Chapter Twelve
Toby was bored. The afternoon had passed by slowly, and Remmy didn't wake from her deep sleep. Mrs Lovett announced the young girl was too ill to work, meaning it was just her and Toby that evening. Toby didn't mind that much, but he much preferred it when Remmy was working with them.
It was a busy evening, with plenty of customers, so Toby ran around quite a bit. His legs were beginning to ache as well, making the evening worse for him.
Sighing, the young boy topped up another glass of ale for a demanding customer, wishing Remmy was there.
His mind wandered to Remmy once more, but he quickly brought it back to what he was doing. He couldn't loose concentration.
Mrs Lovett, unaware of Toby's lack of enthusiasm and concentration, wandered around contently, humming to herself and talking to the customers occasionally. She was feeling quite happy with herself. She had not only given Sweeney the help he needed, but he had thanked her for it!
Mrs Lovett's heart gave a small leap inside her chest as his words rolled around in her mind. He had thanked her! He was grateful for her help!
"Mrs Lovett,"
Mrs Lovett jumped, slightly startled as Toby interrupted her thoughts. She smiled down at the young boy.
"Yes, deary?"
"Can I see if Remmy's up yet?" Toby asked hopefully. Mrs Lovett frowned sadly as she gently placed her hand on his cheek.
"Best leave her, love."
Toby's face fell as he moved away from Mrs Lovett. She sighed sadly, but smiled as one of the customers began telling her how much they enjoyed her pies.
Toby wandered around aimlessly, occasionally filling up a glass of ale or collecting empty plates, thinking about Remmy. He wanted her to get better. He was so bored without her.
"Hello again, Toby!"
Toby looked up at the smiling Jacob, but this time he was not accompanied by the girl he had first seen her with. Instead, a tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes stood by his side, making Toby feel very short. He looked up at the man inquiringly, but couldn't meet his eyes.
"Hello Jacob." He mumbled, looking away quickly.
"What's wrong?" Jacob asked, his brow furrowing. He looked around. "And where's Remmy?" He demanded. Beside him, the tall man was looking around with a frown.
"Remmy's ill." Toby answered dully.
"Ill? What's wrong with her?" Jacob asked sharply. Toby was surprised.
"I don't know…she has a fever or something."
Jacob muttered something under his breath, and then turned to Toby with an odd expression on his face.
"A fever, you say? When did this…fever occur?"
"Last night. She's been sleeping all day." Toby informed him.
"I need to see her." Jacob said, walking around Toby. The young boy quickly jumped in front of him.
"You can't."
Jacob's face hardened. "And why not?"
"N-no one is a-allowed to s-see her."
"I have to, Toby."
"I'm sorry, but-"
"You alright, Toby, love?"
Toby spun around gratefully to face Mrs Lovett.
"No one is allowed to see Remmy, are they?"
Mrs Lovett looked up at Jacob, frowning. "No…why, do you want to see her?"
"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent, m'am." Jacob said politely.
"Well I'm sorry, but you can't. She's sleeping."
"Please, m'am. I've known Remmy for many years now. She's like a sister to me. I can't bear not knowing if she is alright."
Mrs Lovett eyed Jacob apprehensively. He seemed to be telling his truth, his eyes were shining with hope as he gazed at her. Sighing, she nodded.
"Go on, then. Toby will show you the way," She said. "But you'll have to stay here." She told the blonde man, who nodded.
"Thank you, m'am. I am eternally grateful!"
Toby scowled to himself, annoyed that Jacob was allowed to visit Remmy and he wasn't. He silently led Jacob inside and to Remmy's room.
"She might be asleep." Toby warned.
"That's fine, I can wait."
Toby frowned, but opened the door for Jacob and then walked back outside. Jacob smirked as he stepped into Remmy's room. She was asleep, curled up like a little cat. His smirk became more pronounced as he walked forwards and sat on her bed.
Remmy stirred slightly, her brow furrowing, but she didn't wake. Rolling his eyes, Jacob placed a hand on her shoulder and roughly shook her. Remmy's eyes snapped open, and she shot up in surprise.
"I wasn't aware you were so eager to see me!" Jacob said, laughing. Remmy's mouth fell open as she quickly scrambled away, bringing her knees to her chest. "Oh Remmy, don't worry, I am not here to hurt you!"
"What are you here to do then?" Remmy murmured, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I am simply here to check on your wellbeing."
Remmy snorted. "More like you're here to check that I'm not getting too sentimental."
"Mmm, I suppose that contributes to the visit as well."
