Nellie Lovett knew the love she held for Sweeney Todd would never be returned by him. It was nearly sixteen years ago that she fell in love with him. It was a cold winter day when he and his pregnant wife walked in to her shop. She loved him the instant she saw him. He had been a kind and caring man. Benjamin Barker was his name and Lucy was his wife. "My wife and I were wondering if the room over your shop was for rent." Benjamin had said.

Mrs. Lovett's heart gave a leap of joy in her chest. "No, it wasn't originally. But for you I'll let you have it." she said, smiling kindly. "Thank you. Could we see it?" Lucy asked. "Come with me , love." Nellie said, heading for the door. They followed her outside and up the stairs. "Here we are." she said, hoping they'd take it. "Will this work for us, Benjamin?" Lucy asked. "It'll be good. Plenty of room to live and for my business. Thank you for your kindness." he answered, looking at Nellie. "You're welcome. I'll leave you be now." she said, leaving the room.

"If only I wasn't married to Albert and he to his wife. Then we could be together." Nellie said out loud to herself, sprinkling flour on the counter. "I wonder what business he runs?" she wondered. "I'll have to wait and see." she started making a pie. "Nellie, who are you talking to?" Albert called from the parlor. "Nobody, love. Just to meself." Nellie answered. Her fat husband wandered in to her shop and snatched a pie off the tray on the counter. "I rented the room above me shop to a nice young couple." she told Albert. "That's good." he said, biting in to the pie. "I thought you didn't want to rent it out?"

"I didn't. But it's winter and his wife is pregnant." Nellie said. "I couldn't just leave them to freeze on the streets."