Heart of Disaster: A Titanic Novel of love and loss

by Rachel Wesson

  “Maybe she is on the run. Looks like she could have done time in the Joy doesn’t she?”

  Kate laughed despite Daniel’s comment being rude. She couldn’t imagine the prim and proper woman spending time visiting someone in Dublin’s notorious jail, never mind being an inmate.

  “That’s better. Never let anyone rob you of your smile, Kate Maloney. It lights up the world.”

  Embarrassed, she couldn’t look at him but stared over his shoulder at the sea view. She joined back in with the singing, his support making her feel better. A large wave hit the tender and put a stop to her singing.

  Daniel brushed her hair out of Kate’s eyes. “It’s safe, Kate. Just hold on tight and you will soon be in the lap of luxury. You can hold my hand and close your eyes if you want.”

  She looked away from the warm expression in his eyes. When she glanced back, he was still staring at her.

  “We got to stick together, now. Cathy and Seamus have each other, the Burkes are family, so that leaves us.”

  She smiled as she took his hand. When he put it like that how could she refuse?

  Chapter 10

  K ate’s heart beat faster as they approached the huge ship that towered out of the water. It was as big as a city. They followed the steerage passengers. All of them had to be examined by the ship’s doctor. Kate stood in silence as the ship’s doctor pulled at her eyelids. He said something about checking for some eye disease she had never heard of. Cathy whispered he would be able to see white scars on their eyelids if they had it and then they would be sent home. They both passed the test and so did the boys. The stewards directed them where to go. The cabins for single women were at one end of the ship and the men were at the other. The girls were sharing a cabin with some other passengers. All female obviously.

  Seamus grabbed Daniel’s arm. “Come on. Let’s find our own cabin.”

  Daniel turned to look at Kate, “I will find you for dinner. Now put a smile on your face and don’t go running off with any sailor.”

  Kate and Cathy stood watching until the men disappeared from view. Lifting their cases, they exchanged smiles.

  “This is such an adventure, Kate. We have to remember every detail. Mam and Nell will want to hear all about it.”

  “How do we know where to go? Every passageway looks exactly the same.” Kate clutched her bag to her side. She wasn’t at all sure she’d be able to find her way back up top. Finally, just as she was about to declare they were lost, they reached their cabin. Cathy pushed the door open. “Oh, my goodness, will you look at this. It’s beautiful.”

  Cathy threw her bag on the bottom bunk. “Kate, you take the top one. This is traveling in luxury, so it is.”

  Kate nodded. She couldn’t find her voice. The cabin, while small was luxurious compared to what she was used to.

  Cathy moved to the electric light switch. “It works just like they have at the big house. Do you see?”

  Kate figured that was a rhetorical question. She looked at the wash basin, but Cathy beat her to it, and turned on the taps.

  “Wish I could see what the cabins are like in First Class if we have these luxuries. Can you imagine, Kate?”

  Kate shook her head, she couldn’t believe their luck. She sat on her bed feeling the mattress beneath her.

  “Cathy, try the mattress. It’s so soft. Look at the blankets and pillows, they have the name of the ship on them.” Kate fingered the bed linen. “Nell was right to tell us to pack sheets.”

  Kate pulled out the sheets from her luggage and soon had the bed made to her satisfaction. “We’ll sleep like babies.”

  Cathy finished her bed. “I think coming on the RMS Titanic was the best decision we ever made. Let’s dump our things here and go exploring?”

  Kate was only too keen to agree. She put her bags on her bed but kept the clay and the rosary beads in the pocket of her skirt. She didn’t want to lose the precious mementos.

  “Do you want to go up top to wave goodbye?” Kate asked Cathy as they walked through the Third Class area, Kate following Cathy, amazed her friend knew where to go.

  “But we don’t know anyone,” Cathy said, her tone suggesting she’d prefer to explore their new surroundings.

  “I know that, but it will be our last time to see Ireland for a while. You can stay here if you like but I’m going.” Kate sounded braver than she felt. She wanted to go up on deck but not alone.

