The Lost Sister by Kathleen McGurl (i can read book club .TXT) 📕

record time, and the maiden voyage had run smoothly and been a huge success. Many of the passengers who’d been on the outbound crossing were still on the ship for the return, although some had stayed in New York and the ship had picked up some new people. Emma was kept busy tracking down lost items for them as they prepared to disembark – stray shoes, bags, coats, and in one instance, a child who’d taken it upon himself to go and explore the third-class lounge while his frantic mother searched everywhere for him.

At last, with the passengers disembarked, the cabins tidied and awaiting cleaning, and a debriefing session over, it was time to return to her own cabin, pack and say farewell to Mary, Violet, and Martin, and leave the ship herself. She had enjoyed working with Martin.

‘Will you sign on again with the Olympic?’ he asked her.

‘I think so, will you?’

‘Yes, if you will,’ he replied with a smile, and she found herself looking forward to seeing him again.

Her trunk was being kept at the White Star offices until the next voyage. Her discharge book had been stamped and marked ‘very good’, ready for her to present the next time she signed on.

As Emma walked down the gantry and onto the quayside, breathing in the salty tang of Southampton’s air, she could not stop herself from grinning broadly. She’d done it – she’d been to sea, and she was in all likelihood going to do it again, very soon. This job suited her so well. As long as she wasn’t needed at home, she would keep signing on for more and more voyages. Maybe she’d be promoted to first class. Despite Mary’s moans about the first-class passengers, she was sure it couldn’t be as bad as Mary said. Violet seemed to enjoy working first class, and had nothing but good words to say about her passengers.

There’d been no one to welcome Emma as she stepped off the ship – Ma and her sisters had not known how long it would be before she could disembark. She walked home alone but excited to see her family once again. She had sent a letter from New York but suspected it might have been carried back over the Atlantic on the same ship she was on anyway.

She turned into her street, and was met by a neighbour, Mrs Williams. ‘Welcome home, Emma. Good job you’re back. Your ma needs you, I’d say.’

Emma’s heart gave a lurch. ‘Why, Mrs Williams, what’s happened? Is it Lily?’ Oh God, no. Please let Lily not be sick again. She thought her little sister had fully recovered from the tuberculosis that had plagued her on and off since childhood.

Mrs Williams shook her head. ‘No, it’s your Ruby’s the problem.’

‘What is it? Please tell me?’

But Mrs Williams pursed her lips together. ‘You’d best just get home and let your ma tell you her worries. Not for me to gossip.’

Emma set off at a run, her overnight bag banging against her hip. She barged in through the front door. ‘Ma! I’m home! Is Ruby here? Is she all right? And Lily?’

Her mother emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a tea towel. Was it Emma’s imagination or did she look older than when Emma had left? Greyer, more lined? ‘Ah lovey, you’re home, how wonderful! Lily, your sister’s here!’ Ma enfolded Emma in a tight hug.

‘How’s Ruby?’

‘Ah you know, lovey, she’s the same as ever.’ Ma looked away as she answered. Emma didn’t want to say she’d seen Mrs Williams who’d been gossiping. Whatever it was it couldn’t be too serious or Ma would have told her. It was probably just Ruby being Ruby – going her own way, making life hard for herself and the people who loved her.

‘And Lily?’ Her little sister hadn’t come downstairs to greet her, which was worrying.

‘Ah, she had a little turn. She’s over the worst now, but I’ve said she’s to stay in bed. Go on up, she’ll be longing to see you. I’ll put the kettle on.’

Emma remembered how Lily had coughed a little as she said goodbye, and felt guilt wash over her. Hopefully Ruby had done her share of nursing and not left it all to Ma. She went upstairs and into Lily’s room, where her sister was tucked up in bed, sleeping. She sat for a moment on the end of the bed watching her, and then Lily woke, breaking into a huge smile when she saw Emma there. She sat up and crawled over the bed into Emma’s arms.

‘You’re back at last! Have you stories to tell? What were the cabins like? Was it very beautiful on board? How fast did you sail? Did you get seasick?’ Lily’s eyes were bright and wide and although she was pale, Emma was pleased to see she had no cough so was definitely recovering.

Emma hugged her sister. ‘So many questions! Yes, I have plenty of stories to tell. I will tell you them all, over the next few days. How have you been?’

‘I’m fine. Ma’s been fussing too much. I’ll be back at school next week.’

‘Has Ruby helped look after you?’

Lily shrugged. ‘A bit. Not the same as having you here though.’ She bit her lip. ‘That doesn’t mean I want you to stay, Ems, and not go on the ship again. I like having a sister who’s travelling the world. I can’t wait to be back at school and tell my friends!’

‘Well, I’m back home for a few days now.’

‘What happens after that?’ Ma entered the room, carrying a tray holding a tea pot, cups and a plate of biscuits.

‘If it’s all right with you, Ma, I’d like to sign on for another voyage. I like the work, and enjoy being at sea. But if you need me here …’

Ma turned away, putting the tray down onto Lily’s bedside table, and poured out the tea. Emma felt vaguely embarrassed that she was using the best tea pot