Chapter thirty-five:

By 8.30am the next morning, Rose was fully dressed for the church service which was to commend in one hour. She was in her mother's suite helping her with her corset. Her mind was consumed with Jack. She knew that she would have to meet him later on in the day with some clothing to tide her over for when the ship docked. It was going to be a long and stressful day but one which she knew would be worth it. Nerves bubbled in the pit of her stomach knowing today she would be leaving this world for good.

Rose held her knee on the base of her mother's back as she pulled the strings tighter together. The tight bindings did not inhibit Ruth's fury one bit. She knew that Jack was on the ship after meeting him yesterday and the air between the two of them was as thick as a cloud of fog. Rose had sensed her mother's anger right away but had ignored it until now, they were alone.

''Rose, you are not to see that boy again.''

Rose rolled her eyes behind her mother's back. ''Oh, stop it Mother, once again.''

Ruth pulled away from Rose and crossed the bedroom to lock the door to ensure that nobody entered during their conversation. ''Do you think I am stupid? I was seventeen once and I certainly wasn't raised in a convent.''

Rose leant against her mother's four poster bed post. She sighed, the stress of the day was already building up and this added pressure onto her. ''It is a lot to take on young shoulders.''

''I know what the world is like at your age. But I cannot find work at my age with no skills. I didn't attend university. I was married off at earliest convenience to your father.''

Rose said nothing. She knew she was loved by her mother but her mother also knew that she cared for Jack. She didn't know how much. Part of her wanted to shout it at the top of her lungs but she couldn't. ''I care for him.'' She stated. She more than cared.

Ruth ignored her daughter. She felt it would be better to not address it. She had made her point and Rose would listen. She was sure of it. She turned and Rose continued to tighten the strings on her corset in silence.

At the divine service, Captain Smith was leading a group in the hymn "Almighty Father Strong To Save." Rose, Cal and Ruth sang in the middle of the group. Rose had only attended to keep the pretence of their family unit. It did nothing to deter her mind of Jack. She found he constantly came into her mind, she thought of him all day long. Even when she tried to think of other things. For today, she needed a clear mind.

After church, the family were treated to a tour of the bridge. It was there, where Mr. Andrews gave Rose a ''magic key'' to open any door on the ship. He had told her about it over lunch and she had become intrigued, not believing such a key would exist. They had bonded over several lunches and Rose had a soft spot for him as he did for her. She had taken the key hesitantly but gratefully and placed it in her purse for use at a later date unknown to her husband and had promised to return it at the earliest convenience.

A steward approached Rose minutes later.

''Excuse me, Mrs. Hockley?''

''Yes?''

She saw in his hand he clutched an envelope. She broke away from the group feeling that prying eyes would be upon her back unless she moved away. ''Mrs. Jones sent this.''

Rose frowned as she eyed up the steward who was as clueless as she was. She took the envelope from him. ''Thank you.'' She didn't know who 'Mrs. Jones' was…not until she opened the envelope.

First class entrance doors.

8.p.m.

I shall be there.
Waiting for you.

She took a moment to register just how he had got a note to a steward. But that didn't matter. He hadn't been seen. She screwed the note into a tiny ball, thanking the steward as he walked away and she turned back to the group quickly.

''Everything all right, darling?''

Rose found her voice quickly. ''Yes, Cal.'' She re-joined the group with a heavy and preoccupied mind as she tried to focus on Mr. Andrew's words during the tour of the ship.

7.30pm that evening

Trudy left Rose's bedroom swiftly as Cal knocked and entered. The door had been open already whilst she sat at her dressing table and brushed her hair. She wore a pastel coloured dress, flowing in waves. Cal came towards her; she really did take his breath away. He was silent for a moment as though he was admiring the beauty which was his wife.

He buttoned his shirt to the top. ''I would love to see the look on people's faces if you wore the Heart of the Ocean to dinner.'' He smirked to himself, mentally picturing the look on peoples face of them knowing he owned such a jewel.

Rose said nothing, she continued to brush her hair away from her face. She kept her thoughts to herself.

''When we reach New York I will purchase a dress for you of the finest blue to set off the stone.'' He placed his hands on the back of her chair.

Rose avoided his gaze. ''Actually-'' She was about to speak when Cal cut her off.

''Why don't you wear the black dress we bought in London this evening.''

She shook her head immediately.

Cal shot her a disapproving look. ''Never mind, we are late for dinner anyway.'' He turned to walk from the room when she found her voice.

''I'm not going.''

Cal heard the certainty in her voice. He was mortified.

''Yes, you are.'' He turned from the door as he still fiddled with his own collar.

Rose spun on her chair. ''No, Cal. I am leaving.''

She waited with baited breath for him to explode. His face twisted into a frown as though he had misheard or was waiting for this to turn into some very crude joke. It didn't.

''I am unhappy, I want a divorce.'' She words fell from her mouth.

He took a moment to process the words, then he came to her and grabbed her by the arms viciously. She gasped, his grip like hot lava against her bare skin. She noted the flash in his eyes and for the first time, she feared him. Trudy entered and he swiftly loosened his grip at once.

''I have to attend dinner. I am bound by social responsibility. We are at the Captains table.'' He threw a glance at Trudy. ''Dress her for dinner and come when you are ready.''

He left slamming the door behind him. Rose turned to Trudy for support. Her arms feeling as though hot oil had been splashed onto her from his tight grip. She felt as though she could cry, the lump rising in her throat but she refused to be deterred. This was the end. She had told him and although he refuses to believe it, she had done all she could.

