Page 9 of The Girl Out of Time
She caught movement: a small dark shape climbing up the funnel furthest from them. Light smoke wafted from the first three funnels, but not the last one, and a minute later, as a tiny dot of a head appeared on top of it, it clicked.
All was not lost yet.
“This way.” She grabbed Leon’s hand once again. They navigated the deck, jumping over a gate separating the first class from the second—a bit down, a bit up—until they reached the fourth funnel.
“What is going on?” Leon asked.
“There has to be—a-ha!” Emmeline pointed to a narrow metallic ladder leading up the funnel. “I found us the best viewing point.”
Leon looked to the ladder, then to her. “Surely not.”
“You don’t need to go if you’re afraid of heights. I’ll be right back.” She ran to the ladder, but paused. She’d nowhere to put her book.
Foiled by her own stubbornness. She could already hear Mother’s voice chastising her.A lady doesn’t carry her book with her; those belong in libraries, not on walks.
“Here.” Leon was suddenly next to her and laid his hand on the book, waiting a second for permission. Emmeline nodded, and he stored it in the inside pocket of his coat. “You go first. I’ll be right behind.”
She flashed him the brightest smile and got to climbing, checking her grip and lodging her heel firmly on each rung. In a few minutes, they’d both climbed to the top, jumping down on a small metal platform running along the inside edge of the funnel. The noise caught the attention of the crewman leaning on the edge—the one Emmeline had seen climb up.
“Hey, you—” he started as he turned, but Emmeline put a finger on her lips and gave him a conspiratorial wink. If it was safe for him to be up here, surely it was also safe for them.
When he didn’t object further, she pointed Leon to a good spot, and they tiptoed to the edge, a little giggle escaping her. The funnel ended at chest height, perfect to lean on and enjoy the view—and oh, what a view she had!
It was like being on top of the world and owning everything within her sight. The rounded stern of the ship; the thick steel and wooden mast, secured by a dozen cables; and the sea of people gathered at the dock far below, waiting for the giant to sail out.
She might as well be flying, heading on to Neverland.
“Isn’t it glorious?” She offered her face to the breeze and the ray of sun bursting through the clouds.Freedom.
“It is.” Leon’s searched the horizon, as if he couldn’t decide which part of the view to take in first.
With another whistle, the ship got moving, lumbering out of the dock with the help of tugboats, which looked like mere dinghies compared to theTitanic. They touted their own whistles, like the young greeting its mother, and above that celebratory noise came the rushing of the crowd on the docks and a lively violin tune from the band on the promenade. To Emmeline’s surprise, the crowd continued all along the dock, interspersed with an occasional flash of camera and more music.
She found Leon’s eyes again, and they shared a smile, then turned to the crowd. Emmeline waved and shouted her goodbyes, not that she had anyone down there to say goodbye to, and not that they could’ve heard her, either. They stayed up the funnel for long minutes—ten, twenty, perhaps; until the crewman cleared his throat, indicating it was time to climb down. As people below began to clear the decks, Emmeline and Leon joined them.
She felt electrified, breathless, as her feet touched the solid wood again.
“The book.” Leon produced it in his hand.
She nudged it back toward him. “Why don’t you borrow it? Read it during the voyage, and then we can discuss it.”
“But it’s yours.”
“You’ll give it back. And if not …” She quirked her lips. “I’ll track you down. You can’t escape me on the ship.”
“All right.” He locked her into another soft gaze—so curious and so … comforting.
“I should get back to my family,” she said, stirring herself out of his hypnotism. It didn’t matter if her parents found out she climbed a funnel or not; they’d find something to berate her for. “I’ll see you soon, yes?”
“Yes,” he said with a slight, unsure delay.
She gave him one last wave and, picking up her skirt, ran away.
Chapter 3
As Emmeline skipped away, Theo clutched the book she’d given him as if it was a priceless treasure.
Much like her.
