Heart of Disaster: A Titanic Novel of love and loss

by Rachel Wesson

  Kate couldn’t say anything. Daniel moved closer, not letting her hand go. “We’ve known each other our entire lives. We can make this work. Marry me when we get to New York and come with me to Wyoming. My family will help us. My older brother Sean or John as he calls himself now has a large place. He sends mam money every couple of months. He paid for my ticket. America has been good to him. He will help me find a job with horses and you can get work doing sewing or something until our family comes along. We will have a small place to start, some chickens and maybe a cow or two. What do you say, Kate?”

  She couldn’t say anything, it was so unexpected.

  “Don’t say anything. Just think about it. I have fifty dollars to my name. I don’t know how long that will last in America but you, I mean we, won’t starve.”

  Although surprised at his outburst, she didn’t feel offended. He was very nice to look at and she liked listening to him talk. He had been tender and courteous to her since they left Nell behind.

  She listened as he shared stories of his family with her. Sean Donnelly had left Galway almost ten years ago and she had limited memories of him. But he had seemed kind. All the Donnellys’ were, it was only Daniel who had teased her constantly at school and then whenever they met up. Nell said it was because he liked her, but he had never shown any signs of that until now. The picture he was painting of a tight-knit community was tempting but could she marry someone she didn’t love? She knew others did it all the time. The matchmakers back in Ireland didn’t take love into account when they drew up matches between families. It was more important to pick those who had small holdings near one another so they could share resources.

  She heard Nell’s voice in her head as clear as day. Love is a dream for those who don’t want to go asleep hungry. Nell hadn’t even met her husband until the day she married him. Yet Nell was devastated when he died. Kate had heard how she mourned him. She didn’t know about her own parents, her mother dying in childbirth soon after hearing of the death of her husband at the hands of the English.

  She realized Daniel had stopped speaking and was staring at her, waiting for her to say something. She spotted Cathy coming toward them.

  “There you are, Kate. I thought you had jumped overboard. I looked everywhere for you. What are you two up to? You look awfully serious?”

  Kate couldn’t help but be relieved at Cathy’s voice. She smiled at her friend at the same time as she let go of Daniels' hand. She smoothed down the skirts of her dress.

  “We were just talking. What have you been up to, Cathy?”

  “You will never guess. Turns out Seamus knows a guy who knows one of the stewards. He showed us the dining room in First Class. You should see it, Kate, it’s a thousand times better than the one up in the big house. The tables are covered in snow-white linen. The silver cutlery sparkles in the sunlight. There is a big staircase, which leads up to a clock, with statues on either side of it. I wanted to go up there, but we didn’t have time. I also wanted to see the deck, but the steward got scared someone would see us. There is a big glass dome, it looks like a hotel or something out of a book.”

  Kate half listened as Cathy went on about the sights she had seen. She knew her friend had big ideas about what she would achieve in America. She wanted a big house and a rich husband. What did Kate want?

  Chapter 18

  Friday 12th April. Third Class Deck

  “Look at that man over there, you see him?”

  Delia looked in the direction Conor was pointing. She saw a tall man with a nice smile standing at the small gate which separated Third Class from Second. He was chatting to a lady on the other side of the gate.

  “That’s his wife. I was talking to him earlier today. He said he’d promised to bring her to America in style but couldn’t afford to buy two-Second Class tickets. So, he bought one for his wife and put himself in the cheapest cabin here in Third Class. He says it’s so low down, it’s a wonder they didn’t give him an oar to help steer the ship.”

  Delia smiled at the joke, but she couldn’t help wondering if the wife thought it was such a good arrangement.

  “I wish I could have paid for you to go Second Class,” Conor said pulling Delia closer to his side. Delia kissed his cheek.

  “I’m glad you didn’t. I wouldn’t want to spend this journey with a gate between us.”

  The look he gave her sent thrills through her. Being married to Conor was wonderful, even better than she ever imagined. She missed him when he went outside for a walk or a chat with the lads. She couldn’t imagine not being able to sleep beside him every night. She loved being held in his arms as they chatted about what they would do in America. She glanced at the lady in Second Class. She looked happy enough as did her husband but the thought of chatting over a locked gate had no place in Delia’s marriage.

