Forget Me Not (9 page)

Mother pressed her lips into a white line.

“A nurse, Eve?” Father smiled at Eve who stood, eyes downcast, a few steps away. “I do believe you will make a marvellous one.”

Thomas saw Eve’s face soften.

“Mrs Gilmore, if it’s not too much trouble, Dr Simpson would like to examine Bea again,” said Miss Marsden.

Thomas noticed Hugh and Meggie at the other end of the deck. When he heard Mother’s sharp intake of breath, he knew she had spotted them as well.

“Certainly, Miss Marsden, we could come now if it’s suitable.” Mother motioned for Thomas to place Bea on the deck.

“Shall we?” said Miss Marsden, reaching for Bea’s hand.

“Eve, Thomas, you will accompany us,” said Mother, dismissing Father’s attempted protest with a wave of her hand. Thomas glanced at Eve. It was going to be a long day.

“You’re still wheezing a little, Bea,” said Miss Marsden as they reached the hospital.

“Yes, but my chest feels better than it did yesterday.”

Thomas stepped forwards and opened the door. Dr Simpson was at the table, writing. He stood when they entered.

“Mr and Mrs Gilmore, thank you for returning. I hate to be a bother, but I would be more comfortable knowing Bea has improved further.”

“It’s no trouble,” said Father.

“The bother is not caused by you, but by Eve’s irresponsible behaviour,” said Mother.

Dr Simpson’s smile slipped. He looked from Mother to Miss Marsden and back. “Mrs Gilmore, if you’ll forgive me for saying so, Eve acted with wisdom far beyond her years. Bea is indeed lucky she was so swift and has such a cool head.”

“I have to agree,” said Miss Marsden. Her tone was softer than the doctors, Thomas thought. “Eve and Hugh prevented Bea’s condition from worsening.”

Father beamed. “Our Eve is remarkable.”

Mother clasped her hands in front of her, eyes cast downwards. Thomas couldn’t help but smile at her discomfort.

“Now, Miss Bea, if you’d come this way,” said Dr Simpson.

Mother and Bea followed the doctor and Miss Marsden to another room.

“Jolly proud of you, old girl,” said Father, his face once again composed.

“What about Hugh? It’s not right for Mother to ban us from seeing him,” said Thomas.

“Leave that with me. But Thomas, mind your tone.”

“Yes, Father.” Thomas hung his head.

After a few minutes, Dr Simpson, Miss Marsden, Mother and Bea returned to the hospital’s front room.

Dr Simpson placed his stethoscope on the table. “Continue with regular doses of the medication I gave you yesterday, and I don’t expect I’ll need to see Bea again before we reach New York.”

“Thank you, doctor,” said Mother. The bitterness had gone from her words. “And Miss Marsden.”

“My pleasure,” said Miss Marsden. “Eve, come back whenever you like.”

Eve’s face flushed. “Thank you, I’d like that.”

Mother shook her head. “Oh, no, she couldn’t impose.”

“No imposition at all. I enjoy Eve’s company.”

“We are indeed grateful for your generosity,” said Father. “We shall take our leave.”

Outside the hospital Father dropped behind to walk with Mother. He didn’t attempt to soften his voice. “Alice, in light of what Dr Simpson and Miss Marsden have both said, I believe your punishment is too harsh. Eve and Hugh deserve our praise, not anger.”

Thomas wished he could peek back at his mother’s face, but didn’t dare risk it.

“But Edward–”

“The matter is decided, Alice. Eve and Thomas do not require constant supervision, and I have no problem with them spending time with the Worthington lad or his sister,” said Father.

Thomas and Eve exchanged a glance.

At the landing Mother took Bea’s hand. “Bea and I will retire to the cabin.”

Had Thomas imagined it, or had Mother’s footsteps become heavier?

“I’m going to the smoking room,” Father said, his voice clearer. “What are your plans, Thomas? Eve?”

“I shall read in the library,” said Eve.

“And I intend to seek out Hugh,” said Thomas.

In the storms of life
When you need an umbrella
May you have to hold it up
a handsome young fella
.
Dr John Simpson, Assistant Surgeon,
RMS
Titanic
, 11/04/1912

The drone of quiet conversation and rustle of pages in the library was soothing. I selected a book by an English author, JM Barrie, called
Peter Pan
. At first it enthralled me, but I soon became aware of a heavy feeling in my chest and realised the setting was making me homesick.

