AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER AND A MEMORY TO FORGET
Chapter Two
The ride to the dock was fairly
uneventful and passed rather quickly. Shannon asked what seemed like an endless
line of questions. She asked about the ship, the people, the lifestyle, where
they were going to live once they got to New York. My father, being patient as
I am, took the time during the twenty minute drive to the docks to answer as
many of my little sister’s questions as possible. Evidently his talking did her
some good. I saw trust and admiration in her sweet blue eyes once Father got
finished.
I looked out my window and began
to daydream. I imagined how grand the ship was going to be. How wonderful the
food was going to taste. How impressionable I was going to be and how I’d make
Father proud. I imagined he’d know plenty of people on the ship and perhaps
would introduce me to some dashing young man whom Father would approve of. We’d
make our debut into society together and after the proper amount of courting
time, we’d announce our engagement.
"We’re here." Father’s
booming yet steady voice interrupted my dreams. As Franklin ran around the side
of our car to let us out, I got my first glimpse at the "Unsinkable"
Titanic as it was called. She was a wonderful vessel. She was luxurious just by
looking on the outside.
"Over here Mr. Metcalfe and
girls. First class is right this way." A ship’s officer had already
recognized my father and had lead us to the private entrance that the first
class would use. He was a sweet young man, with a very thick accent. I would
guess that he was from Wales or Liverpool, judging by his accent. As I walked
past him, the young man caught my eye. We locked gazes for only a moment before
I could feel my cheeks burning. In bashfulness, I hid my face beneath my hat.
"Officer Lowe. There you
are. Captain Smith said you’d meet us, but I didn’t realize it’d be on the
docks." My father seemed a bit surprised that this officer met us like he
did.
"Sir, I do apologize if I
created any inconveniences, but I was requested on the docks by a fellow
officer who was having problems concerning steerage. We straightened that out
and I saw your cars pull up and merely wanted to help."
"No problem, Mr. Lowe. I
appreciate your kindness." With that, my father seemed pleased and went to
talk to Franklin and my sister.
"You are more beautiful than
your father has ever said. His words do not do you near enough justice." I
looked up again to see Mr. Lowe talking to me and only me. I began to feel weak
kneed and at the same time, somewhat giddy inside.
"Thank you, Officer Lowe. My
father adores us all and I am surprised he hasn’t made you want to jump ship
when he talks about Shannon and myself constantly."
"Nonsense Miss Metcalfe. And
the name’s Harold if you don’t mind." He held out his hand as he spoke. I
gently lifted mine and he so sweetly kissed it. I blushed again. What was wrong
with me I thought to myself.
Shannon, seeing what was going
on. "My sister’s red! She must like you." I spun around and shot my
sister a look. With she being as young as she was, she didn’t understand. My
face was so red, it wasn’t even funny. Harold took it in stride. He turned to
my sister, "Your sister is a fine young lady. She will make a wonderful
wife to some very lucky man."
"That’s why were here. Daddy
is trying to find her a man." This just was not going to be my day as long
as my sister was talking to Harold.
Harold began to flush slightly at
this point in time as well. "I’m sure whatever happens, will work out for
the best." He turned to me. "Now Miss Metcalfe, if I may, would you
care for an escort to your suites?"
He held out his arm and how was I
to refuse. "Thank you Officer Lowe. I would very much appreciate it.
Please let me check with my assistant, Belinda, if she needs anything."
Harold nodded and excused himself while I went to find Belinda. I didn’t have
to look far. She had overheard most of my sister’s embarrassing conversation.
"He’s a quite handsome
fellow. I’d say go," she said with a smile.
"But Belinda, what will
Father think?"
"He’d say go. He’s the one
who told that fine young officer to escort you."
"But what about
Shannon?"
"Melissa and your father
have her handled, now go!" She swatted me on my backside playfully and
gave me a gentle shove in Mr. Lowe’s direction. Smiling, I thanked her and
walked off to join Mr. Lowe.
I spotted him and maneuvered
through the thick crowd to him. He was talking White Star Line business with my
father. I turned to walk away, fearing that I would interrupt.
"Victoria. There you are. As
you know, I have arranged for Officer Lowe to escort you to your suite. Melissa
and Franklin are going to take care of your sister and Belinda. Please go with
Mr. Lowe and I will see you when the ship gets ready to set sail. I must
discuss further with Captain Smith some White Star Line Business." With
that, Father kissed my cheek, and walked off.
"Looks like it’s just you
and me, Miss Metcalfe." With that, Harold held out his hand and escorted
me inside the ship. I could hear Shannon chattering behind me to Melissa and
Harold laughed.
"I take it your sister has
never sailed before?" he asked.
"No, she has not. I sailed
once many years ago with my parents when I was quite young, but it was well
before my sister was born."
"I told you, the name’s
Harold, if you don’t mind." With that, he gave me again one of his now
famous melt your heart and make you weak in the knees smiles.
"Okay then, Harold." I
said as we finished walking up the entrance ramp to the First Class entrance.
"And just who is this
beautiful woman you have the pleasure of escorting?" another officer asked
as we entered the ship.
"Miss Metcalfe, I would like
you to meet Officer Charles Lightoller, one of the senior officers onboard
Titanic. He’ll be most helpful if you have any questions. But do realize, I am
far more knowledgeable than he ever will be. He just fakes it well."
Officer Lightoller laughed to himself at the joke. "I just let Officer
Lowe think that. If he does, he will not try as hard to beat me at cards as he
does." I smiled at both of them for being able to jest with each other the
way they were able to.
"Very pleased to meet you
Officer." I held out my hand and again, a very gentle kiss from Officer
Lightoller.
"Her sister and assistants
are behind us. Please see that they board properly too." Harold said as he
pointed over his shoulder with his free hand.
Officer Lightoller nodded and we
were officially inside the Titanic. A small gasp escaped my lips. I was
mesmerized by the luxury the ship had inside. The dark wood and the plush
carpets were all around. Harold, watching my every move, asked me if I was impressed.
"More along the lines of
being overwhelmed. I have never seen anything quite as impressive. The sheer
beauty and luxury offered by the Titanic will never be matched."
Harold looked at me and said
"The ship can not hold a candle to the company I am in right now." I
blushed and he continued, "This is just the entrance and hallway. Imagine
what it’s going to be like once we get inside your state rooms. They are right
around this corner."
When we arrived at our state
rooms, with Harold’s arm still intertwined inside mine, I turned to find my
sister and assistants. They were about ten feet behind me. My sister was too
excited to be onboard to take in the beauty of everything. Harold walked me
inside my room and we stood aside of the rich mahogany door as Franklin,
Belinda and Melissa came inside. Melissa was in the same awe as I was.
"Miss Metcalfe, I am needed
on deck for preparations for the sailing of the ship. I should hope that I will
see you on board in the near future." Harold smiled that winning smile
again and again I got butterflies inside me. I sighed. I don’t know why, but I
did. I was interrupted by Shannon running around like a banshee. "Tory,
Tory, Tory! Can you believe it? We’re here, we’re actually here."
Harold looked at me and asked,
"Tory?"
This time it was my turn to flash
an award winning smile. "Shannon was young and couldn’t pronounce
Victoria, so Father taught her to say Tory instead. The name stuck." I
remembered the memories of those days and looked at Harold remembering he had
to leave.
"Harold, I apologize for
holding you up. I know you are needed. I will most definitely look forward to
us meeting again." He kept smiling, took my hand in his, kissed my hand
and bid us a fond farewell.