I just wanted to say thank you so much to thelovelyflorencelovett and sonic-daydreams for reviewing the last chapter. Your reviews keeps me writing :)
It is already late afternoon when the carriage reaches London; it stops at The Judge's house. There are four maids already waiting outside. They immediately grab the bags at the back of the carriage and take it inside, without waiting for instructions.
When they are all able to set their feet on the ground, Lucy immediately says her good bye to The Beadle and The Judge. But when she checks for her bags at the compartment, it is not there anymore. She frowns in confusion and turns to Judge Turpin who is smirking at her. She raises an eyebrow and asks "Where are my bags, sir? I really need to go home. My husband is waiting for me."
Judge Turpin grimaces when he hears the word 'husband', but he quickly changes his expression- sporting a warm smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "But Mrs. Barker, you should come inside first. Lunch is ready."
"I'm sorry, sir. I really need to go home. But nonetheless, thank you for your offer" Lucy says, politely declining The Judge's invitation. "Can I have my things now, sir?"
The Judge sighs in defeat- looking down and clamping his hands behind his back. "Well, then let me just take you home. It is not safe for a pretty lady- like you- to be walking around the streets of London alone.
Lucy's cheeks turn red at the compliment. She ducks her head down- hiding the little smile and the blush that creeps into her face. She clears her throat- composing herself- and nods at Judge Turpin, accepting his offer. The Judge turns back at The Beadle before leaving.
"You may eat without me." Beadle Bamford abruptly turns around, heading inside- excited for the thought of food waiting for him inside. But halfway making through the door, Judge Turpin calls for him again. "And Beadle, tell them to bring Mrs. Barker's things out."
Beadle Bamford nods dismissively, yelling for the maids before he even steps inside the house. One maid comes out of the house rushing towards the Judge. The maid turns to Lucy and hands her things to her, but the Judge takes it away from the maid carrying Lucy's bags for her.
As the two of them walk, Lucy notices the way people stares at her and The Judge when they pass by them. She does not like the way they look, it has malice in them. Women will make face and whisper to their husband or their companion when they think that she doesn't notice them.
She casts a side glance to The Judge, checking if he too sees the way people look at them. His face shows no emotion. As if noticing that Lucy is looking at him, he faces her and smiles at her before continuing to stare ahead. Lucy sighs, she does not know if he's just choosing to ignore the people or he doesn't notice them.
They arrive at Fleet Street. The first thing Lucy notices is that Mrs. Lovett's shop is closed- It is not usual for the baker to close her shop, so Lucy wonders what caused her to do so. She turns back to the judge who is standing a foot behind her. She is about to invite him upstairs to their apartment when the door opens, showing Benjamin.
"Ben!" Lucy shouts; she runs to the landing of the stairs, waiting for her husband- she has the biggest smile on her face.
Ben takes two steps at a time in going down- excitement and joy plastered on his face. Once he reaches Lucy, he engulfs her in a fierce hug and she returns it- embracing him tighter. After a while, Judge Turpin clears his throat- making his presence known. It has been awkward for him to look at what the two are doing.
Lucy pulls apart from his husband, blushing in embarrassment for forgetting The Judge. She takes Ben's hand as she tugs him to walk towards Judge Turpin. Once they are in front of him, she speaks- introducing Judge Turpin. "Ben, this is Judge Turpin, and sir, this is my husband- Benjamin Barker."
Ben slowly and hesitantly holds out his hand for Judge Turpin to shake- forcing a smile on his face. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir."
The judge just looks at Ben's outstretched hand, with something like disgust on his face. But quickly wipes it away, changing it with a sinister grin. He nods in reply, not shaking Ben's hand. He gives-throws- Lucy's bags to Benjamin without looking at him. He is looking at Lucy, who has a skeptic look on her face upon witnessing the exchange between the two men.
"I shall be going, Mrs. Barker. I thank you for your… services for the past whole week." The judge glances briefly at Ben- who is glaring at a wide eyed Lucy- and nods at him before he turns around and leaves- not knowing that he just created a big fight between the couple for saying what he said.
When the judge is out of sight, Lucy quickly turns around to face her husband- immediately explaining herself. "Ben, dear- I- we- let me explain. Please Ben! I was- "
Ben does not bother listening to her. He angrily climbs back up to their apartment- ignoring Lucy's pleading. When he reaches the door, he yanks it open and closes it forcefully with a loud bang- shutting it to his wife's face. He drops the bag that he's carrying on his way to their bedroom- locking it.
Lucy follows Ben- crying uncontrollably. She bangs at the door- asking him to open it so she can explain; to no avail. She leans back on the door, sliding down to the floor. Bringing her knees up, she hugs them as she cries some more.
She regrets everything she did. She feels very stupid for hiding the truth from her husband. She didn't know the he'd find out about it. She shouldn't have gone with the judge but instead, she should have listened to her husband when he told her to just stay at their house. After all, it was really for her benefit. Why did she let the judge walk her home? She should have known that this would happen. But she was not thinking when she let him. Besides, it is really not safe for her to be walking alone.
