Chapter 5

AT SEA ON THE BERENGARIA

JULY 12

Golly, living the life of the rich and famous at last. About to get dressed and dine at the captain’s table. Eat your heart out, Fig.

As we reached the open sea and the passage around the Isle of Wight I felt the rise and fall of the water’s swell for the first time. I hope I won’t be seasick, I thought. It would be such a waste with all that fun and those lovely meals awaiting me. I decided to go down and change for dinner. If by some miracle Darcy was on the ship, I’d be bound to see him then, if he didn’t find his way to my cabin first. I hurried eagerly along the passageway.

Queenie was standing looking out of my cabin window as I arrived. “It ain’t half going up and down, miss,” she said.

“You’ll be fine, Queenie. You’ll get used to it in no time at all. I see you’ve unpacked. Well done. Now I’d like to change for dinner.”

“What do you want to wear then? Them new pajamas what’s all the rage?”

“No, I think I’ll look sleek and sophisticated in the backless midnight blue.”

“Bob’s yer uncle,” she said. Then she paused. “Here. What kind of underwear goes with a backless dress?”

“Nothing, Queenie.”

“What, no vest? No brassiere?” (She pronounced it “brazier,” like the fire.)

I laughed. “Certainly no vest, and I’m afraid no brassiere either.”

“Blimey. You’re being a bit daring, aren’t you? What if yer boobs fall out?”

I laughed. “Queenie, the dress is made so that they don’t. Besides I don’t have your size breasts to worry about.”

She started to lay out clothes on my bed while I went to wash.

“’Ere,” she called. “What about my dinner then? Where am I supposed to eat?”

“I believe the maids’ dining room is up on the promenade deck, but you should ask Claudette. And Queenie, do try and mind your manners, won’t you? The other maids would be horrified at your language.”

“Don’t worry, miss,” she said. “I’ll be too keen on me food to do a lot of talking. I intend to eat all I can in case I feel sick later.”