Goodbye

Mrs. Lovett's Letter

Dreams don't come true. At least, never the way that you expect them to happen. More or less, they never happen how you plan, or just all along screwy to be honest. I was about to go live my dream, by the sea, but it was going to be missing one main component. Mr. Sweeney Todd, the one man I had ever truly love. I loved him far more than I loved me own belated husband, Albert. But Mr. Todd never seemed to show affection for me back, so it was going to be easier on him. Nellie Lovett was one to get herself all jumbled up in one big mess, and that's what I had done. I fell in love with a masochistic serial killer, a barber who's "shaves" were always the closest and the last shaves that you'd ever get. Me, being the fool for love, followed Mr. Todd's every order, hoping him to one day love me back. I turned his victims into me meat pies, turning everyone in London to stumble in my shop rabid cannibals without their realization.

Me whole life I had wanted nothing more than to be a mother, to have a child of my own. With my luck, nothing biologically of the sort came to grace me with its presence, but I had gained someone. His name was Toby, he was about nine years of age, and was thrown into a work-house at such a young age. A dreadful Italian, Pirelli, had picked him up and treated him something foul. After Mr. T did way with the Italian, I took Toby under me own wing and treated him like a son, and he considered me his mum. I was putting me Toby in danger, living around this sort of atmosphere. My mind was a wonder, and if Toby as to ever find out about the horrid mess of murders Mr. Todd composed, and I instrumented me pies around, I knew I'd have to side with Mr. T, and have me Toby end up with his throat slit. I couldn't do that to the lad, he was so innocent. That was one reason I was leaving to the sea, aside from me life-long dream.

An ice box barricaded Mr. Todd's heart. He was afraid to love, or ashamed of emotion that didn't involve any type of revenge. Ever since I told him of his Lucy's departing, which was all a lie, he went barking mad over avenging his wife and daughter, being completely oblivious to every kind thing I'd do for the fella. My love wasn't worth a cent in his book, and I was fine with that at one point, hoping for him to-in time- shed love for me. Of course, I was only fooling myself like I tended to do. It really hurt me, stabbed me right through me chest with his piercing razors, metaphorically of course, although he had threatened to slit me throat times of plenty. Honestly, bit by bit he was dragging me down into this voiding deadening void, and I couldn't live like that any longer, so I had to leave him. I had to get away before it resulted any way as I had pictured. Once, I even imagined Mr.T throwing me into our oven down in the bakehouse, after finding out that his Lucy was still alive, somehow. So I wrote him a note.

Dear Mr. Todd,

I know this is urgent, but it's entirely necessary. I've left with the boy to life by the sea. I'm scared, that is I was, living with you. Sometimes, you could seem so vulnerable, and then, so murderous. I'm terrified for the sake of my own life, and for life of Toby. It's much harder for me to do this on account of the way I feel. There's no use hiding it, not like I wasn't completely obvious of anything, but I love you. Sweeney Todd, Benjamin Barker, whoever you are, I've always loved you and always will. But because I love you, I must leave, for the sake of everyone. And we shall not meet again, not in this lifetime. I love you Mr. T....

And before I forget, you need to know, simply because I love you: Your Lucy is still alive. I've known all along, but I didn't lie to you. Said she took a poison she did, but never said she died. You would've thought that she died... I was only thinking of you. You've seen her, undoubtedly before, without any acknowledgment of it. Your Lucy is that beggar woman, the old lady who's blaspheming against me pie shop, nonstop. You go live a happy life with her. And best of luck with the Judge and getting back your Johanna.

Never forget me, love...

All my love is eternally yours,

Nellie Lovett

The carriage pulled up outside of me lit'le shop, and I grabbed Toby's arm, smiling ever so weakly.

"C'mon now, love, let's not be hasty." I said helping him out the doorway with our bags. We walked along then, out on the cobble-stone streets and through the thick mist to the carriage, where the carriage driver greeted us by removing his hat.

"Where to this evening, ma'am?" he asked politely.

I sat snug beside my Toby who yawned a tad loud and rested him head on me shoulder. "The English Chanel, dearie." I replied, squeazing Toby's shoulder. At least he wasn't reluctant to leave. Toby was strangely thrilled to get away from here. He hadn't such a fondness on Mr. Todd like I had.

As we pulled away, I pulled back the red, lacy curtains of the carraige window and looked back at me shop. Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pie Emporium was bright and bold on the marquis, and people were walking past it disappointed, reading the "Closed" sign on the door. Through the thick crowd of people, I saw a familiar face looking sulky and sullen as usual. His jet black hair caressed his practically permanent saddened face, and his one white streak shone bright in the dim lighting of the shop. His hands were on the letter, and I couldn't bare to watch him open and read it. He'd probably get mad, and think we'd went to the Beadle or something of that sort, but he knows I'd never turn him in. He'd known all along that I loved him. But I couldn't live that way any longer. I was always doing his every will, and sometimes too much was too much.

A tear rolled down my face, and soft snores came from me Toby's mouth. "G'bye, my sweet Mr. Todd." I whispered. "G'bye, Benjamin Barker..."