Mrs. Lovett sat perfectly straight, staring at the man who sat before her. Her face was pale and her voice was shaking, but still she answered his questions.
The man had come, just like Horace had said, to interrogate Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney, searching for clues that would lead him to the solution of the judge's murder. He had come early this morning, and questioned Sweeney first before turning to Mrs. Lovett.
"Now, ma'am, we have proof that Judge Turpin came here for a shave. Did he, or did he not?"
"'E did, that's for sure."
"Approximately what time, Mrs. Lovett?"
"I'd say abou' seven thirty a' night."
"Did he leave?"
"'E sure did, said
'e was goin' 'ome. I don' know where 'e wen'
then."
"Well, he never went home."
"Tha' so?"
The interrogation had been going on for two hours now, and Sweeney knew that Mrs. Lovett might crack under the pressure. He was amazed that she had been able to convince the bobby this far. She really was a bloody wonder.
Sweeney gazed around the room. Toby was still sleeping off the effects of the bottle of gin he had drunk the night before. Mrs. Lovett was sitting by Sweeney at the table in the kitchen, and the bobby sat across from them. He glanced over at Mrs. Lovett. She was still looking the bobby in the eye after all this time. Sweeney couldn't help but admire her courage. Surreptitiously he grabbed her hand under the table. She squeezed his hand and her voice grew stronger.
Finally, after what seemed to Sweeney to be an eternity, the bobby cleared his throat and said, "Well, that's that, then. You two don't seem to be very guilty. I apologize for wasting your time. Good day."
He tipped his hat and marched back outside. As soon as the door slammed shut, Mrs. Lovett burst into tears and clung to Sweeney. Bewildered, he just sat still for a moment before patting her awkwardly on the back. After a few minutes, she quieted and leaned away. "Oh, I'm 'orribly sorry, Mr. T, it's just…oh, it's 'orrible, 'avin to be treated like a common criminal, when you ain't done nothin'! Well…maybe I did do a little, but still! It ain't much fun."
Sweeney stared at her for a moment before saying very quietly, "I know, Mrs. Lovett. I've been there, too, and it's not fun."
She gave a small gasp and started to cry again. "Oh, Mr. T, I forgot! 'Ow silly of me, to forge' that. Oh, I shouldn't 'ave brought it up!"
Sighing in exasperation, Sweeney took her in his arms again and let her cry into his shoulder. "Mrs. Lovett, don't be stupid. It's all right. Honestly, woman, it doesn't matter!"
Her reply was rather muffled, but her thought he heard her accuse him of lying. He snorted in irritation. "You foolish nit, I don't lie! Here I was thinking how brave you were, and then you start blubbering all over my new shirt!"
Immediately the baker sat up, gazing at him adoringly. "D'you really mean that, Mr. T?"
"Yes, Mrs. Lovett."
She beamed and hugged him close. He rolled his eyes. What was it with this mad woman who felt the need to cling to him? Not that he minded…
Sweeney shook himself. How could he think such things, when he knew it was disloyal to Lucy?
And then he remembered- Lucy wasn't loyal to him. She had forgotten him.
So he permitted Mrs. Lovett to cling to him, letting her chatter away while he only half-listened, trying to figure out exactly how he felt about her.
Sweeney was surprised to find that he did care about this woman who had always loved him. Maybe…maybe it was okay to love her back.
Slowly, hesitantly, he bent his neck a bit and gave her a quick kiss on the top of the head. Mrs. Lovett sucked in her breath and stared at the man. He was studying her face, frowning slightly, as if he didn't know what to do. She cleared her throat and said, "Wot was that for, love?"
He just scowled and said, "What was what for?"
Mrs. Lovett smiled inwardly. She knew he hadn't forgotten.
A/N: Fluff fluff fluff! Okay, so maybe not that much fluff- yet. Heehee. Hopefully I'm not rushing Sweeney falling in love. I'm trying hard not to. Is it working?