Rose had finally managed to skulk off of her mother's eyesight and invite Daphne alone for a ladies day. She felt bad already for neglecting her friend for so long. The past week she had mostly spent with her mother and her awful new friend. She knew there was something suspicious about him and just needed some help to prove it. However this wasn't the main reason for meeting with Daphne. She mostly wanted to see her again to straighten up their friendship.

With the weather being exceptionally hot and well and Daphne not having to work for once, they enjoyed strolling around laughing and giggling over some old jokes they had almost forgotten and in between feeding the ducks with the brought along bread completely ignoring the sign reading – No feeding allowed.

Rose was once again dressed more for a day in the opera than one at the lake, her white gloves already showing dark strains of soil. However her parasol proved very useful, when they sat down on the ground using it as a shield against the sun.

"You must be sweating a lot with all your layers," Daphne laughed up loudly.

Her friend was in a very good mood today making it even more difficult for Daphne to tell her what she knew she had to be told – her meetings with her fiancé. She had to hear it from her, before finding out about it herself.

"Mother, wouldn't let me go out otherwise."

"So, she knows that you're here?" Daphne was kind of surprised.

"Yes, in fact she…," Rose stopped suddenly being gloomy.

Maybe she shouldn't have left her mother alone with this man. She knew nothing of men and this Mr. Osborne was clearly only bleeding her dry. Her marriage to Cal should give her mother and herself a good life, but certainly he wouldn't endorse to in addition provide for a scoundrel.

"Your mother isn't happy that you're meeting with me, I guess."

Actually she was happy. This was probably the first time in a long run that Ruth was actually glad to be left alone by her daughter and that was what worried Rose. Wasn't her mother at all thinking about her reputation? About her daughter? About the Hockleys? Apparently not. She was only thinking about herself. With a pleading Daphne sitting aside, Rose blurted out the truth word after word, being even more surprised and angry, when her friend started out laughing.

"I don't believe that this is funny," Rose told her angrily.

"Oh, Rose…I'm sorry," Daphne began the laughter dying down. "You know many children have problems with their parents remarrying after…are you sure you're not just jealous?"

Daphne realized herself that her suggestion probably sounded really stupid, but in fact with Rose one could never know, sometimes she indeed had that totally ungrounded amounts of enviousness. Maybe now with her upcoming wedding she needed her mother even more and was just afraid to say it?

No, we're talking about Ruth Dewitt Bukater here. No one wanted to spend time with her, only if he needed something or was a servant, who had no other choice.

"Please, Daphne, you know it's not that…no, it's his attitude…the way he talks to her and to me…his slimy behaviour…believe me I know it when I see an imposter and this man clearly is one."

"What did you say was his name again?"

"According to him Douglas Osborne...I doubt however, that this is his real name. I've already tried to look it up and get more information about him from the city hall, but they only reminded me about their obligation to confidentially. So you'll see, I'm pretty much at the start. But I want to settle it and clear the space, before Cal and I are married and heading for our honeymoon."

"If you want I could ask Matthew about it?"

"Matthew? But wouldn't he…just be told off as well?"

"Not Matthew…I never know how he does it, but there seems to be nothing that he can't achieve."

"Alright then, ask him and tell him that I'd be glad, if he could help me. But now what about you tell me more about your wedding? Did you already choose a wedding dress?" Rose wanted to know excitingly. "Mine is full of white layers and…oh here, I totally forgot…," she handed her a card. "For my bachelorettes…I hope you're coming…"

Rose was in such good mood, Daphne counted that today surely wouldn't be the best time to tell her. But then again, the time would most likely never be right. Rose seemed to have forgotten her instant question about her wedding dress and instead babbled on and on about her own marriage.

"Amy has promised me a totally unforgettable evening…"

Daphne smiled and laughed, while listening to her friend talking about her wedding to a man she herself had come to like very much in the past weeks. No, she wouldn't mention a word today. And after all it wasn't really her duty to say something – right? Mr. Hockley should do that. She was his betrothed and in addition he should tell her the truth about the Titanic and Jack and his own part in it.

"Look, it's from Cal," Rose held out her wrist. "It's beautiful. Isn't it?"

Daphne faked interest over just another useless bracelet. It looked exactly like the ten others she already had. Rose went on talking about her upcoming honeymoon, explaining to her how Cal had promised to take her all over Europe.

"You know, it's kind of hilarious thinking about it. I'm probably the only woman having the privilege of visiting Paris and Rome for a second time and still having the glorious first time aha moment," Rose giggled. "Oh, I'm sorry...you must be bored to death already. I've neglected you for so long and now I'm again only talking about myself."

"Don't stress yourself, Rose. I know how you want your wedding to be perfect and I love seeing you so talkative. I can't remember the last time we had such fun together."

"Yes, that's right. We should do this more often," Rose smiled back.

Daphne hadn't seen Rose so relaxed in a long time and surely wouldn't spoil her mood just now. If she could help her in any way, she would do it and her relationship with Mr. Hockley would come to an end before it had even begun that is, if she took the offer her boss had presented to her a few days ago. It was something that could surely change her life, but she somehow feared the encouragement of the people around her, if she told anyone.

