After 'escorting' Rose's mother to the entertainment complex, Rose wanted to walk along the sea front and they stopped at the end.
"Alec, you asked me if I still wanted to be in that contest? Any reason?"
"Actually, there is. While you were out earlier, I had another call from the organizer. I get to present the prizes but they want me to take the winner out for a meal afterwards. I did not know how to tell you."
"Oh. I still might win though," Rose replied, hooking her arm in his. "What did ya tell them?"
"I had to agree Rose and I regret doing so. I wanted to take you out afterwards, in case you did not get a prize."
"Aw, I met you, didn't I? It's only for a meal, yeah?"
"Yes, that is all it will be Rose, I promise. I will make it clear if you are not fortunate to win and I will call for you afterwards. I don't know what time that will be though."
"I guess that means I have to play bingo with my mum then?" Rose smiled at him.
Alec was relieved she had taken it so well.
"I will make it up to you on Thursday night, unless you want to spend it with your mum, since she goes home on Friday. How did she take you saying you were staying a few more days?"
"Not as bad as I thought she'd be. I thought she would be really mad, since I've spent last night with you. I'll be really busy tomorrow anyway and we'll have to stay away from each other at the contest so no sneaking kisses," she smiled.
"Got it, no sneaking kisses then? Sure you are not mad about me taking someone out?"
"As long as ya not gonna have a holiday fling with the winner?" she teased him.
"I would never do that love," he replied, moving in front of her and putting his arms around her. "I have never had a holiday romance before though you don't like me to call it that. You are right not to call it such, considering you agreed to stay a while longer. If all goes well with my surgery, what then Rose?"
"What do ya mean? I only have another week's holiday Alec, I'll have to go back but I don't know how I feel about a long distance relationship, do you?"
"No, I do not like the idea but we just met Rose, you need time to think about it so when you go back, you have to decide what you want, if you want more with me maybe?"
"I already do Alec, why do ya think I agreed to stay? How will we manage though? Do ya intend coming up to visit me?"
"Well maybe you can think of moving down here? You could easily get a job or are you worried about your mother maybe?"
"Well yeah. She'd never leave though and lose all her friends but she may settle for coming down for holidays. Can we talk about this later? It's all a bit sudden Alec, I wasn't expecting to meet anyone while I was here."
"I know, sorry. It is a lot to think about and if you only come back for my surgery then leave again, just know that I won't let you leave so easily, Rose Tyler."
He leaned forward to kiss her, hoping no patrols or locals had made it to the far end of the esplanade. They walked back arm in arm, Rose pointing out the holiday homes and the blocks of flats.
"What made ya choose that chalet?" she asked him.
"It was on one level, I don't need to climb stairs every night," he replied.
"Well good thinking then but ya could have got a caravan."
"The site will be closing soon love, then what?" he asked.
"They might do long-term rentals, I'm surprised they close, they must lose a lot of money?"
"I expect it's to do maintenance? I could ask I suppose but I will not need one if my surgery goes well."
"Well do ya fancy getting a boat to your chalet when the river bursts its banks?" Rose reminded him.
"I don't want to think about that love," he replied as they turned the corner and passed the police station.
Rose smiled as they crossed the road and into the camp site bar, Rose saying she wanted some hot chocolate. Once her mother joined them and they walked her back to the caravan, Rose invited him to stay.
"You left some things at my place, remember?" he asked her as her mother went to the kitchen area.
"Well we can just use the seating area and pull it out? It'll be easier in the morning," Rose told him.
"Well make ya minds up you two," her mother called over to them.
"Well just for tonight maybe? What time do you have to be there tomorrow?"
"An hour before it starts but mum's gonna do my hair for me, then I have to get ready. What time were you told?"
"Ah, the same to get a list of the contestants and being shown things I expect and meeting the judges. Rose, it makes no difference if we talk or not, I expect everyone will be talking to one another?"
"Yeah, maybe and you won't have any influence, will ya?"
"No so it will be safe to talk in general. I expect everyone will be nervous?"
