Act IX: A Barber and His Wife

He sent Bamford off the find out more about her. It turns out her name was Lucy these days, Lucy Barker. Odd how things had a way of working out. Bamford found out that Barker's shop was located on Fleet Street. He decided to pay them a visit.

"Well, my Lord. I'm so glad you've heard of my humble shop. Many distinguished men come here, why, I've even shaved a visiting Viceroy of India!"

"You don't say," Turpin drawled.

Barker called from down the stairs, "Benjy! Come over here and introduce yourself! It'd be good for when you have a client base of you own!"

A young man scrambled up the stairs. He was young, pleasant, and charming. He was quite handsome too, with his neatly combed dark hair and high cheekbones, which may have explain why he was very self-assured and confident. The fool didn't even have the decency to not look like his biological father. Turpin found it easy to dislike the boy at first glance,

The boy extended his hand towards the barber's chair. "Very nice to meet you sir."

"Wait until I'm finished, Benjy," replied Barker patiently. Apparently he wasn't very bright either. "My son just finished his apprenticeship, I'm thinking of retiring soon, and handing the business over to him.

Turpin paid Barker handsomely for his services, it was quite a nice shave, and asked him for a moment of his time.

"Of course. Why don't we go to the pie shop downstairs? There are more comfortable seating arrangements."

The shop was small and cozy, with a warm smell of baking dough and spices. A young woman with frizzy auburn hair was scrunching her nose in concentration as she placed dough over the top of a pie.

"Hello, Nellie my dear! How's business going?" Mr. Barker asked jovially as he tried to grab a pie. She swatted his hand.

"Sorry, Mr. B, those are for the customers." He laughed.

"Always the businesswoman. Good for you Nellie, it'll do you wonders." They headed for a dimly lit table by the corner, Turpin didn't want to be noticed in such an establishment.

"I see you took the child in." Barker grimaced.

"I had to. And I didn't mind, seeing as I never had a son of my own, and he's turned out to be a good kid. A little simple, but he has a good heart."

"What happened to the mother?"

"Kitty? Oh, she couldn't stand it here, I think it was the responsibility that got to her, and reality. She ran off to join a group of traveling players that were passing through town. Haven't heard from her since."

"Oh! Mr. Turpin, I 'aven't seen you in ages!" Much to his surprise, it was Mrs. Andrews. She looked older, a great deal more fatigued with circles under her eyes, but a great deal happier as well. "'Ave you met my girl, Nellie. Such a bright thing." Turpin could tell. She was mousy and shifty, but she did look reasonably aware of things, and was wary of him as a result. Best to stay away from her.

"I didn't know you had children."

"Of course you wouln' wot wiv you movin' away and such. I 'ad Nellie a year or so afta Benjamin was born, maybe a few months less." She grinned over at Barker.

"Do you want a pie?" she asked.

"No, I'm fine thank you." Turpin quickly replied, taking his hat from Barker, "I best be off, it was nice catching up with you two."