Titanic Twelve Tales - A Short Story Anthology RMS Titanic by Lynda Dunwell

would you post this to my sister, I’ve put her name and address on it.”
    The lady looked up at him strangely. Then another younger woman, possibly her daughter, took the note and taking the older woman’s arm said, “Of course we will.”
    He watched them board the life-boat and waited until they were safely lowered away. “Good God!” he cried as the water began to cover the ship’s bow.
    More people flooded onto the Boat Deck, this time passengers from the lower decks, possibly second and third class men, women and children. People screamed, shouted, pistol shots rang out and panic-stricken the throng of people streamed to the stern of the ship. “The life-boats,” he heard a man cry, “ they’ve all gone!”
    In that moment he realised by sailing on Titanic’s maiden voyage he had been dealt a bad hand.

My Own Darling Ted Love Lizzie
     
    The Royal, Park Lane, Monday, April 8 th 1912
     
    My own darling Ted
     
    Although it is only a day since we parted, each hour seems like days. I have so wished you were here. Is there any chance that you’ll be able to come to Southampton to see us sail? In all the excitement I can’t remember if I told you that Mr. and Mrs Parker will take the boat train from Waterloo. I don’t suppose you could see me off? I know you can’t get away too easily, especially if Sir Andrew needs you.
    I’m still wearing your ring. I was so excited that I couldn’t take it off, even when I went to bed last night and dreamt of you, my darling. I shall think of you every time I look down at my hand. Mrs. P says she is delighted for me, but wonders where she will find another maid as good as me. I think it was her way of being kind. “I’m very pleased for you Lavell ,” she said, “but I do hope the wedding’s not too soon.”
    I did my best to persuade her we couldn’t wed until you had saved enough for your fare and joined us in Quebec. “So, your fiancé hopes to come to Canada, I am glad of it. And he’s a chauffeur?”
    “And a motor mechanic,” I said quickly, “Ted, I mean Mr. Barton, hopes to set himself up in business with his own garage.” Oh, Ted, you can’t imagine what pleasure it gives me to think about our life together. I love you, my darling and if I could have just one more glimpse of your handsome face before I leave on Wednesday, you will make the happiest woman in the world even happier, if that’s possible.
     
    Yours ever, Lizzie
     
     
    Southampton Boat Train, Wednesday, April 10 th 1912
     
    My own darling Ted
     
    Thank you, thank you...a thousand times thank you! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you standing on the platform. Of course, I’d looked around for you, just in the faint hope you could get away. And there you were!
    I wish I could have run to your arms, kissed you and told you how much you meant to me. But just to see you, waving at me, blowing me your kisses – I swear I caught every one of them. I am writing this brief note as we journey to the coast, so forgive my hand if my letters are a little shaky. I was so overcome when the train steamed out of Waterloo, I stuck my head out of the window until I couldn’t see you anymore.
    And now we are waiting to embark on the new ship. I have heard a lot about the Titanic. Mr. and Mrs Parker have talked of little else, although I’m sure she can’t be much different from the Olympic , as they are supposed to be sister ships. We had a very comfortable crossing on her when we came over despite it being the middle of February. Now the spring has arrived, I’m hoping we shall enjoy good weather and calm seas for our crossing.
    Sorry, must go, they are calling for us to embark. I’ll write from the ship.
     
    All my love always, Lizzie
     
     
    On board R.M. S. “TITANIC”
    April 10 th 1912
     
    My own darling Ted
     
    Thanks again for coming to Waterloo – I can’t imagine how you managed to get away at 9.30 in the morning. But I won’t ask, just in case you had to make