Free A Song Across the Sea by Shana McGuinn Page B

of ice. “Here, Jimmy! See if you can catch this.” He hurled the ice at another lad, who ducked it and armed himself with his own frozen missile. A free-for-all quickly broke out. Ice was soon flying in all directions.
    Tara smiled at the revelry. Except for the hulking slabs of ice littering the deck, all was reassuringly normal. Several Second Class passengers leaned over the rail lining their own deck and exchanged jokes with those below.
    Yet stewards’ bells rang dimly in the background. Were they sounding an alarm? Or simply summoning crew members to clean up the debris?
    She couldn’t wait to find out. Chilled to the bone once again, she and Dominic hurried back down to steerage. Maybe the party would resume in the common room. Tara noticed that the worried expression hadn’t yet lifted from Dominic’s face.
    •  •  •
    It was apparent, soon enough, that something was seriously wrong. The once-steady ship was rocked by intermittent tremors and seemed to be listing slightly. No steward appeared to quell their fears, so confused panic soon spread among the passengers in steerage.
    No one seemed to know what to do. The expansive alleyway of E deck was soon crammed with people trying to push their way aft, carrying all manner of cases and valises. Under the low white ceilings lit starkly by bare light bulbs they formed a crush of baggage-laden humanity, waiting to be shown where to go.
    “This way, Tara!” She realized with relief that Dominic was pulling her toward the sleeping quarters—and Padraig. His sturdy shoulders formed a flying wedge for her to follow through the crowd. They made it through the worst of it then he halted.
    “Get your brother and put on…put on…” He couldn’t find the word.
    In a flash, his meaning came to her. “Lifejackets? Dominic, you don’t mean that…the ship could really sink, do you? Surely that’s not what you’re sayin’? Not a ship this size?”
    “No. Never.” But there was a shred of uncertainty behind his calm words. “This ship is big. Too big to sink. But, uh…is better to have…lifejackets. Just in case. Now get your brother.”
    He turned away and she caught his wrist in alarm.
    “Dominic, where are you going? Please!”
    “I go to mother and grandmother. They speak no English. Will be worry about what to do.”
    He leaned over and kissed her. “Go to your brother now. Quick. Come back to here with lifejackets on and clothes to keep you warm. Is cold night. Tara…you are brave girl. Like no girl I ever know.” He smiled reassuringly. “You climb ladders, shout at steward. Whatever happens, you will be fine.” He kissed her again then turned and hurried down the corridor.
    If Padraig had heard any of the alarms, they hadn’t made much impact on his slumbers. He stirred irritably when Tara shook him awake.
    “Come, Paddy. There’s a wee bit of trouble on the ship.”
    He sat up slowly and allowed her to dress him, not noticing how badly her hands were shaking. He glanced around, blinking in confusion. “Tara, it’s not morning yet.”
    She wished with all her heart that it
was
morning. Things wouldn’t seem so bad if it were. She pulled his tweed cap onto his head and buckled him into a life jacket.
    “What’s this for?” he asked, still groggy.
    “We may have to transfer to another ship.”
    Was there another ship nearby, in case they
did
have to abandon this one? The ocean had never felt so vast, so empty to her. They might as well be on the moon, so isolated did she feel.
    She donned a warm woolen sweater. When Padraig saw her pull out the two carpetbags, he seized the “Fairy Ring,” which lay under his pillow.
    “Put it in one of the bags,” she said.
    “I won’t! I’ll carry it meself.” He managed to cram it under the restrictive life jacket and under his shirt.
    She lifted the carpetbags by their handles and staggered clumsily out of the room with them, Padraig right after her.
    “Stay with me!” she hissed.