The evening of the trial, Eleanore and Sweeney arrived home late and didn't speak. Sweeney dined alone while Eleanore retreated into her bedroom for the rest of the evening and didn't speak to him or Toby. At the end of the night when he'd cleared his dish away and passed her room, he could hear her crying inside.
He debated whether or not to go in and even brought his hand to the door handle, but after seeing some sense he turned and went back up to his barbershop. He had no right barging in on her while she was in her bedroom, and besides he had already done a lot for her today – he didn't want her to become clingy.
The next morning she was still relatively down but she turned on her smile as usual whilst serving the few customers who came for breakfast. However, Eleanore's fears returned when a mere hour after opening she spotted the figure of George running towards the shop in his usual police attire.
"Oh," She greeted "George, are ye alri-"
"I have to speak to you." He blurted, panting like he'd been running for quite some time. Something in Eleanore's gut twisted when he said that, and she became very worried.
"Why? Wots wrong?"
George shook his head, a concerned look in his eyes as he surveyed the few people that were around "Please, somewhere private."
Eleanore stuttered then turned to Toby who approached, sensing she needed something. "Um Toby love, do ye reckon you could cover for me darlin', just for a lil bit?"
"Sure mum. Take as long as ye need." He said cheerily.
"Thank you." She ruffled his hair. Bless that boy...
Her face became serious again when she turned to George and beckoned him inside the shop. "Come on."
She was aware of a few eyes on her from outside but before she could ask George anything he took her hand and pulled her further inside her home, insisting they needed to be far away in case someone was listening. That scared her too.
He stopped and turned when they reached the hall that led to the staircase up to Sweeney's apartment. The walls enclosed them, preventing anyone from seeing or hearing and so George let out a breath in relief.
"For god's sake calm down, love." She said fearfully "Jus' tell me what the matter is?"
George sighed before looking at her. He hesitated, then swallowed and said: "Wilkins is dead."
Eleanore stared at him, her mouth falling open. "Wot..?"
"Guard duty found him this morning, he hanged himself with his own sheets."
The baker felt as if the room was spinning around her. He was dead, the man who'd attacked her and Arthur was dead. Why was she not happy about this? Most people would be jumping for joy. But something just didn't make sense, it wasn't right.
"But...but how?" She stuttered "He woz scared of bein' hanged, he broke down in front o'the Jury...how could 'e jus' turn around and do that?"
"That's what I said," He agreed, happy that she was voicing her scepticism. This woman was far more intelligent than people gave her credit for. "I think it may have something to do with that he was telling me when we brought him back to his cell. He confessed everything to me, Eleanore. Then he started giving me names, telling me about a group of men he worked with. Begging for a re-trail if he came clean about the group involved."
"Wot group?" She squinted at him.
George groaned and took off his helmet, scratching his head. "I haven't been entirely honest with you, Eleanore." He said with a sigh "We think that Wilkins was part of the London Thorns,"
"I'm sorry the wot?"
"The London Thorns, they're a gang of thugs who've been giving the city and us policemen trouble for two decades now. They were originally based in Birmingham, now there's been reports of planned robberies, murders and all sorts of crimes across London and parts of England that we can connect to them. They're also very anti-liberal - which would perhaps explain why they attacked Arthur."
Eleanore blinked, her mouth wide open like a fish "Are you...are you sayin' that the attack on me an' Arthur was gang-related?"
George nodded gravely "I'm so sorry, I should have told you sooner but I didn't want to frighten you. When you said it was a murder attempt and not a robbery, you were right. They were trying to kill him and they were going to kill you too because you were a witness."
"But I still am a witness." She said after letting that sink in. "Wot if they come back ta try an finish me off?!"
George swallowed, not wanting to scare her further "I wouldn't think they'd be stupid enough to try it. The area is crawling with police more now than ever since the attack here – they'd surely be caught and these men are scared of the law the most."
Eleanore lowered her eyes, her thoughts racing. This was too much to handle. Gangs here in London? Attempted premeditated murder? What the hell had she gotten herself into?
"Wilkins asked specifically to be alone with me when the trial ended, he didn't want anyone else to hear or see." George continued "He was paranoid, said there were always people listening and watching. Once he told me everything, I left two guards on duty and planned to tell my superior the next morning. But then I found out he was dead. I think...someone paid off the guard to let them inside...finished him off before he could say anything else..."
Eleanore stared at him, her chest heaving "W- ye mean...someone went in an' paid off the guard ta bump 'im off?"
"That's exactly what I think." He said firmly "With Wilkins dead, there is no chance of a re-trial, he didn't tell another person exactly what he told me – therefore no one else can vouch for what was said. I came straight here when I heard the news, I still have to tell the Sykes as well."
