(John’s POV: )

My tea wasn’t doing it for me today. I groaned and got up, limping over to the window. I stared out, one figure catching my eye. My gaze followed the tall figure as he walked quickly away. He looked like he hadn’t had a good place to sleep in a long time. I considered going after him and offering him a place to sleep, but he was moving too fast for me to catch. I sighed, going back over to the grey chair in front of the fire. I had stopped recognizing it as… his chair a long time ago. Now it was just the Grey Chair. My mind wandered to the date. It was the day. The day of the Fall. I grimaced and looked into the distance blankly.

After a bit I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. They were heels, short ones: Mrs. Hudson. She reached the top stair and I picked up a book I was pretending to read.

“Hello, dear. How are you?” She asked gently, coming in and setting a tray of tea on the coffee table.

“I’m good, thanks.” I answered, putting my book down and pretending to be surprised to see the tea. “I thought you weren’t my housekeeper?”

“This isn’t for housekeeping, dear. This is a friendly gesture.” She explained, smiling like she always did. She handed me a cup and I nodded, taking a sip. “Have you spoken to Alice yet?” She asked, taking a cup herself and sitting down in my old chair. I sighed.

“No… I figured I wouldn’t this year… She has her own life.” I relied solemnly.

“You think that she would be busy… today of all days?” the landlady asked innocently.

“No. I just don’t want to be reminded.” I answered quietly. She looked down into her cuppa sadly.

“We all miss him, dear. It’s perfectly natural-”

“I know, Mrs. Hudson.” I interrupted tiredly. I paused for a moment before apologizing: “Sorry. I- I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“It’s fine, dear.” Awkward silence commenced for a few minutes, before my ringing mobile broke it.

“John.” I answered.

“Hello John.” Alice answered, sounding as tired as I felt. Mrs. Hudson smiled –almost triumphantly- and left with her tea. As soon as she was downstairs I replied.

“Hey Alice… How’re you?”

“Good… I’m bored. What about you?”

“I’m… surviving. Mycroft is still paying for the flat, so I’m being cared for.”

“That’s good…” She trailed off, not knowing what to say.

“Are you going to visit this year?” I asked.

“…I could if you would like.”

“I would.”

“Should I bring stuff?”

“Yes.”

“What time?”

“Nine-ish.”

“I will. Is Greg coming?”

“I’ll call him. Let’s just say yes.”

“See you tonight, John.” She said. I could hear her smiling.

“See you.” I smiled and hung up, thinking.