I had requests for more characters, so here you go! Another good old group chat, where everybody joins the party.

This chapter might get a bit confusing so I'm going to have everybody sign their messages, so you know who is talking. I hope you enjoy the chapter!

A quick character index, although it is not entirely necessary:

Normal is Mrs Hudson (–MH)

Italics is John (–JW)

Underlined italics is Molly (–MH xx)

Underlined bold is Mycroft (–M)

Bold italics is Lestrade (–GL)

Bold is Anderson (–A)

Underlined bold italics is Donovan (–SD)

I think that's everybody accounted for…on with the show!

Group text: John Watson, Molly Hooper, Mycroft Holmes, Gregory Lestrade, Anderson, Sally Donovan, Martha Hudson

Hello everyone. Thank you for participating in this group text. –MH

Hello again, Mrs Hudson! –MH xx

I don't understand what I'm doing here. Who is Martha Hudson, anyway? –A

Same here. Why are we here? –SD

I'm John and Sherlock's landlady. Sherlock borrowed my phone recently, and switched around my contacts, giving me some numbers I didn't have before. I assumed that you'd all be people Sherlock works with, so I texted you all. Is that all right? –MH

Of course it's all right, Mrs Hudson. –JW

I agree. Did you sort out Big Ben, by the way? –MH xx

What's that about Big Ben? –M

Nothing! –MH

Nothing! –JW

I heard it blew up, is that true? –GL

It is true. A small part of it, anyway. –M

And my cookies got burned. –MH

What? –A

Never mind! The point is, I gathered you here to ask you something. –MH

Look, I really don't think I'm supposed to be here. I don't even know who you are, Mrs Hudson. –SD

Same here. –A

She's our landlady, weren't you paying attention? –JW

Anyway, it's Sherlock's birthday soon. –MH

Three days' time. Why is it significant? –M

He never mentioned that to me. –MH xx

Nor me. –GL

Why should we care if it's the freak's birthday? –SD

Donovan! –GL

Okay, that's enough. I think you should leave, Donovan. -JW

Wish the freak happy birthday from me. –SD

Sally Donovan has disconnected from the conversation.

Can I go too? –A

Please do. –JW

Anderson has disconnected from the conversation.

Doesn't he have a first name? –MH xx

I don't think anybody knows it. –JW

I do, but I'm not allowed to say. –GL

Seriously? –JW

I'm not even sure Sally knows. –GL

If we could return to the matter at hand? –M

Thank you, Mycroft. Anyway, I was thinking we could get together and do something for Sherlock's birthday. Does anyone agree? –MH

What, like a birthday party? Isn't he a bit old for that? –GL

I was thinking more like dinner out as a group. Would he like that, do you think? –MH

I don't think he'd like it much. Too social. –JW

I agree. –M

That could be a good reason to do it, actually. –GL

Slow down, Satan. –JW

John! –MH

It's an expression. –JW

So, we're going to hold a birthday dinner for Sherlock, knowing he will hate it? –MH xx

Seems like it. –JW

Are we in agreement? –JW

Yes! –GL

It will be a good lesson for my brother in handling social occasions. –M

So, yes. –M

Why not? I'm in. –MH xx

Mrs Hudson? –JW

Fine. –MH

That's settled then. Where will it be? –GL

How about Angelo's? He's friendly, and Sherlock will be nicer there, I think. –JW

What time? –MH xx

7pm on Sherlock's birthday? –MH

Suits me. I'll drag him there if I need to. –JW

I'll be there. –MH xx

Same here. –GL

It appears I will have to make time, but yes. I will be present. –M

How about the two that left, Sally and Anderson? -MH

NO! –JW

I think you speak for all of us there, John. So, we'll meet at Angelo's restaurant on Sherlock's birthday then, at 7pm. –GL

Thank you for participating, everybody. –MH

Any time, Mrs Hudson. –JW

And nobody tell Sherlock! –GL

Reviews, by the way, are awesome and greatly appreciated. Thank you!