This story is something I had the idea to very long ago. After looking at the plot and abandoning it for a few years I've decided to revamp it. Some things will remain the same - like the main character being Thomas Andrews niece and James Moody being the love interest for example - but many changes have been made. I do not mean to offend anyone who has any line to the people that died - this is mainly the work of my own imagination even if I have done a whole lot of researching. I'm not too concerned about the accuracy of dialog - did they say it's, you'll blah blah. If you are sorry, I don't mind corrections but be polite about it. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
I peered out of the window and sat up straighter. The car stopped to let some children cross. A slight smile graced my lips as I watched them. A girl saw me and waved. Her mother watched anxiously but when she saw me smile she relaxed.
"Drive faster! I do not want to have to be in this area any longer than I have to." My mother snapped. I frowned as I watched the little girl put her head down after looking at my mothers expression.
"Yes, Ma'am." the driver called.
"We're almost there." Mother said.
"I can see." I said dryly.
"Do not, Gwen." she warned dangerously. I bowed my head and bit the inside of my cheek. "You will not speak to anyone that way, especially your godmother."
"My godmother has not done anything to upset me. You and father are the ones that are sending me away. Or should I say you. Father didn't want me to leave." I said tightly.
"I will not have you disgrace me again, Gwendoline." I looked down after she said my name, it's rare that she calls me by my full name and not by Gwen.
"Then let me be." I said.
"I will not. You will behave how I have brought you up to behave. Another word and I will personally accompany you to New York."
I sensed that I couldn't win so I turned back to look out of the window. The car drove across the cobbles in Southampton. Finally Titanic came into view. I gasped as I saw Her and finally saw why my uncle had been so excited the last time I had seen him. The car drove through to nearby the gang plank. It stopped and I waited until my door was opened. I took the drivers hand to step down from the car and my mother followed me.
"Richard, have someone collect Gwen's things." Mother said to our driver. He hurried away and she turned to me. "I will miss you."
"I will miss Belfast." I looked down. I felt her glare and me and looked up. "And you of course, Mother." I quickly added. She touched my arm and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.
"Give Thomas my best."
"Goodbye Mother." I smiled.
Richard returned with two men who took my things from the car and moved it along. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Nellie hurry over to us breathlessly.
"You are late." Mother narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, sorry Ma'am. Sorry, Miss Andrews." Nellie rushed. I gave her a small smile and she sighed in relief.
Nellie was perhaps seven or eight years older than me. She had been my maid ever since my twelfth birthday. Nellie was a plump woman with light blonde hair that was now escaping her bun. She was always very kind to me, smiling every single moment she was in my presence. But where my mother was concerned she seemed to have a nervous edge to her.
"To my stateroom I think." I said. My mother nodded and retreated back into the car after kissing my cheek once more.
I turned toward the gangplank started to walk. Nellie followed close behind me and I looked up to the boat deck where a few officers looked down at me. I walked up the gangplank and stopped when it occurred to me that the door wasn't open.
We waited for some time until the door was opened. Two men stood in front of me, the first frowning deeply and the second behind him looking with some great interest. They were obviously officers. "Sorry, Miss. We will not be boarding until tomorrow." the first told me.
"I understand that. But my uncle has made arrangements for myself and my maid to board a day early." I explained.
"I think that-"
"Lights! Moody!" a voice called. "Why is the door open?!" I peered inside and a man came into view. Another officer.
"This is unexpected." he said warmly.
"Mr Murdoch." I said.
"I did not realise you would be joining this voyage."
"It seemed the perfect opportunity to spend some time with my uncle before departing at New York and travelling to Philadelphia." I explained.
"An excellent idea," Mr Murdoch said. "Let Miss Andrews through." he ordered. They moved for me and I walked onto the ship with Nellie.
"Thank you." I nodded.
"Miss Andrews if I may introduce you to Titanic's second officer, Mr Lightoller. And to our ship's sixth officer, Mr Moody."