At the thought of the family, a terrifying thought entered her mind. If this gang wanted to see Arthur dead, would they try again? She knew that not even a severe and brutal attack would stop Arthur from trying to become Prime Minister. The man was as stubborn as a mule. Too stubborn to die too it would seem. Would this not fuel another attempt at his life?
"Who's behind all this? The gang?" She asked after taking her time to gather her thoughts.
"We don't know, but someone powerful I suspect. Wilkins never told me, he said he was too afraid of the man to give his name. It was the only one he refused to say, but he gave me a handful of people he was close to."
"George, surely yer at risk if someone finds out what ye know?" She glanced around the hall, paranoid that she would see a head peering around the corner listening in on their conversation. The image was nightmare-inducing – she was going to be like this for God knows how long now.
"Which is precisely why I'm only telling you and Richard Sykes at the moment. Our police force is corrupt Eleanore, I've seen Officers being paid to do people's dirty work. Turpin is the worst for it." He spat and the baker tried not to flinch at the thought of him. "So I'm going to talk with my superiors and see if I can get myself on Arthurs case, the one that's intent on finding the second attacker. If I find him, I find the others. Then I can put an end to any future danger to yourself or this man's family."
"That's very brave of ya," Eleanore said quietly, unable to help herself.
Over the past month, she had grown very fond of George. He had been kind, cooperative and extremely selfless. She had to admit he was also extremely attractive, not that she would tell him. She supposed she felt this way mainly because the only man she loved had slept with her then tossed her aside when he remembered he was still married. And though he had been kind to her as of late it still did not change what had happened. George was always there to offer her comfort and appreciation, he showed that he cared about her more than any man had. It made her happy but it also made her heart ache, for he wasn't the one she wanted to be doing it.
"Thank you, but not nearly as brave as you." George smiled handsomely.
Eleanore lowered her eyes and chuckled. A quiet moment passed between the two that had Eleanore's heart thundering when she realised how close they were in that the hall.
George seemed to notice too and his eyes drifted to her lips, hesitantly he moved forward. Eleanore stood still with her back to the wall in a state of surprise, but she didn't pull back and instead closed her eyes as his lips touched hers-
The door to Sweeney's apartment at the top of the stairs flung open with a bang, causing both to jump back in fright. Out came an angry Sweeney, clutching a bloody hand and cursing loudly. When he got down a few steps he paused and stared at the couple at the bottom in their rather compromising position.
George was the first to clear his throat and speak, moving away from Nellie who brought a hand to her heaving chest.
"Good morning sir," He addressed merrily. Opposite him, Eleanore cringed at his cheerful tone and chanced a glance towards Sweeney but quickly regretted it.
The Demon Barber's piercing gaze was enough to reduce the young man to mere ash. Eleanore felt her stomach lurch at the murderous glint in his eyes and she could practically feel the anger radiating off him. She presumed it was because an officer was inside the establishment, but she couldn't have been further from the truth.
"What the hell are you two doing?" He asked gruffly.
"Nothin' love." She answered calmly before George could say another word. "Officer Brown was jus' tellin' me something important before he left."
George took the hint and bit his lip, nodding to the man at the top of the stairs and then turning to Eleanore to kiss her hand "I apologise for keeping you from your work, I will see you again later in the week. Good day, Eleanore."
She nodded sympathetically and watched him as he left the hall and made his way back out the shop. When she heard the door close she turned to look up at Sweeney who was glaring at her hatefully from the top of the stairs.
"Wot?" She snapped. What gave him the right to look at her like that?
The Demon Barber said nothing, and clutching his bloody hand, returned inside his apartment and slammed the door closed. Eleanore huffed at the bottom of the stairs, still a little shaken at the fact she had nearly kissed George. Bloody hell, what was she thinking? The man was nearly half her age, she could have been his mother!
A small smirk made its way across her mouth when she wondered if Sweeney was jealous. That was rather exciting to think.
Shaking her head she continued back into the shop to help Toby and was happy to be swept up in the distraction that was her work.
~•O•~
By the evening, Eleanore had forgotten all about Sweeney and her encounter with George, she hadn't however forgotten about Thomas Wilkins. No amount of distracting work could ever make her forget about him. She was now looking at every customer, ever passer-by in a different way. What if they were a part of this gang? Did they want her dead too? Had they killed people and gotten away with it before?
She was making herself sick with worry. It didn't help that almost every customer who had come into her shop after the afternoon rush knew about Thomas Wilkins apparent suicide. Eleanore had no idea how news could travel so fast in such a large city, but somehow things always came back to everyone and the people of London were happy at such news, she, however, was not.
