A/N: Thanks to all those who've reviewed this story! Also my thanks to... For the constructive criticism of the last chapter, I wholeheartedly agree!
In the days that went by Sweeney was true to his word, every evening he dined with Toby and Eleanore and sometimes he sat and he listened to her read after helping out during the dinner time rush. He had also been attracting a lot of men to his shop lately and Eleanore was rather surprised to see a great many walk back out. It seemed Sweeney was rarely killing now, or if he was he was doing so outside his establishment.
Eleanore was grateful for the change, but it still was not enough to cheer her up. She spent most of the days trying to smile and go on as normal when inside she was breaking. Having Sweeney Todd so close to her would have been a dream, but she could still not have him despite the closeness and it was slowly killing her. She was aware that her mood change was likely obvious to Sweeney, but she didn't care. She doubted it would bother him much, they were just friends now and nothing more...
The day before the trial, Eleanore had informed her customers the shop would be closed and she and Toby decided to have a lie-in after such a busy shift. When she awoke the morning of the trial, Toby was still fast asleep and so she sat up against the headboard, stared at the wall and contemplated today's events and how they would unfold.
She had been anxious about this day for so long, and now it was finally here. What if Turpin didn't sentence this man and let him go free? Would he come back for her? Would he attempt to hurt Arthur again?
Standing from the bed she gave her hair a quick brush and pulled on her robe before slipping out of the bedroom. Walking through the parlour into her shop she froze.
"Oh," Sweeney was startled when he saw her, he was standing by the counter and appeared to be frying some eggs. He offered her a small smile "Morning. I thought I'd make breakfast today."
Eleanore blinked, feeling like she'd just woken up in an alternate universe. "Y-you made breakfast?"
He nodded sheepishly "Why don't you sit down and we can eat together?"
Eleanore stood still, dumbfounded for a moment before her legs finally began to move and she lowered herself into one of the booths. Sweeney deposited the eggs onto a plate with some ham and black pudding. He brought the plates over to the table then walked back to get a pot of tea for the two of them which he poured for her.
"Do you...'ave time for all this?" She asked incredulously.
"It's just breakfast." He responded lightly, pouring his own tea and sitting across from her. "I thought we could chat before you go to the courthouse and I have to open my shop."
Eleanore nodded mutely "Well, that's very kind o'ya."
Sweeney kept his eyes on her as she began to eat. He'd noted lately that she had lost that spark in her eyes when she usually talked to him. He didn't need to ask why. She was a strong woman and she was dignified, but he was not a fool, he knew when a woman was hurting.
"Nice ta 'ave someone else cook for a change." She said offhandedly before biting into a piece of toast. "Been awful busy."
"Yes." He said, "I know you've been melancholy lately too."
Eleanore stopped eating to look at him coldly then look away and continue eating "Jus' anxious about the trial that's all..."
Sweeney stayed quiet, though he suspected she was telling the truth, he didn't buy it for one moment that the trial was the cause of her sadness. He only had himself to blame really. He'd slept with her then discarded her like a broken, unwanted toy. No wonder she was still hurting...
"Well," He began awkwardly after a moment, "I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. The Judge will make sure the crook will pay what he's due."
"Turpin is the Judge, Sweeney." She told him.
Sweeney's eyes widened and he stopped what he was doing. The pair grew quiet as Sweeney absorbed her words. So Turpin was there, he was going to be present and passing the sentence on the man that had attacked Eleanore and the old MP. Now he understood why she was so nervous, Turpin was painfully corrupt. A pain he knew all too well.
"Well..." He croaked "Wots Turpin got to gain from letting a criminal go scott free?"
"I don't know. But I 'ave this bad feelin'. I got it the day ye were sent away, the night before Lucy committed suicide. I'm gettin' it again now." She said fearfully "I'm scared, Sweeney..."
Sweeney's heart began to thump, her words making him uneasy himself. He wasn't sure what to say in that exact moment, whether he should voice his own concern or tell her she was being paranoid. Neither was particularly appealing to him so he remained silent for a while.
"Eleanore..." He started.
A shuffle from the parlour had both their heads turning and looking over to Toby who stood by the door rubbing his tired eyes. Eleanore at once smiled, though it didn't fully reach her eyes "Mornin' love, 'ad quite the nice sleep today us two. Only jus' got up meself."
"Morning, mum." He uttered shuffling into the shop.
Sweeney had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. Of course, the boy had to come in and interrupt them during a conversation.
Toby took one of the plates from the cupboard and moved over to the pan where Sweeney had cooked the food. "Thanks for makin' breakfast, mum. Looks delicious."
