Mycroft had been doing much better since his unfortunate encounter with the Dementor. A little sunlight, a lot of chocolate, and some hard work in the warehouse, and he was feeling like his own self, again. The only thing that remained was a lingering dread, which Mycroft didn't care to acknowledge, that these creatures might still be in Tumbleweed. It had been such a devastating experience, one that shook him to the very core and had left him uncomfortably vulnerable to his emotions, that he strongly hoped never to encounter one, again.
One o'clock - that was when Mary said she'd arrive, and Mycroft was pleased when at precisely at that time he heard the knock. He expected nothing less than punctuality from Lady Mary. He answered the door wearing his brown suit, for Mycroft would not willfully be seen looking nothing less than perfect, even for an informal visit, and especially for somebody as cultured and refined as Lady Mary.
"Hello, Mary," he greeted her warmly with a small smile. "Please, do come in." He stepped aside to allow her into his apartment. "It's a good thing you hadn't seen my flat earlier, when it was packed with shipping crates and boxes from our travels. It was a frightful mess in here." So was he, both physically and emotionally after the Dementor attack, but that wasn't something he'd mention.