A Time and Place for Us

A Different Man

"Get the hell away from her, you bleeding cockroach!" Sweeney yelled as he pushed the door open. Razor warm in his palm, ready to attack if he had to.

Taking advantage of the sudden shock that seized the current occupants of the cabin upon Sweeney's barging in, the barber took in the scene before him. Nellie was still in bed, she'd dressed and applied some rouge to her lips and cheeks not to look so dead, but otherwise she seemed to be just as he left her. That monster hadn't harmed her.

He was also relieved Mr. Winslow seemed to be at a respectable distance, in the other corner of the room where they'd placed their travel bags. He raised an eyebrow at that, but assumed he was probably retrieving something she asked him to, as she seemed keen on playing the bedridden damsel.

"I assure you, Mr. Payne, you mustn't worry, for I have no ill intentions towards the lovely lady. I was merely inquiring about her condition, after seeing her so feeble last night. I've advised her, and I'm sure you will be in agreement, that resting is of uttermost importance for a prompt recovery. Hence, I will be on my way to ensure that she does" he said, his rhetoric as pompous as that of the late Judge. Sweeney realised he was growing to hate him just as much. But before making his much-anticipated leave, he turned to Nellie, whose expression Sweeney found hard to read. She was hiding something. "This said, I hope this dress is to your liking. And again, do not worry about anything, my dear, all unfortunate misunderstandings have been cleared up. Just focus on improving your condition. Good day."

He took a quick glance at Sweeney's razor in his hand, giving him a stupid grin before he finally made to leave. The barber had to exert a titanic willpower not to follow him and slit the throat of that cheeky bastard. But that would be a foolish thing to do in the current situation, so he begrudgingly reigned his impulses to murder in.

"Are you daft, woman? Why on earth were you alone with him!? Have you no shame? No sense of propriety? Nor common sense?" he roared, his pent-up fury that had not found relief by making Harold's blood spill fully directed at Eleanor. She, however, did not react like he thought she would, with her own fury rising to match his. It was as if his extreme reaction was not at all unexpected, nor even outrageous for she was used to it, and the realization made him calm down somewhat. His old ways no longer phased her, but he was committed to be better.

"I am quite sure that man tried to drug you last night, Eleanor. You said you didn't drink but the gin he offered you. And while you assured me you took only a couple of sips, he claimed you drank almost the whole bottle to explain the effect it had on you..." his tone was softer now but it retained a bitter edge at the audacity of the man. He didn't know he was messing with. He tried to harm his Eleanor and Sweeney would harm him in return, sooner or later.

"I know" she spoke confidently, which had the barber's eyes popping out. "I'm not an eight-year-old lassie tasting alcohol for the first time. I know how I handle my liqueur and how it's supposed to taste. I've tried many qualities of gin over the years and none tasted soapy and salty. He must have put something in there."

"Then why were you alone with him? He was directly responsible for your outlandish behaviour and his intentions behind it were without a doubt nefarious, and here you are, entertaining him, laughing at his flattery while he regales you with dresses and fancy meals as if he could court you when you are married to me!" He was angry, but above all he was confounded by her approach.

"It's not what you are thinking, Sweeney. He came to see how I was faring. And... he also told me I should not worry about the speaking to the captain, that it has been taken care of, for he vouched for my innocence before him. Strange, innit?"

Yes, it was strange, he had to admit, but Sweeney had an inkling why he went to those lengths to help her out. "He wants to shag you badly, that disgusting piece of dirt."