Watching her move away, into the crowd, he dwelt on their last words.

“But Winston, nobody will know. You’re lovely when dressed.”

“It’s not right Meredith.”

“But I need you with me. I love you.”

“And I love you, but no, I..I...just can’t.”

Finally her moon-lit faced, turned beseechingly towards him, was blocked by the broad back of a sailor. Relieved his attention turned to the steward’s voice, constantly droning, “Women and children first. Women and children first.”

Sadly he was too old to be the latter and had not been blessed to be born the former.