Inspired by the 1967 song of the same name by Petula Clark but this story follows the ups and downs of Rose and Alec Hardy's turbulent relationship. This takes place after Joe Miller's trial and Hardy had got in a taxi to the nearest railway station.
Rose had been in a late meeting with one of the other department heads at Torchwood Tower and since she no longer drove there, opting to use the nearest underground station that conveniently took her around the corner from her apartment in Waterloo, it was easier than getting caught crossing the busy bridge in morning and evening traffic. It really wasn't that far so she put her earphones on and found some music to pass the journey and was soon going up the escalator and making her way to the exit closest to where she lived.
Alec Hardy had been staying in a small hotel near where his daughter still lived with his ex but had been summoned to London to attend a series of meetings to decide his future though why he couldn't have stayed teaching recruits or got his old job in Broadchurch back, he didn't know, probably because his bosses down there didn't know what to do with him now his old case had been solved two weeks ago. It would be some time before the culprits would be prosecuted and they wanted a solid conviction, it being taken out of his hands but he would have to appear in court and he hoped it would go better than Joe Miller's farce of a trial.
His train had been delayed and it was almost eight before he had got to Waterloo station and found the entrance to the underground, which he hated but it was only two stops to where he was supposed to have a hotel reservation but as he called the hotel, he was told he wasn't booked in until tomorrow night. Just his luck, what was he supposed to do? It was being paid for and it was too expensive to stay the night paying for it himself and why should he when he had been summoned?
He put his two holdalls down and looked at a nearby transport map that had adverts surrounding it and the names of nearby accommodation. Rose was just about to pass him by as he suddenly turned to get his bearings and ask someone how near one B&B was to the station and it just happened to be Rose.
''Excuse me Miss, could you tell me where the Alexander Hotel is?''
Rose stared at him, only because she thought she was seeing things but she saw him everywhere so it shouldn't have come as quite a shock but the subject of the meeting she'd just had touched on the subject and had reminded her of him.
''Oh, it's not far but you need the other exit, across the other side, then across the bridge but it's a bit of a trek on foot.''
''Then why does it say it's in Waterloo if it's across the bridge then?'' he asked impatiently.
''Because it still comes under the district, there are nearer ones, there's the Travelodge just at the other side of the railway station, by the river. You'd best ring first, it's still a walk and it looks like it's raining again, just for a change. Did you look at any of the others?''
''I thought somewhere was booked for me but they made a mistake and I'm not booked in until tomorrow night, fools, can't they get a simple booking right?''
Rose thought how like the Doctor he sounded when he'd put on the Scottish accent, minus the beard though. She thought she recognised him though, despite him looking like the Doctor.
''Excuse me but aren't you that detective from the trial where that man just walked free?''
Alec thought it was just his luck that he had chosen an inquisitive woman to ask where he might find somewhere to stay for the night.
''Well you have me at a disadvantage then, since I'm so famous. Yes, I'm Alec Hardy though I doubted anyone in London would have been following the case.''
''Yeah, well it involved a young boy, I've got a younger brother so it interested me and those two girls, you caught their killers.''
''Yes, that's all very well but it's not finding me a place for tonight. Is there nowhere nearer than across the bridge?''
''Sorry, like I said you could try the one by the railway station, have you just come from there? I'm Rose by the way.''
''Then if I wasn't cold, tired and hungry I would be glad to meet you Rose but I'm really not in the mood right now.''
''Listen, I live just around the corner, I could call for a takeaway and you could use my internet to find a place, it's ok, I trust you. You mean you don't know who I am?''
''Enlighten me once I've eaten, lead the way. If I can locate a place tonight, I have somewhere to go tomorrow night.''
They stepped out into the drizzle, Rose had forgotten her umbrella as they hurried around the corner and down the road, Rose leading them into a doorway of a large block of apartments. Alec thought she wasn't kidding when she said she lived close by. They passed a reception desk and to a lift, Rose pressing for the second floor. Once inside, they took off their coats and Rose went to get a takeaway menu. While they were waiting, Alec was looking at room prices which weren't cheap for just one night, the price of staying in London he supposed and Rose saw him shaking his head.
''Well if you have somewhere to go tomorrow night, you could sleep on my sofa bed, if you want? My friends stay over sometimes, I have spare bedding and I do trust you, you being a detective.''
''You should not be so trusting, Rose Tyler, I worked out who you were, what would your stepfather think?''
''That I was helping out a police officer? It's just for one night Alec.''
The doorbell rang and Alec insisted on paying for the food and while they ate, he decided since it was still raining to take her up on her offer, it wasn't nearly as bad as having to awkwardly share a bed with Miller he supposed.
''Ok, I'll sleep on your sofa if you're sure you don't mind?''
''No it's fine, honestly. Have you got anything in your luggage you need to hang up?''
