Author's Note: Hello again! Thanks for all the continuing support; I'm glad you are all enjoying the story. Just a quick note; I watched the film again yesterday for some research and realised I had been quite unrealistic with Mr Lovejoy. Not just his personality, but also the fact that he was actually Cal's Valet, and they were not just companions. So, for the sake of this story, just have it that Mr Lovejoy is a character, who does not really have anything to do with the Mr Lovejoy in the film. Enjoy the next couple of chapters, Robyn x
After an hour of chores I returned, once more, to Cal and Mr Lovejoy's room. I tucked my coat under one arm, for it was a windy day, and I was sure we would be going up on deck.
There was silence in the room, a silence that felt particularly awkward. Cal was sitting on a low stool, his chin resting on his hands, and Mr Lovejoy was perched against a table, puffing on a cigarette again. He looked at me as I entered.
"There you are, Scarlett. We were wondering where you had got to." Mr Lovejoy said. I frowned slightly. I was not late.
"Terribly sorry, Sir." I said, my voice laced with sarcasm that I do not think Mr Lovejoy heard. He turned to bustle about with some glasses and bottles.
I muttered under my breath, arms crossed, with probably a sour expression upon my face. It was only when I felt the feeling you only feel when someone is watching you, did I look down to see Cal watching me. He was smirking at me. Still annoyed with Mr Lovejoy, I snapped "What?" I immediately regretted it. Cal's smile was wiped off his face, and replaced with a look of bemused shock.
Mr Lovejoy suddenly appeared at my side, "Now Scarlett" he began "That is no way to speak to your elders. And indeed, to your betters" he chuckled "Right Cal?"
"Yes" I said "Sorry, Sir. Sorry." I added to Cal, meaning it.
Cal shrugged "Not at all" he got up of the stool and said "Shouldn't we be making a move now, we are due to meet Mr Andrews soon." I followed Mr Lovejoy from the room, Cal holding the door open for us.
We met Mr Andrews by the Cafe Parisien. He smiled at us as we walked up to him, his kind eyes twinkling.
"Good morning Mr Lovejoy, Mr Hockley" he turned to me "Miss Scarlett".
I almost laughed at being called Miss Scarlett, but stopped myself just in time, remembering that jokes were not really made in first class.
"Shall we proceed with the tour?" said Mr Andrews to Mr Lovejoy who nodded.
Mr Andrews took us around all areas of the ship, even past the locked gates of steerage. I was fascinated by the beauty of Titanic, and trailed behind, examining every inch of design and art that covered the ship. My favourite bit of the ship by far was the Grand Staircase; a beautiful specimen of architecture. Mr Andrews spent a while talking to me about it, about the design and building of such a staircase. Mr Lovejoy seemed to find it less fascinating and said
"Come along, Mr Andrews, we haven't got all day, let's go up deck". In fact, I thought, we did have all day. But we went up to the Promenade all the same.
The views from up there were extraordinary, endless miles of ocean before us. I couldn't help wondering what would happen when the ocean finished, and Freddie and I were to get off the Titanic. Would Cal and Mr Lovejoy continue to employ us? They already had a great many staff; I had seen them all at the house, and we were not that greater use to them. I also began to think of my old life, the luxurious life I had lived with my parents, in a grand house, with grand clothes. I always had whatever I had wanted, Freddie too.
I was overcome with a sudden feeling of sombreness, missing greatly my parents and old life. It felt in a different lifetime, as though I was now leading a separate life.
At this point, Mr Lovejoy told me to "Hurry along", and my thoughts were pushed to the back of my mind. Mr Andrews took us all around the top decks, and showed us all the lifeboats. I couldn't help noticing a distinct lack of lifeboats for the supposed 2229 passengers and crew on board.
I voiced my concerns to Mr Andrews, who informed me that they had planned an extra row of lifeboats all around, but people thought it would make the deck look too crowded, so they didn't put them in. He also told me not to worry, that he had built me a strong ship that was unsinkable.
As we reached the end of the Promenade, Mr Lovejoy and Cal marvelled at the views, while Mr Andrews explained more of the ships aspects. I wondered over to the railings, where you could see right down onto the third class deck, otherwise known as the "Poop Deck", due to the fact that first class dogs were taken there to do their business.
I could see many passengers down there; children were playing while parents stood around, looking out to sea. On a bench I saw a young man sketching on some paper. As I watched him, he flicked his hair from his face, and suddenly I recognised him as Jack Dawson, the man from the steerage party.
I looked behind me and saw that Cal and Mr Lovejoy were deep in conversation with Mr Andrews. I decided they wouldn't miss me for a while. I shoved my coat on, to free up my arms, and swung myself over the railings, jumping the last bit onto a ladder that down to the Poop Deck. Once on the ground I ran over to the bench where Jack was. He looked up as I got closer.
"Scarlett?" he said. Then his face broke out into a grin. "It's so good to see you again!"
"And you" I said, smiling back at him
"But, what are you doing down here, I thought you were with the first class?"
I nodded up deck, and explained about the guided tour with Mr Andrews. I took a seat on the bench next to him, and looked down at his drawings.
"Oh, Jack" I exclaimed "These are marvellous drawings" And indeed they were, sketches of people around him, drawn to the most fascinating detail.
He leaned in closer to describe them to me, and I could feel his body close to mine, our faces were practically touching. I gazed at his perfect features as he spoke, and I felt my insides melt.
"Scarlett!" I heard my name being called from the upper decks. I remembered, suddenly, where I was meant to be. Jack stopped talking and looked at me "Will I be seeing you again tonight?" he asked, his eyes looking into mine.
"I'll try to come, I promise" I said, though then briefly explained about the having to cover whenever I wasn't there, should Cal come looking for me.
I stood up, ready to go, but then Jack pulled me back, and held me in a close embrace. I hugged him back, feeling warm and safe in his arms.
"Scarlett?" That was definitely Cal's voice, and I knew I had to go. I reluctantly pulled away from Jack, calling goodbye as I raced back up the ladder, and jumped back over the railings.
I found myself face to face with Mr Andrews.
"Mr Andrews!" I said "I'm sorry, I was just, uh, I was, um..." I trailed off, realising I had no excuse to give.
Mr Andrews looked warmly and knowingly into my face and said, gently "It's ok, Scarlett. Though, if I were you, I would hurry back to Mr Hockley. He has been most disturbed by your absence." Then I could have sworn he winked at me, before heading back, calling "It's alright, Mr Hockley, I've found her!"
I found the whole affair quite amusing as I wondered over to them, insisting to them that I had been by the sun loungers the whole time, despite their insistence that they had walked by the loungers no less than three times, and not seen me.