Michael Holmes: Secret Son of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 23: The Bloody Guardsman 1

Flashback:

"Need to work on your half of the church, Mary. Looking a bit thin." Sherlock said.

"Ah, orphan's lot. Friends, that's all I have. Lots of friends." Mary smiled.

Michael decided to help with the wedding planning after school and arrange the files into different piles while Sherlock, John and Mary sign the paperwork and continue to organise the wedding. It was a huge mess, papers and files all over the floor, the sofa, and the table. "Schedule the organ music to begin at precisely 11.48." Sherlock said.

"But the rehearsal's not for another two weeks. Just calm down."

"Calm? I am calm. I'm extremely calm." Sherlock replied, 'calmly'.

"Let's get back to the reception, come on." Mary said as she walked over to the table and handed him an RSVP card. "John's cousin. Top table?"

Sherlock closely observed the card. "Hmm. Hates you. Can't even bear to think about you. Second class post, cheap card... bought at a petrol station. Look at the stamp: two attempts at licking. She's obviously unconsciously retaining saliva."

Michael giggled. "Three attempts, actually." He corrected.

"Ah. Let's stick her by the bogs." Mary glanced at Sherlock and Michael. "Who else hates me?" Sherlock hands her a sheet of paper, a long list of names written on it. Sherlock came prepared.

"Oh great, thanks!" She muttered under her breath.

"Priceless painting nicked. Looks interesting." John scrolled through some cases that appeared in his inbox.

"Table four..." Mary looked at the paperwork.

"Done." Sherlock replied without hesitation.

"Table five..."

"Major James Sholto. Who's he?" Sherlock looked through the names on the list.

"Oh, John's old commanding officer. I don't think he's coming." Mary said.

"He'll be there." John said firmly.

"Well, he needs to RSVP, then." Mary said.

"He'll be there." John repeated once more, his tone is more sharp now. Mary doesn't say anything and continues planning the wedding.

"'My husband is three people.' It's interesting. Says he has three distinct patterns of moles on his skin." John thought he found a good case.

"Identical triplets, one in half a million births. Solved it without leaving the flat. Now, serviettes." John looked at the detective in astonishment. Sherlock pulled out a tray with two serviettes folded into different shapes. He shows them to Mary. "Swan, or Sydney Opera House?"

"Where'd you learn to do that?!" Mary's eyes widen with surprise.

"Fibbing, dad." Michael smirked.

"I once broke an alibi by demonstrating the exact severity of..." He continued.

"Fibbing, Sherlock. I'm not John. I can tell when you're fibbing." Mary grinned and John looked down, slightly offended at her words.

"Okay, I learned it on YouTube." Sherlock sighed.

"Opera House, please." She leaned to one side and reached into her pocket. "Ooh, hang on. I'm buzzing. Hello?" She put the phone closer to her ear as she answered the call. "Oh. Hi, Beth!"

John's eyes lift from his phone as Mary heads for the kitchen. "Yeah, yeah, don't see why not." Mary said into her phone. Michael glanced up from the files he was arranging and looked up at her.