I sat for a time with the book on my lap, mulling over the events since we’d boarded the
Titanic
. Mother and babies drifted into Hugh dancing with Bea. The possibility of nursing merged with an image of Hugh handing me Bea’s teddy in the hospital. Why was Hugh on my mind so much? And why, when I thought of him, did my skin tingle and my heart speed up?

I closed the book and returned it to the shelf. Perhaps a different one would consume me. As I reached for another, I overheard a lady say she was retiring to dress for dinner. Not wanting to anger Mother further, I decided I had best do the same.

When I returned to the cabin, Mother didn’t speak to me at all until I was dressed and ready and checking my reflection in the mirror above the washstand.

“Must you fuss so over your appearance, Evelyn?” She continued to daub eau de toilette behind her ears and on the inside of her wrists. “I do believe you are becoming rather conceited.”

My face in the mirror coloured before my eyes. I bent to help Bea button her boots. Mother’s dress swished as she moved around the cabin, but I didn’t take my eyes from Bea’s boots.

When Father knocked at the door to accompany us to dinner, the air rushed from me as though I’d been holding my breath. In the dining room Mother insisted we sit in a quiet corner away from the musicians. She spent the entire meal as jumpy as a sparrow.

Father dominated the conversation, talking about passengers he had met – another schoolteacher from London, a farmer from Cornwall and the
Titanic
’s designer, Mr Andrews. Father and Thomas looked fit to burst with excitement and wonder when they discussed Mr Andrews. Unlike them, I didn’t find it at all remarkable that the ship’s designer was inspecting the vessel instead of enjoying the voyage. After all wouldn’t it be prudent to see how your design worked in practice.

Father, as though sensing my bemusement, then discussed a young doctor he’d met whose name we all found extremely humorous – Dr Pain. While Thomas and I laughed with Father, Mother shook her head and attacked her roast lamb with vigour.

“This is a jolly gathering,” said Mr Worthington.

Mother’s knife froze mid slice through her roast potato.

“Forgive the intrusion,” continued Mr Worthington, “but Margaret and I heard the musicians will be performing an evening concert after dinner, and we’d be delighted if you would join us.”

Mother opened her mouth, her hands still statue-like, but Father spoke first.

“Alice and I would love to join you. Thank you, Henry.”

Mother’s smile was thin.

“Capital! See you shortly.”

The moment Mr Worthington walked away, Mother leaned forwards and said to Father in a loud whisper, “I do not wish to listen to the musicians with those Americans.”

“Oh, Alice, please relax,” said Father.

Thomas and I glanced at each other and tried not to grin.

“What about the children?”

“I’m quite sure they will find something to occupy themselves.”

“Father,” said Thomas, “could we go out on the deck with Hugh and Meggie?”

Mother placed her knife and fork together on the plate. “Bea will not accompany you.” Each word was a sentence on its own.

“Bea will stay with us,” said Father. “Mind you two stay within the second-class area.”

“Yes, Father,” we sang in unison.

After I finished my dessert – plum pudding and sweet sauce – Thomas and I excused ourselves and made our way to the stairs where Hugh and Meggie waited.

Without discussion, we continued to the covered promenade. The air was icy and the ocean lay before us like rippling black velvet.

Meggie leaned over the rail and gasped. “Have you ever seen so many stars?”

I had to agree. The stars were larger and whiter than I’d ever seen. “How beautiful.”

“That’s Orion,” said Hugh, pointing.

Meggie trotted to the uncovered section of the deck and continued to study the sky. “Where’s the moon?”

“It’s waning,” said Thomas. “Before the new moon.”

“No wonder the stars are so bright and the ocean so black,” I said.

“Shall we go to the poop deck for a better view?” asked Hugh.

I glanced below us. The deck was less crowded than it had been the last time I was there. A couple huddled together on the bench closest to the cargo cranes and three men stood at the stern staring into the night.

“Let’s,” said Thomas, striding ahead with Meggie.

Hugh walked beside me, hands clasped behind his back. I was conscious of the warmth radiating from his body. “Eve, I am sorry for the trouble I caused with Bea.”

His apology left me speechless. This measured boy was not the daring and brash Hugh I was used to.

“I wasn’t aware of your sister’s ill health.”

