A/N: Thanks to being busy, I haven't had the chance to thank my reviewers individually so I'd like to take the opportunity to do so now. So, thank you all so very very much for your reviews, it really makes my day a little brighter! You're all great, so here is chapter 4!
Chapter 4
After relating our tragic tales to Mrs. Lovett, she looked at us both and then rose to her feet.
"Well, I guess there's always room for a couple more", she said and then turned to me, "Come on, I'll get you situated in me guest room and then I'll help Mr. T."
I followed her down the hall and observed the pictures hanging on the flowered wallpaper. I saw pictures of her when she was young, by the seaside and pictures of her late husband. She stopped at a door and gripped the doorknob, pushing against it with her full weight. It creaked and finally budged open.
"Doors 'r a little warped from the rain", she muttered and showed me in.
I looked around. There was faint yellow wallpaper, a flowered four poster bed, an old looking dresser, and lacy curtains on the window. She led me to another door in the corner.
"This is the closet where you can 'ang yer…" she studied my bedraggled old dress and continued, "dresses when I take you shopping tomorrow."
"No, Nellie, you're in no financial state to take me shopping now", I protested, shaking my head.
"Don't you worry yer head about me. I was saving the money for a new gown I saw at the seamstress but her materials were run out by the time I had it saved up. You're in more need than I am dearie."
I examined myself once again to better be reminded of how ragged I was.
"Better yet", she said, a finger tapping her chin, "I have an old dress that's your perfect size. You're welcome to it if you wish."
I noticed that her clothes weren't much better off than I was so I nodded. She smiled, telling me that she would be back soon and I sunk down onto the bed. The sun was really rising now, not that you could really tell through the seemingly perpetual darkness. She was back rather quickly and laid the dress out on my bed. It was of a faded purple color with black trimming around the neck and waist.
"Ya like it?" she asked.
"Indeed I do," I said honestly, touching the fabric, "Now I won't look like a filthy beggar woman any more."
I saw a flash of something in her eyes when I said this but it was gone instantaneously. "I had better go help Mr. Todd now. You get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. You should be right hungry after your long trip."
"Alright", I replied and she breezed out, closing the door behind her.
I stared down at the dress for a moment before removing my own and hoisting the sleeve of my undergarments back on my shoulder. I tightened my old, loose corset to better enhance my figure and then put on the required underskirts. In a few moments, I was wearing the purple dress and examining myself in the mirror above the stout dresser. Seeing that my hair was very disheveled, I combed my hands through it and pushed some messy curls out of my face. I did a twirl and watched the dress move about me fluidly. Pleased with my appearance, I left the room.
My shoes echoed in the now empty first floor. I entered the kitchen but Mrs. Lovett was not back yet. I looked over at the counter, remembering the bugs and disgusting pies and was no longer hungry. Suddenly, I heard a noise above me and the shuffling of boots. The noise was soft, melodic singing. I closed my eyes and listened to the haunting tune.
"Now, wiv a sigh, you grow warm in my hand...my friends…"
I could barely pick it out but it was beautiful. I wondered what on earth Sweeney could be referring to but decided not to think on it anymore. With nothing else to do, I walked over to her cabinets, finding a few ingredients. There was enough to make some pea soup and I figured it was better than the runny pastries. I wondered if she'd mind if I fixed it for her but then she came in through the side door, looking a little dismayed.
"Nellie, I was wondering if you might need a little help around the shop. Ya know, cleaning, cooking?" I asked, wanting to do something to earn my keep and be able to eat semi-flavorful foods.
She smiled, "I've been looking for someone to help me out. Three pennies a week is all I can afford to pay you right now and still manage my expenses but there will be more when work picks up again."
"Thank you", I replied, "Now, if you don't mind…may I make us some soup?"
ST
I carried a tray of my soup up the stairs to Mr. T later on that day. Mrs. Lovett had complimented me and I thought it was pretty good myself. I finally reached the top of the stairs and tapped a knuckle against the door.
"Mr. T?" I called out. There was no response so I pushed the door open to find him staring out a huge window, a shiny object in his hand.
