A/N: I'd like to thank iheartkenji (Majerle) for giving me a bit of inspiration for the first part of this story. Seriously, you don't wanna know what we talk about on the phone. Lol, here's chapter 12!
Chapter 12
The pounding in my head finally awoke me from a dead sleep and I dared to crack my eyes open and bear the light that had flooded into the room. I thought I was going to be greeted with the sight of the wall in my bedroom since I was lying on my side but the view I got was much different. I opened my eyes to see Sweeney Todd nose to nose with me, snoring slightly.
I let out a scream and fell onto the floor, all of which was torture for my head. He sat bolt upright and stared down at me.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"Wh- What's 'appened? What's going on?" I looked at my surroundings, seeing that my corset was lying on the floor "What's that doin' there?! What the devil am I doing in 'ere?! What were you doing in bed with me?!" Taking notice of my dreadful hangover, I seemed to recall being extremely drunk. "MR. T WE DIDN'T!"
"Didn't what?!"
"I was drunk! How could you?!" I yelled which my headache objected to.
"I didn't do anything to you!" he snapped, putting his shoes back on.
"What do ya mean?!" I clamored to my feet.
"If you'd just listen to me a moment, I'd explain things!" he shouted and I moaned, gripping my head.
"Don't yell", I said as he approached me.
"You're the one that stumbled into me shop bloody plastered, tried to get me to drink with you, got upset for no reason, and hung from me like a silly school girl! I let you sleep 'ere because I didn't want you to fall down the stairs and break yer damn neck and the only reason I was in bed with ya is 'cause you were screaming for me in your sleep about falling or somefing! I undid your corset 'cause you were bound to suffocate wearin' that fool contraption!" He was panting after blurting all that out at me and I stared at him in shock as he said, "But I did nothing to ya. I can assure you that!"
"Oh Mr. T", I said, dropping into his chair, feeling like a fool, "I'm sorry for acting like an idiot…and for accusing you of…that. I'm not thinkin' straight with this godforsaken hangover."
"'S alright", he replied in a low monotone before making his way over to the window.
I could tell he was a bit angry with me and I didn't blame him at all. I had had entirely too much gin. I had wanted to get good and drunk so I could unwind from the hectic day. I had no idea it would go as far as pestering Sweeney with it. Thinking back, I could barely remember what happened at all. What had I said to him? What had I gotten so upset about? I couldn't recall at the moment and my head had its own pulse so I decided to worry about that later.
I stood up and walked over to the door, bidding goodbye to Sweeney and picking up my corset from the floor, lacing it back properly. He made no reply so I headed down the stairs and back into Mrs. Lovett's shop. She was behind the counter, beating some dough with her rolling pin somewhat fiercely.
"Mornin' Nellie," I greeted.
She cast me a shadowed glance unlike her usual cheery smile, "G' Morning. Trust you slept well, ay?"
"I've got a dreadful headache", I replied cautiously, not liking the bit of envy I heard in her voice.
"That should be expected with the amount of screamin' I 'eard from ya", she barked, not meeting my gaze but staring daggers into the dough she was still pounding.
I gaped at her, "It aint what you think. Trust me, Nellie. You have no idea what happened."
"Yeah, 'spose I wouldn't", she spat back.
I sighed, "Since I'm in no condition to argue with ya, I'm going to tell ya the truth and I don't care whether you believe me or not. I drank way, way too much gin last night and went up to Mr. T's room, botherin' him with the usual drunk talk I suppose. Honestly, I can't remember much myself but he told me everything this morning. The screaming you 'eard was from the dream I 'ad. Now me 'ead is splitting and I wish I hadn't drunk that much in the first place. There, there's the truth."
She stared up at me now, "Really?"
"Yes really," I replied, head in my hands, lightly kneading my temples.
"I'll get you some hot tea", she muttered and set about filling the kettle.
Not long after, the kettle let out a shrill scream of a whistle and I groaned in agony. I squeezed my eyes shut against the sound and she set a cup of steaming tea down in front of me. I added sugar to it and stirred it in before taking a sip. I let out a sigh as the beverage warmed my body that I hadn't noticed was very cold. The last time I had felt this warm was…that morning. That morning when I woke up with Sweeney next to me I had been so comfortable. I asked myself why I had behaved the way I did. I was just shocked I guessed. I thought it was sweet how he cared that I was screaming in my sleep. He cared enough to lay with me and comfort me. I smiled to myself as I sipped the tea.
