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

smoothly, with Emma settling into the routines of the job and getting to know Mary and Martin better. She didn’t see so much of Violet who worked the first-class state rooms. The highlight of the trip was a few hours spent onshore in New York, when Emma and Martin had walked through Manhattan to Central Park where they had bought hot dogs from a stall and sat on a bench to eat them, watching rich women with parasols strolling past on the arms of smart young men.

‘How the other half live!’ Martin had said, and Emma laughed, leaning slightly into him.

‘I’m perfectly happy with my own life, thank you. Honestly, today’s been marvellous. And I love this.’ She’d waved the hot dog in front of him. It was the first time she’d ever eaten one.

‘Well, it’s traditional now. We must sit here and eat hot dogs every time we come to New York,’ he’d replied, and she’d smiled, beginning to wonder about the future, imagining visiting Central Park in all seasons with Martin at her side …

On the way home they slipped into a comfortable routine of meeting up in the evenings, when their passengers were all at dinner. They’d eat something quickly themselves, then rather than stay in the stewards’ lounge they’d grab their coats and go out on deck. It was so peaceful without the passengers, and pleasant to stroll up and down. If questioned by an officer they’d say they were searching for some small item a passenger had mislaid, but most evenings they saw no one else at this time.

‘Look at the moon,’ Martin said one evening, as they leaned on the railings. ‘It’s as though it’s lighting a path for us, across the ocean. Showing us the way home.’ There was a trail of silvery moonlight glinting on the sea ahead of them, a twinkling path through the blackness either side.

‘It’s so beautiful,’ Emma whispered. Beside her, Martin moved a little closer, so that his arm pressed lightly against hers. She could feel its warmth through her coat sleeve.

What would it be like if he put his arm round her now, and maybe pulled her towards him and kissed her? She dared not turn to look at him, but kept her gaze focused on the moonlight. She barely knew him, and they were here to work. It was good that they were friends, but for now, that was all it could be.

He must have thought the same, for after a few minutes he coughed slightly and moved away. ‘They’ll be coming back to their cabins soon, I think. Mrs Winters will be wanting her bath run. And the Skinners’ Cairn terriers will be wanting their evening constitutional.’

‘You’re right, we’d better go in.’ The spell was broken and in any case, a cloud had drifted across the moon. She smiled at him and followed him back inside to resume their duties.

All too soon they were back home again in Southampton, and Emma was bidding farewell to her friends once more.

‘You’ll sign on again for the next one?’ said Martin, as they stood on the quayside preparing to go their separate ways. ‘The Olympic is sailing again in a week.’

‘Possibly. If Ma’s happy to do without me for another three weeks,’ Emma replied. It depended on how things were with her sisters – whether Ma needed her at home for a while to try to keep Ruby in check, and whether Lily had been well. She smiled; Martin looked so crestfallen that she hadn’t said she would definitely sign on again that she felt she must offer him some hope. ‘If not the next voyage, then definitely the one after. Keep an eye out for me, eh?’

He grinned. ‘I will. Look after yourself, Emma. If I didn’t have to get the train to Salisbury to see my folk I’d be asking if we could meet up during the week in Southampton. But my ma will kill me if I don’t go straight home now I’m onshore. Hope to see you on board next week then.’ He gave her a cheery wave and strode off, whistling.

Emma set off for home. Maybe Ruby had settled down since Emma’s last shore leave. She certainly hoped so. Ma didn’t deserve to have to worry about any of her daughters.

Back home, just as last time she passed Mrs Williams in the street. Their neighbour was coming out of her own house – if Emma was feeling uncharitable she’d say Mrs Williams had been watching out of the front room window, waiting for a chance to pounce when she saw Emma.

‘You’re back again then. Not before time. Better have words with that sister of yours, before she gets herself into real trouble.’ Mrs Williams nodded knowingly, her arms folded across her ample bosom.

‘Hello Mrs Williams. Beautiful day, isn’t it?’ replied Emma, without breaking stride. She wanted to be home, not gossiping in the street with an old busybody.

‘Ask her about her friend Harry Paine,’ Mrs Williams called after her. Emma waved in response without looking back. She did not recognise the name but didn’t like the way Mrs Williams had stressed the word ‘friend’. What was going on? She hurried the last few yards to her home and rushed in without knocking.

Ma was in the kitchen, angrily pummelling away at some dough to make bread. ‘Ah, you’re back, lovey. I hope you had a good trip.’

‘It was good, thanks Ma.’ Emma gave her mother a kiss, being careful not to lean against her or the table and cover her uniform with flour. ‘Lily around? Ruby?’

‘Lily’s at school. She’s been fit as a fiddle while you were away this time, I’m glad to say. As for Ruby, who knows where that girl is. Supposed to be at work, isn’t she, but according to Mrs Williams she’s out with that man again.’ Ma punched the dough with her fist then picked it up and flung it back down onto the table. Her face was red