Fallen Angel

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Sweeney Todd.

---

 

Chapter 7

 

Anna sat stiffly in the chair of the shop, her eyes darting around the counter and table. The counter was filled with pots and trays and everything was covered in flour. The small oven behind it was burning and the smell of dough and smoke was filling the air. Her eyes moved to the table she was seated at and she exhaled slowly. Thankfully she hadn’t seen him yet. Something she knew was only a matter of time since he lived there.

She knew it had been a bad idea to mention her acquaintance, Mrs. Lovett, to her boss. Paying for ingredients was expensive, so, what was easier for the pub but have someone bake the bread and pies for the customers? Of course that would alleviate some of the cook’s responsibilities and that would be good because he would be paid less.

So, there she was, sitting in Mrs. Lovett’s kitchen waiting for her to return from her bake- house downstairs. Anna sniffed the air as something strange reached her nostrils. She grimaced but before she had time to contemplate on it the baker appeared.

“Sorry about that, love. Toby’s gone to get some groceries and I’m on my lonesome.” The redhead sighed as she sat down on the booth next to her and smiled widely. It seemed like she had forgotten the late night incident. Thank God.

“So, tell me more about this business proposition then!” she said eagerly and Anna explained the situation to her.

“It’s simply really. We will buy some of your pies three times a week. That way we can save some money. I hope the price you’ll propose will be a logical one. Not my words. The patron of the pub told me so. You will sign a contract and all so you will be covered legally.” Anna finished and Mrs. Lovett pursed her lips.

“Sounds good to me. Why don’t you tell your employer to get that contract ready and have me read it. Then we can take it from there.” The baker smiled and Anna nodded.

“I will. So, how is business?” she asked curiously.

“Oh, it’s great, dearie! It’s going really well. So well, that I got a whole new wardrobe.”  Mrs. Lovett chuckled.

Anna smiled a bit at that but it was cut short when the side-door bell signaled the arrival of someone. Anna turned towards the door and she stiffened at the sight of the barber. He seemed surprised at her presence for he paused in the doorway, empty tray of food in his hand.

“Ah, Mr. Todd! You remember, Anna, right?” Mrs. Lovett exclaimed and her eyes shone with mischief as she looked at him.

He nodded and shut the door, “Of course.” He murmured quietly as he walked inside and placed the tray on the counter. He busied himself there for a while and Anna quickly stood up to leave.

“I should go…” she said and at that the barber turned towards them, his face giving away nothing.

“But, dearie, you just got here.” Mrs. Lovett said and Anna fidgeted nervously where she stood.

“You’re not intimidated by my Mr. Todd here, are you?” the baker continued as she looked between the two of them. Sweeney looked up at that while fixing his half gloves and sent a glare towards the baker.

“Of course not.” Anna replied quietly.

“Good. Because he seemed pretty friendly to you the other night.” The redhead carried on and Anna’s face flushed.

“Mrs. Lovett, that is enough.” The barber hissed and the baker looked at him innocently.

“Just saying, Mr. T.” she shrugged.

“I have to go…I haven’t been home at all since yesterday.” Anna added, eager to leave.

“But you said you have the day off.” Mrs. Lovett said as the barber moved to the window. His eyes were on the street but she could tell that he was listening. Intently.

“Yes, but my dog is alone.” Anna said and the baker blinked.

“You have a dog?”

“Yes. Blackie. He’s old.” Anna chuckled but she regretted it for she saw the barber turn his head towards her. His brow was furrowed and he stared at her hard as if searching for something.

Anna realized her mistake a little late. Of course the name of her dog would ring a bell while she didn’t. Great.

“Why were you here, Miss?” Todd asked and she noticed that he didn’t call her by her first name.

“I-…”

“She is here because the pub she works for wants to have a business transaction with us. We will supply them with pies and bread. Pretty good deal, don’t you think, Mr. T?” Mrs. Lovett cut her off and the barber looked at the baker briefly before he turned to lock eyes with Anna again.

“Is that so? Hmm.” He murmured as he looked out of the window again, “Don’t you have to check on those pies, Mrs. Lovett?” he said suddenly and the baker looked at him strangely before she nodded.

“Oh, yes…Sorry, love.” She excused herself and with a last glance towards the barber, she made her way out of the kitchen.

Anna hesitated for only a few seconds before she turned to head out of the shop.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Todd asked her just as she was about to exit. Anna paused and faced him with a frown.

“I am sorry?”

