hey guys! so this is my first Sweeney Todd fic! let me know what you think and if i should keep going, thanx XD (ive seperated the blocks, everyone happy? great!)

JJ xoxo

I was cleaning the back when I heard the doorbell of the shop, then Mrs Lovett's high voice singing to whomever it was. I merely continue with my chores, knowing that she'll call if I'm needed. As I finish mopping up the last of the back rooms I walk into my own, getting my things for the laundry, by room is small and quaint, like most of the rooms, it has a single bed with moth eaten sheets, singed wallpaper from what Mrs Lovett got on sale, a writing desk and chair on the wall neck to the dresser, just under the high window. I take a moment to rest, sitting on my bed, I look over at the mirror on my dresser, that reveals myself to me.

My skin is ivory white, like most of London, but my cheeks are flushed pink, always, my lips are a dim red and faded pink shade, my dress is a golden brown, with a floral pattern, it worn and old, a bit tight where my chest has grown, but fits everywhere else. My hair is a mix of different dark blondes and browns, the browns more dominant as the curls fall down my back, ending at my waist. My figure is hourglass, but also uneven, my large breasts slightly smaller then my child bearing hips, my short stature making it harder to hide my curves. I also have a diagonal, downward scar on the right of my neck, its not very large, about four inches in length, but the peachy colour against porcelain is hard to miss. Out off all my fetchers, from my innocent baby face, to my small feet, my eyes are my favourite, both my eyes are the same, the left side of the eye, tilting into the right up side, is a sweet, light opal green, the right side, dipping into the bottom left is a sparkling sapphire blue, the rim of the circle a ebony black, internally lined with heavy jade

My mother use to say that god just couldn't decide when he made me, so he made me with a hind of it all.

I hear more singing from my keeper and the voice of a man as she tells him the tale everyone in London must know, of the barber and his wife. I remember when I was first told it, my heart bled for the family, and I quickly saw that it was more than idle gossip to Mrs Lovett, her eyes full of longing as she spoke to me about the barber. It was when she first took me in, about five years ago, I was just fourteen, her husband Albert was less than pleased at first, just another mouth to feed he'd said, thinking I'd simply take them for fools and do nothing for their kindness, but that soon changed, he came to like me when I would pester them to give me something to clean or cook, wanting to earn my keep. He was a good man Mr Lovett was, he knew his wife didn't love him, not the way he loved her, but he was content with what he had, they were best friends. I remember how hard she cried when he died, heart attack, we all knew it was coming, this was his third after all, but it was still a loss of a good man.

I sigh and pick up the pile of clothes on my bed and head out to the back, with the wash bucket, I throw my pile in and then go back for Mrs Lovett's, as I wash the clothes I hear more singing, but now from upstairs, in the old barbers flat. I don't pay it much mind and simply carry on washing. A short while later I hear footsteps coming down from the conjoining flat and turn as Mrs Lovett practically dances out back to me, a smile on her face I've never seen "he's back! Hattie he's back!" she whisper shouts and I ask, completely confused "who?" she leans in, eyes wide and says with a grin "Benjamin Barker!" my eyes also go wide and I stare at her as she says "course he's going by another name now, Sweeney Todd, where he got it from I'll never know, but cant have the neighbours finding out and get him taken away now can we." I look at her as she smiles, dancing around the small garden "wow, after all this time!" she looks at me and says, her face serious "yeah, well, all he needs is a friend in his hour of need and he'll be right as rain in no time!" her smile returns as she waves me up "go on dear and get him some fresh linens, I'll finish up here." I stand with a nod, fascinated to finally meet the character I've heard so much, yet so little of. As I reach the door, she calls me back, having taken my place on the stool and smiles over her shoulder "I don't think I need to tell you what to do with all this dear" I smile and hold a finger up to my lips, making this 'shush' noise and she winks at me "that's my girl" and I go to fetch the linens.

I walk up the stairs from the outside the shop, unsure if the indoor stairs were locked up again, I knock lightly on the door as I see a dark figure with haunting eyes answer. He just looks me up and down as he opens the door, not the way men usually do, but analyzing to see who I could be "can I help you?" I just smile and lightly raise the linens in my hand "Mrs Lovett sent me up with these for you." he seems to think for a moment, his chalky expression never changing as he moves aside to let me pass he simply watches me with a curious eye as I go into the back room and make up the bed, humming lightly as I do so. He just stands at the door way watching me in silence then asks as I case the pillows "what did Mrs Lovett tell you about me?"

I stop in my movements and look up to him, his almost black eyes meeting my vibrant ones "I know who you are, who you use to be at least. don't worry, I wont tell. I promised Mrs Lovett." he storks over seemingly with anger and something else, something cold and dark "and how do I know you'll keep your word?" I just look at him, holding the pillow to me "my mother use to say that a woman without her word is either a gossip or a whore. I sir, am neither!" he looks at me then as I sigh"besides, I understand, you lost everything that mattered and have returned to find all is not how you left it, the world can be cruel like that." he just looks at me and scoffs "you are but a child, you know nothing of cruelty!"

I stand stern and say "you listen to me, I will keep your secret because I made a promise, I will help you in anyway you need because you seem unable to even comb your own hair, I will do almost anything you ask of me because Mrs Lovett trusts and cares for you and she has been a great friend to me, but do not for a moment think you know of me or my life, I know more of the world than any girl my age should, I know of pain and loss just as you so don't pass judgment on a smile, because the pages of a book are rarely as maintained as the cover!" he seems shocked at my outburst and we just stand there in smother for a minute or two.

He looks me dead in the eye, squinting at me after he eyeballs me again and asks "do you have a name girl?" I straighten and answer "Harriet O'Sullivan, but everyone calls me Hattie." he nods and says "your last names Irish yes?" I smile weakly and nod "my grandfather was an Irish man, came here for work and met my grandmother." he nods and takes a few steps forward, holding our his hand in a gentlemanly manner "a pleasure to meet you Miss O'Sullivan." I smile and gingerly take his hand in mine "likewise Mr Todd." and he gives me a small smirk.