Forbidden Traveler

The year was 1912 in Southampton, England. My family was considered lower class because instead of having servants, we were the servants. Other girls my age were married whilst I worked to help my father afford to feed my seven siblings. My mother couldn’t work as she was gravely ill. She had a severe case of pneumonia. We weren’t able to afford her medication so we kept her as comfortable as we could. Father worked constantly to make and shine shoes. He rarely slept and forgot to eat most days. He always swore that once we were out of debt he would start saving to pay for my mothers medication. As far as I know, that day never came.

As always I would make sure the children were ready for school before I left for the shop. I would make sure their homework was finished and breakfast served. “Elisabeth, what is today’s date? I must write it on my homework so Mrs. Carlisle doesn’t take away my points.”, my brother Raymond said to me. “Today is Wednesday April 3rd my dear boy”, I said to him as I rushed all the children out the door and to school. I headed to the shoe store soon after to start my work day with my father.

When I got to the shop that morning, my father was frantic. Turns out three orders were canceled and more bills came that morning by messenger. Each of the orders were canceled because there was a new shoe maker who moved to Southampton and set up shop right across from my fathers shop. “Father, you must calm yourself. Being hysterical will only worsen your health and what if a customer walked in?”, I urged him. “You’re right.”, he said after he’d already destroyed the shop in anger. I started cleaning the shop as he apologized. I had never seen my father in hysterics that badly.

My father and I sat together quietly for a while. I tried thinking of ways I could possibly help us survive losing three orders but nothing came to mind. My father finally looked up from the floor, his eyes staring directly at me as though he were about to ask me for something. “What is it, father?”, I questioned. “This may sound crazy but I know how we are to make it out of this mess.”, he said excitedly. “Father, tell me. I must know.”, I said smiling. He assured me that I would know soon enough and left the shop. I closed up the shop and headed home to retrieve the children from school and to start dinner.

My father arrived home late that night. I only know that because I was up reading by the fireplace. “My beautiful Elisabeth, I must ask a huge favor of you. It will change our fate forever.”, he said. Curious, I poked my head up and raised my eyebrow. “I met with one of the technicians that built the new ship that is to set sail in one week from today”, he said. I interrupted, “Father, no, I do not have the qualifications to work on that ship”. “No, my dear girl. You will be a guest on that ship.”, he said. “Father, we cannot afford for me to be a guest on that ship.”, I said, confused. “Elisabeth, we are to sneak you onto the ship. Every room is full so you’ll have to sleep in the maids chamber. The prince of England and his brother will be onboard. You will play the role of a princess. I need you to marry one of them while on the ship.”, he urged. This plan was preposterous. It would never work. However, he is my father and I must do as he tells me so I agreed to it.

The next few days were business as usual except the scheduled two hours after dinner when my father was training me to act as a royal. He was teaching me everything he knew from his time as a royal servant. He taught me how to speak, walk, sit, and the proper topics to speak of when in the presence of the men I was meant to seduce.

The day came when I was to board the ship. I nervously entered the box which would be carted onto the ship and put in the maids chamber. I told my father I loved him and ducked down. When the box was closed I heard my father tell the technician to be careful. His voice was shaky as if he were afraid. I felt his emotion as I was afraid as well. Being in a box about to meet the wealthy men and women of our nation. I prayed that I didn’t mess this up as my family's future depended on me.

Once on the ship, I stayed in the box until a maid let me out. She was to be my guide on this journey. Her name was Cecelia. She was a beautiful red headed woman who was just a tad older than I was. As Cecelia helped me out of the box, she handed me the suitcase that contained everything that would assist me with my new identity. Princess Elisabeth of Sweden. My main target was Prince Edward VIII. He was the most eligible man aboard this ship. The most handsome as well.

That evening we set sail around 6:00. I ate my dinner in the maids room, bathed, and laid in bed to rest. I knew that I was going to need my rest if I were going to be able to pull off the plan my father had set for me. I had to keep telling myself that my family depended on this plan to work. I closed my eyes and prayed that I was able to do this. That night I had nightmares.

April 11, 1912 I dressed as a princess would and made my way to a lavish breakfast that was being prepared on the deck. I sat alone at a table next to the water. The view was the most incredible sight I had ever seen in my life. That was to be expected, though, as I had never traveled before. Sitting alone at a table seemed to catch the attention of several of the single men onboard, even that of Prince Edward. I noticed him staring in my general direction a few different times.

I smiled politely at Prince Edward and finished my meal. Soon after, I went for a stroll on the deck introducing myself to all of the fine men and women onboard. I watched as children ran around laughing and playing. I took in all of the happiness. For a moment I had forgotten why I was there. I had forgotten about the troubles that plagued my family. My mother being ill, our finances, my siblings education, and my lack of being a mother myself by now. I watched as a woman about my age carried an infant baby girl. She couldn’t have been more than 3 months old. My heart ached to feel what it was to be a mother.

The prince brushed my shoulder when he walked past me. “Excuse me”, he said. His voice was the most handsome voice I had ever heard. “Glad to hear it”, I said. I knew I shouldn’t have said that. I questioned myself. “What was that?”, he asked. I went with it. “I said I am glad to hear it, sir.”, I popped off. The prince scoffed and grinned. I smiled in his direction. “A woman has never spoken to me that way before. Please, join me this evening for a dance in the dining hall.” he invited. “Of course, Mr..” he cut me off. “My name is Prince Edward of Wales”, he said. I curtseyed and introduced myself. “It’s nice to meet you Princess Elisabeth. I look forward to seeing you this evening”, Prince Edward said to me. We exchanged smiles and went our separate ways.

