17-21st April 2021

Molly smiled at Sherlock before he left the room. She appreciated his willingness to allow her and Martha to watch the funeral while he supervised their daughters.

She returned her focus to the television. It was interesting to see the formality as masked men prepared to remove the coffin from the Land Rover.

"Such a shame William and Harry aren't walking together," said Martha in a low voice. "I heard that is because of the family rift." Molly had heard that too. Martha continued, "And a shame that Harry's wife didn't come either."

"I guess her doctor didn't want her to travel, with how far along she is in her pregnancy," said Molly diplomatically, still keeping her eye on the screen as the coffin was slowly slid off the Land Rover. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Talk of pregnancy was painful right now.

"Hmph," said Martha, "I suspect she's too embarrassed to face the rest of the Royal family after that debacle of an interview with that Oprah woman."

Molly had wondered the same thing, but there was no point in judging someone when you didn't know the facts. There were two sides to every story. She was just sad to see the family rift in the first place. But things like that happened. Instead of commenting about Meghan, she simply said, "Well, it's good to see Harry attend his grandfather's funeral."

The women didn't speak again until after the respectful observation of national silence while the pallbearers kept the coffin very still resting on their shoulders.

Then the organ played as the men carried the coffin inside.

"Oh," said Martha, as the broadcast showed the members of the Royal family who had followed the procession on foot entering the chapel, "they've put on masks now."

Molly had noticed this also. It was just so strange to see it. She would never get used to people wearing face coverings, and she hoped the need for masks would end soon.

Molly was impressed with the precision with which the coffin was laid on a special platform, and she blinked back more tears as the camera showed the prince's cap and his sword on the coffin along with the beautiful wreath of flowers chosen by the Queen. She heard the melodious voices of a quartet singing throughout this process.

And then the Dean of Windsor opened the funeral service.

It was a solemn and beautiful service, punctuated by Bible readings and the quartet who sang in a different area, socially distanced.

Molly thought it interesting that there were three male singers who wore white over red robes as well as the conductor, while the lone woman soprano wore black.

Sherlock returned to the room with Victoria as Martha asked, "Aren't there usually two women and two men in a quartet?"

Molly was about to respond when Sherlock, overhearing the question, responded. "The part of the alto has obviously been taken by a countertenor."

"Pwetty music," said Victoria, looking at the television screen.

"Yes, very pretty," agreed Molly.

"Daddy, can I play vi'lin now?" asked Victoria, tugging on Sherlock's hand.

"Not just now, princess. Mummy and Nanny Hudders are watching a funeral."

Molly glanced over at Victoria, who furrowed her brow. "What's a fune-wal?"

Molly saw Sherlock hesitate. This was something that had never come up before, and she was curious to see how Sherlock would handle it. His gaze met hers, then he looked at Victoria. "A funeral is a church service to remember a person who has died, to say goodbye to them."

Victoria seemed to be trying to understand. "Like Jesus?" Sherlock and Molly had tried to tell Victoria about Jesus at the Good Friday service, and how he had died, but rose again on the Sunday morning, Easter. Molly was rather impressed that their daughter had recalled the conversation.

"Well, yes, but it isn't quite the same as Jesus. As your mummy and I told you, Jesus came back to life again, and many people saw him after he returned to life, because he wasn't only a man, but also God." He looked over at Molly and grimaced. How did you explain properly to a child who wasn't even three?

Molly gave him an encouraging smile, aware that Martha had also been diverted from the singing of the quartet.

"When people get old, eventually their bodies get worn out, and they die. But when we believe in Jesus, we know that when we die, we will go to heaven to live with God."

Molly liked the way Sherlock explained it. He wasn't trying to pretend that everyone would go to heaven. That wasn't the teaching of Christianity, where it was believing in Jesus as Saviour that opened the doors to everlasting life in heaven. But he was also not saying anything negative about those who didn't believe. Everyone had to make their own decision on whether to accept the gift of salvation and everlasting life in heaven offered through Jesus or to reject it.

Victoria thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay." Molly knew she couldn't possibly understand properly, but she seemed willing to accept whatever her daddy told her. "Can I do a picture again?"

"Of course you can."

Molly watched Sherlock resume his previous position on the floor next to Victoria, and he patiently handed her crayons as she requested them. She was now easily able to state which colour she wanted.

