Chapter 1 - Arriving in Southampton

Glancing down at my pocket watch I realise the time, 9:23AM,

"Damn British trains, can't they get a jolly good move on? I must be at the docks by 10:00AM...",

I muttered through gritted teeth. You see I was about to sail on the largest, most majestic, most luxurious liner afloat, the S.S Carolinia. My boss at work, which involves sailing on new passenger liners to check if they're up to trading standards, had appointed me the most prestigious job of sailing on her. However, I had planned on arriving early to catch up on all the press stories but alas the train was running late. So, despite the looming presence of losing my job, all because of a late train, I settled down for a long, stressful train journey...

Somehow, however, I arrived at the docks with minutes to spare, so I grabbed my two cases, jumped off the train and ran along the quayside, joining the back of the first class queue at gangway number 2,

"Oh, hello there fine gentleman, I'm Bruce Bookstore. I see you're in first class, how was your journey..?",

"Ah, how do you do, I'm Arthur, my jour-",

"Yes, yes, damn trains am I right, haha! Well anyway I hear this is the finest, most luxurious ship afloat old chap. I hear she's 10 times more grand than the R.M.S Oceanic built just 4 years ago. Well, she has to be she's nearly 3 times her gross tonnage and nearly 300ft longer and my god is she beautiful. And rumours have it, (now this bit's between you and me only), the Carolinia's crew is much better haha...",

Despite his rude interruption I force a weak smile,

"You do seem to know your ships, and yes she is rather gran-",

"Ah, its my turn, I expect see you later old chap for a smoke. Archie, was it?",

"Actually it's-",

"Goodbye old chap...",

And with that the short stubby man in his top hat waddled onto the ship...

"Damn I hate the super rich, who did he think he was interrupting me like that..!",

I thought to myself while nodding in disapproval.

Before long, however, it was my turn to get my tickets checked, so I gave it to the doorman at the top of the gangway and he appointed me my stewardess. She would show me to my room and be my personal maid throughout the journey. Her name was Hazel. I had no intentions of troubling her during the voyage as I do hate it when arrogant aristocrats order poor maids around like they are worthless so I made it a promise that if I was appointed one, she would be treated as a friend.

"Erm, h-hello, I-I'm Hazel y-your maid. Please f-follow me m-master...", she said fumbling over her words slightly. And with that she showed me to my room and began to unpack my belongings.

"Its okay Hazel, you don't need to do that if you don't want to...",

I exclaimed to her in a calm voice...

"E-Eh, but, m-master I m-must...",

She said stunned. And as she did she stood up and tripped over the carpet, falling onto my settee.

"Master I-I'm so sorry, P-Please f-forgive me, its my first day, i'll sort it right away...",

I could see tears welling up in her large beautiful brown eyes.

"Its okay Hazel, I tell you what, go get yourself a cup of tea and relax a bit while I unpack.",

I explained, patting her head.

"I-I musn't m-master."

"Trust me, I insist."

"O-Okay master o-only because you insist..." and with that she gathered herself together, tying her long luscious, brown hair into a pony tail, before shyly leaving the room to get herself some tea.

"Poor girl," I thought to myself, "Shes probably fretting over nothing right now, I have to admit though, it was pretty cute."

I said chuckling to myself.

This left me alone to admire my room, or should I say suite. It was beautiful! Spanning two decks and each wall hand carved out of wood gold and precious materials. The paintings where commissioned by the worlds top artists and I even had my own grand stair case leading up to the bedroom. Up on the second deck there was an on-suite bathroom and in the bedroom a king sized four poster bed. Also because I had a room at the forward end of the ship, on the starboard side, I had an awesome view of the bow, with the biggest windows of any room aboard the ship, except the room identical to mine on the port side. I would have never been able to afford this room, it must have been the grandest on the ship, grabbing a post card from the dresser I proceeded to write a thank you post card to my boss for appointing me this job. I could tell this voyage was going to be grand.

After writing the post card I went to go find Hazel, who had finished her tea and was now on deck to wave goodbye to Southampton. Just as the ships horn blew I made it to boat deck where I found Hazel waving goodbye to her friends and family.

"Hello Hazel."

"M-master, o-oh, I-I wasn't s-slacking..." she said visibly nervous...

"Haha, don't worry Hazel, lets wave together, look there're my two kids and their grandmother down there waving at me, they must have got here before me on a previous train!"

I exclaimed while pointing and waving along with Hazel.

"M-Mine are there m-master, look, my mother and my b-brother..."

And as the ship left dock we waved goodbye to our loved ones before heading back down to my cabin...

"I don't w-wish to be rude m-master but y-you said your children's grandmother was looking a-after t-them.", Hazel said

"Ah, well, my wife, well she passed away giving birth to them...I think about her everyday. You know Hazel, you remind me of her very much",

"E-Eh, r-really m-master.",

"Yes, she was tall, with long luscious brown hair and big brown eyes just like you, and just as shy and timid..."

"W-w-whaat, y-you really t-think s-so m-master, t-thank you.",

I slightly regretted my decision saying that to her as I saw her cheeks go from pale to bright red.

"A-anyway m-master, I-I must be leaving, e-erm b-bye...",

Making a swift exit I hear her footsteps getting quieter down the corridor. She was running and I could hear her giggling.

"I guess she doesn't get many complements in her profession, haha, she must have gotten embarrassed and ran off, bless her.", I chuckled.

And with that I headed off for lunch, ready for the voyage ahead.

"I think im going to enjoy it, especially with someone as kind and beautiful as Hazel as my maid, she looks about my age, so its no wonder she was embarrassed, ill have to apologise later, or maybe not, she seemed to like the complement..." I said to myself as I walked to the first class dining saloon.

At that moment though Hazel, nor I, nor the rest of the passengers and crew had no idea about the disaster which would unfold just days later in the middle of the Atlantic...