"Even you?" Rose teased him, going to pick up two mugs of tea.
"Well we have something in common, it is a first for both of us, you taking part and me introducing everyone. Maybe you had better talk to me to keep the others away, I don't want you getting any more jealous."
"What do ya mean by more jealous?" Jackie asked.
"Alec has to take the winner out for a meal after the evening contest," Rose replied with a smile.
"So whose idea was that then?"
"Mum, it's not his fault, it's what the organizers want as part of the prize. He's not gonna run off, are ya?" Rose teased him.
"I can assure you Mrs Tyler that Rose is the only one I am currently seeing, the winner, whoever she is will not turn my head. It will be just a meal then we go our separate ways, me to call and collect Rose wherever she is."
"Well I hope so then," Jackie replied, sipping her tea and trying to watch the news.
Alec was already feeling a little uncomfortable and wondered when Rose's mother would call it a night and go to bed and now wishing he'd not agreed to stay. It was dating Tess all over again, under her mother's scrutiny. Jackie finally gave up just before eleven and Alec breathed a sigh of relief.
Rose went to get the spare duvets while Alec tried to work out how to convert the seating, avoiding the coffee table, which he had to move. Rose was giggling as she tried to put a sheet over the cushions and Alec complained they could have stayed in his single bed in the chalet.
"Well I added you as a guest," Rose reminded him. "You may as well stay one or two nights."
"Two nights?" he repeated, thinking one was bad enough, especially if her mother woke early and began making a noise in the kitchen area.
He was just thankful he had a t-shirt under his shirt, since it got a bit colder in the evenings.
"I will have to leave early to change my shirt," he reminded Rose as he came out of the bathroom, having waited until Rose had finished.
"Yeah. So are ya working a few hours in the morning then?"
"I may as well. We could all meet for lunch maybe, across from the police station, around twelve or is that too late?"
"No, I can be ready then just make my way to the event but we might gets some funny looks if we arrive all together?"
"Yes, well you and your mother make your way there and I will follow and we had best hope no-one else is eating there."
They had to settle for just kissing and a bit more since Alec swore her mother would hear them if they attempted anything else and he was not happy being on caravan seating cushions anyway. He'd taken his pills and he hoped he wouldn't wake either of them up if he dreamt he was drowning again but he'd not done so the night before. Maybe Rose had a calming effect on him or the fact he wasn't alone? Maybe all he'd needed was someone to talk to about it if he did wake and Rose had seemed more than willing to do so.
What did she want long term though? Could he expect her to leave the big city and live in a Dorset coastal town with him? Would she want him to move up to London or a bit nearer than they would be? Well he'd have to wait and see if he survived his surgery first of all, it was no good offering her something long term when there wasn't going to be any.
He woke up with Rose's arm over him and her hair all over the place and tried to get onto his back so as not to wake her then squinted at his watch. It was just gone seven and he had no idea what time her mother would be around and he would rather not be found in his shorts and t-shirt by any woman's mother, let alone Jackie Tyler.
"Mmm, Alec, what time is it?" Rose suddenly yawned at him.
"Relax love, it's just gone seven. Got a kiss for me?"
"Hey, don't let my mum catch us," Rose teased him, after a few short ones.
"Rose, she knows we are sharing love," he reminded her.
"Yeah but it doesn't mean she actually wants to see us. Anyway, we have this seating to sort out, she'll be inspecting it."
Alec looked at her until she burst out laughing and gently nudged him.
"Gotcha!"
"Really Rose, don't do that eh? Well we had best move then and tonight, it's back to my place, got it?"
"Yes Sir, got it," Rose giggled as she tried to move.
They were both making something to eat as her mother came out of the double bedroom, Alec thinking he'd just got away with it.
"See you both for lunch then?" he asked just before nine.
Rose went outside with him and kissed him goodbye.
"No chasing suspects," she reminded him.
"I know, I am there in a supervisory role only. Good luck Rose, you know I can't say that later? I hope it will be you I am taking out tonight but if not, I will make it up to you."
