LOST OPPORTUNITIES (III)

Frederick is in the park.
“Edith, darling.” He says. “Come away with me. I have some money from my mother. We have the chance to go away together. We can go to Paris, or to Rome. It’s spring… and I love you.”
“Sweet Frederick… it’s a lovely idea, but I can’t possibly. You know I can’t.”
“But why not?” He kisses Edith’s small white hand.
“My dear! You’re very young and… I’m not,” says Edith. “I have a husband. He wants to take me away on holiday.”

“Leave him! Get a divorce! We can have a wonderful life together!”

“Give me time to think, darling boy. I must go home now – I’m sorry.”
“But I love you…”
“I know,” says Edith.

“No!” shouts Harriet father. “NO! NO! NO!
“But father, please…”
“You want to be a waitress on a ship? My only daughter? Never!”
“Not a waitress, Jack dear,” says Harriet’s mother. “A singer.”
“A singing waitress! No! And that is my last word. Go to your room!”
Harriet goes to her room. She lies on her bed. Se wants to die.


“No!” says Edward. “I must go now! Next week is too late.”
“I’m sorry,” says his mother. “You can’t leave on Wednesday.
Your grandfather is coming from Scotland to talk about your future.”
“But mother…”
“We are dependent on him for everything, Edward. Your education, your clothes, your job with Mr Harding – they all come from him…”
“I know, I know. But don’t you see, mother, This is the chance of a lifetime! They want me to design their hotel… They want me! ME!”
“If that’s true, my son,” says his mother, “they can wait for a week.”
Edward goes out of the room – out of the house. Spring is in the air, but he doesn’t feel it. He hates life. He doesn’t want to live.

“Oh no,” says Frederick. “It can’t be true!”
He looks again at the letter in his hand.
“… so, darling Frederick, I’m going to New York with my husband on a wonderful new ship. We’re leaving tomorrow. Don’t be sad, my darling. I hope you find a new love soon. Edith.”
Frederick’s heart is broken. He wants to die.

“Goodbye, goodbye! Bon voyage! Have a good journey!”

The ship begins to sail from Southampton. It’s Wednesday 10 th April 1912. The Titanic and her two thousand passengers are starting on their journey to an appointment with destiny. In the cold waters of the Atlantic, an iceberg is waiting…

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