A/N: What's this? I updated? In less than a week? I know I'm shocked too haha, let's hope I can start pumping these chapters out regularly like before. Thanks for reading!

~•O•~

The next three days passed and Sweeney was back to himself albeit more determined than ever to slit Turpin's throat.

He and Eleanore continued their businesses as usual and catered to the high amount of customers that had grown in the last few months. Now and then Sweeney would have to ask Toby for his help in sweeping up the shop before each customer to keep up. Toby never once complained and as soon as the work was done, he was off back down to help his mother serving the customers below.

Sweeney was grateful for the help, after all, work was taking up a lot of his time. He was beginning to grow quite fond of the lad and he could see why Eleanore appreciated him so much. He was a massive help.

Eleanore had been throwing herself into work more than ever, using it as a distraction to forget about her recent symptoms. Since Joanna had left, the baker had done a thoroughly good job of convincing herself that nothing was wrong with her and she simply had a stomach bug. Luckily no sickness had come since that night and this was what managed to put her worry to ease.

But she wasn't entirely happy.

She and the barber were on good terms, but there was obvious tension on the matter of the Judge. Sweeney was up every night, planning and trying to figure out Turpin's routine with slow progress.

Once he had managed to do so, he would be able to find the perfect time to strike. This meant he spent little time with the baker and the majority of his time locked up in his shop, occasionally opening to make the odd few shillings.

He was more paranoid than ever, constantly worrying about the baker downstairs. He never let her go to the market without him accompanying her and he certainly did not let her do the evening rush without Toby. He was too afraid. Both of them were so very afraid and it was creating a strain on their relationship.

On the third day, Eleanore was pleasantly surprised by Amelia and Edith coming to her shop for lunch. Naturally, she sat with them briefly and the two proposed an afternoon out on Monday to Westminster, to hear their father give a brief speech and spend the day shopping. At first, the baker wasn't so sure. But after being stuck inside for so long and losing sleep over Sweeney she decided she deserved a much-needed break. Once the pair had left she had convinced Sweeney to let her go and that she would be back within a few hours.

Sweeney had not been pleased with the idea, but he had relented after her sheer stubbornness made him give up. She was on edge and looking rather pale these days, she needed some space and he wasn't going to deny her because he was too worried about something happening to her. At least she wouldn't be alone, he trusted thebwomen and he knew Edith would watch over her.

Therefore on Monday he decided he would close the shop early and take a break himself, he was barely sleeping these days and he needed his strength to execute Turpin's murder.

When Monday finally arrived, Eleanore dressed up in her best and cheerfully kissed Sweeney and Toby on the cheek before heading off to the waiting carriage outside. Sweeney watched her go and told himself she would be fine, he needed to stop worrying. To distract himself, he began opening up the shop and with Toby's help, shaved and cut a handful of men's hair. By the early afternoon, he decided he was done and began clearing up. He needed to resume his planning and rest for a while.

"Pretty popular shop this place eh?" Toby commented while he swept up the last stray pieces of hair from the floor.

"That's what happens when you're the best barber in London," Sweeney commented dryly, placing his friends back into their lovely case. Cracking his back he reached for the kettle and put it on the stove. "Tea, Toby?"

"Ooh yes please!" He nodded. Dumping the collected hair into the dustbin he placed the broom in the corner before shuffling over to the barber with his hands in his pockets. He didn't really know Mr Todd very well yet, but he was the only man around and the only one he felt he could ask for help.

And he didn't seem so scary now. They were friends weren't they?

"Um, Mr T?" He bit his lip anxiously.

"Mm?"

"Can I ask ye somethin'?"

"What?" Sweeney poured the tea and handed Toby his cup, turning to lean against the stove as he regarded the boy over the rim of his teacup.

"I was wonderin'," Toby cupped the mug in his hands and appeared to be very nervous, blushing even. "How do ya tell a girl you like 'er?

Sweeney lowered his cup and stood straighter, his eyes glinting with amusement. He hadn't expected that from the boy. Snorting he answered "Lots of ways. There are books written on how to court a lady, it takes a lot of knowledge and practice."

"Well, I don't mean all that courtin' stuff. I mean wot comes before that." Toby finally looked at him "like...ow do ya tell the lady that you'd like ta court 'er? Or that she's pretty and you like em?"

