3) -
The nine months of Lucy's pregnancy seem to fly past; she had done it all before with Johanna, and was therefore prepared for the morning sickness and feelings of absolute exhuastion. When she did finally give birth, having been getting agitated with feeling like a bloated whale, Lucy was delighted to discover that she had given brith to another girl.
"What do you suggest we name her?"
Benjamin sat on the bed with his now exhausted wife, cradling their second daughter in one arm and wrapping the other around her shoulders.
"I've been considering Abigail for a while now," Lucy admitted, leaning against her husband. "Abby for short. It's such a pretty name, don't you think? Abigial Barker."
"Abby Barker," Benjamin also tried, and then smiled. "I like it."
Lucy smiled back at him, reaching out and gently stroking their sleeping daughter's cheek with her fingertips.
"Johanna and Abigail Barker," She said softly. "Our daughters."
They shared a moment of silence before it was broken by Mrs Lovett, Johanna and Lily.
Johanna hurtled into the room, quickly followed by Lily. Mrs Lovett followed the two girls quickly, scolding them to calm down and slow down, but neither girl listened to her.
"Is this her?" Johanna asked eagerly, scrambling up onto the bed and plonking herself onto her mother's lap, oblivious to the mild pain she caused Lucy. "Is this my sister?"
"This is your sister, Johanna," Benjamin confirmed, tilting Abby so that Johanna could get a better view. "Would you like to hold her?"
"Benjamin, I'm not sure - "
"She'll be fine," Benjamin interupted Lucy gently, kissing her brow. "Johanna is a big girl now. And we're here to help."
"Oh, don't mind me at all." Mrs Lovett commented sarcastically, taking a seat next to the bed and pulling a tip-toeing Lily onto her lap. Benjamin shot her an apologetic smile.
"And Nellie, of course."
"And me!" Lily cried from her mother's lap.
"And Lily. Do forgive me, Miss Lovett."
Lily giggled as Benjamin ruffled her thick curls playfully before turning to his eldest daughter.
"Alright, you have to be careful," He told her gently. "You can't hold her too tightly otherwise you'll hurt her, but you have to keep a good grip on her so she doesn't fall off."
Johanna nodded, eager to prove to her parents that she was old enough to be able to hold her little sister. Lucy helped Johanna position her arms and, once she was deemed ready, Benjamin carefully placed Abby in her arms.
"She's heavy." Johanna noted, shifting her sister slightly.
"She's heavy because you're not as strong as your mother and I," Benjamin told her. "But no one is as strong as your Auntie Nell, here."
Mrs Lovett fondly rolled her eyes at her friend's teasing, pulling a face at him.
"You're just jealous because I could beat you at an arm wrestle any day, Ben." She teased back. Benjamin grinned, remembering the long summers that had spent when they were young challenging each other.
"Eleanor Lovett!" Lucy gasped. "A lady does not arm wrestle! I hope that you shan't be teaching that to the children."
"Of course I won't, Lucy. Wouldn't dream of it."
Lucy frowned and looked down at her daughters. Benjamin and Mrs Lovett exchanged secret grins.
Johanna and Lily were three years old. Abby had just turned one. Unlike her sister and Lily, Abby was very quiet and, once sat still, could remain sitting still for several hours.
Mrs Lovett didn't mind Abby's preferences, deeming her an angel child because of them. Lucy had been rather ill again for a few weeks, but it had taken a turn for the worst. Benjamin shut the barber's shop to allow him to look after her, leaving Mrs Lovett in charge of the children.
"I'll tell you what, girls," Mrs Lovett said as she flitted back and forth. "You'll be chief pie makers when you're old enough. Then I can put me poor feet up and relax."
"No, mama!" Lily laughed. "We can't make pies!"
"You wait, Lily, I'm training you up the minute you're thirteen. This is going to remain a family business."
Lily grimaced at Johanna, making her laugh. Not long ago, the two girls had stolen a meat pie from the tray when Mrs Lovett wasn't looking and shared it between the two of them. Needless to say, neither of them were eager to relive the experience.
"I'm going to be a barber, like my papa!" Johanna announced.
"And I'm going to be..." Lily's voice trailed off. "Mama, what did papa do?"
