Thorns And Roses

Chapter Twenty Three

A/N: So I won't bore you with another long apology about this update being so late. Unfortunately, I've been very ill (not covid thank god) but I've just been suffering for the last few weeks. But I'm pleased to say I'm much better now and back to writing! This longer chapter should make up for it I hope haha  x

oOo

On the morning of Beth's birthday, Eleanore worked extremely hard to get everything ready. Sweeney and Toby were a great help, she was proud to say. While they took charge of cleaning and setting the tables up, she cracked on with the cake. When that was done and cool enough for her to start decorating, she made sure to get the frosting a deep blue colour, Beth's favourite. In pretty swirly letters she wrote 'Happy Birthday, Beth' and designed an intricate little white border around the cake for a finishing touch.

And it looked scrumptious; three layers of chocolate sponge and orange flavoured frosting. Yes, she was very proud of herself indeed and she couldn't wait to try some herself.

As the afternoon came and went, Eleanore received her usual morning letters by the young postal boy at the shop door. After giving him a spare brownie and sending him on his merry way, she was aware of one letter who's handwriting she did not recognise. Shrugging and placing it on her counter to read for later she got back to work and entered the outside shop where Sweeney was currently laying cutlery and plates on the rearranged tables.

"Don't suppose ye gonna grace us with ya presence this evening?" She asked, lounging against the door of her shop.

Sweeney turned to her with a frown. "Why on earth would you want me here?"

"Why wouldn't I?" She responded coolly. "Ya know, the family are lovely, I reckon you'd get along with 'em great if ya met 'em."

"I don't like social gatherings." He grumbled, continuing to lay the tables.

Eleanore giggled "Well I know that ya silly man, took ya bloody weeks just ta say more than one-word answers ta me..." She eyed him up lovingly from behind, happy in the notion that they were back to being on good terms once more. "But ya gonna 'ave ta work on some social skills when ya go to the Judge's ball tomorrow night ain't ya?"

Sweeney paused, he hadn't even thought of that. Truthfully he hadn't thought out anything - all he knew was that he was getting into that ball if it killed him. He had to get Turpin, he just had to. He didn't care if he died trying.

"So wot exactly is ye grand plan then?"

"You'll find out when it happens." He said simply, placing the last plate on the table and making his way past her into the shop. Behind him, he heard her gasp in disbelief.

"Ye don't have one, do ya?" She asked, reading him like a book.

Sweeney gritted his teeth and sighed before he turned around to face her and tell her firmly "I'll figure something out. Don't concern yourself with it, I don't want you getting involved when it's dangerous."

The bakers parted lips closed and she obligingly said no more. For now anyway.

She had far little self-control than to just sit back and let him do all the work, she wasn't going to let him be stubborn so easily. When the time was right, she would convince him to take her - she was already forming a plan in her head - and she was confident it would work.

oOo

"Thank you so much for the food, ma'am and for hirin' us tonight, its very kind o ya." said the little voice of Fredrick, Toby's friend as he, his sister, Toby and herself all sat at the dinner table having an early meal before the Sykes arrived.