Rose was out of the shop at five, half expecting Alec to be standing by his car down the street but there was no sign of him, which she shouldn't be so surprised at since they'd unexpectedly met for lunch, which had been nice, well for her it had, not for Alec. When he'd left Rose on the corner for her to walk back up into the town after a brief kiss, it turned into a nightmare.
Martha had sat herself by one of the catering stalls with a drink and waited, knowing he had to pass that way to get home. Why she'd agreed last night to give the other ticket to Mickey, she'd no idea but it seemed so at the time, if it made the detective jealous enough to cause a scene either inside or outside the school.
Hardy had put his sunglasses on and thought about going up into the town to get his hair cut and his beard trimmed, then thought he would go get his car first but as he crossed over the bridge, he thought he saw the nurse. It was too late for him to cross over the road so he decided to turn around and walk back into the town but she'd seen him and caught up with him at the other side of the river.
"Hello, I wondered if you'd be around," Martha greeted him.
To her surprise, he grabbed her arm and pulled her around the corner out of view.
"Have you been watching me?" he asked angrily, getting tired of the game she seemed to be playing and backing her against the wall.
"What? No, I was sat having a drink and I saw you."
"Don't bother lying, you do it very badly Miss Jones. This is your first and only warning – stay away from me and Miss Tyler or I will have you arrested. Do you understand me? I know you have already rung her father, which was very low, what did you hope to gain? She's not some little kid who will get grounded, she is an adult who is capable of doing things on her own. You on the other hand are the one with the childish behaviour. What part of I am not going to the dance with you do you not get?"
Hardy stopped and stood back, his arms folded, waiting for a response, which he didn't get at first. Martha wondered what the hell he was getting so angry with her for, it wasn't like she was the only one to chase after a man.
"Well?" Hardy asked again, moving one arm to get his notebook out of his pocket.
"Do you really need that? Are you giving me an official warning?" Martha finally asked.
"Do I have to? What the hell are you playing at? If you think you have warned her off, I have news for you, we are still going to the dance tonight and if you do not want to see us together then I suggest you do not attend. Why not find someone else to go with eh?"
"I have, I'll have you know."
"Don't tell me, Mickey Smith?"
"Lucky guess. He said he'd go with me so you can let me go now. Geez, don't take it so personally, I was just trying to let you know I fancied you."
"Well the feeling is not mutual. Not that it is any of your business but I had already decided to ask her to the dance before I even met you, that is why I turned you down but you obviously were determined. When I said no, that usually means no and not to keep on asking me. Now, I will keep this unofficial but if you continue to bother us, I will have to reconsider. Are we clear?"
"Yeah, I get it. So what's so special about her, just because of who her father is? Has he tried to buy you off yet?"
"I suggest you leave now before I take that as slander. You want to know the difference between you and Miss Tyler? I asked her to the dance, not the other way around."
Now he was in no mood to go get his hair cut but he should still try to trim his beard. He left a dazed Martha Jones and went towards his new home, hoping that was the last of it but he was prepared for the worse, should the nurse try again. After he left her, Martha sat on the low wall by the river, wondering what to do. There was now no way her plan would work so she was stuck going to the dance with Mickey, whom she had learned was Rose Tyler's old boyfriend - just great.
When Rose got home, she went to make herself something to eat since the housekeeper didn't work on Saturday and on Sunday, they all did their own thing anyway as Jackie usually attempted something and they all made their excuses, Pete not always getting away with it. She was soon up in her room putting her dress on after a quick shower, then she got a small shoulder bag from the wardrobe and put a pair of flat shoes inside along with a change of underwear, just in case she decided to stay.
She was downstairs waiting for Alec's car to turn around, looking out of the small window for him. Pete noticed she was nervous.
"He'll be here Rose, don't worry."
"Yeah, I know Dad."
"What's the shoulder bag for?"
"Just my flat shoes, Alec wanted me to see his rental cottage, the one on the side of the cliff over the other side of the harbour."
"Did he now? Just how serious is this?"
"I don't know yet Dad, this is our first proper date where people will see us. Am I making things difficult for you?"
"No more than normal. He'd already made his mind up he couldn't be easily persuaded to see things my way but he has a nerve, asking you out. He said he'd help me get rid of Jack, I hope he'll keep his word."
"I'm sure he will Dad. Have you seen Jack?"
"No, he's been quiet, a bit too quiet. I warned Mickey not to talk to him but I doubt he'll take any notice. Hardy said I shouldn't trust anyone."
