“Hello dear, I suppose you’re our roommate for the journey? This is my daughter Elizabeth and my name is Emily. Would you like a glass of milk?” Not waiting for an answer she reached across the table and poured me a glass. She had a warm smile and although she looked quite old, she did not act or dress that way.
“Hi my names Chloe. Have you chosen your bed or do I get to take first pick?” I tried to give a smile as she passes me the glass but she seemed a bit pushy for my likening. I don’t think I will share my findings with her. After all this is the ‘unsinkable ship’.
Taking a sip of milk, I made myself at home on my bed for the few days ahead of me. Pondering over my findings, I started to mutter to myself and before I knew it, I had started talking aloud.
“Yes Chloe?” I heard Emily reply. I immediately looked up to realise that Elizabeth was not in the room. So as to divert my roommate I tactfully changed the subject.
“Where has Elizabeth gone?”
“She’s gone to find some playmates. So what were you mumbling about?” Not sure whether to tell her the truth I avoided the question and started to unpack. To my surprise at the top of my bag there was a bundle of money and a letter. As I neared the end tears filled my eyes and I broke down. Was I ready for such a big move? Emily moved over to my bed to comfort me. She reached for the letter and read it aloud.
“To my dearest daughter, I love you with all of my heart and always will do. I know I can’t make you change your mind so I will just say that my arms are here to for you to run into if things go wrong. You have so many opportunities ahead of you and I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope you get a chance to do all the things I never did because you are one in a million million and deserve the very best. I will miss you so much. It hurts to see you go but nothing I do or say will stop you. So instead I will just wait here until you are ready to come back or simply just want to visit. The money is what me and your farther saved for your future but you can spend it on what you like. Don’t forget me when you’re rich and famous! Lots of love your mother.” As Emily read the last line she went to her bag and unpacked some tissues. She passed me some and said that she would leave me to sort myself out. I had to get through this and now I felt I had a friend for life it would make it much easier.
The following morning I woke to the smell of cocoa. I soon realised that I had fallen asleep before Emily and Elizabeth had come back. With a new positive feeling about life I gave a stretch and put on my clothes.
Sitting at the window whilst eating my breakfast I got my journal out and started to write. I had not realised how fast the boat was going, a bit too fast actually, seen as we were flying past icebergs.
That night I decided to have a walk along the deck.it was amazing! The amount of detail and effort put into the ship was magnificent. Walking along I counted the lifeboats. Counting twenty in total. Surely, that was not enough! It was supposed to be the unsinkable ship, but this was ridiculous! Only twenty! What would happen if we sprung a leek or hit an iceberg? Walking down the corridor I past an opened door.
“I’ve told you. The rudders too small for the engine. We cannot go any faster!” as the crewmember said this he got up and slammed the door shut. Not knowing what to think I carried on walking to my room. I was now convinced the ship was unsafe…
As I got back, Emily and Elizabeth were having tea before bed. As I played with my food, I decided I had to tell Emily. Waiting for the right moment after Elizabeth had gone to sleep I decided to just say it.
“Emily the ship is unsafe…” I blurted out. Unable to finish what I was saying Emily interrupted.
“How can it be? It’s the unsinkable ship!”
“The rudders too small for the engine and there aren’t enough lifeboats for us all.”
“Well this may be true but were doing fine at the moment aren’t we?”
“But look!” showing her the note Emily sat down to rationalise with me.
“It could be a fake dear. Young children could have written this!” as Emily said this I could tell that she was trying to hide her emotions.
“But it all fits!” I yelled.
“I don’t need the worries Chloe! It’s all in your head.” snapped Emily. As she said this, she stormed out the door. I stood their in disbelief, how could my friend be so blind?
An hour later I woke to a bang. I ran out to find children playing football with large blocks of ice. Realising what had happened I rushed into my room.
Emily sat on the edge of her bed in shock. She could not look me in the eye from earlier on. As she opened her, mouth to say what I think was to be an apology we got rudely interrupted by cabin crew.
“Put these on” the man ordered.
“Why? W… w… what’s happening?” Emily stuttered.
“The ships sinking, get onto the deck and into the lifeboat as soon as you can,” as the man went he turned around. “You didn’t hear it form me though!”
Helping Elizabeth with her jacket, we smiled shyly at each other, but when I reached to help Emily, she pushed the jacket and me away. She just sat there motionless.
“Emily, what are you doing? The Titanic is sinking and you wont even save yours or your daughters life!”
“I can’t. My time has nearly come anyway. Let me be.” Emily had an unusual sad tone to her voice; I was so used to her happy old self it was as if she was being taken over.
“What about Elizabeth? Your plans for the future? You can’t just give up now!”
“You take Elizabeth. My plans do not matter to me anymore. I cant do this” I couldn’t believe she was letting her life go before her. She was the sort of person I thought could hold everyone together in situations like this. I was the vulnerable one who should be like this, not her!
I could feel the boat tilting and decided there was nothing to do but to do what she said. I hated the feeling that was in the pit of my stomach but I would rather save one life than none. I took Elizabeth and made a run for the deck. It was hard letting my friend go but it had to be done.
The look on Elizabeth’s face as we got onto the lifeboat and realised that she would not see her mother again was heartbreaking. As we were lowered down a tear slipped from my watery eyes and I held onto Elizabeth. I didn’t know how I was going to cope, let alone how Elizabeth was going to!
In the early hours of the morning, we saw the last of the Titanic. It was terrible; screams and cries for help were all we heard. I felt awful. We would keep our life’s whereas hundreds of people surrounding us where dying.
The rest of the journey to America was on another boat. Every night I heard Elizabeth whimper and cry for her mum. It was awful, how was I meant to replace her? I knew I was going to look after Elizabeth because I felt responsible for her mother’s death.
As we touched land, the first thing I saw was the statue of liberty. Hundreds of people where waiting for arrivals off the Titanic and many where left crying with dismay. I knew the American Dream had been spoilt but I was going to make it work for Elizabeth.
Looking out of our apartment window, I can see the famous sight, the Statue of Liberty. Everytime I do I think of that dreadful night on the Titanic, but then feel blessed that I am still here today.