My Cutthroat Romance

Chapter 10

Toby raced up the stairs, two steps at a time clinging onto the banister as he went.

“Signor, you’ve got an appointment!” He said quickly as he opened the door.

He glanced around the room, seeing no-one until his eyes fell on Mr. Todd making a cup of tea. He set the kettle down with a metallic thud.

“Signor Pirelli’s been called away. Better run after him.” He told Toby quietly.

“No sir, I should stay here, or it’ll be a lashing. He’s a great one for the lashings.” Toby backed away a little, sitting on the chest by the door.

Unbeknownst to him, his masters body was in that chest, save for one hand which hung out of it, but he hadn’t seen that. The barber turned to him, noticing what the boy hadn’t and a flash of panic shot through him.

“So…Mrs. Lovett give you a pie did she?” He asked, managing to smile a little.

“She’s a real lady.” Toby replied, nodding.

“That she is.” The barber agreed, mustering another smile before glancing at the hand as it twitched. “But if I know a growing boy…there’s still room for more pie, eh?” He added quickly as he walked over to Toby.

“Yes sir.”

He hadn’t eaten properly in ages; of course there was room for more pie!

“Then why don’t you wait for your master downstairs? Be another pie in it for you I’m sure.” Sweeney placed a hand on Toby’s small shoulder, guiding him towards the door.

“No. I should stay here.” He replied stubbornly.

Sweeney wanted to tell him to get out and leave it at that, but he thought it better to be kind to him. He was only a boy after all; he wasn’t going to cause any trouble yet.

“Tell you what. Why don’t you tell Mrs. Lovett, that I said to give you a nice big tot of gin?”

Toby’s face lit up.

“Thank you sir!” He exclaimed, rushing out again.

Mr. Todd held the door shut for a moment longer than he needed before stepping back to shoot an irritated look at the chest where Davey Collins’ body was. He set his cup down and picked up a razor, walking over to the chest slowly. He opened it, standing in a position where, when Collin kneeled to try and get out, he would be standing further back than he would be kneeling. The offending man’s breaths were short and raspy as he struggled to get up and he doubled over the edge of the box, looking as though he was going to be sick, although he probably wasn’t. Silently, Sweeney unfolded his razor and leaned down to place it near ‘Pirelli’s’ throat, pulling his head back a little before dragging the blade across, causing blood to spurt out and bubble slightly as the other man emitted strangled gurgling sounds. He lowered the bloody mess of a body back into the chest and closed it before starting to wipe the blood off of the blade, completely ignoring his soaked sleeve on the basis that he had plenty more shirts that he could wear.