The ocean smelled delightful, salty and fresh. It was a sunny and warm. Not uncommon for Southampton which seemed to be the only sunny city in England. We came upon the dock and I stopped mouth agape. There floating at the dock was the most magnificent ship I have ever seen in my life. It was huge. It was the largest thing I had ever seen in my life. It looked fit for a queen. A majority of the ship was painted a glossy black that I swear you could see your reflection in and the hull was a bright white. It was dazzling.
Still gaping, we slowly made our way through the crowds to the ticket holder who took our tickets. Then we were on. We walked slowly around the deck. It was enormous. We never would have made it around the deck before sunset. We slowly made our way to our second class rooms. I didn’t know we had so much money as to buy a second class boarding but Mother said that she wanted us to enjoy our ride and that was another unspoken reason why she had just let us go.
We finally found our room, D13. I wasn’t superstitious but I knew Beatrice was and I knew she wouldn’t be happy to have the number thirteen for her room. It was quite nice to be honest. We didn’t get hot or cold water preferences but we did get a nice wash basin that was attached to the wall. That was in the path of the door. To the left was a bunk bed with a floral curtain that could be pulled across. Then on the right was a couch bed that could be pushed into the wall. Above that were cabinets. There was much floor space.
We set sail not long after we got settled and had unpacked. We slowly made our way to the hull and stood. It was magical. I felt free. The wind was whipping my hair around. I turned and smiled at Beatrice. She had a frown plastered on her pale pretty face.
“What’s wrong? Isn’t it wonderful?” I ask, confused.
“It’s incredible but I just have a bad feeling, like something bad is going to happen.” She replied brow furrowed.
I sigh, “Is this because of your silly superstition?”
“NO,” she says defensively. “It’s just a feeling.”
“Well, good job raining on my parade, Be. Try and not be all haunted and dreary the whole trip. Do that for me.”
She turns to me and fixes me with a glare. “I will make this trip delightful dear sister.”
At 6:30 PM we stop at Cherbourg, France. I only get a glance but from what I see I know I will have to visit France someday. We eat dinner in a large dining room. The food was excellent. I had fresh lobster. It was delicious then I listened to the orchestra play.
Finally I decided I was tired and slowly walked down to my cabin. Beatrice was already there writing a letter to her sweetheart Simon White who is currently training to be a glass maker. He’s trying to earn money to go to America.
I settle down on my bed (I bribed Beatrice to let me have the top bunk) and opened up my journal.
“April 10th, 1912
Dear Diary,” I wrote.
“We are on the Titanic. It is the end of day one. We stopped in Cherbourg, France. I didn’t get to get off the ship but I got to look over the deck. I would love to go to France someday. We are going to stop in Queenstown, Ireland tomorrow and pick up more then we are off to New York.
Beatrice is acting really strange. I am afraid she is becoming too superstitious. First of all she is worried because we are in room D13. Then she says she has a bad feeling about this ship. I do not know why she believes it her personal mission in life to ruin all the happy moments. It is quite irritating.
I hope she stops.
Anyway, I fear it is late, dear diary, so I shall close this entry.
Yours Truly,
Bridget”
