*Chapter 5*

Clara looked away in disgust, and stood up.

"Excuse me." She pushed past Moody.

She caught up with Claire and hissed at her, "What on earth are you doing here?!"

"Oh, I was looking for you actually. I wanted to say, sorry. Sorry for making you feel disgusted. I was just kidding about the thing I said."

"Sure, I understand." Clara said, solemnly.

Murdoch and Lightoller, followed by Wilde, walked right into the wheelhouse, and looked startled at seeing Clara and Claire together.

"So, let me guess, you two are twins?" Lightoller asked.

"Wow. How'd you guess?" Claire asked, sarcastically. "Can you tell us apart?"

"Hmm. Yes, you're Clara, and you're Claire. I can tell, because you speak in different accents, and Claire, you are taller," Murdoch stated.

"Damn. Gets 'em every time." Claire whispered, turning to Clara.

"Can I ask why they're different?" Murdoch asked.

Not wanting to tell an entire life story, Clara stood up and asked, "Don't you officers have work to do? Really, it must be awfully boring talking to a couple of young women."

Just as she was about to leave, Lightoller took her hand, and spoke softly.

"No, we have time. Please, tell us."

Claire started talking before Clara could say anything.

"Well, Clara, Mom and I moved to London a couple of years ago, from Wales, and my Dad, well, he moved to America when we were only three years old, to start his multi-million dollar business. Anyway, then it was my 15th birthday, right, so my Mom sent me off to America, to visit my dad, Evan, who was living in Cleveland, in Ohio. Clara didn't wanna come, because" - she looked at Clara - "the people there weren't 'proper' enough. So, meanwhile, I'm having a blast in America, while she's studying her ass away in London!"

Clara gasped, in shock, and she was blushing so hard, with embarrassment, that she had to cover up her face with her hands, and excuse herself for a moment.

"Jeez, I never know what her problem is." Claire watched Clara leaving the room. "One minute she loves me, the next, well, she's on fire, as you can probably see right now. She thinks I'm impolite and vulgar! What is this?! I mean, its not like the queen is standing by us 24 / 7 and we have to be on our best behaviour. Wouldn't you guys say so?" Claire exclaimed.

Claire had Murdoch and Wilde in laughing fits, but Lightoller didn't find Claire's impoliteness amusing at all. He stepped outside, and spotted Clara, facing Ireland, where mountains were the teensiest bit visible.

"I wish I were back home," Clara sighed to herself. "I don't hate Claire, but really, she needs to monitor what she says. And to think! She made three! Three officers laugh at her stupid remark! Well, I ought to" -

She was cut short, as she turned, to see Lightoller standing right behind her.

"Oh, I.uh.hmm-mm. Didn't realise you were there." Clara said, blushing again, but this time, it wasn't because of Claire.

"I didn't think she was amusing, at all. Or funny, for that matter. I understand how you feel, Miss Sherbrooke. She is very impolite," Lightoller explained.

"I apologize, yet again. I always have to cover up for her, after one of those scenes. I just wish we were really identical - I wish she were exactly like me. I know it's a little selfish, but its what I really want, Mr Lightoller. Excuse me."

With that, Clara left the deck, and headed to the elevators to take the long journey down to F deck, where she had nobody to bother her.