"Dad, Jack has to be getting his information from somewhere."
"I know and he also said Jack is creating problems down in Weymouth to lure me away so next time, I'm not going."
"Good, Jack will get the message then, that you're not playing his game any more. Why can't you just forget your plans Dad?"
"If I do, it won't stop Harkness. It's better I get the go-ahead for the plans I have for this town than him, trust me. Looks like your ride is here, see you in the morning eh?"
"Thanks Dad and don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
Alec was just turning around, he was now getting used to it and seeing Rose wave to her dad stopped to let her in, Rose throwing her shoulder bag into the back seat and kissing his cheek as Pete watched. As Hardy drove off with Rose, he wondered if it was such a good idea to be only seen to go along with the detective, after all, things hadn't been that much different having Hunter in his pocket, the old detective could be a pain when he wanted to be.
As Hardy drove out of the street, he wondered if Rose had more than a pair of shoes in the shoulder bag. He wasn't going to presume there was though, it might get him a slap at the least and could spoil his plans. While he'd been getting ready, he'd trimmed his beard and hoped she would appreciate his efforts. He'd been thinking about Harkness and why he was lying low all of a sudden when he'd mostly been trying to stir up trouble.
What got him most though was that their paths had never crossed but little did he know how that was going to be remedied sooner rather than later. Jack and Ianto had decided to go back to Weymouth once Pete came back and they were planning something to get Pete's attention, leaving them to freely go after Mickey, Tony and if they had to, Rose.
Alec pulled into the school car park, hoping he wouldn't get blocked in if Rose decided she wanted to leave early, which he wouldn't object to. He decided not to tell her about his little altercation with the nurse, he didn't want to spoil the mood and Rose looked like she was in a good one when he'd glanced in the mirror and seen her smiling back at him.
"Looking forward to dancing tonight?" he'd asked on the way.
"Yeah, though if I'd not been going with you, I may not have gone at all."
"I find it hard to believe you would not have had a date for tonight."
"Well, you'd better believe it, I've not had a date since Mickey used to take me and trust me, that's a while ago. I still don't know why he stuck around when we broke up."
"That was some time ago then? I was under the impression it was fairly recently?"
"No, he keeps trying to get me back every now and then but he's changed recently. Maybe Jack has got to him?"
"Well, we will leave that for now eh? If anyone blocks me in if I park here, I will go back in and grab the microphone to get them to move it."
Rose smiled. "Yeah, I can believe that. Well, here goes. Doesn't look like Martha's here yet."
"Good, maybe she finally got the message?" he asked, seeing Rose was waiting for him to help her out.
She hadn't the last few times but she was wanting to make an entrance, since there were a lot of people getting out of cars and taxi cabs. Taking his hand, Rose got out and as he closed the door, he turned back to Rose kissing his cheek.
"Yeah, I did notice you'd trimmed your beard. It suits you like that."
She touched his chin and smiled. Maybe they'd get around to some serious kissing later in his car before he got her up to his cottage. Well he was going to try anyway. He had wondered if she'd been bragging to her friends about him and he knew he should have put Miller straight when she'd insisted he went to the dance but he hadn't been sure about Tyler himself but now, it didn't matter. Word would soon get around and as they walked to the school hall entrance, Rose had already waved to a few people and shouted a 'Hi" to them.
As they went inside, Rose with her arm in his, he handed the tickets in at the door, Rose stopping to talk to one of the women.
"Hello Rose, got yourself a date?"
"Yeah. This is Alec Hardy, the new DI."
"Well enjoy yourselves. At least you won't have to fend the men off all night."
Hardy wondered if that was what she normally did, stay with the single women all night and hope someone would ask her to dance or did she not like any of the single men in the town? She'd mentioned someone called Olly, was it the reporter and had she already dated him? They went inside, the tables already filling up and he really hoped she wouldn't choose to go sit with any of her friends but he needn't have worried as there were a few tables with just two chairs over in the corner and Rose headed for one as people sat in groups of four or they'd put two tables together.
Hanging her purse on the chair and her black velvet jacket over the top, she went to sit down, Hardy hovering over her.
"I will go get the drinks then? Are you having the same as last night?"
"Yeah please. If you go now, there's not much of a queue at this time, people are getting settled, they'll be ages before it's decided who buys the first round."
Hardy smiled at her, looking around to make sure the nurse or Smith were nowhere nearby. Martha was still waiting outside for Mickey, already regretting giving him the spare ticket. She was still upset about Hardy stopping her earlier so she'd made up her mind if Mickey wanted to dance, then she'd go along with it but there was no way she was taking him home with her, not like she'd planned on doing with the detective.
