My Cutthroat Romance

Chapter 13

“Mr. Todd?” The Judge asked from the doorway.

“At your service.” He bowed slightly. “An honor, to receive your patronage milord.”

“You know me, sir?” Turpin questioned, frowning slightly.

“Who in this wide world does not know the great Judge Turpin?” Sweeney smiled slightly.

The Judge nodded slightly as though remembering his importance before examining the room. The barber watched him intently, his patience wearing thinner with every passing second.

“These premises are hardly prepossessing and yet, the Beadle tells me that you are the most accomplished of all the barbers in the city.” Turpin informed him.

“That is gracious of him sir.” He replied. “What may I do for you today sir? A stylish trimming of the hair? Soothing skin massage? Sit sir, sit.” He said, taking the Judge’s coat from him.

“You see sir a man infatuate with love, her ardent and eager slave. So fetch the pomade and pumice stone and lend me your most seductive tone, a sprinkling perhaps of French cologne but first sir I think, a shave.” Turpin told him, finally removing his tie and sitting down.

“The closest I ever gave.” He murmured.

He whistled absentmindedly to himself as he gathered his shaving equipment.

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“Hey Toby…you’ve got flour in your hair.” Gerard smirked.

“What? No I haven’t!” Toby frowned confusedly.

Gerard chortled as he dumped a spoonful of flour on him just as his mother walked through the door.

“Gerard! How old are you?” She scolded him.

Gerard burst out laughing as Toby tried to brush the remaining flour out of his dark hair.

“I’m sorry mum, I had to do it. He’s just so…not floury…and I’m covered, it makes it fair!” He laughed, as though it would completely excuse tipping flour on Toby’s head.

“It doesn’t matter!” She half-sighed, half-laughed, shaking her head.

“Look I’m sorry okay, it’s funny.”

He didn’t sound sorry at all in Mrs. Lovett’s opinion. The shop door flew open suddenly, startling her. Yet again, a very windswept looking Anthony stood panting in the doorway.

“I’m sorry ma’am. Gerard! Gerard, Johanna, I spoke to Johanna and she said she’d leave with me tonight! Gerard, Johanna is running away with me!” He panted.

“I understood the first time Anthony.” Gerard laughed.

“Brilliant! I have to go and tell Mr. Todd, I’ll be right back!” Anthony nodded, rushing out again.

Gerard opened his mouth to yell at him to wait, but he was already gone.

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“Mr. Todd! I’ve seen Johanna and she said she’d leave with me…tonight…” Anthony faltered upon seeing the Judge.

“You…there is indeed a higher power to warn me thus in time. Johanna, elope with you? I’ll make sure that neither you, nor any other man shall [i]ever[/i] set eyes on her again.” He said, standing up and wiping his face before turning to Sweeney and pointing at him. “As for you barber, it’s all to clear what company you keep. Service them well and hold their custom for you’ll have none of mine!” He ranted, grabbing his things and leaving, slamming the door behind him.

Sweeney had stood stock-still the whole time, watching as everything unraveled in front of his very eyes.

“Mr. Todd, you have to help me.” Anthony begged.

“Out…”

“Mr. Todd please!”

“Out.”

“Mr. Todd!”

“OUT!”

Anthony fled the room, preferring not to be shouted at by a man with a razor in his hand.