"Are your parents in here?" Nick whispered as they walked through the Reception Room.
Jeff looked around briefly, his eyes scanning the many passengers milling about the room. "Hmm, I don't think so. They must be up on deck. Brittany's probably with them too."
Nodding and smiling at the occasional familiar face, he led Nick towards the door on the opposite side of the room to where they entered.
"See that door there?" He pointed to his left. "That leads into the Dining Room. But there's a chance my family may be in there, so I think we'll skip that room for now."
Nick nodded. "Alright then."
As they walked through the doors out of the room, a large staircase came into view, dark railings curving both up and down.
"And this," Jeff said, "is the Grand Staircase Foyer."
Nick paused, looking around the extravagant room. A wrought iron and glass skylight hovered above the staircase, allowing the sunshine to float into the room, adding a light touch to the deep walls. His eyes fell upon a large clock with the classical figures of Honour and Glory carved around it on the level just above where they were standing. "Wow, that's really something."
"Yeah. See the clock? It's made from hand-carved mahogany. This is where you come if you want to really make an entrance."
They walked slowly up the stairs towards the clock, Nick running his hands along the dark, smooth balustrade. "So what floor are we on at the moment?"
"D. The staircase starts right from the First Class Entrance on the boat deck and goes down to accommodations on E deck."
Nick looked thoughtful. "Well that's a bit of a hike. Are you sure you wouldn't scuff your shoes along the way?"
"Oh, you think you're so funny, Mr Duval."
Nick smirked. "I do try."
They headed slowly up the staircase, walking in silence as they both took in the interior. When they made it to C Deck, Jeff stopped and gestured towards a small door several metres along to the left. "That room over there is the Barbers."
Nick looked over incredulously. "I'm sorry, the Barbers? Who on earth needs their hair cut on a week-long boat trip?"
Jeff laughed. "Well, sometimes the women like to have their hair styled, for dinner and such. Plus," he added, "we're on the Titanic. I'm sure she'll have courses that take longer than a week."
Watching as Nick shook his head, Jeff laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Come on, there's lots more to see still. We're not even close to the gymnasium yet!"
Three-quarters of an hour later, they stepped out onto the deck into the gentle sunlight, having finished the rather long tour. Nick had several times had to shut his mouth after it fell open, amazed at the sheer expense of all of the First Class facilities. He'd never have thought that the ship could possibly be so extravagant. But, he now knew that it was. There was a swimming pool, Turkish baths and a tennis court, as well as a dark room for photographers, kennels for the First Class dogs, and elevators. Elevators. Nick hadn't been able to conceal his wonder as Jeff had taken him between floors in one. He'd never experienced anything like it, as they were typically only used in upper class places. The gentle hum and the wrought iron doors had made him stand in the small area with his mouth ajar, Jeff sniggering from beside him at the look on his face.
And then there were the rooms. The Dining Room, which Jeff had taken him back to see, was an elegant room, the tables set neatly and the chairs padded comfortably. It was another Jacobean-styled room, and could easily fit at least five hundred people in it. The Smoking Room was a large, dark room scattered neatly with tables and chairs, a large fireplace situated in the heart of it. And then there had been the À La Carte restaurant, the Veranda Café, and the Café Parisian. Nick really could not see the use of having so many rooms where passengers could socialise and eat. Although he could definitely see the appeal of the grandeur that he'd seen on the tour, Nick shuddered at the thought of living like that. He'd surely suffocate amidst the cups of tea and the cigars, not to mention the port.
Nick held open the door as Jeff stepped onto the deck ahead of him, shivering slightly at the change in temperature. He was quite surprised at how warm he felt in the dark suit, the sleek fabric having an unexpected warmth to it.
They moved to the rail, looking out over the choppy ocean. The bright noise of children laughing and adult conversations moved in the air around them, travelling up and down the deck in the breeze. It seemed as though many passengers had the same idea, soaking up the sunlight in the cool morning, enjoying the fresh air.
Nick turned to Jeff. "I still can't get over those elevators."
"They're pretty amazing, aren't they?"
The older boy nodded, a genuine excitement taking over his face.
"Well," Jeff said, laughing as he glanced around, "it's only ten-thirty. What would you like to do now?"
Nick thought for a moment before shrugging. "I could show you around steerage. I mean, it's no First Class area, but I think you'll like it."
Jeff nodded. "Sounds good."
"Plus, you'll get to see how the other half live."
"What other half?" He nudged Nick's shoulder with his.
Nick grinned at him, his eyes squinting slightly in the morning sun.
They walked along the deck in a comfortable silence for several moments.
