Chapter 27
Jock
Somewhere in the Atlantic
April 14, 1912

"You really won't tell Stepma?"

Jock could only smirk at the sight of Callen seated in the large, plush armchairs of first class, dressed in his best attire with a cigar perched between his fingers. The boy looked greener and greener each time he took a drag, making Jock nearly choke on his laughter. Callen had sat patiently during the band's entire performance during first class dinner, but as soon as their playing had concluded, he had begged Jock to let him stay with the other orchestra members rather than be sent to bed. Teddy had been the one to suggest going to the first class smoking room with Callen. Wallace and John had joined them, although Wallace made it clear he did not approve of this young lad joining them.

"Just as long as you don't make yourself sick like you did last night," Jock said as Callen took a small sip of brandy. The lad did his best to pretend, but he couldn't hold his alcohol for the life of him.

Callen nodded. "She sure gave me an earful today after church."

"And rightfully so," Teddy said, leaning towards him from his chair. "Part of being a man is knowing your limits and not to worry the women."

Callen scoffed at this. "My stepma worries no matter what I do."

"That's just Nellie being Nellie," Jock said. "You should know better than anyone that she's very protective of the people she loves."

Wallace, John, and Teddy began to immerse themselves in their own conversation, understanding this was a private topic. Callen moved his chair so he was sitting closer to Jock, coughing as he took another drag of his cigar.

"Am I a bad person?" he asked.

Jock nearly choked on his own brandy. "Why on earth do you say that?"

Callen shrugged, running his finger around the rim of his glass. "Because you said Stepma loves me. But… I'm not so sure I love her."

"Ah, don't worry about that so much," Jock said. "Do you at least like her?"

A small smile crossed the boy's face. "I suppose I do. She worries a lot and can be strict, but yes. She's only ever been kind to me since she married my da. I never knew me own mother."

"It's because Nellie understands what it's like to lose your mother only for another woman to come into your life," Jock said, putting his hand on top of Callen's. "And please remember how lucky you are that your stepmother is Nellie. Our stepmother is cruel and has never made any effort to love her stepchildren."

"Is it true you're going to marry Mary when we get back to Dumfries?" Callen said, abruptly changing the subject. "Will you move away?"

"I'd like to leave," Jock said, taking a final drag of his own cigar before putting it out. "I've always fancied moving closer to London to see if I stand a chance to play for the symphony orchestra. But I know Mary doesn't want to leave her family behind, so we'll probably stay."

Jock hadn't mentioned the baby to anyone, knowing full well that he couldn't bear the rumors and gossip if anyone found out Mary was expecting before they were married. He would tell everyone after the wedding, which could hopefully happen as soon as this voyage was over. He had been handfasting with Mary long enough that it was time to begin thinking of Mary as his wife rather than this girl he came home to.

"Well, I hope you don't leave," Callen said. "Or if you do, you should let me come with you."

Jock chuckled and slapped him on the back. "Let's not try and dwell on what may or may not happen. Now, why don't you finish your brandy and we'll play a game of cards."

As he said this, everyone's glasses on the nearby table began to shake, the crystal glasses clinking against the wooden tabletops. Although everyone else in the room kept talking, the four musicians and Callen fell silent.

"What was that?" John asked.

Wallace stood up, going to the nearby window. "My God," he said, barely audible. "I think I know what happened."

Just as he said this, something strange passed by the window. Jock nearly pushed Wallace out of the way to get a better look. There was a giant, looming mass sitting on the calm sea, jutting out in strange directions and glimmering in the moonlight.

"An iceberg."

Jock looked away from the window, looking at John, Teddy, and Callen who were still sitting, looking at him with worried expressions.

"A near miss, I'd say," a first class passenger said, making the men around him laugh as he lit a cigar. Wallace shook his head at the man's comment before going back over to where they had been sitting. "I'd rather go up on deck and have a look myself to make sure everything's alright," he said. John, Teddy, and Callen immediately put down their drinks and cigars and all five men went out to the deck.

On the starboard side of the ship lay large pieces of ice across the wooden decks, several of which many young boys were kicking around in a game of football. Jock grabbed Callen by the back of his shirt to stop him from joining in. They could hear concerned voices from the bridge. As they looked up, they could see several officers and crewmen hurriedly moving about.

"I don't think this was a near miss," John said, his mustache in a deep scowl.

"We better go tell Nellie what happened," Jock said to Callen. The panic from the ship's bridge was putting him on edge and he'd feel better if Nellie and Leana were aware of what happened.

He turned to Wallace. "If you find out anything new, please let us know. I'll be in my room."

As they raced back to second class, Jock's thoughts went to Violet. Was she aware of what happened?