I. 2 November, 2013

French Journalists killed in Mali, another cease fire in Yemen, severe flooding throughout England and Wales, and the world seems much more tolerable after a shower and a good cup of tea.

II. The office that Anthea has managed to create is very good despite the fact that we are not in England. The Annigoni portrait of Her Majesty was always one of my favorites. Sherlock after his shave is back to his irritating self, accusing me of enjoying his suffering. I suppose that it was too much to ask for him to appreciate my sacrifice. Leaving London and doing field work, which I hate, in order to save his life. Even so, he cannot deny that he owes me for the last two years. He can start by finding that terror cell. I wonder how long it will be before he asks about him.

III. The baroness is in the custody of the Serbian government. The Lieutenant of Baron Maupertuis has already been jailed for his murder. Interpol will have him relocated to Germany where he is wanted for several murders. Much more secure than the Serbian jails. The baroness who has also been accused as an accessory will probably buy her way out of trouble. No matter. She is a small fish.

IV.

"And what about John Watson?"

"John?"

"Have you seen him?"

"Oh yes, we meet up every Friday for fish and chips." Mycroft says sarcastically. "I've kept a weather eye on him of course. You haven't been in touch at all, to prepare him?"

"Um no." Sherlock looks at the picture of John with his new mustache, "We'll have to get rid of that."

"We?"

"He looks ancient. I can't be seen wandering around with an old man. I think, I'll surprise John. He'll be delighted."

"You think so?"

"Mmm, walk into Baker street, you know jump out of a cake."

"Baker street? He isn't there anymore. Why would he be? It's been two years. He's got on with his life."

"What life? I've been away."

II.

The arrogance of my brother. Supposing that he can walk back into John Watson's life as if he'd simply been away for the weekend. To assume he will forgive him for faking his death, and leaving him heartbroken for two years. I suppose that he can't have understood how poorly John took his death. That depth of feeling is alien to Sherlock.

If he only knew how closely I have watched John Watson, his struggles, his pain. So stoic at the funeral only to collapse in grief when he thought himself alone. Why is that everyone calls me cold when Sherlock discounts John's grief so casually?

IV.

"Where's he going to be tonight?"

"How would I know?"

"You always know."

II.

It's true. I always know. I make it my priority to know. If Sherlock knew how closely I monitor John Watson, he would say that my attention borders on the obsessive. No, he would say that it is obsessive. My forced confession was not entirely a lie. Very little of it was, in fact.

It is because of my attention that I know what John is planning to do tonight. Let Sherlock walk into that land mine and see if John forgives him. Maybe Sherlock is right. Maybe I do enjoy seeing him beaten. I suppose that a warning is the least that I can do.

IV.

"You know, it is just possible that you won't be welcome."

"No it isn't. Now where is it?"

"Where is what?"

"You know what."

Anthea enters then with his precious coat. She says "Welcome back, Mr. Holmes."

And he is back. Thank the heavens.