But in all honesty, it is really her husband's fault. If he would just allow her to work then she wouldn't have to hide that she'd be working for the judge. Also, she only did it for their best. They both want a child and of course, they need money to support one. That's why she looked for a job. When he said that the money that he is saving is not yet enough, she knew she needed to find a way to add money to their savings. Instead of sitting around all day and doing nothing, it'd be better if she worked.
But her husband didn't let her explain. He does not have the right to be angry if what she did is only for their best. He should appreciate what she did. If only he would listen to her then he would surely understand. But no, he chose to ignore her and it's not her problem anymore. If he does not want to listen to her, then fine. She's going back to The Judge where she knows she will be understood.
Lucy's crying ceases. She sniffs loudly, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. She knows it is very unladylike, but right now, she doesn't care. Besides, no one can see her. She clears her throat while wiping her tear stained face. She stands up and straightens her dress.
"I'm going out." she shouts, before leaving. She is not asking for his permission, just telling him that she's going out so that he knows. She waits for an answer- though she's not expecting one. When she hears no reply, she simply walks out of their apartment, going to The Judge.
Ben sits at the edge of the bed- fuming. He is shaking with anger. He is holding a fistful of bed sheet with both his hands. His grip is so tight that his knuckles are turning white and it is starting to hurt- though he doesn't mind; what Lucy did hurts more than the physical pain he is now experiencing.
She lied to him.
Why? What had caused her to do so? She just spent the whole week with that Judge Turpin, how dare she? What have they been doing all those times that they were together? How could she go with that man she doesn't even know? How did they meet, after all? Did something… happen between them? How could she do this to him?
Benjamin lets out a frustrated growl- tugging at his hair. A tear escapes his eye. He is so hurt. He thought that the questions that have been bugging him before his wife comes home will be answered when she's finally here- he's wrong. The questions just multiplied, adding more confusions than his mind can handle. She even has the nerve to introduce him to that man. Unbelievable!
What shall he do now? Talk to her? Let her explain? Yes, maybe he should listen to her first before he jumps into conclusions. He can tell that she stopped crying now. He shall go to her now- now that they are calmer. He stands up to open the door. His hand is on the doorknob- about to twist it- when he hears her say that she's going out. Her voice sounds… angry?
Going out? Where will she go? Aren't they supposed to talk? Doesn't she care? Maybe not. Well, fine. If she does not want to talk about it or if she does not want to solve their problem, it's okay with him. He's not the one who's going out with another man and not telling her husband.
He waits for her to exit their apartment before he goes out of their bedroom. If she's going out- he's also going out. But where will he go? The first thing that pops in his mind is downstairs- to his best friend. Yes, he'll go to Nellie, she will understand him.
He goes downstairs, heading to Mrs. Lovett's shop. Of course, he has not forgotten that he should be avoiding her and that she threw her out of her house just a while ago, but he just needs someone to talk to and she's the person he can rely on. He'll apologize to her first, before anything else- he does not like fighting with her.
He opens the door to Mrs. Lovett's shop- finding it empty. He slowly walks to the parlor where he's sure is where he'll see her. He's right- there she is, curled up in the settee, reading a book. She looks like she just woke up. He approaches her, calling her softly. "Nellie?"
She stiffens. He places his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look at him. She raises an eyebrow in question.
"I am sorry for what happened earlier." He says sincerely. Her reply is to look at the book that's on her lap, picking it up and resumes her reading.
Ben walks to the front of the settee, sitting at the empty space beside Mrs. Lovett- his usual spot. He grips her wrist, causing the book to fall. She looks at him- surprised.
"Please Nell, I'm sorry. I was just helping you- I – I didn't- please. I'm really sorry." He says pleadingly; hoping that she'll accept his apology. He really is sorry.
"It's alright Mr. Barker. Now, if that's all you're going to say then I must ask you to leave. I'm quite busy here." She answers. Her voice is cold, gone now its usual cheeriness.
The use of 'Mr. Barker' is immediately noticed by Ben. He knows that she's still angry. It's kind of irritating that she's acting that way just because of broken plates. He can always replace them, no need for her to be so angry. He sighs in disappointment. He thought he would get comfort from his best friend- he was wrong.
"I just wanted to talk." He says; his voice is full of sadness. "… but I see that you're busy. Sorry for bothering you. I'll just leave." He stands up, feeling lonely than ever before. His wife left, and now his best friend is ignoring him. He guesses that he's on his own now.
He slowly walks out of the parlor, feeling like he is carrying the world on his shoulders. He reaches the front door to Mrs. Lovett's shop when…
"Ben, wait!"
I know, it's short. sorry. Just had to end it there. :)
Don't you guys think that Lucy is fast becoming a bitch, hmm? mehehe... XD
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