I sat alone on the train bound for Southampton. It was filled with the idle chatter of friends and a comforting warmth, which contrasted greatly with my feelings of despair. I had never been well off, but now that my father, Charlie, was unable to work due to illness I was to accompany the good Doctor Cullen's daughter to America and make my way in the world. My mother had died at childbirth and I had been raised by my father. Of course I had been sent away to live with my aunt so that I could be under a "feminine influence" when I was 13. I had attended a convent and been taught many things, sure to be useful in life, but had returned to care for my father when he became ill when I was just 17.

I was now almost 19. Too young and my youthful good looks too prominent, said the White Star Line, to become a stewardess, so I had taken a job as a companion where I would travel to America and make a living there. I did not miss the irony of the fact that I would be traveling with the very company that had refused me a job.

I was to keep Miss. Cullen, daughter of the esteemed Doctor. Cullen, company on the great steam-liner Titanic on her maiden voyage. Needless to say I was very excited at the prospect of spending the voyage on such a fine ship, despite my fear of the sea. There was just a week left until we were to set sail for New York, and Miss. Cullen had requested that I arrive prior to sailing day, as there was "much to be done".

What could possibly take a week that I had to be involved in I had no idea, however I was anxious to start my new life as soon as possible, so I did not contest her decision.

I was greeted by Miss. Cullen herself, who offered me a warm smile and started explaining the day's plans in great detail. I was at ease around her at once, and found her extremely likeable. I thought back over the stories I had heard about insufferable women who employed companions only to treat them as slaves and was thankful that Miss. Cullen seemed nothing like the frightful women I had been warned of.

We arrived at the hotel where we would be staying for the remainder of our time in Southampton and I let out a small gasp. The rooms were extremely large and even had their own washrooms.

Miss. Cullen turned to me with a warm smile.

"I would appreciate it if you would come to my room when you have settled in here. You shall be sharing with Angela, our maid. And please do not unpack for the meantime, if it is not too much of an inconvenience, as I would like to see what we need to purchase before the trip" she said all this in a warm, friendly voice, as though we had known each other all our lives and were great friends. I thanked her and she left me to my thoughts.

After I had freshened up using the sink in the corner of my room (it even had scented soap, I worried that all the luxury would soften me up as I was not used to it) I did as Miss. Cullen had instructed and called on her with my small suitcase of belongings.

"Ah, there you are Isabella! Shall we get started? Bring your suitcase over here and we shall see what we must purchase for you."

Her seeming zest-for life and bubbly personality was contagious and I found myself feeling a lot more content than I had mere hours previous. That still did not stop me blushing, however, when I had to lay out my garments for her to inspect. My best dress was pale and ratty in comparison to the gorgeous dress she was wearing just now, and I dreaded to think of what my clothes must look like compared to her evening gowns.

"Ahh, we do have quite a lot of work to do, don't we?" rather than seeming disgusted or disappointed as I had expected, her tone was friendly and almost eager.

"Oh, but what a gorgeous hat" she had pointed out my only presentable possession.

"It was a gift for my fifteenth birthday from my aunt. It used to belong to my mother." I replied timidly.

"It is very pretty" then she looked over at me thoughtfully "How old are you, Isabella?" then as and afterthought "you don't mind me calling you Isabella do you? Do you have a nick-name that you prefer, Isabella is quite long"

"I'm 18 , 19 in September. And I don't really have a nick-name, Isabella is fine" I replied, feeling more at ease around her by the minute.

"Ah, I am already 19." I started at this, with her high cheekbones and very attractive, although shockingly pale, complexion I expected her to be older, although she was not much taller than me, her glossy black hair fell straight down to just below her ears, unusually short, however it suited her pixie-like features. She noticed my expression and giggled, it was a childish, soul-lightening sound.

"Don't look at me like that! I'm not a complete monster, even the most prestigious socialites of the upper class were 19 once you know" her sarcasm and the way she referred to the upper class as though she belonged to another group entirely made me giggle myself, to which her smile widened.

"I think that we are going to get along splendidly Isabella, although you do not seem to be a hard person to get along with. And as I wish for us to be friends, please could you stop calling me , it makes me feel older than my years" she chuckled.

"What do you wish for me to address you by then Miss…" I trailed off, not sure of how to address her.

"Just Alice shall suffice" she smiled a warm smile and then continued "We are going to be spending a lot of time together Isabella and it is my wish that we become friends. After all that is the general definition of companion, is it not"

I was shocked, I had never been asked to address someone above my station with first name only and I did not know what the proper form of action would be. Then again, I decided, she is employing me so the least I could do was call her what she wished.

"Of course…"

"As I said before, just Alice would suffice. I guess shall have to do" she sighed, feigning exasperation with a twinkle in her eye.

