25) -
Beadle Bamford,
It has come to my attention that a young boy currently residing in London after travelling has taken an interest in Abby, whom I know is being courted by you, and intends to ask my permission to court her. He shall be here this evening at precisely seven o' clock, and I would be most grateful if you would meet him so to discourage him from making such a foolish mistake.
Yours sincerly,
Sweeney Todd.
Sweeney sighed his name with flourish, staring at the carefully written note.
Would he fall for it?
Sweeney needed him to fall for it.
For Abby.
It was his place to protect his daughters, and if murder was the only way, then so be it.
Tucking the letter into an ivory envelope, Sweeney then began a similar note to Turpin, this time regarding Johanna. He knew that if he mentioned the sailor boy, Turpin's better judgement would be clouded by fury that another man had taken an interest in the woman he had forbidden to take an interest in.
Sweeney sincerly hoped that Anthony would not be around by the time Turpin arrived.
This letter was also placed into an ivory envelope, Turpin's name printed on the front.
Envelopes in hand, Sweeney rose from his desk and strode across the room. He needed Toby.
Pausing at the door, Sweeney frowned as he saw Mrs Lovett. As usual, the woman was flitting about, to and from rooms and disappearing upstairs occasionally.
Sensing eyes on him, his attention was drawn from the baker to his youngest daughter, who was staring at him with sleepy eyes through the glass with a small frown that matched his own.
Realisation dawned on him; he had been watching Mrs Lovett for far too long.
"Hello, Father." Was Abby's soft greeting, accompanied by a tiny smile.
"'Ello, Mr T."
It was only then that the barber noticed Toby sitting next to Abby, their hands intertwined beneath the table. Perhaps they thought that he couldn't see said hands.
"Toby, are you busy?" He asked.
The young boy blinked stupidly before shaking his head. "No, sir. Is there something you want me to do?"
"Do you know where the old bailey is?"
"Yes, sir, I do. I ain't never been in there, of course."
"You need to now," Sweeney said impatiently. "Take these."
Toby scrambled up, tripping over his own feet as he hurried across the room to take the envelopes from Sweeney.
"Who are these for?" He asked, still finding reading difficult. Abby rose, her actions far more graceful than Toby's, and stood next to him.
Her face turned pale.
"Is he coming here?" She asked.
Sweeney hated himself the moment he looked into her eyes, seeing the pure fear shining in them as she stared up at him.
"Yes," He muttered finally. "But neither of them shall even know you're here."
"'Ave I got to deliver these, Mr T?"
Sweeney nodded at the young boy. "Give the letters to them personally. Do not allow anyone else to take them from you."
"Of course not, Mr T. I won't be long." Toby promised, pushing his shoulders back and holding his head high. His confident stance faltered slightly the moment he was out of the door.
Sweeney and Abby stood in silence, Sweeney unable to take his eyes of his daughter.
"What do you plan on doing to them?" She asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"I think you may already know, Abby."
Abby nodded. "I think I may do."
"We're leaving."
The youngest Barker girl's head snapped up, her brow furrowing as she stared at her father.
"What?"
Sweeney tried to stop his lips twitching slightly; though she looked like Lucy, Abby was most definately raised by Eleanor Lovett.
"We're leaving," He repeated. "In the early hours of the morning."
"All of us? Auntie Nell and Lily as well? And Toby?"
A quick jerk of the head confirmed Abby's demands. She bit her bottom lip for a moment.
"Where will we go?"
"Where will we go?" A voice repeated. "What are you talking bout, Abby?"
Mrs Lovett.
Sweeney's jaw tightened as the baker entered the room, her cheery smile faltering slightly when she saw him.
"Oh, 'ello Mr T," She said cooly. "Everything alright?"
He nodded once. "Tonight." Was all he said before turning his back on her and leaving the shop, the door slamming shut behind him.
Abby flinched at the sound.
"Father says we're all leaving tonight," She said. "Is this true, Auntie Nell?"
Mrs Lovett hesitated before nodding. "Yes, love, it is. But it's for the best."
"I understand."
A smile graced her lips as the baker walked forwards, pulling Abby into a soft hug.
"You are a good girl, y'know that?" She said softly.
Abby smiled, leaning into Mrs Lovett's embrace for a moment before pulling away.
"I suppose I had better start packing, hadn't I?"
Chuckling, Mrs Lovett took Abby's hand in her own.
"Y'know what, love? I think we ought to tell Lily and Johanna that we're leaving first."
Why was he taking so long?
Sweeney paced back and forth impatiently, each step creating more anger inside him.
Was Toby back yet?
He paused in his pacing to glare out of the window at the dull rooftops of London, his eyes narrowing when he didn't see Toby.
Where was he?
Questions plagued Sweeney's mind as he continued to pace furiously, stopping only when a soft knock at the door was heard.
"Come in." He growled.
The door creaked open, slowly followed by Toby shuffling into the room. Sweeney stared at him with dark eyes.
"Well?"
"I did it, Mr T," Toby announced proudly. "Put the letter straight into their 'ands, I did."
"I've got him."
"Huh?"
Sweeney's head snapped up again as he realised Toby was still in the room.
"Get out." He ordered. Toby hurridedly obeyed, practically running out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him.
Picking up his razor, the blade gleaming softly in the moonlight, a small smirk appeared on Sweeney's face.
Tonight would be the night.
Thank you MrsNellieLovettTodd, CadyD, a raven like a writing desk, babyvfan and The FanFic Critic for reviewing!
Referring to CadyD's question, Lily and Johanna are sixteen, Toby and Abby are thirteen going on fourteen. I hope that helps!
I don't know when the next update shall be; I have a fortnight of mock exams, my first photography one being tomorrow, coming up so most of my time shall be spent revising.