Chapter Two

I did not sleep very well at all that night. I found myself tossing and turning and waking up every half hour or so and sitting straight up in my bed afraid that I had woken up late, or been forgotten and they had left without me, but one look out the window to see the world still covered in a thick blanket of darkness, reassured me that it was still night and that I had nothing to worry about. I had never been so nervous about taking a trip in my whole life and my apprehension was a total mystery to me, but I did my best to try and think of something that calmed me and find at least a few minutes of sleep.

Yet, even though I had a sleepless night, the minute the sunlight finally started to pour through the window I sat up like a shot, suddenly finding myself full of energy. I got up, put my robe on over my linen nightgown, and washed my face with the cool water in the basin. I then sat down at the vanity and began to brush my hair out. I kept my light brown hair long just the way my Grandmother liked it, even though it pained me sometimes as it was so thick. It was all the way down to my waist presently and I had to swoop it all to one side to brush it properly. However, I did it and was just finishing when Hannah came into the room. She was carrying a tray of food.

"Gracious, you're up all ready?" she said setting the tray down on the table.

"I couldn't sleep anymore. What time is it?"

"9:30. Mr. Hockley is the only other one awake, Trudy told me in the kitchen he's being a grump…do you want to get dressed?"

I told her I did and she went to get my clothes. They were the only things left in the closet as everything else had been packed away. I took off my nightgown and slipped on some fresh under things and petticoat. I then braced myself for the corset. Hannah was kind about it, as kind as one could be with a corset. She tugged at the strings that pulled my waist and body into its firm grip and I felt the familiar pressure on my lungs and took tiny breaths as she finished up. Finally she was done and slipped the dress over my head and began to fasten the tiny buttons in the back. The dress was long sleeved and I loved it because it made my arms look sleek and slender.

"Look at you…" Hannah said turning me around to face her. "…you look like a regular princess."

"Thank you" I beamed.

"Come now let's get some food in you and then we'll do your hair."

As soon as I was finished with breakfast and had my hair pinned up Hannah carefully put my brand new hat onto my head and used two pearl hatpins to keep it in its place. We then headed down to the lobby and found a place to sit while we waited for everyone else.

Cal was the first to come down, with Aunt Ruth on his arm. They were talking in low voices to each other and looked up when they saw me, surprised to see me already ready and waiting for them.

"Well I'm glad to see not all women share the same view on time that my fiancée does." Cal said when he saw me.

Aunt Ruth glared at me and I turned away from her and focused my eyes on the clock that was a few feet away from me trying to fight off that ill feeling I got every time she did look at me in that way.

I saw that it was 11:15. Titanic was due to leave at noon, I wondered silently what was taking Rose so long. When she finally did emerge, she shocked us all by strolling down the stairs wearing nothing but black. She looked like she was in mourning; even her face had that grave look to it. I knew as well as anyone that it was bad luck to wear black on a day like today, especially when this was Titanic's maiden voyage, not that I believed in those silly superstitions, but there were some who did and I knew that neither Aunt Ruth or Cal wanted Rose to call attention to herself in such a way.

Both of them got up quickly and stopped her just as she was about to step off the last step. Cal grabbed Rose's arm and I could see his face contort into a stern expression as he spoke to her. I could not hear what was being said, but it was more than obvious that Aunt Ruth and Cal were displeased with her choice of wardrobe and it was not long after that Rose headed back up the stairs, her head hanging and her steps slow and melancholy.

Aunt Ruth went to find a bellboy to bring in some of the trunks that had been packed so that Rose could change and this added even more time to our stay at the hotel, leaving us less and less time to get to the ship. But finally at 11:35 Rose came back downstairs wearing a purple and white suit like dress that was very flattering on her, but no one complimented her on it, we were simply rushed out to two cars that were waiting for us and our luggage.

The mood of our party was solemn and serious and I longed for George who always had a way of making bad situations somewhat bearable. I did hope that the whole trip would not be like this. At least my grandmother had booked me my own room, so if it was I would have some sanctuary to escape to when it got to be too much.

Cal's valet, or manservant, Mr. Lovejoy met us outside at the cars. He was an older man who always seemed to be angry about something, I was beginning to doubt that he had ever smiled or laughed in his life. He made me quite uncomfortable and I tried to avoid him whenever possible, but at that moment I could not avoid it, I was put into the same car as him, Trudy and Hannah. We were taking three cars altogether, one for the others and myself, one for Rose, Aunt Ruth and Cal, and then a separate one for the luggage.

Due to Rose's wardrobe problem, we were obviously running behind schedule so we were rushed into the cars and quickly got onto the road. I was thankful for one thing though, Mr. Lovejoy was riding up front with the driver and it was nice to sit in the back and listen to Hannah and Trudy's chattering.

"I'm so glad to be finally going home." Hannah replied as we began to near the dock, "I've missed it so."

"You've been here a whole week, Hannah, you haven't had time to miss it yet." Trudy reminded her in a playful tone.

I giggled at the two of them and then turned my attention out the window and saw that we were coming up to a large crowd of people. I gathered that we must be close, and right I was because it was not long after that we came to a stop and the driver got out of seat and opened my door. The excitement of the crowd flooded into the car and Hannah and Trudy looked positively giddy as they heard the voices calling out to one another and their amazement with the Titanic.

I extended my hand to the driver who took it and helped me step down from the car and as soon as my foot touched the ground, I turned my gaze up and saw the Titanic looming in front of me. Of all the ships, I have traveled on and seen over the years this was by the far the largest. It was of course in pristine condition, sparkling windows and fresh paint and I was positively in awe of it.

"I don't see what all the fuss is about…" I heard Rose's voice say in a disinterested tone. "…it doesn't look any bigger than the Mauritania."

Cal looked amused. "You can be blasé about some things, Rose, but not about Titanic. Its over a hundred feet longer than the Mauritania and far more luxurious…" he helped Aunt Ruth step out of the car and I could hear him mutter something under his breath to her as I took my eyes off the ship and came up next to Rose.

"So this is the ship they say is unsinkable?" Aunt Ruth commented.

"It is unsinkable; God himself could not sink this ship…" Cal started but was cut off by a steward, something about checking our baggage, but I did not pay much attention. Whatever it was, Cal took care of it and came up between Rose and I.

"Ladies, shall we?"

He took Rose's arm and they started off towards the gangway. I followed behind them next to Aunt Ruth. We were surrounded by mostly working class people, but they were all a group with shining faces and I couldn't help but smile. Aunt Ruth nudged me and shook her head,

"Don't stare, Sarah, they'll think you're easy to get charity from."

Reluctantly I did as I was told and kept my eyes in front of me focused of Rose's hat; I figured I could not get in much trouble for doing that.

As we walked up the gangplank towards the ship, rising above the crowd, I could feel excitement charging throughout me. Not only was I going to be back with my Grandmother and brother soon, but also I was traveling on the grandest ship in the history of the world to get to them.

When we stepped inside of the ship there was an officer and steward waiting at the door to greet us. I waited patiently behind Rose and Cal and watched the officer point the way to their rooms. They moved aside and I pulled the ticket out of my handbag and handed it to him. He was an older gentleman, but handsome, and he smiled warmly at me,

"Ms. Sarah Wilkes?"

I nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Your cabin is on B deck; just follow the rest of your party."

"Thank you."

"You're Welcome."

And just like that I was on the Titanic.