Molly turned her attention back to the funeral service. She thought the Bible readings, chosen by Prince Philip himself, were beautiful, especially the one where Jesus spoke to Martha about being the resurrection and the life, just before he proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead. It was a powerful reading, and at times, Molly regretted not including it in the play about the life of Jesus she had written in 2019, in which Sherlock had played the role of Jesus. She had felt the logistics of creating the sets for the scene would be too difficult. The play had been a wonderful success, however, even without this scene.

Near the conclusion of the service, a list of Prince Philip's titles and accomplishments was read aloud, followed by the playing of bagpipes as the platform with the coffin began to descend.

Buglers played, followed by trumpeters.

The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced a blessing, and the quartet sang "God Save the Queen".

As the socially distanced mourners filed out of the church, Martha commented, "It was so sad to see so few people able to pay their last respects."

"It was," Molly agreed, "but I must admit, I'm glad that they did not consider themselves above the rest of the population and deliberately circumvent the rules that are in place. That would really have undermined everything that the government has told us in regard to these lockdowns and restrictions."

"True."

Victoria looked up from her colouring. "Is it finished, Mummy?"

"Yes, sweetheart, it's finished."

Sherlock looked over at Martha. "Now that the funeral is over, would you like me to take you home, so you don't need to take the Tube?"

Martha smiled. "No need. I drove here. I've been quite enjoying getting out and driving lately. It is so uncomfortable to wear a mask on the Tube. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay a little while longer so I can spend some time with your daughters. I haven't even had the chance to cuddle Christina today."

"Well," said Molly, standing, "I think we should take advantage of your lovely scones and have some afternoon tea."

She went into the kitchen and put on the kettle, then prepared a plate of scones with jam and cream.

By the time things were ready, she could hear that Christina had awakened with a little cry that ceased quickly. Obviously either Sherlock or Martha had tended to her.

Before Molly could go to the front room to let everyone know the scones and tea were ready, Martha appeared, holding Christina, with Sherlock and Victoria behind them.

After a delightful afternoon tea, where both Victoria and Christina made a typical mess of their hands and faces, Martha remained to watch a Disney film, Beauty and the Beast. This was a new one for Victoria, and it was the animated version.

Molly found it amusing that Christina, who was sitting in Martha's lap, hid her face whenever Beast appeared. Victoria, on the other hand, once she got over her initial fright at his appearance, seemed to enjoy the film, especially the songs.

Despite the solemn reason for Martha's visit, Molly was glad she came, and she knew the girls had enjoyed the visit as well.

The next few days passed surprisingly quickly.

On Wednesday after lunch, Sherlock announced that he had a surprise for Molly and told her to get the girls ready to go out for the afternoon.

When he drove and found a park in Baker Street, Molly thought they were going to have a visit with Martha.

She was surprised, then, when they entered 221 Baker Street and didn't remain there with the girls.

"I have other plans for us, so kiss our daughters goodbye and come with me," Sherlock told her. He held out his arm.

Molly realised he had obviously planned this with Martha, because she showed no surprise.

Were they going for a walk? Molly wondered, as she walked outside with Sherlock.

He led them down the street, and Molly had just decided he was indeed just enjoying a nice walk with her, when he stopped, and she realised they were in front of Gabrielle's, the hairdresser she had frequented since her wedding day.

He gestured at the door, which had a big "Open" sign, and Molly suddenly recalled that hairdressing establishments had reopened the previous week. She couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips. "Did you make an appointment for me to have my hair done?"

"It's past time, don't you think?" To her surprise, he withdrew masks from his trouser pocket for them to put on.

She kissed his cheek, put on her mask as he did the same, and they went inside.

An older woman was at the reception desk, and she looked up as they entered. "Hello. Do you 'ave an appoint-" she broke off suddenly and Molly saw her eyes crinkle as she obviously smiled behind her own mask. The proprietor recognised her, and also Sherlock, though she had not met him before. "Never mind. Please take a seat. Dominique and Joe will be ready for you soon."

Molly and Sherlock sat. "That's Gabrielle, Nikki's mother," Molly told Sherlock. "She's French."

Sherlock nodded. "Not surprising, given her name and that of Dominique."