"Actually it was Sweeney, love. So ye can thank 'im."
"Huh?" Toby frowned.
Sweeney cleared his throat awkwardly "Yes, err help yourself. I only did two eggs but you can have mine if you want, I need to get back to me shop soon anyway."
Toby stared at the man like he had two head for a solid five seconds. "Mista Todd, are you feelin' alright?"
"Fine." He said coolly. "Perfectly. Just take it if you want it."
Toby blinked as he moved over to the two with his own plate and reached for Sweeney's egg with his fork "Well...thanks..."
Eleanore watched the pair with amusement as her little boy took a seat next to a now grumpy Sweeney. She hoped in time the pair would learn to get along, that would certainly make her happy. If she could find any happiness at the moment...
After an awkward breakfast with Toby and Eleanore doing the majority of the talking, Eleanore cleaned the dishes and went to her bedroom to wash up. When noon arrived she put on a simple but pretty blue dress and styled her hair into a neat bun atop her head. She applied a little blush and red to her lips and stared at her reflection, taking in her sad, anxious eyes and pale face with a sigh. She supposed she would have to do. The only person who's opinion of her looks she cared about was Sweeney's, and he certainly wouldn't be complimenting her any time soon.
After bidding Toby goodbye she stepped into the waiting carriage outside the shop. With her head against the window, she glanced up and saw the silhouette of Sweeney Todd stood by his window gazing down on her. Glancing away as the driver hit the reigns she began to head towards the courthouse.
~•O•~
When Eleanore first arrived, she was greeted inside by a number of people, most of which were the Sykes family and of course her favourite man in the world; Mr Charles Holton. He, unlike the rest of the family, refused to greet her in person and opted to shuffle through his papers at one of the front desks pretending to be busy. He and Arthur would sit for the remainder of the trial at the front on the left while the prisoner would sit in the other.
The courtroom was very grand and unchanged from when she had first had to testify in the trial of Benjamin Barker. The memory of her former younger self stood on that stand, facing the Jury and the vulture himself made her stomach clench and her palms sweat. Now she was back and facing the same man all those years ago.
Eleanore was surprised to see that the town's doctor was also present and talking to Charles while they were apparently waiting for the Jury to arrive and begin the trial. George Brown was also here which pleasantly surprised her, still dressed in his formal police attire and looking dashing as ever.
She approached him with a smile "Ello, George. I didn't know you were gonna be 'ere."
"Well they wanted to call an arresting officer to testify as a witness and Officer Stapple was occupied so - here I am." He smiled broadly "It seems we'll both be testifying after the other. You'll be called first, I second and Dr Langdon last. You look nervous..."
Eleanore fiddled with her earlobe awkwardly at his concerned voice "I'm jus' a little anxious bout wot will 'appen is all. Last time I 'ad to stand trial...it- jus' brings back some not nice memories..."
George nodded sympathetically "I understand. This will be a stressful day, but try not to worry. You just be yourself and tell the truth - that's all that matters. Show the jury just how brave you truly are."
Eleanore bit back a smile. She had missed the young man's lovely compliments - despite their vastly different age gap.
"We'll have a drink you an' I," She suggested, "Sometime in me shop once the trails over...I'd love ta catch up."
"I'd like that, I'd like that very much.," He grinned.
"Eleanore." Edith came from behind her "The clerks just told me the trial is about to start in a few minutes, they'd like you to sit with the other witnesses on the front row."
Eleanore felt her heart begin to race, this was it. "Sure, love."
Herself, George and Doctor Langdon all sat on a designated row while Arthur's family sat behind, he himself took a seat with Charles at the front as a door in the back opened and out stepped a handful of men in crisp white wigs in black robes. They all took seats on high platforms around the stand and Eleanore gulped at how intimidating these men truly were.
Another door opened and out stepped the very man that had gotten her into this mess. His hands were cuffed with loose chains at his front, his eye covered with a thick bandage as he, a fellow policeman escorting him and a gentleman in a top hat were seated at the other side of the room. As the crook entered, his one eye met Eleanore and a silent exchange of hostility was passed between the two. Eleanore turned her head away in disgust when he had the nerve to smirk at her.
Eleanore lowered her head and inhaled. She felt a hand touch her own and she jumped. Looking beside her she realised it was George, offering her a smile in comfort and merely covering his hand over hers. She smiled back and patted his hand, telling him that she was okay. He removed his hand just as the police officer who brought in the prisoner spoke.