"Well, I think there's the simple way of simply telling them how you feel," Sweeney said after a moment, rather amused by this conversation. "Why are you asking me, Toby?"

"Oh, no reason. Jus- er, for future stuff..." He trailed, putting his cup down and continuing to sweep to avoid Sweeneys gaze.

"There is a girl then?" He asked.

Toby stopped sweeping "No. Well, Maybe..."

Sweeney smirked and rubbed his face with his hands. Oh to be a young lad again and in love, it took him far back to when he too was a boy crushing on girls in school years. Funnily enough, he'd had quite the little crush on Nellie as a boy. But he'd never told her.

"Just tell her Toby. You won't know how she feels unless you tell her." He said. He knew that wasn't exactly the best advice, but that was all he had to offer.

"Well I was wonderin'...how did you tell mum?"

Sweeney almost choked on his tea "What?"

"When ye first started seein' mum, how did ya tell 'er that ya liked 'er?"

Stood still against the stove, Sweeney was unsure of what to say. It was rare for him to be rendered speechless but he truly did not know how to answer. After a while of silence, he settled on muttering "I didn't...she told me first."

"Oh..." Toby looked a little dissatisfied with that answer. Sweeney hoped he would drop the subject and decided to reach into his pocket to pull out some coins. That would work. "Here, take these and get some sweets from the market. You've done well today."

Toby gasped in happiness as he took the coins "Thank you, sir!"

Putting down the mug Toby bolted past him and out the shop. When he was at the bottom of the stairs, he almost ran into somebody but didn't even have the time to register who it was, he was in such a hurry. Apologising anyway he continued to run down the street to the market, his mouth watering at the very thought of what he could buy with that much money.

Watching him go, the gentleman he had almost knocked into tittered with laughter and began to ascend the steps to Sweeney's shop. Approaching the door, he spotted the barber by the window through the frosted glass.

Knock, knock.

"I'm closed for the afternoon!" Sweeney called, "Come back tomorrow if you want a shave."

The door to the shop opened and the bell jangled. Sweeney frowned, "Are you deaf?! I said–"

"It won't be a shave that I'm here for Mr Todd." Sweeney was cut off as he finally turned and met eyes with Richard Sykes.

"Good afternoon," He smiled charmingly.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sweeney snapped after he had gotten over his suprise.

Richard sighed and took off his top hat, closing the shop door and taking a few steps into the shop "Strictly business sir, I came here to talk to you."

Sweeney attempted to keep his expression stony so as not to give away his confusion. "Me?"

"Yes." Richard cleared his throat and took off his expensive-looking gloves. "Eleanore is out, correct?"

"Yes." Sweeney said cautiously "With your sisters."

"Good, then we finally have some privacy." He said.

Sweeney frowned at him, unsure of what he could possibly want to talk to him about. As far as he was concerned, Richard was still a throat worth slitting for what he'd done. He had been responsible for Turpin's escape, not that the drunken idiot remembered. And ultimately the reason Joanna had to leave him once again. Now Richard dared to come and seek him out? Was he mad or just stupid?

"I know you are still very angry with me." Richard seemed to read Sweeney's eyes despite him keeping his expression neutral.

"What are you talking about?" Sweeney played dumb. "Why on earth would I be angry at you?"

"You can drop the act, Mr Todd." He said softly "I remember very well what happened the night of Turpin's ball."

Now, Sweeney couldn't keep the shock from his face. So he did know...

"Nellie told me you didn't remember..." He said accusingly.

Richard sighed regretfully, "The only time I hope, I will have to lie to her."

Sweeney's jaw tightened and he eyed his razor in the case by the stove. Was Richard here to blackmail or threaten him? Why else would he be here now? He didn't want to have to kill him, but it would be the only option if he wanted to try any funny business with him.

"I'm not here to cause you trouble." Richard raised his hands in an act of surrender "I'm here to make an offer."

"Offer?" Sweeney spat. "What exactly do you have to offer me?"

"A partnership," Richard said confidently. At the barber's silence, he continued "I learnt the truth about what you were doing there that evening, it was the same reason I was there. Unfortunately due to my own mistake, we both came out short. You want Turpin dead and so do I, you see where I'm going with this, Mr Todd?"