Molly suddenly recalled what Gabrielle had said. "You made an appointment too?"

Sherlock raised a hand to his rather long mop of curls. "I thought it was high time for a trim, and instead of trying to make an appointment with my usual barber, I decided I'd just have it done here. Kill two birds with one stone."

Molly pursed her lips behind her mask. "Promise me you will only let him trim your hair the teensiest bit. I love it longer. I know your hair is getting in your eyes again, so he will need to cut that a bit, but I like the overall length."

He rolled his eyes. "Yes Molly. You've made it abundantly clear that I may never cut my hair to the extent that I lose my curls."

She giggled. "Good." Then she said, "Thank you for doing this, Sherlock. My hair is in dire need of a trim."

"I booked you for a longer appointment than just a trim, sweetheart. You said a while ago that you'd like to do something special with your hair, so if you want highlights or whatever, Dominique is prepared for that."

Molly slipped her hand into his. She always found it amusing that he insisted on saying Dominique, rather than Nikki. "You're too good to me."

She was quite sure he was smirking behind the mask as he said, "I know."

"So modest, too," she teased.

"Yep." He popped his p in the way Molly always found adorable.

At that moment, Nikki appeared. "Molly, it's so good to see you! How have you been? I hope you have pictures of your daughters to show me. Your little one has to be well over a year old now!"

"Fifteen and a half months, and Victoria is going to be three next month."

"Thanks to Covid, I've got so much to catch up on with all my clients. Come on back." She looked at Sherlock. "Joe is just sweeping the floor from his last client; he'll be with you in a minute."

"Thank you," said Sherlock, and Molly gave him a little wave of farewell.

Nikki showed Molly to her hairdressing station. "When I spoke to your husband last week, he said you might like to get something extra done with your hair, like highlights."

Ah, thought Molly, he planned this already a week ago; he's so thoughtful. Aloud, she said, "Yes, I thought it would be nice to do something different."

Nikki looked at Molly's hair, picking up a few strands. "Wow, it is really long, but it looks like you could use a few inches off to give it a healthier look."

Molly chewed on her lower lip. "How much do you think you need to cut off?"

Nikki lookee once more at her hair. "Do you know what I think would look really lovely? Cutting it to just below the shoulders and doing a proper change, perhaps dyeing it red. You know the expression - 'a change is as good as a holiday'? I think people are really ready for change right now."

Molly's eyebrows shot up. Red? That was something she hadn't really thought about. But even as she thought about it, the idea appealed to her. A complete change would be good, a new look. She nodded. "Let's do it."

"Great. Let me get some colour samples for you to look at."

As Nikki left, Molly saw Sherlock being ushered to a chair by a young man with dark hair and frosted tips with a nose and eyebrow piercing. Even as Sherlock passed Molly's chair, he raised an eyebrow as the young man gushed, "God, you have exquisite curls, Mr. Holmes. I hope you don't want me to get rid of them."

(Yet another admirer of his hair,) Molly thought in amusement as she heard Sherlock's response. "Not at all. My wife would kill me. Just a little trim."

Nikki came back with a board of colour samples. "Seeing as you've not had your hair dyed before, I'd suggest we go for a red that still has some brown in it." She pointed at a selection of reddish brown samples.

Molly looked at them carefully and made her choice. The red would definitely stand out, but not as strongly as some of the more vivid selections available.

When Sherlock passed Molly twenty minutes later, he gave a little start, and she knew why. Nikki had sectioned and painted the dye mixture onto half of Molly's hair. She had just gone to the back to mix up some more colour. Foil enclosed each section of hair that had the dye currently on it. Molly thought even to herself that she looked like an alien with all that silver foil in her hair.

He stood looking at her for some moments, and she blushed.

"Well, I will be interested to see the result," he commented, and she appreciated his tact in not mentioning what a fright she looked. His own hair was decidedly less unruly, the length shortened a bit more than she would have liked, but it was still long enough for her to enjoy putting her fingers through it as she liked to do.

"Me too."

"Sweetheart, I'm going to go back to Martha's. Do you want to call me when you are finished and I'll come back?"

"No need, honey. I'll just walk back when I'm done."

He nodded and went off to the reception desk to pay for his haircut.

