Heart of Disaster: A Titanic Novel of love and loss Read online

  Chapter 59

  When they returned to the hospital, they were surprised to find Bridie visiting Cathy. Kate and Sean exchanged a glance. Sean held out his hand.

  “Bridie, it’s been a long time. I’m sorry about Seamus.”

  Bridie shook his hand but didn’t mention Daniel. She leaned in as if to kiss Kate on the cheek but missed. Kate didn’t know what to say. Had Bridie come to offer her a place to stay? Or a job? Was she going to take Cathy home with her?

  “Sean, have you completed the forms yet?”

  Kate glanced to Sean. What forms? Sean looked just as puzzled as she was.

  “Forms?”

  “Don’t be coy, Sean Donnelly. We all know what your family is like.”

  Sean clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  Bridie turned back to pick up her coat from the chair by Cathy’s bed. For once, Kate was glad her friend appeared oblivious to what was going on around her. Bridie was in a funny mood.

  “It’s all over the papers. Awards being made to the victims of the Titanic, the survivors as well as those who died.”

  Sean spoke through gritted teeth. “Mother Mary of God, Bridie Madden. Our brothers are barely dead a week. How could you think of money at a time like this?”

  Bridie dismissed his comment with a look. Kate took a step between them.

  “Bridie, are you taking Cathy home to live with you?” Kate asked.

  Bridie’s color faded to match the linen on the bed. “No, the doctors don’t believe that would be in Cathy’s best interests. They are moving her to Bellevue.”

  Sean’s intake of breath surprised Kate.

  “What is Bellevue?” Kate’s heart beat faster as Sean glared at Bridie.

  “Seems Bridie is putting her sister in a mental asylum.” Sean spat out the words.

  Kate recoiled. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Nobody put their family in one of those places, not unless they really were insane. Cathy just needed some fresh air, plenty of good food and some time to recover from the shock of losing everything including her brother.

  “You can’t. Why would you do that? Cathy just needs some care and love to help her recover. She doesn’t need to be locked up.” Kate pleaded not caring she sounded desperate. She’d read about lunatic asylums in Ireland and she didn’t want anyone she knew to live in one, least of all someone as full of life as Cathy had been.

  Bridie stood up, patting down her black skirt and flicking something from her white blouse. Kate examined her but couldn’t see any resemblance to the girl who had left Galway all those years ago. She had similar coloring to Cathy but that was all. Cathy looked like she belonged on stage, with her mesmerizing smile and dancing eyes. Bridie’s eyes were the same color but lacked any depth or emotion. She stared back at Kate as if they were discussing the weather not the future of her sister.

  “You can’t. Please don’t do this.” Kate knew she was begging but she didn’t care.

  Bridie turned away. Over her shoulder, she said, “I don’t have time to look after her. I have a job and a life of my own, you know.”

  Kate couldn’t think straight. She had to do something to stop this from happening but what?

  “I’ll take her. Kate is coming to Riverside Springs with me. Cathy will love it there. Plenty of everything she needs to recover.”

  Bridie turned on Sean, her face screwed up in temper. “So that’s your game, is it Donnelly. Not content to claim for the loss of one brother you aim to deprive me of my dues. I won’t stand for it do you hear me?”

  Kate watched as the color left Sean’s face briefly before he clenched his hands into fists. He didn’t raise his voice, which made his words even more chilling.

  “Bridie Madden, if you were a man, I would take you outside and punch you for what you are doing. You always were a mean-spirited young one and it seems maturity has only made you worse. Kate, I will wait for you outside. I can’t share the same air as that one.”

  “Good riddance, Donnelly,” Bridie spat after him. Kate rushed to Cathy’s side and taking her hand, tried to get her friend to listen.

  “Wake up, Cathy. Daniel’s brother is going to take care of us, both of us. He will take us to his farm. It’s out in the countryside and we will have time to heal. Open your eyes, please.” Despite Kate begging, Cathy lay lost in her trance.

