Back in my bedroom, I set about unpacking my own things and trying to fix Cal firmly out of my head. This was easy at first, Freddie was being a royal pain, and dealing with him took over my brain for the most part. First he was bored, then hungry, then thirsty. When he was eventually content, I took the small satchel of belongings and put away our things in appropriate places. While putting our clothes into the wardrobe, I saw three life jackets had been stowed at the top. I didn't expect we would ever use them, everyone said how the Titanic was unsinkable, and how God himself could not sink the ship.
However, after all the unpacking was done and I was left to amuse myself in the room until lunch, thoughts of Cal crept into my head. I tried to reason with myself, tried to visualise the Cal I had met for the first time, whose slimy smile had filled me with dread. But each time I tried, his face became more and more distorted and strange, until a dozen Cal's were dancing in front of me, none of which looked right.
At around noon, a bugle sounded, the sign that lunch was to be served. I left Freddie in charge of Ann, and went to do my duties; accompanying Mr Lovejoy and Cal to lunch, and then going back to finish sorting out their room.
I crossed the hall to the door and paused. I was unsure of how to fetch them; should I knock? Or just go straight in? I was just debating whether or not to go and ask Ann, when the door opened right in front of me. Almost to my relief, it was Mr Lovejoy, not Cal who had opened the door, for I really must have looked an idiot.
"Afternoon, Sir" I said, "If you are ready, I believe we should head to the Dining Saloon for lunch"
"Of course, of course!" said Mr Lovejoy, "Come Cal, lunch is calling us!"
Cal appeared in the doorway. I had a quick debate in my head of how to greet him, remembered to stay professional and said "Good afternoon, Mr Hockley, as I was saying to Mr Lovejoy here, I would be delighted to escort you to lunch in the Dining Saloon"
"Hear that Cal?" said Mr Lovejoy, "She would be delighted!" I began to think Mr Lovejoy laughed too much at his own jokes, for, again, he chuckled to himself.
I made gestures for them to follow me, and I escorted them to the Dining Saloon. Luckily, I had looked on a map earlier, for I would never have found it otherwise. I still wasn't quite sure if I could find my way back.
Waiting outside the Dining Saloon appeared to be the group of guests that Cal and Mr Lovejoy would be dining with. They all looked extremely rich, and were dressed in the most elegant attire. I felt quite plain next to them all. Cal obviously sensed my uneasiness, because he cleared his throat and said,
"Gentlemen, Ladies, this is Scarlett Monty, she and her brother have joined our staff for this voyage, I expect you to treat them with the same dignity you treat myself" I smiled round at them all, started a courtesy, thought better of it half way through, and just did a ridiculous jerk of the body.
One of the men, later introduced to me as Archibald Gracie asked, "Are you of the New York Monty's?" He enquired. As I knew my family went back a long way in England, I decided this was unlikely.
"Um, no." I said, shortly.
"Scarlett's parents are deceased" said Cal, hurriedly, before anymore of my heritage was discussed. There was a general murmur of sympathy, during which I felt extremely awkward. Luckily, Cal then turned to me and said,
"You may go now, come back around two". The group of people were slowly filing into the Dining Saloon. Cal leant towards me, and for one bizarre moment I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead said softly, "If there's any trouble, come and find me personally, ok?" I nodded, wondering incredulously what sort of trouble could possibly happen. I turned to go, walking back to the staircase, only when I was at the top of the stairs did I allow myself to look back, only to see Cal looking back at me, smiling.
I found out exactly what sort of trouble Cal had meant when I tried to make my way back to the room. It turned out everyone had the same idea as the Official and the two snooty ladies at the port; that I was a steerage passenger, with no right to be in the first class areas. Several times I was stopped, and asked for proof of my status. One man was so adamant about me leaving, that I debated doubling back to fetch Cal, but decided to save myself the humiliation. It was only when Ann came by, off to fetch some paperwork, and explained the situation, was I allowed to get back to the room.
By the time I returned to the room, I found there was very little time before I should return to the Dining Saloon. I unpacked a few more boxes for Mr Lovejoy, and took a look into their sleeping quarters. They were grand indeed, with a large four poster bed, with luxurious sheets on them.
I decided to leave with plenty of time, not quite trusting my sense of direction, and I also had to allow time for being caught by some sort of Official. I had to remember to sort something out with Cal.
I took the walk over slowly, exploring more details of the fine ship. Every inch was so wonderful in detail; I could hardly believe it was real.
I reached the Dining Saloon with plenty of time, having not gotten lost or caught, and I peered through the glass in the door. I could see them all; Cal, Mr Lovejoy, Archibald Gracie and everyone else plus a few others, all seated around a table. They appeared to be finishing to I decided to just wait out there for a bit. The Dining Saloon was a magnificent room, with grand tables and chairs, full of equally grand people, dressed in their best. My eyes were drawn back to Cal. He was laughing, and I felt my stomach twist into a knot. Oh how I wished he wouldn't do such things to me!
I turned away from the glass, and leant against the wall. Realising, suddenly, how exhausted I was, I slumped down onto the floor, a little rest wouldn't hurt, I thought. I saw on the floor for around ten minutes, when the doors to the Dining Saloon swung open, and one of the glamorous women from Cal's table rushed out, apparently in great distress, followed by her identically glamorous friend. I leapt up from my seat on the floor.
I cornered Archibald Gracie as he came out after them, demanding to know what was going on. He was obviously a man who liked a gossip, for he took no hesitation in telling me. Apparently, Lady Horsaw had asked Cal if he would accompany her on the rest of the trip, sort of like a couple I guess, and Cal had refused, causing the women to become most upset. I stared at Archibald Gracie when he was finished, I couldn't believe it, although, deep down, was sort of pleased.
"But why did Cal refuse?" I asked him "She was a beautiful woman" I said this almost resentfully.
"I know! I don't understand it either; she is very well off as well. Fancy Caledon Hockley refusing a beautiful women and a stack load of money!" I decided that Archibald Gracie was very much like Mr Lovejoy in the sense that he laughed at his own jokes.
At this moment, Cal himself swept through the Saloon doors. He looked startled to see me and Archibald Gracie stood there, and exclaimed, "Scarlett! I'm so sorry, I've got to run, important things to do, so I won't be requiring your services this afternoon, perhaps you could amuse yourself?"
"Of course, sir" I said, ever the professional, "Do not worry about me, you must get on with what you must do"
Cal gave we what I guessed was a grateful smile, and turned quickly up the staircase, taking two at a time. I watched the stairs long after he had left them.
"Do you know?" said a voice behind me, making me jump; only to remember it was Archibald Gracie, "I have never to this day seen Cal Hockley that polite with his staff! His last lady servant was beaten about the face on a daily basis! Orders were always being snapped at her, poor girl." Archibald Gracie, strode off, not waiting for me to say anything, another habit I noticed Mr Lovejoy had. I checked on Mr Lovejoy in the Saloon, he seemed to be in a deep conversation, so I decided to leave him be, and take a stroll around the ship.