Chapter 2: Eavesdropping and Daisies

Toby woke with a start.

"Aghh" he moaned aloud to no one in particular as he rubbed his head with his hand. He had a slight headache; he hadn't had those since his days at the workhouse.

Morning did seem to come a lot sooner when he had drunk some gin the night before, that's what mum said, and now he knew her words were true. But since Tobias was an experienced drinker, he usually knew when to draw the line, but his time, he couldn't help it. Mrs. Lovett's gin tasted really great.

But this morning was no morning to be wallowing in his pain, he had to help mum run the shop. She had asked him to be her helper after Pirelli had abandoned him when he got a shave at Mr. Todd's about two weeks ago. But Toby didn't mind too much, after all, Mrs. Lovett was a gift from the good Lord, and he wasn't planning on leaving her anytime soon.

Toby got up from the mangy old couch he had collapsed upon the previous night and started on his way to the bakery where he would help Mrs. Lovett prepare for today's work. He must have woken up before her because she was not there when he arrived, unlike usual.

Toby was not one to prowl around like a nosy old woman, but he was curious as to where Mrs. Lovett could be off to this morning. He sat there at a table in the middle of the room, twiddling his thumbs for about ten minutes before he grew restless and decided to search for her. He slowly walked down the hall, afraid that she would pop out of a doorway and scold him for his curiosity. He didn't want to be sent back to the workhouse for bad behaviour, that's for sure. He always tried his best to please his new mum, and did anything she asked him to without complaining; of course he could overcome any obstacle in his way, like she said, he was a man after all.

Toby was just getting near the end of the hallway that led outside to the stairs leading to Mr. Todd's barbershop when he stopped dead in his tracks. He thought he heard noises coming from up there. Not the usual sounds coming from the barbershop, but arguing, very loudly. Toby had only been in there once, quite briefly, but he wasn't planning on going up there anytime in the near future.

"Wot is your issue, love?" shrieked a frantic female voice "You know I'm only trying to help you!"

Toby leaned in closer to the stairwell, trying to figure out who the speaker was.

"I don't need your help!" bellowed a nasty male voice in return "Nothing you can do can rid me of…of these…shadows around me…" He softly added.

Toby wanted to walk up the stairs to hear properly who was speaking and what they were saying, but he didn't know if he dared go any further. He knew who the male voice was, it was bitter and cold, and it had to be Mr. Todd. He never liked the man much, cooped up there all day long, always mumbling under his breath. He didn't know why Mrs. Lovett spent all her time and energy on him.

"Of course, that's who Mr. Todd's arguing with" realized Tobias. "It must be mum! But why was she up there at this time of day?"

"Why doesn't the Beadle come!!" roared Mr. Todd "He said he'd come before the week is out!"

"Don't worry love, it's only Tuesday" Mrs. Lovett added in a soft, gentle voice.

By this time, Toby had braved the stairs and was now pressing his ear against the door to the barbershop, eavesdropping on the passionate conversation between his cordial mum and the harsh Mr. Todd.

"Easy now, hush love, hush" whispered Mrs. Lovett "There, there, now love, don't distress yourself, what's your rush?"

Toby couldn't bear it; he slowly moved his head upwards and peered in through the barbershop window. The scene that displayed itself for him was one of a peculiar nature indeed. Mr. Todd was seen sitting slumped down in his chair in the centre of the room, head down and hands on his knees, looking straight and unstaring towards the corner of the room opposite the door. Mrs. Lovett was standing behind him, her hands running along his cheekbones, down his shoulders, and along the length of his arms. She had her eyes closed, and her voice sounded almost as if she was humming a comforting tune to the man.

"Keep your thoughts nice and lush…" She spoke a barely audible whisper. "…Wait"

"Wait for what?" thought Toby to himself

When Mr. Todd remained motionless she went on:

"Oh love, just…think it through, because once it bubbles, what's to do? Watch it close, let it brew – "

Just then Mr. Todd cut in and roared: "And the Judge? When will I get to him!?" He pushed up from the chair with such force that the chair flipped over backwards and skidded across the room.

Mrs. Lovett didn't cower or back down this time; "Can't you think of nothing else!?" She cried "Always brooding away on your wrongs, what happened heaven knows, how many years ago?!"

"Leave me" said Mr. Todd gruffly as he turned away from her

Mrs. Lovett's face became tense and saddened as she turned and headed towards the door, towards Toby.

Toby, sensing the danger coming, hurried away from the door just in time, and ran down the stairs as fast as possible.

Mrs. Lovett walked out of the stairwell, looking slightly bewildered, but other than that, she looked like normal, and Toby would never had guessed what just happened up there in the barbershop. His mum was a brave woman, and she could take a lot from Mr. Todd. But Toby was still wondering what they were conspiring up there, but he defiantly wasn't going to ask, for fear that they'd find out he was eavesdropping on them.

Once she saw Toby, Mrs. Lovett's face changed from slight bewilderment to a large grin from ear to ear.

"Toby, love, lets get going on some meat pies for today" she said through a fake smile "We're sure to get lots of business this time around"

"Yes mum" answered Toby just as optimistically.

Mrs. Lovett wrapped an arm around the boy and walked him into the kitchens

"Toby, I was wondering your opinion" said Mrs. Lovett to him "What do you think would look better in Mr. Todd's shop: gillyflower or daisies? I find it a little gloomy in there sometimes"

"I dunno, mum, I haven't much of an opinion on flowers, you see, I never had a mum till now, so we never had any of those to worry about" said Toby

"Well that's ok love, cuz I think the good Lord sent you to me anyway" She replied with a real smile.

ok so that's it for chapter 2, i've already got a ch 3 started so it wont be long before i update it :D

please R&R!!!