  Bridie sniffed. “See, there’s nothing anyone can do for her. At least in Bellevue they are trained to deal with people like her.” She paused before asking Kate, “Do you know what she had in her luggage?”

  Kate just stared at her, her mouth open but no words would come. Bridie took up a pen and a piece of paper. She completely ignored Kate. Kate glanced at Cathy. She had to fight for her friend.

  “Jesus Mary and Joseph, she’s your sister, for goodness’ sake. She came all the way over here to be with you. You can’t send her to that place.”

  Bridie’s tone could have given Kate worse frostbite than the ocean water.

  “It is of no concern of yours what I do, Kate Maloney. Now please leave. Your presence is upsetting my sister.” Bridie turned to the nearest nurse. “This woman is no longer allowed to visit my sister. I will be back tomorrow.”

  The nurse looked at Kate with pity in her eyes, but she couldn’t go against the family. Kate picked up her bag and Daniel’s sweater. She kissed Cathy’s forehead goodbye She signed herself out of the hospital and went to find Sean.

  When he saw her coming, he held his arms out for her and she went to him willingly. She cried tears of frustration, anger, and loss before she could compose herself.

  “We will write to the Maddens and tell them the truth of what has happened. Come on now, let’s get back to my hotel. We will get you a room for tonight and head home tomorrow.”

  She nodded, glad someone else was making the decisions for her. She couldn’t think straight. Her head hurt as much as the pain in her chest.

  Chapter 60

  When they returned to Sean’s hotel, she was pleased to bump into Delia Brennan.

  “I am so glad to see you Kate. Conor is being released from hospital tomorrow.” Delia kissed her friend’s cheek.

  “This is Sean, Daniel’s brother.”

  “Nice to meet you, Sean.” Delia shook Sean’s hand. “I am very sorry for your loss.”

  Sean nodded. Delia turned back to Kate. “Have you made plans yet, Kate?”

  “She is going to come home with me. I have a farm in Wyoming – me and my brother. Kate knows us since she was a baby. Mary, my sister-in-law will look after her, fatten her up and let her rest.”

  “And Cathy?” Delia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. Kate let a sob escape. She couldn’t bear to talk about what had happened. Delia took her by the arm and led her to a seat. Sean muttered something about getting some tea and left.

  “I’m sorry, Delia. Cathy is being sent to Bellevue. It’s a hospital for those who have lost their mind. Only, she hasn’t. I don’t think she needs anything more than patience and some loving care. But her sister, she won’t listen to me or Sean. She told us to leave.”

  “I am so sorry, I know how close you girls were. Maybe you can go back tomorrow to see her.”

  “No. Bridie told the staff we weren’t to be let in. The nurse said they had to obey Bridie. I can’t do anything. I feel like I failed Cathy.”

  Delia bristled. She knew just how horrid families could be. She only had to look at her aunt Cecilia. The poor girl in front of her had already been through so much. She didn’t need this extra burden of guilt.

  “You didn’t, Kate. You have been through an ordeal yourself and alone you can’t fight this. If you don’t want to go with Sean, you are very welcome to stay with us. I only just met Conor’s family, but they seem nice. They are going to help us find a home and jobs. They would help you, too, I’m sure of it.”

  Kate rubbed the tears away with Delia’s hanky. She noticed her friend was wearing a ne
w dress, not the one donated to her by the people on the Carpathia.

  “Thank you, Delia, but you and Conor are just starting your lives together. I will be fine with Sean, I’ve known his family all my life. I don’t have a lot of memories of Sean as he left home years ago, but from what I remember he is a very good man. Declan, Daniel’s older brother, has a good reputation back home, too. I know they will look out for me.”

  Delia grasped her hand.

  “Make sure to give me his address, I’d like to write to you, if you don’t mind. I would hate to lose contact. I know we only met on the ship, but it feels like we have been friends for years.”

  “It seems like a lifetime since we left Queenstown.”

  “Did you hear they are holding an inquiry?”