"A pleasure to meet who I will be entrusting my safety into." I smiled.
"A pleasure to meet you. Your uncle speaks very highly of you." Mr Lightoller told me.
"Thank you, Mr Lightoller." I smiled.
"Miss Andrews." Mr Moody said and grinned back at me. I felt a blush warm my cheeks as he continued to grin at me. I saw Mr Murdoch and Mr Lightoller exchange a look before they pulled him back. I let out a small laugh and Mr Moody looked back at me.
"Why don't you show Miss Andrews to her uncles stateroom." Mr Murdoch said.
"I would be honoured." Mr Moody said. "This way."
I started to follow him with Nellie behind me. I noticed he was quite young compared to the other officers.
"I think you will enjoy Titanic." Mr Moody told me.
"I think so too," I nodded. "Do you know your way around the ship already, Mr Moody?" I asked politely.
"Not as well as I would like. The other officers seem to have an advantage over me because of serving on the Olympic. They tease me about it."
"They are quite similar." I noted.
"Sister ships." he corrected.
"As I understand it Titanic is more opulent."
"That would be right, Miss Andrews."
Mr Moody led me up through stairs and to A Deck. We stopped outside a cabin and he knocked his knuckles against the door. "I will let you get back to your work." I told him.
"I would show your maid to your room to unpack but I am afraid I do not know the stateroom allocation."
"That is alright, Mr Moody. I am sure my uncle will enlighten me."
"I hope to see you soon, Miss Andrews." he said.
"And I you." I nodded.
"Miss." he bowed his head to Nellie before he turned.
The door in front of me opened and my uncle stood in front of me. He smiled widely and urged me inside. "I did not realise the time. Come in, please. Your trip was good?" he asked.
"Yes. There was some confusion with the gangplank."
"Of course." he nodded. "Please though, sit." he told me. I took a seat on a couch in the room and Nellie came to stand behind the couch. "Please, there is a chair near the desk." Uncle Thomas told her.
"You are very kind, Mr Andrews." Nellie told him and went to take a seat.
"Tell me how is your mother." he said.
"She is well."
"Is she still struggling?"
"With me? Very much so." I nodded.
"I would think she would be getting over it by now."
"Apparently not. She is still grieving and looking at me disapprovingly."
"Is she not happy that you have recovered from the sickness?"
"I can not be not sure. I think she saw it as a blessing that I fell ill. It was almost an excuse for my behaviour."
"From what your father said your behaviour was justified."
"Thank you. But my mother doesn't agree. She sees me as too old now."
"Is that why you are going to live with Lady Cavendish in Philadelphia?"
"That is right." I agreed. "She does not trust I will behave properly. Mrs Bradley will be boarding in Cherboug to watch me."
"You will be coming out while in Philadelphia?"
"I came out at eighteen but after what happened I will be coming out when I arrive, yes." I explained.
"Your father has asked me to chaperone you but I may be far too busy."
"May I do as I please?" I asked.
"Within reason."
"May I see my room? I would like to sleep and freshen up before I dress for dinner."
"Of course. For dinner we will be dining with the other board of governors and Titanic's officers."
"I cannot wait." I smiled.
"If you will follow me, Gwen. Miss Davies." he urged.
Uncle Thomas led us out of his stateroom and to mine. I walked inside and looked around. The theme of the rooms had been described to me but nothing could prepare me. It is far more grander and opulent than many of the vessels I've travelled on. Nellie followed me inside and went to my trunk.
"Is this to your liking?" Uncle Thomas asked me.
"Very much so."
"I could transfer you to a suite."
"No, I do not plan on spending every moment in my room. Unless I am confined to it." I said lightly. "Am I?" I asked, suddenly anxious.
"No, you are not." he smiled. "I shall let you get unpacked. Signal for a steward and he will show Miss Davies to her cabin."
"Thank you." I bowed my head.
He turned to leave me and I saw Nellie was unpacking for me. I went over and helped her pull out photo frames and set them around my room. At least I could make it more homely.