Rose put her arms around his neck and hoped neither her mother would be looking out of the window or no-one was passing by.
"Aw, ya don't have anything to make up Alec. I'll talk to mum, about when I come back, I'll tell her I might stay or at least go back for my things and give my notice at work but like ya said, it's a lot to think about."
"Yes, it is. I have to go now, hope you at least get to the final tonight love."
"So do I," Rose smiled back.
Rose went back inside to go wash her hair so her mother could cut it a bit and style it for her after Rose went to put her swimsuit on then a t-shirt and jeans over the top.
"I don't know how ya can't be nervous Rose," her mother told her as she took a few rollers out of Rose's hair.
"I'm not 'cos I know Alec's gonna be there. I don't know how it happened so fast Mum, really I don't. I have to be there for his surgery, I promised him."
"Yeah, I know you did Rose but maybe staying afterwards?"
"Mum, think of all the free holidays ya'd get," Rose reminded her.
"Well I suppose there's that then? You are serious about him?"
"Yeah Mum, I am. It was like when we met the other day, him almost bumping into me. He sort of told me it was my fault but he still came back to sit with me. You know I don't chat blokes up just like that."
"Chance would be a fine thing Rose," her mother replied, fluffing Rose's hair up. "I'm gonna have to do it again later if ya reach the final."
Alec had found the morning quite boring, wishing it was time to meet Rose for lunch despite her mother being there, then getting to see her in her swimsuit. He just hoped none of the other contestants would try to show off and talk to him. He'd been out of practice on that score, since Becca had turned him down and he'd not bothered again, until Rose almost collided with him and he'd blamed her for it.
Now, she was staying a bit longer when he'd asked her and he had a reason to get his pacemaker and survive. He went across the road, Rose and her mother already there so they had to make it casual in case people saw him on stage in an hour or so.
Jackie almost gave the game away but Rose managed to stop her.
"So are you looking forward to the contest?" he asked as he sat on the next table when Rose was discussing it with her mother.
"Well yeah, I suppose I stand as much chance as the others," Rose replied, trying not to smile too much and call him Alec.
"Well I hope it goes well for you," was all he could reply.
"Yeah, thanks. I hope you're not one of the judges?" Rose laughed.
"No, you are safe. I am the one introducing the contestants though."
"Oh well, no-one can say I'm tryin' to bribe ya then?" Rose replied.
"Indeed not. Don't let me make you late," he smiled back.
Rose nudged her mother as Jackie looked like she was going to ask what they were playing at. As they made their way towards the tent and the stage that had been hired for the event, her mother did say something.
"That was a bit risky Rose, talking like that."
"No it wasn't Mum, he has no say over anything," Rose reminded her.
Some seats had been put behind a long table and Jackie sat on one while Rose went to give her name, then Jackie was told some more seats were being put up and asked her to move, Jackie huffing. Alec had arrived, still waiting for the final list and tried to remember what number Rose had said she was. Then he wondered if anyone had dropped out, giving Rose a better chance.
People were gathering on the beach, the seats had all been taken and Jackie wasn't giving hers up at the end of the first row for anyone. Rose had brought a hooded top with her in her canvas bag and had put it over her costume, others though were trying to keep warm even though it was quite mild for October and the sun and decided to show itself.
Alec had his reading glasses on, looking at the names and trying to remember not to favour Rose when it was her turn. He knew he could do it, even though he had never done anything like this before and hoped if Olly was going to take photos, he would somehow miss him out because he'd never hear the end of it from Miller or Tess.
Olly of course was trying to get photos of the crowd in general and was asking people if they were looking forward to the contest and of course, Jackie being on the end caught his attention but she was spared as a DJ from the local radio station came on the stage to get everyone's attention just before two.
"Welcome to the Miss Broadchurch beauty contest 2013," the DJ began, getting a cheer from the crowds that were gathering.
"While the girls are getting themselves ready, a reminder of the prizes," he continued.
He gave the second and third prize details then looked at the new information he'd been given.
