Hey, hey, for those in the UK, I hope you are all enjoying this glorious weather (before it gets too hot – at which point I have to hide indoors or burn to a crisp). For those not in this country I hope you have warm, sunny, balmy days as we have here.

Thank you so much for all your responses to this fic and I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long – my weekend was full on in part because I was away but when I came home, I had to pick up my eldest from Uni. I can't believe he's finished year one already!

Anyway, enough from me, let's get on with the story and see what our favourite couple are up to.

Chapter 4

That sense of unease seemed to stay with her for the rest of their time on the beach. She sat quietly on the sand watching the waves rolling ever closer as Sherlock continued his investigation of the rock and its surroundings. She answered his questions perfunctorily, but her mind was totally engaged with what might have happened if she had discovered the killer.

'Stop fretting Molly, you didn't see them and so nothing happened to you.'

Sherlock's voice so close and seeming to answer her internal dialogue shocked her out of her stupor.

He sat down on the sand next to her and looped his hands around his knees as he mirrored her position.

'It's futile pondering what could have been, believe me I know.'

She took a deep breath and turned her head to look at him. His profile, as he looked out at the sea, was captivating. She could see his curls moving as the breeze caught them, could see his skin tone starting to be caught by the very sun that was warming them both and she felt a surge of love for him...pulling her from her pessimistic musings.

'You're right, I know you're right. It was just a shock...realising that he was here with me all the time.'

He glanced at her and lifted an eyebrow, smiling. 'Or her...it could have been a woman Molly, nothing to say either way so far.'

'I suppose...'

He made his way to his feet and then offered Molly his hand to help her up. As she did, she stumbled a little and ended up falling against his chest and she could smell his cologne and feel the expensive material of his shirt under her hand and the warmth of his body beneath.

Being close to him seemed to be affecting her more than it did day to day at work. Maybe it was the sun, or the setting, but it all felt a bit dream like...fueling her imagination, making her want to push things further with him than she would ever do back in London.

He seemed to hold her a few seconds longer than she would have expected him to do, and she tentatively lifted her head to look at him to find him looking down at her with a thoughtful expression on his face. As soon as their eyes met though he looked away and let her go.

'If it's any consolation Molly we'll probably be back here tomorrow or the day after. I have an experiment I want to try out. I'm assuming you can swim.' He gave her a crooked smile as she gave him a confused one in return.

'Yes, I can swim...though not that well. It would be nice to come back. Maybe we can bring a picnic.'

She could have slapped herself as soon as the words left her mouth and she heard him laugh.

'I said an experiment Molly...there is still a murder to be solved...but...that being said if you want to bring some food, I'm not going to stop you. Now, shall we head towards that pub you mentioned...I wouldn't mind double-checking to see whether they remember anything about yesterday's visitors. We can use the excuse of a late lunch. Come on.'

They headed back to the car and after all the walking in the sun Molly was glad to sit inside the cool interior of the cosy pub whilst Sherlock quizzed the same bar maid as had been serving yesterday. She'd recognised Molly from the day before and had been quite open to answering questions. Molly left Sherlock to it and went and found a quiet table for two near the window and she picked up a menu trying to decide what to have.

A couple of minutes later Sherlock joined her and deposited a glass of white wine in front of her as he took a gulp of the pint he'd bought for himself.

'Don't bother with that Molly.' He said as he waved at the menu. 'I've ordered some chips and sandwiches for us to share.'

Molly rolled her eyes at his presumption but as he seemed to be footing the bill she decided not to complain.

She took a sip of the wine, enjoying feeling the cool liquid sliding down her throat, and she gestured lightly towards the barmaid.

'So, did you get anything?'

He shook his head. 'No, it seems you were the most exciting thing to happen here in weeks. Apparently, this spot and the cove don't get much footfall outside of the school holidays and weekends...a bit too off the beaten path. That would explain why it was so quiet yesterday and today. I did wonder about the riskiness of the location. The killer can't have been able to ensure no one would see...but it is fairly isolated, and you probably need to be a local to know it's there.'

The food was soon brought over, and Molly thanked the waiter as she tucked in. It suddenly seemed like ages since breakfast.

'What's the plan now then?'

He seemed lost in thought and almost surprised that she'd spoken but he leant back and drank more of his pint.

'First things first we need to find out who our victim was. Given he had a card connecting him to our hotel that seems as good a place as any to start. He might be a guest there or a member of staff...someone should be starting to notice that he's missing now given it's been over 24 hours. It's a shame that there's no body yet otherwise there would be more publicity.'

'You're going to stay then?'

He frowned. 'Yes, why wouldn't I? Like I said things are dead in town at the moment and not in a good way. Plus, I'm sure you need your holiday livening up a bit...what was it you were doing...some walk or other...'

Molly scowled. 'I was doing the south coast walk. It's been beautiful so far...'

'Yes, I'm sure it has...beautiful and boring. Well, don't worry, we're going to change all that. Have you finished your food yet? We should get going.'

