Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford sat in the judge's living room. The beadle was flipping the pages of Turpin's books idly. He stared at the pictures not caring much for the words. The judge sat in a large armchair holding his head with one hand and drumming his fingers with the other.
"What could we do to attract 'er attention?" the beadle asked. "I mean, she already knows who you are."
Turpin glared at him. "Are you trying to tell me that you think we should give up already? It hasn't even been a day since I decided that I would marry Nellie Lovett. We haven't thought of plan yet."
"No, no, not give up me lord." He said in a rushed manner. "I was simply saying wot more can you do?"
The judge stood up and started to pace in the large room. It was so silent, his footsteps echoed off the walls.
"We can do much more!" he turned abruptly to face the beadle. "Firstly, we can start making frequent trips to her meat pie emporium. That way, she can see a different side of me. The one that likes to talk about nature and London."
The Beadle gave him a quizzical look. "Me lord, you 'ate both o' those things."
Turpin rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. She doesn't have to know that though."
The Beadle made a soft "oh" sound. The judge continued moments later.
"Second, when we do go, we shall be sure to bring her a gift. No woman can resist jewelry." We'll have to get her flowers to of course." He look to the beadle and noticed he just stared intently at him. 'Well, why aren't you writing this down? No doubt you'll forget by tomorrow and I will not repeat it."
With that the Beadle started to search for a quill, some ink, and paper. When he found some, his hand zoomed across the page. His messy scrawl summarized everything the judge told him.
"Don't lose it either. We don't want any one to find it. No one should know about this until it is certain that she'll say 'I do.'"
The Beadle inclined his head to acknowledge his words.
"Thirdly, we should invite her over for a ball once in a while. We can tell her that many highly respected people will be there."
"Me lord, if I may speak, her shop was to reopen today. Shouldn't we go over there? We might as well start today."
"I suppose so."
"Well," the Beadle looked to the clock, "her shop opens in one hour. Shall we head to the market to buy her gifts?"
"An excellent idea my friend."
They grabbed their coats and left to the door. They took a carriage to the market. The ride was short, though. When they arrived, they knew exactly where to go. The judge and Beadle made their way through the crowd. They weaved around people to get to the flower stand.
"Daisies, I think, will be good enough." The judge said. He paid the vendor in exact money, since he didn't wasn't to carry useless change around.
They fought their way through the crowd once more to find a jewelry seller. They bought a low priced necklace since they didn't want to spend too much money so soon.
Turpin shoved the necklace in his coat pocket and held the set of half a dozen flowers limply in his hand. They exited the crowded market and hailed another carriage. They rode the carriage to Fleet Street and stopped at Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pie Emporium.
Several people were already waiting in front of the closed doors for the moment to arrive when it would open after two days without any pies.
The judge and beadle stepped off the carriage and waited along side the others. No more than a minute later, Nellie Lovett opened the shop, greeting her customers happily. People hurried to find seats. Nellie already had fresh pies on the counter. Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford found an empty seat near the counter.
"She can't over look us if we are this close to where she prepares the pies." The judge reasoned to friend. He laid the flowers and necklace on the table.
The number of the people in the shop increased greatly. Customers soon had to sit at the tables outside.
Nellie was busy scurrying around the kitchen, taking and filling orders. She came to the Judge's table after a few minutes passed.
"'Ello sirs! Sorry ta keep ya waitin'. Wot can I get for ya?" she asked with a bright smile.
The Beadle piped up first to order. "Two pies and some gin."
"Okay. And for you Judge Turpin?"
"I'll have a pie and a glass of ale."
"Alright, I'll get it as quick as I can." She hurried to her counter and got the order ready.
"When will you be givin' 'er the gifts, me lord?" the beadle questioned.
"Soon enough," Turpin responded. "I'll give them to her when she gets back with the food."
Almost as if on cue, Nellie returned carrying to sets of plates and glasses.
"'ere ya go dearies." She said, setting the things down on the table. "Two pies for you." She placed the plate in front of Bamford. "One pie for the Judge. Then, gin and ale." She smiled again. That will be two pennies."
They each handed her one coin. "Thank ya." She was just about to leave when the judge called her back.
"Mrs. Lovett?"
"Yes, sir?"
"I have something for you." He grabbed the daisies from the table and handed them to her.
Nellie's eyes widened. "For me? Why me?"
"I've heard you liked daisies and I thought I could thank you for the wonderful meat pies."
Her mouth hung open slightly in disbelief.
"I also found this." He took the necklace from the table handing that to her too. "I thought you might like it."
She closed her mouth but still stared at the items that were now in her hand
"Do you like them?"
"Er- I, um…"