The Coffee Shop

Chapter 8 - Thursday 6th April, Morning

London was humming with rumours. John saw it everywhere he went, heard whispers on the wind, tasted gossip on his tongue. There was an energy here, and it transformed every person he met. It was why he loved London – there was never a dull moment - but it could be dangerous, too, and the only comfort he felt in the city was when his best friend was in his company.

John wasn't afraid of hearsay.

He was afraid its potential.

He was in his office, like he had been every day since Monday, but he found it difficult to concentrate on the job after Sherlock had swanned into his life once more. John found himself conflicted. Finally, he had a life of peace, but his morality shook him. Being with the detective was fun, but what did it do to his mental health? What good did it do the world?

These were wistful questions, and John disliked being thought of as a wistful person.

Discipline. Sherlock had none of it. And a part of John, a very small part, was envious. To throw caution to the wind like that... he wanted some of that for himself, and he knew that people would label him for it, but it was the truth.

Mary would have understood.

And John, for the first time in months, allowed himself to think about her, what she meant to him, who she really was. He had loved her, and accepted her past. They had spent a good amount of time together before she passed away, he told himself, before she died in his arms.

Now that she was gone, he knew the truth – he didn't love her truly, the way he should have, when she was alive. And he could never apologise to her, not properly, not the way he wanted to. It was not his fault, he knew this. But it was a great shame.

He decided not to dwell on it, and, pulling himself out of his thoughts, checked the appointment schedule for the day. It was hours until his lunch break.

Good God, he thought to himself. It's not fun, this.

A phone ringing cut through the gloom. It was his smart phone, he recognised the ringtone, but he could not locate it. He searched his bag, the drawers, the windowsill, before finally finding it under a stack of paperwork. Checking the caller ID, he picked up.

"Greg. How is it going, with the case."

"There has been a very recent development, you'll be glad to hear."

"Oh? Did Sherlock..."

"No, he didn't."

"Then what happened?"

"Social media, that's what."

"I'm confused."

"I would be too," the DI sighed. "The whole ordeal is a mindfuck."

John stood up. "Look, if you need me to take some time off work and help out, I'm sure I could persuade my boss.."

"No, no, don't do that, it's okay. We wouldn't want you losing your job over this!" He forced a laugh. John laughed too, out of politeness.

"Is Sherlock there?" He inquired curiously.

"Would you talk to him if he was?" Lestrade countered. "You two have been avoiding each other."

"I have not! If he does not care to speak to me, that's his business. I'm not going to contact him if he thinks he's too good to talk to his ex-best friend."

"You're acting like a child." Lestrade told him frankly.

"And you're being unnecessarily nosy."

"Do you think you could think you could divert your attention to someone other than yourself for a change?" Lestrade bit back. "Genuinely? I hate to break it to you, but not everyone is wrapped up in your life, and what you think and say and do. They're busy worrying about themselves. Wake up, John Watson. Smell the coffee. There are more important things."

John was stunned into silence. He had never heard Lestrade talk to him, let alone anyone, like that before.

"...I know that," He said. "But these last few days have been a stressful period. You have to admit it."

"I suppose." The DI said.

"Has Sherlock said anything, then?" He coughed. "About, well, uhm, me?"

Lestrade sighed, frustrated. "It doesn't matter whether he has or not. Go over to 221B today, sort out your differences and for the love of God, solve this case."

And he hung up.

Well, that was that, thought John.

He would go there after work. Right now, he had a new patient to see.