April – A Time of Angels

April Foley arrived from Dublin in a matter of minutes. She alighted the steps of the bus, feeling shaken, rattled and rolled about on the journey to the port. It was 1912. In her left hand she carried a small black leather bag, the sort carried by doctors. On her head, a bottle green velvet cloche hat covered her dark brown hair. Her elegant clothes meant she would be perceived as a rich woman with a purpose.

She approached the dock where the RMS Amazon was moored, she was to sail to Southampton for the next part of her voyage.  Showing  her boarding card to the surly attendant, he spoke with a thick Irish accent. No doubt from Belfast and no doubt a shipyard worker who helped to build RMS Titanic. He checked April’s details and waved her on board, she was travelling alone, this she always did. April was intent on making a difference in a different time and dimension.

RMS Amazon set sail and would arrive early morning in time for her passengers to meet the sailing deadline for the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic on 10th April 1912. As they approached the dock, April watched from her cabin window, there was much activity as preparations were underway for the departure of the world’s most luxurious cruise ship ever built. On which she was sailing as a first class passenger. Even though she had the financial means to do so she was a down to earth woman, strong minded and wise beyond her 35 years. Knowledge and wisdom gained from time and travels. She was no ordinary woman, her powers and skills were part of her DNA passed down through generations from ancient times.  In her possession was a key which had turned through one hundred million years. A family heirloom given to her when she was born.

When on board the luxury ship she was shown to her first class cabin and gave a generous tip to her cabin steward, Thomas, a young lad of about 18 years. He was from the local area born into a poor family who would be better off with the wages he earned from the White Star Line.

Then the Captain made an announcement over the loud speakers informing his passengers they were about to set sail. There was a sudden rush of people making their cries, cheers  and shouts of joy loud and clear from the quayside. Lots of passengers on each deck scrunched together shouting and cheering as the ship began to move away from its moorings. We were on our way to the land of the free!

Two weeks before April had a dream in which she was saw a large cruise ship sailing across an icy cold,  calm ocean. Then suddenly there was an almighty crash, the ship, described as being indestructible, was ripped apart by a huge iceberg. She awoke, startled and concerned for the ship, its passengers and crew. The next morning she went to the Post Office to find out about the latest ships being built in the Harland and Wolfe shipyards. She was astonished to see a picture and article about the RMS Titanic and noted the date of its maiden voyage. Knowing what she must do she immediately started to make travel arrangements to go to Southampton.

Her plan was to talk with the Captain of RMS Titanic to inform him of the impending disaster and plead with him to change course to avoid icebergs. She knew it would not be easy given the publicity and ideas of the ship being the best ship ever built and could withstand anything.

During the course of the next few days April made several attempts to talk to the Captain to tell him of her dream but it was futile. She knew what was to come and knew she could not change the Captain’s mind nor would he allow her to let the passengers and crew know of the impending disaster. He was most adamant and ordered April to stay in her cabin and not to say anything to anyone. She felt very sad and decided it was time for her to leave the ship.

She approached the unfamiliar door and nervously took the key from her pocket.  She took a deep breath, unlocked the door, paused, then opened it, to her horror she saw an image of where she was going to next. To a time of great upheaval and destruction across the world. Her mission was to change the events as much as she could but knew it was not going to be easy….. With one flap of her wings she was gone and heading towards the night sky where she would enter another time and dimension. April is a month of Angels, perhaps…..

Rhonda Fenwick
10th April 2020

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