(Alice’s POV: )
Outside, Sherlock swiped a half-drunk pint of beer from a nearby empty table and walked over towards Fletcher, noticing as he did so that he had a copy of the Racing Post in his trouser pocket. I caught up with him before he spoke to the guide. Fletcher had gone over to another of the tables and was just finishing his phone call.
“Yeah... No. All right? Right. Take care. Bye.” He said, sounding in a hurry to finish his call.
“Mind if we join you?” Sherlock asked, saying ‘we’ without even acknowledging I was there before he said it. Fletcher shrugged and gestured to the table. Sherlock put his pint down and sat on the bench on the other side of the table, not even drinking from it. He had used it as a prop. I chuckled quietly and sat next to him, taking a sip of my coffee.
“It’s not true, is it? You haven’t actually seen this... hound thing.” He grinned in a friendly way.
“You from the papers?” He replied, looking at us suspiciously.
“No, nothing like that. Just curious. Have you seen it?” I asked, letting Sherlock have a chance to observe Fletcher more.
“Maybe.” The guide answered, still suspicious. He looked me down, as all the men had did. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
“Got any proof?” Sherlock questioned.
“Why would I tell you if I did? ’Scuse me.” He said, a bit offended as he stood up to leave. John came over with his own drink, beginning,
“I called Henry...”
“Bet’s off, John, sorry.” Said Sherlock, talking over the doctor.
“What?” John asked, sitting down.
“Bet?” Fletcher asked.
“My plan needs darkness.” He continued, looking at his watch. He looked up at the sky. “Reckon we’ve got another half an hour of light...”
“Wait, wait. What bet?” Fletcher interrupted.
“Oh, I bet John and Alice both here fifty quid that you couldn’t prove you’d seen the hound.” Sherlock explained.
“Yeah, the guys in the pub said you could.” John confirmed, catching on immediately and looking at Fletcher. I nodded and smiled smugly. Fletcher smiled and pointed to Sherlock.

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How They Met Alice (BBC Sherlock Fanfiction)
FanfictionSherlock and John are just starting out when a cryptic Alice White comes into their acquaintance. Sherlock begins to grow attached to her, but not in the way you think. John trusts her as much as he trusts Sherlock, but is that right? This is just h...