"So," Jeff began, "What are your plans once we arrive in America? You told me why you were going, but you didn't tell me what you were going to do."
Nick looked up, his eyes sweeping across the ocean for a moment before meeting Jeff's eyes. "Well, once we dock, Sebastian and I are just going to pick up our bags and walk in whichever direction looks good enough. There are no plans; we're just going to take life one day at a time."
Jeff was silent. "That sounds...amazing."
"It is." Nick looked at him. "You could tag along if you like, but I'm afraid you'd have to leave all of your suits behind, and your ties, and your polished shoes..."
"Cufflinks?"
Nick shook his head. "Sorry."
Jeff laughed briefly, before turning serious again. "I wish I could."
"Why don't you?"
"I'd never be able to get away." He swept his arm around in front of him. "All of this is my lot in life, and I've just got to accept it whether I like it or not. It seems I've drawn the short straw." He shrugged. "I should feel blessed though that I'm alive and healthy when there are millions in the world who are sick and dying. But all I can think is 'why me?' It's selfish, I know."
Nick shook his head, his voice low. "It's not selfish to want a better life for yourself, Jeff."
"Thanks Nick." Jeff smiled, not quite reaching his eyes.
Continuing through the ship, they made their way down to the crew passageways. Nick came to a stop when they reached a door near the end of one of the halls, the mood suddenly lighter.
"Welcome to my humble abode." Swinging open the door, he stepped inside to find the room empty.
"Oh, wow. It's, uh...nice?" Jeff stammered and looked at Nick sheepishly.
Nick laughed. "Well, it's no millionaire suite, but it does the job. I've got a bed and three idiot roommates. It's not half bad."
Jeff looked around, laughing at Nick. "It's quite cosy, actually...and very relaxed." He nodded his head. "I like it."
"When you look past the rats, and the plain white walls and the creaky bunk beds, she's a good little thing." He took a seat on his bed and Jeff moved so that he was leaning against the opposite one.
"So what's on the go tonight?" Nick looked up to where Jeff was standing.
"Well, my mother has insisted we have a grand dinner with some of the other wealthy businessmen and their wives."
Nick's eyebrows rose. "Well that sounds like fun."
"Should be," Jeff said, his voice full of sarcasm. "So what are you doing, then?"
Nick looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know what the best thing about Third Class is, Jeff? They sure know how to party."
Jeff laughed, flicking his fair hair out of his face. "I have no doubt."
"So tonight I'll be drinking all the free beer I can get my hands on and dancing like it's the last day on Earth."
Both boys laughed, the sound echoing in the small room.
Suddenly the door swung open.
"Well, well, well, what have we here?" Sebastian entered the room, his trademark smirk on his face. He stopped when he noticed what Nick was wearing. "Is that...a suit?"
Nick rolled his eyes.
"Jeff, this is Sebastian, my cousin. Sebastian, this is Jeff."
"Ah, so this is the reason my little cousin had a smile on his face all last night? You must be some boy, Jeff."
Nick's face turned red. "Sebastian!"
"It's nice to meet you, Sebastian." Jeff ducked his head, his face also red.
The tall boy smirked again, noticing the shades their faces turned. "Likewise."
Pretending the awkwardness in the room was non-existent, he continued on. "So, Nick. The suit? You look like one of those First Class dummies."
"Sebastian!" Nick yelled again, slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand.
Jeff looked up. "Uh...I was showing Nick around the First Class rooms."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "You're from First Class? Sorry. I don't mean that you're a dummy. I mean, I don't have any evidence that you're not, but Nicky here mustn't think you are."
Nick rolled over, burying his face in his pillow. "Sebastian!"
"Oops, sorry little cous."
"You don't sound sorry." Nick looked up at him, embarrassment written all over his face.
Sebastian shrugged casually. "Eh, I could care more. There's nothing better than making you uncomfortable. Anyway," he said, changing the topic before Nick could speak again, "What are you boys up to?"
Jeff, who had watched the scene in quiet amusement, spoke up. "Nick was just showing me around steerage."
"Ah. Well that won't take too long. If you've seen one long, white corridor, you've seen them all." Sebastian straightened up from where he'd been leaning against the wall. "Anyway, it's lunchtime. Who's hungry?"
Nick's eyes lit up. Ignoring his cousin's question, he jumped up off the bed. "Hey, Sebastian!"
The tall boy eyed him curiously, eyebrow arched questioningly. "Yeah?"
"I went in an elevator!"
Jeff laughed.
Thanks for reading!
If you have a spare minute, I'd really appreciate knowing what you think :)