"Sat around on his ar - "
"Nellie,"
Mrs Lovett grinned apologetically over her shoulder at Benjamin, who was stood in the doorway, before quickly correcting herself.
"He was a very successful business man."
Content with this answer, Johanna and Lily went back to their game while Abby sat on the bench and watched silently, her expression rather passive.
"What can I do for you, Ben?" Mrs Lovett asked, turning her attention to her tenant and best friend. "Come to sample a fresh meat pie?"
"I'd rather not, thank you," Benjamin said. "No, I've come to ask if you can continue keeping an eye on Johanna and Abby while I go to the doctors? I'm afraid that Lucy may have taken a turn for the worse."
"Of course, love, I'd be delighted to," Mrs Lovett paused delicately, rolling out the dough on the counter. "Ben, is everything alright? With Lucy, I mean."
Benjamin sighed, running a hand through his thick hair. "I'm afraid that I can't say it is, Nellie."
Bidding his daughters goodbye, he kissed the tops of their heads before leaving, announcing that he would be no longer than half an hour. Mrs Lovett watched him go sadly.
"Poor bugger." She muttered before continuing to roll out the dough.
"Auntie Nell,"
"Yes, Johanna?"
Johanna had paused in her game with Lily to look up at Mrs Lovett with a surprisingly grown up expression.
"Who was that man papa talked to today while we were at the Church?"
Mrs Lovett thought back to that morning; she and Benjamin had taken the girls to Church while Lucy remained at home, too ill to attend. While there, Turpin made a snide comment about Benjamin attending a holy place with a woman that wasn't his wife.
"Which one, love? 'E talked to quite a few."
"The one that made him very angry," Johanna explained. "He had a very big nose."
Lily burst into a fit of giggles as Johanna demonstrated her point, tracing a larger nose around hers in the air to resemble the Judge's. Mrs Lovett had to supress the grin that was threatening to spread across her face.
"Oh, you mean the Judge!"
"The...Judge?"
"Yes, Judge Turpin."
"Is 'e important, mama?" Lily asked, also looking up from their game.
"Unfortunately, yes." Mrs Lovett agreed. Johanna and Lily frowned at the tone of her voice, but didn't question it. Abby looked up from her lap; she was sat at one of the benches, barely able to overlook the table in front of her, and simply staring at her clasped hands on her lap.
Seeing that she had caught even Abby's attention, Mrs Lovett shook her head.
"Don't worry, loves."
While Mrs Lovett went back to her pie making, Johanna and Lily continued their game. Abby simply sat, watching her sister and Lily with an impassive expression.
"Girls, I'm just going to pop along and visit Lucy for a few minutes. Are you all going to be alright?"
"Yes, mama!" Lily replied happily, grinning at her mother. Mrs Lovett shot her an amused grin, not convinced.
"Alright, but I want this shop spotless by the time I come back down."
Content that the girls were going to behave, Mrs Lovett left the shop and made her way up the wooden steps, her skirt gathered in one hand so she wouldn't trip. She didn't bother knocking; Lucy would only be in bed.
"Lucy, love, I've just come up to see if you - "
Mrs Lovett cut herself off as she looked up at Lucy, seeing her closed eyelids.
"Lucy?"
Frowning, Mrs Lovett hurridedly crossed the room and took a seat by the bed, taking her friend's hand in her own. She was just asleep, she assured herself. Sound asleep.
But Lucy's hand was limp.
"Oh, Lucy."
A fair few people turned up to Lucy's funeral. Her mother and father travelled from Birmingham to attend it, along with her older brother Thomas. Her friends came from all over England to attend the funeral, as well as many locals from the market. Lucy was a kind woman, and many wanted to pay their respects.
Neither Benjamin nor Mrs Lovett cried once during the funeral.
Benjamin simply stood in silence for the whole ceremony, Johanna's hand clinging to his as he held Abby with his free arm. Mrs Lovett remained at his side, as so to stop him from doing something that he may regret.
Johanna cried, but Lily held her hand and hugged her, telling her that she could share Mrs Lovett.
Abby didn't cry.
"Oh Lord..." Mrs Lovett suddenly moaned, looking up. Benjamin also looked up, following her gaze. He immediately stiffened.
