Rated PG
© 1999 Tracy Boardman @ daz@scuby.freeserve.co.uk
based on some characters
and situations originated by James Cameron
Rose sat in the garden trying to read the book before her, but she couldn't concentrate. She had been in Pittsburgh for a week and
it was making her ill, literally. She detested the dirt, the grime, which belched out from the chimneys and tainted the air and
buildings. She also detested Cal's parents. Lucy Hockley was a petite, well-dressed woman with upswept greying blonde hair. As
a millionaire's wife she enjoyed being at the very centre of society, a position Ruth Dewitt Bukater was always denied. She
attended many charity functions, although Rose was never sure whether it was for the good cause or her social standing, although
she suspected the latter. Lucy had insisted on dragging Rose along to every garden party imaginable to show off Caledon's wife.
So far she had been introduced only as "my son Caledon's wife" to everyone and was beginning to think she didn't have an identity
of her own. Cal's father was like Cal, a tall, dark eyed man, very much a gentleman with dark hair flecked
with grey, the image of an older Cal. This time Rose had seen a big change in him. He looked gaunt, coughed a lot and relied
heavily on a stick to support him. The doctor had advised total rest, but he carried the stubborn Hockley streak and made the
most of his time with Cal. Rose would normally not mind this, if it hadn't left her to the mercy of Lucy.
Rose tried to hide how wretched she felt as best she could. Cal would only accuse her of acting or being ill deliberately, as if it
were possible. The air was foul, Rose decided and being stuffed like a fattened calf all the time was not good for the stomach. Not
that she felt hungry. She would politely nibble at the food before her, then make her excuses to go to the bathroom and bring it all
back again.
Today she was lucky. Lucy had an appointment in town and Rose managed to wriggle out of going with her. She desperately
wanted some time alone. She chose a book from the Hockley library and seated herself in the sun to read. The Hockley mansion
was not built without careful thought and faced away from the factory pollution, so the business of entertaining in the garden would
never be spoiled. But, she couldn't concentrate. She found herself watching the birds and butterflies and wishing she too were free
to take off and escape the confines of the garden walls.
Rose closed the book and knowing no-one was watching or would make some comment on her posture, she drew her knees up
and hugged them. It was a very unlady like position, as her mother had pointed out many times. But it was something that she
did as a child, something that her father didn't object to and it was now something that comforted her if she felt unwell.
Her mind turned to Jack. She had sent him a short letter on her arrival, to thank him for her paintings, to say she would be out of
town for a few weeks and that she was sorry she had missed him the day she left. Trudy had posted it for her.
Where had he been that day? Rose puzzled. She had really wanted to see him that one last time and had found she missed him
whilst she had been away. Never mind, we will soon be going back to Philadelphia, she told herself. Not soon enough.
What was she going to do about Jack? He was going to New York for his friends wedding in about three weeks. Was it possible
that she could leave Cal by then and go with him? No Rose, that is crazy talk, she chided herself. It's just a fanciful dream. You
are a Hockley now; you can never go back.
Trudy walked out into the garden to find Rose. She was concerned that her mistress was not well. She had noticed how pale Rose
looked, even if no one else did. And although Rose had denied it, she knew there was something wrong.
"Excuse me Miss, I was going on an errand to the shops. Would you like anything?"
Rose slowly uncurled herself. "Oh Trudy, please may I come with you? I am so bored, I need to get away from this house for a
while" she lowered her voice "and you know I cannot get away when the Hockley's are here."
Trudy smiled. "I'd be honoured if you accompanied me Miss Rose. It'd be just like the old days!"
She extended a hand to help her mistress up and they went into the house to collect shawls and purses. A trip out alone was a
rare treat for Rose.
They headed down the road away from the big houses towards where the shops were. As they turned the corner, they were
surprised to be faced with a small crowd of people and a commotion. Rose, ever curious, insisted they went to see what was
wrong.
There had been an accident of some kind. There was a motor car with a broken light and a cart with a broken wheel. The cart had
tipped slightly and some of its contents lay in the road with broken glass and shattered wood. A young boy was holding the horse
which appeared unhurt, but two men, one the smartly dressed owner of the car and the other obviously the cart driver, were having
a terrible argument in the middle of the road, almost coming to blows. The crowd watched eager for the fight. Amongst all this, a
small child sat beside the cart crying. Her clothes were dirty and ragged; her knees were cut and bleeding. And more amazing to
Rose was that no one seemed even slightly interested in the crying girl.
"Come on Miss Rose, there is nothing to see here" insisted Trudy trying to lead Rose away.
"But the poor child" pointed Rose. "How come no one is looking after her" Before Trudy could answer the crowd gasped and
backed slightly. The cart owner had punched the car owner and they were squaring up for another blow.
"How come no one is doing anything?" Rose protested. Another punch flew. The startled horse neighed loudly and fought the
young boy for the control of the reins. The thing was starting to turn into something nasty.
Rose could watch no more. She pushed forward through the crowd and went over to the little girl. To Trudy's horror, she picked the
child up. The little girl clung tightly to Rose and sniffed, little tears on her cheeks. The car owner, with a bloody nose rounded on
Rose.
"What do you think you are doing Miss?"
"I am removing this child" Rose spat angrily. "How could you behave like in front of her. Can you not see she is terrified?"
The cart owner, also ruffled turned to Rose too. He pointed a finger.
"It's her fault. She ran into the road."
The crowd looked at Rose too.
"I don't care whose fault it was, she is only a child." Trudy appeared at her side. "Come Trudy." And she began to walk away. The
cart driver caught her arm.
"You ain't going no where with 'er."
Rose stopped in tracks, her temper rising. Holding the child tightly, she turned to face the man, eyes blazing.
"Take your hand off me, sir. Do you know who I am?"
The cart owner looked like he knew not and cared not and smiled sarcastically.
"So who are you Miss?"
"I am Mrs Caledon Hockley, of Hockley Steel."
The smile wiped quickly off the cart owner's face and the crowd murmured. Hockley Steel was Pittsburgh's biggest employer.
Most people knew the name of Nathan and Caledon.
"Now, excuse us" demanded Rose and walked away with the child.
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