Connie had gone to her room to have a rest some time ago so when the tray was prepared Flora nipped upstairs to fetch her while Mrs Merry carried their meal through to the dining room. She had just placed the tray on the table when someone rapped on the front door and sighing she hurried away to answer it. The colour drained from her face when she found Flora’s young man standing on the doorstep. He was very smartly dressed and after respectfully removing his hat he asked, ‘May I have a word with Flora, please?’
Mrs Merry was all of a dither as she stepped out onto the step to join him, closing the door softly to behind her.
‘B-but I thought you’d gone home because your father was ill,’ she stammered.
‘I did, but thankfully he’s much recovered now so I felt it was safe to leave him and come and see Flora before she leaves.’
‘I-I’m afraid you’re too late, young man … they’ve already gone.’
He looked confused. ‘But Flora told me they were sailing on the Titanic and that doesn’t leave until Wednesday,’ he said.
‘Ah, well … there was a change of plan and they sailed on an earlier ship,’ she told him, feeling even more guilty as his face crumpled.
‘I see.’ He fingered the brim of his hat, looking devastated. ‘And did she leave no message for me? You did tell her I called, didn’t you? Perhaps you could give me the address in New York where she’ll be staying? I could write to her there, although she hasn’t replied to any of the letters I’ve written so far.’
Mrs Merry’s heart was hammering so loudly now that she feared he must be able to hear it. Should Flora come back downstairs now she would discover her deceit and she didn’t know how she would be able to bear the shame.
‘I’m very sorry.’ Her voice was firm now. ‘But Flora made it perfectly clear that she didn’t wish to see or hear from you again, young man, so I’m afraid you are wasting your time here. Good day to you.’
‘B-but, please—’
She turned abruptly, stepped back into the hall and closed the door firmly in his face. For a moment she stood with her back flat to the door as her heartbeat slowed to a steadier rhythm, then as she headed for the dining room she heard Flora’s light footsteps on the stairs.
‘Was that someone at the door, Merry?’ she asked.
‘Oh, just someone selling something,’ the woman said, keeping her voice steady but guilt was eating away at her as an image of the young man’s sad face flashed in front of her eyes.
She saw Flora’s devasted expression. She knew the girl had been hoping against hope that Jamie might still come before she and Connie left. But then, she consoled herself, both he and Flora were young with their whole lives in front of them. There would be plenty of time for them both to meet someone else they would care for, surely? Right now, Connie needed Flora to go with her to New York after all she had been through, so she tried to convince herself that she had done the right thing.
Chapter Six
‘Now, are you quite sure you’ve got everything?’ Mrs Merry asked on the morning of their departure for at least the tenth time in as many minutes.
‘Yes, I’m quite sure, Merry,’ Connie told her gently as she fastened her hat on with a large, lethal-looking hat pin. It was a fancy concoction in a dark purple, wide-brimmed and trimmed with ostrich feathers. She was wearing a deep-purple two-piece costume in the latest fashion to go with it, which had a short jacket, a straight, ankle-length skirt, and a smart, white ruffled blouse.
‘And have you got your belts safely on?’
‘Yes, Merry.’
Where did the time go? Mrs Merry wondered as she fussed about the girl. It seemed like only yesterday that Connie had been just a little girl and now here she was a young woman about to embark on the biggest adventure of her life so far. Standing beside her, Flora was also looking very smart in a cloche hat and a long-sleeved, pale green day dress that Connie had given her to travel in. Cook was there as well and was sniffing noisily into a big white handkerchief. Later that day she would be leaving to take up her new position in a big house on the outskirts of the town but she had purposely waited to see her young mistress off.
Outside a horse-drawn cab was waiting to take them to the train station where they would begin the first leg of their journey, the horse restlessly pawing the ground and snickering, so Connie gave Mrs Merry and the cook one last gentle kiss on their cheeks.
‘Take care of yourselves,’ she said, her eyes full of tears. ‘And don’t forget, Cook, when I come home you can come back if you want to.’
