An Ocean of Bright Stars: Part 2

Donal broke away from Maeve’s hand and took off down the ship’s deck.

“Donal!” Maeve shouted, hurrying after him as he darted between women covered in long fur coats and men dressed in suits. She was sure they were in the wrong section of the ship.

The heels of Maeve’s worn shoes clattered against the wooden boards as she ran after Donal. His giggling floated in the air as he skipped towards the bow of the ship. It was clearly a moment of joy for him, but Maeve’s heart pounded against her chest with fear of losing him in the crowd of dozens of unfamiliar faces.

“Donal, please stop!” Maeve called.

At her voice, Donal turned and as he did, he collided with the pressed suit pants of a man in a top hat. Immediately, the man spun around caught off guard.

Maeve held her breath, expecting the man to be furious. Instead, a curious grin spread across his face as he looked down at Donal. Maeve slowed to a stop as she caught up with Donal and the stranger. The stranger was a handsome man, not much older than herself. His dark brown hair poked out from beneath his top hat and a freshly trimmed beard covered his jaw and his chin.

Maeve found her voice to apologize. “I’m terribly sorry. Please excuse my son’s poor manners. Donal? What do you say to this nice man?”

“I’m sorry,” Donal muttered, hanging his head in shame as he returned to his mother’s side.

“No worries at all. Donal, is it?” The man asked in a light English accent and smiled. Donal nodded and the man extended his hand as he introduced himself to the little boy. “Andrew Winters.”

Donal hesitated, looking up at his mother for approval to shake the hand of a stranger. Maeve nodded in reassurance. Donal shook Andrew’s hand and then clung to Maeve’s dress.

“What a lovely little boy you have, Miss…?” Andrew commented as he turned his gaze to Maeve and held out his hand to her.

Struck by Maeve’s uncanny resemblance to Catherine, Andrew could not look away from Maeve’s warm green eyes. Maeve’s heart leaped into her throat as his eyes met hers for the first time. She found herself blushing as Andrew stared at her.

“Caughey. Maeve Caughey,” she responded, accepting Andrew’s firm but gentle hand. Her blush deepened at the touch of his skin.

Andrew withdrew his hand and tipped his hat to her. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Caughey.”

A young man stepped out onto the promenade with his trumpet and the tantara startled Maeve.

“Don’t worry. It’s just the obnoxious announcement for dinner,” Andrew laughed. “Will you be joining?”

Mortified, Maeve shook her head. “I’m afraid we have third-class tickets.”

“Ah, I see,” Andrew said, sounding more disappointed than anything else. He leaned in closer to her as other passengers made their way down the promenade. “If you ask me, I think it’s silly separating people by class. Everyone should be able to enjoy the same luxuries, especially aboard a ship such as this one.”

Maeve only managed to smile in return. She was not expecting such candor and kindness.

Andrew gave a light sigh. He dreaded another night of stiff conversations involving politics.

“My apologies, I must be going,” he said, tipping his hat once again. “Perhaps I will run into you again soon." Then he disappeared into the crowd heading for the staircase.

Maeve was left standing there on the boat deck with a tugging at her heart, as well as a simultaneous tugging on her dress.

“Mum?”

Donal looked up at her with the sparkling inquisitive eyes of his father. Maeve smiled and tousled Donal’s hair, much to Donal’s protest. He giggled as his mother took his hand and the pair headed back towards the stern of the ship.

***

Part 1 of the series is below!