Sweeney raised his chin slightly in attention. He did see where this was going, but he wanted to hear more. "Go on,"

Richard inhaled deeply "I know all about what he did to you, that devil. How he tore you from your family. I also know that the disappearance of his ward had something to do with you and Eleanore." He concluded. "You know what he did to my sister, what suffering he put her through." His eyes darkening somewhat, Richard looked down at his shoes and Sweeney could see the hate twisting his face "I want him dead, sir. Together, I don't think he'd stand a chance against us."

Sweeney felt his hard expression softening somewhat. At first, he had been ready to attack at the audacity of him to assume he would want to work with him. Sweneey Todd did not have a partner, at least that was what he told himself when he first arrived here. Then he had met his bloody wonder and fallen again. He'd come to appreciate just how beneficial a good partnership could be. Would that be the same for he and Richard if they teamed up?

He and Richard were not so different from each other despite the divide in class and education. But they had been dealt a great curse by the same devil. That made them friend not foe, they should have come together rather than turn on each other and truthfully that was the sole reason Sweeney had spared him that night. He knew how it felt to be in Richard's shoes and have a loved one raped. It was worse than any beating or lashing. It was the thought that hurt the most, the thought that it had happened and you simply couldn't stop it. That was what hurt more than anything.

Given Richard had ruined his previous plans for Turpin, he was beginning to see this offer as a truce of some sorts. An olive branch if you will. It was rather noble of him and despite Richard having his flaws he couldn't help but admire his confidence and guts. Maybe he would be a valuable asset, for wo heads were better than one.

"Would you be willing to hear my proposition?" Richard could see the wheels turning in the barber's head and he knew he was getting to him.

Sweeney furrowed his brow in thought and remained silent for a long time. Finally, his lips parted, "What did you have in mind?"

~•O•~

When Toby decided to take a short cut through the park and eat his toffees along the way, he was rather taken back by how lovely the weather was and how happily the birds chirped this afternoon. Despite the chill, the sun was out and warmed his face. He was happy, very happy. Things were going well, his mother and Mr Todd were happy together and Mr Todd had certainly warmed up to him these past couple of days. He couldn't help but admit it was a nice feeling. He'd never had a father figure, and maybe Mr Todd would be willing to play the part if he married his mum - he would like that a lot.

Passing the gates, Toby followed the path a good while when he came across a little girl sat on a park bench looking sad with her head down. He wondered why she was alone out here when someone dressed as nicely as she could definitely afford to be in school.

Reaching her, he was about to pass when the girl raised her eyes and looked at him, stopping him dead. He'd recognise those eyes anywhere.

"Beth?"

"Toby?" She gasped, quickly wiping her face with her sleeve and smiling. "Hi."

"Hi." Toby smiled back then asked, "Wot are ya doin' out here?"

"Oh um just, wanted a walk in the park." She said, hiding her face behind her thick dark hair.

"Aren't cha supposed ta be in school?"

Beth looked torn then hesitantly admitted, "I ran away."

"Ran away? Wot, why?" Toby stood right in front of her now and Beth turned her face away from him, unwilling to catch his gaze again.

"You bin cryin'?" Toby asked gently.

"It's nothing." She wiped her face with her sleeve and sniffed loudly. "Doesn't matter."

Toby looked around before politely asking "Can I sit with ya?"

Beth glanced to the empty seat on the bench and shrugged. Toby took this as his cue to sit down and offer her one of his toffees. Beth managed a smile despite her tears and took one "Thanks."

"Yer welcome." Toby looked at her compassionately, wondering if perhaps he offered her his hand she would tell him what was wrong. He always assumed Beth liked school and was a bright student, not the type to run away. Backchat maybe. But not run away.

"So ye gonna tell me wot 'appened?" He asked.

Still keeping her face turned away from him, Beth simply said "It's nothing."

"Beth." Toby implored "It's alrigh', ye can tell me. We're friends aren't we?"

"Yeah," She agreed innocently.

"Don't chat wanna tell me? Maybe I could 'elp?"

Hesitating, Beth sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "My friends were nasty to me, that's all..."

"Ya friends?"

She nodded "Do you remember those girls that didn't come to my birthday party? Yeah, it was them."