  “I didn’t know that. I don’t think I can talk about anything without crying. I just want to forget about that night. Those screams. The whole thing,” Kate put her face in her hands and wept again.

  Delia pulled her into a hug and that’s how Sean found them.

  “I got some tea but maybe you need something stronger?” he asked. He pulled at his collar after he put the tray on the table in front of them.

  “No, thank you. Tea is lovely, Mr. Donnelly. Could I take your address so I can write to Kate? I believe you are leaving first thing in the morning.”

  Kate saw the look of relief on Sean’s face.

  “Yes, ma’am. I think it’s best to get away from the reporters and everything. Give Kate a chance to recover.”

  Delia nodded. “I understand. I swear if another reporter shoves his camera in my face, he may just end up eating it.”

  Kate giggled. She couldn’t imagine someone as ladylike as Delia getting violent. She’d had long conversations with Cathy about Delia and how she looked like she belonged in First Class. Cathy had mimicked how Delia walked and talked. It had all made sense when Delia explained about her aunt and how she had eloped.

  “Did you make contact with your family back home?” Kate asked.

  Delia cringed. She felt guilty for not letting her aunt know she was safe, but she didn’t want to risk her upsetting her new life.

  “I sent a telegram to Geraldine. It’s up to her whether she tells my aunt but given she didn’t know I was on the Titanic, I see no point really.”

  “But what if the papers print a list of survivors?”

  Delia shrugged her shoulders. “They have but only those in First Class. Seems America isn’t that different to Ireland after all.”

  Sean looked up at her remark. “Senator Smith is trying to change that, Mrs. Brennan. He intends to hold the White Star Line responsible for the fact that more steerage passengers died than in any other class. The crew had a better survival rate than men like my brother.”

  Delia nodded. “Indeed, it would appear so. But I do hope the inquiry also acknowledges the actions of the brave crew members who did so much to get us to safety. People like Mr. Hart, the steward who escorted me to the boat deck. He returned below to bring up the second group of people even when it looked like all was lost. The officers and crew members who filled the boats must have been tempted to save themselves but didn’t. Even Mr. Ismay, who the press have convicted without a trial, helped get women and children off that ship.”

  Kate shuddered as she struggled to stop herself going over the events of that night. Yet she owed the men and women who had worked so hard to save them.

  “I met a member of the black gang as they call them on the Carpathia. He lost his brother, an engineer, on the ship.”

  “We can’t forget the band. None of them survived.” Delia pointed to a picture of the men standing with their instruments. “The reporter says some priest who got off in Queenstown took this picture. I hope their families got copies.”

  “They keep talking about the band playing Nearer my God to Thee. I didn’t hear that from my boat. I heard the music but didn’t recognize the tune. Did you?” Delia looked at Kate.

  Kate shook her head. She knew they had played music, but she didn’t know what it was. She’d had enough talking about that night.

  “Thank you, Delia, for everything.” Kate finished her tea. “I think I need an early night.” She glanced at Sean. He stood up.

  “Yes, we have to take you shopping in the morning before our train leaves. You can’t go to Wyoming without some basics. The local store doesn’t stock a lot of women’s necessities, if you get my meaning.” Sean looked at the space above Kate’s head, obviously uneasy.

  Delia and Kate exchanged a private smile as Sean turned bright red.

  Delia leaned in to kiss Kate on the cheek. “I think you will be in very safe hands, Kate. Be happy.”

  “You, too. Tell Conor I said goodbye.”

  Kate made arrangements to meet Sean for breakfast and then left for the room Sean had booked for her. It was so pretty with its blue and white colors, but she didn’t appreciate any of it. She cried her eyes out for the loss of her friend. She couldn’t help wondering if it would have hurt more if Cathy had died on the ship. Her childhood friend deserved so much more than to end her days in this nightmare.

  Chapter 61

  Washington, DC.

  Gerry wanted to be back in England with Jean, not stuck here at the inquiry. He waited, with Davy and some of the other surviving crew members, to tell their story.

  Davy looked up from his newspaper.

