Before I Began To Grow

Chapter Two

The cab ride to Scotland Yard lasted a bit longer than usual. It was to be expected, though. It was nearly Christmas and it was snowing. Sherlock still hadn't quite worked out what was so exciting about snow....It was cold.

John was silently grateful for the traffic. He hadn't visited London that much over the past four years. Only if he needed to buy something important or if a friend lived here would he leave the English countryside for the bustling London.

It was Mary who had wanted to live in the country. And, of course John had agreed to it. 

John sighed, trying to block off the feelings of resentment and hatred. Eight years of his life wasted with that woman...

''So, what happened with Mary? Am I allowed to ask?'' Sherlock kept his eyes fixed on the passing shops, waiting for John to answer.

John nodded, a little bitterly. ''Yeah, you can ask.''

''You sound angry, John.''

John snorted. ''Do I?''

Sherlock looked blankly at him. ''...Yes.''

John rolled his eyes. ''Well, I have every right to be!''

''Oh, I bet you do.'' Sherlock paused. ''...Tell me about it.''

John looked up at Sherlock. Not one of his friends had asked him the full story.

''We got divorced.'' John stated plainly, looking out his window.

''Well, obviously, but why?''

John's head snapped back to Sherlock. ''Obviously?''

Sherlock sighed and pointed to John's hand. ''You're not wearing your ring.''

''Loads of people don't wear their wedding rings.'' John shrugged.

''Yes,'' Sherlock continued.''But you did wear your wedding ring. There's a slight dent or marking on your finger from years of wearing it.''

John pursed his lips. ''That all?''

''Not quite.'' Sherlock started. ''If you were only taking a break from Mary, or if you'd only had a row, you wouldn't go to somewhere you once called home. The fact that you are visiting somewhere you used to live means you're looking for somewhere more permanent. You could've done this knowingly, or without realizing. So, if you were hoping to go back to your wife you would be staying at a hotel or B&B until you returned. It would also be somewhere much nearer to your more recent abode. Not a place that you view as ''home''.''

John stared at Sherlock for a few seconds before letting out a small, tinkling laugh.

''I almost forgot you did that.''

Sherlock smirked, but shrugged.

''But, I had been in a hotel, you know.''

Sherlock nodded. ''Yes, but that was back when you were still upset about the divorce. So, you in your drunken state would've thought about going back to Mary.''

John huffed angrily. '' 'Drunken state ' ?''

Sherlock smiled at John. ''Don't be like that. I'm not judging. How can I be? Me, with my cigarettes and nicotine patches.''

John nodded. He didn't feel like being angry with Sherlock. ''I suppose so.''

John laughed and Sherlock looked at him, smiling.

''What's funny?''

''They threw me out. The hotel.''

Sherlock laughed softly and looked back out his window. ''What did you do?''