She’d been disappointed when the front rows were filled when they arrived. Huffing, she’d directed Thomas and Eve to a row in the middle. The collar of Thomas’s new shirt chafed his throat. He tugged at it to ease his discomfort. While Mother prayed, head bowed, beside him, Thomas looked around. There were more Catholics in second class than he’d expected. He found the Worthington family towards the back of the room. Thomas elbowed Eve, who sat on his other side, and nodded in their direction. Eve pulled at the lacy cuffs on her dress and peeked over her shoulder. When she turned back to the front, Thomas thought the energy around her had changed. He twisted to take another look. Hugh was still gazing in their direction. “See you after?” mouthed Thomas. Hugh nodded. Mother poked Thomas’s thigh with a bony finger. He faced the front where Father Byles, who Thomas had noticed on the promenade deck and in the dining room during the course of the journey, stood with his back to the congregation.