  “Ah, sure I will. I want to be able to tell my grandchildren all about this voyage.” Cathy hugged herself. “Aren’t we the lucky ones, Kate. We are traveling in style, sure we are.”

  Kate didn’t answer. She was too busy staring in awe at the coastline. She could barely see the sheer granite cliffs, her eyesight blurred by tears. She coughed to clear her scratchy throat. Brushing a tear away, she knew she needed a distraction or she would dissolve into a blubbering mess.

  “Cathy, what’s caviar?”

  “Fish eggs. Why?”

  “I heard one of the sailors moaning about the number of crates of champagne and boxes of caviar on board.”

  “Champagne! Wish we had some down here. It’s lovely.” Cathy turned away from the view to look at Kate. “Not that I’ve tasted it. Not yet. Mam told me about the parties at the big house. They had champagne all the time and once the master sent some to the staff to drink in New Year’s Eve. Mam said it was very bubbly.”

  Seamus came up behind Cathy and pinched her waist, causing her to squeal. Kate laughed at the furious expression on Cathy’s face as she turned on her brother.

  “Seamus Madden, will you behave.”

  Seamus shrugged his shoulders. Daniel gave him a playful punch.

  “Cathy, I apologize on his behalf. Have you girls seen the place we eat?”

  “Daniel, it’s the dining saloon if you please,” Seamus said taking his hat off his head and pretending to be posh.

  “It looks even better than it did in that picture I left with my mam.” Daniel barely took a breath before continuing, “It’s situated two decks under the First Class dining area. We get three meals a day, but you have to be quick. It only has places for about four hundred people.”

  Four hundred? How many people were traveling on this ship? Kate didn’t want to ask for fear of sounding stupid.

  “You’re a big eejit Donnelly. They are going to have two sittings.” Cathy poked Daniel in the arm.

  Daniel threw his eyes up to heaven, making Kate smile at his antics. She guessed he’d probably known about the eating plans all along but was trying to amuse them.

  “There’s a swimming pool on board, too, but we’re not allowed to use it. It’s only for the rich lot.” Daniel’s comment was met with silence.

  Kate couldn’t swim so she wasn’t at all concerned about missing out.

  Time passed slowly. Someone said they had to wait for the mail to be loaded. Some enterprising Irish ladies had joined the ship in a bid to sell some of their lace to the First Class passengers. Almost two hours passed before the liner raised the anchor. It was shortly after 1.30pm.

  Kate gazed back out to shore, most everyone around them falling quiet as the big ship sailed past the coast of Ireland.

  “It’ll be a long time before we see her again, won't it?” Daniel whispered to Kate. “But don’t fret, darling girl, when you have made a fortune in America you can come back and show everyone just who Kate Maloney is. You might even sail back in First Class and have a go in the pool. I’d join you, but it seems they like to keep the men and women separate.”

  Kate blushed at his flirting but instead of being annoyed she was comforted. She sensed he was feeling rather lonely, too.

  Chapter 11

  Gerry and his mate, Davy, snuck up on deck for a last look at home before the ship left Queenstown. Keeping a lookout for officers or stewards who would report them to the chief, Gerry made a mental promise to go home to see his mother the next time he got to Southampton.

  “When were you last home to see your mam?�
�� Davy asked as they both stared at the harbor and watched the little tenders coming alongside.

  “The best part of two years. Mam understands I’ve been saving to get wed.”

  “An English girl, is she?”

  “Yes. Her brother works as a steward, been promoted to First Class.”

  “My brother is an engineer. Doubt I’ll see much of him this trip though. It’s his first job since university so he won’t want to be seen with the likes of me.” Davy smiled as he glanced down at his coal dust covered clothes.

  “Gerry, what are you doing on deck? Chief will kill you.”

  Tommy’s voice nearly gave Gerry a heart attack as he hadn’t seen the man coming. But he pretended not to be worried.

  “What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.” Gerry gave the steward a hearty clap on his back. “What’s the craic with you, Tommy?”

  “I’ll leave you two alone. I’ll catch you later, Gerry,” Davy said.

