Chapter Five:
For the rest of the day I seemed to float just like that Titanic. Freely, gliding my way through the soft waves of the ocean and heading into the sunset. Hannah remarked that my eyes were shining and I seemed to glow.
"The sea air must be doing you a world of good." she replied.
I smiled, keeping my secret to myself. I had a hard time believing in love at first sight since love was so foreign to me, at least the kind between a man and woman.
But he was all I could think about.
Harold, it surely was a lovely name.
Even while I dressed for dinner he was with me. Hannah picked out the blue gown she had noticed earlier and pulled my hair back with diamond studded hair pins. I put on my make-up and picked some earrings and a necklace out of my jewelry box.
Hannah helped me slip on some long white gloves that went up past my elbows and finally I was finished.
"You look beautiful." she said, satisfied as I turned around for me so she could check every last inch of me…Hannah was very picky about that sort of thing.
I went down to the dining room myself, not waiting for the others. As I descended the grand staircase I saw Polly and Charles, they were talking to another gentleman. Polly saw me and motioned for me to come over.
"Sarah, I'd like you to meet Mr. Thomas Andrews. Mr. Andrews this is Sarah Wilkes, a childhood friend of mine."
"Very nice to meet you Ms. Wilkes." he replied taking my hand and kissing it softly. He was a nice looking gentleman, middle aged but with a soft and gentle face.
"Mr. Andrews built Titanic"
"Really?" I asked, impressed.
He looked embarrassed and shook his head. "I just supervise. There are hundreds of men back in Ireland that did far more than I."
I smiled, now more impressed by his lack arrogance.
"And of course you remember my husband, Charles."
"Yes of course." I replied looking to Polly's husband. He was older than she, by nearly 20 years but he was a very handsome man, and very kind.
Charles took my hand as well.
"Very nice to see you again, Sarah."
The four of us stood there talking for a moment, mostly about the trip when someone came up behind Mr. Andrews and got his attention. It was Harold. I didn't think he saw me at first, as he was talking to Mr. Andrews but when Mr. Andrews turned to speak to us again his eyes went directly to me. His face broke into a gigantic, nearly titanic sized smile. Polly saw it as well and I could see her also smile from the corner of my eye.
"Oh where are my manners…Charles, Polly, Ms. Wilkes this is Mr. Lowe, Titanic's fifth officer. Mr. Lowe this is Charles Hanson, his dear wife Polly and Ms. Sarah Wilkes…"
"Oh Mr. Andrews I believe Mr. Lowe has already had the pleasure. Sarah and I met him on the boat deck this afternoon when we were leaving Southampton." Polly replied with a tiny laugh.
He smiled softly "Well I'm glad to see we are all old friends, sadly I am needed in the engine room. I do hope to see you all again."
"Of course." Charles replied.
"Very nice to meet you Ms. Wilkes, and Polly its always a pleasure." he added before leaving. Harold started off after him but Polly stopped him.
"Mr. Lowe I hoped you do me a favor, dear Sarah needs an escort into the dining room, you wouldn't mind, would you."
I couldn't believe her! What gall!
Harold smiled nervously. "No of course not ma'am." he replied and then looked at me. I smiled back at him as he held his arm out for me. I linked my through his and we followed Charles and Polly down to the dining room. It was already very crowded with people and Polly invited me to sit at her table.
"We're sitting over there, join us whenever you like." she said winking and then walking off.
"Funny how we keep meeting up like this" he replied. It was really the longest sentence he had ever spoken to me and I thought it sounded beautiful. I could tell from his accent that he was English, Welsh, if I guessed right.
"Yes, it is." I replied.
"Hopefully it'll happen again sometime soon." he turned and faced me and I could see a twinkle in his eye.
"Perhaps it will."
"Maybe on the promenade deck after dinner?"
He surely didn't waste anytime did he?
"Maybe." I replied trying to sound as mature and unexcited as I could.
I looked towards the table and Polly was grinning like a Cheshire cat at us. "Thank you for you arm, Mr. Lowe, I greatly appreciate it."
"Anytime, Ms. Wilkes."
He gave me one final wonderful smile before he lifted my hand and kissed it tenderly. I felt myself go weak in the knees and I watched him walk away and then tried to regain my composure before going to the table and joining Polly.
She didn't say anything as I sat down, but I could tell that she wanted to. I noticed that the Astor's and Ryerson's were also at the table and I greeted them. I spied Aunt Ruth and Rose walking in and going towards another table. Cal followed a few moments later. I saw him look over at me and smile. I wasn't sure why he did, but I nodded politely at his gesture and then turned back to my table and joined in on the conversation that was being held.