Sherlock and John paused outside Molly's door. John had grabbed the cuff of Sherlock's shirt and was glaring up at him.
"I want you to be nice to Molly tonight. This is her home and we're guests. No talking her into cheating for you again," John said.
"It wasn't my idea. It was hers," Sherlock replied. John looked stunned and then the door opened and he gave Molly a wide smile. They followed her to the kitchen where she'd already opened several bottles of wine. She motioned at John for him to follow her.
"Molly that's brill!" John laughed as she pulled the board game out of a closet.
"I used to love this game when I was little. I haven't played in ages and ages," Molly said as she opened the box.
The door bell rang and Lestrade joined them in the hallway. Sherlock remained in the kitchen, sniffing each bottle of wine like a connoisseur. John wondered if he knew something about wine or if he was testing for poison.
"Scotland Yard," Lestrade read off the box. "Ironic. I haven't played this one," Lestrade said.
"I have," said Sherlock quietly.
"There goes another game night!" Lestrade threw up his hands.
"You and Mycroft play?" John asked.
"The whole family. We had a compulsary game night once a week. Mummy said it strengthened family ties."
"Did it?" John asked.
Sherlock gave a noncommital shrug.
"I'll let you be the judge," he said with a tight smile.
"Let's play already!" Lestrade said.
They opened the board and placed their pieces. Molly was given the role of Mr. X and the boys were given their fare tickets.
"How does this work?" asked Lestrade.
"These are your pawns. Molly's movements are hidden from our view except at given times. We are each a detective searching to find the space she occupies. The pawns travel via taxi, bus, or the underground. See here? You have a limited number of tickets and Molly has to stay hidden until they are used."
Sherlock played but he played without enthusiam. He seemed less interested in victory than he had the weeks before. Molly managed to evade capture but John suspected Sherlock had intentionally let her win. Her pleasure was written in the dimples of her cheeks.
"Good night," Molly said as she held the door open for her guests.
"I'll be just a minute John," Sherlock said.
John nodded and headed down the stairs to the ground floor.
"Thank you. For... you know, letting me win," Molly said breathlessly.
Sherlock leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.
"It was a pleasure," he replied. She rubbed at her cheek and stood at the open door long after her guests had departed.