Fallen Angel

A

Chapter 10

 

“What are you thinking again?” Kate asked as she collapsed next to Anna and removed her shoes.

“Nothing.” Anna murmured as she took a sip of her water.

“Liar.” Kate scoffed.

“I am just thinking of meats.” Anna said distantly and Kate choked on her own water.

“What? Meats?” she laughed as she reached for Anna’s forehead, “Are you still feverish? I thought that cold was over.” Kate kept chuckling.

“I am fine.” Anna said as she playfully nudged her hand away from her skin.

“Of course you are. Thanks to your barber.” Kate said with a wink and Anna scowled.

“That joke is getting old, Kate. He’s not my barber. Seriously, he was only being…” she thought hard of how to describe him until she sighed, “Polite.” She finished and Kate giggled.

“But that’s the thing. He’s not. Anyway, you were thinking about meats?” she changed the subject and Anna was glad. Sweeney Todd or Benjamin Barker was a sensitive topic for her lately, confusing even.

“Yes. Meats.” Anna started in a quiet voice as she surveyed the pub and its customers, “You know, those pies we’re getting from Mrs. Lovett?”

“Yes…They’re quite famous. Even amongst drunkards.” Kate snorted as she leaned back in her seat, enjoying her break.

“Yes, well…You’ve tried them, right?” Anna asked and Kate wrinkled her nose.

“Once. At the opening. I haven’t since. Why?”

“Do you agree that they…smell funny?” Anna asked and Kate turned to her.

“Funny? Like they’ve gone bad?”

“Um…not exactly. I don’t know. Just different. That’s no regular meat in there.” Anna said and Kate paused to think.

“Actually it did seem a bit different when I tried it.”

“Exactly. Beef doesn’t smell like that. Pork smell taste like that. Lamb doesn’t either.” Anna said quietly and Kate looked at her with wide eyes.

“I won’t even suggest chicken.”

“No.”

“So, perhaps something more…expensive? Like duck? Deer?”

“Since when Mrs. Lovett became so rich that she has the money to buy such meat, Kate?” Anna asked and Kate sighed.

“Well, I was just saying….”

“I know but…What?” Anna asked when Kate grimaced in disgust.

“You know what I’ve heard?” she asked in a hushed voice as she leaned closer to Anna.

“What?”

“A lot of shops are short on meat; you know how it is nowadays with the prices and all, so they’ve started using other means to keep their businesses open.” Kate whispered and Anna hesitated.

“Do I even want to hear this?”

“Well, you just have to…Cats.”

“Cats?!!” Anna exclaimed and the customers turned to look at her. She smiled nervously and they looked away again.

“Cats?” she asked more quietly and Kate nodded.

“Bit gross, ain’t it?” she asked and Anna nodded with wide eyes, “Heard it from my grocer. It was a bit unsettling to hear about that while buying potatoes for stew. Trust me.” Kate shuddered and Anna swallowed hard.

“Do you think that’s what…?”

“How should I know? I haven’t tried cat yet! Thank heavens!” she exclaimed and Anna smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry. I am just very curious.”

“Why don’t you stop thinking about cats and think about Mr. Todd instead? He’s far more interesting…albeit a bit eccentric.” Kate said and Anna sighed.

“There’s nothing to think. He was just being polite.” At Kate’s incredulous look Anna groaned, “Really!”

”So what happened in the morning then?”

“Nothing. I got into a carriage before he even got downstairs.”

“Pity.” Kate pouted.

“It’s not. I had already thanked him.” Anna shrugged.

“You could thank him again.” Kate smirked.

“Kate!”

“What? You need to release some tension, honey. After James-…”

“Don’t mention his name.” Anna cut her off with a glare.

“I am just saying. He was an idiot and a pig but that doesn’t mean that everybody else is.”

“Are you suggesting that I should throw myself to Mr. Todd? Have you seen him?” Anna asked in disbelief.

“Well, he’s not bad to look at.”

“Well no, but he is not-…”

“Lover material?” Kate cut her off and Anna pursed her lips.

“Exactly.”

“You should give into Tom then.”

“Why should I be with someone in the first place?”

“Because.”

“Why aren’t you with someone?” Anna asked and Kate paused.

“We’re not discussing me at the moment.”

“Perhaps we should.”

“No, because…” Kate trailed off as she looked at the entrance, “Because someone’s here for you.” She finished and motioned towards the door.

Anna frowned, “Who?” she asked as she turned.

The barber was there with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. He was looking around but then, as though he felt eyes on him, he turned towards her direction. He looked at her and gave a barely-there nod of his head. He motioned towards the street and then walked out again.