That evening I wore a gold colored satin dress with pink and gold jewels on my neck and both of my wrists. I looked as if I truly were royal. The jewels were heavy and weighed me down but I continued getting ready. I did my makeup and my hair and went on my way to the dining hall. I could hear the music from afar and excitement filled my body. I hurried my way to the dining hall. Standing outside the door I took a breath and made my way inside. The prince was waiting for me.

The prince grabbed my hand and ushered me to the dance floor. A beautiful melody played as he twirled me around. Everyone’s eyes were on us. I didn’t really notice, though, as my gaze was fixated on Prince Edward. His eyes never left mine. My heart pounded hard in my chest as his hand cuffed my waist. After barely speaking a word to him I caught myself falling for him. I had never spoken to men prior so it was the only real interaction with a man that I had ever known. It was the first time I felt something for a man.

Soon after our dance he guided me to a private area outside of the dining hall. Another beautiful sight with the light shining through the waves beneath us. Other couples passed us but Prince Edward paid no mind to them. He kept his gaze locked on me. He looked at me as though I was the most curious creature on this Earth. “I love you.”, I blurted out. I needed to break the silence. He laughed and I looked at the ground. My cheeks flushed from embarrassment.

Prince Edward was getting ready to speak when we both heard someone yell “get down”. We both fell to the ground. What came next were screams of men, women, and children as the sound of gunfire rang in our ears. “Princess, we must get you below deck”, the prince urged as he helped me off the floor and pushed me toward the stairs. The ship was under attack. The war of the other countries has found us. “They must have known the Prince and his brother were on the ship”, I heard one of the Kings Guards say as they ran me and the Prince along the side of the ship.

Gunfire still rang loudly as we finally made it to the center of the ship. I needed to pause to take a breath. I felt a panicked feeling and could not breathe. The prince picked me up and ran with me. As we reached the stairs I saw that the stairwell was flooded. “The ship is full of water. We will sink soon. Get the royals to the safety boats immediately.”, I heard one of the King’s Guards yell. I noticed our course change. Over the gunfire and the screams I heard the little infant girl crying. Her mother had fallen overboard. “Put me down”, I screamed at the prince. He dropped me and I ran to the rail where the baby was wedged. I grabbed the little girl and ran back to the prince.

At that moment in time the ship shifted. The prince and I holding onto each other and this little baby trying to keep from falling overboard. The pipe we were holding onto gave out and the prince, the baby, and I all fell into the water. I never let the baby girl go but the prince had let us go. The waves were strong and the water cold. I fought hard to keep the baby and I both above water. The ship finally sank and bullets started hitting the water. It was as if those who sank the ship wanted all of us dead. I did not focus on the bullets. I focused on me and the baby. Suddenly, I saw a blue glowing figure in the water. The glowing light was very bright but I could no longer focus on the light or the baby. I gripped the baby tight and everything went dark.

When I woke up, it was raining. I was on the street in a foreign land I did not recognize. The baby wrapped up in my arms. A sigh of relief because we both made it out alive. Soon a panic had come over me as I remembered the events of the night prior. “Help!”, I screamed. A crowd surrounded me and the little baby. “What’s wrong Miss. What happened?”, a stranger's voice sounded. “I was on the Titanic ship. It sank. I need help. There were innocent people on that ship. We have to save them!”, I yelled. Everyone looked at me and started clapping and laughing. “You had us! Great performance!” The crowd cheered. “What do you mean?”, I asked. Nobody answered me.

I walked down the street away from the crowd and noticed a man handing out newspapers. I grabbed one from his hand. The front page read “Date: April 14, 2012. ‘100 Years Since The Titanic Tragedy’.” There was absolutely no way that I had gone 100 years into the future. My family needed me. I needed to get back to them. I finally grasped my bearings and realized where I was. I was on the streets in my hometown. I ran with the infant in my arms all the way to my house. The door was locked so I knocked. “Mother! Father! I am home!”, I yelled. The door swung open and there stood a woman. “Child, who are you looking for?”, the woman asked. “Child? I am a sixteen year old woman. I am looking for Gerald and Agnes Ackford. My mother and father.”, I snapped. The woman’s eyes widened. “Miss, you must be ill. Gerald and Agnes have both passed away. They were my great grandparents.”, the woman said. She looked at me as if I were confused.

“That is impossible. I am their daughter Elisabeth. The titanic ship sank last night. I fell overboard with this little baby.”, I argued. “How did the titanic sink then?”, the woman asked. “We were attacked by men on another ship. Men from the war.”, I told her. “You’re wrong. The ship hit an iceberg and sank. Please leave and do not come back. You’re only after my family's wealth.”, the woman said angrily. “Wealth?”, I asked. “Yes. Wealth. If you knew anything you would know that after my Great Aunt Elisabeth died on the ship my great grandfather sued the owner of the ship and got a large settlement to which he used to build a greater fortune.”, the woman said.

I could not help but to smile. I walked away and never returned. I was proud knowing that my supposed death helped my family out of our financial troubles. What came of that little infant? I am now her mother. Her name is Francesca Marie Ackford. It has been a journey since the sinking of the Titanic but we have adapted to our new reality.