We sat in the mess hall for about an hour, laughing and talking – and, of course, eating. Will kept me by his side the whole time, checking every few minutes that I was still alright. I felt almost embarrassed by my behaviour earlier – I knew Will worries about me when I get upset. God knows he's seen enough of that side of me since we met. Every time I was left alone in an unfamiliar place it was the same – even when he brought me to his home to meet his parents. I had slept in his room while he slept in the kitchen. In the morning, I got up and realised the house was empty. I didn't know where they had all gone. I became hysterical, I ran out into the street sobbing and hyperventilating, only to meet Will on his way back to the house. He had only gone out for half an hour, to pick me some flowers as a surprise. I had felt absolutely terrible, but he had shrugged it off. God, why did Will put up with me and these awful outbursts?
"You alright there, lovvie?"
I nodded, smiling at him, before taking a sip of water. My attention was drawn to the conversation the officers were having – they all seemed so close, almost like brothers. I had finally started to get their names straight. Obviously there was Lights, I knew him. The second officer was Davy Blair, who had spent most of his time teasing Lights about his new position as first officer. Then there were two others, the third and fourth officers – I knew they were referred to as Joe and Bert, but couldn't quite work out which was which. Then the officer with a hint of a Welsh accent, Harry Lowe, and finally Jim Moody, the sixth officer who really looked too young to be there.
Davy Blair was, at that moment, telling stories about Lights to the junior officers – but even the ones who had worked with him before didn't believe them.
"Honestly, Harry – he hoisted their flag, lit a cannon and watched as the people started to panic! Mass hysteria, I tell you!"
Lowe looked incredibly doubtful. "Hardly. I'm no fool, Davy – if he had done anything like that he wouldn't be here now!"
"He would Harry, and I'll tell you why. It is the moral of this story, in fact – he refused to tell his superiors who else was involved, and they let him off lightly."
"Lightly, my foot." Lights muttered.
Lowe still looked skeptical. "No, I don't buy this. No one can set off a cannon and be let off lightly!"
Moody was staring at Lights in awe. "Lights, I had no idea you had pulled anything like that! All the time we were on Oceanic and you didn't once mention this!"
Lights sniggered. "I was warned not to encourage any fellow officers to go down the same route. Apparently telling is the same as encouraging."
"Lights, as your superior officer, I must order you to stop encouraging the junior officers to behave in that way!" Will interrupted suddenly.
Lights looked at him and rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Will, no one is really idiotic enough to see that as encouragement? It's not like the White Star Line officials know what they're talking about anyway -"
"It's not, Mr Lightoller?"
Lights froze, an expression of horror slowly spreading across his face. He slowly turned to see Mr Ismay, Captain Smith and Mr Andrews behind him. He quickly jumped to his feet, standing stiffly to attention.
"I apologise, sir, I was just explaining to the officers how not to behave. I most certainly did not mean what you heard, sir, it was all part of the demonstration."
Mr Ismay looked incredibly skeptical, but obviously decided at that moment to not chase it up. Lights was obviously determined to make up as many excuses as possible. Mr Andrews was obviously trying his best not to laugh, while the captain just looked embarrassed. Mr Ismay responded after about thirty seconds.
"Very well then, Mr Lightoller. Just don't forget who it is who pays your wages."
Lights nodded sharply, and continued to stand until the three men disappeared outside. As soon as Lights turned to sit again, the table erupted with laughter.
"If only you could have seen your face, Lights! Absolutely priceless!"
Lights scowled at them. "Thank you so much for warning me that he was here."
"I tried to warn you," Will said between laughter. "But you carried on worse than before!"
Another round of laughter started at this, as Lights shook his head sadly.
"To think I'm stuck in here with you lot for God knows how long!"
Will pushed his plate to the side and stood up.
"Come on, chaps, we have work to do!" He looked down at me. "Will you be alright here, lovvie? Or do you want to go to your room?"
"I – I think I'll be fine."
He looked concerned, obviously realising I wouldn't be fine.
"I tell you what, lovvie – we will find Mr Andrews, and if he's not busy he might give you a tour of this ship!"
"No, Will, really – I don't want to keep you from your work."
"And you won't be. He was here a moment ago, so he can't have gone too far away."
He took my hand, put his hat on his head and set off at a run – which I hadn't been expecting. Davy whistled.
"No time for that lark, Will!"
As we ran, I began to laugh, remembering the last time Will had done this – we had been walking in the hills near his home, when suddenly he grabbed my hand and started running downhill. It had resulted in both of us falling, tumbling down the hill in eachother's arms. That wouldn't be happening now though, I thought, as we reached the bridge. Will pulled to a halt, before walking into the wheel house just like any officer. While we were on this ship, I wouldn't be coming first – the thought hit home again.
"Ah, Mr Andrews." Will stood smartly in front of the shipbuilder, my arm linked in his. "I was just wondering if you would have any spare time this afternoon?"
Andrews shook his head, "Regretfully not. I have to keep a close eye on the ship's performance this afternoon – make sure she's ready, you know."
"Oh. Yes. How could I forget that?"
Will looked down at me, about to apologise, but Andrews interjected.
"Was there something you needed me for, Mr Murdoch?"
"No, no, sir. Sorry. No, it's just that Ada is feeling a bit isolated today and I suggested she might like a tour of the ship. It slipped my mind that you had to keep an eye on it..."
"Well – Mr Ismay's son is free this afternoon, if you were interested, Miss Banks?"
My eyes widened, "Oh no, thank you, Mr Andrews. I think I will just go back to my room."
Will and I walked back outside. He looked so concerned about me, I felt incredibly guilty – I was the cause of so much worry for him.
"Are you sure you're happy going back to your room, lovvie?"
I nodded firmly. "It's a bit cold out here on deck – I could just read or something. Really, Will, I will be fine." I looked up at him sincerely. "But when will you be off again?"
"I'm not too sure, lovvie, it depends. Might be all afternoon, for all I know. Either way," he stopped walking and turned to face me. "I will be going straight to your room when I finish, so please don't worry about a thing. Just read, sleep or – you could write to your sister, she's sure to want to know what you're doing today! Or," he put his arm across my shoulder, pulling me close as we started to walk again. "Or you could run yourself a nice hot bath. You should find all the soap and everything you need in your room."
I giggled, and we walked the rest of the way to my room in silence. When we reached it, he opened the door before pulling me inside. He kissed my nose, then moved down to my mouth. The passion between us intensified, but he pulled away quickly. He stared into my eyes sadly.
"I'm sorry, lovvie. I have to get to the bridge."
He kissed my nose again and left me alone, wishing we were back in Scotland together.
