He wanted to stay with her, but the midwife had made herself clear; she wouldn't allow anyone else in the labour room. Her screams were piercing his ears. He knew it was all normal, yet he couldn't stand to hear her suffer. He sat down in his barber's chair and buried his face in his hands. He was sweating, his legs were trembling. Excitement and fear were fighting in his head. He was going to be a father.

He remembered when they had first met. Young Benjaming had started to work as an assistant to Wallace Carrington, one of the best barbers in London. His skill was well known in the surrounding neighbourhoods and the customers would queue outside the door every day. Benjamin considered it a privilege to be his apprentice. He was willing to work hard and learn the secrets of the trade.

Mr. Carrington was a wealthy man. Thanks to his many years of successful work, he had managed to build a considerable fortune. Everyone in the area knew what a recherche bride his daughter was, and what great dowry would come with her. But he hadn't yet chosen a husband for her, because he hadn't found a man worthy of her, a man of her own status.

Wallace Carrington's daughter was a girl of extraordinary beauty. Delicate and graceful, with her slim silhouette, always wearing elegant, pastel-coloured silk dresses. Her eyes had a wonderful emerald shine, her lips looked like rose petals. Her long wavy gold locks fell down her back like a waterfall, reaching her thin waist.

One day, Mr. Carrington was locking the door of his barber shop when he suddenly remembered something.

"Ben, my boy" he said as Benjamin was preparing to leave.

"Yes sir."

"There's a package waiting for me in the post office but I won't have time to go and get it. Can you fetch it for me and take it to my house?"

"Of course sir" he responded eagerly.

A little later, he found himself outside Mr. Carrington's house, holding a heavy package in his arms and hesitantly knocking on the door. The sight of the lady that appeared in front of him took his breath away. He stayed there, staring at her, unable to utter a single word.

She graced him with a beautiful smile.

"Can I help you?"

He awoke from his daydreaming.

"I 'ave brought this package for Mr. Carrington" he muttered.

"Bring it in" she said.

She watched him as he carried the heavy object inside. She had never seen such a handsome young man before. She suddenly felt an unexplainable desire to touch him, to trace his cheekbones with her fingers, to feel his toned muscles, to fondle his raven hair.

He carefully placed the package on the floor.

"Is that alright, ma'am?" he asked.

"Oh, of course. You must be my father's apprentice."

"Yes ma'am."

"What's your name?"

"Benjamin Barker."

"I've just prepared tea, Benjamin. Would you like some?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded.

"Then please, come in. My father will be late tonight" she assured him.

It didn't take long for him to fall in love with Lucy Carrington. And he knew she returned his feelings. She began to visit her father in his shop quite often, which came as quite a surprise to him. She was afraid he would get suspicious, but she was still willing to risk it.

They would often meet in her house, when her father was absent, or in his own apartment, whenever she managed to sneak out. Benjamin lived alone in a tiny room, in one of the working class neighbourhoods. He didn't have any family. His father had left when he was still a child and his mother had died from tuberculosis a few years prior.

There came a time when Lucy and Benjamin couldn't keep their love a secret anymore. One day, he decided to present himself to her father and ask for her hand. Wallace Carrington welcomed him in the house; he could never imagine what would follow. When Benjamin uttered the proposal, the old man's eyes opened widely. Torn between shock and anger, he stayed still for a few moments, trying to regain control of the situation.

"Lucy!" he yelled.

The girl came down the stairs reluctantly.

"Is it true, Lucy? Have you and Mr. Barker decided to marry?"

Lucy looked at Benjamin. He smiled and nodded.

"Answer me!" her father shouted.

She built up her courage and took a deep breath.

"Yes, father. I love Benjamin and I want to marry him."

His face turned red.

"My daughter is marrying someone of her own class, Ben! I will not allow this!"

"But sir…"

"Get out of my house, Barker!"

"Mr. Carrington, please…"

"Out!"

She would never have her father's blessing; now she knew. But she would marry Benjamin either way. The two of them decided to elope, and they managed to do so successfully. They ran away together, got married secretly in a remote chapel and stayed in several inns, until they rented out the apartment in Fleet Street, where they were living now.

Benjamin was grateful for the turn of events. His barber shop was thriving and he could provide for her almost as well as her father. They had made it. And when Lucy became pregnant, how joyous he was! Their happiness would be complete.

The screams from the bedroom had now stopped. Instead, he could hear a baby's cries. Tears of joy streamed down his eyes. The midwife opened the door and called him.

"Congratulations sir" she said as she handed him the baby, wrapped in a white blanket. "It's a girl."