Toby could tell something was very wrong. He could see this morning that something was playing on Mrs Lovett's mind just by her very odd behaviour. Toby always got up early every morning, but seeing his mum at the crack of dawn was something that even he was surprised to see. He had watched as she heading down to the bakehouse without so much as a warm good morning to greet him or even a glance his was as she walked past him. Toby wondered why on earth she would feel the need to start work in the bakehouse at the crack of dawn, it was as if she was avoiding someone or something.
His first thought might be that she was distressed by the fact Edward had stayed over last night. He hadn't seen Edward this morning but had heard him and his mum talking most of the night, what they were talking about he had no idea as it was too muffled. Even with his ear pressed against his bedroom door all Toby could really tell was just who's voices they were. He couldn't help but wonder if she had told him about her affair with Mr Todd. I mean she would have to come clean eventually and what better time to do it now that he was back, right?
Of course Toby knew it would be difficult and he himself didn't want Edward to find out. Edward was such a kind and loving man, perfect for his mum and the fact she would have to ruin all they had for someone mean and cruel was something Toby would never understand. Just why did she have to be in love with him? just what had Mr Todd ever done to make her feel so strongly about him. Love was something Toby was sure he would never understand...it was crazy.
It was now 9 o'clock in the morning and he had been sat in one of the pie shop booths for over half an hour now eating his breakfast. Toby was frowning deeply at his mum as she rolled out the rough dough with her rolling pin, her crazy hair getting in her way as red strands fell down in front of her face. She didn't seem bothered though, just continued rolling away madly like she was on the verge of a mental breakdown at any moment. she hadn't stopped this morning and he could tell she was already beginning to tire herself out, just by the way she wiped her brow with the back of her hand or huffed whenever she needed to bend down to pick something up. She was going mad, he was sure of it.
Toby so badly wanted to say something, just to check on her and see if she was alright. Clearly she wasn't and clearly it was best to keep his mouth shut. He certainly didn't want her throwing another glass at him like before...
The side door of the shop opened revealing a rather grumpy looking Sweeney. Toby watched almost worryingly as Sweeney entered, his mum's eyes glancing toward him too. He noticed the sudden coldness to her eyes when she looked at him, it almost gave him a chill to see that something between them was very sour at the moment. The pair of them were like ticking time bombs, as soon as they are set of they both become very dangerous.
Mrs Lovett Ignored him and continued to roll out her dough. Toby could see that Sweeney was not going to move just because she was ignoring him, the pair of them just stood in the same spot, not so much muttering a single word to one another. Suddenly the whole pie shop felt very uncomfortable and for that Toby wanted to leave. However he stopped himself from getting down from the booth as soon as he spotted Edward walking in from Nellie's bedroom.
Seeing Edward also appear from the opposite end of the room Nellie smiled supportivly in his direction. "Morning dear" she said softly gulping as soon as he stood beside her and felt his arm wrap around her waist. She smiled awkwardly before allowing him to kiss her sweetly on the cheek. "Morning" he whispered dryly still hurting very deeply from the loss of his father. Edward glanced at Sweeney very much aware that the barber was also present in the room. Toby wanted to jump up and run over to him but all he could do was watch. The tension was so strong even Toby could feel it and my god it was certainly uncomfortable.
Stopping what she was doing Nellie finally turned to him with a brave smile. "How are you feeling?" she asked sweetly before cupping his cheek with one hand and running her thumb gently over his stubbly chin. She didn't care that Sweeney was watching, his presence didn't mean anything to her right now. She didn't even want him here.
Cracking the tiniest of smiles at her he pressed his lips to the palm of her hand she rested against his cheek. "Better after last night" Edward whispered loud enough though for Sweeney's ears to pick up on which made him narrow his dark eyes dangerously on the pair of them. If he means what Sweeney thinks then that man would end up just like his father. The cold glare he gave was strong enough to cut through ice and even Mrs Lovett could feel the burning sensation his eyes had on the back of her head. She knew Sweeney inside and out and knew that he must be thinking the worst...
"Edward it's so good to see you" Toby bravely piped up, slowly heading over to them smiling a little when Edward bent down to hug him. "I've missed you Toby, how have you been son?" this ripped at both Toby and Nellie's heart. His father had just past away and yet he was still able to be kind and caring to others, something in which Nellie was hoping Sweeney was paying attention too. He could learn something from this.
Glancing over her shoulder at the barber she saw the irritation in his face as he met her eyes. She could only let out a little sigh before taking her eyes of his and focusing on Toby and Edward. Those two were most important here...
"I'm going to visit my mother again today, I'll probably stay over at hers for the evening" Edward began as he stood back onto his feet glancing again at the barber who just seemed to look at him with such a hate it was almost unsettling. Smiling sweetly Nellie ran her hand down his arm supportively "Of course love, is there anything I can do?"
Pouting a little Edward shrugged his shoulders. "No not really Nell, but thank you... I'll go pack up my things now" with this he pressed a kiss to her forehead and left the room his brokenhearted voice and expression pulling at her heartstrings. Just how could she ever break off with him now...she just couldn't.
As soon as he was gone Toby frowned and looked at Mrs Lovett in confusion "What happened?"
Looking at him Nellie sighed before tucking a few strands of hair behind her ears "his... father past away dear" she said shocking Toby with this new information. He had no idea and now everything seemed so clear as to why Edward looked so depressed.
"Oh...I see" Toby gulped bowing his head sadly.
"Come on darlin' don't be worrying ya little self about e'm, he'll be alright soon okay? Just gotta give e'm sometime" she said heading over to him and placing her hand gently on his back leading him to the booth to finish off his breakfast. Sweeney watched still unmoving from the door and felt a twinge in his heart seeing her mothering Toby so well. It was such a shame she never had children of her own....