He slowly turned towards her and studied her, “Who told you to come here and propose such a deal?” he asked gruffly as he approached her.

“My boss.” She responded, still puzzled.

“Your boss.” he repeated and at her nod he shook his head and came to stand a breath away from her, “You shouldn’t be here.” He murmured as he reached behind her and opened the door for her.

“Excuse me?” she asked shocked at his words as he took her arms in his hands and slowly pushed her out of the shop. He followed until they were both standing in the yard, just by the stairs that led to his barbershop.

“Don’t come back here, you hear? Tell your boss that there’s going to be no deal.” He said as he shut the door and kept holding her arm tightly.

“I can’t tell him that! I gave him the idea because I know Mrs. Lovett.” Anna said while pushing her long hair behind her ear. The wind kept messing it up again though.

“You think you know her? You do not know her. And you do not know me, girl. You may think that you do but you don’t. You should have stayed where you were. In that shop, surrounded by flowers.” He murmured as he looked down at her, his eyes far away.

Anna’s eyes widened. How did he know that? Did he remember her? All along?

“How-…”

“Don’t come back here. Or if you need to, send someone else to arrange the deal as you call it. Do you understand me?” he hissed and she swallowed hard.

“Why?” she asked and he gritted his teeth as he looked at her fiercely.

“Because you don’t belong here.” He said simply and his words were sharp and biting and secretive at the same time. At that moment he released her rather forcefully and she collided painfully with one of the tables.

“Stay away from this place.” He repeated before he turned on his heel and climbed up the stairs to his shop.

Anna watched him go until the slam of the door resonated in the cold air, signaling his entrance into his shop. Anna remained there staring at the stairs, wondering why he hadn’t threatened her to keep his identity secret. Had he known all along who she was? Had he recognized her as soon as she told him her name? And why shouldn’t she come back? What was he hiding? What he didn’t want her to know?

The penetrating wind blew again and she shivered. She shook her head and realized that she should leave before the baker found out she was still there. She tightened her coat around her body and turned towards the street. Her eyes were on the sidewalk in front of her so she didn’t notice Toby.

“Ma’am?” the young boy said to her and she looked at him. His arms were full with groceries and she offered a small smile.

“Hello, Toby.” She said quietly before she continued down the street, missing the perplexed look on the boy’s face.

 

*********************************

A week later…

 

“Where in bloody hell are the bloody bottles?” Anna groaned as she stood kneeling behind the counter, “Kate!”

“Aye?” the other woman called back over the noise.

“Where’s the gin?”

“It’s in the kitchen.” Kate called back and Anna groaned.

“Why was the pub closed?” a gruff voice asked suddenly from above and Anna jumped. Her head collided with the top of the counter and she cried out.

“Jesus Christ!” she exclaimed as she clutched her head which throbbed painfully at the impact. Slowly she pulled her head from under the counter and looked up at the cloudy face of Sweeney Todd.

”Well?” he asked impatiently and she scowled.

“The pub was robbed and some of the tables and chairs were destroyed. So, the management decided to close it down until all the repairs were done.” She said as she stood up while rubbing the sore spot on her head.

“What are you doing here?” she asked when he remained stoically silent.

“What do you think?” he asked sarcastically as he sat down at one of the stools.

“You told me to stay away, Mr. Todd. Or should I say Barker?” she asked and he turned to her, his eyes suddenly furious.

“Don’t call me that. Ever. Do you understand?” he hissed and she resisted the urge to gulp.

“Fine.” She said as she pulled her gaze from his, “So what can I get you?” she asked through gritted teeth and he grunted out a response.

“Whiskey.” He looked down at his hands while she filled his glass.

“Here.” She said quietly as she pushed the glass over to him. He wrapped his fingers around it and his hand touched hers briefly.

“Your friend Anthony is here by the way.” She said as she prepared more orders for Kate.

“Anthony?” Todd’s eyes looked surprised, “You know him?” he asked and she nodded.

“He’s been living here for a while. I think he’s gone to bed though.” Anna said and Todd looked up, deep in thought.

“How do you know him then?” she asked, more curious than she should be after his behavior towards her.

“He saved me from the sea.” He mumbled and then he closed his eyes as if in regret for uttering those words.

“Why were you in need of saving in the first place?” she asked and his eyes flew up to her puzzled face.

“You ask a lot of questions.” He said in a low voice as he studied her.

“Do I? Well, are you going to answer me?” she asked and he sneered at her.