  “What’s the matter with him? He always stands over there with a look of misery on his face,” Delia indicated the well-dressed young man who always appeared on raised poop deck wearing gloves and a suit. She hadn’t seen him exchange a single word with the other passengers although she knew he spoke English. She had heard him speaking to a steward.

  Conor looked serious but his eyes were twinkling with merriment. “I think he’s on the run. Maybe he stole the crown jewels and plans on making a new life in America.”

  Despite herself, she laughed. “Oh you, stop teasing me.”

  * * *

  Later that evening they joined the merriment in the main lounge. She spotted a young girl with blonde hair dancing with a dark-haired young man of a similar age. They were laughing and appeared to be very comfortable with each other. Once the dance had finished, they came and sat at the table Delia was sharing with Conor.

  “Are you dancing?” the man asked Delia. She looked to Conor, who gestured her to go ahead.

  “The name’s Daniel and my partner here, Kate, has a sore foot. She says I trod on it, but I swear it wasn’t me.”

  Delia laughed as Daniel joked around.

  She didn’t want to be rude by saying no. At the same time, she didn’t want to upset Kate. “Do you mind?”

  Kate blushed prettily before shaking her head. “I need to catch my breath. Your feet are safe, but your lungs are in for a workout.”

  Delia soon knew Kate was right. The pace of the jig kept picking up and soon Daniel was flying around the floor with her following his every step. He was a wonderful dancer but she was glad when it was over. It felt odd for another man to be holding her. She thanked him as he escorted her back to Conor.

  “This is my husband, Conor Brennan, and my name is Delia.”

  “Daniel Donnelly and this is my friend, Kate Maloney. We grew up in the same village just outside Ballinasloe in Galway. Are ye both from Dublin? You don’t have the same accents.”

  Conor shook Daniel’s hand. “The missus comes from the posh bit. Nice to meet you. What part of America are you heading for?”

  As the men chatted, Delia spoke to Kate.

  “How is your cabin?”

  “The cabin is lovely but Cathy, our friend, keeps threatening to throw one of our cabin mates overboard. The woman won’t stop talking about other people.”

  “Is it that awful woman over there? The one who could curdle milk by looking at it?” Delia put her hand to her mouth. She shouldn’t have said something so nasty to this girl she’d just met. But Kate burst out laughing.

  “Yes, that’s her. Miserable Mary we nicknamed her. I swear she hasn’t a good word to say about anyone or anything. Even finding fault with the ship and Captain Smith she is.”

  “For what? I think we are traveling in the height of luxury.”

  “I know, Delia. Can you imagine any other ship having accommodation as we have? Cathy, my friend has been up to First Class. She said it was unbelievable.”

  “I can imagine, although the only members of First Class I’ve seen are the dogs being walked by the stewards. Seems they have to come to our deck area for their walkies.”<
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  The women laughed again. Kate’s friend Cathy joined them.

  “Seamus only asked Miserable Mary out to dance. Can you imagine it? I could have her as my new sister-in-law.” Cathy rolled her eyes. Kate and Delia exchanged a look before dissolving into more laughter.

  All too soon the stewards announced it was ten o’clock. Captain Smith liked people to retire early. Delia arranged to meet Kate and Cathy the next morning for a walk. They wanted to teach her how to skip rope, something she hadn’t done since she was a small girl, but they kept telling her she’d have lots of fun. It would give her something to do while Conor chatted with the men.

  Chapter 19

  Saturday 13th April. Dining area steerage.

  K ate couldn’t find Cathy and the others. She walked into the dining area, hoping to find them. Instead, she was greeted by the sight of a crying baby sitting on his mam’s knee. His poor mother looked fit to cry too. Kate moved to her side.

  “Would you like a hand?”

