Partners in crime

Beautiful

"Johanna love will ya fetch me that jug of ale?" Mrs Lovett called across the shop whilst taking the orders of her customers. The shop was fairly busy for a Monday evening, in fact her business was thriving with her new delicious meat pies. Johanna was busy taking out a fresh batch of pies from the oven when Mrs Lovett called for her causing Johanna to nearly trip over as she wobbled with the heavy load of pies on the tray. How Mrs Lovett managed carrying these huge trays everyday without any complaining Johanna would never know.

With a kind smile she nodded towards her, placing down the tray of fresh pies before picking up the jug of ale.

It had been six weeks now since her father and Anthony had saved her from the Judge. At first settling in this new home, with a father she thought was dead had been a little unusual. However over the weeks Johanna learned to loved and adored him like a father. She understood his pain and suffering yet knew he had a kind heart despite his sometimes gloomy exterior. Like her he had been through so much so it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone when the darkness of her past would haunt her dreams as he too could relate and comfort her.

"Ya lookin' mighty fine tonight Mrs Lovett" Johanna overheard one of the customers slur at Eleanore as she took their order. Johanna grimaced at the way the customers dirty eyes ran over Nellie's body, she hated how her male customers treated her. Mrs Lovett was the sweetest woman she had ever met, savage at times but ever so caring. Having dirty men treat her in such a way had Johanna feeling sick to her stomach.

"What ya doin after ya shift?" He winked his hand reaching out to touch her thigh. Although Nellie was used to ignoring it Johanna hated to see it and so over filled his glass causing the ale to splash into his lap drenching his trousers.

With a gasp the man jumped up lifting his hands in the air "you stupid girl!" He snapped angrily grabbing his handkerchief and patting himself down.  Eleanore tried her best to stifle her giggles and instead glanced at a smirking Johanna.

"Oh I am ever sorry sir" Johanna fussed even though Nellie knew she had done that on purpose. Mrs Lovett knew how much the girl loved her and for that it made her smile to herself.

Trying to suppress her amusement Nellie walked to her work top to fetch him a cloth. As she tuned she saw how Johanna smiled towards her, mischief filling her expression. Shaking her head with a smirk Nellie headed back handing the cloth to the now very grumpy man.

"Ere ya are" she offered him the cloth which he snatched from her hand glaring at them both.

As he grumbled words of irritation under his breath they both excused themselves from the table the pair of them trying hard to stifle their giggles. Looking towards Johanna Nellie pulled on her arm "ya did that on purpose"

"Who me?" Johanna argued with a glint of amusement in her eye as she turned her head to watch as the customer threw down his napkin and left.

Nellie knew Johanna was just looking out for her, she loved how Johanna cared about her well being so very much. Johanna was the closest thing to a daughter, she always wanted to have a child of her own so it was nice to have the girl around her so much. These last few weeks had been the very best and with Johanna's help in the shop business was booming, not to mention she was able to put her feet up a little earlier some nights as Johanna was now able to run the shop on her own.

Noticing Mrs Lovett's far off look Johanna turned to see just what had captured her attention. Outside was her father talking with Mr Bradshaw and his wife. Johanna knew Mrs Lovett wasn't keen on Mrs Bradshaw there was a jealousy there that was so blatantly obvious. Mrs Emilia Bradshaw was a lady known for her beautiful features and stunning clothing, most women envied her yet Nellie hated her.