For the next hour and a half, Molly enjoyed catching up with Nikki as she watched the transformation of her hair first with the colour, then the cut. Nikki had become recently engaged to her boyfriend of two years, Charles, and they were planning a wedding close to the end of the year, hopeful that Covid restrictions would be lifted by then. Molly showed Nikki photos on her phone of Victoria and Christina and shared the news about her recent miscarriage. It was so easy to talk to Nikki, and she appreciated her comment that her baby was now with God, even as Molly believed herself. Molly knew Nikki was Catholic, but they were both followers of Christ, first and foremost.

"What do you think?" asked Nikki when she had finished blow-drying Molly's hair.

Molly put a hand up to her hair. "I really love the colour, but I think it's going to take me a bit of time to get used to the shorter length."

"I think it looks sexy and chic," said Nikki cheerfully. "You are going to wow your husband."

"I hope so."

Molly felt a little self-conscious when she arrived back at Baker Street and knocked on Martha's door.

"It's open, come right in," called Martha, and Molly opened the door, then stepped inside.

Sherlock, Martha and the girls were sitting around the dining table, Christina on Martha's lap, and Victoria was assembling a puzzle. It looked to be a new one Martha had purchased.

Sherlock's eyes widened slightly when he saw her. "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?" he asked with a teasing smile.

Victoria looked up as well, a slight crease between her brows. "Mummy?" Her voice sounded a little hesitant.

Molly came closer and kissed the top of Victoria's head. "Yes, it's Mummy." She looked at Sherlock and Martha. "Well, what do you think?"

"I think it looks very nice, dear," said Martha.

"The colour suits you," said Sherlock, "but it's definitely shorter than what I would've expected."

Molly chewed on the inside of her cheek. Was he implying he did not like it? Fortunately, he seemed to notice her anxiety.

"It looks good, sweetheart. It will just take a little getting used to."

"Mummy's hair is wed," announced Victoria to Christina, who looked as if she might cry.

Molly walked over to kneel down so that she was at face level for Christina, who turned her face into Martha's chest, seeming fearful. Molly placed a hand on her daughter's cheek. "Mummy just looks a little bit different, that's all. It's still me."

Obviously recognising the sound of her mother's voice, Christina turned back to look at her and reached up her arms.

With relief, Molly took her daughter and held her close.

They stayed with Martha for another hour or so, and then Sherlock announced that, seeing as they were close to Joe's Fish Shop, they'd pick up some fish and chips for dinner on their way home.

After they picked up the fish and chips, Molly noticed that Sherlock kept glancing at her as he drove home. She hoped he wasn't changing his mind about her hair and deciding he didn't like it, after all. She tried to push that thought out of her mind.

They had just finished eating dinner, and cleaning the hands and faces of their daughters, when Molly received a text. She looked at it and saw it was from Kayla.

Hey Molly, how are you and the family doing? When you get a chance, give me a ring. You were saying you didn't know what to do about Sherlock's birthday next week, and I want to tell you what we are doing for John's on Friday, in case you'd like to do the same.

Molly was intrigued. She and Kayla had been chatting briefly on Sunday after church about the fact that their husbands' birthdays were coming up, and they didn't know how to make them special with the continuing Covid restrictions.

She texted back, I'll get Sherlock to pop the girls into the bath later and ring you then. By the way, Sherlock surprised me with a hairdressing appointment today, so I got my hair dyed red and cut shorter. Take a look.

She sent the text and quickly took a selfie, then sent it.

Molly was pleased when Kayla's response came through.

Wow, it looks fabulous. I love the colour. Your new look is going to come in handy when I tell you about my idea for how to do something special for Sherlock's birthday.

Molly's curiosity was truly aroused at this. What did her new hairstyle have to do with celebrating Sherlock's birthday?

I can't wait to find out what you mean by that! When would be a good time to call, so I don't do it when you are busy with Rosie and Adam?

I'll make sure they are done with their baths by 8 o'clock, came her friend's response.

Molly sent a thumbs up emoji to indicate she had seen the message.

Molly looked up from her phone screen to see that Sherlock, obviously realising she was distracted with her phone, had already unbuckled Victoria from her seat at the table and was now lifting Christina out of her high chair.

