A/N: Okay so Irene is up to her old tricks again, let's see what she's up to. Sorry this took awhile I've been trying to finish an old fanfic up. And starting on other stuff…yeah so sorry bout that thanks for reading and reviewing. Also about fleet street being a poor area in London I'm not to sure on that either. So if any one knows about that please tell me the answer so I can fix it.
A Collar Too Tight
Irene
It was quite gray here on Fleet Street, nothing interesting happened here at all. Oh well, I'll soon be off with Turpin's money heading to India or maybe New York, depending on my mood, with in a month or so. Till then I had to play the part of the perfect, innocent wife. However this marriage was quiet different from previous ones, I had a step daughter now, Johanna. She was more like a ward instead of a daughter, but non the less she was an obstacle in my plan. Why? Well I felt sorry for her. As sick as it sounds, Turpin seems to like her more then just a ward. I would have been long gone from this marriage by now, but my pity for Johanna kept me here. I was fixing my hair up for the day when the door to my room opened. The sixteen year old girl walked in and sat in an arm chair.
"Hello Johanna," I said sticking a pin in my hair.
"Hello," she said in a mousy voice.
"Do you have any plans today?" I asked, the girl shook her head.
"Well why not?" I asked surly she had something to do besides read.
"Mr. Turpin doesn't allow me to go anywhere unless necessary," she said.
"Well what my husband doesn't know can't hurt him," I said with a smile as I finished my hair.
"Now then let's go," I said picking up my bag.
"But where," She asked.
"Why where ever you like, I hear that the opera has a good show this time of year," I said.
"So the opera then?" she asked.
"Well not in the morning, maybe in the afternoon. How about a look in the shops before hand?" I asked.
"Uh well, I really shouldn't," she said nervously.
"Listen, us girls have to break free from the rules sometimes. If we don't we'll end up having very boring lives," I said.
"What's wrong with that?" she asked I laughed.
"You know I used to think the same thing. While I was in the opera I always wanted to be a house wife, then I was. And to tell you the truth, it's quite boring," I said with a sigh.
"Well it doesn't sound so bad," she said shrugging.
"I suppose not, but my first husband never allowed me to do any thing. The second requested I cook, that marriage didn't last long. And the rest all did something to irritate me, but I pushed them out of my memory and forgot about it," I said heading for the door.
"Alright then let's go," I said leading the way out of the house. I opened the door reveling the busy streets of London, I looked back at Joanna to see her in awe.
"What? You've seen the streets of London from your window," I said.
"Yes, but I never thought that I would actually get the chance to be a part of the busy life down here," she said.
"Well then too bad you won't be able to go then," Turpin said behind me shutting the door.
"Darling, don't you think it's harsh to keep our ward locked up in this house?" I asked, the word 'darling' leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
"Our ward?" Turpin asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, our ward," I said.
"Do not assume that just because you are my wife that you also her guardian," Turpin said, anger was rising in his voice.
"Just for once can you let her out of this place?" I asked trying to keep my tone soft and innocent.
"No," he said.
"But-" he cut me off.
"You are my wife therefore you shall not question me," he said.
"My lord, you are wanted at the court house," that rotten Beadle Bamford said walking into the room.
"Very well, make sure my wife and ward stay in their proper place," He said walking out of the house. I can't believe I got myself into this. Oh wait, yes I can, he's rich and I'm greedy simple as that.
I rolled my eyes, and shoved the little beetle out of the way so I could get through the door. I walked out side past Turpin and into the streets. I turned around to see a Turpin glaring at me as he entered the carriage. I smiled and gave him a wink. I wasn't one to be controlled.
Mrs. Lovett
Mr. T was in a bad mood he was, must have been that Holmes fellow that came in earlier this morning. At least I'll have more supplies for pies, but Mr. T's gotta be more careful. After the Mr. Tailor incident I would rather he keep the killing spree on the low for awhile. I herd the door from the barber shop open, and close, I leaned over the counter to see if Mr. T was coming down. I was surprised to see that it was the young gentleman who had gone in about half an hour ago for a shave. Guess Mr. T got the message from that little visit this morning. The man looked up at me and smiled.
"Have a nice day Mrs. Lovett, I'll be sure to try one of your pies next time I come around," He said.
"Well why don't you have one now?" I asked.
The man frowned, "I better go, the misses is a bit nervous with me going out with that killer on the loose."
"Probably right, you have a nice day now," I said as the man walked out the door. I went back to working on my pies. Mr. Tailor still wasn't completely gone, but I probably only had enough for the week. I herd the bell above the shop door ring as it opened. I looked up to see the devils wife herself, Irene Turpin.
I forced a smile, "Hello Mrs. Turpin."
She looked up and returned the smile, "Hello Mrs. Lovett, I've come to try one of your famous pies," she said.
"A wealthy woman such as yourself? I'm honored," I said.
"Well, you make the best pies so I should be the honored one," she said taking a seat.
"So I take it you'll have the meat pie then?" I asked.
"Yes, and may I please have some tea with that?" she asked.
"Of course," I said.
"Thank you, oh and no sugar for my tea please," she said. I smiled and then walked back into the kitchen. I was surprised to see Mr. T standing right in front of me holding the kettle.
"Is that her?" he asked, I nodded.
A dark smile formed across his face, "I say we kill her."
"You want to kill her now?" I whispered.
"Why shouldn't we?" he asked.
"I doubt she's gonna want a shave while she waits for her tea," I said filling the kettle with water, and placing it on the stove.
"I was thinking a less messy way this time," he said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Poison." He said simply.
My eyes widened, "But Mr. T, we couldn't use her for pies if we did that."
"I'll get more for your pies, but this is an opportunity we cannot pass," he said.
I sighed, "Very well then, I'll take care of this one."
"Do you have what you need?" he asked.
"Arsenic will do, I'll put it in the pie though, she might notice it in her tea," I said. Mr. T nodded before heading back up stairs. I quickly prepared the pie, and with an unsteady hand put the arsenic in. I jumped when the kettle began to whistle. I took it off the stove and fixed the tea with no sugar. I carried the pie and the tea out the door and set it on the table for Mrs. Turpin.
"There you go," I said.
Mrs. Turpin gave me a look, "Are you feeling alright? You seem a bit uneasy," she said.
"Oh just over worked that's all," I said.
I watch Mrs. Turpin drink her tea. As she set the cup down and picked up the fork my heart began to race. It seemed like she was taking her time with getting the first bite. I nearly sighed with relief, when the door flew open. In rushed Toby followed by a rather large dog. The dog jumped up on the table and started gobbling the pie down. Mrs. Turpin dropped her fork and got out of her seat.
"Toby!" I yelled.
"What Mrs. Lovett?" he asked as he took one of the cookies from the counter.
"Get this dog out now!" I yelled.
Toby nodded and nudged the dog away from the pie, and off the table. Then he took him by the scruff of his neck and led him out of the shop.
"I'm so sorry Mrs. Turpin I'll get you another one," I said, but she shook her head.
"It looks like you need a break. I'll come again next week. Possibly with my husband," she said.
I nodded and smiled, "Alright then, see you next week."
Mrs. Turpin left, and shortly after Toby ran back in.
"He's dead, he's dead!" he said though the sobs.
"Who's dead?" I asked kneeling down.
"The dog, he just fell down and died," He said as he hugged me. I sighed and patted him on the back.
"There, there," I said, "It'll be alright."
A/N: I don't know the effects of Arsenic. I'm just sayin.