"Of course…" She grinned at me and turned back to the clothes.

"Well now, apart from this splendid hat, I'm afraid we are going to have to supply you with more suitable clothes"

I was horrified, I was positive I knew what classed as "suitable clothes" and I knew I would not be able to afford them

"oh, no- , I'm afraid I wont be able to afford any new clothes. I'm sorry if any of my current garments are disagreeable to you, but they are simply all I own"

"nonsense Isabella! We shall provide the suitable attire for your journey. In fact I quite enjoy shopping for garments, even if they are not for my possession. I find sopping one of the finest pleasures in life"

She looked up at me before informing me of the fittings we would be attending for our new gowns today and throughout the rest of the week. We spent a great remainder of the day in all number of magnificent shops, being prodded and pinned into place. A vast number of the gowns I was being fitted for were so luxurious and obviously expensive that I tried in vain to stand completely still for fear of damaging them in some way.

After was satisfied with the number of garments we had acquired we returned to the hotel for dinner. Once we arrived at the hotel, she requested that I help her prepare for our evening meal.

"As much as I enjoy purchasing gowns and other such garments and beautifications I do resent having to change for every meal, it does get rather tedious" she giggled "although do not tell my brother Emmett's wife , Rosalie, so, she does so enjoy getting dressed up and all the attention that goes with it." She added conversationally. "Did you enjoy today Isabella?"

"Yes, it was quite enjoyable thank you" I lied, not wanting to tell her that I had also found it rather tedious and hurt her feelings.

"Come now, do not bother yourself with trying to give me the answers you think I want to hear, I'd much rather have your honest opinion"

"Well, I…I did find it rather tiring, but that was probably due to the fact that I am not used to such things. It was still enjoyable though."

She laughed, the sound was like bells. "What are you planning on doing once we get to America, if I may be so bold as to ask, Isabella?"

I faltered, although my hands, which were carefully styling her hair, did not so much as tremble "I intend to make my way in the world and send some of my wages back home to my ailing father, and then hopefully eventually return to care for him" I looked down, concentrating on my work so as not to let my tears betray me.

"What of your mother? Is she not able to care for him?" she asked gently "You do not have to answer my questions if you do not wish to, I am curious by nature and sometimes it makes me appear rude, I am sorry if I offended you"

"Not at all . In fact I find it comforting that you take an interest in my history, no-one else has ever done so. And my mother died in childbirth. I was sent to live with my aunt for most of my teenage years, who has always been overly kind to me."

"oh you poor dear!" she turned around and surprised me by giving me a gentle hug.

"Come along now, sit down." I looked up at her confused. "Why, you don't expect me to let you style my hair and then leave you to do your own do you?"

I was shocked "that wont be necessary , I am capable of styling it myself. You do not have to worry yourself"

"Nonsense, I shall enjoy it. As I said before Isabella, I wish for us to become friends. I do so resent long journeys with no one but the "elite upper class" for company" her sarcasm was probably more enjoyable than it should have been, however it seemed natural for her.

"It gets rather dull without a companion, and my childhood was spent minding my P's and Q's around the children society said I should associate myself with, and therefore friendships did not thrive as they were forced."

I was surprised that she went into such detail about her childhood when she was only talking to me and suspected that she resented society for stealing her childhood, as I would have had I been in her place.

I sat down and she was soon done with my hair. She started plying me with all manner of questions about my past and upbringing, I struggled to answer them truthfully, although I was saved the cynicism most of the upper class would have shown me, and in its place I was given comfort and sympathy.

Just as I was struggling to explain about the close bond I had with my father, despite the distance there had been between us, there was a voice like velvet from behind us.

"Leave the poor girl alone Alice dear, can you not see that she is dead on her feet from the day of fittings she has probably had to endure. I am sure there will be plenty of time to become better acquainted in the very near future."

Alice turned around suddenly and flew across the room. "Edward!" she cried, throwing herself into the mans arms. "You're here!"

"I'm not interrupting am I?"

"No, of course not!" she danced back over to me, taking hold of my hand and pulling me back to where Edward was standing.

"Edward, this is Isabella. She just arrived today."

"Pleasure to meet you ." he took my hand and kissed it lightly before straightening up and smiling. I blushed, no one had ever called me Miss before in my life, nor kissed my hand, and I had the feeling again, that this was another thing I enjoyed more than I should.

I took in Edwards appearance for the first time since he had entered the room, he was taller than both his sister and I, with bronze hair that was slightly out of place. He had the same pale complexion as his sister and was also stunningly handsome, with sparkling emerald eyes peering warmly down into mine. He looked to be about 20 but as with his sister maybe he looked older than his actual age.