‘I certainly shall, yer needn’t worry about that,’ Cook assured her as they all stepped outside. On the step, Connie paused and took one last glance back at the house that had been the only home she could remember, then with a sigh she urged Flora towards the cab.
Flora’s parents would be waiting for them at the train station and Flora didn’t know if she was looking forward to seeing them one last time or dreading it. She knew how hard it was going to be and hoped that she wouldn’t break down when the time came for her and Connie to board the train. In no time at all they were settled in the cab and they hung out of the window and waved until Mrs Merry and Cook were gone from sight.
Connie leaned back against the leather squabs and sighed. ‘This is it then,’ she said quietly and Flora nodded. She had only been on a train once before some years ago when her parents had taken her and her siblings to Southend for the day, and she was looking forward to the journey with a mixture of emotions: sadness, excitement and trepidation.
Just as they had promised, Flora’s parents were waiting on the platform when they arrived at the station. She had said her goodbyes to her brothers and sisters the Sunday before and as Connie settled herself into a carriage, Flora placed her arms about them both.
‘Look after yourselves, do you hear?’ She blinked back tears and forced a smile. ‘And just remember to write. Never forget I shall be back before you know it. Three years will pass in no time.’
Her mother sniffed into a big white handkerchief as her father lifted her overnight bag onto the train.
‘You just be careful, now,’ her mother told her in a wobbly voice as she clutched her daughter to her as if she might never let her go. ‘And don’t get venturin’ out on your own in that strange city!’
The porter blew his whistle then and they heard the large engine chug into life.
‘Best climb aboard, love.’ Even her father’s voice was choked as he pecked her on the cheek and she scrambled aboard closing the door behind her then stood waving through the window as the train chugged out of the station.
The journey from Waterloo Station was uneventful, although Flora did find it somewhat harrowing as she thought of leaving Jamie and all the people she loved far behind her. Would she ever see Jamie again? she wondered. If only he hadn’t disappeared like that, she could have told him how much she loved him. She wished he’d given her just one more chance. But now it was too late, and her heart mourned at the thought of her lost love.
Connie was quiet so Flora spent most of the time watching the passing scenery from the window and in the late afternoon the train drew into Southampton. A porter quickly collected their luggage and loaded it onto a trolley for them then led them to the exit where a row of cabs was waiting for fares.
‘We’re going to the South Western Hotel on the corner of Terminus Terrace and Canute Road,’ Connie told the porter as she consulted Mr Wainthrop’s list of instructions. He had been very explicit.
‘Ah well, that’s just down the way, miss,’ the kindly porter answered. ‘It’s hardly worth getting in a cab if you don’t mind a short walk. I’ll bring this along for you and show you the way if you like.’
‘That’s very kind. Thank you.’ Connie inclined her head then she and Flora set off at a trot trying to keep up with him. At the hotel entrance, which was very impressive indeed, another young porter in a smart uniform rushed outside to lift their bags from the trolley while Connie thanked their
guide and gave him a handsome tip.
‘Thank you, miss.’ He doffed his cap. ‘Here for the launch of the Titanic, are you?’
‘We’re sailing on her, actually,’ Connie informed him and he whistled through his teeth.
‘Then I wish you a good journey, miss.’ He gave both girls a beaming smile and went off whistling merrily, trundling his empty trolley behind him.
‘Right, let’s go and get booked in,’ Connie suggested, seeing that Flora was looking a little out of her depth. ‘Then I suggest we order some food to be sent up to our room. I could kill for a cup of tea right now. We could go out later on if you feel like it and have a look around.’
‘Oh yes, I’d like that.’ Flora nodded as side by side they entered the magnificent hotel. The foyer was splendid and full of very wealthy-looking people dressed in the very latest fashions.
‘Miss Ogilvie and Miss Butler,’ Connie told the receptionist as the woman quickly ran her finger down a list of names in a large register that stood open in front of her on a highly polished desk.