  Given their respective roles, Gerry and Tommy his soon-to-be brother-in-law didn’t socialize on the ship but often saw each other back in Southampton.

  “I have some lovely passengers to look after. This is one of them – I have to take it for a walk.” Tommy looked at the dog nipping at his heels, his sarcasm evident.

  Gerry bent down to pat the dog’s head. He loved animals of all types and usually, they returned the favor but not this one. He got a nip for his troubles.

  “Yeah, she’s as temperamental as her owner but don’t tell anyone I said that. I best be getting back. You should go too,” Tommy said, “Don’t want to start the trip on the wrong side of your chief.”

  “Yes, Tommy, lad, I won’t get into trouble, I promise.”

  With a last look at the Irish mountains and a gulp of fresh air, Gerry made his way back to the bowels of the ship. He would be back on duty before anyone missed him.

  He was barely back at his station when Davy came over, his eyes wide.

  “Chief, there’s a fire in the coal in boiler room six. Must have been going on since the ship left Belfast. I need help to dig it out.”

  Barrett nodded. “Gerry, get a team to dig that out. It’s the cheap coal brought in due to the blasted coal strike.”

  “Yes, sir.” Gerry joined the twelve-man team digging out the coal to get the fire out.

  Chapter 12

  Delia’s stomach swirled as she struggled not to be sick. The short journey on the tender from the quayside to the ship was enough to put her off taking an ocean voyage. She hadn’t understood the steward’s directions. What did he mean by starboard? She breathed deeply, trying not to think about the sea.

  Conor set her on her feet, having insisted on carrying her over the threshold of their cabin.

  “Feeling better, darling?”

  Delia held her stomach as she took a step. It was just like walking in the hotel. The floor didn’t lurch as the awful tender had.

  Conor put his arms around her, his cheek resting on her head. “You would hardly know you were at sea.”

  She turned to embrace him. “I don’t think I will ever get tired of having your arms around me. You make me feel safe and loved. I want you to hold me, forever.” She reached up to kiss him. His arms drew her closer, as he deepened the kiss. Leaving her slightly breathless, he dropped a kiss on her hair.

  “Do you fancy going up on top to say goodbye to the homeland?”

  She didn’t but she knew he wanted to. So, she nodded, determined not to make her husband unhappy. Together they made their way to the Third Class deck area.

  “Conor, what did the steward mean when he said starboard?”

  “You have to speak sailor’s language now, Delia. No such thing as left and right. Instead it’s port and starboard. Our cabin is on the right side.”

  “Why couldn’t he just say that?”

  Conor kissed the top of her head. “He did, darling.”

  He smiled as she poked him in the ribs for being cheeky. Holding her by the hand, he drew her forward to the rail.

  She didn’t want to look at the sea. She concentrated on the view far away on shore.

  “Look at those farm houses. They look tiny from here. The fields look so green, don’t they? They have a lovely view of those mountains. Must be a nice place to live.”

  “Delia Brennan, are you telling me you want to be a farmer’s wife.”

  Delia snuggled into his side. “I’m happy as your wife.

  He put his arms around her waist. “Will you miss it?”

  His question brought her aunt to mind. As quick as the thought arrived, she dismissed it. That woman wasn’t going to ruin her life. “Not while I am with you. You are all I need, Conor Brennan.”

  She turned so she was facing her husband. The crisp afternoon air blew strands of her hair into her eyes. She brushed them aside. “Aunt Cecilia is a lunatic. I don’t know if she was serious when she threatened us. I’m glad we are on our way. She can’t hurt us now.”

  His lips brushed against hers. “Delia, as long as I live, nobody will hurt you again.”

  Together they stared at the coastline as their view changed from green fields to granite cliffs. Delia couldn’t believe she didn’t feel seasick.

  “It’s like the field is moving. I can’t even feel anything. We are moving, aren’t we?”

  “Look down there, Delia. See how the water is turning darker. That’s the motion of the engines swirling up the sand.”