Toby frowned in concern. She was being picked on? By her friends? They certainly didn't sound like proper friends to him. "How long 'as this bin happening?"

"A couple of weeks..." She admitted, "But it's fine, they're just mean, I didn't want to be friends with them anyway." She lied. Truthfully, she had wanted to be friends with them, who wouldn't have? They were popular, beautiful and everybody loved them. But all three just didn't seem to like her at all, and they made no qualms about telling her every day at school since her birthday party when they had deliberately not come just so she would be upset on her birthday. They were cruel girls, and she hates that she wanted to be like them sometimes.

"Ave ye told yer mum and dad?" Toby asked.

"No. I don't want to stress them, they've been too happy. It's no big deal." Scrubbing her face with her hands she brushed her hair over her shoulder and turned to face Toby fully this time "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in school too?"

Toby snorted "I can't afford school, Beth. Ya know me mum's bin teachin' me ta read..."

"Oh," she sounded "I just thought with the pie shop being so popular... maybe you would have been able to afford it."

"Nah, it's not for me anyway – I'd much rather be with mum and Mr Todd workin' than at school. I'm not too good at makin' friends."

"Me neither." Beth wiped her nose with her sleeve. "But it would be nice if you came to my school, we could play and eat lunch together, and make mud pies together."

"Wouldn't ya get sick of me face?" Toby smiled.

"Well, probably." She teased without missing a beat "But it would be nice to have you around." Her head lowered once again "I'm always on my own."

Toby's heart hurt a little at that. Maybe in another world he would have been able to afford proper schooling as Beth did, but alas he was still working class and every so often he hated to be reminded of it. They were living in two different worlds, but somehow they had managed to form a bond that was growing stronger with each day. They were children, so they cared little for class and prosperity, all that they seeked to find was friendship.

"Wot 'appened before ye came here?" Toby asked curiously "Did they do somethin'?"

Beth's eyes filled with fresh tears. Reaching into her satchel she pulled out a tattered and torn book that looked like someone had abused terribly.

"They did this during break." She explained "It was Grandma's birthday gift and they ruined it..."

Toby took the poor book in his hands and could only make out a few letters of the title. M...c...t...h. He recognised this book, his mum had read it in the parlour once. Macbeth she said when he had asked her. This one was a lovely copy, but it was ruined beyond repair and some of the pages had even been violently ripped out. Knowing how much Beth loved books and her grandmother, it was no wonder she was upset.

"Why would they do this?" Toby could only ask "Why would they be so mean?"

"I don't know." She shrugged tearfully "I asked them the same thing and they just laughed and shoved me. So I came here." She glanced around the summer park then back to Toby "I'm glad I found you. It feels nice to tell someone."

Still holding the tattered book in his hands, Toby bit his lip in thought. Beth was utterly miserable and she needed cheering up. He knew there was a perfectly good copy of this book back home in his mum's parlour, he wanted to give it to her. His mum wouldn't mind, he was sure. She had lots of books in the parlour, she probably wouldn't even notice it was gone. And that meant he and Beth could be alone, maybe then he could finally tell her what was on his mind.

"Beth?" He asked gently "Would you like ta come back to the shop with me? Mum's out with your Aunties, so it'll just be me an' you. We can take some o'the flapjacks she made for tomorrow an' play kick the can?"

Beth's face perked up and again she smiled "I'd like that. But I'll have to go home in a few hours, mother and father will be furious if they found out I skipped school."

"Who says they 'ave ta find out?" Toby smirked.

"The school will write to them, they'll tell them I never came back after lunch." She told him worriedly.

"Not if you get the letter first." He said smugly. Beth's eyes turned mischievous and she shared his smirk with a giggle.

"You're a bad influence on me, you know."

"Funny, I woulda said the same thing about you." Toby laughed with her "Come on then, let's go back to me shop an' 'ave some cakes."

"You're sure your mum won't mind?" Beth asked, raising from the bench and throwing her satchel over her shoulder.

"Nah, she won't trust me." He promised. "Now, last one there is a rotten egg!" He yelled, sprinting off right after he'd said so.

"Hey!" Beth yelled, barely having the chance to catch up as she too began to chase after him. "Not fair! You're so dead!"