The evening came and the sun began to set across the cobblestones when two familiar figures appeared on fleet Street. A man dressed in fine clothing clasping hands with a bonnet-clad little girl. Richard and Beth entered the pie shop and Eleanore was happy to see them, though she could tell from the expression on Richards's face that he too, was shaken from the news of Wilkins death.
"Hi, Eleanore!" Beth greeted happily "How are you? Father just picked me up from my piano lesson. I hate piano! But mother says I have to learn an instrument before I leave school."
"Oh well that's a shame, I never really liked playin' the piano much either but me mum was brilliant at it." She said, kneeling against one of the tables with her hands "Still got it in me parlour ta this day, doubt I'll ever play much again tho. Yer welcome ta use it for practising."
"No thanks, that's okay, I have my own in my bedroom." She said simply and Eleanore snorted. She'd missed this girl...
"You here for some of yer favourite biscuits Beth?" Eleanore asked knowingly as she and her father took a seat with the few other customers that were present.
"Yes please." She grinned.
"Actually not today, Eleanore." Richard corrected, "We won't be staying for long."
"Sure love." She nodded, noticing the way Beth pouted with amusement.
When the young girl caught sight of Toby serving ale, she gave him a wave and offered him a meek hello. One of the cups that were in Toby's hand slipped from his grip and clattered to the floor in response. Flaming red he scattered off before she could even say another word.
"Eleanore," Richard took off his hat. "I was hoping to talk to you, Officer Brown came by to my work earlier. He told me about...about father's attacker... I have to say I'm in a state of shock."
"I don't blame ya." She said, taking a new cup of ale from Toby who practically stared at the ground like a submissive puppy to avoid Beth making eye contact with him. She raised an eyebrow at him, unamused. Clearly this boy was mad as a hatter.
"Wot else did 'e tell ya?" Eleanore asked cautiously, aware that he had his daughter next to him and that Toby was just behind her. She didn't want to frighten the pair of them.
"He told me the same things he told you," Richard answered carefully, confirming her suspicions.
"I see." She nodded, sharing his fear.
"Papa, aren't you going to order anything? You should try Eleanore's treacle tarts, they're so good." Beth said beside him.
"No, Beth I told you we cannot stay for long. I have to talk to Eleanore about something." He said firmly but gently. "Alone."
"What about?" She inquired curiously.
"A certain someone's birthday soon." He lied and at once Beth's face lit up but fell when her father asked her if she could take a walk to the market so they could talk privately.
"But I don't want to go to the market!' she protested. "And I'm only ten, I shouldn't go by myself!"
Richard gritted his teeth. He hated it when his daughter made good points. Admitting defeat was hard enough for a man, especially when it was by his own child's doing.
"Why don't ya take Toby with ye?" Eleanore suggested much to his relief. "You can get some sweets?"
Beth looked unhappy at the suggestion but didn't outright protest. She glanced up to Toby who looked just as uncomfortable as her about the situation, he however looked fearful of going to the market place with her. She did scare him quite a bit...
"Does he want to come?" Beth asked, doubting very much that he did. The boy seemed to have some sort of problem with her for some reason. If they were forced to go on a walk together she would at least get to the bottom of it.
"Course 'e does. Don't cha Toby?" Eleanore answered quickly, turning to Toby who had no choice but to nod.
Beth huffed under her breath but took a few coins from her father in defeat and stood. "Okay..."
"Thank you." Richard smiled at her. "It's still light so you'll be fine if you stick together, don't be too long alright?"
The little girl nodded, her bonnet nearly slipping off her head in the process.
"You coming then?" She asked when Toby didn't move. Her short tone seemed to snap him out of it and he removed his apron and walked after her as she took off down fleet Street.
Eleanore turned back to Richard when they were out of sight and took a seat opposite him. "Who else knows?"
"Which bit? That Wilkins is dead or that a gang are trying to murder my father?"
"The latter."
"Brown informed me he had told you then me, that's all." Richard took a sip of his ale.
"So ye father doesn't know?" She asked, unsure of whether that was a good thing or not.
"No. And neither do my sister's. If they knew they would be absolutely terrified. Father is due to go back to Parliament soon as well, he'll make himself sick with worry if he knows a group of people are after him."
Eleanore exhaled deeply and licked her lips "Why would anyone want yer dad dead?"
"You'd be surprised." Richard uttered into his cup "Father's main aim if he were to become Prime Minister is to weed out corrupt members of the law and reforming it. Some people aren't too happy with the idea of having to pay workers what they deserve or giving money to the poor. Most good people in the world are wished dead, therefore I am not surprised."
