Forget Me Not Read Online Free PDF Page B

ever explained or named her condition to me. All I knew was that the Southampton climate was bad for her. “We’re moving to America because Dr Browning said Bea’s lungs need a better climate.”
    “If she’s at all ill on the journey, Eve, ask for me.”
    “Oh, I couldn’t.”
    “I insist. Any steward will know where to find me.”
    For the first time since the
Titanic
sailed, the awful feeling of dread lifted. “Thank you, Evelyn. I appreciate it.”
    “What is the book you’re holding, Eve?”
    I’d forgotten about my autograph book. “My friends gave it to me before I boarded.”
    “May I?” Evelyn took my book and leafed through the entries. “I’d love to add my signature, too, if that is suitable. Perhaps you could visit me at the ship’s hospital so I could sign it?”
    “I’d like that,” I said. “Evelyn, may I ask, have you sailed before?”
    “Oh, yes. On the
Olympic
, the
Titanic
’s sister ship. Not as impressive as this one, but a fine vessel just the same.”
    “Do you believe what people are saying? That the
Titanic
is …” I could see the word “unsinkable” written in large print, but couldn’t say it.
    “Eve, the
Titanic
is the grandest, safest ship ever to sail the ocean. It will carry you safely to your new life, which I know will be wonderful. Mark my words, one day you will be telling your children how you were among the first passengers who sailed on the finest vessel ever built.” Evelyn handed me the book. “I’ll look forward to seeing you later today.”
    “It was lovely to make your acquaintance, Evelyn. Thank you.”
    Evelyn had only just taken the stairs, when a wall of noise thundered towards me. Thomas! The sight of him laughing made me steam with anger.
    I stormed over, intending to berate him for leaving Bea alone but when I recognised his companions, my words were swept away by the breeze. It was the boy from the tender, the one I had crashed into at breakfast, and his sister. My face felt hot. I stood as though glued to the deck.
    “Eve, there you are,” said Thomas, oblivious to my feelings. “Let me introduce my friends, Hugh and Meggie Worthington. This is my sister, Eve.”
    “Miss Gilmore. We’ve met.”
    “I remember,” I said. “Hello, Meggie.” I wondered if my face had turned as red as it felt.
    “How did you meet?” asked Thomas, looking from me to Hugh.
    “I bumped into your sister at breakfast,” said Hugh. “Again, my apologies, Miss Gilmore.”
    “If I recall, I collided with you.” I would not allow him to make me feel silly. Again.
    “Hugh and Meggie are travelling to New York,” said Thomas.
    “Really. I thought they might be alighting in the middle of the Atlantic.”
    Meggie grinned.
    Hugh’s laugh surprised me. “Your sister is quick-witted, Thomas.”
    Thomas scowled. “Aren’t you supposed to be supervising Bea, Eve?”
    “Indeed I am, and I’ve been doing a better job than you.”
    “That would be my fault,” said Hugh. “I insisted Thomas accompany Meggie and me to the boiler room.” His eyes twinkled.
    “The boiler room is out of bounds.” I cringed at the horror in my words. He would think me such a baby.
    “Only if you are caught,” said Hugh.
    “And we weren’t,” continued Meggie, “except for on the landing in first class when that old man shook his walking stick at us.”
    I gasped.
    Hugh shook his outstretched hand, imitating the man’s anger. “I say, I haven’t seen you here before. Steward! These children aren’t first-class passengers.”
    “We ran before the steward arrived,” said Meggie.
    The three of them chuckled. While I’d been listening to dolls and a teddy take tea, they’d been exploring. And having fun. Anger swelled from my boots to my fists.
    “The boilers are enormous, Eve. Huge. And you should see the workers. Black they are. Covered in coal dust. Come see for yourself?”
    I folded my arms. “No thank you, Thomas.”
    “See what, Thomas?” asked