The Demon's Angel

Chapter 11: The Picnic, part 1

May 09, 1880

I have a menacing headache and remembering the night's events of a month ago didn't help at all. The mere fact that Mr. Todd kissed me caught me off guard! Granted, it was only on my cheek but still.

I've tried to talk to Mr. Todd about it but he just ignores me and acts as if I'm not there at all.

Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that head of his.

Since today was my 33rd birthday, I decided to tell Mrs. Lovett which caused her to basically bounce off the walls in excitement.

"Oh my dear! Wish you had told me sooner, I would have planned a surprise party for you. Oh well." She sighed exasperated.

I thought about it for a minute as I looked out the pie shop window.

The sky seemed clear with a perfect blue and white fluffy clouds to accompany it.

I turned my head back to Mrs. Lovett, "How about a birthday picnic? Just the three of us?"

She smiled and nodded then cocked her head in confusion. "Why wouldn't Mr. T be joining us? Is he sick or something?" She asked.

I looked down, "No. I just don't think he likes me that much."

She scoffed and waved it off, "Luv, he doesn't really like a lot of people. But you, I think he tolerates you more than you think."

"But he won't talk to me let alone look at me."

She sighed and crossed her arms. "Did you two fight about something? I swear. Dear, if we are all to work and live under one roof, first we must learn to live with each other. Now, go fetch him. I'll get the picnic basket and meself ready."

I nodded a little and made my way upstairs.

The moment I opened the door to Mr. Todd's room, I caught sight of him pacing back and forth in a frenzied matter. He had a troubled look on his face.

He seemed to be muttering something to himself, but it was all incomprehensible.

I cleared my throat to catch his attention. He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to look at me.

"What do you want?" He asked rather rudely.

I sighed holding my arm, "Today's my 33rd birthday and Mrs. Lovett was wondering if you wanted to come with us on a picnic to celebrate."

"Alright. I'll be down in five minutes. ." he replied. I didn't think that he would actually want to come with us. He didn't even hesitate. This is indeed the strangest man I have ever met.

We walked over to Hyde Park and found a pleasant shady tree area to set up our picnic. I helped Mrs. Lovett lay out the quilt and set up the plates and food.

It was an enjoyable and relaxing lunch, except for the fact that Mr. Todd just sat there staring at his sandwich that Mrs. Lovett made. He had an awkward silent lunch.

After we ate lunch, sang Happy Birthday to me, and ate the delicious chocolate and raspberry cake, I sat in the grass drawing a grasshopper I saw nearby while Toby tried to get his kite to fly.

It was a very peaceful afternoon so far. Toby came over to where I was with his new kite in hand and sat down beside me in the soft green grass.

I smiled at the boy, "Hello Toby. Are you enjoying your new kite?"

He smiled back, "It's great! But that's not why I wanted to talk to you." He grew serious and dropped the smile as quickly as it came.

He looked around before looking behind him. I followed his eyes. He and I both saw Mrs. Lovett kissing Mr. Todd over and over again on the cheek. He just sat there as still as a stone statue and a stone cold facial expression to go with it.

I guess I always knew that Mrs. Lovett had feelings for him. Toby on the other hand looked kinda stunned.

He turned back to look at me, "It's about Mr. Todd, Miss Dean."

I put my pen, notebook, and ink well down as I gave Toby my full undivided attention.

I sighed gently, "Just call me Cat. Most of my family does it anyway. And what about Mr. Todd? Is there something wrong with him?"

He shook his head. "I don't know, but I've got a bad feeling about him. He's in his room most of the time and doesn't talk much either. And I've come to notice that a lot of costumers that go up to see him don't usually come back. . . . I think, I think he might be a murder."