Authors: Sue Lawson
Hugh’s laugh made her stand straighter and her lips tighten.
“Do stop carrying on, Eve,” said Thomas. “It’s not just a barber shop. There are souvenirs too.”
She glanced up the stairs. “But Mother …”
“Evie, Mother thinks I’ve already looked for a souvenir for Uncle Hubert.” He raised his eyebrows. “But if you’re too scared …”
Eve made a strange noise. “Very well. I shall come. But only to find a gift for Uncle Hubert.”
Hugh’s eyes sparkled. “Let’s take the elevator.”
“I am not going in a first-class elevator,” said Eve.
“I was thinking of the second-class elevators.” Hugh emphasised the word “second”.
“Oh,” said Eve, her face flushing.
On the way Thomas, Hugh and Meggie chatted about the steerage boys who’d climbed the baggage crane on the poop deck.
Meggie wrinkled her nose. “They were covered in grease.”
“Even so, swinging on those cranes did look like tremendous fun,” said Thomas.
The elevator stopped and the steward opened the door. “I’m sure you would have liked the dogs, Eve,” said Hugh. He thanked the steward before striding along the companionway.
Thomas held his breath. When Mother had told Eve that Dash wouldn’t be coming to America, Eve had locked herself in her room two days. From his bedroom, Thomas had heard her crying into the night.
When Eve showed no emotion at the mention of dogs, Thomas sighed with relief.
“The fluffy golden one was so sweet.” Meggie clasped her hands under her chin. “A poma … pomer …”
“Pomeranian,” said Hugh, in a way that suggested he didn’t share his sister’s feelings for the dog. “Here we are.” He stopped outside the barber shop. “Ladies first.”
The barber shop was small with a bench for waiting customers on one side and two barber’s chairs in front of mirrors. The barber, dressed in a white coat, lathered the face of a chap in the chair nearest them.
“Can I help you?” asked the barber, pausing at his task.
“Not at the moment, thank you,” said Hugh.
His easy confidence impressed Thomas.
The four of them looked around. Banners, dolls, teddies, tobacco and even ribbons embroidered with RMS
Titanic
just like the ones on the sailors’ hats, hung from the ceiling and on walls. Other souvenirs were displayed on the counter.
“Wouldn’t Bea love the dolls,” said Thomas.
“The blond or the dark-haired one?” asked Meggie, beside him.
“Blond I should think,” said Eve.
Thomas watched her examine a doll on the wall in front of her. He smiled. It was good to see Eve acting like herself, instead of being prickly and grumpy.
Meggie moved to the bundle of postcards. “I’m going to ask Father if I may buy one of these as a reminder of our journey.”
“Eve has an autograph book for that. How many signatures have you collected?” Thomas was taken aback when Eve glared at him.
“Three, actually.” Her face turned pink and she sneaked glances at Hugh. “I haven’t wanted to intrude while people were becoming accustomed to the ship.”
“Can I sign it, Eve?” asked Meggie.
Eve nodded. “I would love you to.”
“And I should like to sign it too, if I may,” said Hugh. “I have just the poem.”
“That would be good.” Eve studied the doll’s shoes. “Thank you.”
Meggie asked the barber for a pen and signed, her tongue poking out as she completed a sketch to accompany her words.
Hugh flipped through the book checking the other entries before adding his own. Eve pretended not to be interested in what he was writing, but Thomas saw her glances.
“Done,” said Hugh, handing the book back to Eve. “Why don’t we show you the poop deck, Eve? Perhaps more dogs are being walked.”
“I suppose so,” said Eve.
Thomas wondered if Eve was a little sweet on Hugh. It would explain why she had started to emerge from her bad mood. He smiled as he held the door open for her and Meggie.
“What?” snapped Eve.
“Nothing,” said Thomas. “Nothing at all.”
He watched Eve and Hugh talk as they climbed the stairs to the poop deck. Thomas stopped. It was one thing for his sister to have feelings for his new friend, but what if Hugh felt the same about Eve? Hugh was his friend, not Eve’s.
Friday, April 12, 1912
DAY THREE
“What do you two have planned for today?” asked Father. He leaned back in his chair, contented after his breakfast of grilled ox kidneys, bacon and fried potato, three pieces of toast with butter and marmalade and a cup of tea. Mother was not so contented. She had watched him eat with narrowed eyes.
