"How was the vet?" Zella enquired, approaching the carrier. She didn't touch the dark blanket covering it, as if waiting for permission.

"They're keeping him for observation and some tests," Susanna called from the post room, her voice betraying her concern and obvious upset over the news, "But they were able to stabilise him this morning when I brought him in."

"Oh dear..," Zella murmured to herself. Susanna walked out of the post room carrying a large and likely heavy cardboard package laden with other envelopes. Despite its supposed weight, she managed to lift it onto the counter. Inside of the box there was a noticeable clicking of glass on glass when she did so, "Oh my! Is that the preserves and all?"

Susanna nodded, "Yes. One day early, in fact. Ma sends them every week but they're not normally this large," Her eyes flitted around at her purse, carrier and the tote she'd been carrying previously, "I'll have to make two trips then."

"That won't be necessary, Susanna." John moved to deposit Rosie with Sherlock.

"Oh it's fine, I'm sure you two have got somewhere else to be."

"Actually, um, we came for a short visit. Might as well, I guess, now that we're here. Tea, maybe?" John replied. Susanna sighed, obviously analysing the situation.

It took a few seconds but she relented with a smile, "Alright then. But I will have to make two trips for this box."

"Nonsense, waste of time. I will carry it." Sherlock protested impatiently. He reached across the counter and picked up the parcel. Susanna strained across to try and stop him, but couldn't. Zella suddenly appeared quite amused and suppressed a chuckle.

"You don't have to, Sherlock. I'm perfectly capable of taking it myself."

"Come now, we're wasting time." He was practically sparking with anticipation. He strode towards the elevator and smashed the button three times. John looked at Susanna, who cleared her throat and blinked.

"Okay then. Up we go. Goodbye, Zella!" She picked up her things and John followed her to the lift, whose doors opened as Sherlock pushed the button once more. No one was on, so Sherlock bounded in and Susanna rang for the top level. She then turned to Rosie, who'd been quiet the entire time, and entertained her with silly noises and small talk. John laughed, watching his daughter light up and interact.

Within a few minutes they had made it to the freshly painted gray door of 48 Ainsworth Rise. Sherlock was most impatient as Susanna got out her key and unlocked the door, but managed to wait until she'd waved them in before dashing across the threshold.

Much like the contemporary theme of the rest of the building, the flat was bright and clean. However the one word to describe its contents and the theme would be 'Eclectic', in its finest sense.

To the right was the kitchen, and to the left was a hallway with four doors. The ceiling was vaulted and the  wall opposite the door was floor to ceiling glass, though most of it was fenced by low shelves and cubbies. In the corner of the sitting room was an office area. Most of the furniture im the room was mismatched, but seemed to go together. Vintage and modern, actually, seemed to be the theme.

"I hope you don't mind the mess. I've been working on a few projects and haven't cleared them up," She put away her purse and tote and set the carrier down, "I'll take those into the-" 

Sherlock had already walked over and deposited the box and mail onto the counter. Susanna exhaled with a puff, visibly challenged with the task of figuring Sherlock out, "Your mother always packs the preserves in heavy duty mason jars."

"Yes. Mason jars are how she cans preserves and whatever else," As Sherlock began to explore the flat, Susanna turned to John, "Is this normal procedure for him?"

"No." John stared at his best friend, intrigued.

"Alrighty. Well, if you wouldn't mind taking off your shoes..."

"Of course!" John quickly respected her request and stored his shoes in another cubby, "Sherlock, come over here and take off your-"

"Why?"

"House rules," Susanna explained. Sherlock almost responded with sarcasm but upon further prompting from John, he reluctantly shed his shoes, scarf and coat, "Thank you."

Sherlock said nothing, having returned to his exploration.

Thank you for reading!!