<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">April 5th, 1912</span></span><br/><br/>“I really don’t want to go to New York”, Josephine Sackville West stated, not for the first time, while she watched her servant packing up her bags. The girl’s eyes were slightly red, as she had been crying and begging her father not to send her to her aunt. She knew what he was planning - basically, getting rid of her with a ‘good’ marriage. <br/><br/>“I know, Miss Josie, but you will have fun in there”, the maid replied, not looking up. If she were to be honest, she wasn’t looking forward to this trip either. She was pretty sure that Miss Josephine would be a right nightmare until they reached port. And probably afterwards, as well.<br/><br/>“No, I won’t, Esther”, the girl protested, sitting on the bed, right next to the suitcase. Resisting the temptation to start unpacking everything the woman packed in, Josephine got up and went to the window. She looked down and wondered for a moment what it would be like to be able to fly away. “I like London, I <span style="font-style: italic">don’t</span> want to go live across the pond”, the girl nearly whimpered.<br/><br/>Esther shook her head. “Stop acting like a little girl, Miss Josephine”, she replied, with a slight exasperation seeping in her usually calm voice. “If you behave properly, you might be allowed back in here. You are paying for your own behavior”. Josephine turned to the servant, crossing her arms firmly. “<span style="font-style: italic">Never</span> say that again”, she murmured through gritted teeth.<br/><br/>Esther sighed and closed her eyes for a moment.<br/><br/>It would be a long, long trip...</div>