Chapter Four
You're Not In This Alone

You're not in this alone
Let me break this awkward silence
Let me go, go on record
Be the first to say I'm sorry
Hear me out,

And if you take me down
Or would you lay me out
And if the world needs something better
Let's give them one more reason now, now, now
~Skylines And Turnstiles, My Chemical Romance

I stared at her.

What?

How?

"Nellie Lovett," I repeated, my throat dry.

"That's me, love." she frowned at me, puzzled. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine but . . . " my voice trailed off as I continued to stare at her, frowning.

"But?" she prompted.

"But I don't think we should start without my husband," I said quickly. "This is his home too, so . . . "

"Oh, of course."

"I'll go get him. Please, take a seat. Sophia will take your order."

"Alright, ta love."

I forced a grin out. "No problem."

I walked upstairs, resisting the urge to run as fast as I could into Sweeney's arms when I saw him. I must've looked pale, because he immediately frowned and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"I . . . I think you need to come downstairs," I choked out.

"Why?"

"There's someone here to talk about buying the shop but . . . " I ran a hand through my hair. "Oh God," I said shakily.

"Niamh?"

"You are not going to believe this, but she says that her name is Nellie Lovett."

Sweeney's reaction was immediate.

He lunged forwards, and it took all my strength to restrain him.

"Let go," he growled darkly.

"No, not until you hear me out."

Sweeney glared at me, but then spun around and stormed into the living room. I shut the door.

"Sweeney, please, I know that this will be hard but we have to act normal," I begged.

"How can I act normal when that murdering witch is downstairs?" Sweeney hissed. "I don't want her anywhere near you or Robyn."

I was touched by his protectiveness, but kinda pissed off as well.

"Look, we need someone to buy this shop and if that means having to get along with her, then so be it. So bloody grow a pair and put on a brave face."

Sweeney was silent, but he was giving me a dark look.

"I'm going to get Robyn and we can downstairs together, ok?"

Without waiting for a response, I spun around and marched off, collecting Robyn from the bedroom. Sweeney was waiting for me at the top of the stairs, looking furious.

I weaved my hand into his.

"Look happy," I said.

"What?"

"Look happy. It'll piss her off."

He stared at me for a moment, but Sweeney obliged by looking as happy as he could, which wasn't very.

Oh well, worth a try.

"Sorry about the wait," I said cheerily as we walked into the shop. "Robyn was being a little fusspot, weren't you darling?" the last part I directed at Robyn, who seemed pretty content balanced on my hip.

Nellie's eyes darted from me to Sweeney, wide as her mouth fell open.

After a moment, she composed herself and extended her hand.

"Long time no see," she said to Sweeney. "Love."

"Not long enough," Sweeney muttered, ignoring her extended hand and walking past her. He took a seat by the window, and I quickly sat next to him. Pursing her lips together, Nellie sat opposite us.

"So," I began. "For what reason do you want to buy the shop?"

"Well, I've been in charge of my own business before."

"One that promotes cannibalism," Sweeney muttered. I glared at him warningly.

"And this place just 'appens to remind me of my old shop," Nellie continued as if Sweeney hadn't spoken.

"It is your old shop."

"Sweeney, please," I murmured.

"It's a nice establishment you're running 'ere, love." Nellie looked around. "Nice and 'omely."

"It is our home actually, but thank you."

"But would you object to me making changes to it?" she asked.

"C-changes?" I hesitated before asking, "What sort of changes?"

"Well, the name for starters. I can't run a shop with another woman's name on it." Nellie frowned. "It is your name, ain't it?"

"My maiden name, actually," I corrected. "But I couldn't bring myself to change it after Sweeney and I married."

"Oh. 'ow long 'ave you two been married."

Sweeney's hand curled over mine. "Since September."

Nellie's lips tightened as she glared at our now intertwined hands. "'ow nice."

"Yes, well." my grip on Sweeney's hand tightened as I spoke. "I suppose changing the name wouldn't be that much of a problem. It would be your shop, after all."

"Yes, it would be."

"How do we know that you won't run the business into the ground?" Sweeney asked. "We can't sell it to just anyone."

"Come off it, Mr T, you know 'ow I run a business." Nellie's lips tilted into a smirk. "You know about all my talents."

Immediately, something flared up inside me.

My stomach twisted uncomfortably as irrational anger rose; I had to supress the urge to stand up and slap the stupid smirk of the woman's face. Sweeney apparently understood my anger, as he gently squeezed my hand.

"Of course I do," Sweeney said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

My anger only increased, so I turned and looked over my shoulder at Sophia.

"Hey, Sophia, could we have some drinks please?"

"Sure. What would you like?"

Nellie already had a drink, and Sweeney didn't want one, so I ordered a large mug of coffee. It took Sophia only a few minutes, and soon the comforting smell of hot coffee joined us at the table.

"Could you take Robyn?" I asked Sweeney, who obliged. Robyn was pretty content on his lap, playing with his hands and rings. Nellie smiled at her fondly.

"She's beautiful, love," she complimented. "She looks like 'er father."

"She has Niamh's eyes," Sweeney said.

"She has your temper," I said, laughing. His lips twitched into a small smile as we remembered the many temper tantrums Robyn had thrown; she may have been small, but she could make a hell of a lot of noise.

We exchanged a quick kiss, which was interupted by Robyn climbing up Sweeney's chest, desperate for attention. I laughed and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Do you have any children, Nellie?" I asked casually.

"No love." she sighed. "Wanted to, but never found the right man, y'know?"

I noticed her eyes were fixed on Sweeney as she said this.

"I did know, but now I've found the perfect man," I said, smirking.

"Obviously. Now, what's the verdict?" she asked. "Am I a suitable candidate?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out as I struggled to comprehend her question. Thankfully, Sweeney spoke for me.

"We'll be in contact."

Nellie smirked. "Brilliant. I 'ope to 'ear from you soon."

We shook hands and I showed her to the door. Sweeney stood behind me, still holding Robyn.

"Bye," I said, forcing out a smile.

"Bye love." Nellie's eyes rested on Sweeney. "See you soon, Mr T."

Without another word, she flicked her curls over her shoulder and sashayed down the road, swinging her hips.

She was confident.

She was beautiful.

She was sexy.

And I hated her more and more with each step she took.

Thank you Phantom of the Common Room, Comfortably Plump, babyvfan, CadyD and Saphire Bethany Stacy Skyle for reviewing!

Ooh, a bit of tension and rivalry between Nellie and Niamh . . . this could get interesting.