After a while, and after quite a few indignant remarks from other passengers, we were called up on deck. The freezing air hit me as soon as I followed Molly out the door – this coat really wasn't enough to keep the cold out. I gazed around, feeling incredibly dazed and confused. There were so many people on the deck, and a strange loud noise which overpowered everything else. I looked around trying to find the source, and soon set my eyes on the funnels – why were they making so much noise? I wrinkled my forehead slightly, then looked over as someone tried to get the attention of the passengers. Lights. He looked stressed – a lot more so than usual.
I could see his mouth moving but couldn't hear a word. The funnels were making too much noise. However, their timing was excellent – they stopped then, leaving an odd silence hanging over the ship. I could hear Lights now.
"...I'll only be needing women and children."
What? No – I had to find Will before I was bundled into a lifeboat. There would be plenty of time and I only needed him to reassure me that it would be fine.
"Molly, have you seen Will?"
"Can't say that I have, darlin'. Why don't you ask that officer?" She gestured towards Lights.
I pushed past a couple of women towards Lights.
"Lights, have you seen Will?"
He looked flustered. "He's over the other side, I believe," he replied quickly.
I turned to walk away but he suddenly grabbed my arm. "Ada...I'm so, so sorry for what happened."
"Don't be silly, Lights. It wasn't your fault," I smiled at him, and he turned back to continue loading the women into the boats.
I asked Molly to wait for me, then hurried over to the other side of the deck. There were so many people and I couldn't see him. I could feel my panic rising, when I felt someone grab my shoulder.
"Ada! Thank God, I was looking for you!"
I turned to see Will. I breathed a sigh of relief and almost threw myself into his arms.
"Will! What's going on?"
He bit his lip before replying. "Nothing much, Ada. We had a bit of an accident earlier. An iceberg. But a rescue ship is on its way!"
I frowned. "Rescue ship? Titanic's unsinkable!"
"It's just a precaution, Aid. But I want you to get into a lifeboat as soon as possible. And take this -" He pushed a letter into my hand. "Don't read it straight away."
"But Will -"
"No, go on, Aid. Go with Molly, if she's still here. I need to keep loading these boats, but I promise you I will see you later. I give you my word."
His hands were shaking – from the cold or from fear? I couldn't decide. Still, he leant forward and kissed my nose gently.
"I love you, Will," I said softly, nuzzling my face into his shoulder.
He looked down at me and smiled. "You'll be freezing like that, Aid. Take my coat."
"No, Will. You need it more than me!"
"I have another in my cabin!" He pulled the greatcoat off and wrapped it around my shoulders. "See? You look as beautiful as you did when you wore it in Southampton!"
He kissed my nose again, then turned to herd some passengers into a lifeboat.
I returned to Molly, who had since been joined by the DeWitt-Bukaters. Typical. That Rose girl looked depressed – more so than usual, although I didn't take too much notice. The band had reassembled outside, and everyone seemed fairly normal. There was nothing to worry about.
Lights helped me into the boat, then Molly followed. Ruth DeWitt-Bukater next – but Rose just stood on deck.
"Get into the boat, Rose!"
"Goodbye, mother!"
She turned and walked away. Mr Hockley frowned and ran after her – he was too late anyhow. Our boat was now being lowered, despite Ruth's cries for Rose.
