Read Online Titanic by Tom Bradman - Free Book Online

had to get up on deck.
    â€˜Any idea where we are?’ he said, looking round, his teeth chattering.
    â€˜In the middle of the ship,’ said George. ‘It’s all first class here.’
    A long corridor stretched away, cabin doors lining both sides. It felt strange to be ina part of the ship that was still dry and looked relatively normal. ‘Right, this way,’ said Billy, trying to sound confident that he knew what to do. He picked Anya up once more and hurried off, Billy following close behind.
    â€˜Hang on a second, Fleming,’ George said when they hadn’t gone far. He had stopped by an open door and was grinning. ‘Fancy a change of clothes?’
    Billy and Anya peered through the door. Beyond it was one of the first-class suites, and it was clear its occupants had left in a hurry. Two huge travelling trunks stood open on the carpet, clothes of all kinds spilling from them.
    â€˜I’d like to feel drier, so I would,’ said Billy, grinning now too. ‘And it would be good for Anya to get a bit warmer. But we’ll have to be quick.’
    Billy and George tore through the luggage, examining clothes and discarding them until they found what they wanted. Within minutes Anya was swaddled in a nightshirt and a thick pullover. Billy shed what was left of his uniform and pulled on some trousers and a pullover, bothtoo big for him. George did better – one of the former occupants of the cabin must have been more his size.
    Suddenly the deck beneath their feet juddered and they heard a grinding noise louder than anything they’d heard before. The cabin’s lights flickered and went out, plunging them into darkness. Anya squealed and held on to Billy’s leg, and George yelled in panic. For a brief moment Billy was convinced they were finished. They’d never find their way up on deck in the dark. But then the lights flickered into life again and they all breathed huge sighs of relief.
    â€˜Come on,’ said Billy. ‘We are
definitely
running out of time!’
    They left the cabin and headed along the corridor until they came to a gangway that led upwards. Anya seemed to be getting heavier, and Billy puffed and panted as they climbed the steps. His arms and shoulders ached so badly he didn’t think he could carry her much further. They went up one flight, then another, Billy worrying all the while that they’d find another gate at the top.
    But they didn’t. The doors were open and unblocked and Billy, Anya and George emerged onto the boat deck not far from where Billy had begun his descent into the bowels of the ship earlier.
    Things had changed a great deal, though, and for a moment Billy just stood and stared at the incredible scene before them, Anya still clinging to him, her arms tight round his neck.
    The ship’s bow was completely submerged and the sea lapped at the windows of the bridge. There were people everywhere, some stumbling around as if in a daze, some running, many of them shouting the names of family or friends or screaming in despair.
    The deck tilted downwards steeply, and Billy saw a man trip and fall then roll head over heels until he crashed into a bulkhead.
    Further along, the band from one of the first-class lounges was playing a haunting, sad tune, five men in evening dress with violins, their pale faces rapt.
    â€˜God, it’s like a madhouse,’ George said, his voice hushed.
    Suddenly, with a familiar whoosh, another distress rocket rose into the night sky and exploded. The starburst lit the sea in a great ring round the ship and Billy saw at least half a dozen lifeboats moving steadily away over the dark water, maybe more. But that was on this side, he realised. There were only sixteen lifeboats in total – so most of them might already have been launched.
    â€˜I think we’d better find your Ma and sisters, Anya,’ Billy said.
    Anya’s mother, however, wasn’t where Billy had told