The Leaving of Liverpool by Lyn Andrews

her?’
    ‘That’s what we’ll do! We’ll pretend we’re just starting off on a cruise. It could be fun! I don’t know why I never thought of that before. A cruise! Yes, I think I’d like to go on a cruise.’
    ‘She doesn’t do that, miss. She only goes to America.’
    Olivia cast her a withering look. ‘I know that! I was just pretending! Use your imagination!’ She looked thoughtful. ‘I could go on another ship. One that does cruise. I might even take you with me.’
    When they reached the bottom of the gangway, Olivia tapped the arm of the young officer. ‘My name is Olivia Mercer.’ She paused waiting for his reaction.
    Instead he scanned the long list of names he was holding. ‘Sorry, miss. I can’t find you on here.’
    ‘Don’t be impertinent! I’m not a passenger! My father is Richard Mercer, he owns this ship!’
    He stared at her hard.
    ‘Well, he is a director of the Company! I . . . we would like to “look around”. Do a tour of inspection, so to speak.’
    He was sceptical and became flustered for other passengers were milling around and starting to complain. ‘I’d better get the Chief, miss.’
    Olivia was annoyed. ‘Get whoever you wish but don’t take all day about it!’
    The confusion at the bottom of the gangway had been spotted and another officer appeared. ‘What’s the hold up?’
    ‘Er, this lady says she is Mr Richard Mercer’s daughter and she and her friend would like to look around before we sail.’
    George Moore, the Chief Electrical Officer, gritted his teeth and was sorry he’d intervened. God Almighty! Wasn’t there enough confusion and enough work to do before they sailed without having to escort two spoiled brats around a ship already crowded with passengers and their families and friends who had come to see them off! But if she complained to her father, and by the look on her face she would do just that, he shrugged. ‘Would you follow me, ladies?’ He even managed a smile. Spoiled bitch!
    Phoebe-Ann was more excited than she’d ever been in her entire life. He had called her a ‘lady’! She just wished the brothers Malone could see her now. Their eyes would be like doorstops but they’d be down in the engine room.
    Along the miles of crowded corridors they went. Through the second and third class smoking rooms and dining rooms. Up the magnificent sweeping staircase and on through the first class lounge with its ornate glass ceiling, wood panelled walls, brocade covered chairs and sofas. Its long windows were draped with velvet hangings while rich carpet covered the entire floor. She’d never seen such magnificence and splendour and glancing at Olivia she could see even she was impressed.
    Each room was more sumptuous than the last, she thought, and it was so big. In fact it wasn’t like being on a ship at all. She was mesmerized by the beauty and the activity as stewards and stewardesses and bellboys and passengers rushed past them.
    When they reached the promenade deck and she looked down over the side she felt dizzy. They were so high up!
    With the end of the tour now in sight, George Moore hastily pointed out the landmarks of the Liverpool waterfront and those on the opposite bank of the Mersey. Olivia didn’t seem interested but Phoebe-Ann hung on his every word.
    They both jumped as the ship’s whistle blasted out. A great bellow of sound that obliterated all other noises. They’d seen the bellboys beating their gongs and shouting ‘All ashore that’s going ashore!’ but like everyone else they’d ignored them.
    ‘Time to leave,’ the chief ‘sparks’ announced. ‘We sail in a few minutes. Better get ashore or you might find yourselves passengers,’ he joked.
    Phoebe-Ann thought how wonderful that would be but already he was walking briskly ahead of them and they joined the crowd of people assembling at the top of the gangway.
    She would have liked to have watched the ship leave but Olivia hustled her towards the taxi rank as it