"Isabella, this is my brother, Edward" she smiled at me.

"Hello" I managed to mumble, no doubt blinding them both with my wit.

"Are you ready Alice? Diner started half an hour ago"

"Yes yes, we are now, why did you not call on us sooner?"

"I was making the arrangements for our luggage… May I have the great pleasure of accompanying you two stunning ladies to the dining hall"

"Why of course, Edward. The pleasure is ours entirely!" Edward obviously did not miss the hint of sarcasm in Alice's voice as he rolled his eyes.

"It never hurts to be polite, Alice"

"My apologies Edward, it's just that I can remember when we were children and you used to run around the garden making forts and mother would scold you for getting your clothes dirty" she grinned at him as she linked her arm through his "It just does not seem natural, you being so awfully well spoken and polite"

"Oh and you would be one to talk" they both laughed as Edward turned to me and offered me his arm. "Isabella?"

I place my arm through his, really feeling like royalty, despite the fact that my face, no doubt, betrayed my shock, however Edward seemed not to notice and we went down to dinner, then again he was probably just being polite. I had been told when eating in the company of the upper class, to simply copy the most mannerly person at the table. I did so but was still relieved that it was only Alice, Edward, their maid, Angela and I who were dining at the table. At first I found it strange that they allowed a maid to eat with them, but did not dwell on the fact as I realized that it did not shock me as much as it should and that I was already growing fond of the Cullen's and their kind ways.

My feelings of gratitude grew stronger still when Edward, who was seated next to me, noticing my attempts at copying Alice's every gesture, leant across and whispered in my ear.

"Do not bother yourself with learning all the fripperies of first class dining right at this moment dear Isabella. Alice and I can instruct you later, when there is more time at hand, until then do not fret to be your self"

I found the last part of his comment comforting, as I found myself realizing as the evening wore on and did not feel the need to pretend that I was well brought up and hide my obvious background.

We spent the next few days leisurely rushing around Southampton. It was strange how one could be in such an awful hurry to get things done and yet still travel around at a fairly relaxed pace and still have time to spare at the end of the day. The days started to form the pattern of the upper classes; , Angela and I would go about our business in Southampton for most of the morning and well into the afternoon, we would then retire to a café in which we would have steaming cups of tea or coffee, as Alice preferred, and finally retire to the hotel where we would don our finest gowns, purchased the day before, and would insist on styling my hair, before going down to dinner. Edward never accompanied us on our escapades as he often had business to attend to around the city, he did, however join us in the evening almost every night, where he and Alice would take great delight in teaching me the manners of the dinner table whilst Angela looked on smiling.

Angela and I soon became close friends, despite the short time we had been acquainted which I supposed was what happened when two peaceful souls, both opposed to conflict, shared a room and were both employed under the same person. Alice and I similarly became close, closer than I had expected us to be during the whole trip, although she was such a likeable character and so intent on treating me like a friend rather than someone employed to act the part, it was hard to find any faults with her personality at all.

One evening, once dinner was over, Alice lead us to the ballroom where a small band were playing softly in the center of the room. Angela excused herself and hurried upstairs, no doubt unwilling for attention.

Alice was promptly swept away by a tall dark haired man, but not before whispering in my ear to have fun and enjoy myself. Edward stood silently next to me as I wondered what I was supposed to do and if it would be rude to follow Angela upstairs. I turned to face Edward and voice my queries but when he smiled warmly at me all my thoughts jumbled together and I was momentarily stunned by his beauty.

"May I have this dance?" he requested with a gentle smile.

"I-of course" I stuttered, my normal sense of comfort around him impaired by the flawless smile now fixed on his face.

"I don't know how" I admitted as he placed his hand in mine.

"Don't worry" he replied confidently, as he placed his hand on my waist and I felt my heart stutter. He leaned his head down so that his breath tickled my neck "It's all in the leading" he whispered in my ear.

I concentrated on my feet the entire time, until I felt his breath tickle my neck again as he leaned down to whisper in my ear "Please have a little faith in my dancing skills Isabella, besides it would be a great shame not to be able to see those beautiful eyes of yours all evening"

I flushed and looked up into his face to see him smiling gently.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I don't know what came over me"

"It's quite alright Edward"

He looked up and grinned at me, we continued dancing until the last bars of music faded away and I was so high on the magic of everything that I forgot for a while why I was here. Alice may make me feel like a princess with the expensive clothes, large rooms and delicate meals, but Edward made me feel special in completely different way. Which was simply absurd as we had know each other no more than a week and there were several social classes separating us.

Later that night I told Angela of our dance and she was very understanding, she informed me that he was a "mighty fine gentleman with a heart of gold" and that she was surprised he hadn't settled down already, although word was that no-one had taken his fancy.