“I know the signs of her distress. I should have stayed with you two.”

“Who was that fellow you were dancing with?”

I knew my face would be glowing in the dim light. The truth was I didn’t know and that made me sound improper … depraved.

“Gracious,” said Hugh, his voice bright. “I do declare you are embarrassed.”

I stopped in the middle of the well deck. “My mother is right; I am a disgrace.”

The smile slipped from Hugh’s face. “You are no such thing. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

Perhaps the laughter with Father over dinner about that doctor’s name still lingered, or maybe I had lost my mind. Whatever the cause, I started to laugh.

“Whatever is wrong, Eve?” asked Hugh.

“Imagine if Mother found out I’d been dancing with a fellow from steerage.”

“I think she’d prefer that to you dancing with an American.”

“She does have a way of showing her feelings without words.”

“And you, Eve? How do you feel about Americans?”

My skin felt warm. “I don’t know many, but the few I do know seem like fine people.” For the first time I did not feel Hugh was about to make a joke at my expense. It was as though he really cared. I tugged at my coat collar. “Hugh, may I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“It’s not anything improper. I was wondering …” I struggled to find the words to express my fears without sounding pathetic. “Was it difficult to settle in America?”

He gazed at the velvet ocean. “I don’t suppose it was. From what I remember, the thought of it was the worst part, and leaving my friends. Once we arrived it was quite overwhelming. But everyone was so welcoming. America feels like home now.” He turned back to face me. “Having your uncle already settled there will make it easier.”

“Thank you, Hugh.”

Hugh’s smile made my stomach flutter. I realised he was more than easy to talk to. I lifted my skirt to take the steps to the poop deck and stumbled. Hugh caught me before I fell. My arm and shoulder tingled where he held me.

“Come on, you two,” yelled Meggie, leaning over the railing. “The view is amazing from the stern.”

I gathered myself and took the first step.

“Careful,” said Hugh, his hand on my waist.

“Thank you,” I said again.

“My pleasure.” Even in the dark, I could see the sparkle in his eyes.

Sunday, April 14, 1912
DAY FIVE

Sunday morning Mother insisted the family dress in their new clothes and attend the church service in the lounge for second-class passengers. She’d been disappointed when the front rows were filled when they arrived. Huffing, she’d directed Thomas and Eve to a row in the middle.

The collar of Thomas’s new shirt chafed his throat. He tugged at it to ease his discomfort. While Mother prayed, head bowed, beside him, Thomas looked around. There were more Catholics in second class than he’d expected. He found the Worthington family towards the back of the room. Thomas elbowed Eve, who sat on his other side, and nodded in their direction.

Eve pulled at the lacy cuffs on her dress and peeked over her shoulder. When she turned back to the front, Thomas thought the energy around her had changed. He twisted to take another look. Hugh was still gazing in their direction.

“See you after?” mouthed Thomas.

Hugh nodded.

Mother poked Thomas’s thigh with a bony finger. He faced the front where Father Byles, who Thomas had noticed on the promenade deck and in the dining room during the course of the journey, stood with his back to the congregation. At that moment Thomas realised Hugh hadn’t been watching him, but had been looking at Eve.

Thomas shifted in his seat.

“Stop fidgeting,” hissed Mother.

Thomas sat rigid for the rest of the service, his mind on Hugh and Eve. When it boiled down, he didn’t want to share Hugh. He was Thomas’s friend, not Eve’s.

After mass ended the Gilmore family gathered outside the lounge.

“What are your plans for the morning?” asked Father.

“I intend to retire to the library,” said Mother.

“There’s Hugh,” said Bea with a shy smile.

Mother’s mouth twisted.

Hugh and Meggie walked across the room.

“Good morning, Mr and Mrs Gilmore,” said Hugh. “If it’s agreeable to you, could Eve and Thomas accompany us while we take the air?”

Thomas folded his arms. He wanted to explore more of the ship with Hugh, but without Eve and Meggie.

“Fine idea,” said Father, his voice hearty. “Bracing sea air will do you all good.”

“May I come too?” asked Bea.

“No you may not,” said Mother, reaching for Bea’s hand. “It’s far too chilly for you. You will come with me to the library.”

Mother dragged Bea towards the stairs. Bea looked back over her shoulder and poked out her tongue at Eve and Thomas.