Partners in crime

What now?

After bathing for some time in the tub which Mrs Lovett had so kindly drawn for him, Sweeney had to get out. There was much to be done now that the beadle and the Judge were dead. There was sure to be a stir in London, people would talk and Sweeney couldn't be sure of the fact that only the beadle knew Turpin was coming to the barber shop today. If anyone else knew the coppers would be after him and Mrs Lovett first.

Awhile a go Sweeney had been at peace with the idea of being hung for his murder of the Judge. But things were different now, he didn't want to be caught nor did he want Eleanore to be found out either. He loved her, there was no use in ever pretending he didn't...he was so in love that the thought of her being hurt had him worrying pathetically over her.

Stepping out of the tub Sweeney grabbed a towel and patted down his now clean body only smirking to himself at the beautifully folded up pair of fresh trousers and shirt on the stall. She really would make such a good wife one day that was for sure...

Dressing in the clothes she had left for him and rubbing his washed hair with said towel Sweeney glanced at his reflection in the steamy mirror. His face was badly bruised and his cuts now healed but very prominent even so.

With a quick comb to the hair and a drop of cologne he felt far better. The bath had been what he didn't realise he needed, god it had felt good to relax. Pulling up a pair of socks and placing his shoes back on he left the bathroom in search for his baker.

He could hear the sound of faint tears coming from her bedroom. With a frown he headed towards her room, the door was ajar and he could see her curled up on the bed crying softly to herself. Her back was facing him so she didn't know he was there, the very sight of her so upset pulled at his heart strings.

"Eleanore" he spoke her name before entering causing her to pull herself up from the bed and quickly wipe away her tears.

"Oh..." she cleaned her throat "didn't realise ya done love, I'll clear away the bath water" as she moved past him she stopped when his hand reached out and grabbed her arm. It wasn't a hard grip but nor a light one either, however she didn't expect the barber to know how to be gentle with her.

"Why are you crying?" He asked in his monotonous manor.

Looking at him with her teary eyes Mrs Lovett felt foolish he should see her in such a way. "Am just a little shaken is all, am so worried about Toby" yet again she made it sound so light and bubbly as if she could never show him weakness..

Silence past between them briefly before he spoke.

"I want you to pack your things...everything you need and only need take with you" his instructions had her taken back.

"Take where?" She breathed nervously her eyes flicking over his face for answers

"We're leaving London for a while" her eyes widened slightly.

"Not without Toby I ain't"

Letting her arm go Sweeney sighed "pack your things, I'll take care of the rest....just pack"

With that he left the room. She didn't know what his plan was or where he was thinking of going, but she would follow. No matter what she wanted to be with him and so she would always follow....

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The carriage journey had been rather quiet. Both deep in thought worrying over two different matters. Mrs Lovett only had her poor boy on her mind and Sweeney had been thinking of his next move. They were travelling to Eleanore's aunts. Of course she knew he was doing it for her safety yet her argument about Toby before when they had set off had been shut down. Even now sat here teary eyed watching the world go by on this dark night she couldn't help but feel hurt. She wondered whether this had been his plan all along, to whisk her off so they would leave poor Toby behind.