“Do you think I am so naïve as to divulge personal information to you?” he asked her hoarsely and she sighed.

“Why are you here?” she asked him as she placed her hands flat on the counter and leaned close to him.

“I told you why I am here.” He hissed out from between clenched teeth.

“I know you’re not here for the drink. You can have that anywhere. You told me to stay away from you and yet here you are.” She whispered and his eyes shifted as if uncomfortable with her having her so close.

“I assure you it’s was not intended.” He muttered before he took his glass and headed for a secluded booth. Anna gaped after him.

 

************************************

The sound of a table turning and the enraged yell of Sweeney Todd made Anna pause on her way to the back. She turned around and tightened her hand around the bag of empty bottles she had been holding at the sight of the barber pressing a very pale and scared Kristine against the nearest wall. The barber had his hand wrapped tightly around the woman’s delicate throat and he was glaring at her with a face of disgust on his face.

Kate slid next to Anna and sighed.

“Well, she had it coming. She wouldn’t leave him alone.” She whispered to Anna.

“Yes, one would think she’d have gotten the hint by now.” Anna murmured as Todd stepped away from the woman and slowly turned his head towards Anna and Kate.

Anna stiffened before she turned on her heel and left the pub to head for the back door so she could dispose of the bottles.

She heard footsteps approaching and she sighed as she placed the bag down and closed her eyes briefly.

“They won’t let you inside if you do that again.” She said before she turned to face Sweeney. He looked furious.

“I told her not to touch me. It’s not my fault she can’t understand simple English.” He hissed as he ran a hand through his wild hair.

“Yes, she is a bit stubborn. She is pretty though and brings in good money.” Anna shrugged and the barber sneered.

“Beauty fades when self respect and propriety come second.” He replied and Anna rubbed her tired eyes.

“I guess you’re right.” She said softly as she moved to get inside again. He caught her arm before she had the chance to do though.

“You know I am or you wouldn’t have pushed her away from me that night.” He said huskily.

“She was ready to robe you blind.” Anna scoffed.

“And why do you care if she did?” he asked and it was obvious that he couldn’t understand.

“You might not be able to understand it but I guess I felt like I had to.” She said quietly.

“Why?” he persisted without letting go of her arm.

“Because you showed me kindness once.” She replied and he winced as he let go of her. He flexed the hand which had been holding her as if it was something contaminated that needed to get cleaned.

“Don’t speak of that. Ever.” He shook his head as he took a step back.

“Why?”

“Because!” he snapped and she huffed.

“That is not an answer.”

“It’s the only one I have.” He stated sharply and she groaned.

“If you have no answers to give me then perhaps you should stay away from me. I shouldn’t be talking to you after what you said to me. All you ever do is insult me.” She said rather loudly, her anger flaming at his impassive expression.

“Keep your voice down, woman!” he hissed and she snorted.

“You are rude. When did you get to be so rude?” she exclaimed and his eyes narrowed.

“Shut up.” He hissed as he looked around for any people. There were a few men down the street but they didn’t seem to be looking at them.

“You shut up!” she snapped and he growled before he grasped her around the shoulder and pressed her against the cold wall next to the door. Anna gasped at the painful impact and she swallowed hard when he loomed over her, his jaw set.

“You talk way too much. Did you always talk so much?” he asked into her ear as he leaned into her and if she wasn’t so scared she would comment on the slight amusement in his tone.

“I don’t talk much. You don’t talk at all. That is why I bother you.” She said as she placed her hands upon his hard chest and shoved him away or tried to anyway.

“Promise you won’t speak of the past again.” He hissed without letting go of her.

“I won’t say anything to anyone. You don’t have to worry. Even though I don’t understand why you want to hide it so much.” She said softly and he scowled.

“You’ll never understand. You can’t understand.” He said as he looked into her eyes.

Anna licked her dry lips and she was surprised when his gaze shifted towards them. His eyes darkened and they widened in a manner that looked like reluctant hunger. His head moved a tiny fraction as if to lean closer but he stopped. His eyes widened in alarm at his own actions and he let go of her quickly, as if she’d burned him. He grimaced as if in immense pain and desperation before he shook his head and moved several steps away from her.

“I got to go.” He mumbled before he turned on his heel and disappeared into the night, leaving her breathless and shocked against the cold dirty wall of the alley.

 

End of chapter 7

 

Author’s note: Hope you liked it. Like I said, this will go slowly but surely. :p

So, please review. Reviews motivate this penniless writer!

Xxx Lina :)