No today, wasn't the time to worry, just to have fun and enjoy some good time with her friend.

….

Sally couldn't believe what had just happened. AssShe didn't want to go home just now so she wandered around the city having no idea, where to go. She hadn't even wanted to tell her the real reason, only mentioned something about the customers being unsatisfied with her consulting. Surely she hadn't always been the best shop-assistant, but firing her for nothing?

'The customers weren't satisfied with you. I've been told that you were extremely…well bitchy and talked back to them. '

'Ma'am, Mrs. Montegan, I would never...,' she had protested.

'Aha…now you're doing it again.'

'What?'

'Talking back. Miss Howe, I really can't appreciate these manners. You know right away, which kind of customers we would've to deal with…,' she had made it sound like it were the Duchess of XY or the President himself would visit them regularly, while in reality most of them were just some upcoming parvenus, who if anything deserved only a kick in the backside. 'I will of course give you the money you earned including the one for this day and I'll give you the time to gather your belongings together…let's say half an hour? I think that should do. But then I want you out.'

She quite obviously had expected a thank you, but Sally had left without another word.

Didn't Mrs. Montegan know how horrible some customers could be? Ah, what use was it now to be thinking about it. She was fired and there was no turning back the time anymore. She certainly would kneel down in front of her boss to plead for forgiveness. No, she was too proud for that.

Still she felt so ashamed even more so now with Jack being so successful in his work. She wanted to add something to their income not being totally dependent on her husband. Her mother had done that not only once, but twice and it had just earned her an early grave. Sure with Jack it would be different, but…she was so confused, when coming home for once wishing they had some strong whiskey left, so she would be able to drown her sorrows in alcohol.

She was happy that no one was at home, when she returned as she first needed to clear her head and think about everything. Of course she wouldn't just sit at home and play idle housewife no matter how much money Jack might make.

Having nothing else to do and not wanting to waste her time waiting Sally decided to buy some fresh ingredients at the market and at least make something good to eat once again stumbling over a drunkard, when going downstairs.

"Miss Howe…"

It was Mrs. Hensley. Please not now, a talk about morality and good behaviour was just what she needed, Sally cursed her lips, smiling extra friendly, when looking at her.

"Yes?"

"You'll soon be laughing out of the other side of your face, Miss Howe. I already told you and your lover that I won't allow such behaviour. This is a decent house."

Yes, with drunken people and whores all around. Very decent indeed…

"Mrs. Hensley, we've always paid our rent punctually and…my grandfather is also living here and he would never…"

Sally surely hadn't awaited the following slap, but she was too confused to think straight or to respond with something witty. Instead she mumbled something about always giving her the rent in time and that they would continue to do so.

"I hope that you do, Miss Howe. Someone less nice than me would've already thrown you two out," she called after her.

Not having any wish to cook anymore, Sally instead opted for cleaning up the flat, because sometimes doing some washing and rubbing the floor proved to be more relaxing than anything else.

….

"What do you mean; you haven't set a date yet?" Rose was utterly surprised.

She was so much looking forward to her wedding she couldn't believe that anyone else would be anything less than thrilled about his own. However, Daphne had made a face almost like going to her execution, when she had brought up the topic and her answers were only some stupid and indeed very lame excuses.

Shouldn't she be the happiest woman alive?

"Well, you see…our work…"

"But, it's just a date, Daphne…I'm certain that you'll find the time to select a date…and of course I could help you with everything…the flower arrangements, choosing a room for the reception, the wedding dress…my god, do you've a wedding dress?"

Rose had already expected that the reply would be no.

"I really don't want a big wedding, Rose...and Matthew…we're both not made for this…and find it kind over the top…," Daphne struggled for words being sure that the old Rose would've approved immediately, but the new one seemed to love that mindless glitter and pomp – the bigger the better.

"Don't you love him?"

This question took Daphne by surprise. She looked at Rose wondering, if she would notice her nervousness. Did she love him? Of course she did. He made her laugh, he amused her and cared for her and she could be sure that he would do anything for her. But still, something had happened between them and their relationship wasn't quite the same anymore.

"This may sound silly...but does he have some…ahem mistress?" Rose clearly had trouble spelling out the last word.

"What? What makes you think that…?"

"Nothing special…I just thought, because you know Amy…she and I had a long talk and even if she doesn't show it she is totally devastated since everybody knows what he does…it's kind of embarrassing for her. I'm very sorry for her."

Daphne really wanted to have some sympathy for her as well, but instead she had trouble not to smile from ear to ear. So finally there was something to sadden Amy Jenkins. For sure there was also a high possibility that it was only a bluff and that she simply wanted Rose's help for her deadly deeds.

"What about yours?"

"Cal?" Rose laughed up in amusement as if it was the stupidest question she had ever been asked. "No, he would never betray me. He loves me dearly and like your Matthew would do everything for me. I mean he saved my life already on the Titanic. I surely wouldn't be here anymore, if it weren't for him. I can't wait to be married," she leaned in closer to Daphne and started giggling "…even more so, because it means that mother and I won't have to live under the same roof anymore…oh, but don't you tell her."

