Thank you to my reviewers: xBadxRomancesx - thank you very much! - and M. Cullen Hightopp - I love your long reviews cos they always make me smile :)

Again, I'd like to say that I've published a new story in the Sleepy Hollow section - One Day I'll Fly Away. It's a kind of A/U, so I'd like it if you'd read it and tell me what you think!

Chapter Thirteen

Hide and seek.

The best game in the world.

Giggling, I ducked under the table, hidden by the tablecloth. Lying on my stomach, I watched as Mum's feet slowly entered the room.

"Amy?" She called. "Where are you?"

I giggled again, pressing my hands over my mouth to try and muffle them.

"Amy?" She called again. There was a pause, and I saw her climb onto her hands and knees.

"One two, I'm coming for you!" She sung in a silly voice, making me giggle again.

"GOTCHA!"

"MUM!"

I shot up, my heart pounding against my chest.

A small moan made me look around. Nellie was curled up on the other sofa, rolling over, and Ben was sprawled out across the floor on several blankets.

Where was I?

I looked around, a tear trickling down my cheek as I remembered.

It was raining outside, a great storm that was going mad. Rain was tapping against the window, thunder was rolling like drums and lightning kept flashing through the sky.

Wiping the tear off my cheek, I realised how thirsty I was. My throat was horribly dry, and I couldn't swallow properly.

Sighing, I ran a hand through my fingers before swinging my legs over the side of the sofa and wandered into the shop, careful to avoid Ben. A flash of lightning suddenly lit the room up, and I squealed in shock as I saw Sweeney sitting in one of the booths.

"Shut up!" He hissed. "Are you trying to wake everyone up?"

"N-no...sorry..." I stammered. "I...I wanted a drink..."

Sweeney glared at me, but stood up and grabbed a glass.

"Oh...um...you don't - "

Sweeney ignored me, thrusting the glass at me. Swallowing, I took it from him.

"T-thanks..."

Taking a sip of the drink, I watched as Sweeney sat back down in one of the booths.

"What?" He growled, glaring at me. I blushed, realising I was staring.

"S-sorry."

Chewing my bottom lip, I hesitated before sitting down in the seat opposite Sweeney, keeping my head down.

"Why did you come here?"

I looked up in surprise.

"Pardon?"

"Here. Why did you come?" He asked.

I chewed my bottom lip, considering my answer.

"We need your help..."

"Why?"

"Mum...Dad...Granddad...they're gone..."

A tear trickled down my cheek as I said it, but I wiped it away quickly.

"Sorry. It's just weird getting used to it all."

I wiped both my eyes with the sleeves of my borrowed nightdress and had a sip of water before looking up at Sweeney.

"Do you miss Lucy?"

Sweeney's jaw tightened as he stared at me. I sighed.

"Sorry. That was a stupid question."

"We all do stupid things," Sweeney muttered. "Things we regret."

I looked up at him, frowning.

"I know."

Without another word, I stood up and left. Curling up on the sofa, I fell asleep once more.

"Amy...Amy...Amy! AMY!"

Something very large and soft hit me on the head.

"Don't wanna get up..." I murmured sleepily. The large and soft thing hit me on the head again.

"Tough (another hit on the head) luck!"

"Stop it!" I moaned, trying to escape from the thing hitting me.

"NO!"

My blanket was suddenly yanked, and I went rolling onto the floor.

"OW!" I yelled. "Nellie!"

Nellie laughed. "You should've got up when I told you t-HEY!"

I cut her off by throwing my pillow at her.

"Right, you are so dead!"

Lunging forwards, Nellie began tickling me, making me squeal with laughter.

"No! No, stop it!" I cried.

"Girls!" Mrs Lovett shouted over us. We immediately stopped. Nellie straightened up, brushing her hair off her shoulder, as I sat up, feeling guilty.

"Morning, Mrs Lovett." I said, smiling at her.

"Morning, love," She said, smiling back.

"How are you?"

Mrs Lovett looked a bit confused, but kept smiling. "I'm fine, thank you, love."

"Brilliant!"

"Now...I'm gonna go up ta the market and get you both some dresses. It's probably best if you two stay in the shop. Don't worry, it'll be shut and Mr T will be upstairs, but don't go disturbing him cos he's a very busy man."