  “Gerry, it says in the paper, Senator Smith is determined to blame every member of the crew for the sinking. Shows he’s never worked as crew on a ship before.”

  “Why?”

  “As if we were going to question an officer’s order. If the officer said jump, that’s what we did. You know it, I know it and he needs to learn that fact fast. He’s grilled, Harold Bride, the poor wireless operator for ages. That man should be in the hospital with his injuries.”

  “Davy, you can’t afford to lose your temper. None of us can.”

  Davy’s eyes were like flint. “Did you see the state of Bride’s shoes? Yet the officers were all done up like a, like a…”

  “Officers?”

  Davy glared at him but before he could say anything, another seaman piped up. .

  “He’s not crew, though, is he? He didn’t have to answer to the officers. Some say he ignored a message from the Californian about the ice. He was too busy to listen to it.”

  “That wasn’t him. It was Phillips, the one who drowned. They were paid a pittance for manning that wireless set. Maybe, they earned tips when they sent all those messages about stupid things like who had dinner with whom on the Titanic,” Davy muttered.

  Gerry attempted to smooth things over. “Perhaps things will change, and all wireless operators will be paid properly. I heard a rumor the senator wants twenty-four-hour coverage on the ships. If they had that, the Californian would have heard the SOS and come to our aid.”

  Davy glared at Gerry. Gerry didn’t know what he had said wrong.

  “What? I’m not the one making the decisions. I just think that’s what he is likely to want.”

  “Can’t be so sure of that. The Californian saw the flares didn’t they and they didn't come. Why would hearing it on the wireless have made a difference to that Captain Lord?”

  Gerry held his hands up. “Maybe, none.”

  “Now, if it was Captain Rostron, he would have done exactly that. I don’t think anyone would have died or at least not as many if the Carpathia had been as near as the Californian. Captain Rostron is a hero. He came to our aid as fast as he could despite the risk.”

  Gerry nodded. “Some woman on the Carpathia made a collection for him. She says he will get a gold cup or something. The crew will get medals.”

  Gerry wondered if the inquiry would give out any medals to the crew from the Titanic. Somehow, he doubted that would happen. Davy lit up another cigarette.

  “Can’t believe there are those who still believe the Californian wasn’t the ship near us. Fourth Officer Boxhall saw the ship thr
ough his binoculars. That’s why he called them using the Morse lamp and then discharged rockets. He had no reason to lie. Captain Smith, God bless him, he told the lifeboats to head for the ship.”

  A seaman from the Titanic raised his voice. “Davy, they aren’t going to admit that they stood by and let fifteen hundred people die, are they? Officers all stick together, they tell the same lies.”

  Gerry couldn’t agree more but it was pointless saying anything. He picked up Davy’s newspaper.

  “Says here, the Olympic black gang refused to leave Southampton. The ship’s passengers were all on board, but the lads refused to move. They are demanding lifeboats for everyone.”

  Davy took a long puff. “I thought they had started that anyway. Didn’t someone say the Americans were doing it?”

  Gerry shifted to avoid the smoke wafting toward him. “They did but that was for ships leaving their ports. The Olympic is in England. Seems it was loaded with some old boats from the army and other places.”

  “The army? What would they need boats for?”

  Gerry ignored the question as he read more of the article. “I knew it. Says here Jackson is involved. He’s reported as having put his hand through the canvas of one boat. No wonder the men won't sail.”

  “I’d have thought Jackson would have taken the risk given he missed the Titanic. His missus must be fit to kill him.”

  Gerry smiled at the thought of Mrs. Jackson. For all her temper she loved her husband, warts and all and was probably thanking God he’d stayed in the pub and missed going Titanic’s first, and only, trip. He read on.

  “They thought the rest of the crew would join them, but the officers ordered the gangplanks to be removed so the rest of the crew couldn’t leave the ship. They are going to charge the lads with mutiny according to this.”

  Davy crossed himself. “Mutiny? That’s serious. You can do prison time for that. They don’t hang you anymore, or do they?”