"See you next week then, love" Mrs. Lovett said as a customer walked out the door. She sighed happily. She turned as she heard steps approaching. Young, healthy, and beautiful as ever stood Lucy Barker. Mrs. Lovett smiled at her. As much as she cared for Lucy, she couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy every time she laid eyes on her. Lucy smiled back, pleasant as ever.
"Hello, love" Mrs. Lovett greeted. "Where are you off to?"
"The market. I've heard the fresh fruit is especially good this week," Lucy said cheerily. Mrs. Lovett shook her head.
"In your condition you shouldn't be walking around too much, dearie. You ought to rest. Let me go to the market for you." Lucy laughed lightly.
"You are too kind, Mrs. Lovett. But really, I'll be fine. Besides, I've gotten enough rest for ten men. I need to get out. You shouldn't worry. Benjamin will be along soon."
"Well don't be out too late, I don't want Albert to eat a whole pan-full of pies again," Mrs. Lovett said smartly, rolling her eyes. Lucy walked out the door, wrapping her shawl around her tightly.
Mrs. Lovett sighed, grabbing a broom. Presently, she heard another set of footsteps bounding down the stairs. She looked up. Barker. His face was radiant, full of happiness. His eyes glittered with bliss, his dark hair falling just short of them.
"Mrs. Lovett," he nodded as he reached the end of the stairs. He made for the door, but Mrs. Lovett spoke up.
"Mr. Barker," she said. He turned. "I think we need to have a chat, you and I." He gave her a puzzled look and stepped towards her.
"About what, ma'am?" he asked. Mrs. Lovett set her broom against a wall.
"Lucy needs her rest. She ain't in no state to be walking to the market twice a week. Now, I would be more than happy to-" Barker interrupted her, laughing benevolently, and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Mrs. Lovett, we both know Lucy won't stay tied down. She insisted on going for a walk to the market. I protested, so then she decided to drag me along with her."
"Well, you just take good care of her. The little tyke's due to show up any day now. Say, have the two of you picked a name yet?"Mrs. Lovett asked.
"I've always liked the name Johanna," Barker said, smiling as he walked to the door. "We'll be back soon, Mrs. Lovett." He exited after his wife, and Mrs. Lovett took up her sweeping again. She swept in silence, Benjamin Barker filling her thoughts.
She'd been his landlady for some time now. He was such a striking gentleman; dark hair, cheery eyes, a kind smile. More than she could say of her Albert. He was a cold man, with no affection for anything except the food on his plate and his dead mother. No, Benjamin was the one she'd always turned to. He was her close friend, though she'd always felt an attraction that was more than just friendly. He would keep her company when Albert wasn't home yelling at her. And she would keep him company when Lucy was out. She knew it was wrong of her to have that fondness; after all, they were married. And not to each other.
When Mrs. Lovett finished her sweeping, she began another batch of pies. They were one of the few things that she could cook well. Honestly, they were the main source of income. Albert worked, earning a measly pay. The door opened, and in he walked; short, stout, and bald with grey eyes and no appealing uniqueness to speak of. Speak of the devil, thought Mrs. Lovett.
"Hello, Albert," she greeted him. He looked at her and merely grunted in reply. Mrs. Lovett knew better than to try and initiate conversation with him, so she went back to what she was doing.
"Be in the parlor," Albert muttered, walking off. "Get me for dinner." When Mrs. Lovett looked up again, he was gone. She sighed. Not that she minded he left; she was actually in a better mood when he wasn't around. She wondered what she'd done in life to earn a husband like that. Deep down inside her, she was sure she cared about him. But she had to dig awful deep. Albert wouldn't sit around and listen to her mindless babble. Not like Lucy and Benjamin would. Thank God for them, she thought to herself. She didn't doubt that she would have gone barking mad if not for them.
When she did talk to Albert, he always ignored her. Or yelled at her for her ignorance. It was always a, "Good God, woman, can't a man get any peace and quiet around here after a hard day's work? Or does he have to listen to your bloody talk all day long?" or a "Why do you have to sit and talk all the time? I like you much better when you cook!" No, Mrs. Lovett felt a lot of things for her husband, but adoration wasn't one of them.
She worked in silence, cooking two pans of pies. A succulent aroma filled the house. She dressed the only table that she had in the shop. She set a place for Albert, though he rarely joined them at the table. He usually liked to take his meals in the parlor. Just as she was finishing setting out the plates, the shop door opened. Benjamin and Lucy walked in, rosy cheeked, arm in arm, and smiling hugely. Mrs. Lovett pasted on a smile.
"Hello dears," She said. "Just in time. Make yourselves comfortable. I'm going to see if our dear Albert is going to join us." She walked out of the kitchen and into the parlor. Albert was sitting in his favorite chair, with a glass of gin in his hand.
"Albert, dinner," Mrs. Lovett said, roughly. "You coming?" He looked over at her, unmoving.
"Don't feel well," he said. "Be a dear and bring it in here." Mrs. Lovett sighed.
"Alright, love," she said, as she walked back into the kitchen. She took a plate from off the table and piled it high with pies. She brought it back to the parlor and handed it to her husband.
"There you are dear, tuck in." she said. He grunted in thanks. She walked back into the kitchen, and served plates for Benjamin, Lucy, and herself.
Their dinner was a pleasant one, filled with friendly chatter and laughter. Times were so good. Lucy talked of Benjamin, and Benjamin talked of Lucy. Mrs. Lovett listened with patience, still feeling a stab of jealousy. In exchange, she told them stories of Albert. They were always amusing. Albert was a man who tried desperately not to amuse others, but did.