1950

My names Elizabeth, Elizabeth Smith, I am here to tell you the experience I had over 40 years and then some. Sometimes I think about my experience on the Titanic and I want to laugh, but sometimes I want to curl up and join my lost ones. I am now 54 but at the time I was 16 but I remember it well like it was only yesterday.

48 year earlier 10th April 1912:

Me and my brother Edward were standing next to my mother and father, we were just about to board the Titanic on its maiden voyage. I wasn't one to bother with 'Family holidays' anymore, I was due to marry next spring and I wasn't looking forward to it. My Mother had said I was at the age to be out of the house and having a family of my own, but I don't really want one, not yet anyway, I'm too young. Or so I think.

Edward pulled my arm to the railing, his jacket blowing in the wind, we started waving at the people "Good Bye!" we called, and then started laughing. We and Edward or Eddie as I called him were still children in our hearts. We sorted ourselves out as we are higher class and start waving again. Eddie climbs up on the railing so more people can see him. "Eddie, stop you'll fall." I tried to shout over all the noise and shouting but fail, I have never had very good projection in my voice, then again nor did Eddie. Suddenly we heard our mother calling to us. "Edward, Elizabeth, get here at once" We sigh and walk over to her. This was one of the advantages of leaving home next year.

I was about to walk over to mother and my dress got caught on the railing. Oh how I hate these dresses. I hate the fact that women are so much lower class then males. Even in my own house, my equal twin brother; gets more credit in our house and he is my twin. We're exactly the same! "Yes mother" I call over I grab Eddies hand, "Eddie, help me!" Eddie laughed but still helped me.
"Come on, sis hurry up, you know mum won't wait forever."
"She will if you're not there"
"Oh stop it Betty. She's not that bad."
"To you"
"Come on Betty; let your hair down!" He pulled at my blonde beret and it easily fall out.
"Elizabeth, sort yourself out at once!" I opened my mouth to protest but... "No don't even bother to blame your brother this time."
"But mum-"
"Mum? It's mother, respect your elders."

"Mum it was me."
"Oh stop it Eddie, you can't let her control you."

I let out a sound of anger and my dad picked me up by the arm and helped me up. "Thank 'father'"
"Stop it, its 'dad'... when your mothers not around."

I laughed at my dad and he lead us to our room, Me and Eddie had to share a room which had two beds. Could be worse I could have had to share with my mum. Eddie and my dad put our hand luggage in our rooms. I sat on my bed and looked out onto the open sea, the ship had been going about an hour or two now. We hadn't made brilliant time because the ship has only just hit the sea. It would get... better. "Dad, Dad stop it!" I shouted through laughing. My dad was 'dancing' and he was failing. My dad can't dance to save his life; it is always funny when my dad's around. And yes before you go asking yes I am definitely a daddy's girl. Dad over mum any day; although I don't wish harm on my mother I do love her, as I think she loves me but, she prefers my brother.

I walked out to the railing and looked out, I could still see the land so we haven't travelled that far. "Betty, are you okay?" I heard Eddie from behind me. "Yeah, I just wanted to get some air, Eddie what is the point of all of this. I'm to be married next spring and I don't want to, what am I suppose to do? Just go along with it?"

"Elizabeth, you know Mother is just doing it be-"

"Because she loves me? If she loved me she wouldn't be forcing me into anything I don't want to do!"

"Elizabeth! Stop it this instant!"

"I haven't done anything!"

"Edward, go inside"

"Yes mum."

Eddie walked into his room where dad was and I was left with mum. "What have I done now?"

"Elizabeth all that I do is because I love you. I want you to move on with your life, and have a life."

"But mum you never once ask me what I want, you have only ever wondered what Eddie wants. I don't see you forcing him into marriage. And no I will not call you mother, because you don't make Eddie call you mother not once!"

"I'm sorry if you feel that way I just feel that you are..."

"Are what?"

"You need more guidance, I was the same my brother and I were exactly the same. I'm the eldest and I had the most guidance. I will arrange a marriage for my son, your brother I promise."

I merely nodded to my mum and walked back into my room. "Sorry in advance I think I just made your live worst." I said to Eddie with a small smile he just nods he doesn't care either way, he lives life as it comes. He smiles at me showing his understanding. I sit on my bed and I hear my mum and dad leave my room. "What happened in there?"