Karl agreed to join the ladies at the church service in the first class Dining Saloon at ten thirty. In a way, it was like a funeral to him, knowing what was to come in the next twelve hours. He wasn’t alone in the feeling, as he sat between Lizzie and Felicity with the other two women on either side of them. He could sense the sadness around him.
From everything he had read on the subject, the Captain had been as fooled by the builder’s claims as everyone else. He had expected the ship to perform with the flexibility of a much smaller liner and he discounted the impact that the south drifting ice flows were having on the crafts making the Atlantic crossing that night. His arrogance and ignorance were partly to blame for the ship’s demise. However, he was by no means the only culprit.
After the service, Karl took the opportunity to introduce the ladies to Carter and Finn, who were there with their Targets and Max Ingham.
‘You have received instructions?’ Karl asked the men.
‘Eilish was with me last night and acquainted me with the details. I have told the others,’ Max Ingham replied his face very stern and focused.
‘Then we will meet you all at extraction. Good luck,’ Karl said after shaking each man’s hand in turn.
He noticed the women were just a little more convinced after that meeting. As if first class men of repute could not be wrong. How typical that attitude was of the times.
He heard Trudy whispering to Felicity as they passed that, ‘if a respected barrister and engineer consider this venture legitimate, then who are we to disagree?’ Lizzie, who heard the comment too, smiled up at him.
Trudy had been their problem-child over the last day or so, as she had been see-sawing backwards and forwards. One moment, she was all for staying with Oliver and seeing what happened. The next, she was all for becoming part of the new world without her troublesome husband. This might just be enough weight to push her in favour of the extraction.
As he tucked Lizzie's hand securely in at his elbow, he knew that if nothing else, he had the lady at his side convinced. It did not take men of authority to tip her in his favour. She believed it all because she believed in him. It was the most powerful accolade he had ever received. And he loved her for it more than he ever thought possible.
Life with Lizzie was going to be a wonder. He’d never felt as happy and optimistic in his life.