The blade glistened in her hands. She glanced down at it and admired its beauty. The stainless grace of the blade, the engraved handle, with its intricate designs, the way the metal warmed in her pale fingers as she turned it in her hands, she hid her smile and slipped the razor back in her pocket as the kettle begin to sing.
"Honey," Anthony called, "is the tea nearly done? Toby and I are going to have to finish quickly to make it out on time."
"Yes darling, the tea just finished, I'll have the food on the table in a moment," she grabbed two pies she had made and placed them at the table for the anxiously awaiting boys. She poured the tea, some for them, then a cup for herself, and watched as they enjoyed the meal.
"It's spectacular as always ma'am," Toby smiled up at her, mouth full of crumbs.
As she was about to shoo away the compliment Anthony praised her with more, "He's right dear, and you really make the best pies in London." He didn't realize what he had said, but she did. She turned her gaze to Toby and saw the longing look in his eyes, examining the remnants of pie on his plate. His mind was far away now, to a dark past. The dancing, and laughing, and trust left from his pupils, and what was left was the lie that tore it all apart. Toby was strong though, and quickly shook off his moment of vulnerability. She was glad that he did, and continued to sip her tea; it had a hint of rosehip in it that really brightened the mood of the gloomy day.
After the tea was all cleaned, and the kitchen back to normal, she kissed the cheeks of each of the young men, handed them a sack to take with them, and bid them goodbye, until their return later that night. They waved and wished her a fair day at work.
They had left, so she swiftly changed into her work garments, and her lucky apron, and headed up the stairs out front. She got into her "office", checked the health of her lovely flowers, tidied up a bit, and then flipped the open sign. The welcoming sign read: Barker's Barber Shop. She grinned, and slipped the heirloom back out of her pocket, ready for business.