Author's notes: There are only a couple of chapters left after this (sob), so I hope you enjoy this one! Thank you for all the lovely reviews x

Disclaimer: I don't own Sweeney Todd, its plot or its characters.

Chapter 8 – By the Sea

The next night was the grand re-opening of Mrs Lovett's Meat Pie Emporium. It was the talk of the town. I had decided to help Nelly that night, as it would be so busy and just her and Toby wouldn't manage. Mr Todd agreed, as most of his customers would be at the re-opening. I had said I'd help him if a customer did come though.

Nelly and I had been shopping for new dresses. Nelly had chosen a glittering pink dress, with embroidery on the bodice. On the evening she slicked her hair down neatly into two (messy) bunches on the side of her head. She wore more make-up than usual and put on her favourite pair of lace gloves.

I was incredibly pleased with my outfit. It was pale blue, off-the-shoulder silk, with a lace overskirt. It complimented my hair, which I'd done in a chic plait, like all the trendy upper class women. I'd bought a new necklace, this one a silver chain with a small silver heart pendant. It was beautiful, and went with my dress. I finished with my usual coating of kohl.

As expected, it was incredibly busy. Toby stood outside; using the skills he'd learned advertising Pirelli's Miracle Elixir to advertise the shop. Meanwhile, Nelly and I rushed around, serving pies and pouring ale. After ten minutes, Toby came in to help.

"Ale there Sarah!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Toby, throw that old woman out!"

I froze. Nelly had revealed something about the old beggar woman who wandered Fleet Street to me earlier.

"Last night Mr Todd was upset about Johanna again."

"Not Lucy?" she had asked.

"No, I think he's accepted she's dead."

At this, Nelly had gone pale. I'd asked what was wrong.

"There's something I ought to tell you love," she'd begun nervously. "She ain't dead. Lucy ain't dead."

"What?!"

"You know that old beggar woman who wonders around now and again?"

I nodded.

"That's Lucy. When she took arsenic I threw her out. I felt awful, but she was mad!"

I was shocked.

"Well, we've got to tell Mr Todd!"

"No!" she had gasped.

"He needs to know! She's his wife! And if he finds out, he'll be so angry with us."

"Then he won't find out…"

I tried to ignore the nagging feeling in my stomach and carry on. Eventually we were sold out, after just half an hour. Then Mrs Lovett nudged me.

There was a customer going up the steps to the barber shop.

"Do you mind?"

She shook her head.

I walked up to help.

"How's the re-opening?" Sweeney asked me, as his customer sat down.

"Brilliant, very successful," I answered, my mind elsewhere.

Through the whole time the customer was in the chair (which wasn't long) I was on another planet, feeling guilty about Lucy. I didn't even flinch when the blood spurted out of the man's neck.

"What is wrong with you?" asked Sweeney,

"What do you mean?"

"You've been somewhere else the whole time! Try and pay attention, will you?"

I nodded.

"Sorry, it's just…"

"What?"

"Nothing. You know, the pies are doing well, considering what they're made of."

"Don't start," he warned.

The next day was Sunday, and Nelly decided that we should go for a picnic to Primrose Hill. After much nagging, Sweeney agreed to come. It was a fine day, and I wore my white dress with sugar pink stripes on the skirt and a matching pink corset over the top. I hadn't worn this dress for ages, even though it was one of my favourites. I also wore my hair down, something I rarely did. When I met Nelly, Sweeney and Toby in the restaurant, Sweeney in particular looked shocked.

"You look…" he struggled for words. He wasn't really one for compliments.

"You look lovely, dear," smiled Nelly.

We walked to Primrose Hill, which wasn't that far away. We found a nice spot under a tree. Nelly and I set down a picnic blanket and we all sat down, except Toby, who wanted to fly his kite. We settled down, eating some of the biscuits that Nelly had made. And they were quite nice. Sweeney was sat in the middle of us two, and I noticed he was quiet. I didn't think anything of it though, as that was relatively normal. We slipped from topic to topic, talking of nothing in particular.

"That's not to say we couldn't get a few taxidermy animals to bring a touch of gentility to the place, you know, a boar's head or two."

I nodded, trying to suppress a smile. Then Mr Todd finally spoke.

"There must be a way to get to the Judge…"

"The Judge? Always harping on about the Judge!" A frustrated Nelly cried. "We've got a nice respectable business now," I snorted. Respectable wasn't quite the right word. "Money coming in regular-like. As long as you only kill strangers, people who aren't gonna be missed, who's gonna catch on?"

I began to say something, but was cut off by Nelly.

"You know, I've been thinking Mr T, don't you think it would be nice to move by the sea?" I felt a wave of protectiveness wash over me, and clutched onto his hand beside me. He didn't react, and I got the impression he wasn't listening. "It'll be nice and quiet, and beautiful of course. That's not to say that Toby and Sarah can't come too. And we can start a business over there. You know, Brighton or something," her voice became high pitched as she got carried away in her thoughts. "And what about a nice seaside wedding, eh? Wouldn't that be nice? What do you think Toby?" she asked as he sat down.

He shrugged. I knew he wasn't keen on Mr T.

"What about you Sarah?" she asked.

"I think you ought to ask Mr Todd what he thinks," I replied coldly.

"You're right love, I was getting carried away. What do you think Mr T?"

"Let's go," was his answer, and stood up.

I helped Nelly and Toby pack up. Nelly watched him walk away.

"I guess he wasn't too keen," she muttered sadly.

"I guess not," I replied. Then I asked something that had bothering me. "Why don't you just tell him about his wife? That's one of the reasons he's so grumpy and won't listen, he's still missing her. Just tell him the truth; he'll be so much happier. And can you imagine what he'd be like if he found out himself? He'd be crazy, and we'd be dead."

"Oh love, it's hard. And after all, that wouldn't make him want to move any more. If anything, he'd just want to stay with her. He'd be devastated to find out that she's some mad old hag."

"You think you love him so much," I said. "But if you truly loved him, you'd tell him the truth and be happy for him. Instead, you're selfish and just care about your feelings. I can't believe you Nelly. And I'm sorry, but that's the way I feel."

I walked away after Mr Todd, leaving Nelly with a shocked look on her face. She had made the mistake of thinking that she was the only person who cared for Mr Todd. Because over the last few weeks, I had really started to enjoy our strange little friendship. He was good company, and also seemed to care for me.

So then I decided that no one would come between us, ever. And maybe telling him about Lucy was a bad idea.

Author's notes: Sarah's jealous! So, do you think that she's doing the right thing by not telling Sweeney - you'll find out what happens soon enough! Please review x