Remmy scowled and hugged her knees, resting her chin on them. "Where's Amelia, then?" She asked bitterly. Jacob laughed.
"You speak as if you dislike her." He said, shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter whether I like her or not. Where is she?" Remmy snapped back. Jacob raised an eyebrow before answering.
"At home, where she belongs. I'm dining with Alec tonight. I thought it was only fair he could catch a glimpse of our lovely friend, Benjamin, before he goes behind bars."
Remmy flinched. "Do we have to do this?" She whispered.
"Excuse me?" Jacob asked incredulously, his eyes glinting.
"Nothing." Remmy said quickly, realising her mistake. You didn't question Jacob. Not if you knew what was best.
"What did you say, Remmia?" Jacob said, dangerously calm.
"Nothing. I said nothing!"
Jacob stood up with one swift movement, grabbing Remmy's hair and yanking her head back so she had to face him. He towered over her, a large scowl on his face.
"What did you say?" He growled.
"I said do we have to do this?" Remmy cried, tears trickling down her cheeks. "Let go, please!"
Jacob let go of Remmy and sat down again. She glared at him as she shuffled away from him, leaning in the corner where her bed board met the wall and wiping the tears away from her cheeks.
"So? Are you going to answer me?" She asked daringly.
"Remmy, dear, of course we have to do this," Jacob said, smiling as he placed a hand on her cheek, stroking it with his thumb. "That man murdered my uncle and many other innocent men. Is it fair that he is walking free while they are in their early graves?"
Remmy shook her head, looking away.
"It isn't fair…but he's my father." She pleaded.
"And he murdered my uncle, the only family I had left."
"He's the only family I have left now!" Remmy said, tears spilling over onto her cheeks. Jacob gently wiped them away.
"Remmy, listen to me. He. Is. A. Murderer." He said firmly.
"He's. My. Father." Remmy replied just as firmly.
"Tough, the plan has been organised and we are going through with it. Got that?" Jacob asked. Remmy looked away, but he took her chin in his hand and forced her to look back at him. "Got that?" He repeated.
"Yes." Remmy sighed. Jacob smiled.
"Good girl."
At that point, the door slammed open, making Jacob and Remmy jump. Sweeney stood in the doorway, glaring at Jacob.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded roughly. Jacob smiled as he calmly stood up.
"Ah, Mr Todd, a pleasure to see you once more." He said, holding his hand out. Sweeney's eyes didn't leave Jacob's face as he shook it.
"Likewise," He said through gritted teeth. "What are you doing here?"
Jacob smiled over at Remmy, who was watching fearfully, before smiling at Sweeney once more.
"I was simply visiting Remmy. Mrs Lovett told me it was fine to, seeing as Remmy is like a sister to me."
Remmy resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"You're going to have to leave now." Sweeney told him.
"Can I not-"
"Now."
Jacob frowned in defeat before turning to face Remmy.
"Get well soon, Remmy, and please come over again when you are well enough. Alec and Amelia are eager to see you again." He said. Nodding at Sweeney, he left the room.
Sweeney muttered something incoherently before looking at Remmy, who was watching him warily.
"Thank you." She said quietly.
"For what?" Sweeney asked, his brow furrowing as he sat down on the bed. The contrast between him and Jacob almost made Remmy laugh.
"I wanted him to leave, but Jacob can be very persistent when he wants to be." Remmy said, frowning slightly. Sweeney nodded, and the two sat in silence for a few minutes.
"Remmy," Sweeney said quietly, breaking the silence. "Do you trust me?"
Remmy blinked. "Of course I do, Father."
Sweeney looked up at her, his darks eyes meeting hers. As he looked into her eyes, he could see the fear that was well hidden.
"Then please tell me what is troubling you."
Remmy swallowed anxiously, seeing the hurt in Sweeney's eyes. She hated to think she was hurting him, but she knew she couldn't tell the truth.
"Just…everything," She said, sighing. "It's just so odd, trying to adapt to living here. I think I have done quite well so far, but sometimes I miss home so much."
Sweeney looked at her, his eyebrow raised, before nodding.
"If that is all…" He murmured, standing up.
"Wait," Remmy pleaded. Sweeney looked down at her in surprise. "Please don't go."
"You want me to stay?"
Remmy nodded. "Please."
Sweeney's lip twitched, a small smile playing on his lips, as he sat back down. Remmy smiled and surprised both of them by suddenly leaning forwards and wrapping her small arms around his waist. Sweeney put a strong arm around her shoulders, holding her close, and the two sat together in silence.