"You'll have to catch me first!" Toby yelled over his shoulder as together the pair sprinted through the park and out onto the London streets, both giggling and yelling threats that the other would lose.

Toby had always liked the sound of her laughter.

~•O•~

"Takin' his time ain't he?" Eleanore commented as she, Amelia and Edith sat in the still carriage outside Westminster steps, waiting for Arthur to leave the building and address the crowd that had gathered.

"He's having a bit of a hard time with the last Prime Minister." Edith told her, dressed finely as usual "His biggest obstacle this campaign was and is Ronald Hooper, leader of the opposing party."

"Who's that?"

"Just some Tory with a stick up his arse. He's been trying to smear father's name for quite some time now. Saying that his rule changes will make the country bankrupt and vulnerable to war."

"It's people like him who make the wars!" Eleanore said incredulously.

"Exactly. But father was having none of it, he's going to do what's right for the people of this county and no one is going to stop him." Edith said proudly.

Smiling, Eleanore glanced out the window and was rather surprised to see just how many people were outside. Surprisingly as well, a lot of the common folk and working classes. Even children and mine workers were present as well as the London press.

"You're wondering why there are so many lower classes here aren't you?" Amelia asked, making the baker turn to her with a grimace.

"I don't like that term ta describe us."

"Neither do I, it's an unfortunate title, but then again working class is a little insulting." Amelia agreed, putting Eleanores tension at ease. "But that is what you're thinking isn't it?"

"Well yes... I was a lil curious. I expected there ta be more posh folk like you here than the common working man." She admitted, gesturing outside the window to the buzzing crowd.

"Makes sense really," Amelia told her "Father's reforms prioritise the poor and reforming child labour laws. He's also going to crack down on crime rate and lower the price of Bread. Why do you think the people were so for him becoming prime minister but politicians were against it?"

Eleanore's mouth fell open "He...he is?"

"Of course!" Edith exclaimed with a laugh "Didn't you see his campaign in the paper?"

"Well I did but I didn't think to read it much, it's not like we can vote anyway."

Edith's mouth tightened into a frown "Another issue we will talk about some other time."

The baker pursed her lips "But then, why the attack on yer father all those months ago? His attacker was a common man. He had no reason ta do wot he did."

"Of course he did, Eleanore." Amelia trilled and the baker couldn't help but feel rather stupid amongst the two highly educated women. She was beginning to feel like a fish out of water.

"The reason crime is so bad is because of corrupt law, to get to the heart of it you have to change the law and weed out the corrupt ones. Maybe now Turpin will finally get what he deserves." Edith added heatedly.

Amelia and Eleanore went quiet at the mention of the Judge's name and continued to sit in relative silence when all of a sudden, reporters and people began swarming the steps as the door opened and Arthur stepped out with his associates.

"There he is." Amelia smiled, opening the carriage door and stepping out. The others followed and together they approached the steps and stood near the far back of the crowd.

"Sir! Sir!"

"Mr Prime Minister! Do you have time for some questions?!"

"How has your first day in parliament been sir?"

Question after question was fired in Arthur's direction as he allowed his associates and his bodyguard to keep the crowd calm and at arm's length. Smiling graciously he took off his hat and addressed the crowd.

"I can confirm that my first day in parliament, has been a successful one!" He projected "I must express my sincere thanks to all of you who have come here to see me. I cannot express how much I appreciate it. As your Prime Minister, it is my duty to ensure that this country becomes a place worth living and raising the next generation. We may be a small country, but we can make a big difference. I've seen our Empire do magnificent things, but we still have a great many obstacles to overcome before we can be the model country we deserve."

"Sir! Sir!" One reporter hollered "What do you intend to conquer first as Prime Minister? How will you do so?"

Arthur took a breath before answering the reporter who stood in waiting with his pencil and notepad to take down his answer. Eleanore gathered that this was the beginning of the speech Amelia and Edith were talking about, and she readied herself to listen as did the waiting crowd.

"As prime minister, I do not want to rule or conquer anyone, conquering is for Emporers, and I am certainly not an Emporer." Arthur began. "I should like to help everyone if possible. Man, woman, child. Our priority should be the desire to help one another. Human beings were all born equal and vulnerable once. We should strive to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's hardships."

