Partners in crime

Mr Barker

The sudden sound of keys rattling in the key hole drew Mrs Lovett from her very light sleep. That's even if she had even been sleeping considering she had been listening out all evening for Sweeney to return. The candle by her bedside was almost at its end indicating that it must be late, but there was still that small amount of light in her room.

Pulling off the covers gently from her body and stepping carefully onto the floorboards of her bedroom Nellie tried her best not to be so loud. It must be some time in the morning by now as the heaviness of her eyelids made it hard for her to see properly.

The old floorboards creaked lightly under her small steps as she went to grab her robe. Trying it around her body she crept towards her door and slowly twisted the door knob which caused it to ever so slightly screech. This place of hers was certainly falling apart, most of the doors needed a good amount of oil to keep them from creaking in the night. She made a mental note of getting some when she next went to the market.

Now that she was finally out of her room she heard the faint sound of her cupboard doors being opened and closed. And low and behold as soon as she turned the corner into her shop there he was pouring himself a glass of gin from a fresh bottle.

He looked tired and angry and for that she approached with causation.

"Sweeney" she whispered catching his attention to which he glanced at her with little in the way of any expression before throwing down the gin whole. This alone had her gulping, clearly this evening hadn't gone as planned.

When he didn't respond she made her way further into the shop on her way to stand opposite him at the counter in just her nightdress and robe. Her hair was down and feel loose over her shoulders like a tigers mane, something Sweeney usually loved about her.

But alas he did not even lift his head to look in her direction clearly to focused in the gin to be paying her any kind of attention. "Awfully late dear...." 

Still nothing.

"Got everyone to bed, poor dears are all exhausted...we had quite the evening'...

"I'm not in the mood Eleanore for your gibberish" he cut her off within an instant still not looking her way as he poured himself another "I'm going to bed" he added throwing back yet another glass of gin.

The comment stung but she let it slid seeing he was upset, whatever happened tonight had change his mood and she didn't want to push him further.

Popping the cork back in the bottle he made his way towards his barber shop much to her surprise.

"Ya not comin in with me?" Came her hurried and confused voice.

She had waited all bloody night for him to come home to her and now he was going upstairs. This hurt her more then his dig a second ago.

"I want to be alone" his voice was low and sounded almost like a warning causing a small amount of tears to form, not that he was facing her to see.  "Goodnight" he added with his back still towards her before opening the door and heading up to his barbers shop.

Blinking back her tears Mrs Lovett cleared her throat wanting to remain strong. But after waiting all night to receive that kind of reception was hurtful. Why had he suddenly became so cold and miserable all over again.

For now she couldn't dwell on the matter, it was late. If she had any chance of staying awake tomorrow for work she would need to at least get a few hours in. And so with the odd few tears still lingering in her eyes she made her way back to her room.

Alone.

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The early hours of the morning Mrs Lovett was woken by the sound of pacing above her. Sighing loudly to herself she adjusted her eyes to the small amount of light entering with no alternative but to listen to the barber pace back and forth above her.