Titanic - The Heart Goes On By HL Griffiths

(Sequel to The Heart Never Lies)

Chapter Eleven– A new friend and a warning

Mid October 1912

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Jack

Rose and I were sat round in the front palour in front of a warm dancing fire with Aunty Janette and William. I was always surprised that they had no children but they were very fond of my mother and Janette's brother, my father and me. Janette had been like a mother to me and had been a great friend of my Mother Hope. They had always lived nearby near Eau Claire.

The loss of my parents had been too much for me so I lit out much as I missed my Aunty and Uncle I knew they would keep the Farmhouse going. Aunty had promised she take care of it till I ran out of wanderlust as she called my itch to get away.

Well it had certainly gone now, here was I sat reading the evening paper while Rose did some needle point, she was surprisingly good at it and told me she used to do it at finishing school to kill time as she was so bored. Aunty was darning socks. William was dozing in the chair, it was agreed that I would start to give him a hand on the farm in between my painting as The Dawson farm had been in the Family for three generations.

Rose seemed contented as she was smiling as she sewed; she seemed more at peace than I had ever seen her. Our eyes met and I felt that familiar attraction.

"I'll make a pot of tea" Aunty said and made out to the kitchen.

"BANG BANG" someone was thumping hard on the front door.

Rose stifled a cry and dropped her needle point, her easy manner of a few moments ago vanished and she turned white and tense "Jack?" she whispered.

William was awake in a flash. He went to the cabinet and got out his shot gun, we were taking no chances.

He put his fingers to his lips to indicate silence and went out the back door. Rose ran to me and gripped my hand "Jack, is it Cal?" She was terrified.

Aunty rushed in and the three of us waited in suspense.

We could hear raised voices than Uncle Williams's gruff tones, then the kitchen door opening and heavy footsteps.

"Come in here please" William said testily.

We all walked cautiously into the kitchen. Rose hiding behind me. She was shaking.

Uncle William was standing pointing his shot gun at a slim tall young gentle man, dressed up finely. He had brown hair and brown eyes and was just as startled as we were. He dropped his leather valise on the floor oin shock!

"Found him skulking about outside said he need to taa speak ta ya" William said.

"Are you Jack Dawson?" the brown haired, pale looking young man said in modulated tones looking at me

"Who the hell are you?" William barked and him and jabbed him with the gun. The young man gasped and side stepped.

"Yes I am Jack Dawson who are you what do you want£" I yelled.

Rose peeped out from behind me "Why," she cried "It's that you Gerard??"

Gerard

I stood looking at the angry fair-haired young man who had just introduced himself at Jack Dawson. His vivid blue eyes were flashing with anger and fear. Behind him stood Rose, a Rose I would not have recognized, dressed simply in a working wool dress, her flame red hair falling down her shoulders. She was clinging to Jacks arm in terror.

The older man and woman were glaring at me. Both farming folk, I could see that, the woman had the same blue eyes as Jack. The tall thin farmer shouted in rough tones

"WHO ARE YA"

"He's Gerard Hockley" Rose said faintly.

"All their eyes looked at me in distaste.

"Hockley!" screamed the older woman. "Your not welcome here, you and your bloody family, POISON" she spat at me.

I had to explain myself and fast with the gun pointed at me. I felt sick.

"I have come to warn you" I said quickly "Caledon knows where you are"

The words sank in. The Older Farmer guns dropped, the lady's hands flew up to her face and Jack looked crosser than hell.

Rose stepped away from Jack. "Are you sure?" she demanded in her educated voice "Cal is coming here? Are you for real Gerard?"

"I am afraid so, it's a plan I overheard, Father wants Cal to bring you home and marry you and retrieve that bloody necklace too"

Rose gave a small Cry. Jack rushed forwards and held her. He was obviously smitten with her and protective. I had never seen Cal so tender with any woman like Jack was with Rose. He was attentive and loving.

Jack passed Rose back to the older lady and came up to me. "You better be telling the truth MR Hockley. Aunty is right your whole Family is poison to us, you better talk"

"I am telling you the truth. I am here to help you, warn you. I am not like my father and brother. Its all about money and position, Cal means to inheirate his fortune by whatever means. Unfortunately he thinks Rose is the key to that. He means to marry her and she'll have the Hockley Heirs"

Jacks cross face relaxed and smile played on his lips.

"That would be funny if it was not so ironic" he said in a warmer voice. He reached out his hand and we shook.

"I am Jack Dawson as you now know. This is Aunty Janette" he nodded to her. "And my Uncle William" William nodded curtly and went off to put the gun away

"And you know Rose," he continued, Rose was sitting on one of the kitchen chairs. "I better tell you straight. Rose and I are legally married. And for Cal wanting her to be the Hockley Heir barer, he's a bit late. Rose and I are having a baby in January!"

My Jaw dropped as I looked at Roses figure; of course once you knew it was obvious she was with child, the bump hidden under her thick dress, but still visible.

"Oh My goodness" I exclaimed.

"Excuse me sir" The lady said "I am Janette, I realize you trying to help us, wont you take a seat and I'll make a pot of tea"

Rose was not saying anything she was leaning on Jack.

"Rose go and lie down my darling "He was saying "You don't want to stress the baby, I'll talk to Gerard and we'll work out a plan"

"Excuse me Gerard" She murmured and Jack led her from the room.

"I'll be back down in a bit Gerard" Jack said "Rose just needs a rest first, this has been a shock. She's been through a lot"

Janette offered me a chair and I sat down. She poicked up my vaalise and put it down neatly by the back door.

She was saying "Well isn't this a turn up for the books, well Jack and you will have a lot to talk about for sure"