"Our way of life is supposed to be free and beautiful, but I believe we have lost our humanity. Greed has poisoned men's hearts and crippled us with hate and injustice. More than ever, we need kindness and compassion. Without it, all will be lost for our country. Even now as I speak a great many people are suffering in silence while years of men in my very shoes have done nothing to aid them. Million's of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people! To those who can hear me, I say that I share in your pain and do not dwell in your despair. I will fight for you, with everything that I have. The only people who stand in our way are hate-driven and unloved who fear the way of human progression and uprising. The hate of men will pass, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And I shall be the one to return it."

After a moment of silence, the crowd erupted into raucous cheers and applause. It took Eleanore a good few seconds to register that she should be clapping. Throughout Arthur's little monologue, she hadn't blinked once and tears sprang to her eyes at his words. She had never heard such a small yet heartfelt speech like that before, she would remember it for the rest of her life.

Next to her, Edith and Amelia cheered and clapped the loudest. Despite being far away, Arthur spotted them and looked ecstatic to see them with Eleanore too. He blew them a kiss and waved to the crowd before putting his hat back on and turning to a fellow man - his rivalry - who stood with a sneer by the door next to his rabble.

"Hooper." Arthur addressed coolly, unwilling to make a scene and keep it professional.

"Sykes." He responded just as coldly. "What a lovely little eulogy, it's a shame the people are putting their faith into a deluded old man who cares little for what he says."

"That's where you're wrong sir," Arthur's confidant and young friend, Ralph Taylor, came up beside him. "Unlike you, Arthur's heart has always been driven by the will of the people. And that's what makes him the best Prime Minister for our country."

Clenching his jaw at the smug pair, Hooper chortled bitterly and grabbed his cane from one of his friends "Well, I look forward to seeing the next four years unfold. I'll bid you farewell then, Arthur."

"Farewell..." Arthur said cautiously. "Till we meet again."

"One last thing," Hooper said. "If you want my advice–"

"He doesn't." A fellow friend and liberal, Winslow came to Arthur's defence at his side.

"It's alright, Alfred." Arthur said, sounding both equally bored and amused "Let him have his moment. Go ahead Ronald. What splendid advice do you have for me now?"

"I would advise you to watch your back." He hissed "You've created a great many enemies with your preferred target demographic already, there's no telling what that might do to your reputation. Or what it could do to your family."

"You–!" Taylor moved forward but Arthur raised a resigned hand to stop him. He was not going to let some snivelling, privileged weasel threaten him and cause a reaction. That was what he wanted.

"As thoughtful as I find your advice, I'm going to have to advise you on worrying about your own reputation before you stress about mine. Those papers will eat up your bribery during this election like orphans in a workhouse." Arthur said pointedly as he slid on his gloves prepared to make his dignified exit "Oh and one more thing, if you want my advice - you ought to take up oratory classes, I think you would find them most beneficial."

Face white with hate, Hooper could do nothing as Arthur simply smiled at him before turning to talk with his friends and then beginning to ascend the concrete steps of the building to speak to the crowd up close and shake their hands.

The sight was sickening. How could someone like him, so old and deluded be able to run this country? What was Britain coming to?

"He'll get what's coming to him, sir." Hooper heard his friend say as they watched the elderly man interact with his loving fans. "He won't even last the year."

"Let's hope the people make the right decision for that election when it comes." Hooper responded shortly "Come. Let's go to the tavern, we need a good drink."

"Yes sir."

They too left the building and walked down the steps to their carriage stood in waiting. At the far end of the crowd, Amelia turned to Edith and Eleanore with a wide smile "He did so well! And not a single stutter!"

"He's an inspiration!" Eleanore called back, embracing the two women as they laughed merrily and tried to catch one last glimpse of Arthur before he would be whisked away to Downing Street.

Backing away slightly from the moving crowd, Eleanore stepped on a man's toes and gasped loudly when she heard him yelp in pain. "Oh love I'm sorry!" She cried, eyeing up the young man who had been watching Arthur too but not clapping.

He looked a little unkempt with a large hat covering his face and a torn, patched up jacket over his shoulders. He could have only been around eighteen or nineteen.

"I'm really sorry!" She said again when he continued to stare at her.