Rose and the trouble she had got with her mother – at least some things never changed. They couldn't stop laughing and Daphne was happy, when Rose returned to the topic about her mother's new friends and the two almost felt like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, when making up plans against him.

….

When Jack came home he cringed once again, when noticing the bad smelling everywhere in the hallway, a mixture of sweat, alcohol, smoke of cigarettes and old oil. It was disgusting and for once he felt himself being concerned about his clothes – something he had never cared much about before. However, now with his new work he had realized that he needed to look accordingly and not like someone – as Hockley would say – who had just come out of the gutters.

'Appearance is everything, Jack. It's more important what you look like than what you say,' Matthew had told him.

Sally jumped up, when she heard the clicking sound of the door being opened.

"Hello, Jack…," she greeted him.

"Hey…," Jack barely hugged her, before walking into the kitchen and looking for something to eat getting quite angry, when he saw that besides some apples and bread they had nothing left. "Damn it, is that all we have…couldn't you gone to the market?"

"I'm not your maid, Jack! You're not a child and know how to use money too. You as well have bought something too. I've cleaned the whole flat and I…if you want a stupid housewife you should've better…"

Jack, who had by now noticed her weeping voice, came up to her and took her in his arms wiping away the tears that were flowing down her cheeks gently moving his hands up and down her back.

"I'm sorry, Jack…I…I don't know what's gotten into me."

"No, it's my fault. You were right. Now tell me what happened. You're not just mad about the food," he sat down with her on his lap trying to get everything out of her.

Sometime later, when Sally had finally told him everything Jack was more than furious. This Mrs. Hensley was more than vile and Mrs. Montagan...well Jack would've loved to go and tell her that they weren't dependent on her money anymore.

"And you don't know why she threw you out just now?" Jack asked her.

"I've no idea, really. I mean…I always thought that I was going a good job…and we…the company certainly wasn't short of customers."

"Look you really don't need a job. I'm earning enough money now for both of us."

"But I don't want to be reliant on you, Jack. I'm my own man or better woman and I want to be able to take care of myself...and just think about it, if you should be ill and…"

"It's alright I understand."

Sally had mentioned too that Horatio had gone out again to look for another flat. Of course he did it not to be in their way any longer, but for them it meant that Mrs. Hensley's question would become even more prying. Certainly this woman wouldn't stop until she got them to leave and Jack also knew why. She wanted to get out every old tenants, then renovate the rooms and everything and relet them for a much higher price.

"Hey, I'm sure you'll find something else…you could ask Daphne about a job in the café. You know they're all very friendly there and the owner Mr. Patterson is a nice old man, who actually cares about his employees…"

"That's a great idea, Jack. I'll do so immediately tomorrow."

Jack was happy to her smiling once again.

"But what about the other thing?"

"Mrs. Hensley? We could certainly avoid her..."

"For how long, Jack? She isn't blind. She knows what's going on between us and she has vowed to get us out…"

"She's considering to throw out the old tenants and get more money from the new, but believe me, no one is going to tell me what to do," Jack raised his voice. "I'll be damned, if some old witch should be the end of me…hey you're smiling again…that's good," Jack laughed.

"Mrs. Hensley is not to be underestimated," Sally warned him.

"I know that…she should however, take better care about the drunkards and whores and not pester around those, who're bringing the money in…whatever I'm going to make myself something to eat now, I really am hungry."

While Jack was eating some apples, Sally meanwhile tried to read a book, but found that her eyes were closing down and that she had some kind of a headache.

"Something interesting in the papers?" Jack asked her trying to read the newspaper overhead.

Sally had hardly ever time to read anything, but sometimes she was kind of curious about the newest gossip like every woman.

"Just about some marriages and that…you know with Mrs. Hensley and Mrs. Montagan and all…I really am not in mood for…Jack, what's wrong with you? What's so funny?"

"That's it. This is the way how she can't wield anymore power over us…"

"What? Who?" Sally wondered not understanding a word.

"We'll get married," Jack blurted out. "You see it would solve all our problems."

"Solve our problems? Jack, are you serious? Should this be a wedding proposal?" she marvelled being stunned since they had never talked about it before.

"I guess...yes…do you want? I mean Mrs. Hensley would be pleased," he smiled at her. "We could outwit her, you know."

Sally literally couldn't believe what she had just heard. How could he! He seemingly even thought that he was being doing her a favour. Jack was just like all the other men, only thinking about himself and not caring anything about her feelings. Jack suddenly noticed the change in her mood though not really having any idea, why she should be annoyed now.

"Sal…what's wrong…you don't want…?"

"No, I don't want to marry you! You're the most callous and insensitive man, I've ever met, Jack Dawson! And you quite obviously know nothing about women!" Sally screamed at Jack, who had no idea whatsoever what he had done wrong now and angrily stood up, before storming out of the kitchen and shutting the door to the bedroom behind her, lying down on the bed, her tears once again flowing freely.