Blinded by Murder

The Barkers.

Elanore Lovette was by no means a daft woman. She had known it was him from the minute she stepped foot into her dusty shop. His appearance could not fool her nor those dark orbs that had a way of burning into your soul. Once kind eyes now filled with hate and disgust still held their uniqueness. His eyes were what had drawn her to him all those many years ago. Benjamin Barker had plagued her from the very first moment she laid eyes on him.

{ Flashback } - 15 years ago.

"Albert, how could you ?" Elanore asked her husband for less than a year. To her annoyance, he had informed her of the new residents that would be occupying the room above their shop. A room that meant a great deal to her since it was once her room when she was still a mere teenager. It was filled with fond memories of her childhood as well as her late parents. Elanore was forced into an arranged marriage by her parents, she had known Albert all her life seeing as his family were close friends with her own. At the time she could not fathom why her parents had done this to her, they were well aware of the fact that she never held much fondness for Albert. She knew the marriage she was being forced into would be an unhappy one but what bothered her most was the fact that her parents always told her to marry for true love and nothing else, they themselves almost fell victim to arranged marriages but were fortunate enough to convince their parents to get married. It wasn't until after the wedding when their deaths followed, they had fallen ill with scarlet fever and did not want to leave her on her own, for that she could not stay angry with them in fact it made her love and miss them even more.

"We need the extra coin Elanore besides the room hasn't been used for over two years now, so I do not see the point in keeping it empty. It could be a gold mine."

"The least you could have done was ask me it is my room and my house after all," explained Elanore, her gaze burning into his back as he proceeded to count the first month's rent that had already been paid in full. "NO, the least I could have done was go ahead and rent it out to some filthy buggers you should be grateful that the family moving in seem to be decent people and look rather pleasant." Exclaimed Albert now facing Elanore. Whenever Albert got angry he had a certain look on his face that visibly said not to continue on with arguing with him otherwise it would end badly. It has happened numerous times in their short span of being together.

Elanore swallowed hard and batted her eyes to try and stop the tears that were already being formed. "Well alright if you think it best then who am I to argue?" said Elanore forcing a pained smile. "That's my girl, I knew you would come around, now I have to get going before I am late for work. The Barker family is due to arrive by midday I expect and I would appreciate it if you could give them their key and make them feel welcome." He promptly stuffed the rent money into his pocket apart from a few coins which he propped into her hand before kissing her. Making his way to the door he turned around before leaving. "I should also probably inform you that they have a small child." He nodded her way and left.

Elanore felt her heart drop paired with a lump forming in her throat. She had never asked Albert anything before in her life except for a child which he would not give her. He felt it was too early in their marriage and didn't want some brat stealing her attention away from him. Oh, how she hated him sometimes and his blatant disregard for her feelings. Elanore wiped away the stray tears that had formed on her cheek and opened her pie shop or rather 'their' pie shop even though he never lifted a finger to help her out. He would spend his days at work and come back expecting a dinner before passing out on the settee. Leaving her to tend to the numerous customers before finally closing shop. She then of course had to clean up and prepare for the next day after which she would wake Albert up to go upstairs awaiting God knows what.
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The day went by utterly fast, business was especially good this morning since it has just been month's end. Midday soon approached. Whilst wiping down a sticky tabletop Elanore heard the bell above her shop door chime. She turned around ready to welcome the customer but was soon consumed by the picture painted before her. Visibly the most handsome man she had ever met stood standing at the door, removing his hat before giving her a small smile.

"Good day Mrs Lovette, my name is Benjamin Barker." he slowly moved toward her making her mouth go dry at the action, he slowly lifted her gloved hand and placed a kiss upon it before letting go of her tiny hand gently letting it fall back to her side. "Pleased to make your acquaintance Mr Barker, pardon my appearance." the flour visibly covered the front of her dress. "That is perfectly fine Mrs Lovette I would not expect anything less from the woman who makes the best pies in London, your husband spoke fondly of you and your talents."

''Oh did he, how kind of him. He mentioned to me that you have a family are they waiting outside, they must be freezing. Let me get the key and show you to your room." Elanore flashed him a genuinely kind smile as she fished out the key from within the depths of her tight corset. Benjamin briefly flashed his eyes to the directions her hands were going and looked away visibly flushed at the action. "Here we are, follow me Mr Barker." said the baker as she made her way outside where Mrs Baker stood holding a baby girl in her arms, she couldn't have been older than seven months. Elanore admired the rosy cheeks and beautiful eyes the little girl possessed before shifting her gaze towards Mrs Barker. It made sense where the little one got her features from. She was beautiful with her golden locks and pastel-coloured dress that fit her slender frame like a glove. Mrs Barker gave her the kindest of smiles when she noticed the baker staring.

"Ah Mrs Lovette I have been dying to meet you, you are just as your husband described." Elanore smiled back at the woman but she could not help but wonder what her husband had said. Today certainly was not a day she looked her best. Brushing the thoughts from her head she promptly moved up the stairs and unlocked her room...now theirs. She stepped aside letting the woman step in first then she followed seeing as Mr Barker gestured for her to enter first. She could feel her cheeks start to heat. Ever the gentleman.

The Barkers looked around the room and admired its beauty. The sun shone brightly despite the cold bitter air outside. The wallpaper is still intact and lovely. "Oh Benjamin it is just perfect, I love it !"

"I am glad you love it Lucy and it seems little Joannah also is fond of the place." The family stood making a perfect picture. Elanore found herself longing for the same but for the first time her longing for a man such as Benjamin was stronger than her need for a baby. She left them be and made her way back to her shop attending to her customers. How was she supposed to work with his face practically burned into her brain?

{ End of flashback }

( Hello 👋🏻 It's me, please vote and comment. I hoped you liked those little flashback chapter. More to come. Love Nella ❤️ )