You could easily tell from the chilly weather, that winter had finally come in London. The trees had shed their leaves a month ago and the cold wind could now hit their trunks without any hindrance. From the houses chimneys came out black smoke: It was obvious that Londoners thought a thick blanket or a coat wasn't enough to keep them warm anymore. Small children were running around laughing and dazzling the thin layers of snow with mud.

Mrs Lovett was sitting by her parlor window, staring at the people that happend to pass by her meat pie shop at Fleet Street, while she was daydreaming the perfect life she could have with the barber upstairs. Everytime her eye caught a cute couple cuddling, she wanted to scream, to cry. His attitude towards her wasn't any better from that he was showing his "costumers" (except that she was still alive). She was doing his laundry, hidding his crimes by cooking his way out of punishment and helping him to take his revenge. He never thanked her for taking him in her home in the first place. He was constantly ignoring her, treating her like a slave. Her reward would always be an angry look from him, a "GET OUT", or at worst, a razor pointing at her neck. He was in a bad mood ALL the time and never leaving his parlor. The only things he actually cared about was his freaking 'friends' and his silly wife.

Ah yes, Lucy Barker: The silly little nit.. How could Benjamin fall for someone like her? She was pathetic since she was a little girl. Oh, Eleanor remembers her. She used to be her friend. They went to school together and grew up waiting for their handsome prince to come. But life wasn't fair for Eleanor Lovett. She never got her prince, Lucy did. They were at their early twenty's when they first met him...

Eleanor was in lack of meat for her pies. Albert refused to get up from his favourite chair and do her groceries. It has been only a month since her marriage with that fat pig and she was already sick and tired of his foibles. She was forced to marry him to save her poor family. Albert Lovett was a rich man, but a ignoble jerry too. He had a bakery in his property, and after his marriage with Eleanor, he obliged her to run it while he was living his life without a single labour.

Eleanor decided to visit the market. She grabbed her warm coat and wrapped it around her petite form. Suddenly, while she was buttoning it, the door bursted open. Mrs Lovett put a hand over her heart. In her doorstep was standing no other than her good friend Lucy.

"Where are you going?" she asked her with a small grin on her face.

"In the market. I'm out of ingredients for the pies.. Albert is not going to do the groceries. From now on, I'll have to take care of that too." Mrs Lovett answered and headed for the door.

"Do you want some company with you?" Lucy asked her hopefully.

Mrs Lovett didn't wake up in good mood that morning, and she definitely did not fancy a chit-chat with Lucy at that moment. But she couldn't say no to such a over-sensitive person. She didn't want to get into more trouble than she already was.

"Of course." She answered as cheerfully as she could.

"I hope you're dressed well. It's pretty cold outside." Lucy added before the two of them left the warmth of the shop.

"How are you?I've not heard from you for weeks!" Lucy asked while they were walking down the frozen streets of London.

"Life with Albert is a living hell. I'm running his shop, cleaning the 'ouse and cooking his meals..."

"He seemed so nice before the wedding. Such a gentleman."

Oh dear naive Lucy...

"Not all men are like this." Lucy said, trying to make her friend feel better.

"You think? I'm going to disagree with you. I'm convinced that men are total arseholes." Eleanor said mockingly without the slightest qualm about her inappropiate answear.

Lucy shrieked when these words left her friend's mouth.

"Where are your manners? Ladies do not curse! It's not proper!" Lucy lectured her.

"Since when am I a lady?" Mrs Lovett teased her friend, who was still gaping at Eleanor's behaviour.

Yes, Eleanor Lovett wasn't ladylike. She was swearing a lot and drinking like a sailor. But that was what made her special. She had many male friends. She usually found herself laughing and joking with them, after she had closed the pie shop. Their company was her only comfort after all. She had already got bored talking with Lucy. It was then that an idea hit her.

"Come on, I'm racing you to the open air market!" Mrs Lovett hitched her skirts and started running away from Lucy.

"Wait, What? No, stop running right now! Come back here! You're embarrassing us!" Lucy cried out but soon found herself trying to catch up with Eleanor. "This is not a good idea Eleanor!"yelled at her.

Eleanor ignored her friend and her yells. She continued running down the street, giggling like a little child. After three minutes, she glanced quickly behind her. Lucy was far away from her. She decided to take a shortcut. In this way she could take a break and avoid Lucy's whining for a while. She turned in the alley on her left. She looked back a last time to make sure Lucy hadn't achieved to reach her. She regretted her choice when she tripped over something and lost her balance. She prepared herself for the upcoming contact with the frozen ground, but it never came. Instead she felt two arms wrapping around her and afterwards she landed on something soft.

She slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on someone, someone she didn't know! She let out a squeak and tried to stand up with no success. She fell again and this time she hit the wet floor. Eleanor looked up at her savior. The sun prevented her to discern his face. The stranger extended his hand to help her get to her feet. He took her hand in his and pulled her up. She glanced once again at the stranger's face and she was now able to admire his features. He was the most handsome man she had ever layed her eyes on. His messed up dark hair, were matching his dark chocolate eyes . Although he had a concerned look on his face, his pale lips were curled upwards into the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. He was smiling at her! She felt shivers down her spine, as soon as she remembered that their hands were still touching. He seemed to notice her discomfort and he gently withdrew it. Their eyes locked. Her heart was beating so fast that could pop out of her chest.

She was lost in his gaze when he opened his mouth to talk to her.

"Are you alright, Miss...?" his voice was so beautiful, so charming, so gentle.

"Lovett" she answeared quickly "Yes, I think I am. Thanked you, Mister..?"

"Barker. Benjamin Barker. If you don't mind me asking.. Why were you running?" he asked.

"Oh" Mrs Lovett grinned "I was supposed to be racing my friend to the market, but i was actually trying to avoid her. She is a silly thing you know.."

"I see. Well, you should be more careful the next time you will try to avoid her." he said smiling shyly "There are strange people in London alleys.."

"Do you consider yourself strange Mr Barker..?" she asked him almost innocently.

"You tell me, Mrs Lovett." The baker blushed and looked away. She tried to calm herself by taking deep breaths, but it wasn't helping at all. Her corset was too tight.

"ELEANOR FINALLY!" Lucy appeared at the beginning of the path. "Where have you been!? Don't you ever run away from me again! Oh god look at your dress!"

"It's fine, Lucy. It's only a little mud." Eleanor sighed.

"Is this the woman you were trying to avoid?" Benjamin interrupted them. Eleanor looked at him, blushed and nodded. "It is perfectly clear why.." he said.

Lucy turned to Mr Barker. She examined him from head to toe.

"With whom do i have the pleasure of speaking?"

"I am terribly sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Barker."

"I am sorry for interrupting whatever conversation you had with Mrs Lovett, Mr Barker. We are late. Before we go, a friendly notice: If you want to find a partner, you should watch your mouth. Farewell!" said Lucy and she grabbed Eleanor by her arm and dragged her away from the young barber. Eleanor tried to protest, but she didn't manage to free herself from Lucy's grip. She looked behind her and said goodbye to the enchanting man with a smile.

"If you ever need a real friend to talk to, you know where to find me.." Benjamin answeared and returned the smile.

Eleanor and Benjamin grew fond to each other. There was only one big difference. For Mrs Lovett, Benjamin was something more than a friend. He was her beloved one. Sadly she never got the chance to tell him about her feelings. It hurt, knowing that someday Benjamin would finally fall for someone else. Her biggest nightmares became true, two years after their first meeting. He had chosen the silly nit. He had chosen Lucy.

Eleanor thought Lucy had disliked him since their first meeting. But no. She was charmed like her by his features, by his attitude. Eleanor had shared her feelings with her. She knew, she loved him. But that didn't stop her.

It killed her inside when she learned about their engagement, and later about Lucy's pregnancy. She watched them create the perfect life she had always dreamed of, while she was growing more depressed day by day.

Benjamin's punisment was the final straw. After one week Lucy was raped by Judge Turpin, after two weeks Lucy had killed herself.

Lucy's death gave hope to Mrs Lovett. If Benjamin ever returned, he would be hers, and only hers.

Although her beloved barber was now back, he was more distant than ever. He had changed over the last fifteen years. He was more handsome than before, but more tactless. He had become a demon. She was the only one who could save him now. She was the only person he had from his past that actually cared for him and his happiness. And who knows? Maybe someday he will be able to let go of the past and appreciate her.

Yes, she would make him happy again. She would make him feel alive..

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the First chapter of my First multi chapter story! I'm sorry for any mistakes i may have done. English are not my native language! Pls Review and tell me what you think! I would like to hear your opinions!

Disclaimer : I do NOT own the story or any of the characters!

TheRollingPin xx