"What are we going to do all day?" Nellie moaned.

"Well...there's some books in 'ere somewhere, and I've got some paper if you want ta do some drawing."

"Hooray." Nellie muttered sarcastically.

"Well now, I won't be long. Be good."

With one last smile, Mrs Lovett left the shop.

Letting out a load groan, Nellie fell backwards onto the sofa. I stared at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Is it not obvious?"

"No, not really."

Nellie slid off the sofa and onto the floor, groaning again.

"I'm dying."

"Why?"

"Because I am so bored."

"Oh, ok. I thought it was something serious."

Nellie propped herself up on her elbows and glared at me.

"It is something serious."

"Ok..."

I looked around, frowning. "Where's Ben?"

"Oh man, we travel back in time to London and Ben came with us?" Nellie whined. "I thought it was a bad dream."

"What, travelling back in time?"

"No, I don't mind that. I meant Ben coming with us."

I giggled. "Come on, let's get dressed."

Nellie raised her eyebrows, but held her hands out expectantly.

"Ok, you may help me up."

Once we were dressed in our relatively dry but crumpled up clothing, we made our way into the shop.

"BEN!" I cried, running forwards.

Ben laughed as he hugged me.

"Jeez, Amz, did you forget I was here?"

I nodded. Ben laughed again and then looked up at Nellie.

"I heard you, by the way."

Nellie blushed.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before Mrs Lovett returned with our clothes.

"'Ere ya go, deary," She said, handing some to Nellie. "And 'ere you go, Amy. If ya need help getting changed, just call."

I grinned as I rushed into the back room, eager to see my new dresses. I knew it was childish, but I couldn't help but feel excited!

"Hey, these aren't half bad," Nellie said, holding one her dresses up. "I've only two, though. How many have you got?"
"Two." I replied, holding one of mine up. They were so pretty!

Nellie's dresses were black and dark purple, dark colours that would compliment her pale complexion and dark hair.

Mine, however, were light colours, purple and blue, that would go with my fair skin and blonde hair.

Grinning, I chose the light blue dress and struggled to put it on.

"Nellie..."

"Can you help me?"

Giggling, Nellie helped me into my dress and I did the same for her. Mrs Lovett had also brought us a pair of boots each.

Once we were done, we made our way back into the shop. Mrs Lovett beamed as she saw us.

"Oh, you both look so beautiful!" She said, clapping her hands together. "But your hair could do with some brushing."

Nellie froze next to me. She hated people touching her hair.

"Sure!" I said, sitting down. Mrs Lovett chuckled.

"What 'bout you, love?" She asked Nellie.

"Nellie doesn't like people brushing her hair." I explained.

"Oh, alright, then."

While Mrs Lovett gently brushed my hair, I gazed out the window thoughtfully. Nellie sat in the chair opposite me, playing with her hair in an absent minded way.

"Now, I 'ave some pretty hair ribbons 'ere. Would you like me ta put them in?" Mrs Lovett offered, showing me the hair ribbon. It was the same shade of blue as my dress.

"Yes please, Mrs Lovett."

While Mrs Lovett tied the ribbon into my hair, a man approached the shop.

"Excuse me, m'am, but can you tell me where Mr Todd is?" He asked politely.

"He's upstairs, deary. Can I interest you in something to eat first?"

The man chuckled. "Maybe after my shave. I have heard many delightful things about the best pies in London!"

Mrs Lovett laughed and waved as he walked out, and then shook her head.

"Poor bugger." She murmured.

"Why?"

"Oh, er, no reason, love."

"No, why is he a poor..." My voice trailed off. "That thing you said."

Nellie laughed. "I love it when refuse to swear, Amz."

I scowled. "Just cos you've got a potty mouth doesn't mean I have to swear as well."

Nellie laughed ever harder. "Potty mouth?"

I glared at Nellie, who grinned back at me.

After a while, I noticed something.

"Mrs Lovett..."

"Yes, love?"

"Why hasn't that man come downstairs yet?"

"Which man?"

"The man that went up to Mr Todd's shop. He's been up there a long time."

"It takes a long time to shave, love."

I frowned. Somehow, I wasn't convinced.