‘Ah, yes, Miss Ogilvie, here you are. You have adjoining rooms on the third floor with a view of the docks. I do hope it’s to your satisfaction. The porter will deliver your luggage to your rooms immediately and a maid will be up shortly to unpack it for you. Is there anything else I can do for you?’
‘Yes, you could have a tray of tea for two sent up and perhaps a selection of cakes,’ Connie answered confidently and Flora gulped. This was like walking into another world.
A glittering crystal chandelier hung in the centre of the foyer and beyond it a sweeping staircase with a huge, galleried landing led up to the first floor. The floor was covered in a thick wall-to-wall carpet that Flora’s feet seemed to sink into and everywhere she looked were tiny, gilt-legged chairs and leather settees with well-dressed people taking afternoon tea on them.
Connie and Flora followed the young porter to a lift that was set to one side of the foyer and Flora got into it feeling nervous as the porter slammed shut the metal grille on the front of it. The next second, she felt as if she had left her stomach on the ground as it purred into life and began to ascend, but before she could comment on it to Connie it slowed to a stop.
‘Third floor, ladies.’ The young porter wheeled their trolley ahead of them then, stopping in front of a door, he opened it for them and lifted their luggage into the room before handing the key to Connie who quickly slipped him a tip.
Flora stared about her open-mouthed. ‘Wow!’ she squeaked eventually as she ran to the window. ‘This is just beautiful! And look, Connie. That must be the Titanic there.’ She stabbed her finger towards the most enormous ship she had ever seen. ‘But she’s huge, how will she ever manage to stay afloat?’
Connie joined her at the window and grinned. The Titanic really was quite majestic and towered above the docks making the other ships look like little rowing boats. The sailors standing on her decks high against the skyline looked like mere specks. ‘That’s modern technology for you, but that must be your room through that door there. Do you want to take a peek?’
Flora was off like a shot and once again Connie heard her squeal with delight. There was a pale green carpet on the floor and in the centre of one wall was a four-poster bed. Chintz curtains to match the ones that hung at the window were hung about it and there was a whole suite of matching furniture in a highly polished rosewood.
‘It’s fit for a princess,’ Flora declared as Connie joined her to take a look. ‘I never thought the day would ever come when I would stay in a hotel like this. It must have cost a fortune.’
Connie shrugged as she went back to her own room to check out another door that led to their own private bathroom. ‘Mr Wainthrop has certainly done us proud,’ she admitted. ‘But then I can well afford it so just enjoy your stay. If what they say is true then our cabins aboard the Titanic will be just as lovely. They say she’s like a floating hotel and she’s so big she could house the people of a whole town.’
Flora nodded as she peeped at the enormous ship from her bedroom window again. The docks below her were bustling with activity. Burly seamen were rolling barrels and all manner of things up gangplanks onto her while many finely dressed people strolled by, keen to get a glimpse of what was reputed to be the world’s first unsinkable ship.
There was a tap at Connie’s door and a young maid appeared in a starched white mobcap and apron trimmed with broderie anglaise, wheeling a tea trolley.
‘Shall I pour for you, miss?’
‘No, thank you, just take it over to the chairs by the window, please.’
The young maid did as she was asked then bobbed her knee and left as Connie and Flora took a seat each. For a moment, Flora gazed in admiration at the solid silver teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug before remembering her duty and straining the tea into two bone-china cups that were so fine she could almost see through them. As they helped themselves to a selection of tiny cucumber sandwiches and small, bite-sized cream cakes, Flora sighed with delight.
‘I swear this tea tastes better than any I’ve ever had,’ she told Connie with a sparkle in her eye. Despite her initial nervousness she was beginning to feel excited now.
As they were finishing another maid appeared and quickly unpacked their night things for them before asking, ‘Will you be wishing me to unpack gowns for dinner, ladies? The restaurant is open from seven till ten o’clock each evening.’
Flora flushed. Connie had given her some beautiful dresses but they were mostly day dresses. She didn’t even possess an evening gown.
