I was updating and this story popped out..
I'll probably make it several chapters. Dang! Psycho Plotbunnies.
Enjoy
"Madam?" Nellie looked up, the man had opened her bakery door rather forcibly. She patted her floury hands on her skirt. "Yes Sir?" She moved from behind her counter, one was always polite to a customer.
"Have you any children of your own?" Nellie shrunk back, the man was leaning toward her with great malice. She was rather hurt by the question, "Not been blessed."
"Why was tha' to do with me, sir?" Nellie put her counter between them. "I need you to care for a child." Nellie slammed her rolling pin against the granite top, anger overcoming her good sense. "I ain't no nursemaid, I'm a baker."
Judge Tupin stared her down. His gaze making sure she could understand all the atrocities he could do to her person. "I mean' no disrepect, sir." she hastily amended.
"Her mother is unwell and her father is a criminal and has been dealt with in a just matter." he paused "I believe you know of them. Your tenants, the Barkers?" he grinned in delight, the recognition washing the indignation from her frame.
"Yeah, I know of 'em." Nellie moved forward once more, "Lemme 'ave the child."
The Judge motioned behind him, the beadle stepped forward. A wailing bundle in a pink blanket was given to her. "Poor dear, struggling and the like."
"Take the child and leave the city." Nellie stopped cooing at the child, her hand reaching out to grasp his greatcoat. "Judge, I've not the money to leave me shop."
"Oww, wha's tha' for?" The beadle had smacked her hand, a red welt already forming on her pale skin. He bent, his beaver hat expertly bowed before her. "Pardon, Mrs. Lovett but his Judgeship does not like to be touched." his slimy yellow teeth bared in what passed for a smile.
"Here, take this and sell this ridiculous store. Take care Mrs. Lovett. There may be a time, I call on you again. Perhaps over a delicious meat pie on a stormy night."
Nellie fearfully took the money bag he offered. Her hand trembling from fright, she watched as they left and disappeared into the darkness. "It's alright, love. You're safe with Miss Nellie." she cradled the child, hugging her as much to shield her as to comfort herself.
"Dear Johanna." Johanna's tiny hand curled around Mrs. Lovett's finger, her eyes fluttering and drifting into dreamland.
"Oh, Mr. Barker. What I would do for you to be here." Nellie turned the closed sign. She grabbed an oversize basket and after inspecting it for anything not befitting a baby, carefully laid the sleeping Johanna in it.
She tucked the child in, kissing her silky flaxen hair. Nellie cleaned methodically, putting away dishes and putting towels over the cooling pies. Realizing she had wasted as much time as possible, she finally moved to the window. Her gaze traveling up the dark stairway to the barber's shop. 'Best to get it over with'
With a great sigh, she pulled the curtains. A lit candle in hand, she placed the basket beside her own bed. Nellie locked the shop, cold droplets of rain hitting her face. Shivering she moved up the stairs, twice almost falling down on her rear.
She grasped the balcony with trepidation, god only knew how old this whole place was. None of it could be too safe, her Albert always had been a pinch penny. Nellie still covering her flickering candle from the rain, quickly let herself into the Barker's home.
The judge had not wasted anytime, he had taken anything of value including Mrs. Lucy Barker. Nellie crossed herself wondering where the poor dear was now. She grabbed an old travel case and what baby stuff was to be had.
Packing Johanna's meager possessions, she stepped on a loose floorboard. Nearly jumping out of her skin at the sound, she placed her candle on the floor to better inspect it.
"Wha's 'his?" she pried the loose board and peered inside, " Nothin' but mothballs." It was then she saw them.
They glistened in the moonlight, a glossy sheen was all that visible of Mr. Benjamin's case of razor's. She pulled the velvet box from under the wash stand. "Good thing, the judge didn't see you. Look at me, goodness talking to 'em as if they were to talk back."
"You've been alone too long, Nellie." she muttered opening the box and pulling at the delicate piece of red satin draped over them. "Didn' think Mr. Barker, took such good care of you." her hand pulling one and opening with tenderness. "I remember when I gave this to 'im. He seemed so 'mbarrased he did."
She thought back to that day but was immediately reminded she must hurry. Johanna was still alone downstairs, "That memory best be left to other nights, now that 'es gone."
She kissed the blade and placed it next to its kin. She moved the box into the hole she had found. A nail later, it was hidden. She stood, carefully hoisting the things she would need for her and Johanna to disappear.
She spotted the little family on the dresser, "If you come back, Mr. B. at least 'here will be somethin' of yours to keep you company." She kissed the dark haired man, her soft heart constricting. Her fingers trailing away from him, his smile forever engraved in her mind.
She left the home with great difficulty. Her shop would be sold by her solicitor and the money sent to her. "I should 'ave taken it with me at least so I could have something to remember him by." Nellie shook herself and stared at the child cradled in her arm. "Silly me, I've got you, don't I."
15 years would pass before she would see Benjamin Barker and he would not know her…