"The Judge." He hissed.
"Ben, don't go doing anything stupid, alright?" Mrs Lovett warned, but Benjamin ignored her as he put Abby down and let go of Johanna's hand, storming forwards.
"Where is Papa going?" Johanna whimpered.
"'E's just gone to say 'ello to an old friend, love."
"What are you doing here?" Benjamin demanded furiously as he reached the Judge. "You have absolutely no right - "
"I have come to pay my respects," The Judge interupted dryly. "And offer my most sincere condolences. It must be hard, loosing your wife so soon after the birth of your second daughter."
Benjamin stiffened at the mention of Abby.
"Don't you ever come near my children." He hissed.
Turpin smirked. "I suppose that I have hit a nerve, haven't I, Mr Barker? Now you're wife is gone, you will only remember her through your daughters. It's...pitiful, really."
"You - "
"Woah, 'old up!"
Benjamin struggled, but Mrs Lovett kept a firm grip on his arms, stopping him. The Judge stood there, smirking at the barber in a superior manner.
"My my, Mr Barker, you may want to keep control of that temper."
Mrs Lovett used all her strength to pull Benjamin away, glaring furiously at the Judge.
"Right, you'd better go calm down, Ben, before you do something that you regret. I'll take care of Johanna and Abby."
Benjamin wrenched himself from his friend's grip and, with a glare at the Judge, stormed off. Mrs Lovett wached him go, her arms tight around a trembling Abby.
"I can honestly say that Mr Barker has surprised me," Turpin said from behind her. "I never realised that such a meek man could get so...angry."
Mrs Lovett scowled as she turned around and glared at him. Johanna and Lily hid behind her skirts, but Abby simply stared at the Judge.
"Benjamin Barker is twice the man that you will ever be." She hissed. The Judge smirked, his upper lip curling, and turned his gaze on Abby. His eyes lingered on her for a moment before he turned around and left in the opposite direction to Benjamin.
"Papa was very angry."
"Yes 'e was, love, but I'm sure 'e's calmed down." Mrs Lovett assured Johanna as she helped her into her nightgown.
"Did my papa get angry?" Lily asked in curiosity, sitting on the bed and swinging her legs. She was already in her nightgown.
"Occasionally, love."
Lily titled her head, her curls tumbling over her shoulder, and pursed her lips together in thought.
"You don't get angry though, do you?"
"Don't I?" Mrs Lovett questioned her daughter with an amused look.
"No, you just swear and call people nasty buggers."
"Lily, I don't want to 'ear you repeat that outside this room, alright?"
"Alright, mama."
Mrs Lovett sighed and shook her head; maybe she shouldn't swear so much in front of the girls so much. If Lily repeated words such as that in front of the very few customers she had, she probably wouldn't get any at all,
"Right, there you are, love. All ready for bed."
"Thank you Auntie Nell!" Johanna chirped, hugging Mrs Lovett. The woman smiled, giving her a quick hug before ushering her to bed. Standing up, she placed her hands on her hips and looked around for Abby. She could've sworn that she was waiting to be helped into her nightgown...
"You girls ain't 'appened to 'ave seen Abby anywhere, 'ave you?"
Johanna and Lily shook their heads. Mrs Lovett frowned.
"Alright, well, you two get yourselves into bed and I'll be back in a tick."
Leaving the girls to prepare themselves, she left the room and began searching for Abby. Deciding that she wasn't upstairs, Mrs Lovett wandered downstairs into the shop.
"Abby?" She called softly. "Abby, where are you?"
Hearing a soft noise from the parlour, Mrs Lovett headed towards it. Immediately, she spotted Abby stood at the window on her tiptoes, her tiny hands clinging to the sill. She was craning her tiny neck to just about see out of the window.
"What are you doing, love?" Mrs Lovett asked incredulously, walking forwards and picking Abby up. "Are you looking for someone?"
Abby didn't respond, ducking her head so that her blonde hair fell over her face. Mrs Lovett sighed.
"You ain't in trouble, I was just wondering," The woman paused, also glancing out the window. "Are you waiting for your father?"
Again, Abby didn't respond. Mrs Lovett, however, knew the answer.
"Come on, deary, let's get you off to bed. You must be exhausted after today."
