Broken tides
Chapter 1

Charles Lightoller leaned on the rail of the barrier gate in a bored like fashion.
"Stand up man, you're an officer for heavens sake." snapped Bruce J Ismay.
Charles rolled his eyes and rocked back on his heels, leaning back onto the whitewashed metal instead.
"Sylvia!"
He frowned at the woman's awful, screechy voice.
"Quickly now girl, I want these things unpacked before dinner,"
"Yes miss."
Charlie watched Mrs Aster stalk past him.
"Officer."
"Ma'am." he tipped his hat as he watched the young maid struggle with the cases.
"Urgh!" she cried as she failed to lift both.
"Here miss, let me-"
"Oh no, no I can manage." she stammered, stepping away from him and avoiding looking up.
"Please don't I'm only on a trial run."
"Miss, you're merely lifting a case, it's not a crime now, is it?"
She looked up then and managed a small laugh.
"Thankyou..."
"Charlie."
"Thank you Charlie."
"SYLVIA!" screeched the voice from inside the passageway.
"Snotty old bat." he muttered, lifting the other case and following the maid.
"Cor Blimey, what the hell's she got in 'ere? Bricks?" he cried as he dragged the Louis Vuitton case along.
"For your information Mr Lightoller, those are shoes..." replied Mrs Aster, glaring at him slightly.
"Shoes? It weighs more than a bleedin baby elephant!"
The maid hung her head to hide her giggles at the officer.
"You offered to help, did you not, Mr Lightoller?"
"Well yeah...bu-"
"Well then please kindly get on and put those by the table."
He dragged the case grumpily across to the table, deliberately leaving it at the other end so that Mrs Aster had to drag it further before it would get into the bedroom.
"Sylvia, make sure it goes next to the closet..."
"Now 'e're 'ang on. No lady's dragging that thing any where."
Charlie wrestled the shoe carrier from the maids grip and dragged it into the bedroom.
"That's what maids are for, Mr Lightoller."
"Oh of course, Mrs Aster. But there's a difference when one is told what to do, and when one is taking the pi-"
"MR LIGHTOLLER!"
He jumped at the sound of Ismays voice.
"Get on." he growled warningly.
"Yes sir." he muttered, tipping his hat to the maid, deliberately ignoring Mrs Aster.

XxxX

"Cor Blimey she's a right snobby cow." he muttered as he joined the rest of the lads for what looked like a vesta curry. He scowled and plonked down next to William, setting his hat down beside him.
"Want some?" asked Joseph Boxhall as he looked down at the pan in the middle of the table.
"Whatsit like?" he questioned.
"S'right. A bit hot like, Joe did three boxes," Grinned Bride wickedly as Joe scowled at the laughing officers.
"I bet your Ro'll have a fit if she finds out they've been keeping you alive on vestas," said Charlie as he watched his best friend mop up the left over sauce with a piece of buttered bread.
William Murdoch grinned and shook his head.
"Yeap well I know I'll be getting a full roast dinner on Sunday." he tormented, leaning back in his chair and flashing an evil grin.
"You lucky sod." muttered Charlie.
"That's it?" he asked as Joe plonked a plate in front of him.
The boys exchanged glanced.
"What were you expecting? That'll fill you up with a couple of slices of bread." said Harold.
"Fucking hell." he muttered, snatching a fork and tucking into the rice.
It was the first time that the boys had been on a cruiser together since the sinking of Titanic four years ago.
All of the lads were settled, Harold had somehow miraculously got married much to everyones surprise, and so had Joe.
William and Aurora's fourth wedding anniversary was coming up next month too.
Charlie made a mental note to buy his favourite couple an anniversary card. He wasn't very good at remembering birthdays and stuff.
"Ow's Zoe Will?" asked Bert.
"Oh she's great. She's seven now. And she's a right little beggar." William grinned wickedly.
"She gives Ro a run for her money."
"Ah you've spoilt the lass, course she's goin t' run rings round yer," said Charlie.
"Better wind her neck in now cause before Y'know it she'll be bringing blokes home." chirped the captain.
William choked on a mouthful of rice, causing Joe and Charlie to laugh.
"Go on then, what's her current trick? Last time I was there she was a mouthy little git."
"Oh just winding Ro up, Y'know."
"Draggin you into it is she eh?" laughed Charlie, who silently admitted to himself that the vesta wasn't that bad after all.
"She's giving it the old - 'he loves me more than you trick.'. It drives Ro bonkers."
"I bet it does."
Harry grinned.
"Bet Thomas is turning in his grave." muttered Joe, also grinning.
"Just...don't have girls lads, trust me." said the chief officer, taking a small sip of larger.
Charles finished his supper, before glancing at his watch.
"Christ. I'm gonna get some shut eye. I've got to have nine hours."
"Eye go get yer beauty sleep," tormented Will, laughing at his ship mate.
"We don't want you ray arsed tomorrow."
Grumbling at the light banter, he left and headed for bed.

A/N
Review? I hope you like this one classicmovielover cause it's for you xD