Mrs. Lovett sat down on the sofa, exhausted. She and Sweeney were sitting in the living room, glad to be done the day's work.
"You going up to bed soon Mr. T?"
Sweeney nodded. He stared blankly at the wall, deep in thought.
"You're thinkin' about her, aren't you Mr. T? Lucy. I know you are."
Sweeney seemed to not hear her.
"Mr. Todd, it's been months…I understand…that you've been through so much…but you must move one. There are plenty of women out there who'd fall for you, you know…" she trailed off, realizing she was sounding stupid. She blushed.
"You know what I mean darlin'."
Sweeney looked down, but didn't say anything.
Grimacing, Mrs. Lovett stood up. "You can't hang on to her forever. You will need to move on. You know that! She would want you too, wouldn't she?"
Sweeney nodded, not looking at her. "Yes…"
Mrs. Lovett sat down next to him. "Any women catch your eye yet, Mr. T? C'mon, you've seen plenty since you've returned. There's gotta be at least one pretty lady!"
Mrs. Lovett smiled batted her eyelashes.
"No. I have seen no one. Why is it of your concern?"
Mrs. Lovett blushed again. "I-I just don't want you to continue hurtin' like you are, Mr. T. It's not healthy."
Sweeney nodded yet again.
"She's gone love. And a man needs to move on. It was no fault of yours what happened that day, but things do happen."
Feeling brave, Mrs. Lovett took a deep breath and moved closer to him. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"And maybe…maybe it'll be you and I one day…holding hands…married by the sea…the happiest people in the world…It could happen, you know. Don't you see that Mr. T?"
Sweeney stood up abruptly.
"I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
He left Mrs. Lovett alone downstairs. She pressed her face into her hands and began to cry softly, but she soon had to struggle to retain sobs. She felt like a silly school girl, infatuated by some handsome man. But…she loved this man.
She loved Benjamin Barker, but could never have him.
That was just how it was.