Molly had barely eaten one sandwich and she shook her head.

'Uh uh, no way, you are not bossing me about on MY holiday. You can damn well just wait ten minutes until I've had my food and my drink...in fact a second glass of wine wouldn't go amiss.'

She pushed her empty wine glass towards him and stared him down until he relented with a huff and a chuckle. 'Fair enough Dr Hooper...another wine it is.'

He picked up her glass and she bit her lip and smiled to herself at having stood up to him. It wasn't the first time she'd done it and she was surprised by how much she got away with it. He was rarely so relenting with other people.

She ate a couple of the chips and she had to acknowledge that a couple of days with Sherlock solving a murder would make a nice change from all the solitude so maybe she should just make the most of it.

It was almost five o'clock by the time they made their way back to the hotel and Sherlock went with Molly to reception so she could ask about the possibility of extending her stay by a couple of nights.

The woman on reception was an attractive older woman, maybe mid-forties with shoulder length, light brown hair, and striking blue eyes. It seemed from her name badge that, like the manager, she was part of the family who owned the hotel, Marie Havers of Havers Hotel. As they waited to be served, she seemed to be deep in conversation with him, he was sitting at a desk in the office behind.

'...don't care where he's been just as long as he gets back before tomorrow. We can't expect Chantelle to manage on her own. That girl's head is filled with fluff and make up, and anyway she needs a credible partner or it's all...'

It was at that moment that she noticed the two of them waiting and she turned and smiled.

'I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there. How can I help?'

Molly stepped forwards and leant on the counter.

'Hi, I was hoping to extend my stay. I'm here tonight and tomorrow night and was wondering if I could book another two nights?'

The older woman glanced down at her books and slowly shook her head. 'I'm so sorry my dear but we're fully booked, your friend here took the last available room. There's already someone booked into yours when you leave. I could ring around some of the other hotels in town if you'd like and see if they have space.'

At this Sherlock surprised Molly by taking her hand, turning her to face him. 'Listen darling. Don't be ridiculous. I'm here to prove to you that we should be together, just like we were. I'd have you in my room tonight if I could, but I know you want time...you want me to prove myself but...when you have to give up your room just move into mine...'

He stepped closer and looked down at her, and Molly suddenly realised with a start that he was going to kiss her, and her eyes widened in shock. Her mouth fell open a little as his lips met hers and after a quick kiss he pulled back ever so slightly.

'...please..'

Then he closed in again and kissed her properly; Molly felt her world tilt very slightly on its axis. It still only lasted barely a couple of seconds, but when he pulled away, she was breathless.

Sherlock had turned to the receptionist and smiled. 'We were engaged, but Molly broke it off last week; she said I work too much and I'm too serious, and she was right. I've left everything to prove to her that she's my priority. And I'm not leaving here without her.'

He turned back to her and lifted her hand to his mouth, and he pressed his lips against her knuckles.

She gave him a tight smile and glanced nervously at the woman watching this whole scene unfold. She knew she needed to catch up and play along.

'Let's just see shall we.'

Sherlock turned back to Marie and smiled. 'Did I hear you say there's an event on tomorrow night? What is it? Is it open to all the guests?'

He was answered with a wide smile. 'Yes, we have two resident dancers and tomorrow is their first night of the summer season. Harlow and Chantelle will be carrying out a couple of show dances to entertain the guests, and then they'll be available as partners for those wanting to dance, or even learn to dance.'

Sherlock cut in. 'And did I hear you say that you're missing one of your dancers?'

Marie sighed. 'Yes, Harlow. He's been with us since the winter season and is very popular with some of our...umm...regular, older guests, but no one has seen him since yesterday morning.'

Sherlock and Molly glanced at each other, but it was Molly who spoke first. Sherlock had already warned her that he had registered under a pseudonym, and so it was that that she used to address him.

'That's such a shame. I'd love to do some dancing. You can dance can't you Will...I've heard you're really good...not that you ever seemed to have the time to take me out.'

She gave him a petulant look as he looked at her in slight confusion.

She carried on. 'Maybe you could help out? You know, take Harlow's place...just for tomorrow. So long as you save me a dance or two of course.'

Sherlock seemed a bit on the back foot for a moment. 'I...umm...I suppose I could.'

Marie leant forward. 'Are you sure Mr Scott? We really wouldn't want to put you out, but it would be a real weight off my mind if I knew we had a backup plan. I have never known Harlow to just disappear like this.'

It was this statement which seemed to make Sherlock's mind up and he turned to her and smiled. 'Of course, I can help. Maybe you could introduce me to Chantelle, and she can show me what the routines were. I'm holding you to your word though Molly and I'll be expecting those dances with you.'

Molly bit her lip and smiled at him. 'I can't wait.'

So, what do you think of Molly volunteering Sherlock to do some dancing? Well, come on, there's a dance floor in the hotel so I had to put in some dancing. I wonder if he'll dance with Molly at some point…xxx