The Thinker Challenge

Chapter 8: Dating for Dummies (Part I)

Sherlock, on the phone with Mycroft “Is that really necessary?” “I don't see….” “Fine.” “No need. Honestly, brother, I am not as pathetic as that.” “No.” “Yes.” “I will surely keep you informed.” He hangs up, obviously irritated.

Sio emerges from the bedroom, freshly dressed and ready to grab her coat. It is nearly midnight and she is about to call a cab on her phone. Sherlock, dressed in pajama bottoms, rather dramatically drops into his chair.

“What is it?” She inquires, seeing his obvious irritation.

“I wonder if you might do me a favor,” he offers in response.

“Depends. Should I cancel the cab?” She smirks with a raise eyebrow.

“Nothing like that. I hesitate to ask, because it does break the rules of our arrangement. It’s just my brother has been needling me about something. I am beginning to suspect that torturing me about it gives him even more pleasure than would my acquiescence. He seems to think it obligatory that I bring a date to a function this week – a PR sort of thing. Assuming that I am incapable of such a feat, he just called to inform me that he has procured the services of a professional on my behalf. I reflexively informed him that this was not necessary.”

She freezes for a long moment before asking, “What day is it?”

“Friday.”

“As in the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll check my calendar.” Of course, what she means by this is that she immediately puts a call in to Henry. “What sort of event is it?”

“A state dinner, I’m afraid. Whatever that means.”

“You are in luck. I know exactly – I’ve researched it. I can wear my Nobel dress.”

“You didn’t…?”

“Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”

She starts speaking into the phone. “Am I free on Friday this week? It’s nearly midnight. Ok, take a minute.” She rolls her eyes. “Yes, Friday.” She looks over at Sherlock “What time?”

“Seven – ish.” He responds with an uncertain shrug.

“Seven. A state dinner. Yes. It’s a date. If it was a meeting, I would have said so, wouldn’t I? Yes, not a monkey, a man. I can wear my Nobel dress. Calm down, Harry. Why would I want to do that? What’s wrong with my nails? I don’t know. Fine. I’ll leave it all up to you. Take a pill or something.”

“It’s fine,” she says to Sherlock as she is putting way her phone.

He nods.

She turns back, briefly as she is about to head out the door.

“Do I come here? Or do we meet there? Or is there a car?” She asks.

“I have no idea,” he admits.

Tbc….