“Are you going to go or will you stand there gaping like a fish?” Kate asked her and Anna closed her mouth, “Your shift is finished anyway. He’s a late sleeper that one.” Kate observed before Anna stood up and rolled her eyes at her.

She picked up her shawl and waved at her, “Goodnight.”

She stepped outside and found him standing next to the entrance, leaning against the door rigidly. She stepped beside him and they stayed like that for a while before he spoke.

“You left before I woke.” He said and she looked up at him.

“So, you do sleep.” She mused and he smirked sardonically.

“Sometimes.” He said gruffly.

“Yes, I left because I had overstayed my welcome.” She said and he raised a dark eyebrow.

“Is that so? Either that or you were worrying that Mrs. Lovett would get to you before you had the chance to flee.” He murmured and Anna’s cheeks flushed as she looked away.

“I guess I am not a very…talkative person.” She said and as she looked back she noticed that his eyes were on her face, observing her, taking her in.

“What?” she asked as she touched her face, “Is there something on my face?” she asked and he blinked.

“No.” he muttered as he averted his gaze.

“Why are you here?” she asked, wanting to know why he was there in the first place. Why was he seeking her out?

“I’ve been asking myself that question as well.” He snapped as his eyes flashed with anger.

“Do you want to talk? Do you need Anthony perhaps?” she asked and he scowled.

“No, I do not. I’ve seen Anthony.” He turned away from her and started pacing.

“Then what? Why are you always coming here? Aren’t you afraid?” she asked and he paused before he slowly turned to face her.

“Afraid? Of you?” he asked with bemusement and she rolled her eyes.

“Not of me. Of what I know.” She said and he quickly stormed up to her, looming over her.

“What is it that you know exactly, Anna?” he asked in a low voice and she could see his eyes shining in the dark.

“I know who you are. Aren’t you afraid that I might speak?”

“You would have done so if you wanted me behind bars…But you don’t. Am I wrong, pet?” he asked and she tensed.

“No, I-…”

“Exactly. You don’t want dear old Ben behind bars because then…” he faltered and then smirked, “Because then who would be there to save you from cruel customers. Am I right?” he asked as he leaned close to her.

“Save? I am not in need of saving. I am not a child anymore.” She replied after finding her voice.

“Oh, I know that. I can see it.” His eyes dipped lower and she stepped back reflexively.

“Are you implying that I need you?” she asked and he narrowed his eyes but didn’t speak.

“For what? You’re always rude and indifferent. I think it’s the other way around.” She said bitingly and he sneered.

“What are you talking about?”

“I think you are the one who keeps coming back here. What do you want? What do you see?”

“I see nothing of value I assure you.” He spat cruelly and she took a deep breath.

“I might not be of much value, sir, but maybe I remind you of things that you won’t ever forget. Of things that you don’t want to forget and things that were taken away from you.” She said quietly and the flaring of his nostrils proved that she had hit a nerve.

“You’ve no idea of the things you speak.” He murmured harshly and she straightened, becoming braver.

“Where is your wife? Your child? Do you know where they are? It’s them that you’ve lost, isn’t it?” she asked boldly and his eyes widened in anger while his fists curled at his sides.

“Stop it.” He said from behind his teeth.

“Not until you answer me. I remind you of the past and that’s why you keep seeking me out. Is that a lie?” Anna’s voice increased in volume and she was glad of the darkness.

“Shut up!” he barked at her and they glared at each other until Anna set her jaw and moved to pass past him. His hand shot out like a lightning and grabbed hold of her arm like a vice. She gasped in pain and he increased his grip as he turned on his heel and dragged her with him towards the closest alley. She winced and tried to escape his hold but it felt like he was crushing her bone in his hand so she stopped trying to escape him and waited to see what he would do.

“Are you out of your-…” she gasped as he stopped suddenly and threw her against the nearest wall.

“Mind? It’s obvious that the years have changed me, have they not, Anna?” his eyes were narrowed in anger as he pressed her against the wall with his body.

“I’d have to be blind not to notice.” She snapped as she tried to push him away but of course once again he was too strong.

“And yet you continue to taunt me, don’t you? You keep asking too many questions and you keep speaking of things you don’t know. You think I need you?” he sneered as he grabbed hold of her neck and pressed her harder against the wall. The coldness of his fingers burned her skin. How was that even possible?

“Then help me understand. Talk to me. You’re coming back here for a reason.”

“To drink.” He snapped and she snorted.

“Really? Why pay for it? Surely your tenant would be more than happy to offer her liquor. Among other things.”

