From the plumb frame of the shadow, the baker knew instantly that it was the Beadle. She also knew she couldn't let Kagome get in the middle of whatever it was he wanted from her. Just when she was about to tell the girl to rest in the parlor, Kagome hurried past her and opened the door for the fat man.
He stood there, nasty little rat face, cane and all, a smug smile revealing yellowing teeth. Kagome, frightened by the small man's dispelling appearance, gasped softly and jumped back right into Nellie's open arms.
"Sorry little miss," the Beadle apologized halfheartedly as he tipped his hat. "Hope I hadn't given you night crawlies." The baker tried hard not to flinch as he chuckled. "O-Of course not, s-sir," Kagome stuttered as she clung to her mother's dress, squirming under his beady eyed stare.
Nellie cleared her throat, snapping his eyes up to hers. "Wot is it you were wantin', Beadle Bamford, sir?" she asked, her voice strained "Ah, yes. You see, Mrs. Stewart, I've been getting quite a number of complaints about the stench coming from your chimney at all hours of the day." the Beadle explained with an air of importance.
Licking her suddenly dry lips, Nellie forced a strained smile and replied calmly, "Sure thing, Beadle," her eyes darted above. "Wouldn't you like to go see Mr. Todd upstairs first?" she asked, trying to buy some time. "Before you 'ave to dirty yerself with such bloody business?"
The Beadle eyed the staircase suspiciously "I don't know, ma'am," he rubbed the stubble on his chins. "This is rather urgent business I've got to be getting to...", "Nonsense! Ain't nothin' worth missin' a free shave from the best barber in London!" she persisted cheerfully, all too aware of her trembling hands as she rubbed Kagome's back comfortingly.
With another skeptical look upwards, the fat man grinned, having made up his mind. "I suppose it couldn't hurt," he mused. "But I'll right back here expecting to inspect every inch of your bakehouse, Mrs. Stewart." He gave her a teasing grin and went up.
Relieved, Nellie closed the door and leaned against it, sighing heavily.
"I hate him," Kagome growled as she picked herself from her adoptive mother's skirts. "Always thinking hes the top dog, boss of everyone," she went back to the long forgotten pile of dough and began to beat it with the rolling pin.
The baker smiled warmly at her and walked over behind the counted to stand beside her. "Ya got tha' right, love," she sighed, resting her head in her hands as she watched the girl pound the dough; her smile widened as she noticed the girl doing it the exact way she had taught her.
Her thoughts drifted off and wandered, as she always had the tendency to do whenever she had free time on her hands; she thought of James and his heart of gold. She thought of Mr. T and his appealingly dark nature. Oh, what was she to do? There was no way they could all keep this charade up forever. Nellie glanced at Kagome and for once thought of the girl and her role in her life. The baker had always wanted children, but both her husbands had failed her. Only twice had the thought of just going out and laying with another man and claiming the illegitimate child her husband's. And if the man was inclined to pay her, who was she to complain?
But no, she had stayed faithful and true, just as she knows James or Albert had done. Kagome was the compensation for losing Benjamin, she was the baker's dream come true.
An' she ain't no simpleton, neither, Nellie told herself thoughtfully. She knew it was only a matter of time before she found out the truth about her business, and that it would be best for everyone if the woman just told her herself.
But what ever would she say? Well, ya see, love, tha' master of yours? Yeah, Mr. T went an' offed 'im and I baked 'im into a pie! An' I was hopin' you'd be 'onky-dorey with it and help me bake 'alf of London into a pie an' feed the rest! Yes, quite lovely.
After a few minuets, Nellie caught the Judge through the window from the corner of her eyes. He was racing upstairs.
Her eyes widened and she paled. She knew that the barber wouldn't hold back if the Judge went up and barged right in on him with the Beadle. What the bloody hell is 'e even doin' here?!she screamed inwardly, panicking. Oh God, with the Judge and the Beadle up there, its sure to be a blood bath! And where the bloody hell is James?! The baker's mind was racing a mile a minuet.
"Mom?" Nellie felt a small hand tug at her dress. She looked down and met Kagome's worried chocolate brown eyes. "What's wrong?" She felt tears tug at the corner of her eyes and she tried to slow her rapid breathing. "I-It's nothin', love," she leaned heavily against the counter and ran a pale hand through her tangled curls.
The girl still kept her eyes trained on the baker, her eyes suspicious and concerning. "It don't look like nothing,"
Gathering her bearings, Nellie sighed heavily and looked at her with caring eyes. "It's nothin' you need worry yourself over, darlin'." I've got to get 'er outta 'ere.
"Kagome," she started, looking nervously around the kitchen. "Would you be a sweet'eart and go 'elp James down in the bakehouse?" the girl's face lit up. "To help bake the pies?!" she cried happily. Nellie nodded and watched as she skipped down the hall. Her head popped into the door suddenly, dark pigtails swaying as she smiled.
"I love you, mom," she said. The baker looked at her at for a moment, then smiled back, hoping she didn't notice the tears welling up in her eyes. "I love you, too, love." and she was gone.
Upstairs, Sweeney had just disposed of a senile beggar woman that had wondered aimlessly into his shop. He had paid no attention to what the wretched thing had been rambling on and made a quick job about it, the sound of the Judge's heavy boots on the rickety staircase.
The fool believed the lie the barber spilled of Johanna being just below them, that she was awaiting them to beg the Judge for his forgiveness. "But first, my lord, allow me to shave you," Sweeney grinned wickedly. The Judge looked at him suspiciously "The closest shave you have ever known, guaranteed."
He slowly let Sweeney guide him into the death contraption and the two began to sing about pretty women, the Judge never once taking notice of the evil and excited gleam in the barber's eyes until it was over.
Little did the two men know that a pair of Hazel eyes watched them in horror from their hiding space in the corner.
A/N: Again, really sorry for the wait! I know its short, but I was hoping to get around to updating and eventually finishing all my current fanfictions. Just remember, more reviews means faster updates!