A/N: I didn't write in the accents because it's extremely difficult for me to write in accents... but in case you're unfamiliar with Sweeney Todd, they're Cockney accents.

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Business was going well, Nellie supposed. Albert never talked to her much about business, but they ate well and had all they needed. That was all that mattered, she knew, but she couldn't shake off the childhood dreams she had. It was all Aunt Nettie's fault, really, when she used to take little Nellie to the sea. Ever since then, she'd dreamed of a beautiful house by the seaside, spending endless hours watching the sun set over the glistening water. Not to mention of course, the romance which would inevitably occur at a place as beautiful as the sea.

Of course, Nellie never thought of telling Albert any of this. He would think it childish; and, in truth, it was. These were dreams she had ever since she was little, so why couldn't she give them up? She was no longer a child, she was now in her twenties. She knew it was time for her to grow up.

It was almost time for the shop to close, Nellie judged, so she busied herself with setting the table for their meal. Nellie was getting quite used to recipies involving meat; tonight they were having a beef stew, with a few choice vegetables from the local market. She was proud of how she perfected this recipie into her own version of stewed perfection.

Sure enough, she heard Albert trudging up the stairs outside. She was used to his timing by now, and she was ladeling the stew into their bowls when he opened the door. Sniffing the air appreciatively, he smiled and sat down at his place.

They ate for a few minutes in silence, before Nellie ventured to break it. "How was business today?"

Albert didn't look up from his stew. "It went well," he commented between mouthfuls. "The price of meat is going up, though, I'm going to have to raise my prices soon."

Nellie nodded. The price of meat was always going up. That was all she heard lately. Albert finished up his stew and ate the last of the broth by wiping his bowl with a piece of bread. Looking down at her own bowl, Nellie saw that it was only half eaten. With a small sigh, she put her spoon down; she didn't have much of an appetite, anyway. Standing and stretching, Albert went and settled at his desk, pulling out his books to tally the day's earnings.

Turning away, Nellie gathered up their bowls. She knew she shouldn't say anything, that she should just leave it be. Maybe, she thought briefly, he wanted to surprise her, but... no. He wouldn't change after five years. All these foolish thoughts... but still, Nellie turned, watching Albert's back as he concentrated. She shouldn't interrupt him... he'd only get upset with her.

But...

"Albert?" Nellie choked out meekly, then turned away with a start, busying herself with clearing the table.

"Yes?" Albert grunted, though he barely pronounced it enough to call it a word. He didn't look up.

She couldn't back out, now, "You know, this Friday..." She hesitated.

Albert sighed and turned around in his chair, annoyed at her interruption. "What about it?"

She was right, he was angry. She knew she shouldn't've... but he'd only get more annoyed if she didn't finish, so, "...it'll have been five years." Pause. "Since our wedding."

"What about it?"

Foolish little thing.

"Well, I just thought," she continued, knowing by now that her thoughts would never actualize, "that we could do something... to celebrate, just... a little walk by the river, or... something." She kept her head low, not looking at him.

"And when would we have time? I have a business to run. You have work here, if you would stop staring out the window to do it for once." Albert's voice only rose a fraction, but she could tell she had crossed the line. She bit her lip to keep herself from saying any more. She heard him turn back around. "Friday will be a work day like any other, no silly little strolls or anything like that."

Nellie finished clearing the table. She ventured a look back at Albert; he was back to work. She felt her eyes starting to burn, and quickly shut them tight to stop the threat of tears. Breathing deeply, she looked up, under control, and started to clean.