It was the anniversary. It has been thirteen years since Albert Lovett had died of gout. Nellie Lovett hadn't really thought all too much about her husband over the years. That part of her life was something she would like to forget, but she had been distracted with thoughts of him all night long.
Covered in flour, Mrs. Lovett made her way over to the old battered door, and flipped the sign to read 'Sold Out.' It had been a busy night again at the meat pie emporium.
Young Toby was busy clearing tables, as finally the last of the customers had departed. She stood at the door for a moment watching the boy. Once Mr. Todd had killed Pirelli, she had taken him in as her own; her kind heart not allowing her to send him back to the workhouse.
She had always wanted a child of her own. She had always envied Lucy and Benjamin Barker who had their darling Johanna. Her dear Albert didn't see the need for children, saying they were only a waste of time and space.
She sighed, remembering Albert. Never really loved him, did she. It was something that had been arranged, something that she had no say in. He really was a dreadful man. He would go to work in the morning, and return in the evening. She always dreaded his arrival back home after a long day's work, because he was never in a prime mood.
He expected his dinner to be ready for him when he came home. He would sit at the table and wait to be served by his wife. She hated that she had to do as he commanded. She hated that he really had no idea of how to treat a woman. She was shaken from her memories as Toby brushed past her.
"That's the last of 'em, mum," he said to her, bringing the last of the plates inside. She smiled, as she ruffled his hair, closed the door and followed him inside. Toby had been working on the dishes throughout the night, so he was nearly finished. As he worked at that, Mrs. Lovett tidied up around the shop, putting odds and ends back in their proper place.
She was trying to keep her mind focused onn the present, but she couldn't help it from slipping back to the past. This did not go unnoticed by Toby, who was quickly able to pick up something wasn't right.
"Everything alright mum?" he asked, putting the last of the dishes away, "You 's lookin' a bit off tonight."
Mrs. Lovett smiled to herself, thankful that she had found the boy. She had gone quite a long time without any real affection in her life. She had cared for Mr. Todd of course, but he hadn't exactly shown anything back. With Toby in her life, she felt more complete, as if she now had a purpose for her life.
"Don't you worry darling," she said, taking him by the shoulders and leading him into the next room, "I'm perfectly fine."
Toby looked up at her, still unconvinced.
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure. Now," she said to him, "it's late, and about time for you to be gettin' to bed."
Smiling at her, Toby took off to go get ready for bed, and Mrs. Lovett made her way back into the kitchen. She walked over to the photograph of Albert hanging on the wall. It was the only picture she had left of him. She had burned all the rest. She made sure to leave this one in the kitchen; it seemed only right.
She heard the floorboards creak behind her, and she turned, startled to be face to face with Sweeney Todd.
"Oh, Mr. T! You gave me a fright," she said, trying to keep her heart from beating quite so fast, "What can I do for you?"
"Nothing Mrs. Lovett," replied Mr. Todd, his eyes wandering around the shop.
"Well then, what are you doin' down here?" she asked him.
"I was watching you. From my shop tonight. You seemed distracted," he said to her, his face softening.
Mrs. Lovett's heart fluttered. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He had been watching her? And he noticed that she hadn't been acting like her normal self? Mr. Todd had never shown any kind of feelings toward her since he returned from Australia.
"Not to worry love. Just tired is all," she said, hoping she sounded convincing to the barber. When his expression remained unchanged she continued.
"Really Mr. T. Nothin' some sleep won' fix," she assured him.
Without so much as another word, he ascended back up the stairs into his shop. Toby then emerged from the other room, and wrapped his arms around Mrs. Lovett.
"G'night mum," he said to her, still holding her in an embrace.
"G'night dearie," she responded, "Come on then. Let's get you nice and tucked in."
She followed him back into the room off the pie shop. She and Toby had created a bedroom in the back of the room. Mrs. Lovett had found some cheap privacy screens at a local shop further down Fleet Street. Mind you, they weren't actual walls, and the space wasn't very big, but it served its purpose.
Toby quickly climbed into bed, and under the covers. Mrs. Lovett tucked him in and smiled at him.
"Mum," he said, "I wanted to thank you."
"For what love?" she asked.
"Fo' not sendin' me back to the work house. And fo' lettin' me stay with you," he replied, turning over onto his side, his back now facing her.
"Ah. Well now, I couldn't send you back there now, could I? I care too much for you, I do," she said, running her hand in soothing circles on his back.
"I care for you too mum," he said slightly yawning.
"Hush now love. It's time to sleep," she said to him.
He closed his eyes and listened to the voice of Mrs. Lovett singing him to sleep.
"Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around. Nothing's gonna harm you darling, not while I'm around," she sang, continuing to make circles. She peered over at his face and found that the child was already fast asleep. Getting up, she made her way to the front of the room, to start preparing herself for some sleep.
As she lay in bed, she tried to imagine happy thoughts to dream about. Living by the sea, with Toby and Mr. Todd. Oh how she wished she could have pleasant dreams for a change. But Mrs. Lovett knew that for her, nighttime meant nightmares. Terrible nightmares. And there was nothing she could do to stop them from coming.