"Gemma" Felicity shook me awake.
"What" I asked groggily. I opened my eyes to see Fee over me.
"Time to get up" She announced cheerily. I groaned and rolled over. In the days since Simon Middleton had come, Felicity and Ann had the sense to leave me alone as I was in no mood for company and could keep no food down.
"Go away. I'm tired". I pulled the sheets over my eyes.
"Gemma," It was Ann who addressed me this time, "Your boat leaves in two days. You need to pack". I pulled the blankets off looked up at them confused.
"My boat? Where am I going?"
"To Paris, with me". Fee patronized me.
"O yes that's right" I remembered. "Two days?" I asked bewildered. "Why didn't you wake me sooner? I have so much to do." I jumped out of bed. We began throwing all of my clothes together as best as we could. Our last two days with Ann came and went and before we knew it the time came to board the massive luxury liner set to deliver us to France
"I'll miss you, Ann". I pulled her into a hug. Ann had changed so much from the girl I had known at Spence. We all had changed since Spence. I looked over at pants-wearing Felicity, standing right next to Jeanne, and back at Ann with her newfound confidence. Then, I rested my hands on my stomach.
"I'll write you all the time, and you must do the same. I want to know all about the baby". She smiled. Ann and Felicity made their goodbyes and we boarded the ship.
I looked back at the dock and waved at Ann, she did the same. I continued to wave until she was out of sight. Ann had her own ship to catch. I knew that she would be alright. I didn't have to worry about Ann anymore. She had found her own way in the world, and I could tell that she was genuinely happy.
Felicity and Jeanne had disappeared and I didn't have the energy to go looking for them. I stood on the deck as the wind whipped my hair. My red curls spilled out of the loose bun that I pulled them back into. I wondered about my family. I wondered how Tom was getting along with his bride, a woman I would never meet. I hoped she was patient, or else she would never be able to put up with Tom. I thought about my Father. I hoped he was alright.
"Good afternoon, Miss". I was pulled out of my thoughts by a young man's voice.
"Good afternoon" I replied. I turned around, but there was no one there. I searched the deck with my eyes, but there was no trace of my mysterious visitor anywhere. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. I could've sworn I heard him, clear as day. It'd been a long day; maybe I just needed some rest. I searched the ship for Fee. I needed to know where my room was.
I found her in the dining room, sitting down to tea with some of the ladies. She was a rare curiosity for them. Some of the women didn't know what to make of her, others seemed confused or disgusted. Jeanne was sitting quietly by her side, as usual. I tapped her gently on the shoulder, and Felicity whipped her head around.
"Gemma, come join us" She gestured towards the table. "Ladies, may I introduce my dear friend, Miss Gemma Doyle". The ladies began to ask me all sorts of questions, and I tried my best to politely answer them, but all I wanted was sleep.
"If you will excuse me, I'm very tired, and would like to rest." They all made their goodbyes and resumed their conversation as if I wasn't still standing there.
"Fee," I hissed.
"What?" She whispered over her shoulder.
"Where's my room?"
"Walk out of the dining room and turn left, go all the way to the end of the corridor and it will be the last door on the right" She instructed me.
"Thank you". I began to follow her directions.
"Wait," She called out. I went back to her side and she slipped a key into my hand. "You might need this" she joked.
I eventually reached my room and I collapsed into my bed. Sleep came so easily, until I began to dream. My dream started off pleasant enough. I was walking through the forest by Spence, nothing was really happening. Then, my dream got better. I entered the boat house and there was Kartik, just as he had been in life, sitting there, reading. He stood and I ran into his arms and he simply held me, saying nothing. We stayed that way for awhile and then Kartik spoke.
"Gemma, don't give up on me", was all he said. His words made me uneasy. What did he want me to do for him? He died. There was nothing I could do. If there was, I would've done it by now. Then, the dream changed again. I was running through the halls of my home in India. Something or someone was chasing me, but before I could find out what it was, I awoke.
Jeanne knocked on my door and informed me that it was time for dinner. I dressed quickly and pulled my hair back. I breeze blew through my room and I shuddered. I left my room quickly and headed for the dining room.