  “I would to be sure. My boys, little darlings that they are, aren’t used to being confined. They prefer to be running around in the open air. Isn’t that right Frank?” The woman ruffled the hair of the youngest boy sitting on her lap. She then held out her hand to Kate. “Margaret Rice, recently from Spokane, Washington but originally from Athlone.”

  “Kate from Galway. You live in America?”

  Kate smiled at young Frank as she spoke, but he stared back at her, his hand in his mouth. She guessed he was about two years old.

  “We do indeed. My husband, God rest his soul, was killed a while ago. He left me some money and I used it to come back and show the children where I grew up. I have an uncle in Athlone. I thought it important the children got to see their roots. To be honest, I would have loved to stay at home but there are more opportunities for a woman like me in Spokane. My husband left me a beautiful house and some savings back in the States. I couldn’t be a burden to my family back in Ireland by giving them six extra mouths to feed.” Her expression was so wistful, Kate had to hold back her tears.

  Feeling sorry for the nice lady, Kate thought she could do with a break. She looked tired and no wonder with five young lads taking up every minute of her time. She spotted Daniel and motioned him over.

  “This is Daniel, he comes from Galway too. he’s great with boys.” She pretended not to see Daniel’s eyebrows raise so kept her gaze focused on Mrs. Rice. “Perhaps the boys would like to play a game with us? We can take them out on deck, and you take a chance to have a cup of tea and a chat.”

  “That sounds wonderful. I think I have forgotten what a hot cup of tea tastes like. But are you sure? Five boys are a lot. Albert, my eldest is ten, he’s is a good boy, he’ll help you.”

  Kate pulled Daniel forward. “Albert, would you and your brothers like to go with Daniel, and I will take Frank? Your mam can have a rest.”

  Albert looked to his mam for consent, but the next younger brother hung back. Kate nudged Daniel with her elbow, motioning towards the child with her eyes.

  Daniel bent down on a level with the child. “What’s your name?”

  “Eric, I’m six. Arthur is five and he’s George. He’s eight. Can we see the captain?”

  “We can do some exploring but I am not sure whether Captain Smith is doing his rounds yet. Let’s go check, shall we?”

  The boys let their mother’s skirts go and were gone without a backward glance. Kate took Frank into her arms despite his protests.

  “He wants to be walking all the time, but I worry someone will step on him in the crowd.”

  “I’ll take him to a quiet part of the deck and let him run off a bit of steam. Maybe then he will sleep better for you. Albert, will you help me?”

  The young boy nodded. Mrs. Rice gave her son a hug.

  “Thank you, Kate. I am that tired, I think I would sleep standing up.”

  “You go and enjoy a rest, Mrs. Rice. Have a chat with some of the other women. We will be back later. Come on, Albert, let’s see what Daniel is doing.”

  Kate enjoyed her time playing with the Rice boys. They were well behaved, especially given the constraints of the travel. A couple of the other lads on the deck joined in with the games.

  Daniel threw Frank up into the air, making the child giggle. After a couple of turns, he handed the baby back to her. “That was kind of you, Kate.”

  “The poor woman to be traveling without her husband and all these children. She’s a saint.”

  The look in Daniel’s eyes made her flush. “You will make a wonderful mother someday.”

  “I best take you back to your mammy now boys, she will think I kidnapped ye.” Kate spoke quickly in a bid to cover her embarrassment.

  George pulled at Daniel’s jacket. “Do we have to?”

  “Kate, do you want to take the little one back in? From the look of him, he could do with a nap. The boys can stay here with me and Seamus.”

  Kate ignored Seamus’s expression of distaste. “Thanks, Daniel.”

  Arthur stepped forward, shaking Kate’s skirt with his hand. “Can I come with you? I want to see mammy.”

  Kate carried Frank in one arm, and held Arthur’s hand as they went in search of Mrs. Rice. Spotting her at a table, Arthur ran to his mammy to tell her all about the games they’d played. Kate followed closely behind.

  “I am so grateful to you, lass, I feel like a new woman. Were you good for Kate, Arthur?”

  Arthur nodded but looked to Kate.

