Irene awoke bright and early the next morning. She combed her hair and put on the other of the two dresses she came here with. All was quiet and Mr. Todd hadn't arisen yet, she took the pieces of paper she wrote and sketched her plans on and went into the kitchen. She started cooking some eggs. Soon she heard heavy footsteps in the hallway, a sleepy Mr. Todd shuffled in.
"Good morning Mr. Todd." She greeted him.
"Morning." He grunted.
She finished her cooking and served Mr. Todd and herself eggs, toast, sliced apple and some tea. He ate it fiercely but not as aggressive as last night. The man looked as if he didn't sleep at all.
Mr. Todd looked at Irene's notes that were on the table. "Splendid, you're intelligent too. I shall go with you to the market today." He said without emotion.
"Of course Mr. Todd." She scraped up the last bit on her plate.
He gave her a sly sideways look. "Most obedient you are." He stood up and put his empty plate on top of hers. "Most beautiful." His hand brushed her cheek.
Oddly enough Irene found herself looking up at the man, showing no fear. "You are most handsome Mr. Todd."
He smiled as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "We have much to do today my dear, let us get started."
"Of course sir." She stood up and took care of the dishes.
They made their way to the market on foot. The cold London streets gave Irene a chill, she was not used to this weather. As they passed by an empty stage Mr. Todd stopped and looked at it a moment.
"Piss and ink." He mumbled as they walked on.
They purchased the proper paint and curtains, they would be delivered later that day. As they walked about the barber looked at Irene's clothes.
She noticed him staring at her. "Something wrong sir?"
"What did you come here with?" He picked at the lace trim on her dress.
"Two dresses, pair of shoes and basic essentials." Irene answered.
"Come, let me get you some proper clothing." He took her arm and started heading down the street.
"You don't have to Mr. Todd, I can buy my own eventually." She protested.
"Nonesense." He snapped as he hauled her into a tailor's shop.
The tailor turned and gasped at the site of the barber. "Wh-what can I do for you?" He stuttered.
"This lady needs new dresses." Mr. Todd demanded.
The man fidgeted behind his counter. "Of course sir. Step into the back here miss and I'll take your measurements." He forced a smile.
The three went into the back room where Irene stood on a platform and had the tailor take her measurements. Mr. Todd sat in a chair and watched intently.
"Something blue. Light blue with lace trim." The barber ordered. "A pink striped one too."
The tailor looked over at the barber, sweat dripped from his forehead. "Yes sir." He wrote down Irene's measurements. "I'll come back with some fabric."
"I'll buy you three dresses my dear." He said looking Irene over.
"You are most generous Mr. Todd." She stepped off the platform.
The little tailor came back with his arms full of fabric. He set them down on a table and held up one piece at a time. "This sky blue is most beautiful or we have the same color with little black polka dots." The man held up the two samples.
"I like the dotted one." Mr. Todd pointed to it.
Irene nodded in agreement as the man set that sample aside.
"Now we have two styles of pink striped fabric." The tailor pulled out two more samples. "This one is light pink with white and the other is a brighter pink with black."
"Lighter one." Mr. Todd said. "Let the lady pick her third."
"As you wish sir, come with me into the stock room miss." He motioned Irene to follow him.
Irene picked out a floral pattern with a light blue background and yellow flowers. She brought it back out to show Mr. Todd and he nodded. They picked a rather intricate lace for the trimming and the tailor gave them a date to come back for alterations. Mr. Todd then took Irene to get another pair of shoes, black ones.
The two returned to their home that afternoon, Irene couldn't help but smile. "Thank you so much Mr. Todd."
He gave her a small smile. "A lady should have beautiful things."
Irene took his arm and led him inside. As he took his jacket off she got on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and ran his hand down her side.
A delivery man came into the still open door with the curtains and paint. Mr. Todd signed for it and paid. He looked to his young assistant and smiled.
He ripped a small board off the window next to him, letting a ray of afternoon sun shine on his face. The barber tossed the board aside and took Irene's hand and kissed it. "Shall we?"