"I guess I'll do the work meself today seein' as you're not fit to 'elp me", she said, waking me out of my thoughts.
I didn't try to fight it, this headache would have me in bed for a few hours at least, "Thank you Mrs. Lovett. As soon as this bloody thing goes away, I'll go to the market for you. I'll get ya whatever you need."
"O' course, I'll make ya up a list", she answered and went back to the dough, this time rolling it out instead of trying to mutilate it, "Go and lie down now."
I finished my last sip of tea and went to my bedroom for some rest.
ST
After sleeping a great deal longer, my headache had eased some and I was capable of thinking clearly. I felt awful about everything that I had done. I wanted to do something to make it up to him, make him see that I wasn't completely useless. The only thing to do would be to get the Judge into his clutches again but that man wouldn't be coming anywhere near me or Sweeney after what had happened. I sighed and sat up in bed, my head still feeling swimmy.
I figured I better get to the market pretty soon considering I had no idea how long I had been asleep. I quickly changed from the nightgown I had slipped on and into a silvery colored dress with a black trim and a black flower brooch that matched. I ran my fingers through my hair, teasing it into the right style and applied a bit more lipstick before pulling some black boots on and leaving the room. I entered the kitchen to find Mrs. Lovett cleaning up after the lunch shift.
"'Ello Mrs. Lovett", I greeted, "Ya got that list for me yet?"
She looked up from her cleaning and gave me a smile, "Yeah, its right over there." She pointed to a piece of paper and a basket sitting on the counter.
I grabbed it and headed for the door, "Be back soon then", I said and then I left, the bell chiming in my wake.
ST
"Flour…" I read off the list and looked about for a cart yielding the stuff. I spotted one on the other side of the fruit stands and headed over there to get it.
I purchased it and placed it in with my other goods in the basket.
"Almost done", I said to myself and looked back at the list.
While I was reading, someone familiar caught the corner of my eye and I looked up to see none other than the Beadle Bamford not far away. I paid no attention to him and looked back at my list before gasping. 'I can get him the Beadle!' I thought excitedly to myself. Yes I would think of a way to lure him into Sweeney Todd's shop as soon as possible. Then he would see how helpful I could be! He'd love me for it…
The Beadle lingered by a few extravagantly dressed young women and tipped his hat at them as they walked by. Then it hit me. The entire plan revealed itself to me as if I were reading it from a book. I eagerly made my way over to him, being sure to swing my hips a bit more than usual. He looked up at me as I drew near and put on a smile, tipping his hat.
""Ello sir, how are ya doing on this fine day?" I asked with a sickly sweet grin.
"Not so bad and how about yerself?" he replied in his mealy voice.
"Spectacular", I said in a bubbly tone before making my voice huskier, "but I could be better…"
"Is that so?" he asked, beginning to catch my drift.
"Perhaps you would like to stop by sometime…say tomorrow?" I gave him a flirtatious smile.
"Yes", he said, leaning a bit closer to me, showing his yellow crooked teeth, "What time shall I pay you a visit madam?"
"Hmm say noon-ish?" I suggested and then leaned in and said in a quieter voice, "And be sure to say you're going elsewhere in your ledger in case someone gets suspicious. Meet me in Sweeney Todd's shop. He should be out for lunch at noon so we'd be alone."
He nodded, his breathing quickening, "Of course ma'am. You can count on seein' me there."
"Good day Beadle Bamford", I said, skirting away and waving my fingers over my shoulder at him.
I was a good twenty feet away before squealing with joy about my excellent plan. This was going to be perfect. Every last aspect was taken care of down to the tiniest detail. Of course Sweeney wouldn't be out for lunch at noon. I'd bring it to him as usual; the Beadle would arrive…and then never leave. It was flawless! I just prayed it would work out as I planned as I gathered the rest of the items on the list. 'Please, let at least this one thing go right!'
A/N: See? Told ya there'd be a great deal of plot movement in this chapter! Yay, please R&R and tell me what you think!
