“You know, on the whole I’d say that our Summer Wonderland has worked rather well,” Mycroft Holmes said.

“We’ve been fortunate with the weather,” Greg Lestrade replied.

“True. Although footfall was higher on wet days, that’s the advantage of being able to provide a selection of activities indoors, and while families didn’t have to change their arrangements if they were coming anyway, others came because their outdoor intentions were rained off.”

“I was really impressed with the crafts which Sally offered.”

“Yes, I hadn’t realised how capable she was. Organising both Anderson and Hamlet to run a simple craft table each was a triumph.”

“Quite. It’s surprising how happy they both were sitting and colouring every day.” Greg said, adding, “The woodland trail wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped.”

“We always knew there’d be some teething troubles.”

“True, but we weren’t expecting that to be due to a donkey’s teeth. Did you ever find out who introduced the donkey?”

“Oh yes, didn’t I tell you? Seb said it wasn’t him, which the donkey disproved by nudging his pocket for bits of carrot.”

“It sounds a bit too elaborate a plan for Seb.”

“I’m assuming it was Jim’s plan. Anyway, I told Seb that since he was friends with the donkey he could take it back where it came from. Which he did.”

“Despite, apparently, not knowing where it had come from?”

“Of course.”

“So, presumably, Sherlock was the one who introduced the trip wires. I’m surprised John let him.”

“If you remember, John was setting the ice cream stall up at that time.”

“Which Rosencrantz and Guildenstern managed to run quite successfully, much to my surprise.”

“Much to everyone’s surprise. Mind you, it owed a lot to Claudius’ suggestion that we lock them in every day.”

“I still don’t understand why no-one’s explained to them that as ghosts they can’t be locked in.”

“Oh, Seb has tried to,” Mycroft said. “But they don’t seem to have understood. And since they don’t appear bothered by being locked in, no-one else is worried.”

“This is so much better than last year’s Wonderland. I admit to being dubious about your plans to repurpose Holmes Hall, and particularly the inherited staff, but it’s turned out well.”

At that moment Mycroft’s phone rang. He answered it, groaned and said, “We’re on our way.”

“What’s up?” Greg asked.

“Claudius phoned to tell me there’s a problem at the well.”

“I didn’t know we had a well.”

“We haven’t. It seems that some of the staff thought it would be a good idea to build a paddling pool, and, while we don’t have a well, there is an underground stream. They appear to have found it!”