I was glad that Ann and Freddie were not there when I got to the room; I just wanted to be by myself for a while. I let the tears come, though I was not sure exactly what I was crying for. Was it the fact that I had nowhere to go after the Titanic docked? Or was it more that the friendship I had built up with Cal obviously meant nothing to him. I thought the second was more likely.

As I lay on my bed, Jack Dawson wandered into my thoughts. I longed to go and see him again that night, but thought it probably not wise; Mr Lovejoy would already be displeased with me for walking out on our tour. The thought that I would not be seeing Jack only made me feel sadder, and buried my head back down into the pillow.

My stomach told me it was nearly lunchtime, but I was in no mood to go and fetch Cal and Mr Lovejoy from their room. I thought, probably, that they would head straight there from the tour, so remained where I was. I longed to go and fetch myself some luncheon, but found I didn't have the strength, and my stomach continued to rumble, as time ticked on.

I don't know how long I lay there, and I think I must have fallen asleep at some point, because when I next woke, sunlight was no longer streaming through the window, and the clock told me that it was nearly four o' clock. My first thought was that I had done no chores, and was sure to get it in the neck from Mr Lovejoy. But then the morning's events came tumbling back into my head, and I felt almost sick. I flung myself back down on the bed, face down.

Then, Ann came bursting through the door, with Freddie in her arms.

"Oh, Miss Scarlett!" she exclaimed "Are you alright? Everyone has been so worried!"

"I...what?"

"Well, no one knew where you were, I asked Mr Lovejoy, but he said you vanished during the tour! I have been trying to find you all afternoon!"

"I..." I was perplexed as to why Ann had not tried the room as the first place to look for me, and was going to ask her, when she started again.

"Oh, and Mr Hockley! Gosh wasn't he worried! He said to me, he said, "Find her", and I said, "Right away sir" only, I couldn't find you!"

"But Ann" I managed to get in, eventually, "Why did you not try the room first of all? Surely that would have been most obvious, and I have been here all afternoon. I...I had a headache"

It seemed like a blasé excuse, but Ann seemed to take it in anyway. Her face was a picture of confusion, and, had it not been for the circumstances, I would have laughed out loud at her.

"The room?" she said, bewildered "You mean to say, that you have been in this room the whole time? Why! I thought this would be a much too obvious place to be!"

I smiled at her, as she got herself all flustered. I reached down to Freddie, who was clinging to my legs.

"You won't say to Mr Hockley that you were in the room the whole time, will you? I should never live it down!" said Ann

"What?" I said, only half listening, playing with Freddie's soft hair.

"Mr Hockley requested your presence as soon as I had found you. You must go at once to his room!"

"What?!?" I said, fully aware of what was being said now "Right now? No. I shan't go." I was in no mood to converse with Cal.

"Oh, but Scarlett, you must! It will be on my head if you do not go!" I looked at Ann, her eyes pleading me to go. I guessed she was right; I would go for her sake.

"Fine." I said, getting up to leave.

"I should like to go with you Miss, to take you there myself"

"Ann" I said, sighing, "It is only across the hall, I'm sure I can find my way; I do not need an escort"

I made for the door, but Ann pulled on my arm.

"Please, Scarlett, Mr Hockley, he said for me to bring you to him. I simply must, otherwise I fear for my well being!"

At this point, I thought Ann was being a tad over-dramatic, but decided not to push the matter, remembering her tales of Cal, previous to when I knew him. And she was right to be suspicious of me, for I had considered sneaking off to find Jack, instead of seeing Cal.

"Very well" I said "Let's be quick then"

We crossed the corridor, where Ann knocked and went in, I followed her. In the room, Cal was pacing up and down. He stopped when we entered.

"Scarlett!" he said

"Here she is, Mr Hockley, all well and safe" said Ann. I hated being presented in such as way; like a lost child being given back to her guardian. Cal did not own me.

"Yes, thank you" said Cal, waving Ann away, and she slipped from the room, leaving me and Cal alone.

Cal was looking at me, for I could feel his stare, but I was pointedly looking blankly at the wall behind him, purposefully not looking back at him. There was silence for what seemed like hours, but, in fact, was only a few minutes, before Cal spoke.

" I do hope you are not going to make running away and going missing one of your many talents, Scarlett" he said. I was determined not to be indimidated.

"Well," I said "I do not expect to be bothering you with my, and I quote, many talents, for much longer, Mr Hockley" I was pointedly off hand.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, seeing as I won't be here much longer. I expect my running away and going missing shall be no one's but my own business." I looked at Cal now, for the first time, a cold, hard stare. He quickly looked away, I expect he hadn't realised I had heard his words on the deck.

"Scarlett" he began. I folded my arms. "I am so sorry. I would never have said those things, had I known you could hear"

I frowned at him "And that makes me feel better how, exactly?"

"I know. Sorry. I just meant, you know. Sorry"

I was shocked. It appeared that Cal, Cal Hockley was actually tongue tied for once. He tried again.

"Would it make you feel better if I told you that I didn't mean what I said to the Lady Horsaw?"

I looked at him "What?" I asked "You mean..."

"Yes." He said "Of course I wish you to continue working me and Mr Lovejoy once the Titanic has docked."

"Then why..." I started.

Cal sat down and gestured for me to do the same. I sat; in as gracious way I could, which turned out to be not very.

"For reasons I do not feel appropriate to explain right now, the great Lady Horsaw has developed a particular dislike to you"

I took this in, true I did not like the women, but it was still not nice to be told that someone had a dislike for you.

"I assume you have heard that Lady Horsaw asked for my partnership, for when we arrive in New York. A request that I had to refuse, for personal reasons."

I nodded, deciding it would be best not to mention that I already knew this, thanks to Archibald Gracie.

"However, I do not wish to lose her as an acquaintance, as it is true she has great wealth. Therefore, sometimes, I have to make sure I am kept on the right side of her, if you know what I mean"

I nodded, I knew. Mother had a friend just like that, had to tread carefully around her, always telling her the things you knew she wanted to hear.

"I therefore hope you can forgive my sayings earlier. Please know that I would never say anything to upset you, despite what others may tell you"

"Of course, Sir. And, forgive me for running off like that earlier, I expect it put you in a difficult position"

Cal smiled, "Not at all"

There was silence for a moment, before I decided I had been there long enough, and said

"I should be going now, things to do..." I got up, and Cal saw me to the door.

"Will you be fetching us for dinner?" he asked

"I expect so" I said, grinning at him, all previous hatred for the man evaporating by the second.

He smiled back, and I went back into my room.