"Sherlock, I need to ring Kayla at around eight. Can you get the girls into their bath around then and I'll come up to help once I've finished talking with her?"

He gave her a look of curiosity at the unusual request, but didn't comment upon it. "I can do that." He set Christina down on the floor, and she began to toddle after her big sister to the front room.

Molly walked over and pulled his head down to kiss his cheek. "Thanks, honey."

At 8 o'clock, Molly went upstairs and turned on the taps for the bath. Seeing that Sherlock would be in charge of the girls while she was on the phone, she decided she could at least get the water ready for them. She did like it when they took care of giving the girls their baths together, but Sherlock was capable of doing it alone when needed, and he had done so on a couple of occasions by this point.

She helped Sherlock get the girls undressed and put into the bath, and then she went downstairs to make her phone call in privacy.

Kayla answered on the second ring. "Hey Molly, I've been waiting for your call."

"Yeah, I just wanted to get the girls into the bath so that I could leave Sherlock to it and we could talk in private. Tell me what's going on? What's this idea you have?"

"Well, you know how Lori Lestrade is a photographer, right? John was talking with Greg a couple weeks ago, and Greg mentioned that Lori has set up a photo studio in the house to try to earn a little bit of income because there hasn't been much in the way of photography work for her since the start of Covid."

Molly immediately understood what Kayla was planning. "Oh, you're planning to get a family photo session done?"

"Yep," said Kayla enthusiastically. "I made an appointment for us for John's birthday on Friday afternoon. I had already asked John to make sure he got the day off for his birthday. Anyway, John knows I've planned something because I told him we are going to dress up, but he doesn't know what. Lori has a special printer hooked up to a computer from her camera, and she will be able to print out the pictures herself. We haven't had a family photo done together, so I thought this would be a good birthday present."

A smile spread over Molly's face. "Kayla, that's a brilliant idea! I'd love to have some professional photos of Sherlock, the girls and myself. I wonder if she would have time next week to fit us in?"

"I'm sure she would. She is only just starting the business, and she has called it 'New Creation Photography'."

"I love that name," enthused Molly. "In Christ we are new creations, and photographers are always creating beautiful images."

"I thought so too. Anyway, give her a ring and tell her I told you about it." Kayla giggled. "Maybe she'll give me an extra discount for referring you."

Molly laughed as well. "I'll call her now. Thanks so much for the idea, and have fun on Friday! I hope Sherlock remembers to wish John a happy birthday too. He was just saying the other day that John's birthday was coming up and he couldn't for the life of him remember the exact day. I'd remind him, but knowing Sherlock, he'd ask me why I was telling him about it now and deduce that you and I have been discussing John's birthday in the first place."

Kayla laughed as well. "Yes, I can imagine it isn't easy to keep secrets from Sherlock. I'll have to tell John not to disclose what we do on his birthday so that Sherlock doesn't figure out that you are going to do the same thing for his. It is rather funny that Sherlock wouldn't remember John's birthday by now when there's only six days difference. But then again, John probably wouldn't remember Sherlock's birthday if I didn't have it circled on the calendar in our kitchen."

"That's actually a good idea," said Molly. "I didn't buy a monthly calendar this year, but I will definitely remember that for the future, to circle important days."

The women exchanged goodbyes, and Molly ran upstairs to tell Sherlock she needed to make another quick call. She found him in the bathroom, applying shampoo to Victoria's hair, happily entertaining their daughters with a made up story about two little princesses who fell into a puddle of mud and needed a bath to clean themselves up.

"Sherlock, I just have to make another quick call, then I'll be in," she said, interrupting his monologue of how the one princess had dirt all in her hair so he needed to scrub it thoroughly.

He looked up with a smile. "As you can see, I am quite content to continue entertaining our daughters until such time as you are able to join us."

She went to drop a kiss onto his curly head, then back downstairs and dialled Lori's number.

They hadn't spoken in a month or so, and it was good to catch up. Molly used the opportunity to confide to her friend about her recent miscarriage, and Lori was sympathetic, sharing that she had experienced a miscarriage herself several years earlier. It was strange to discover yet another person she knew had experienced a similar loss. Her friend Allison had suffered a miscarriage, Martha had revealed her own miscarriage on the day Molly had experienced hers, and now Lori had confided that she too had had one.