  All dread of being confined to her quarters by seasickness fled. Instead, she was filled with excitement and a sense of opportunity. She kissed her husband firmly on the lips. Conor grinned.

  “What was that for?”

  “I love you and I can’t wait for our new life to start in America. It will be wonderful.”

  “I love you, too, Mrs. Brennan. Would you like to explore our new quarters for a while?”

  Giggling as he waggled his eyebrows at her, she took his hand and let him lead her back the way they had come. There would be plenty of time later to explore this wonderful ship and meet other people who were also going to America, the land of Dreams.

  Chapter 13

  K ate and Cathy held hands as they stared at the Irish coastline. Despite her talk about not looking back, Cathy was crying. Kate couldn’t reassure her friend. She hated leaving home and watching her country disappear was torture.

  “Next time, we will sail into Queenstown in First Class,” Daniel said.

  Nobody disagreed with him. Kate was too choked up to comment.

  “There you are, lads and lassies. Been looking all over for ye. Did you get settled into your accommodation? There’s a big hall for us to have a dance in later.” Mr. Burke barely had the words said when they heard the plaintive tones of the uilleann pipes.

  “That’s Eugene Daly, he’s wearing his kilt and playing the uilleann pipes. He’s a great player. He was telling me at the harbor, he’s on his way to a Gaelic Feis in Celtic Park, Queens, New York. He’s traveling with his sister and a friend. He invited us to come to see him play on May nineteenth. He could wrench a tear from a stone creature with the way he plays those pipes. Brings a tear to my eye, I don’t mind telling you that.”

  Kate couldn’t comment as she found herself overcome, too.

  Cathy took Kate by the hand. “Come on, let’s get downstairs and unpack. We’ll see you, boys, later.”

  “Thanks, Cathy. I said I wouldn’t cry anymore and yet I can’t stop blubbering like a baby.”

  “Sure, I am the same myself.” Cathy wiped a tear away. “I want to go to America I really do. Now we are leaving, it seems so final. I think everyone is feeling a bit emotional, even Seamus.”

  Kate didn’t think Cathy’s solemn brother would cry over anything but decided it was best not to comment.

  When Kate and Cathy returned to their cabin, they met the other ladies they would be sharing with. Kate’s heart sank a little. She recognized one of them as the opinionated lady Daniel had suggested was running from prison. The
other woman held her hand out. She spoke with a cork accent.

  “Name’s Eileen Murphy.”

  Kate shook the woman’s hand. Eileen looked to be in her late twenties.

  “My name’s Kate Maloney and this is my friend, Cathy Madden.” Kate held out her hand to the other woman, waiting for her to identify herself.

  “Mary Ryan.”

  Kate shook Mary’s hand. Kate got the impression from the way the woman was looking at her and Cathy, they didn’t meet with her approval. Kate attempted to warm the chilly atmosphere.

  “Our cabin is lovely, isn’t it?”

  Mary’s lip curled but Kate ignored her.

  “Have you been to America before, Mary?”

  “No, I have not. I should be on my way to England, only, my poor mistress took ill and died. Her family thought the world of me. They arranged my new position. I am to be a lady’s maid but that is all I can say. Discretion is my middle name.”

  Kate couldn’t look at Cathy for fear she would laugh. Could Mary hear herself?

  “What about you, Eileen? Have you been to America?”

  “Yes, I emigrated some ten years ago. I came home as mammy wanted to make my wedding dress using Irish lace. Andrew, he’s my fiancé, is a store owner in Chicago.”

  Mary sniffed causing Eileen to blush and look at her shoes. Kate could have slapped Mary for putting the other woman down. Kate was thinking of a good reply, but Cathy beat her to it.

  “A store owner, how exciting. You will never want for anything. I’m going on the stage,” Cathy said.

  Kate thought Mary was going to be ill. Her face was the color of the linen sheets. She coughed and made her excuses. Once the door closed behind Mary, the atmosphere in the cabin lightened considerably. Cathy started to laugh and soon Kate and Eileen had joined in.

  After a couple of seconds, Eileen covered her mouth. She glanced at the other girls.