"Here it is, Papa!" Florence said with a smile, handing him the file they'd been searching for for hours.
"Finally ! Thank you my darling, why not join your sisters for some fresh air? Or see if Mama would like to join you. I should be good for now."
"I see, trying to be rid of me then?" she asked, crossing her arms with a pout.
"Not at all, I just think it's such a waste to be cooped up inside all day long. Your Mama could use a walk as well, get the blood flowing. At least that's what Dr. Clarkson suggested."
She giggled, gave him a kiss then went to get her mother.
*****
"Come in!" Cora called. "Oh, hello, Florence. I suppose Your Papa said we should go get some air?"
"Yes he did. Shall I ring for O'Brien and meet you downstairs?"
"Ring for her but please stay. Have you been feeling well? I just get the sense you've been upset about something."
"I don' know. I don't feel close to any of my sisters. Mary is my twin but she ignores me unless she's criticizing me for my behavior. Edith just talks to me to complain about Mary which I usually just ignore and Sybil and I don't have a thing in common. They went for a walk today but not one asked if I wanted to join them. I think they just assume I want to spend all day helping Papa. I don't mind doing that. I just feel someone should help him out. I don't like it when he gets so burnt out and refuses help. So I told him to ask me when he gets stuck or needs anything."
Cora got up and sat beside Florence on the bed, taking her hands. "Would you like me to talk to them?"
"I don't know. Probably not. I don't want them to start being all nice just because you said so."
"Alright I'll stay quiet for now, but let me know if you change your mind."
*******
"Good Morning, Papa!" Florence said as she helped herself to some breakfast. He seemed to be engrossed in the paper so she stood next him, reading over his shoulder. "Oh My! It really sank?"
"It would seem so," Robert replied. He watched as Florence set down her plate and took a shuddering breath. Things like this tend to hit her hard. Edith and Mary entered with Mary looking at Florence and scoffing. Sybil entered a moment later with a telegram. And Robert's stomach dropped as he read it. Cora would be upset and probably going to blame herself. He stood and left the room.
"What was that all about?" Edith asked.
"None of our business," Mary replied, taking a drink of her coffee.
Florence sighed, finished her food then left the dining room.
Mary rolled her eyes. "Why are you always so rude to Florence?"
"So what if I am!"
"Because she's your twin sister and she's kind!"
"She acts more like a child than Sybil does."
Florence was in the small library gathering some paperwork to help Robert go through. She sat down on the floor, trying not to let the tears spill on the papers. Just the thought of all those people, men, women, and the children. God the children! Drowning in the cold unforgiving sea! How horrible!
"My first cousin and his son are most certainly dead, we will all be in mourning."
"No, i mean with the other thing."
"If You're saying you do not wish to mourn Patrick as a fiancée that is up to you."
"Well, no one else knew it outside the family."
"I repeat that is up to you."
"Thank Goodness." Mary replied.
At Papa's silence Florence knew he was upset. James wasn't a nice person to anyone except Papa, but Patrick was a dear friend to them all . Mostly to Edith, not Mary who just brushed off Papa's feelings like swatting a fly.
Wiping her own tears, Florence picked up her papers then went to her father, placing the sheets on his desk then giving him a hug. "I am dreadfully sorry about James and Patrick, Papa. Would you like some help today?"
"Thank you my sweet, but I'm not in much of a mood to work today. We'll pick it up after the day after tomorrow. Let us get through the memorial service. Could you ask your Mama if she needs help with anything? I don't want her to work too hard."
"Of course!" Florence replied, giving him a kiss.