‘Yes, you can unpack the blue stain and the lilac chiffon.’
The maid quickly did as she was asked and once the gowns were safely hung away in the armoire she discreetly took her leave.
‘You can borrow my blue satin gown this evening,’ Connie told her.
Flora shook her head. ‘Thank you, but I think I’ll stay in my room,’ she mumbled. ‘I’d feel out of place down there with all those posh people and I might let you down by using the wrong knife or fork or something.’
‘Nonsense!’ Connie scolded. ‘All you have to do is remember to work from the outside of your cutlery in for each course. Just watch me. You have to eat, Flora, and that dress will suit your colouring perfectly. If you don’t go down to dinner, then I can’t,’ she added craftily. ‘It would be very unseemly for an unattached young woman to be seen dining alone.’
‘Very well,’ Flora agreed reluctantly, knowing when she was beaten, and they both decided to rest for a while before going out to take a look at Southampton.
As they strolled along the dock early that evening the air was heavy with anticipation as people clustered in groups to stare at the majestic ship. There was a nip in the air so after a time the girls returned to the hotel to get ready for dinner. Flora would have much preferred to dine alone in her room but knowing that Connie couldn’t go down without her she sat patiently while Connie tried to dress her hair, smiling to herself slightly at this reversal of roles. It was usually her dressing Connie’s hair.
‘It’s so thick, it seems to have a life of its own,’ Connie complained through a mouthful of pins, but eventually she managed to pile it on top of Flora’s head and was clearly pleased with the results.
‘It makes you look older and more sophisticated,’ Connie commented as she studied her efforts in the dressing table mirror. ‘But why can’t I do yours for you as quickly as you do mine?’
Flora chuckled. ‘Because I have had a lot more practice,’ she pointed out as she reached out for the dainty evening bag that Connie had lent to her. In the lovely blue gown, she felt like a princess and quite unlike herself, and it was a feeling she was sure she could get used to it. Suddenly she wished Jamie could see her now. Would he regret running away from her if he could see her looking like this?
The happy feeling continued down in the luxurious dining room as waiters served one delicious course after another. Connie merely picked at her food but Flora ate everyt
hing that was put in front of her and enjoyed every mouthful.
‘I know you told me it’s etiquette to leave a little on your plate and I meant to,’ she whispered to Connie between courses. ‘But everything is so tasty that I cleared the plates without thinking.’
Connie gave her an indulgent smile. It was nice to see Flora enjoying herself. She had been her rock since she had lost her father and Connie really didn’t know how she would have got through things without her. She glanced around, feeling a little uncomfortable, they were both attracting more than a few admiring glances from the gentlemen in the restaurant, although Flora seemed oblivious to it, and Connie was glad when they could escape back to their rooms. After confining herself to the house following her father’s death she was finding it hard to be out in company again, although Flora was clearly loving every minute.
Once they were back upstairs, Flora helped Connie prepare for bed then went to her own room where she tossed and turned as she thought of the adventure ahead. It was strange to think that at this time the following day they would be out at sea with their homeland far behind them. Her happy mood evaporated and her eyes filled with tears as she once again thought of her family and, inevitably, Jamie. She wished she could just forget about what had happened between them and how she had driven him away. But then, he could have come to see her at any time if he’d wanted to. In the end, he was the one who had moved away and left her unable to contact him. She hardened her heart. No, he’d made his decision, and she had made hers, and now she was determined to see it through. After all, she reasoned, it’s not forever, and on that calming thought she eventually slept and dreamed of Jamie.
Chapter Seven
The sound of people on the docks woke Flora early the next morning and hurrying out of bed she crossed to the window and drew aside the curtains. She had thought it was busy the night before but that had been nothing compared to now. Already passengers were pouring up the gangplanks to board the ship and for a moment she panicked and wondered if they had overslept as she raced to the door adjoining Connie’s room. She found Connie already up and the girl smiled at her.
A Maiden's Voyage Page 6