"Today's trail holds a Mr Thomas Wilkins on account of assault and battery against a Mr Arthur Sykes." He announced. "Please rise for the honourable Judge Turpin."
Silently everyone rose, a great majority of Arthur's family doing it with a cold look in their eyes. There was nothing honourable about Judge Turpin. Had she the guts, Eleanore would have burst out into laughter – but she didn't want to be sentenced to death either.
Judge Turpin entered, murmuring to his fellow associates and making his way up to the grand podium in the centre. His eyes landed on Eleanore at first, then caught the eye of Edith. She watched as his lip twitched into a smile as he took his seat and banged his gavel "Please be seated."
There was a rustle of clothing as everyone did so. Beside a stony-faced Edith, Richard had his eyes on the man in the top hat next to his father's attacker.
"How the hell did a man of his class afford a lawyer?" He hissed.
"No idea." She answered quietly.
"Thomas Wilkin's," Turpin's powerful voice echoed throughout the courtroom and was enough to send shivers down Eleanore's spine "You have been brought here today charged with the brutal beating and robbery of Mr Sykes. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty, yer honour." He said, and Eleanore could hear the confidence oozing from his voice.
"I see you have also managed to afford a defence lawyer." He addressed the bearded gentleman next to him "Well? Begin."
The man stood "Your honour, my client has been a victim of circumstance, simply happening to pass the scene of a crime and becoming caught up in it. Not only is he an innocent bystander, but he is also a victim of a terrible injury by the vicious harpy that's sitting there on the front row!"
Eleanore's mouth twisted into a snarl and she moved as if ready to get up when Maud placed a hand on her shoulder from behind in an effort to calm her down.
Judge Turpin laughed heartily and it was a menacing sound to behold. "Sir, you are implying that this... petite young baker-" His eyes travelled her small body with scrutiny "Is capable of vicious brutality? I think we can all agree that this lady is perfectly harmless-looking."
"With respect your honour, she has injured my client permanently - she should be punished for it." The lawyer protested.
"I will be the one to decide that," Turpin said coolly. The man shut his mouth and grew quiet and so the Judge then turned to Charles who shut down Mr Wilkins lawyer completely. As much as the baker hated Charles, she had to admit he was good at his job, he got the point across and did not stand for the tales of the crook being an 'innocent bystander.' The fuck he woz...
Turpin then turned his attention to Arthur, asking him about that night. Arthur was extremely calm and answered each question clearly and without stuttering once. The man's speaking skills were exemplary and effortlessly made everyone in the room, even Turpin, look articulate.
"I will now ask the first witness - Mrs Eleanore Josephine Lovett to the stand," said Turpin, raising his eyes again to her.
Eleanore swallowed her nerves and rose, keeping her chin up as she glided across the floor in her dress and stepped up to the stand to face the Jury's penetrating gaze.
"Eleanore Lovett, could you please tell me - in summary - what happened on the night of August 1st outside your shop?"
Eleanore cleared her throat and began describing everything to the exact detail.
"And can you identify one of the men that attacked Mr Skykes and yourself in this courtroom?" Turpin leaned forward, his height on the podium allowing him to see her breasts as they strained against her pretty corset.
"Yes, your honour." She nodded over in the direction of Mr Wilkins "The one wif the eye patch."
A titter of laughter passed through the Jury and Mr Wilkins clenched his jaw in anger. Turpin hummed in amusement, "You remember giving him this injury, during your struggle?"
"Yes, I do your honour."
"And how exactly did you injure him so?"
Eleanore swallowed and looked at the crook who looked right back at her "I put a shard o'glass in 'is eye..."
The Jury grew quiet, seemingly disturbed. Turpin, however, looked entertained, even proud "And why, did you do this?"
Eleanore hesitated, the man's cold amused eyes making her breath quicken and hate rise from deep within her heart. "Because I believe that any man who lays 'is hands on a woman, deserves ta be in pain...your honour..."
Edith heard the restrain in her voice and she knew she was speaking directly to Turpin for his crimes against her friend Lucy, and however many more there were out there...
The Judge nodded. "Well said, my dear."
Eleanore let out a breath in order to calm herself. Don't lose ya head, Nellie. 'Old yerself together...
The worst of her part in the trail was done, and Mr Wilkins' pansy lawyer's accusations were nothing compared to the questioning of Judge Turpin. Soon she was allowed to return to her seat and Turpin called on George as his next witness. By this point, Mr Wilkins and his lawyer were looking extremely nervous as the odds were becoming more and more stacked against them with no witnesses of their own to defend their case.
