I'll never let go..| A titanic inspired story 🚢

Epilogue (chapter 34)

Ding! The sound of the bell chimed as someone entered. I turned my head and noticed a man with dark hair enter and seat himself at a table. Strangely, he was dressed in a thick winter coat even though summer was just around the corner.

"What on earth." I whispered under my breath. That when I remembered I needed to make two pints of beer for the regulars that had just ordered.

"Coming up!" I swiftly picked up two tall glasses in one hand and filled them to the top with bubbling lager.

The echos of content chatter grew louder as I handed them their drinks.

"Here you go. Is that all today?" I asked. I knew it was but it was part of the protocol that I asked.

"Yes. Thank you ma'am." One of the regulars said. They turned to their friend who was grinning excitedly. "My friend said you look excellent today miss." The young blonde nudged his friend who glowed a pinkish-red colour.

"I do. And I was wondering if you'd like to go out some time?" The man stared up at me with hopeful eyes. He had dark slicked back hair and glasses perched on the edge of his nose. He was quite attractive in my opinion.

"Well. I don't see why not." A lot of men tried to hit on me in the restaurant and I often rejected them but this time it was different. I didn't feel that sting in my heart that I often felt when I thought of Joel. It was as if I was slowly getting closure.

"My! How splendid. I know your name is Isobel, Miss. My name is Alfred. Alfred Winton."

"Alfie for short." His friend added.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you. How about we go to dinner after my shift. How does that sound, Alfie?" I leant on the bar where they were sat and flashed him a smile.

"Sounds perfect. It'll be my treat. Let's go to Frances."

My heart glowed with happiness as I blew him a kiss and walked into my kitchen. My manager looked at me with a stern face and pointed to the door.

"That man has been sat there for almost 10 minutes! Go and serve him. I don't pay you to sit around flirting with every man you see. You've got to save yourself. You're a Bonnie las and you shouldn't settle for anything less than you."  I nodded, I knew he was right. I pushed to door open and approached the man.

"Hello. Welcome to Ben's bar and restaurant what would you li-." I paused mid sentence as a familiar face stared up at me. Dark hair, grown out beard and deep chestnut eyes. It was James.

"Isobel." He said.

"JAMES? What on earth are you doing here? I thought you died. Get out immediately!" I shrieked a little too loud. Many displeased faces peeked up from their steaming coffees and tutted. I sighed, staring down at the man who was once my fiancé.

"Yes. Keep your voice down. I was wondering if you still have that diamond. I checked all my luggage but I couldn't find it."

"No. I don't have it. And even if I didn't I wouldn't give it to you." I lied through my teeth. I had the diamond. I was wearing it under my apron like I did every day since I arrived in America.

"Okay. You don't need to raise your voice." He shook his head, trying to think of something to say.

"I'm waiting." I tapped my foot with the new sass I had learnt from my new friends Miah and Clara. They were born and bred city girls who really helped me find my way in New York.

"I also came here to say I am sorry." He said. I was completely taken aback. I didn't think the word sorry was a word in James' vocabulary.

"Oh?"