“A walk in the fresh air for starters,” said Thomas, his eyes bright and ready for action. “Will you accompany me, Eve?”
I felt the weight of Mother’s scowl. “Fresh air and exercise would be marvellous,” I said.
Mother folded her arms. “What has brought about your change of mood?”
“Leave the girl be,” said Father. “Fresh air sounds like a splendid start to the day, Eve.”
“But after morning tea, Evelyn, you will care for Bea.”
“Certainly.” I turned to my sister. “You, Ted and I could explore a little, Bea.”
Bea nodded.
“Only in the permitted areas,” said Mother.
“Of course,” I said.
While Thomas talked about the fiddlers accompanied by men with tin whistles and a squeeze box he’d seen on the poop deck, I finished my cup of tea and wondered about Mother’s mood. Or moods. Eyes lowered, I watched her bird-like movements and her drawn face. There was no sign of her old softness.
With us, especially Father, she was angry and snappy, but when other passengers or the
Titanic
stewards were around, she straightened her back and with her head high, waved her hands around like royalty. She really was too confusing.
I lowered my cup and realised for the first time in days, months, I felt quite happy. Perhaps it was because I hadn’t dreamed at all the previous night.
After breakfast Thomas and I met Hugh and Meggie outside the dining room.
“Good morning, Eve,” said Hugh, bowing his head. It was difficult to tell if he was genuine or making fun at my expense. “What do you two have planned for today?”
“A walk to take the air and to admire the view,” I said.
“Would you and Meggie care to join us?” asked Thomas.
“Or perhaps you and Eve would like to accompany us to the swimming bath.” Hugh stared into my eyes as though daring me. I would like to see first class just as much as them.
“I can’t think of anything more pressing,” I said, refusing to look away from him. “What about you, Thomas?”
“Sounds wonderful,” said Thomas.
“However,” I added. “I refuse to go anywhere …” I searched for words to describe the places I wouldn’t stray.
“I won’t dream of taking you anywhere crass, your ladyship.”
I sucked in my cheeks. What was it about him that infuriated me so?
“The key to this,” said Hugh, holding open the dining room door for Meggie and me, “is to appear confident, as though we belong wherever we go.”
“Is your brother always this brash?” I whispered to Meggie.
“Always. But he is fun.”
The throb of the engines grew as we descended the stairs to the middle deck. Hugh chatted about the other places he’d like to see – the first-class dining room, gymnasium, Turkish baths, and third-class accommodation. Each area he mentioned sparked a fresh burst of fear in my stomach, only it was different from the fear I’d experienced a few days ago. This time it was the fear of the fuss Mother would make if we were caught that was making my legs quiver.
After walking downstairs and along corridors that all looked similar, Hugh stopped. “The swimming pool is up there.” He peered around the corner. “Eve the corridor is empty. Scout ahead will you?”
“I beg your pardon?” My voice was sharp. “Scout ahead? I will not take the blame if we are caught.”
“Eve, I merely thought you’d rouse the least suspicion,” said Hugh. “You look more first-class than the rest of us.”
It wasn’t easy staying angry when I was being flattered.
“I’ll do it.” Thomas checked his shirt and slicked back his hair. “Not all Gilmores are scared.”
I tsked, not unlike Mother, and brushed past him into the passageway.
“
Psst
, Eve,” called Hugh after me. “That way.”
In my hurry to prove myself, I’d turned left instead of right. I smoothed my skirt before marching past the grining trio.
At the swimming bath’s entrance, a stewardess stepped out of the doorway. “Are you lost, miss?”
I could feel the combined gaze of Hugh, Meggie and Thomas burning into my back. “Not at all. I was hoping to inspect the swimming facilities.”
The stewardess frowned. “You look too young to be unaccompanied.”
“I’m sixteen,” I lied. “My parents are taking the air on the first-class promenade. I shouldn’t like to disturb them with such a trivial matter.”
“Well, I suppose, but mind you behave yourself. Ladies’ hours finish at one o’clock.” She stepped aside to allow me to enter.
Adrenalin rushed through me. If only I could see Hugh’s face now.
