Although I feared that Davy would still be in a rage over Wilde, I felt obliged to accompany Will and the other officers who wanted to say goodbye. Lights seemed to be extremely cut up about it – Will pointed out to me that Lights and Davy had been good friends for years. I thought I caught a hint of jealousy in Will's voice, but somehow I just knew he wouldn't be petty enough to complain about their friendship at a time like this.

As it turned out, Davy seemed to have calmed down a bit by the time we all went to see him off. In fact, he seemed more cheerful than anything else.

"It don't bother me, chaps," he stated confidently. "I'll be getting a long rest while you're all working overtime getting this ship to New York early."

There was a murmur of approval at this comment.

"Want an exchange with me?" Jim asked brightly. "You make the tea while I swan around Southampton for a week or so?"

"No thanks, Jim! My days of making tea are long over – which is a blessing in itself." Davy sighed as he pulled his greatcoat on. "I would love to join you, I really would, but captains orders!"

"What? You're just going to go along with this without a fight?" Lights demanded.

"Lights, I do as my employer dictates. Besides, I believe I have managed to get my own back on those stuffed shirts of the grand White Star Line."

Will suddenly looked alarmed. "What did you do?"

"Nothing which will harm the reputation of the company, I can assure you of that, Willie-boy. Now, if you don't mind I would like a little space to gather my belongings."

"See you, Davy." Harry Lowe mumbled. The others repeated this, clapping him on the back. Will took my hand as we started to leave.

"Wait – Ada. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course." I looked up at Will. "Meet you outside?"

He nodded and kissed me on the nose, before waving his hand in a gesture of farewell to Davy. He closed the door behind him and I turned to David Blair in expectation.

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

He was silent, and walked over to the window, gazing out at the open sea.

"Davy?"

"I'm sorry, Ada. This...I...you'll think me a fool for wanting to speak to you, of all people, about this."

"What?"

He turned to look at me.

"You're a woman, so it's easier for me to talk to you about this than the officers."

He was silent again, then exhaled deeply and spoke again.

"It meant a lot to me that I was chosen to serve on Titanic's maiden voyage. I have looked forward to this for months. Months! Only to have it taken away from me at the last minute!"

I watched his face crumple slightly. I felt awful – he hadn't done anything to deserve this. He breathed in deeply again before continuing.

"It just isn't fair."

I thought he was going to continue, but he didn't. He just stared blankly across the room. I felt awkward, still standing there, but then he looked at me, before gesturing for me to come closer. I shuffled across the room uneasily – I didn't know him particularly well. As far as I was concerned, he was another of Will's colleagues, one I didn't feel particularly drawn to.

I stood beside him, but he didn't speak. He just kept staring at the wall. Suddenly his shoulders shuddered and he choked something back. I impulsively put my arms around him to comfort him as he let out a shaky breath. I knew what he really wanted to do – to let it out, let everything out. But he couldn't. Not while he was still on the ship.

"There'll be other maiden voyages, Davy. What about the other Olympic class ship?"

"Who knows where I'll be by then, Ada? Who knows where any of us will be? It might never happen at all!"

"What about when Mr Wilde goes back to the Olympic?" I was clutching at straws.

"When the maiden voyage is over? After the other chaps have been praised for their work? Yes, I want to be on a ship which no one is interested in."

That was when he pulled away. I thought at first that he had turned on me, especially from the tone of voice he had just used. With one look at his saddened eyes, however, I could see he was grateful that I was there, however useless my attempts at comforting him were. I smiled at him.

"At least if there are any problems you won't be held accountable for them, Davy."

"True. There's one blessing." He paused. "Ada...thank you for listening. I mean it – I just needed to talk to someone who wouldn't make light of it."

"You're welcome, Davy. And if there's ever anything else..."

He shook my hand gratefully, before kissing my cheek. He opened the door, taking a deep breath.

"You can tell your fiancé I've had enough of his coffee and all!"

Will was standing outside, smoking. He looked at Davy in surprise.

"You told me you liked my coffee!"

"I had to, Willie, I had to. Jim and Harry refused to make it and the others had more sense."

Will looked hurt, but Davy laughed loudly and clapped him on the back.

"I'm only joking, Willie! When you get back to Southampton I'll be wanting your coffee again, have no fear!" He suddenly paused. "When's the wedding, if you don't mind my asking?"

Will and I exchanged looks, laughing. Will spoke.

"We haven't set a date yet. But, lovvie," he turned to me. "As soon as we get to New York, we will discuss it. I suppose we'll have to arrange the ceremony around the officers?"

"Of course!" Davy grinned. "And I expect an invitation to arrive shortly!"

He picked up his bag from the doorway and put his hat on his head. Will shook his hand before he turned to leave.

"Aren't you going to sing?" Davy asked, amused.

"Sing? What the hell?" Will was grinning.

Davy laughed again, and we followed him until he reached the gangway. The other officers were waiting there already, including Henry Wilde – although he stood apart from the others until Will stood by his side.

Davy shook each hand in turn, pausing at Wilde. A tension developed in those seconds, but Davy then took his hand.

"No 'ard feelings, Henry?"

Wilde's face broke into a grateful smile. "Thank you, David. I hope we get to work together next time."

Davy grinned at him, then looked around at the others. Lights was scowling at Wilde, but stopped when he realised all eyes were on him.

"I'll be seeing you all, lads! Drinks on me when you get back!" Davy drew all the attention back to himself with a cheerful promise.

"We'll be holding you to that promise, Davy!" Jim grinned.

"Not you, Jimbo. You're far too young."

Jim's face fell, "I am not!"

"Davy, Davy – he needs to drink to become real men like the rest of us!" Will grinned, clapping Jim on the back.

"Very well then. Jim, when you get back, Willie and I will see to it that you become a real man. Unlike Harry."

"Don't criticise Harry's attitude to the golden liquid, Davy!" Joe Boxhall laughed.

"I apologise, Harry. You will have water. On me."

"I bid thee all adieu, until we meet again and all that." He started shaking everyone's hands again. "Henry, Willie, Lights, Joe, Bert, Harry, Jim...Ada."

He turned and walked away, not looking back for even a second. I heard the officers mumbling amongst themselves about how impressive it was that Davy didn't seem to mind being pushed out – I smiled inwardly. I knew the truth. Davy was extremely cut up about it, but didn't want them knowing that the maiden voyage of Titanic meant so much to him.