“Again you’re making assumptions.”

“That’s all I can do with you! You’re like a wall! You’re closed tight and nothing can penetrate you! You never open up and when you do you have to be drunk!”

“Why should I talk to you?!” he barked and his fingers tightened around her neck in warning.

“Because I’m the one who has to stand you!” she cried and his lips curled back in a grimace of distaste, “You’re deader than my mother. And she’s the one who lies under the ground.” She spat and he snarled.

“It’s a pity that you waste yourself in trying to figure me out. It’s also a pity that you let your emotions guide you. They can very easily become your death warrant.” He breathed slowly and Anna swallowed hard.

“Are you going to kill me then? For asking questions?” she asked incredulously and he cocked his head to the side and licked his lower lip. Anna could feel his thumb moving over her neck, just brushing over her pulse spot.

“You said I’m dead so, I could. Dead people can’t feel, can they?” he asked and his voice was much calmer, just a mere murmur and a blast of hot breath against her skin.

The sudden touch left her trembling and she didn’t reply. His eyes left her own wide, shocked filled ones and drifted lower to her lips. A small frown appeared between his brows as he looked down between their bodies, as if noticing how close they were for the first time. He swallowed visibly and his free hand which had been flat against the cold wall by her head slid down to grasp her hip. Anna gasped as she felt his grip and she jolted against him. The movement pushed him a little away but he pressed right back against her with his hips, trapping her against the wall. Anna whimpered in astonishment but that didn’t faze him from brushing his fingertips down the length of her neck. She was supposed to be fighting him but she instead found herself holding her breath as his fingers traced the base of her neck. His touch was cold, always cold but it wasn’t repulsive; just unexpected and plain awkward. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed and she watched his face. His eyes weren’t looking at her face though. He was following the movements of his fingers with his gaze and his lips were pulled back in an almost snarl. If it was directed to her or to himself for touching her she wasn’t sure. The only thing she knew was that she had been subconsciously leaning towards his touch. It terrified her. The thought of enjoying his touch terrified her because the last time she had let herself go it had ended badly.

The barber noticed her pressing against his hand and he looked up at her. His eyes widened and his lips formed a thin lime of derision. He was mocking her for her response to him? His next action contradicted his expression though because his hand carried on down her collarbone and the tips of his fingers slipped under the neckline to trace the soft skin hiding there.

Anna fought for breath and she leaned her head against the wall, baring her slender throat to him. His eyes immediately settled on the soft skin in front of him and in a moment he had his face buried against her skin. She could feel his parted lips and his warm, damp breath against her skin. The hand on her hip gripped her tighter just as his lips pressed against the side of her neck in an almost kiss. Anna groaned as the hand that was simply resting on her neckline moved and fully cupped her breast through her dress. Her response earned her a low growl from Sweeney and a sharp bite on the neck. Her hands flew to grasp his shoulders and she realized that it would be easy to push him away now that he was distracted. She didn’t though and her own choice confused her.

Suddenly she was released and alone against the wall but not for long. His hands grabbed her arms and turned her so she was facing the wall. He was behind her immediately and his hands snaked around her waist to pull her back into him. She could feel his breath on her ear and his hair grazed her cheek as he leaned into her. His hands squeezed her waist before they trailed upwards towards her chest.

“You’d let me do it, wouldn’t you?” he murmured gruffly into her ear, his voice so low that it was unrecognizable. Anna gasped as he touched her breast firmly but didn’t speak because she would confirm his suspicion. His lips brushed her neck again and slowly slid up her cheek. His tongue brushed her skin and she turned her head slightly so his lips touched the corner of her mouth. She would have kissed him but he immediately moved his head back, refusing her kiss. His action made her stagger for a moment. He could grope her but he couldn’t kiss her? The obvious fact and his blatant intention angered her but before she had the chance to wrench herself away, a loud whistle interrupted her.

“Oi! Find another spot, will you! This one’s taken!” a woman called and Anna gasped while Sweeney pushed back from her and released her like she had burned him. Anna slowly turned to face him, her breathing harsh and uneven like his own but he wouldn’t look at her. He was staring at the ground and his fists were curled. She swallowed but before she had the chance to speak he turned and walked away.

Anna heard the woman snicker and she pushed herself away from the wall before she walked back towards the front of the pub. She wrapped her shawl tightly around herself, trying to get over the fact that she felt stupid and rejected. Worse thing was that the feelings were caused by none other than Mr. Barker himself.

 

End of chapter 10

 

Thank you for reading!

Xxx Lina :)