Thorns And Roses

Chapter Twelve

Three days after the dinner with the Sykes, things were going smoothly for Eleanore Lovett and her meat pie establishment more than ever. The shop had flourished and Eleanore and Toby were so worked off their feet that they desperately needed some assistance. The baker eventually convinced Sweeney to help out on the occasional night to make a few extra coins. Reluctantly he agreed and as a result, he was beginning to get some more customers after interacting with some of Eleanore's.

Every so often a few members of the Sykes family would pop in for the afternoon rush and purchase a few cakes and pies. The other day Amelia brought her children in and Eleanore took them inside so they could each pick a cake. Officer Brown had also popped around a lot recently and decided to bring a few of his friends while they were off duty. The young officer had even brought her a small bouquet of flowers the second time which she placed in her bedroom to brighten the place up. She wondered if perhaps the young man was a little more interested in herself than her baking but she didn't waste time thinking about it with such a busy routine.

Eleanore had also been informed via a letter of the trail that was set to be held next week at the old bailey. Apparently, the trial was garnering quite the attention lately and many people in London were speaking about it. Eleanore for her part was very nervous, not only would she be facing Turpin in court, but also the man that had viciously attacked Mr Sykes and herself that night...

The barber and the baker themselves had been getting along decently, so well in fact that every other evening they sat in her parlour drinking gin. Eleanore had shared more memories of Lucy with Sweeney, some even of herself and him when they were young and Sweeney seemed content to listen to her. His moods had also improved significantly thanks to his shop getting a little more attention. That and on the count of the fact he was slitting throats again.

When Sweeney occasionally helped Toby and Eleanore serving the customers, a few people began asking him if he and the baker were an item which he vehemently denied. However, he couldn't help but sometimes find the idea rather alluring. Mrs Lovett was, after all, a very pretty woman and lately, she had been taking care of herself a lot more now that she had a steady income. Her clothes were less ripped and old, her hair was a lot tidier and her fiery personality was what seemed to have all male eyes hooked on her, even his own.

But alas, the pleasant yet tense atmosphere towards the two was shattered one day when a customer entered Sweeney's barbershop.

"Yer a lucky fellow 'avin' a lady like that if ya don't mind me sayin' Mista Todd." He commented, "If the rumours are true, that is, people are sayin' the two of ye are a couple now."

Sweeney chortled at the very idea and thought he'd humour the man before he took his life, and humour himself in the process "Let's say I certainly know how to keep her satisfied..."

The man laughed "She good in bed then is she?"

Sweeney paused, the image in his mind making him a little flushed and aroused. He cleared his throat and tried not to let his displeasure be known in his tone "Perfectly."

"I 'ave to say I'm jealous!" The man grinned "She's got some tits on 'er that one. Ano one hell of a temper. Bet she likes ta claw yer back an' all like a bloody tiger haha!"

Sweeneys lip curled in disgust, he finished lathering the man's face and took his razor, gripping it so tightly his knuckles grew white.

"Well, it's no surprise she knows 'ow ta please a man I'll suppose," He continued blathering, unaware of how heated the man behind him was becoming "Few months of sellin' yer pussy for a few coins will do that, shame she doesn't charge no more, I'd pay a right load ta have a ride-"