Thorns And Roses

Chapter Thirteen

After fetching the men's order, Eleanore was in the middle of talking to a lady sat with her husband at one table when she heard someone calling her.

"Oi! Come 'ere." said Henry, beckoning her like a dog "I got somethin' ta say ta ya."

Eleanore and the lady she was talking to looked rather miffed but she stepped over and asked them politely what was wrong.

"You can wipe that smile off yer face." Frank snapped and at once she was on edge.

"I jus' found an 'air in this cake," Henry said, fingering a piece of sponge.

Genuinely confused Eleanore stepped forward to take a look. While she bent forwards, Frank got a lovely view of her chest.

"I...I'm sorry sir, I dunno 'ow that could have got there." She surveyed the small black hair with scrutiny. It was small and grey, maybe even dog hair. It couldn't possibly have come from her, Toby or even Sweeney.

"You tryin' ta suggest we placed it there are ya?" Frank asked shortly, taking a drink of his ale.

"No, not at all..." She wondered why these men were being so standoffish towards her when she was only trying to help. It seemed like they were goading her into an argument for some reason. "I jus' dunno 'ow it got there, my apologies. But I can go fetch ya another one if you'd prefer?"

"You go do that woman, an' be bloody quick about it." He snapped shoving the plate into her hands. "This time put some cream on it."

Eleanore bit her lip and nodded tersely. God she would love to get her rolling pin out on him. This man was beastly-looking and just seemed like he was asking for a fight. She took a breath to calm down but kept her eye on the pair as they continued to badmouth her while she fetched another cake.

Opening the door, she was furious when she found Sweeney sat in one of her empty booths looking sad and yet defiant.

"You still 'ere?!" She slammed the door behind her.

"I'm not movin' till I can talk to you! If I 'ave to sleep in yer bloody parlour all night I'll do that!"

"You're impossible!" She marched past him and put another perfectly fine cake on a plate and scooped up some clotted cream on the top. There, hopefully, that would make the bastard happy.

"Eleanore–" Sweeney stood as she passed, hoping the use of her first name would make her listen but she completely ignored him as she made her way back over to the table where the men scowled at her.

"Took ye long enough." Frank snipped as she placed down the plate. Her cheeks flushed and he couldn't help but smile at her growing discomfort.

"I'm used ta better service in a brothel." The other one complained, the pair laughed at her and her eyes burned. Why were people being so cruel to her today? Don't cry Nellie, don't cry...

The pair laughed heartily and Henry grinned wolfishly as she skittered away like a rabbit. He was enjoying taunting her too much, he wanted to see how far he could push her until she snapped. This woman had put a shard of glass in his brother's eye and broken the arm of his colleague. Perhaps the rumours were wrong and she was no more than a frightened little mouse.

"Toby," she said passing the boy as he poured someone's ale "Do me a favour an stay away from the table over there, these men are trouble. I don't want ye havin' to deal with 'em."

Toby threw a cautious glance over his shoulder to see the two men conversing loudly and one of them picking a bit of sponge off the cake and flicking it in his mother's direction. His jaw clenched but he nodded, "Yes mum."