Thank you:

M. Cullen Hightopp - I feel so squashed after all the hugs! And yeah, Turpin is a bit messed up...

xBadxRomances - Thank you :)

xXEmoVampirateXx - I think a few people might recognize her ;)

and freakyfriday - I love that word! Updation, it's so cool! I wrote it so it just sounded like Turpin hit her, but sorry if that wasn't very clear :)

Chapter Nineteen

I woke up the next day quite early, as usual. For once, though, I didn't feel the need to jump up and begin getting dressed.

Instead, I simply stretched my arms and legs out and then lay there silently, gazing up at the ceiling.

We were going to find Mum!

The sentence rolled around in my mind, the excitement never fading.

An idea suddenly sprung to my mind. Careful not to disturb Ben and Nellie, I hurriedly got dressed. Slipping my feet into my boots, I tiptoed out of the room.

The shop was empty, the clean wood of the tables shining in the sunlight breaking through the clouds. I smiled as I crossed the room and went to the side door.

Opening it, my smile grew as a gentle breeze greeted me. I stepped into the back, shutting the door behind me, and gazed around. Autumn was nearly here, the green leave slowly turning amber and red.

Quickly brushing my skirt and running a hand through my hair, I made myself look reasonably presentable before walking up the wooden steps, towards the barber's shop.

I lingered outside, just out of Sweeney's view, as I contemplated whether or not to go inside.

I need to talk to him, but I didn't want to disturb him if he was sleeping. People, men especially, were always cranky when they were tired.

I finally decided that I would simply knock on the door. If he didn't answer, he was asleep and I would go back later.

Happy with this plan, I moved forwards and gently rapped on the glass of the door.

There was a brief pause. Sighing, I turned away. He was obviously asleep.

A soft call of "Come in," made me spin around again.

Walking forwards again, I carefully opened the door and stepped inside the barbers shop.

Sweeney was stood by the large window that took up nearly a whole room, sharpening his razors.

"Morning, Mr Todd." I said politely. He glanced over his shoulder, frowned as he saw me and then nodded in greeting.

"Morning."

I shut the door and stepped forwards, my confidence growing slowly.

"I just came to thank you…"

"Why?" He asked in contempt.

"Because you're helping us. You don't have to, but you're choosing to," I explained, smiling though he couldn't see me. "So, thank you. I can assure you that Ben and Nellie are very grateful as well."

"The sooner we find Johanna the sooner you can leave." Sweeney muttered, still not looking at me.

"Why do you act like this?" I asked softly. That caught his attention. He finally turned to look at me.

"What do you mean?"

"You act so…gruff and heartless, but you're not," I said, taking another step forwards. "You're not as cold as you make out to be."

Sweeney snorted as he turned away again.

"You know nothing, girl." He muttered.

"I know enough about you to say that you were once a kind and loving man," I said boldly. He froze in his actions. "And I know, deep down, that man is still inside you, which is why you're helping us."

Sweeney stayed frozen for a few minutes, and I watched his back anxiously. I had said too much, I knew that, but it was the truth.

"That man is dead now. Understand that." He finally said.

"He isn't dead, though. He has simply been replaced by another."

Sweeney glared at me. "What do you know?" He demanded angrily.

"Not a lot, but I know that no matter how hard you try, you're always going to be Benjamin Barker at heart," I challenged. "It's like me. I could try and be the amazing confident performer Jake and Hannah want me to be, but I'm always going to be me. Amy."

Sweeney frowned as he stared at me, his eyebrows knitting together. I stared back at him determinedly.

"So, thank you." I said softly. Before I could stop myself, I walked forwards and hugged him.

After a hesitant moment, Sweeney put one of his arms around me and hugged me back.

I smiled, burying my face into his chest. Sweeney took a step back, and I realised I had gone too far.

"I guess I should…" My voice trailed off helplessly as I gestured towards the door. Sweeney nodded once, silent, and turned away.

As I turned to leave, I paused by the door and gazed at him.

"Mum will be grateful as well," I told him. "I know she will be."

"Oh, Amy!" Nellie cried as I walked back into the pie shop, rushing forwards and flinging her arms around me.

"Er…hi Nellie." I said unsurely.

"Amy, where were you?" Ben asked.

"Upstairs…"

"We thought you were gone!" Nellie said, hugging me again.

"Wait, gone?" I questioned.

"We thought something may have happened to you, Amz." Ben explained. I grinned sheepishly.

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"You better damn well be." Nellie muttered, suddenly back to herself. I was wondering why she was acting so funny.

"Just don't do it again, ok, Amz?" Ben said.

"Sure."

The day went by…slowly.

It was very boring.

Most of it I spent in the back room with Nellie. Ben was out looking for work (why, I don't know), Mrs Lovett was in the shop and Sweeney was doing…whatever.

"How about I Spy?" I suggested.

"How about no?"

I rolled my eyes at Nellie. That was the fifth game I suggested she decided she didn't like.

"Come on, let's go help Mrs Lovett."

Nellie snorted.

"No thanks."

I ignored her as I jumped up from the sofa, walking into the shop just as the door opened.

Two women walked in, both in plain dresses and old boots. The first was a redhead, strands of which were escaping from her plait. Her pale skin was covered with millions of tiny freckles and her eyes were really big and wide.

The second, however, caught my attention.

Tall and slim, her long blonde hair tied into a braid with her bangs hanging out to frame her face. Her blue eyes, the exact same shade as mine, were darting around the shop anxiously.

I couldn't stop staring at her.

How was this happening?

Was this actually happening?

My mouth open, I ran into the back room and grabbed Nellie. Ignoring her protests, I silently pulled her into the doorway and pointed at the two women.

"Amz, what the –"

Nellie cut herself off as she also saw them.

I stared ahead of me, my eyes on the blonde woman. But she wasn't just a blonde woman with blue eyes and a plain dress. She was someone else.

She was our Mum.