''I am not going to dinner.'' She told Trudy. ''I have to leave right now.'' She went into a panic mode and began to rummage around for a suitcase or a bag to pack some things into. All day she had worked up to this point but now with little time to spare she hadn't planned anything to take.

''Don't worry Rose. I knew that today you would leave.'' Trudy opened the wardrobe door and pulled out a small bag which Rose hadn't seen before. ''It is my travel pack. I filled it with some of my own dresses as well as yours.''

Rose glanced between the bag and Trudy, relief flooded her body but as she hugged Trudy tightly, she knew what this would mean.0

''Oh, what would I do without you? ''

''If you wear mine below decks. You will not be found. Some are hideous but until you reach New York-''

Rose grabbed Trudy's hand. ''Thank you so much for everything. I have something for you.''

She walked to her jewellery box and pulled out a delicate rose gold bracelet and a small purse which was popping open. ''Here is a few hundred dollars. Call it an advance of wages. You will certainly not have a job when you reach land if you help me leave him.''

''Oh no, Rose…'' Trudy had never seen so much money. ''I can't-''

''You have given up so much for me, put yourself on the line and I cannot allow you to stay here with me any longer. I can only dismiss you and ask you search for me one day as an old friend.'' She unclasped the bracelet. ''Until then, wear this and know just how grateful I was always, for your help.''

Trudy rolled up her sleeve, she had never worn something so pretty or so expensive. She glanced at it on her wrist and knew that she would always wear it. She pulled Rose into a hug. ''Thank you.''

Rose felt the tears come to her eyes. ''Oh Lord, why am I crying?''

''This isn't goodbye.'' Trudy kissed Rose's hair. ''You are going with your love!'' Trudy pulled away, laughing. ''Be happy, be healthy and one day we shall look back with fond memories with our children playing in the yard.''

Rose liked that idea. She smiled weakly to the one person who had become her best friend. ''We shall and until that day, take care of yourself.''

Trudy handed Rose the bag. It was a little heavy but only because she wasn't used to carrying her own luggage. A tiny knock sounded on the door and Rose quickly glanced at the clock. It was just after eight. She was to meet Jack at that time. Her heart sunk.

''Trudy, who could it be?''

''Quickly, stay in here. I shall see to this.'' She rolled her sleeve down and hid her bracelet before tucking a curl beneath her maid's hat and strolled to the door. She opened it to find Jack. She relaxed immensely.

''Oh, good evening.'' Quickly she ushered him in from the hallway. He followed Trudy into Rose's bedroom.

He said nothing until he reached Rose. He found her sat on the bed, chewing her fingernail nervously.

''Oh Jack, what are you doing here?'' She stood from the bed and came to him.

''I worried, you were a little late. I waited for a half hour. I saw Cal leave for dinner.''

At least Cal had gone to dinner and wouldn't return for at least another hour until the Captain had left the table, even then he may go for cigars and brandy.

''I must go Rose.'' Trudy interrupted them both, knowing that she had done her part.

Rose bit her bottom lip. She couldn't say goodbye again. ''Bye, Trudy.''

Trudy quickly came to Jack and without thinking she planted a kiss on his cheek. ''Take care of her, please.''

Jack pulled her into a quick hug. ''I will, don't you worry.'' He glanced to Rose. ''Thank you for all your help. For both me and for Rose.''

She nodded and before she could say anything else she had left the room. Rose could have broken down in tears but knew that she had to stay strong. She had a life to live now.

''That is my bag.'' She pointed to the bag which Trudy had packed.

''Is there anything else?''

Rose placed her hands on her hips and glanced about the room. ''I don't know Jack. I have never packed before. Trudy did it for me.''

''Then we shall trust her.'' Jack came towards her. ''Don't stress, Rose.'' He placed his fingers on the top of her neck and stroked it gently to calm her nerves. She felt her breathing become shallow and then she forgot her worries.

''I have one more thing to do.''

Quickly she walked into the sitting room and found a writing set. She pulled out some paper and began to write a note to Cal as Jack glanced around. He couldn't believe the luxury of the rooms. His quarters were peanuts compared and he couldn't help to listen to the niggling feeling at the back of his head. Then he clocked the Water Lilies.

''Wow.'' He dropped the bag and quickly knelt down in front of it. ''Rose, you have a Monet?''

''Oh yes, Cal purchased it for me from Paris.''

Jack touched the bumps of the paint. He shook his head. This was priceless and Rose was leaving it behind-for him. He stood from the floor and straightened his back.

''What are you doing?'' He came up behind her.

''Leaving a note for Cal explaining that he shall not contact me for we have left.'' She paused for a moment. ''I do not believe he will grant me a divorce but at least I will be free of him.'' Her eyes met Jack's across the sitting room. ''I have told him you and I have left together.''

Jack frowned. ''Did you not tell him earlier?''

''He was angry. I believe he thinks I will return.'' She folded the paper and walked to the safe. She remembered the code and quickly reached inside. She felt the velvet box which contained the Heart of the Ocean and she slowly pulled it out.

She placed the note in the safe.

''I will make sure you are safe.'' Jack told her. He watched as she opened the box and the glittering jewel caught his eye.

''This was the necklace which he gave me in Paris.''

Jack took it from her hands. ''Is it a sapphire?''

''No, a very rare diamond.'' Rose felt herself becoming transfixed by the beauty of it. It brought back the memories of that night in Paris. She closed the box quickly and took it from Jack.

''But I shall never see it again and I don't want to.''