"The lucky winner not only receives the title of Miss Broadchurch and a prize of £500 but will also get to have dinner with none other than the detective who recently caught the killer of young Danny Latimer. The council have informed me that there will be a collection box available for those who want to donate to the sea scouts Danny belonged to so please, dig out your spare change. I will now hand you over to Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, who will introduce our twenty two lovely contestants."
Alec decided to admit he needed his glasses to read the names out, since he didn't want to get any of them wrong. Olly was told he could only take photos of the contestants when they were all on stage and when the eight finalists had been chosen to go forward to the evening event, which Alec thought would be rather short but Rose had told him they were expected to tell the audience a bit about themselves so he'd thought it would maybe take an hour or so, since they would all be lining up afterwards and waiting for the results.
As he introduced them one by one, just asking their ages and where they came from as they stood beside him, they then went to the other side of the stage and he didn't envy them in their skimpy swimwear having to do so. He finally got to Rose, who was embarrassed about Alec asking her questions when she'd not told him how old she was and he would probably never want to see her again afterwards, even if she did win.
"So, our final contestant today is Miss Rose Tyler," Alec introduced her.
Rose took the stage, a number on her wrist and trying not to look nervously at the crowds that had gathered but what had she expected? It was meant to boost the town after the tragedy that had taken place a few months ago and it looked like it was working.
"Rose, tell us your age and where you come from," Alec asked her.
"Hi, I'm from London and I'm twenty six," Rose replied, hoping he wouldn't throw the microphone on the floor and walk off the stage.
"Thank you Rose, would you join the others?" he replied.
Rose just nodded, seeing her mother sat on the edge of a chair and as she joined them, one of the organizers indicated for them all to parade back across the stage, leaving Rose at the far end and them all showing their numbers.
"Now we wait the judges decision as to which eight of the contestants will appear in the final tonight across at the holiday park complex just on the harbour. Entry is by ticket only unless you have an entertainment pass."
Alec wondered as he waited for the results how the council had managed to persuade the camp's manager to host the event but he supposed that was the only place there was really. He'd managed to get someone to bring him a chair earlier so as the girls all stood there trying not to look frozen, he sat down and hoped Rose would make it to the final and she would be the one he was dining with and not the woman with shoulder-length black hair who had purposely taken her time giving her details and who was now facing him.
He was just thankful Claire hadn't turned up since she'd gone back to her maiden name, if she and Lee Ashworth had actually got married, which he sincerely doubted after all the trouble they had caused. Finally, the judges had made their choice and the DJ took the list and gave it to Alec, who didn't have time to skim through the final eight names. The DJ took the list from him and made the crowd cheer but Alec had half expected them to make a big deal out of it.
"We have our final eight," the DJ called out to cheers, since wolf-whistling in Alec's book should be a criminal offence.
He called the first seven numbers, the contestants having stepped back a few paces and now seven, including the one with black hair stood forward and Alec's heart was skipping more beats than what was normal for him.
"Our last finalist is – Rose Tyler, number twenty two," the DJ announced, Alec now glad he'd not had to read it out as Rose stepped forward and he could hear her mother cheering.
"We will see you all tonight at seven thirty, in your evening wear and good luck to all of you," the DJ concluded. "Thanks also to DI Alec Hardy, give him a cheer everyone."
Alec wished he'd not done that, having to get up and give a wave, not too enthusiastically though. Would he dare go call for Rose and hope no-one saw him? He was about to get off the stage when the woman with black hair, who he thought was called Cindy turned around, Alec hoping Rose was busy.
"I look forward to the dinner date if I win, Detective Inspector."
Alec was already dreading it and would even fake a heart attack to get out of it if wasn't Rose who won but he couldn't do that to Rose, the younger than he thought woman he was falling for and was willing to spend her holiday with him and go get his pacemaker fitted and he somehow doubted the woman who had just walked off would offer to do so. Maybe after the evening contest he should make a show of kissing Rose in front of everyone if she didn't win to tell his would-be dinner date he was not on the menu?