Inside, the air was warm and stuffy. Light from the portholes danced across the pool water and railing opposite. The pool itself, which ran the length of the starboard side of the room, was smaller than I expected. A lady bobbed in the water, her face flushed. Another stood on the pool steps. I refused to return without testing the water, so I walked to the pool’s edge and dipped my hand in. It was warmer than I expected. I licked my fingers – salt.
“Have a Turkish bath first, my dear,” said the red-faced lady, bobbing in the corner now. “You’ll find the pool very refreshing afterwards.”
“Thank you,” I said. The attention was crushing my courage. “I shall inquire about doing just that.” I walked backwards and bumped into a life buoy hanging from the fence-like railing and then scuttled to the door.
“Will you be swimming?” asked the same stewardess I’d met on the way in, only this time her arms were laden with fresh towels.
“Perhaps tomorrow. Thank you.” I stalked away, bitting my lip to stop myself from laughing.
When I reached the corner, Meggie ran to meet me. “You went inside!”
“Indeed I did.” I spoke straight to Hugh, who leaned against the wall. “I tested the water, which is warm, and discussed the Turkish baths with a bather.”
“What was it like?” asked Meggie.
“Steamy. There were only two ladies there, apart from the stewardess.” I had to fight to stop the excitement at my adventure from bubbling out of me. “Hugh, the pool notice said the gentlemen’s swimming time isn’t until two o’clock. You’ll have to wait until then to look for yourself.” I turned to Meggie. “Care for a stroll?”
Thomas watched Eve and Meggie walk to the staircase. Part of him was surprised at Eve’s boldness, but most of him was relieved. The old bright Eve seemed to be back.
“Your sister has spunk, Thomas,” said Hugh.
Thomas laughed. “Yes, she does. Mother spends most of her time trying to make Eve behave like a lady; at least she did at home.”
“Has your mother eased her efforts on the journey?”
“Yes and no – Mother has been preoccupied, and Eve has been, well, sullen. The sea air seems to agree with her though.”
“I can remember being scared when we moved to America, I was only a little older than Bea,” said Hugh, staring at his black boots. He looked up and smiled. “Shall we go back to the poop deck?”
Thomas and Hugh spent the rest of the morning playing jumping jacks with steerage boys about their age. They were at the stern when the bugle sounded to announce luncheon.
“Perhaps our families could sit together,” said Thomas.
“Excellent idea,” said Hugh. “Shall we meet outside the dining room?”
“Grand idea,” said Thomas.
On the way to meet Father at the cabin as they’d arranged, Thomas wondered how his mother would react to sharing a meal with Hugh’s parents. Fearful she would be angry, Thomas waited until the family were on their way to the dining room before tackling the subject.
“Father, Mother.” He made himself sound strong and mature. “Why don’t we join Hugh’s family for luncheon?” With each word courage blossomed in his chest. “It seems a splendid opportunity for the family to discuss life in America with them. And perhaps ask questions about Charleston, as they have good friends living there. And can you believe it? Hugh is soon to work in Charleston too.”
“It’s decided then,” said Father. “And I should like to meet your friends and their parents.”
“Hugh’s a terrific chap, Father,” continued Thomas, taking his mother’s silence as agreement. “He and his family are returning to Virginia after a holiday in Paris.”
“An American thing to do I suppose,” said Mother.
Thomas felt the heat rise to his face. “They are English, Mother, and just like us, they moved to America.”
“I’m sure they didn’t have the decision forced upon them.”
“Come now, Alice. You were hardly forced into leaving Southampton.”
Mother harrumphed. “What choice did I have, Edward? Lose another child or leave Southampton.”
“That will do, Alice,” snapped Father, his moustache bristling.
Thomas’s ears filled with a buzzing sound. Another child? Whatever did she mean?
He looked at Father, whose face was filled with sorrow, then at Eve, who seemed as stunned as Thomas felt.
“Thomas!” Hugh called from outside the dining room where he stood with Meggie and his parents.
“Uncouth,” tutted his Mother.
Ignoring her, Thomas waved. When they reached the Worthingtons, he introduced his family.
“Delighted to meet you,” said Father, shaking Mr Worthington’s hand. “Would you care to take luncheon with us?”
“If we aren’t intruding,” said Henry Worthington, his accent more British than Hugh’s, “that would be splendid.”