Finally, they got onto the topic of why Molly had called. "Lori, I did have another reason for calling. Kayla told me you've just started a photography business, and that her family is coming for a photo session on Friday. I was wondering if I could book your services for our family as well? Sherlock's birthday is next Thursday. I have to work that day, but I was wondering if perhaps we could make an appointment for the day before?"

"Let me just check Greg's schedule for next week to see if he can look after Joseph. He has tomorrow off because he is working this weekend, but I'm not sure about next week. Just a sec."

Molly waited for a minute and heard Lori's voice in the background speaking to Greg, then her voice came on the line again. "Actually, Greg's on night shift next week, so he said he could work his sleep schedule around whatever I need."

Molly grinned. "Tell him thanks. How about later in the afternoon? How long will it take?"

"I'd say an hour. That way we can do some formal shots and some informal, fun ones. How does three o'clock sound?" she asked.

"That sounds perfect."

They spoke for a few minutes more, and Lori said Molly would be able to choose packages with prints in varying sizes, naming a reasonable price range.

When Molly hung up the phone, she felt a surge of relief. At least she now had something special planned for Sherlock for his birthday, even if the photo session was a day early. In the meantime, she would purchase a frame during her lunch break tomorrow to insert his favourite family photo into it.

Molly returned to the bathroom, still smiling.

She had taken longer than expected, and the girls were already out of the tub. Molly took charge of putting a new nappy on Christina and getting her into her sleepsuit, while Sherlock tended to Victoria.

Once the girls were safely in bed for the night, and she and Sherlock were in their bedroom, about to get undressed for bed, Sherlock walked to stand before Molly and put his hands on either side of her head, looking deeply into her eyes.

Then he ran his hands through the shorter length, pushing it aside so he could press a kiss to her neck. "Now that you're a redhead, will you fit the stereotype in being a fiery one?" he asked, dropping a hand to her bum and giving it a little squeeze.

She tossed her head, feeling reassured that he still found her attractive, even with her new look. "Guess you'll have to find out." She reached her hands up to thread them through his now shorter curls. The photo session next week would be a good way to commemorate her new look.

"You didn't tell me what you think about my own haircut," Sherlock said, giving her a tender smile.

"It's a little shorter than I was expecting, but it's still curly, and that's all that matters."

"I knew you'd think that." He brushed a kiss to her lips. "It was an interesting experiment, going to a hairdresser, but Joe was a little flamboyant for me. He kept gushing about my hair, and he talked incessantly. I think I will go back to my regular barber next time. He knows I do not care for idle chit chat whilst having a haircut."

Molly giggled. "Oh, it's the opposite for me. I love chatting while I'm having my hair done. I guess it's another one of those woman things."

"No doubt." He caressed her face. "Well, I think we should be done with our own conversation and enjoy some communication of the non-verbal kind."

Molly didn't respond, but merely began to undo the buttons of his shirt.

After they had made love, Molly snuggled close to Sherlock. "Sherlock, keep next Wednesday free. No cases, okay? I have something special planned."

He stroked her hair, letting it drift from his fingers back onto her shoulders in a way that wouldn't have been possible at its previous length. "Early birthday present?" he guessed.

"Of a sorts, but no clues. I'll just tell you where to drive."

"Intriguing."

She smirked and shifted position so they could spoon in their usual fashion. "Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you."

"Goodnight, love. I love you too."

Molly thought about the special surprise for next week. She was going to have to wear that lovely, crushed velvet sleeveless black dress Sherlock had bought her for her birthday that she hadn't had an opportunity to wear yet. It was going to be so much fun, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed my description of the rest of the funeral. If you are interested, you can take a look at it on YouTube.

Molly's reflections about Lazarus and the Jesus play will be shown in my story, Journey to a New Home.

How did you enjoy reading about Sherlock's surprise for Molly and the trip to the hairdresser? If you've had highlights or your hair dyed, you'll be familiar with the "alien" look that accompanies getting all those foils!

Are you looking forward to the photo session? Yes, this has been in the works for a long time for me, to do this and use the manip created by my friend, Elizabeth Robello, in a cover image for a story.

Thanks to EllemichelleP for the idea for the name of Lori's photography business.

I look forward, as always, to hearing from my readers!