Emma smiled. One way or another she’d get her mother to accept some of her earnings, when the time came. The family needed it. ‘So is it all right? May I apply for a job on the ship? You don’t mind?’
‘I don’t mind at all, lovey,’ Ma said.
‘I mind.’ Ruby glared at Emma. ‘With you away for weeks on end I’ll have to do your share of the housework as well as my own, as well as my job. I’ll have no free time to myself. But you don’t care about that, do you?’
‘I can do Emma’s chores,’ Lily said. ‘I’m old enough now.’
‘Huh. Half the time you’re too poorly to help with anything. And with Emma away I’ll end up having to nurse you on top of everything else.’
Lily pouted. Emma sighed. It was true that she tended to be the one who looked after Lily most whenever she had one of her frequent bouts of ill health that had plagued her since she’d had tuberculosis at the age of seven. Ruby had always done the minimum.
‘Lily’s not so often sick these days, Rubes. Not now she’s growing up. It’ll be all right, if I go away, I’m sure. And I’d be back every few weeks.’ And it’s my chance to do something different with my life, she wanted to add. My life, my choice.
‘Of course it will be,’ Ma said. ‘Now then, how about a nice cup of tea? I hope they’ll have tea on board the ship. I know how much you like a cup in the mornings.’
‘Of course they’ll have tea,’ Emma said. ‘And I’m sure I’ll get a few breaks in the day in which I can drink a cup. At least I hope so!’
‘When are the interviews?’ Ruby wanted to know.
‘Tomorrow. I have a half day, so I’ll go down in the afternoon. Wish me luck!’
‘Good luck, lovey.’ Ma smiled but there was a sadness in her eyes. Her first daughter to leave home, even if it was only for temporary periods. But Emma knew Ma would miss her. As Emma was the eldest, Ma had leaned on her heavily since Pa had died. She’d helped nurse Lily. She’d counselled Ruby many times, doing her best to curb her middle sister’s wayward nature and spare her mother’s grey hairs. She’d taken on as much of the day-to-day housework and cooking in the home as she could. She’d been working in the Star Hotel since they’d returned from the Isle of Wight when she was 14, giving up most of her wages to help keep the family. None of it was what she’d dreamed of, but it was her duty as the eldest to take care of the family. And now, there was a chance to have some adventures of her own, while still helping provide for the family’s needs. It was perfect. If only she could get the job!
The following afternoon Emma changed quickly out of her work uniform, put on a neat brown dress and re-pinned her hair, then hurried down to the docks to the shipping offices of the White Star Line. There were people milling about everywhere; she had expected it to be busy and indeed there were hundreds of people, mostly men, hanging around in and outside of the offices. Emma approached a young woman who was waiting patiently inside the offices, sitting on a plain wooden bench that ran along one side. The woman, pretty with dark hair, was neatly dressed in a tweed coat and hat.
‘Hello,’ Emma said. ‘Do you mind if I sit with you? Am I in the right place for interviews for a job on RMS Olympic?’
The other woman smiled. ‘Of course, sit down. Yes, this is the right place to sign on. Is this your first time?’
Emma nodded. ‘I heard about the possibility of work and thought I would quite like it. I’m Emma Higgins, by the way.’ She held out her hand for the other woman to shake.
‘Violet Jessop. Good to meet you, Emma. Stick with me and I’ll help you out.’ She looked kindly at Emma, who felt relieved to have found a friend so quickly.
‘Have you done this before? Been to sea, I mean?’ Emma asked.
Violet nodded. ‘Several times, yes. I’ve been with White Star for a while and they asked me to come and sign on for the Olympic. But they’re short so they are needing to recruit more.’
‘All those men out there? Are they all trying for jobs?’
‘Some of them will be signing on, yes. As engineers, stokers, crew, able-bodied seamen, stewards, deckhands. There’s a lot more jobs for men than women. But they need stewardesses too to help look after the female passengers. That’s what I do. Is it what you are hoping for?’
‘Yes. I’ve been working in a hotel for a few years,’ Emma replied, as she looked around at the people milling about in the waiting area. ‘Should I be giving my name or something?’
‘Oh, heavens, have you not done that? Yes, go over there and give your name to the clerk at that desk.’ Violet gestured to where a man with greased-down hair was sitting behind a desk, fending off enquiries from several men at once.
Emma felt nervous as she approached. Some of the men looked rough – they must be hoping for work as stokers or engineers rather than as stewards. The man at the desk looked up at her.
‘Can I help?’
‘My name is Emma Higgins. I am looking for work as a stewardess, please.’
‘Very well, Miss Higgins, I’ll put your name down and if you can just wait over there until you’re called.’ He gestured to the bench where Violet was still sitting, and Emma returned to her seat gratefully.
A few minutes later a door opened, and a man in a smart suit came out and nodded to Violet. ‘You’re next, Vi,’ he
