The next day was beautiful, the sun shined warmly and the air was clean. A red banner hanged over the small side lot reading "To Celebrate the Engagement of Sweeney Todd and Irene Hollow". People flocked to the site in curiosity, the very best cakes were being sold and the barber had more business that day than any other.
Ladies swarmed around the young Irene with a million questions about Mr. Todd. She simply replied with "I love him." Looking up at the barber shop she wondered what her husband to be was doing, tempted to go into the cellar and see for herself. She tried to focus on her end of the business and made sure people were happy and socializing.
She kept looking at the ring on her finger. "How many memories did it hold?" Irene wondered. "And how much more would it experience?" She looked up and her eyes saw Mr. Todd.
"How is my fiancée?" He grinned, showing his slight gap.
"Fine." She placed another pie on the counter and began to cut it.
"Only fine?" He stood behind her with his hands on her waist.
She smiled and turned her head to look at him. "Marvelous."
He kissed her cheek. "That's what I like to hear." His hands gripped tighter. "I'm done for the day… We've made enough." The barber whispered in her ear. "I think I'll mingle with you for awhile, my love."
"Anything you'd like." She backed her hips into him a little.
"Ooh, my last appointment will be with you today." He said sensually.
Irene was oddly aroused by his brand of forceful wooing. "Later." She broke away from him but turned back and smiled.
They joined in a few conversations and found that many high profile citizens had come to see the engagement for themselves. Promises of regular business were made and the pair was even invited to some upcoming parties. Although many were wary of the barber, they could not get past Irene and her beauty.
There was talk about the missing judge but no one was too concerned. Apparently the man was known for his scandalous and unpredictable behavior. Irene was getting a glimpse into vicious London society. She played the delightful, devoted love and won the friendships of many.
"There must be another reason to continue the murders." She thought. Sweeney had also been selling specimens to medical schools on occasion instead of burning the bodies. I guess he had no appetite for meat pies anymore.
Money was being made and soon their Fleet Street abode looked like a palace. The shop became beautiful and attracted more refined residents to the area. Mr. Todd's spared no expense for his soon to be bride, he cared not for money but for the status that came with it. Irene waited and wondered when the day would come where she would be in holy union with the demon barber.
She had become more accustomed to Mr. Todd, his ravenous lust and anger no longer frightened her. There was still a lot she did not know about him but maybe that was for the best. Fleet Street held many secrets from her still.
From one view this was a nightmare but she saw the promise in it, the promise of devotion and comfort even if it came with a man such as Mr. Todd. Things had moved quickly since she came to the city, she had a new life given to her when she stepped into that shop for the first time.
"Mrs. Todd." She would say quietly to herself, what a strange thing to hear out loud.