"Miss? Are you alright?"
I jumped out of my own little world and looked up to see who was talking to me. God, it was that creepy young man – what was his name? Something Junior...Bruce Junior, that's it! I nodded furiously.
"I am fine, thank you."
"Would you like me to sit with you?"
I shuddered inside. "No, thank you. I just want to watch the sea."
He smiled and sat down beside me anyway. "A beautiful lady such as yourself should not be sitting alone on deck."
I rolled my eyes, then fixed my gaze on the horizon. Please make him leave – I don't want to sit here with this man. Where is Will when I need him?
"It is Miss Banks, is it not?"
I nodded, never shifting my gaze. He continued.
"You know, Miss Banks, you are a beautiful woman."
"You said that, Mr Ismay."
"Please, call me Bruce. My father is 'Mr Ismay'."
I didn't respond.
"Would you care for me to escort you to dinner, Miss Banks?"
"No, thank you."
"Surely you don't wish to eat alone!"
I shot a look at him. "I shall be eating with my fiancé, Mr Ismay."
He looked confused. "Your fiancé, Miss Banks? Who -"
"Chief Officer Murdoch, Mr Ismay."
Bruce looked down at the floor, then back up at me. Why was he being so persistent? All I wanted was to wait for Will, I didn't want another man's company.
"Well, I will be waiting, Miss Banks. I have known many officers through my father, and not one has been worth the time of day."
He was smirking. I could hardly take this. Thankfully he was interrupted at this point.
"Miss Banks, what on earth are you doing out here?"
I looked up to my left to see Lightoller standing there. Lights. Thank God.
"Will asked me to wait here until he stopped to eat."
Lights tilted his head, looking at Bruce.
"Are you not supposed to be shadowing your father, sir?"
"Mr Lightoller, please do not presume to tell me what I should be doing. I saw Miss Banks sitting here alone and felt I should provide her with some company."
I turned to him. "I do not require any company, thank you."
He scowled, before standing, raising his hat to me and walking away. Lights watched him leaving, then looked back at me.
"I would keep an eye on that man if I were you, Miss. I have heard on the grapevine that he is not to be trusted."
"Thank you, Mr Lightoller."
"No, please Miss – call me Lights."
He sounded so sincere, I laughed.
"I'm not one for nicknames, but I will do my best to remember. Lights."
"Will should be along soon. He was just checking that the ship is turning as it should. The joys of being a senior officer on a new ship! We will be stopping for lunch before too long."
He smiled and continued on his way. I sighed, continuing to stare out across the sea. It wasn't too horrible a day, but it could be warmer. I huddled down, trying to keep myself warm in the sea breeze. Suddenly my view was blocked by someone's hands.
"Guess who!"
I giggled. "I couldn't possibly guess!"
Will removed his hands and leant over the back of the chair to kiss my nose. He then hurried around to the front, took both my hands and pulled me to my feet.
"Lunch, lovvie?"
I smiled up at him, perfectly content again, my arm linked in his. I nodded happily, and we walked down the deck towards the mess hall.