Walking back into the pie shop with his carrier bag in hand Edward head over to Nellie and Toby. "I'll see you both as soon as i've seen to mother alright?" his gentle tone and warm hand on the small of her back made her only want to wrap him within her arms and hold him tight. She wanted too yet she didn't want to lead him on believing that she was all his when in reality she wasn't. She cared for him yes but her heart was still being tampered with and for that she didn't want to make out that she was really all his when indeed she wasn't. As much as she hated Sweeney right now she couldn't deny that there was nothing in her heart for him anymore. She would be lying to herself if she made out she didn't also care for the barber too....
"Don't over work Nellie, you are looking more and more tired these days" he told her wrapping his arms around her waist making her gulp a little under his eyes. "I'll try" she smiled nervously before seeing him lean in to kiss her which she awkwardly excepted in front of her son and the barber who she was sure was going crazy just witnessing this. In some ways she wanted to hurt him like this, maybe the idea of losing her to Edward would really get him back for last night! so she kissed him back, instead allowing herself to torture Sweeney all that bit more.
As they broke away she smiled again at him and brushed his brown hair back with her hand. "See you soon"
"Bye Toby" he said finally before breaking away from Nellie and smiling at the boy as he opened the pie shop door. "Bye Edward"
Now that he had left Nellie could feel herself already begin to feel the daggers shooting at her from behind. She however didn't bother to look over at Sweeney and instead settled for walking back round her counter and sprinkling flour back over her rolled out dough. Toby didn't say much either just sat quietly finishing off his breakfast.
Sweeney finally took a step froward from his spot and settled for leaning his weight on the counter, his fingers tucked under the counter top. "Are you not speaking to me this morning?" he asked lowly his voice dark and even threatening to her ears. Giving him a quick and very icy glance she turned her attention back to her work and ignored him much to his annoyance.
Subtly gritting his teeth at her he walked round to stand by her. Sweeney could see she was uncomfortable by how close he was standing, but even so he didn't budge. His argument with her last night had gone to far, he was mad and so was she. There were problems they needed to sort out. However he couldn't move forward if she was going to be so cold....
Frowning as his eyes spotted a large bruise tucked under her laced glove. Sweeney's face slowly dropped as he realised just who had caused that there. It was obvious to him she was trying her best to cover it up but even so the darkness to her skin where he had grabbed her last night was still very visible. "Eleanor..." he whispered softly his fingertips suddenly brushing over her wrist gently which she was quick to pull away from. "Don't touch me" she hissed at him whilst jolting away from him as well.
Toby could see something wasn't quite right here. He could see that Mr Todd had hurt her somehow and for that he felt the needed to speak up. That bastard had hurt her! that's why she was up so early. She probably didn't even sleep a wink! Toby knew this wold happen eventually! knew that Sweeney Todd would crush her heart and for that he wasn't having it!!
"What did ya do to er'....what did ya do to me mum!" Toby cried out angrily jumping out from the booth and surprising both Sweeney and Nellie with his little unexpected tantrum. Sweeney's eyes hardened on the boy, how dare he yell at them like this. "Get out of here! this doesn't concern you!" he roared at the boy making Nellie whirl round to him and slam her rolling pin on he counter top harshly.
"Don't tell e'm to get out! you ave' no right! if any one should leave its you!" she yelled back at him much to his own anger.
Walking over to a worked up Toby she placed her arm around him and walked him out of the room. "I'm fine darlin' just leave me and Mr Todd for a bit" she said as softly as she could even though she had a burning rage bubbling inside her. "But mum...."
"Come on Toby don't argue with me" with this she kissed his forehead and pushed him gently into the living room and out of the way. Taking in a deep breath she heading bravely back into the firing ground seeing Sweeney already pouring himself a large glass of gin. Typical!
"You ave' no right to tell that boy what to do Sweeney! he's under my roof not yours ya ere!...He's only looking out for me" she told him marching over and snatching the bottle from his grip and placing the cork back in before he got any more. "Did you sleep with Edward last night?" he cut in sternly looking at her with such betrayed eyes she felt like slapping him with the very fact he would ask her such a question, did he really think that of her. Oh how badly she wanted to tell him yes! How badly she wanted to tell him how fucking amazing it was and how dirty it all was too. Just to see this man crumble with the idea that she had done just that was something she had never wanted so bad.
"Well did you!" he barked making her flinch from the impact of his tone. Her eyes were so full of anger she just didn't want to tell him the truth. Toying with the idea of him never knowing the truth was something she really was considering now. She would never want to hurt anyone, Mrs Lovett wasn't the type and yet seeing Sweeney squirm with the idea she slept with Edward was giving her the upper hand and it felt great.
Just glaring at him without saying a word was clearly driving him up the wall. She could see both the pain and fear in his eyes that it might be true and for that she realised now that two could play at this game. Looking at her in a whole different way Sweeney gulped subtly before taring himself away from her and her bloody shop. He stormed out and trudged back up his stairs. Nellie watched until he was out of view before her face creased sadly and she buried her face in her hands.
How did they get from not being able to keep their hands off each other to this? her heart truly couldn't take this anymore. She loved him! so so much that she hated the very idea of hurting him. But he had caused her more pain last night then he even realised and for that she needed to get her own back. She wouldn't let him get away with breaking her heart without getting her own revenge on him...
A/N: Another fiery chapter....not the fire we want from those two though right? haha! Please comment and let me know your thoughts! lots of love <3<3