"Mr. Todd, I brought you some food", I walked in.
"If it's another pie", he said quietly, "I don't want it."
I laughed a little at this and said, "No, just some of my homemade soup. And don't worry, it doesn't bite."
"Leave it", he replied.
I could tell he was hurting badly. When I heard the news of his family, my own heart snapped into even more pieces. It was just horrible. I tried the best to lighten his mood but there is nothing you can do to help a freshly grieving soul. I slowly walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Come over 'ere and eat now", I urged.
"I'm not hungry, Mrs. Taylor", he insisted, his tone flat and deep.
I sighed and then glanced down at the silver clutched in his hand.
"Those are your razors…" I breathed in awe.
He turned slightly, "Yes…and?"
"Well 'razors', 'family', and 'revenge' is all I've heard out of yer mouth for the past three weeks. I'd just love to see them up close."
With a moment or two of hesitation, he handed the razor to me. I traced the silver with my finger tip, the razor still slightly warm from his hand. I admired the detail of the handle and flicked it open, it making a shear-like noise that was satisfying to my senses. I turned it over, the blade shining in the light of the fading day.
"If it's all the same ta you", I said quietly, "I'd like to kill Mathew with it."
He turned and looked at me, a bit surprised by my sudden malice and finally nodded. I closed the razor shut and handed it back to him. I joined him at the window and looked down at Fleet Street and its inhabitants passing by. I absentmindedly pulled a bit of loose string from my lacy black, fingerless glove with my teeth. I saw a couple walking arm and arm with each other and turned away, a pang of jealousy in my heart.
I looked around the room. Old, faded wallpaper that was ripped in several places stuck to the wall, a broken mirror was in the corner and on the opposite side of the room, I spotted a baby's crib. I bit my lip and snuck a glance back at Sweeney Todd who was still staring vacantly into the street. I wanted to comfort him, help his pain. I reached out a hand and squeezed his shoulder, then rubbing it in a small circle on his back. In the reflection of the glass, I could see his tired eyes slowly close at the contact.
"Please go", he whispered, "I've much to do."
"Alright, love", I said, surprised by such tenderness in my heart. With an exuberant sigh, I left the room and descended the stairs to the pie shop below.
ST
My eyes slowly worked their way open from my dream-filled sleep and I yawned in the early morning light. It took me a moment to realize where I was and then I stretched and sat up in bed. I stayed there, recalling my dreams, trying to remember details. I knew one was about falling. I would always have dreams that I was falling. Be it from a building or into the frigid sea, I would fall and no one would be there to catch me. My brows furrowed while I tried to think but my mind was just too hazy this early in the day.
I walked into the main pie shop and looked around. It was completely empty but once again, I could hear a conversation going on upstairs.
"Come on then, love", I heard Mrs. Lovett's cheery voice say.
"No", came the cold reply of Sweeney Todd.
"But a rival barber will be there. You need a good reputation to get the judge now, don't ye?"
There was silence and then a low, "alright" and I heard footsteps leave the room. I peered out the window as I saw Mrs. Lovett leading Sweeney down the stairs. Seeing that they were going to leave, I opened the front door and poked my head out.
"Where are you two going?" I called.
Mrs. Lovett turned quickly, "You gave me a fright, dear. We're just 'eading down to the market. Would you mind sweepin' up a bit while we're gone?"
"Not at all", I replied, a little put down that she hadn't asked me to join.
"Thank you", she called back, waving her fingers over her shoulder at me before heading off with Sweeney Todd.
I grabbed the broom that was located by the door and began to sweep the shop, my thoughts drifting away to revenge, the beautiful razors…and the way Sweeney gave into my touch just a little the night before. I stopped sweeping and wondered why that suddenly popped into my head. I shook the thoughts away and continued to sweep.
There must be something going on with Sweeney and Nellie…otherwise I would have been invited to the market…
I growled slightly and reminded myself that this was my job. I was supposed to sweep, I was supposed to dust, I was supposed to do what she said. But there was always that nagging feeling at the back of my mind that said it was something more.