Chapter Text
“Greg,” the voice coming through the mobile said, “We need you here now!”
“Coming, Molly,” Greg replied. “Something’s up,” he told Mycroft. “Molly said it was urgent.”
“Molly does tend to exaggerate,” Mycroft said.
“No, she isn’t.” Gertrude had appeared in the office. “And you’d better come too.”
Mycroft pulled a face, but didn’t argue.
As they arrived in the main foyer, an irate man confronted them. “Which one of you is the manager?” he demanded.
“He is,” Gertrude announced, indicating Mycroft before he had the opportunity of pushing Greg forward.
“What seems to be the problem?” Mycroft asked.
“My family has had three hats stolen by your staff this morning: both children’s Christmas hats and my wife’s hat which she knitted herself.”
“I’m sure we can get your hats back for you. May I suggest you go into the coffee shop, and we’ll provide hot drinks, oh, and mince pies for you all.”
“Please come this way,” Molly said. She nodded to Greg to confirm she would explain the situation to Mrs Hudson.
Once they had gone, Mycroft turned to glare at Greg and Gertrude. “Where are they?” he demanded.
“As far as I know Jim and Seb are in the grotto. I haven’t heard they’re anywhere else. I’ll go and check,” Greg said.
At this point, John walked out of the Dickens room, saying, “Molly, you haven’t seen Hamlet senior, have you? Polonius has just started telling the story and it would be helpful to know if he’s coming in or if I’ll have to use Rosencrantz as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Oh, hello Mycroft, is something up?”
“We are looking for missing hats,” Mycroft scowled.
“Well, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are wearing Christmas hats, which I don’t remember seeing them in before.”
“Right, I’ll go and sort them out,” Gertrude said. “John, go and watch the gift shop for the moment. And once I’ve got the hats back, I’ll find my ex-husband and escort him back for his role.”
Greg returned as John and Gertrude departed, brandishing a knitted hat. “The reindeer was wearing it,” he said. “It was, apparently, a total mystery how it came to be on his head.”
“Who was in the reindeer?” Mycroft asked.
“Sherlock. I could see Anderson and Seb as elves, and hear Santa frightening the kids, so by process of elimination…”
“Why do we continue to use Jim as Santa?”
“He’s the best one at keeping the kids still for the photo. And the parents are all delighted because they leave the grotto promising to be good until Christmas!”
Mycroft looked around and gave a satisfied sigh. “You know, all things considered, I’d say this has been a very satisfactory first season.”