Alec grimaced at his other suit and shirts that he had packed earlier, thinking he'd already be in his hotel room. Rose hung them up.
''I get up at seven, you can get a shower if you want and I'll tell you how to get to New Scotland Yard, if that's where you're going?''
''Yes, I have a series of meeting for the next few days, to discuss the Sandbrook case and why another child killer walked free from court, I don't expect they'll go easy on me.''
''That wasn't your fault, how were you do know? My dad says you could have that case re-tried on the grounds of a hostile defence lawyer or whatever, I can't remember what he actually said.''
''So you did follow it? What about all the screw-ups? No, it was my fault, I should have been more careful after I arrested him but he's been served local justice though I'm not going to tell my superiors that.''
Rose smiled. ''I should let you get some sleep, after your journey. You're welcome to use the bathroom first in the morning, I like to take my time, I can go to work whenever I want. You'd be best taking a taxi in the morning, you might get lost on the bus, I mean since you've saved money on a hotel tonight.''
''For which I'm grateful. I can at least make you tea or coffee in the morning, which?''
''Coffee, milk, no sugar and thanks. It's really not necessary Alec, I'll go get the bedding, the sofa just pulls out.''
Alec took his stuff into the bathroom and changed into his t-shirt and wondered if she would offer to do his laundry but no, he had to leave in the morning. Rose was wondering what his fate would be, it hadn't seemed fair the killer from Broadchurch had got off after the defence team pulled everyone apart. She was determined to speak to her stepfather and get him to talk to the police commissioner and get them to go easy on him, Alec had just survived a heart operation, he'd admitted he had been ill during the case, what did they expect?
Rose could hear him moving about as he woke her by closing the bathroom door. She was not used to having many overnight guests except if she had a very late night and Jake or Mickey escorted her home and stayed. Alec was uncomfortable on the sofa, wondering how people slept on the things and realised he had closed the door to the bathroom too loudly. Rose got up and opened the bedroom door, forgetting to put her robe over her pyjama top and shorts. It was just after one and she knew if he kept doing that, neither of them would get any sleep.
''Are you ok Alec? Do you want to talk?''
''No, I want to sleep but this sofa is a killer, how do your friends sleep on it?''
''They're usually hammered so they don't take any notice. We have a few beers on the way back, when we've worked late and yes, they are male friends, one is my ex boyfriend and the other is a mate, he has a boyfriend.''
''Who you have in your apartment is none of my concern. I recently got accused of having an affair with my married DS and to make things worse, we accidentally ended up sharing a motel room.''
Rose stifled a giggle. ''That's none of my business either Alec, try to get some sleep, you have a busy day tomorrow by the sound of it.''
''Yes, right, sorry I woke you up, goodnight again.''
He tried to settle down, his long legs sticking out of the end as he realised and turned onto his side.
''So you and your DS, in the same room, did you share the bed?'' she giggled.
''It's not funny Rose, can you imagine if the defence team had got hold of that piece of information? Now half of Broadchurch thinks it's true and why I left town, she has to live there.''
''Oh come on Alec, it is a bit funny, I mean what were the chances just after it had been insinuated? What were you doing in a motel room, if you don't mind me asking?''
''Following some leads on the Sandbrook case. Are you going to stand there all night?''
''No, sorry. So you and your DS, it was just two colleagues?''
''Yes but you don't have to believe me. I slept on top of the bed by the way and she threatened to hit me if I snored.''
Rose giggled again. ''And did you?''
''No, do you want me to prove it?''
''No thanks. Ok, if you promise not to snore and you bring that duvet and sleep on top of the bed, you can share. I'm gonna be honest with you here, I used to have a friend I travelled with and we shared all the time in some situations and before you ask, no, we were not involved, worse luck.''
Alec tried to get up again off the sofa, he'd not had a better offer and Rose was an improvement on Ellie Miller, not that there was anything wrong with her but she was still married, had two boys and still lived in the town plus, they'd been accused of trying to frame her husband, there was no way he was going to get involved with her for real, the accusations were bad enough. Perhaps Rose Tyler would mend his somewhat fragile reputation and he could certainly do with releasing some of his tension. It was only for a few nights, if she offered to put him up again, he had no idea where he would be offered a DI's position, that was if they either didn't reduce him in rank like they'd done with Miller or dump him a place worse than Broadchurch.
He picked up the duvet and headed for the bedroom door, Rose already laid on her side.
''Close the door Alec and if you do snore, you'll regret it.''
''Then if and I'm only saying if I do snore, you'd be entitled to find a way to stop me.''
Rose smiled to herself. She could use some male company and as long as he was only here a few nights, they might just have some fun.
''Then I dare you to snore Alec,'' she teased, turning to face him as he laid on top of the duvet and trying to get under the other one he'd brought with him.
''I never refuse a challenge Rose.''
TBC
