We stopped for a break in a small village just outside of Southampton, where the Titanic was to leave on its maiden voyage. Cal and Mr Lovejoy stepped outside of their carriage, to take a wonder and a smoke.
I chose to remain in the carriage with Freddie, who had fallen asleep around ten minutes into our journey. Though, after five minutes, there was a knock on the carriage door. I jumped at the sound, Ann had left to take a look around, so I guessed it was just her returning, though it would make no sense for her to knock. I hurriedly opened the door, and I was surprised to see Mr Lovejoy standing there with two boxes, the kind grand clothes were packaged in.
"Ah, Scarlett, I'm glad you're here, these are for you and Freddie, I am sure they will be of great use to you. I apologise for them being late, but we had them handmade." He said, passing me over the boxes.
I opened the lid, and gasped. Inside was a beautiful felt duffel coat, in black. It was so soft I felt the sudden desire to put it on, despite the warm sun outside. But I stopped myself.
"Mr Lovejoy, this is a most exquisite garment, I am quite sure we should be unable to accept such a gift. You have already done enough" I made preparations to place the coat back in the box, but then Mr Lovejoy spoke.
"No, my dear, I insist. You have not a coat between you, and it will be anything but warm up on deck when we arrive. Mr Hockley has requested you two are to be given the best treatment, he doesn't want you catching chills that would be no good for anyone, now would it?" He chuckled to himself, and wandered away, leaving me with no choice but to accept the coats. I shut the carriage door, and went to wake Freddie up.
"Psst, Freddie, wake up and see what Mr Lovejoy has given us" I whispered softly in his ear.
Freddie was just as in awe by the coats as I was. Sure, we had had coats as fine as these when we lived with our parents, but I would never dreamed of being given one by a man who's servant I was meant to be. I felt very privileged.
We started up again shortly, and I looked out of the window, watching countryside slowly turn into the port of Southampton. The carriages slowly came to a stop, and I got out, ready to help with the baggage. The port was very busy, and there was a great feeling of excitement in the air, so strong that I could feel it through my whole body. People were milling around everywhere, most were first class women and gentlemen, dressed in their best, though behind a barrier, hundreds of local people had turned up to watch the Titanic set off.
I carried some packages and bags over to the loading area, and was on my way back, when I felt a firm hand on my arm. I turned to see an Official, dressed in the White Star Line uniform, and looking down at me.
"Excuse me Miss" he began "I mean no offence, but you've got no right being down here, this is first class only. The steerage loading area is down by the bow. I'm afraid I'll have to escort you there myself."
I was thoroughly embarrassed, beautiful women surrounded me, and here was a man telling me I should be in steerage! I shook his hand off my shoulder.
"I am sorry Sir, but I happen to be a servant to Mr Lovejoy and Mr Hockley, I'll have you know, I was just bringing some of their belongings down here."
The Official looked doubtful.
"Got any proof of that tale then, Miss?" he asked.
I was outraged, and just about to come out with a stream of abuse, when an arm was placed around my shoulder. I thought it was yet another Official, come to escort me away, but I turned and saw it was Cal.
"What appears to be the trouble here,?" he enquired to the Official, who now looked very small compared to Cal. "Scarlett we've been waiting for you"
"Oh, um, nothing, Mr uh Hockley, sir. Nothing at all" he stammered out.
"Good" said Cal, smoothly, "Then let's keep it that way" He steered me around, and began to walk away. I couldn't resist a look at the Official, who was hurriedly mopping his now sweaty brow. He saw me looking, and I couldn't help giving him a very smug look indeed. I noticed Cal was looking at me, and I quickly re arranged my features. I could have sworn I saw a smirk playing o his lips.
When we returned, all the baggage had been taken, and it was time to board the ship. I still had to carry a small satchel, not to mention the two brand new coats, that I refused to have put in the loading area, for fear of losing them.
Two finely dressed women headed for the door at the same time as me, and pushed me right out of the way, I stumbled, just managing to keep hold of my things.
"Watch where you're going!" said one, and then, to her friend, she said, "Honestly, you'd think they'd put that lot in a different boarding area to us!"
"Oh, I think they did, dear" said the other "I think this one's just escaped" And off they went, chortling to one another, while I was left blushing like a lobster. I huffed over to the cabin door, and a man in a suit helped me in through. The floors were luxuriously carpeted, and I was surprised, I had never seen carpeted floors in a ship before!
Just away from the door, were stood Mr Lovejoy, Cal and an abundance of staff, Ann was holding Freddie in her arms.
"There you are Scarlett!" exclaimed Mr Lovejoy "Really, you must stop getting left behind, we thought you had toppled into the sea!" Oh what a funny happening that would have been, I thought cynically, as Mr Lovejoy chuckled to himself again.
As we made our way to the room, I retold the tale of the Official, and then of the two women to Ann. She seemed to find it hilarious.
"It's not funny!" I said as she went off in peals of laughter amount the two snooty women. Perhaps I said this a little too loudly, as Cal turned round. Ann was immediately silent. He turned back again, that same smirk appearing on his face, as if he wanted to laugh, but was holding it in. I caught Ann's eye again, and she was sent off into silent laughter until we reached the room.