Eleanore gulped. "So wot ye gonna do?"
"I'm going to hire a private detective to work with Brown on my father's case. He's only young and rising in the ranks so it'll be hard – and he's under the impression that some men in the police force will inform members of the gang if they find out what he knows."
Eleanore buried her face into her hands. "Ya don't...ya don't think they'll try anythin' again do ya? They won't come 'ere...ta me shop?"
"No. I don't think they will." He said firmly, though she sensed that his eyes said otherwise.
"Ya just tellin' me that ta make me feel better!" She snapped quietly. "Ow do I know they aren't sittin' ere now with us? I helped put one of their men behind bars, Richard! Of course, they're gonna be pissed about it!"
"They have no reason to come to you." He took his hand and placed it on hers, realising how hysterical she was becoming. "These men are smart, they wouldn't risk getting caught trying to make you pay for what you did. It's my family they're after, my father. While you're here you are safe, I swear I won't let anything happen to you. You protected my father so I will do the same."
Eleanore smiled weakly at him but shook her head "Don't make promises ye can't keep Richard."
He looked back at her sadly and at his hand that was resting on hers "I'm sorry you were ever pulled into this mess. I'm truly sorry..."
He let go of her hand and moved to pull away when she reached forward and took his hand again, surprising him.
"I'm not." She said, "I woulda never met yer wonderful family or gotten me business back up an' meself out of poverty – so don't you sit there feelin' sorry for yerself cause I won't have it, ya hear?"
She gave his hand a squeeze and was pleased to see a small smile return to his face. He squeezed her hand back and internally vowed to never take this woman for granted. "Thank you, Eleanore."
~•O•~
Meanwhile, at the quiet bustle of St. Dunstan's market, Beth handed an elderly lady some coins for a bag of mixed sweets while Toby got his usual toffees from the same lady. They hadn't spoken once since the rather awkward walk to the market and Beth just wanted to get home with her father and read her books.
"Thanks." She waved as they turned and headed back. As they walked she was aware that Toby seemed to be looking at her every so often, then turning away quickly when she looked back.
He cleared his throat. Say something, you idiot! Be polite. "So er, Bethany..." He began awkwardly "It's yer birthday soon?"
"First of all it's Beth," She said without looking at him as they walked "And yes it is. I'm glad to see you can talk."
Toby frowned, feeling a little embarrassed and stung that he'd forgotten her name. Well done moron! "Oh, sorry Beth I mean."
"Yes – not Bethany, I hate that name. And your Toby right?"
"Yes, miss. That's me."
Beth smirked at the way he was addressing her. She rather liked it. "So what was going on back there Toby? Whenever I come into the shop you don't speak to me, then when I said hello to you today you completely ignored me."
"Uh," Toby struggled "Sorry I didn't mean ta be rude to ya. I jus' get a lil shy around people that's all..." Just you, Beth. Only around you... He thought.
Beth rolled her eyes, not believing him for a second. She had been around many young boys before and none of them had been 'shy' around her. Granted Toby was the first working-class boy she knew so she suspected that he was merely pretending he liked her when he actually did not. She wouldn't have cared, lots of boys and girls didn't like her. However she wouldn't tolerate rudeness, her father had raised her better.
"Look, Toni." She stopped walking and turned, startling him. "I get that you don't like me and frankly I don't like you that much either. But if a lady says hello to you, you say hello back. Understand?"
Toby stared at her with wide eyes, he'd never been so terrified of a girl before in his life. Truthfully he did like her, yes she could be a little rude and she'd completely got the wrong idea about him. But he wouldn't have minded being friends with her. He'd never been friends with a girl before and as a result, he was a nervous wreck whenever she was around. He supposed he did come across rather mean when he did everything and anything to avoid speaking and looking at her, so for that he felt a little guilty.
"Understand?" She asked, poking him in the chest when he took too long to answer.
"Yes! I'm sorry." He squeaked. "It won't 'appen again."
"Good." She stuck out her chin and smiled. Toby could hardly keep up with how quickly her moods changed, she was like night and day this girl. "I'm glad that's settled. Let's go."
With a swish of her skirt, she began walking again and Toby stood still trying to process exactly what just happened. When he managed to make sense of it he walked after her as they made their way back to the pie shop.
As the two children passed one of the many designated alleys that littered London, they were unaware of a man dressed in a high collared jacket and bowler hat watching them. The man, who's skin was a sickly pale, took a deep inhale of his cigarette and threw it to the ground. Looking the other way he stepped out of the alley and adjusted his collar, following the youngsters.