Prompt from W. Y. Traveller: Carved

"John, isn't it time to carve the turkey?"

"Not yet, Mary, not all our guests have arrived."

"John, if you don't carve it soon, it will go cold."

"Just give it a few minutes more."

"Alright, John. Just a few minutes."

Knock. Knock.

"Lestrade! And Beth! I'm so glad you could make it!"

"Thank you for inviting us, Mary! The children are already at my mother's, but with my husband here still working until this afternoon, and now all this snow, we won't be able to get there until tomorrow. I'm so glad you offered for us to have our Christmas dinner here with you!"

"Of course! Please, come in and sit down. John will cut the turkey soon, we're just waiting on a few more guests."

Exeunt.

Knock. Knock.

"Mrs Hudson, come in! Mary and I have been waiting on you."

"I hope you haven't been waiting too long! I know how hard it can be, spending all that time cooking the turkey, then a guest is late and all that efforts is wasted. I'd hate to be the reason for a cold turkey."

"Don't worry, Mrs Hudson, Mary's done an excellent job with the turkey, and I'll be carving it soon."

"Really, Martha, you're not even the last guest to arrive. Please, go in and have a seat."

"Well, if you're sure, dear."

Exit.

"You really will need to carve that turkey soon, sweetheart."

"I know, Mary. I know. I just–"

"He probably had a case, and couldn't send a message. He'd be here if he could."

"This would be my first Christmas without him as long as we've known each other."

"We can wait a while longer. The guests won't mind."

A sigh. "...no, you're probably right. If he has a case, he won't be coming. Let's go carve the turkey."

Knock. Knock.

"Holmes!"

"Hello, Watson, Mary. My apologies for my tardiness, there was an urgent matter to attend to. I will need to be off immediately after dinner, a case is afoot."

"Are you sure it can wait until after dinner, then, Sherlock?"

"Do you need me to come with you, Holmes?"

"No, Watson, it's not dangerous, and yes, it can wait. After all," a smile, "I wouldn't want to miss you carving the turkey."