Ice & Iron (Titanic)

Chapter 8

I arrived at the stern plenty of time ahead of our meeting time to watch the water by myself for a bit. It had been a long walk to get from one end of the ship to the other. I wasn't alone on the stern. A few other passengers from all three classes were also admiring the view. I could tell who was from what class by who they were standing with and the way they were dressed. In my dress, cardigan and shoes other passengers would either think I was in First or Second Class, but probably be leaning more towards more in the appearance of a Second Class passenger.

"Green suits you, Miss Stacey," Joe said, coming up behind me. He leant onto the rail, shooting a sideway glance at me. I was wearing the same style of dress as I had been yesterday. Except today's colour was green instead of blue. It was a worldwide brand, probably found in most clothing stores.

"Thanks," I said. "Better than the blue?"

"Maybe," he said. "So, I didn't see you come back into the dining saloon earlier this morning?"

"Didn't you?" I asked. "Were you following me around?"

"No," Joe said. "I just noticed you didn't walk in through the door."

"Maybe I was in a different part of the dining saloon, or on the deck, or didn't come back at all," I said. "I was in my room."

"Are you hiding from something or someone on this ship?" he asked.

"No," I said slowly. "Why do you think that?"

"When I asked back at your suite, you said you would be going back to the dining saloon," Joe explained. "Then you didn't."

"I made an impulse decision to stay in my room," I said. "And then I came out here for a bit before you showed up. And why were you watching to see if I came back or not?"

"You have been acting a little strange lately," he said.

"Maybe that's because I don't want to talk about a lot of things," I replied.

"Why do you keep me at arm's length, Miss Stacey?" Joe asked. "All I want is to get to know you better, but you keep shutting me out."

I looked away from him and back out to the ocean. "I already told you why. And I just said it as well. I don't talk to many people and keep to myself."

"Living in the dark isn't always the best, Miss Stacey," he advised. "It's good to get out and get to know other people."

"And like I've said before, you haven't me much about yourself either," I retorted. "I just know the basics about you, like you about me."

"Well, join me for lunch and we'll talk," said Joe. "I'm giving you an offer here Miss Stacey."

"And I'm accepting," I said. "But don't push answers out of me. I'll tell you about certain things when I'm ready."

"Certain things like who is your stepfather?" he asked.

"Y-e-s," I said slowly. "All good things come in good time."

"Great," he said. "I need to run back to our cabin to tell my parents that I'm eating lunch with you, then I'll meet you at your suite."

"Do I get to meet your parents?" I threw at him. "You've met my mother. Or will they remain a mystery as well?"

Joe looked up at the sound of my tone. "Easy there, Miss Stacey," he said. "Yes you will. You and your Mother should join us for dinner this evening."
"Sorry, not this evening," I said. "Mother and I are having dinner with someone else tonight."

"Who?" Joe asked.

"See you back at my suite," I said hurriedly, changing the subject.

Joe opened his mouth but no sound came out. Before anything could, I turned on my heel and fled.