Holding Abby close, Mrs Lovett made her back upstairs and to the girl's room. Because of the limited space, Johanna, Lily and Abby shared a room together. It was a bit of a squeeze, but the girls were happy. The arrangement was made so that the beds wouldn't clutter Benjamin's shop.
Johanna and Lily were already fast asleep. Mrs Lovett tutted fondly as she placed Abby on the ground and retrieved her nightgown from underneath Abby's pillow.
"Now, love, I'm sure that your father will be 'ome soon. "'E just needed a bit of time, you know, to calm down. But I promise that 'e'll be back by the time you wake up."
Abby remained silent, patiently allowing Mrs Lovett to undress her and then pull on her nightgown. Once this was done, Mrs Lovett sat down on Abby's bed and pulled the young girl onto her lap, undoing her hair ribbons.
"Now, if you go to sleep now, morning will come so quickly you won't think that you slept at all!" Mrs Lovett told her, sliding Abby onto the bed. The young girl nestled underneath the blanket, shutting her eyes. Mrs Lovett smiled down at her. "Goodnight, love."
After tucking all three girls in and placing a kiss on each of their foreheads, Mrs Lovett left the room and shut the door behind her.
As she walked back downstairs, craving a glass of gin, the baker couldn't help but wonder where Ben was. She had told him to calm himself down, not wander off and not return until God-knows what time at night.
To her surprise, Benjamin was stood in the doorway of the shop. The dark shadows fell over him, the moonlight subtly illuminating his face. Mrs Lovett couldn't help but stare; his usually bright and happy face had changed. His jaw was clenched, tightening his features so that they appeared well defined and chiselled. His eyes had darkened, a sombre expression hiding the pain deep inside.
"Ben?" Mrs Lovett asked softly, breaking the silence that loomed over them.
Benjamin didn't answer. Instead, he stood and stared at Mrs Lovett. She frowned, her brow furrowing slightly as she hesitantly stepped forwards.
"Ben, love, where 'ave you been? Johanna and Abby 'ave been asking for you."
Again, Benjamin said nothing. Mrs Lovett continued forwards, taking care to move slowly so not to scare him. It was as if he was a ticking bomb; one false move would set off an explosion.
"What's wrong, Ben?"
"What's wrong?" Benjamin repeated. His voice was lower than usual, more dangerous. He took a step forwards. Mrs Lovett mirrored his action and took a step back. "My wife died last week. Her funeral was today and you ask me what is wrong?"
There was no denying it. Mrs Lovett was scared.
"Ben...I'm sorry, I really am. I'm going to miss Lucy as well, y'know - "
"But you do not have to live every day of your life with reminders of her," Benjamin hissed, taking another step forwards. Mrs Lovett didn't step backwards, too scared to move. "I do. I have two daughters that look exactly like her and I will never get her back."
"Yes, Ben, but you also have two beautiful daughters that have just lost their mother and need their father more than anything in the world. You can't leave them."
Something flickered in Benjamin's eyes, something that Mrs Lovett picked up on immediately.
Consideration.
Fury took over her as she stepped forwards, pointing a shaking finger at him.
"Don't you dare, Benjamin Barker! Don't you even dare think about walking out of them girls!"
"I am not thinking of it." Benjamin muttered.
"Oh, thank the Lord! Now, 'ow about we 'ave a quick nightcap before bed?"
"I am leaving."
Mrs Lovett spun around to face him once again. "What?"
"I am leaving," Benjamin repeated. "I have returned to collect my belongings and then I shall be gone."
"But, the girls - "
"Will remain here with you."
Before Mrs Lovett could protest, Benjamin walked past her and left the shop through the side door. She watched him helplessly, wishing that she could stop him. Instead, she paced back and forth, wringing her hands together anxiously.
The side door clicking open made her look up again. Benjamin hadn't even spent five minutes upstairs. Maybe he had changed his mind!
No such luck; he held a small brown suitcase in his hand as he strode into the shop once more.
"Why are you doing this, Ben?" Mrs Lovett whispered desperately. He had reached the door at this point, his back to her, but froze when she spoke. At first, she thought he wasn't going to respond, but then he turned to face her.
"I have no reason to remain here." Was all he said before he turned and left.