George, like Arthur, kept his tone cool and professional, no more different than when Eleanore had first met him while he was on duty. He was sent back to his seat when he too confirmed that Mr Wilkins was indeed at the scene of the crime and had been part of the violence committed against Arthur and herself.
When the third and final witness was called to the stand, Eleanore noted that Mr Wilkins was looking quite pale and nowhere near as smug as he was when he first entered. A thin sheen of sweat had broken out across his forehead and he looked about ready to throw up. If he was charged guilty, there was no doubt that he would be sent to the gallows. He was now beginning to regret everything...
Doctor Langdon was very informative about the injuries and damage done to both Mr Wilkins and Arthur. Eleanore had not realised how badly injured and painful Arthur's recovery had been in the hospital while she had been working back at the shop. The doctor was convinced that the thug had actually fractured the old man's skull. Had he been a few inches closer to his temple, he would have killed him.
Finally, after murmuring briefly with the Jury, Turpin called the accused man to the stand. Mr Wilkins raised from his seat on trembling legs and tried to appear strong, but it was not working in the least bit.
"Mr Holton," Turpin said after briefly questioning Mr Wilkins "You may proceed with questioning the accused."
Charles gave his signature smirk and raised to address the scared man in the stand. "Mr Wilkins, it is by now obvious – and judging by the perspiration on your face – that you are in fact guilty. My question to you is, why? Three credible witnesses excluding that of my own client have placed your face at the scene of the crime - why would a man such as yourself be so cruel to attack an elderly man on his way home?"
Mr Wilkins did not answer straight away and Eleanore could see that the pressure was beginning to make him crack, but he was desperately trying not to show it. "I...I didn't attack him."
"Oh enough with the fairytales!" Charles bellowed, scaring a great many of them on their seats. "The only way you can perhaps repent for such a crime would be if you start being honest with the jury and the witnesses in this courtroom."
"I wasn't part of it I tell ya! It- It wasn't me!" He argued or rather pleaded.
"Mr Wilkins you try my patience!" Charles approached him menacingly, his eyes burning with malice.
"Your honour, this man is badgering my client!" Wilkins lawyer protested.
"Just as you badgered, Mrs Lovett on the stand." He responded coolly, surprising Eleanore by coming to her defence. "Mr Holton you may proceed."
"Thank you, your honour." He nodded gratefully. He drew in a breath and this time took a much softer approach "Do you believe in God, Mr Wilkins?"
"I-"
"Your honour what does this have to do with anything?!" Wilkins lawyer snapped.
Turpin slammed down his gavel and Eleanore's heart nearly stopped as he yelled at the man to be quiet.
"Of course I do..." Wilkins answered hesitatingly.
"And is it not customary for a sinner, to confess his sins or should he be judged for eternity?" Charles almost purred. "Would you risk damnation in the eyes of God if you were to die a liar and a sinner, Mr Wilkins?"
Wilkins' desperate eyes turned to the jury who were as hard-faced and un-emotional as stone gargoyles.
"Please," He shook his head "I am innocent! You 'ave ta, believe me, I am innocent!"
"You orchestrated the attack with a fellow friend didn't you?" Charles continued his line of interrogation and there was no stopping him "You watched with glee as a man of sixty-eight fought for his life and was beaten and bludgeoned to near death on the streets of London only to be saved by a baker who had the courage to step in and stop you!"
Eleanore rolled her eyes at his last comment, no way did he believe what he was saying. He hated her guts, and the feeling was most definitely mutual.
"I was only doing wot I woz told!" Wilkins cried.
A gasp emitted across the room and Eleanore's chest heaved. Wilkins seems to realised the meaning of his words too late and buried his face into his hands, quietly repeating "I woz just doing what I woz told..."
Charles stood straighter, his smirk returning as he turned to address the Jury and the Judge himself "No further questions, your honour."
Amelia clapped her hands together in support of her husband but flushed red when she realised no one was clapping with her. Charles shot her a nasty glare and she instantly lowered her head in embarrassment.
After a moment of bone-crushing silence, Judge Turpin sighed then sat up straighter as he gathered his papers "Myself and the Jury will now step away to determine the prisoner's fate."
Wilkins watched with tears in his eye from his place on the stand as they walked into the room they had entered from and shut the door with a bang.
Everyone was silent, all that could be heard was the slow swinging dial of the grandfather clock in the corner of the room and Mr Wilkins ragged breaths as reality sunk in that he was about to be sentenced.
Eleanore looked over her shoulder to Edith and Richard who looked equally as nervous as the other. She turned back to look at the oak door, wanting it to open anytime now and give them their answer.