier. I'm definitely spending most of it by the pool and in the hot tubs at the back. They've got another bar down there which does cocktails so it's perfect.'

Molly was about to reply when Jay looked over her right shoulder and indicated to something.

'Looks like our other couple are here. We're not the only gays on the boat Rob and can I just say the tall one is hands down gorgeous. I may have to leave you for him.'

Rob rolled his eyes as Jay laughed and Molly turned her head and looked straight into the eyes of Sherlock Holmes.

Go on, did I fool you with the first couple? I bet you thought they were going to be John and Sherlock. Anyway, I hope you're still enjoying it and I'll be back soon with the next instalment xx