Unsinkable Love

Southampton

February 14, 1912

Dearest Albert,

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. I hope you are thinking of me as I am thinking of you on this day.

I hope everything back home is going well. Tell little Charlie that I miss him greatly, and I can't wait to see him when I return. I hope Doris is treating him well while you're away at work.

Grandmother is getting worse. I know I mentioned to you how sick she was when I first arrived, but I fear she doesn't have much longer to live. I'm doing what I can to help her get through the days, but it hurts when she calls me by my mother's name, forgetting that she died giving birth to me. She keeps me up at night with her coughs and moans. She spends most of her time in bed, refusing the medicine the doctor prescribed. I am forced to hide it in her food. She hasn't caught on yet.

Albert, I am also writing to ask you a question. I fear I may be overreacting, but I have been beside myself with worry. Hazel has been writing me as well in these past few months, and in her latest letter, she told me that she thinks you may not be faithful to me. She said she didn't wish to assume, but she saw you with another woman at our favourite restaurant, and that your hand was on her thigh.

Please tell me Hazel’s eyes deceived her, so that I may sleep well at night again.

I know that I have been gone for many months, but please know that I would return home tomorrow if I could. I'm all grandmother has, and I can't leave her like this. Please understand.

I miss you greatly. I hope you miss me.

Best love,

Florence

-

Feb. 28 1912

Dear Florence,

I am always happy to receive your letters, but I must admit this latest one was upsetting to read. I never understood why you trust anything Hazel says. She is a snake in the garden of Eden, & I've told you this before. I don't like the way she looks at you. She seems jealous of our marriage since she has yet to find even 1 man to be with her. I assure you that what she saw was a lunch with my secretary. You know Helen, & that she is happily married. As am I.

I'm sorry to hear about your g.mother.

Charlie is doing well, & so is Doris. I think we should keep her when you return, to watch over Charlie and the house when you're tired.

Work is fine.

Your affect. husband,

Albert

-

Southampton

March 13, 1912

Dearest Hazel,

I apologize for the delayed response. I must admit that what you told me about Albert was quite upsetting to hear and I did not want to respond until after I spoke to him. I wrote to him right away. He has now assured me that he was simply having lunch with his secretary - though, to be frank, your description did not match that of Helen. Do you think you forgot the details when you wrote to me?

It’s with a heavy heart that I write that grandmother is dead. When I last wrote to you, I told you how poorly she had been doing. In this past month, she had only gotten worse and worse until her last breath escaped her just last night. I am now working on preparing her funeral, but I must admit it's hard. I wish you were with me to hold me as I cried. Lately I've just been crying myself to sleep.

Once all of grandmother's affairs are in order, I will be taking the first ship back home. Let's catch up in person over tea. It has been too long since I've seen you.

I hope you are doing well.

I miss you greatly.

Florence

-

Southampton

March 13, 1912

Dearest Albert,

It pleases me to know that you are indeed faithful. I am so sorry that I upset you with my accusation. I promise to never distrust you again.

I will be coming home soon. Grandmother passed away yesterday. It was to be expected, with all of the coughing and the blood, but I still am greatly saddened by it. I can't wait until I am in your arms again, and I can hold little Charlie again. You are the love of my life, Albert. Please wait for me.

Best love,

Florence

-

New York

26 March 1912

My dear Florence,

I am so very sorry to hear about your grandmother. I know you were close with her when you were younger and she was taking care of you before you moved to America. I see the dried tears on the letter you sent and I wish I was there with you too to wipe them away.

Of course we will catch up when you return. I have awaited your return since you first left.

I swear the details of the woman I saw Albert with were correct. I implore you to question him about it again. He shouldn't have his hand that close to his secretary even if it was her. But I know you are struggling right now, so I understand if you decide to wait until after you come home. I just cannot stand the thought of your husband treating you so poorly, so please forgive any distress I am causing you with this.

As an apology or just a gift, whichever you decide, I am wiring you some money for your trip home. I have been reading the news in the UK since you are there and have you heard about the Titanic? It's The Unsinkable! Please, if you are ready to come home by the time of its first departure on Apr. 10, use this money to buy a ticket for it. I want you to have the safest travels possible so that I may see you again.

My dearest friend, my heart and many loving thoughts are with you.

Hazel

-

Southampton

April 8, 1912

Dearest Hazel,

I was so surprised to receive the money! I am very grateful for it, but please know you did not have to send me anything. When we catch up, I insist that I pay for our food and drinks.

Grandmother’s funeral went well, though it was sparse of people. I didn’t expect any more, since she was mostly secluded in the last few years of her life. She has given me a large inheritance, so I’m happy at least something good came of this situation. I am looking forward to spoiling little Charlie with a good life.

Now that everything has been wrapped up, I will go to visit grandmother’s grave one last time before I begin packing. I was able to get a ticket for the Titanic! - thank you again!

To respond to your request, I do not know if I should confront Albert again. I fear that you are right and that he may not be telling me the truth, so maybe I should. But it is my hope that once I have returned, he will stop pursuing this other woman and come back to me. Thank you for your concern, but I will see if it is handled without me speaking to him about it again.

I know this letter will not arrive until after I have, but I wished to write down my gratitude and updates and good news anyway.

I miss you greatly, Hazel. Until we meet again - soon.

Florence

-

Southampton

April 8, 1912

Dearest Albert,

I hope work isn’t keeping you too busy. I miss hearing from you, but I won’t have to miss you for long! Hazel has given me enough money to buy a ticket for the Titanic! I don’t know if you are aware, but it is a ship that is unsinkable! It’s hard to believe something like that can exist, but it’s guaranteed! The ticket was quite expensive, but sweet Hazel cares greatly for my well being. I know you don’t get along well with her, but I hope you can see that she makes me happy.

Grandmother has been laid to rest. I will say my goodbyes and then begin packing for the trip home.

This letter will arrive after I do, but I want it written down that I love you very much. I cannot wait to see you again and surprise you with the money that grandmother left me, for you and Charlie!

My love for you and Charlie is unsinkable - just like the Titanic!

Best love,

Florence