  “They are lovely young boys. We enjoyed ourselves didn’t we, Frank?” Kate tickled the youngster under the chin. Frank’s eyes were closing, his thumb in his mouth once more. “I think this one could do with a nap.”

  Mrs. Rice took Frank in her arms. “Where are the rest of my boys?”

  “They weren’t ready to come down, so Daniel and the other lads are watching them. They’ll be safe, I promise.”

  Kate sat with Mrs. Rice as Frank fell asleep in his mother’s arms. Arthur was almost asleep, too, clinging to his mother’s side.

  “It’s hard for you to be traveling alone.”

  “It’s my own fault, Kate. My niece, Catherine, was to come with me, but I didn’t give her enough time to sort her papers. We had planned on traveling in May. The temptation to sail on this ship was too much. It’s amazing, isn’t it? I feel like I am in First Class.”

  “I’ve never been on a ship before, but we are certainly traveling in style.”

  “My husband would have loved this,” Mrs. Rice’s whispered.

  “I am so sorry he died.”

  Mrs. Rice took a moment to compose herself before offering Kate a wan smile.

  “At least it was quick. An accident involving a train at work. The boys will miss him to be sure. He was a wonderful husband and father. The priests say God has his own plan, but I find it hard to understand why he would take my boys’ father. Still, there isn’t time to be sitting around moping. It is what it is. Where are you and your young man heading for?”

  Kate looked at the floor. “Daniel isn’t my young man. He’s a friend from home.”

  “Have you told him that? The way he looks at you, darling, I can hear wedding bells in the near future.”

  Chapter 20

  Delia made her way across the deck, having spotted Cathy and Kate. Cathy waved.

  “Delia, over here. Join us for some tea and gossip.”

  Delia took a seat. “Afternoon, ladies,”

  Kate rubbed her hand over Delia’s sleeve. “You have beautiful clothes. They must have lovely shops in Dublin.”

  “Thank you, Kate. It was a wedding gift.”

  Cathy glanced at Delia, her eyes wide. “I think Delia is a bit above our station, Kate. She dresses like the ladies from the big house. Are you sure you shouldn’t be in First Class?”

  Delia clasped her hands not knowing what to say. Kate came to her rescue.

  “Cathy Madden, would you stop? You shouldn’t be asking questions. Delia, just ignore her.
Cathy, why don’t you tell Delia about your plans to go on the stage?”

  “I want to sing. I have a good voice and I know how to act. Just you wait and see, in a year or two I will be headlining in Broadway.”

  Delia smiled. “You certainly have the enthusiasm and personality. I think you will go far.” She meant every word. She had yet to meet another person as infectious and full of the joys of living as Cathy Madden.

  “And you Kate, what are your plans?” she asked. To her surprise, Kate looked terrified. Horrified she had upset the lovely girl, Delia opened her mouth to say something but Cathy intervened.

  “My sister, Bridie, is going to find us both work. I need to finance my singing lessons. Kate is going to find herself a husband and have children. She is a born mother. You can see that by the way she looked after those Rice children.”

  Kate blushed. “Cathy! Mrs. Rice needed a rest. It’s not easy for her looking after five young boys on the ship.”

  Cathy didn’t seem to see her friend was upset but turned back to the subject of Delia.

  “So, how did you and your husband meet? I know you said you were both from Dublin but you talk so differently. Are you sure you are not a rich girl in disguise?”

  Delia didn’t know what to say so decided on the truth. “I promise you I am not rich but I did grow up in a house like the one you described working at.”

  Cathy, as expected, looked like she wanted to ask a million questions but Kate just listened. Delia continued.

  “I am an orphan. My parents were killed when I was twelve. I had to leave my home and go to live with my aunt. She is wealthy and she expected me to act as she did.”

  Cathy’s smile grew wider, her eyes glittering. “How wonderful. Imagine living with the toffs. But what made you want to travel in steerage. You could be enjoying First Class. It is so amazing. You should see the style they are traveling in.”

  “Cathy! Will you whist. You always say too much. Delia wasn’t finished telling her story.” Kate turned to face Delia, “I’m sorry. She gets carried away. It’s none of our business.”