A Lonely Spirit Guiding

Mrs. Lovett wiped at the dirty counter with a rag, the repetitious motions working their way into a rhythm. Her mind was nowhere on the task or the small boy sitting at the table, sipping at a glass of gin. She didn't mind. Whatever Toby wanted to do. Besides, a little bit of gin wouldn't hurt anyone, right? Sighing, Eleanor scrubbed harder, fighting to keep all images of him from her mind. The way he wouldn't even look at her. He never ate. He never slept. She could hear him pacing all night long. Her upper lip curled into a sneer, and Mrs. Lovett turned away from the counter, tilting her head back and attempting to compose herself. Did he not see how much she needed him? Fifteen damn years she'd waited. And all Sweeney Todd did was ignore her. Did he not remember the way they used to be? The way he used to call her Nellie and bake pies with her and laugh and sit in the parlor and read? Did he not remember the last time they saw each other?

Tears pricked at her eyes, and Mrs. Lovett furiously blinked them away. No. She was finished crying. She had done enough for a lifetime over the past fifteen years. Taking a deep breath, Mrs. Lovett tossed the rag down and began searching through the cabinets for the herbs she needed to use for her pies. She might as well make some more before she took care of the bodies in the bakehouse. Rummaging through the cabinets, it was easy to forget Toby sat at the table, watching her all this time. However, he soon made his presence quite clear.

"Mum?" he asked timidly, and Mrs. Lovett grunted. "Why do you love Mr. Todd when you know he'll never love you back?"

THWACK

Mrs. Lovett yanked her head out of the cabinet, rubbing the top of her head as she whirled to face Toby. But instead of anger, her face was filled with sorrow. She trembled once before looking down at the floor, and at once she could tell Toby was sorry she asked. Giving a sad smile, Nellie's eyes flickered back up to Toby. "You wouldn't understand," she whispered, barely able to get the words out. Suddenly, grief was wrapping its fingers around her throat, and all the sorrow of the past months was hitting her at once. Fighting for her composure, Mrs. Lovett twisted on her heel and made for her parlor, but Toby was faster. He caught her arm in his small hand, concern coloring his face. "It's okay, mum," he whispered, enveloping her in an embrace. "You'll always have me."