Battling the Waves

A Lost Family and A Created Family

Eleanor found herself continuously glancing in Todd's direction during lunch the next afternoon. Everyone was keeping the conversation going, everyone but the barber, that is. This in itself was nothing odd at all, the barber was a rather taciturn individual. It was the fact that the man never seemed to take his eyes off of her that she found peculiar. She hadn't seen the barber all morning, so there was nothing that she could've said to him that warranted his intense stare. His deadpan countenance did nothing to give away what he was feeling towards her, she wished that she could conceal her emotions as well as he, she was sure that her own bewilderment was as transparent as glass.

She was so lost in her mind that she hadn't noticed when her dish had been cleared from the table, letting out a yelp at the sensation of a hand on her shoulder bringing her back to reality. The very man that had been possessing her thoughts now stood next to her, the tone of his first words to her an equal match to his still stoic expression, "Walk with me, pet." She eyed him with a raised brow. His wording was neither questioning nor demanding, nor did it have any ring of sarcasm. She slowly reached out to take the hand that he was now offering her.

They sat on a bench on the boardwalk, sharing nothing more than a strong and awkward silence. Sweeney kept giving Eleanor sideways glances, she was usually the one who wouldn't stop talking, her continued silence meant that he was going to have to be the one to initiate this conversation, wonderful. "So, Mrs. Lovett, about yesterday, first I should... well, you know that I'm not very good with..." Sweeney looked away from her and watched the crowds of people enjoying the beach before them. He had been hoping to discuss this somewhere more sequestered, but both were mildly surprised to find that the brilliance of a sunny day had brought a small crowd to Nellie's so-called secret spot.

Eleanor giggled as Sweeney stumbled over his words, "I think that I understand what'cha sayin' dearie, and you're welcome." She smiled and gave him a quick wink before also turning her attention to the sea. "Awfully nice days we've 'ad, got rather lucky on this little 'oliday." She frowned slightly at the thoughts of leaving the sea, everything was perfect here, even the barber seemed slightly less haunted here. She let out a contented sigh and rested her head against Todd's shoulder.

Sweeney leaned forward, his hands running over his face. "Mrs. Lovett, I don't know of another way to bring this up, so I'm going to ask bluntly, what happened with you last night? You were acting rather strangely when the lad went off to bed, then when I intended to talk about it, you deliberately snuffed out your candle thinking that I wouldn't notice." He turned his head to face hers, quietly inviting her to start explaining her off behaviour.

Mrs. Lovett went crimson and rushed to her feet, "Feelin' a tad bit peckish, think I'll go get a little bite of fruit from one of the costers." She got a few steps away before Sweeney caught up to her, starting to feel irked by her attempts to divert the conversation. "Really love, it's nothing important." she hissed at him, trying not to attract attention from any passersby.

Sweeney crossed his arms and frowned deeply at her, "If it's not important then why do you avoid it like the plague?" He sighed and dropped back onto the bench, looking at the empty spot next to him. "Your aunt said something about your father and brother, but that I had to talk to you as it wasn't her place. That wasn't the first time, you've been doing it since we got here. You know that I'm not one to reveal much, but you got something out of me yesterday, and I just thought..."

Nellie turned to face Sweeney, taking hold of his suspenders and tossing her head from side to side. "I couldn't tell ta love," her voice softened at this point, "I don't think that you'll ever be able to look at me the same way 'gain." Sweeney narrowed his eyes at this, "Mr. T, d'ya believe that people are destined to be a certain way?" Sweeney slowly asked what she meant, hesitancy and confusion plain in his voice.