SHIP OF DREAMS
Chapter Eighteen
It was the second of May. England
was a dark line on the horizon, steadily growing thicker and more pronounced.
Anne, Megan, and Will stood at the bow, staring ahead with hope.
"Mama." Will tugged at
Anne’s skirts. "Mama, up."
Anne smiled gently. Will’s
decision to call her Mama sent shivers of glee down her spine every time she
heard it. She lovingly scooped the boy up into her arms so he could see better.
She rested her head on Will’s as he snuggled his face into her shoulder.
"You’re almost home, Megan."
Megan nodded. A lump in her
throat kept her from talking, and she knew if she opened her mouth, tears would
come, instead. She smiled. She was almost home. Home had never looked so
wonderful.
*****
"Won’t you come and meet my
family? You’re welcome to spend the night, or longer, if you wish. My family
won’t mind. You can’t make the journey to Dalbeattie any longer today, anyway.
It’s almost dinnertime." Megan shook her head. "Come on." She
hailed a cab. "We’ll go to my house."
"I don’t want to
impose." Anne shook her head and spoke softly as a cab pulled over.
"Nonsense." Megan
dismissed the phrase with a wave of her hand. She stepped up into the cab, then
helped Anne and Will up beside her.
Anne smiled uncertainly as Megan
gave the address to the driver. Soon, they were on their way to Megan’s home.
Suddenly, Anne was nervous. What if they didn’t like her? What if they wanted
nothing to do with her? What if they turned her away? What if they were angry
that he had died? Suddenly, Anne was aware that her thoughts had turned from
the Carters to the Murdochs.
*****
"Megan!" Two young
girls who looked almost identical but nothing like Megan catapulted out of
their chairs at the kitchen table and ran to embrace their older sister as she
walked into the house.
"Penny! Lydia!" Megan
laughed happily, completely relaxed. She knelt down to her sisters’ level.
"How have you been? I’ve missed you dearly!"
"Robbie received your
letter. He’s at work. He should be home soon, though," Penny announced, then
peered past Megan to Anne and Will. "Who are they?"
"Penny, this is my dear
friend, Anne Ste—Murdoch, and her son, Will," Megan explained.
"Where’s her husband?"
Lydia asked. "Did he die, like Daddy?"
"Lydia! Don’t be rude!"
Penny exclaimed.
"I just wanted to
know!" Lydia protested.
"All right, girls. It
appears nothing has changed since I last saw you a few weeks ago." Megan
shook her head with a smile.
"Nay, it hasn’t." An
older woman appeared behind the two younger girls. "Hello, Megan. You’ve
grown up since I last saw you."
"Mum!" Megan smiled,
and ran to embrace her mother. "I’ve missed you!"
"I’ve missed you, too. How
are you?" Mrs. Carter asked, then noticed their guests. "Oh, I’m
sorry. Megan, introduce your guests!"
"She already did, Mum,"
Lydia said.
"This is Anne Murdoch. She
was my dearest friend on the Titanic, and she helped me get back here. She’s
been the best friend I’ve ever had. This is Will Murdoch. She adopted him; he
was orphaned in the disaster," Megan explained.
"It’s a pleasure to meet
you, Mrs. Carter," Anne smiled.
"Oh, please. Call me
Mary." Mrs. Carter smiled. "Well, let’s not stand here in the
doorway! Dinner’s just about ready. You’ll stay the night, won’t you?
Good." Mrs. Carter nodded, without waiting for a reply.
"My, Mum, you’re certainly
healthier than when I left." Megan smiled.
"Yes, well, learning that
you were on your way home did me good." Mrs. Carter grinned, then turned
to finish preparing dinner.
*****
"She certainly seems
kind," Anne told Megan as they walked up the stairs.
"Oh, yes. I've missed her
so." Megan sighed with happiness. She led Anne and Will down the hallway
and into a room. "Sorry it's not larger. You and Will should have a larger
room. I'll put you in mine."
"No! Megan, please. Really,
this is fine." Anne smiled with a shake of her head. "You don't have
to give up your bed for us. This is your first night home! Will and I will be
fine. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Megan
smiled after a while. A brief silence hung in the air as the three looked
around the room. "Well. I'll let you get settled, and after dinner I'll
show you around the house." She tilted her head to the side for a moment,
listening. "I hear a male voice downstairs. Must be Robbie! Come, I'll
introduce you to my brother!"
*****
"Well, you've been quite a
friend to Meg, then." Robbie grinned at Anne from across the dinner table.
"I only did what anyone else
would have." Anne glanced down at her plate as a blush rose on her
collarbone.
Megan tutted. "Anne, I've
never met someone of your social standing as nice as you are."
"If you'll recall, I more or
less pretended to be of that particular social standing," Anne corrected.
"Either way, you've been a
great help to Megan, and we're very grateful that you're her friend and
ours." Mrs. Carter smiled kindly. She patted Will's head. "This
little boy is very fortunate to have met someone as kind as you who would adopt
him."
"I only did what any--"
Anne began.
"I don't know many people
who would randomly adopt a child, Anne," Megan interjected.
"So, what are your
plans?" Robbie asked, changing the subject slightly.
"Well, I'd like to go to
Dalbeattie and visit Will's family. I feel like I should talk to them and tell
them about his...bravery. After that...I don't know what I'll do." Anne
shrugged as she finally understood the uncertainty of her future.
"You're always welcome here,
dear." Mrs. Carter smiled. "You and little Will."
"Thank you, Mrs. Carter.
You're so kind to me." Anne nodded.
"Please. I only did what
anyone else would have." Mrs. Carter grinned, quoting Anne. "And,
didn't I ask you to call me Mary?"