"Darling, are you almost finished? We have customers waiting outside."
Nellie Lovett looked up from the table she was cleaning and smiled at the sight of Albert Lovett. Her husband must've come in while she was preoccupied with preparations. Obsessed, was more like it. She wanted things to be perfect. Everything was polished, the ovens hot. This was finally happening!
"I'm ready," she told him. Albert looked even more handsome than usual, wearing his finest navy suit. It complemented his bright red hair and pale, freckled skin. Nellie was even paler than him, with brunette curls that she'd twisted into a bun. She quickly changed from one apron to another and straightened out the creases in her dress. "Time to let them in."
She heard a thud. Albert had slumped into the nearest chair, placing a hand on his forehead.
"Having another moment of vertigo?" Nellie asked him.
"Yes. But as always, it'll pass." He breathed in and out deeply for the next few minutes, and he seemed to regain his composure.
Nellie wished there was something she could do to help. "This has been going on for too long. We should really get you to a doctor."
"For this? No, I think not. I have had quite enough of doctors."
"The yellow fever took a lot from us, yes," Nellie admitted. "It took our families. I don't even know how we survived… Which is all the more reason to take care of yourself."
"Let's discuss it later, Nellie."
She rolled her eyes. "By which he means never," she muttered.
Seemingly unfazed by his episode, Albert strolled over to the front door, opened it and waved cheerfully to the crowd outside. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Lovett Bakery! My wife and I are so pleased that you could come to what I hope will be the first day of many in our establishment. Inside this door, you will be able to enjoy our freshly-baked goods in the dining room. You may also choose to take your goods with you, if you're in a rush… Well, I've probably babbled too much already. Come on in!"
From that moment on, Nellie alternated between the oven and the counter, where she and Albert took orders. She hadn't anticipated the crowd being so massive. All the better, though. She may have inherited money from a rich family, but it wouldn't last forever. Most of it had gone into buying the bakery.
One of her first customers was a beautiful young couple. The woman, whose hair was the brightest shade of yellow Nellie had ever seen, looked quite small next to the man. He'd arrived with an apron around his waist and a rag on his shoulder. Calluses and cuts were evident on his hands. He was clearly unafraid of hard work.
"Welcome," she said. "What can I get you?" She pointed to a chalkboard behind her, where her menu was listed.
"We'll just have two muffins with a side of strawberry jam," the man told her.
"And I'm assuming that you won't be eating at one of our tables today?"
"I'm afraid not. We barely have time. But judging by the wonderful smell, I predict we'll return on a less busy day when we can sit in."
"Two muffins with strawberry jam, coming right up… Er… May I have your name?"
The man chuckled. "Oh! Where are my manners? I am Benjamin Barker, and this is my sweetheart- I mean, my fiancée, Lucy Johnson. Still getting used to saying that. I only proposed to her last week."
"Oh, congratulations!" Nellie cheered.
"Thank you, Mrs. Lovett," Benjamin and Lucy said at the same time, squeezing each other's hands.
"I doubt we're far apart in age. I think you can call me by my first name. I'm Nellie. You know, I do plan on making wedding cakes here. Perhaps you'd consider letting me bake one for you two?"
"How kind of you," Lucy replied. "We'll talk with you more about it once we set a date."
"Very well, dear." What's it like to marry for love? Nellie couldn't help thinking. At least Albert treated her well.
She peered closer at Benjamin's face and saw tiny cuts that were in the process of healing.
"Job hazard," he explained. "I'm a barber, you see, but accidents happen, especially when you're teaching an apprentice. I let him practice on me. Few things are as painful as the blade of a razor."
"Knives are just as sharp," she said, rolling up her left sleeve to show a long scar on her wrist. Benjamin winced. She quickly wrapped up the muffins and placed them in his hands.
"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Nellie!" Benjamin told her, smiling.
Nellie grinned back. "Come again, eh?"
"See you around, Nellie!" Lucy said cheerfully as they walked away.
Behind them, Nellie saw two of the most notable men in London: Judge Samuel Turpin and his Beadle, Lawrence Bamford. Both were well into their middle years of life. Nellie would best describe the judge's appearance as snake-like, while the beadle resembled a warthog, warts and all. Something about them never sat right with her. Still, she couldn't refuse their money.
"How can I help you?"
The judge peered behind his shoulder at Lucy. He turned back quickly, probably hoping that nobody saw. Nellie's sharp eyes didn't miss much, though. The twinge of lust in Turpin's gaze made her stomach churn.
"I'm curious to sample your blueberry pie," he said.
"One pie for each of you?"
"Yes-"
"Five pies, if you please," Bamford interrupted eagerly. "I'll gladly pay for them, my lord. We'd also like a seat at your best table."
"Five pies, then," Turpin clarified.
Nellie wrote down the order. "I'll get that out for you right away, your honor. You can seat yourself wherever you wish."
To Turpin and Bamford's disappointment, the tables were all full. The beadle merely approached one and threatened the sitting customers with his stick, causing them to scatter. Everyone had to defer to the men in charge. Especially women. Nellie brought out their pies a few minutes later, and she avoided looking at them as she set the plates down.
The beadle happily dug into his first pie. The judge suddenly pulled Nellie close to him, mere inches from his face.
"Do call for me if you ever need any assistance," he whispered. "This city is getting filthier by the day, and it is my duty to clean it."
Get away from me! Nellie wanted to scream. All she said aloud was, "Yes, your honor."
She spent the rest of the day trying to put the moment out of her mind, wondering if she should sleep with one eye open.