Many thanks to…Ana, Count Vladimir Dracul Lucky-erin47, linalove, MidnaLovesLinktotheendoftime, MireiLovett1846, alchemistic, and all my other faithful readers!
Disclaimer; duh, not that hard to figure out.
Joy shivered as she looked out the large window in the room she shared with Sweeney. She had arrived back at the pie shop quickly and was relieved to find that Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd were still sleeping. Well, Mr. Todd was not necessarily sleeping, just looking at his razors while in a trance-like state; he hadn't even noticed when she entered the room.
She kept glancing back at that picture; it looked so much like herself. She now knew why Mr. Todd kept staring at her when he thought she wasn't looking. But she noticed. She, being mute, had developed a sort of a 'sense' that made her hear things, feel things and see things better than people that could talk. That was one of the reasons Pirelli's death had been so traumatic for her. What if Mr. Todd turned on her? What then? What if he thought she would tell, so he decided to kill her? Seeing that picture had settled her fears a little. She looked so much like the woman in that picture. Maybe, for that reason alone, he would keep her alive. She watched the barber stare at his razor, caressing it like he was a child and it was his teddy bear. She noticed his pale, porcelain skin and his jet-black hair with the streak of white. He was a good-looking man, she had to admit that, but probably much too old for her. Joy! Get those thoughts out of your head right now, young lady! She chastised herself. You're so naïve and foolish! She thought. She looked again at the barber, His build is strong, and he's handsome, and maybe he only looks older than he really is…Joy! Stop it! She crossed her arms and looked back towards the window. She knew Mrs. Lovett flirted with Mr. Todd all the time; he was untouchable, she couldn't risk angering the baker. I wonder what has happened in his past. And why did Pirelli call him Benjamin Barker? She decided to ask Mrs. Lovett as soon as her friend was up.
………….
Joy finally heard Mrs. Lovett moving around the kitchen. She ran down the stairs and smiled at her. "Good morning!" she mouthed. Mrs. Lovett was bending over one of her pies, so she didn't notice.
"Oh! Good morning, love! Sleep well last night?" Mrs. Lovett looked up and froze. "You look so much like Lucy." She whispered, "Especially in that dress." Mrs. Lovett stood there for a few minutes, staring at Joy then smiled cheerfully as if nothing had happened and offered her a pie.
"No thank you." Joy mouthed, "But I'll help make the crusts." She smiled. Mrs. Lovett nodded and handed her an extra rolling pin. Joy rolled up her sleeves and put on an apron, then got to work on the pies. They worked in silence for a few moments, which was unusual; Nellie normally chattered away. Joy tapped Eleanor's shoulder and asked inaudibly, "Can you tell me Mr. Todd's story?"
Mrs. Lovett sighed, "You sure you want to 'ear it?" she asked. Joy nodded. "It's a sad tale, tells of the unfairness of the world." She then began to tell Joy about Sweeney's former wife Lucy.
"She was beautiful, she was. Looked just like you, not very smart though, unlike you. You see, there was this judge, and he sent Benjamin Barker (that's Sweeney's previous name) away so that he could get to his wife, Lucy. Ah, that girl could've had the world in her pocket! But no, she stayed upstairs sobbin' all the time, mournin' 'er 'usband. The judge sent 'er flowers every day, 'e just stood there outside under that lamppost with the Beadle right next to 'im, starin' up at 'er window. Then the judge got sick of waitin' an' 'e sent her an invitation to 'is 'ouse one night. Ah, poor girl." Mrs. Lovett sighed and paused, then continued with her story. "The Beadle came for 'er an' told 'er the Judge was all contrite, and she 'ad to come straight to 'is 'ouse. She could've refused 'im, but she didn't." Nellie rolled her eyes, "She wasn't very bright. So, she goes along with the Beadle, an' when she arrives at the Judge's 'ouse, she finds that 'es 'aving a masque. She doesn't recognize anyone an' she drinks. Judge Turpin found her later on the couch." Mrs. Lovett shook her head regretfully, "'an then 'e raped 'er. None of the partygoers 'elped 'er either, they thought she was daft. I suppose it served 'er right, though. She could've said yes to his former invitations and maybe now she'd be alive and well. She went an' poisoned 'erself after that. And now, the judge 'as Mr. T's daughter, Johanna. I'll hate to find out what 'appens to 'er after that Anthony came in an' alerted the judge to their elopement." Mrs. Lovett finished one of the crusts and poured some meat into it then popped it, along with three others, into the oven. Joy wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"I heard you an' Toby went to the marketplace this mornin'." Nellie said, suddenly changing the subject. Joy nodded, "I got some things to make dessert and fruit pies." She mouthed.
"Oh good! That way, the non-cannibalistic vegetarians will come too!" Nellie smiled. "You can make those kind of pies, correct?" She asked, just making sure. Joy nodded. "Well good, because I know I sure can't!" Mrs. Lovett grinned and added more flour to the pie crust mixture. "'ere, you go bring Mr. Todd some breakfast. I made some bread last night." Mrs. Lovett handed her a tray with bread, tea, and an apple. "I'll get you something when you come back down, alright?"
Nellie's so hospitable! She thought as she grabbed the tray and went upstairs to wake the barber from his trance.
When she arrived at the top of the steps, she was surprised to find that Mr. Todd was already up and staring out the large window. He turned around when he heard the door open. Upon seeing Joy he froze.
"That dress," he said, "You- that dress, it- it was-" He put his hand to his head and walked quickly to the dresser. He picked up his beloved picture and looked at it, then at Joy.
"Oh my Lucy." He sighed, "My sweet, sweet Lucy." He closed his eyes and choked back a sob. Joy quietly left the tray on the table and slipped out the door, afraid of upsetting Mr. Todd anymore than she already had.
"Wait! Joy! Come back!" he said. She was already halfway down the stairs and had not heard him.