Ok so there are accents, sorry if they aren't what you think what the characters should sound like. This one is the longest chapter so far hop you like it. R&R please!

It was now a week away from Christmas. The people of London had adjusted grudgingly to the abnormally cold weather and were now venturing out in the streets even through the snow. Mrs. Lovett's meat pie shop was booming with all the customers craving something warm to get them through the day. Mr. Todd seemed to be in a worse mood than normal but she didn't question him on it, knowing that there would be no answer or at least not a very good one.

Toby found all of the decorations very interesting and had questioned Mrs. Lovett on them relentlessly until he was satisfied with what each and every one was and why they where there. It was on this particular day that Mrs. Lovett had decided that after the dinner rush that cutting out snowflakes to paste on the shop windows would be the best way to pass her time. Toby had been happy to sit for a moment sipping his gin before deciding to question what she was doing.

"Mum?"

"What is it dear?" Nellie looked up from the small folded paper she had been cutting small triangles out of with her kitchen knife. 'I must look like I've lost me mind' she thought to herself.

" What you doin'?"

" Makin' snowflakes for the shop." Was her extremely cheery reply.

" 'Ow can you make snowflakes, you told me they come from the clouds?"

She smiled at him, he really did remember everything.

…

Most of her afternoon had been spent with Toby explaining to him how to make snowflakes, even though they fell from the sky. They had laughed over his attempts at making one and she had completely forgotten the time. It was well after three when a middle aged man knocked at her shop door to ask if Mr. Todd was open today that she realized that she had neglected to feed him at all today. Mrs. Lovett smiled and told him to go right up.

She hastily assembled a small tray of food, besides the meat pies to take up to him. She lifted the hem of her long skirts and climbed the stairs to his barbershop. Her breath created small clouds in front of her face as she got to the landing out side of his door. Mrs. Lovett tapped lightly with her knuckle, not waiting for a response she pushed the door open. Mr. Todd looked up from the man that was seated in his chair with lather on his face.

"Ah, Mrs. Lovett how very kind of you to bring some food up." The look in his eyes held how pissed off he was, even though he hardly ate any of the food she brought him it was the sentiment that mattered. The man in the chair raised his head and smiled at Mrs. Lovett. 'The poor bloke has no clue what 'e's in for.' Nellie thought silently as she set the tray down on the leather chest in the corner of the room, well away from the barber chair. She turned back to Mr. Todd who still stood there watching her.

"Well, ya gonna?" Nellie said jerking her head to the side, trying to convey a silent message to the barber without sending his customer into a state of hysteria. His eyes lit up like those of a child on Christmas morning, he understood what she was getting at. Bringing his friend down on the blokes exposed neck and drawing it across slowly. Mrs. Lovett closed her eyes as she heard the man in the chair gurgle and sputter his last breath. The next moment she heard him sliding back and with a sickening thump hit the bake house floor where he would wait until later that evening when he would be made into the next days pies.

She turned back to Mr. Todd who's shirt sleeves were now drenched to the elbow in his precious rubies. A murderous glint was still shining bright in his eyes at the fresh blood. He polished the blood and grime off of his razor lovingly taking no notice of the small baker that stood silently in the corner of the shop.

"Mr. T?" she asked nervously, unsure of what reaction he may have. His eyes slowly shifted off of his sliver shining friend to meet her apprehensive face.

" I was just wonderin' if ya wouldn't mind me askin'…" her voice wavered still nervous "Why ya so moody all of a sudden? I … I would 'ave thought afta' all those years in Australia ya may 'ave been 'appy to 'ave a dash of cold weatha'." she was rambling and she knew it. She was desperate for a proper conversation with him instead of his usual grunts and simple yes and no answers.

" It's not the weather Mrs. Lovett. Actually the weather is quite pleasant."

"Then what's got ya so down Mr. T?"

"The happiness and joy and family" his answer was hollow.

It hadn't been the answer she had been looking for but at least he was taking. It actually made her head spin that she had gotten more than three words out of him. Normally when he was in this sort of mood he never talked. She decided to press further seeing as he seemed chatty and his reply had left her with questions.

" 'Ow can ya say a thing like that? Those things are what these 'olidays are about."

"They bring back things that are better left in the past. This simply make them harder to forget."

He had a point. For him Christmas meant his bloody nit of a wife, which always sent him into a brooding mood.

"Ah, well. If ya feel like comin' down lata' Toby's been askin' ta learn how ta sing some of me old Christmas songs… it be nice if ya did love."

With that she turned to the door and marched down the stairs to prepare for the dinner rush.

…

It was half past ten when she and Toby finally chased the last of the customers out of the shop. They silently scrubbed the dishes until each and everyone was clean. Both retreated into the living room for a well deserved break. Nellie threw her heavy feet up on the small cushioned foot rest and let out a content sigh. Knowing that she still had a long night of hacking up bodies and baking ahead of her. She closed her eyes for a few minutes rest before going to the bake house.

Toby had gone over to a basket she kept tucked under the piano and was currently riffling through the contents of it. Picking up one sheet after another shaking his head until he reached the bottom of the basket. He pulled out an old song book and got up placing it on his 'mum's' lap and looking up at her expectantly.

Her eyes cracked open to find Toby staring up at her. She had forgotten about teaching him Christmas songs and been secretly dreading trying to play the dust coated piano. Slowly she got up off of her chair and sat her self down on the hard wooden stool.

"Which do ya want ta learn dear?"

" Doesn't matta' to me mum" he replied cheerily

" Here lets see that book then…" Mrs. Lovett flipped through the pages looking for one that she could remember how to play " 'Ow bout Jingle Bells?"

" What's that about mum?"

"Well you'll just have ta sing an' find out won't ya?"

Together they proceeded to hum and sing there way through the thin book. After which Toby was sent off to bed and Mrs. Lovett went slowly down to the bake house.

As she took the clever to one of the men's arm she started to hum Jingle Bells to herself coming up with different words for it as she went.

"Silver blades. Silver blades.

Cuttin' through their throats.

Chop 'em inta pies and then we serve 'em out ta folks."