Welcome to Baker Street

5. The thrill of the chase

Two hours later, they finally reach Baker Street while Giulia, who has constantly been some steps ahead of them, unlocks the front door.

Sherlock scowls at John and complains, "Just a few more miles, was it? I haven't been on such a ridiculous chase since the day we followed that cab."

"It was the day we moved in together," John recalls as his lips automatically bend in a smile.

"Yes, and I have never been more pleased to come back home." Sherlock steps forward, but John grabs his arm.

"Wait, we can't enter so soon after her; that could seem fishy."

"For God's sake, John. At this point, I couldn't care less."

"Fifteen minutes, please."

After what looks like an eternity, they climb up the stairs and step into the living room, completely worn out.

Giulia greets them gleefully, "Evening! I thought I'd find you at home when I came back. Were you two on a case?"

"Erm, yes. The usual, y'know," John lies absent-mindedly.

"Of course. Murder this time?" she asks. She has been trying to keep up with their peculiar lifestyle and appears more intrigued than scared about it.

John nods silently to avoid adding unnecessary details. As his sleuth friend believes, only lies are detailed, wrapped stories.

"You look awful. Was it so distressing?" Giulia presses him with questions.

"A bit tiring. Lots of walking involved," John murmurs, sinking heavily in his armchair.

Giulia walks into the kitchen but re-emerges soon after.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Next time we're going to Notting Hill, okay? It was a shame we couldn't walk down there today."

John raises his head, dazed. "We?"

Sherlock sighs and draws one obvious conclusion, "When did you realise we were following you?"

"Twenty minutes after I left this flat. You aren't too good at tailing people," she replies, shaking her head with fake disapproval.

"So, you didn't have to go on such an endless walk," John howls, exhausted, finally understanding that they have been played.

"I'm glad you got it, in the end. I hadn't planned to wander for so long, but I wanted to see how far you would go. Sort of test. And revenge, of course." She smiles smugly.

"I think we owe you an apology. Sorry, we shouldn't have done it," John admits sheepishly.

"You really shouldn't: wasted effort. If you had questions or doubts, you could have just asked me. Luckily, there's still time."

"Can we trust you?" Sherlock intervenes bluntly.

Giulia tilts her head and furrows a brow. "Wrong question."

"Why?" Sherlock narrows his eyes at her.

"Because you don't directly ask that. People might seem trustworthy, but they may let you down as well. I suggest you look at me and decide it for yourself." She opens her arms and turns around, full-on display under their inquisitive gaze.

Sherlock stares back at her. "I've made my decision, but I am interested in your opinion, too."

She lowers her arms, and a warm smile curves the corner of her lips.

"Of course you can trust me. I am a loyal person. Besides, I wouldn't have any interest in betraying you."

"You're vengeful, though," John breathes out, rubbing his sore feet.

"I am, but my anger blows over in a second." She goes into the kitchen and comes out with a tray full of biscuits.

"Are you hungry?"

"Not really," Sherlock mumbles, sitting down.

"Okay. I'll leave them here, just in case," she says, placing the tray on the tea table.

John ogles the biscuits. "Where did you buy them?"

"You know I didn't; you followed me for miles on end. I baked them myself the moment I got home."

Sherlock steals a glance at the food and comments, "Did you add poison?"

Giulia smacks her forehead theatrically.

"Poison! That's what was missing from the recipe. I knew I had forgotten something."

"You don't seem to appreciate my humour." Sherlock waits for a moment, then stretches out his hand and takes a biscuit.

"I'll have one, anyway. Just to check the taste. I don't want you to poison John."

The doctor smiles and takes a fistful of them.

"I'm starving, and I'd rather be poisoned right now." He takes a few morsels and adds with his mouth full. "It wouldn't even be the first time a flatmate of mine has tried to drug me, by the way."

Sherlock turns to him, peeved.

"You mean at Baskerville? It turned out it wasn't a hallucinogenic drug in the end."

"But you thought it was in the sugar and deliberately put it into my coffee," John objects vehemently.

"I needed to test my theory, John," Holmes rolls up his eyes. When will he let it go?

"And you chose me as your lab rat?"

"We were in a controlled environment, scientifically safe," Sherlock says tiredly.

"You two are impossible," Giulia comments, lying down on the couch and observing them fight.

"Welcome to our world, stranger." Sherlock sighs and winks at her.