"S'fine love. Don't worry about it." He muttered, raising his hand in dismissal. His eyes narrowed at the woman in front of him. He recognised her immediately. She was the one who had stepped in and saved Arthur from his attack in autumn. By his blooming eyes, he did not expect to see her here of all places.

"Sir, I must insist that we move on," Winslow said to Arthur as he continued to waste time speaking to the crowds.

"Just-just a moment." Arthur protested, trying to shake every hand that was reached out to him and speak to his supporters individually. He wouldn't be here without them, and he was going to thank them all, he didn't care how long it took. He had the time.

The screaming men and women scrambled to give him gifts, letters and all kinds of things but only a few managed to do so. While Arthur began slowly - painfully slowly - making his way to the carriage, he was aware of one little boy in the crowd being lifted onto his father's shoulders as he too was tried to pass him something.

"Move! That's enough!" Arthur's bodyguard shouted, attempting to push his way through to get to the carriage so they could leave.

"Wait," Arthur said and turned to reach out to the little boy who was calling his name. He was a waif of a thing, with flaming ginger hair, a dusting of freckles and a sweet smile. He could only have been about seven.

In his hand was a white rose, a symbol most associated with peace and innocence. Arthur moved back up the way he came to take it and thank him. As soon as he had done so, the little boy's eyes lit up and his father thanked Arthur over a hundred times as loudly as he could. Finally, they began to move to the carriage and managed to get inside. The reigns were slapped and the carriage made off, a sea of people crowding around it as it did so. They banged on the windows, chanting and calling Arthur's name. It was overwhelming, but it was harmless and so he was not frightened.

Watching from afar as the carriage slowly crawled its way down the street and away from the government building, Edith, Amelia and Eleanore could only smile at the amount of love and encouragement Arthur was getting. And this was only his first day, the country would most certainly remember him as one of the most beloved prime minister's Britain had ever seen.

Eleanore was so glad to have seen him speak with her two friends. It had been a breath of fresh air and she had enjoyed every bit of it, she missed going out and socialising.

"Come on girls." Edith sounded, "We'd best head home ourselves. It's been a long day."

"Yes, let's." Together they began to walk down the road themselves towards their awaiting carriage.

About four meters away behind them, Arthur's carriage neared the corner and began to pick up a bit of speed, that didn't deter the crowd however as they scrambled to follow and bang on the doors and window.

Eleanore's foot had just hit a puddle of water when all at once, it happened.

BANG!

A huge explosion rocked the street, throwing a dust cloud over the cobbles and knocking all three women down flat. Eleanore barely had the chance to scream when she hit her head on the curb and everything went black.

When she came to a mere moment later, she was confused and disorientated. Her ears were ringing and she could only see the ground and dust. Dust and debris, everywhere.

It was like she was underwater, noises were muffled and hard to make out. She thought she could hear things like shouting, screaming and someone calling her name. But she wasn't so sure, she was still shaken from the fall and the earsplitting boom that had come before it.

Scrunching her eyes closed at the pain in her head, she forced herself to sit up. Something warm dribbled down her temple and she clutched her head in agony. She felt like someone had just kicked her with an iron boot and rattled her brain in her skull.

Through the smoky, dusty street her vision began to clear and she started to make out shapes up ahead. Some were moving, running into the dustcloud ahead that had still not fully cleared. After squinting through the dust, she could just about make out Arthur's carriage on its side, the wheel still turning and the horse that had been pulling it limping away and then falling on its side.

Still in shock, Eleanore forced herself to her knees and tried to stand. She wobbled terribly but mercifully stayed on her feet as she began to stagger over and see what had happened. When she was but a few feet away, her mouth dropped in horror.

The wooden letterbox that had been stood on the corner of the street was no longer there. The only thing left of it was stray bits of wood that were on fire scattered on the cobblestones. The brick wall that had stood behind the letterbox now had a crater the size of a door and a nearby window had shattered leaving glass all over the street.

A bomb.

The word hit her like the detonation itself.

Someone had planted a bomb in the letterbox.

A/N: Yep, it's the gang and they've attempted to kill Arthur a second time now. Things are about to get a lot more serious for our characters and the consequences will be catastrophic. Sorry for another cliffhanger, I had to shorten this one because it was over nine thousand words! More to come soon! x