Thorns And Roses

Chapter Twenty Nine

A/N: What's this? I updated? In less than a week? I know I'm shocked too haha, let's hope I can start pumping these chapters out regularly like before. Thanks for reading!

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The next three days passed and Sweeney was back to himself albeit more determined than ever to slit Turpin's throat.

He and Eleanore continued their businesses as usual and catered to the high amount of customers that had grown in the last few months. Now and then Sweeney would have to ask Toby for his help in sweeping up the shop before each customer to keep up. Toby never once complained and as soon as the work was done, he was off back down to help his mother serving the customers below.

Sweeney was grateful for the help, after all, work was taking up a lot of his time. He was beginning to grow quite fond of the lad and he could see why Eleanore appreciated him so much. He was a massive help.

Eleanore had been throwing herself into work more than ever, using it as a distraction to forget about her recent symptoms. Since Joanna had left, the baker had done a thoroughly good job of convincing herself that nothing was wrong with her and she simply had a stomach bug. Luckily no sickness had come since that night and this was what managed to put her worry to ease.

But she wasn't entirely happy.

She and the barber were on good terms, but there was obvious tension on the matter of the Judge. Sweeney was up every night, planning and trying to figure out Turpin's routine with slow progress.

Once he had managed to do so, he would be able to find the perfect time to strike. This meant he spent little time with the baker and the majority of his time locked up in his shop, occasionally opening to make the odd few shillings.

He was more paranoid than ever, constantly worrying about the baker downstairs. He never let her go to the market without him accompanying her and he certainly did not let her do the evening rush without Toby. He was too afraid. Both of them were so very afraid and it was creating a strain on their relationship.

On the third day, Eleanore was pleasantly surprised by Amelia and Edith coming to her shop for lunch. Naturally, she sat with them briefly and the two proposed an afternoon out on Monday to Westminster, to hear their father give a brief speech and spend the day shopping. At first, the baker wasn't so sure. But after being stuck inside for so long and losing sleep over Sweeney she decided she deserved a much-needed break. Once the pair had left she had convinced Sweeney to let her go and that she would be back within a few hours.

Sweeney had not been pleased with the idea, but he had relented after her sheer stubbornness made him give up. She was on edge and looking rather pale these days, she needed some space and he wasn't going to deny her because he was too worried about something happening to her. At least she wouldn't be alone, he trusted thebwomen and he knew Edith would watch over her.

Therefore on Monday he decided he would close the shop early and take a break himself, he was barely sleeping these days and he needed his strength to execute Turpin's murder.

When Monday finally arrived, Eleanore dressed up in her best and cheerfully kissed Sweeney and Toby on the cheek before heading off to the waiting carriage outside. Sweeney watched her go and told himself she would be fine, he needed to stop worrying. To distract himself, he began opening up the shop and with Toby's help, shaved and cut a handful of men's hair. By the early afternoon, he decided he was done and began clearing up. He needed to resume his planning and rest for a while.

"Pretty popular shop this place eh?" Toby commented while he swept up the last stray pieces of hair from the floor.

"That's what happens when you're the best barber in London," Sweeney commented dryly, placing his friends back into their lovely case. Cracking his back he reached for the kettle and put it on the stove. "Tea, Toby?"