I'm Your Friend Too, Mr. Todd

Reflections and redemptions

Several hours went by as Nellie sat in silence with only her thoughts keeping her company. She wasn't sure if Johanna or anyone else will return to the room, but surely Johanna and Anthony would return to retrieve their belongings, right? She could understand why Sweeney wouldn't but Johanna couldn't just abandon her stuff.

She let out a sigh, wiping away the remaining tears on her face and looked down at her hands, hands that were contaminated by the horrors she's done. All the lies, the manipulation, the crimes... it made her realize how ill she was and if she could ever redeem herself, if Johanna or even Sweeney will ever forgive her for all the trouble she caused. In a way she hoped it was a bad dream, everything that happened she hoped will fade from existence and she'll awake to find herself in her familiar dingy bedroom in London and getting herself ready to bake her famous worst pies in London, and then he appears from the entrance and she'll tell him the truth about his wife and everything else.

If only she could rewind to the beginning where it all started, if only she could stop herself and bite her tongue at the heartless and selfish lie she told the former Benjamin Barker. How different things could have been if she been honest, perhaps he would have been nicer to her, or maybe leave her shop and never return and journey to the alleyways to search for his madden beggar wife and swoop her away from the dreadful London, of course rescue Johanna first and have his revenge on Judge Turpin and then he'll set off his merry way for a better happy life.

Leaving Mrs. Lovett to rot in her failing business until it officially crumbles down and is left with nothing.

"I deserve it" she said, "I deserve every punishment I get".

As if she already hasn't said it enough, she feels like she needs to remind herself that she was the problem to all of this, of course not the one where Turpin sent the barber to Australia, but she definitely made things worse when he returned.

Suddenly, a small click and a creaking sound could be heard not too far away and then a pair of footsteps followed. Nellie turned around and saw Johanna heading inside the room. Perhaps she came to retrieve her belongings, Nellie thought. She probably never wants to see me again.

"Mrs. Lovett," the girl began, her eyes red and puffy and her cheeks damp from the tears but she managed to stay strong. "I'm not sure how to feel about this and how I feel about you since you were the woman that raised me..." she sounded hesitant and uneasy, as if she didn't know what to say. "In fact I'm not sure I'll ever trust you again..." Nellie remained silent, allowing Johanna to finish the words she wanted to say.

"But... I believe you can redeem yourself. I see the regret in your eyes and you're willing to change". There was a look of hope in Nellie's eyes as she gazed at the young blonde, she was willing to give her a second chance? After everything that has happened?

"Although... I don't think I'll ever forgive you.." Johanna finished, her hands behind her back and her eyes turned away from the baker. Nellie dipped her head, "I understand. Mr. Todd ain't too happy with me either. I don't think he'll ever forgive me. That's somethin' the two of you have in common," Nellie retorted, in fact the way Johanna spoke was akin to the barber in a way it scared her a little. Not only will the love her life will never forgive her but not even the child she raised will ever forgive her, it pained her but she knew very clearly why.

Johanna made a face and glanced away from her, "speaking of my father... I would still like to connect with him. It's clear to me he wants to change, not only that but he is my father. I would like to know more about him," the young blonde replied. Nellie smiled a little, relieved that Johanna wants to form a bond with her father.

"So you two made up? We're all good now?" Anthony suddenly came out of the doorway, his hands on his hips as he stared at the two women.

Johanna smiled a little at her lover, "yes, we're good now" she glanced at Nellie.