CHAPTER FIVE

“Hello again!”

Albert looked up. He was checking the address on his postcard when the door to a nearby cabin popped open. It was Grace!

“Hello,” said Albert, grinning at her. “We keep bumping into each other. My father and I are in a cabin just down the hall from here.”

“That makes us almost neighbours. Where are you going?”

“I want to mail this postcard to my mother and brother — and to look around the ship. How about you?”

“I was about to explore the ship, too. Do you want to explore together?”

“Sure, but I have to be back in time for dinner.”

“Me, too. Come on. If we hurry we can see all of second class before then.”

“Let’s go this way,” said Albert, pointing left.

As Albert and Grace raced down the hall they almost bumped into a steward holding a tray of tea, biscuits and cups.

“Sorry,” said Albert.

“No harm done,” said the steward. “You’re the young man I drew the map for, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I didn’t get lost this time.” Albert showed him the postcard. “Do you know where I can post this card?”

The steward took a look at the address. “King City. That’s a little north of Toronto, isn’t it? I have a cousin living on a farm there. Why don’t you give me the postcard, and I’ll deliver it to the mailroom for you. The Lady Evelyn will pick it up after midnight.”

“Thanks. My mother and brother will be excited to receive this from the ship.”

“Well, they should get your card even before we arrive in England.” The steward tipped his hat to Grace and Albert.

Albert and Grace waved to the steward and headed for their first stop — the second-class smoking room. When they peeked in, Grace made a face and pinched her nose. “Ugh. I don’t want to get any closer to that room. Those cigars stink.”

Albert laughed. “Look! There’s the music room. I bet it smells better in there and there’s no one inside. Let’s go in.”

The music room had lots of plush chairs, polished wood tables and a grand piano.

“Can you play?” asked Grace.

“No. Can you?”

“I took a few lessons, but I’m not very good.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be modest. Play something.”

Grace ran her fingers along the keys. “The only piece I sort of remember is ‘Für Elise.’”

“I know that one. It’s by Beethoven.”

Albert pulled the bench from under the piano with a flourish. “For you, madam!”

Grace rolled her eyes as she sat down. “Thanks, but I warned you.” She placed her hands on the keys, took a deep breath and began. She hit a jarring wrong note immediately. “See. I told you.”

“I hit a wrong note today, too. Don’t worry. Just start again,” said Albert.

Grace placed her hands on the keys again. This time she played a few bars before she hit another wrong note. She threw her hands up. “I thought I’d remember the piece better. It’s the only one I was good at, but I haven’t played ‘Für Elise’ in two years.”

“Why did you stop playing?”

“I’m not musical. Even my teacher agreed. She said I didn’t have a musical ‘ear’ and I didn’t practise my scales enough. You’re good at music.”

“I wasn’t very good today. You should have seen my father’s face when I made that mistake.”

“That wasn’t your fault. I wish I could play like you. But I’m good at other things, like running and swimming.”

Albert grinned. “Well, then, I’ll race you to the second-class dining room.” He showed Grace where it was located on his map. “One. Two. Three. Go!” he said.

They ran through the corridors of the Empress. Huffing and puffing, they reached the second-class dining room at the same time. “Tie!” gasped Albert.

The waiters were starting to set up for dinner. Albert and Grace stared at the cozy booths along the walls, the fancy wood panelling and the long tables in the middle.

“Let’s go up on the boat deck before we’re shooed out of here,” said Grace. “I want to get a look at the towns we pass along the St. Lawrence River. Once we’re in the Atlantic we won’t see land for days.”

They dashed up to the boat deck. They leaned against the railing near the lifeboats, taking in the view and watching birds fly overhead. They peered at the small towns, the pine forests and the green fields lining the shores of the river.

“I wonder how cold the water is down there,” said Albert, bending over the railing.

“Pretty cold. It hasn’t warmed up enough since winter. I love swimming, but not in icy water.”

“How did you learn to swim?” asked Albert.

“My father taught me when I was little. He thinks everyone should know how to swim!”

“I only know how to dog paddle.”

“Dog paddling can keep you afloat for a long time,” said Grace.

“A lifeboat is better for staying afloat,” said Albert, laughing.

“At least there are enough lifeboats for everyone on the Empress. My father said that after the Titanic sank two years ago, all ships had to have enough lifeboats for all the passengers. Hey! What time is it now?”

Albert looked at his watch. “It’s almost dinner! I promised to be on time.”

“I’d better get back, too. Let’s look around some more tomorrow before breakfast.”

* * *

Albert’s table was in the middle of the room and filled with people from the Salvation Army. Everyone was talking about the voyage across the Atlantic and planning which sights to see in London.

“Thanks for taking my place today, kid,” Albert’s cousin Lewis said as he sat down next to Albert. “The way I was feeling, I couldn’t possibly have played with the band.”

“How are you feeling now?” asked Albert.

“Much better. I never thought I’d get sick before we even set sail. Look! Here comes the bandmaster now.”

Albert’s heart pounded as the bandmaster approached their table. The bandmaster shook his father’s and Lewis’s hands and then patted Albert on the shoulder.

“Thanks for helping us out today, Albert. But I think you’d better get yourself a new hat.”

Albert’s face turned red. He knew the bandmaster was referring to his mistake.

“What’s the matter, kid?” asked Lewis. “Are you feeling sick, too? And what’s that about your hat?”

“It’s too big for me. That’s all. I’m fine.”

“Isn’t that the young lady you were talking to earlier?” asked Albert’s father, pointing to the door.

Albert looked up. Grace and her parents were heading for a table at the other side of the dining hall. Grace waved to Albert and mouthed “tomorrow.” Albert nodded and waved back.

Lewis poked Albert in the ribs. “Is that your new girlfriend, kid?”

“She’s not my girlfriend. She’s just a friend. And I’m not a kid.” Lewis constantly joked that Albert was a kid even though, at eighteen, he was just barely an adult himself. “She reminded me that we agreed to meet early tomorrow to explore the ship.”

Lewis jabbed him in the ribs again. “I was just kidding, Albert. Good luck getting up early! Early’s not for me. I’m sleeping in until right before breakfast.”