She'd just arrived in a cab as the two of them had been walking arm in arm across the car park and into the hall, Hardy allowing Rose in first and putting his arm carefully on her back. She'd only seen the top half of Rose, wearing a black velvet jacket so she couldn't see how else she was dressed but she doubted it wouldn't be anything less than expensive since she'd have got her father to pay for it.
Mickey finally arrived, in a cab because he liked to drink while he was out. He made his way across to where Martha was, she was getting the tickets out of her purse.
"I'm glad you turned up Martha," Mickey told her, since he'd paid for a ticket just to keep an eye on Rose and wasn't happy about it.
"Yeah, well who else would I go with? Have you seen Rose today?"
"No, she stays away from the arcade mostly, don't know what she does instead."
"She's probably been getting her claws into the new DI this week."
"Yeah, they were sitting together the other day."
"They were opposite the police station today, I saw them."
She wasn't going to add that Hardy had warned her off again. As they handed the tickets in, the woman smiled, since Martha was wearing almost the same dress as Rose had been wearing and thought there was going to be fun once one of them realised and wished she could get off the door to watch.
Mickey saw some friends and headed for their table, much to Martha's dismay.
"Are we sitting with them?" Martha asked, turning to him and pulling a face at two men and one woman.
"Why not? Where else are we gonna sit, all the tables are filling up," he replied, looking around and seeing two people take the table next to where Rose was sitting.
He had to smile since even at that distance, it looked like Rose was wearing the almost same dress as Martha. Martha took a seat next to the woman and Mickey went off to the bar with Nigel.
"What you doing here with Martha then?" Nigel asked him as they saw Alec getting served. "Didn't you ask Rose again?"
"She turned me down again, as usual. She was coming with the new DI, that bloke she was with last night."
Hardy had got served and was just passing on his way back to Rose, relieved no-one had dared to go sit with her. Olly had seen her though and was about to approach her as Hardy got there.
"Hi Rose, want a dance later?"
Hardy replied for her. "No she does not. What are you doing here?" he asked defensively.
"It's ok Alec, this is Olly, the town's reporter. Working already Olly?"
"If there's a story. Is there?"
"We've met. Leave now," Alec told the reporter. "There is no story here, go annoy someone else."
"Then can I take a photo later, when everyone's dancing?"
"If you must but it had better not focus on us."
"Why are you trying to hide the fact you came to the dance together?"
Rose was wondering exactly the same thing. He had said he didn't want to hide they were going out together but perhaps having your photo in the local paper on your first official date wasn't such a good way of letting everyone know.
To say he paid her attention all night was an understatement. They danced close to the slow tunes, he stood while Rose danced around him, holding her hand and only sat down when Rose decided it was not a good idea to wear shoes she'd only worn once before as she kicked them off under the table.
"Alec, I have to go to the ladies room. Can you go get my other shoes please?"
"Are your feet sore?"
"Yeah, my little toe is really bad. Do you have any plasters in the car? I should have brought some."
"There is a small first-aid kit, all police vehicles have one, I will try to find you one or ask at the office, someone will be around. Stay here."
"I'm not going anywhere Alec. You might have to carry me out or let me lean on you."
"Then I will not be objecting. No telling the reporter I kept you dancing."
"Girl scouts honour," Rose smiled, making the scouts sign.
"Were you ever in them?"
"Yeah but they were called Brownies back then and yes, I have badges."
"I can well believe it. Was this your school then?"
"No, I went to a private school, dad insisted. I'll tell you later, I can't hide my feet under the table all night."
"No more dancing then?"
He went off to the car to get her shoes and a sticking plaster but Martha saw her opportunity to get her own back on Rose, getting up and Mickey taking no notice as she strode off to the corner table, standing in front of Rose.
"How could you?" Martha asked, not even bothering to sit down.
"Excuse me? What are you going on about Martha?" asked a confused Rose and wishing Alec would hurry back, not that she couldn't be catty with the rest of them when she wanted to be.
"You got that dress because I bought one?"
"Oh this? Get over it Martha, it's a different colour and no-one else is wearing one, think yourself lucky. What's your problem anyway, calling my dad? Never thought you'd sink that low."
"I told you to stay away from him. He was supposed to be bringing me."
"That's not what he told me and I believe him over you. Come on Martha, we're not exactly friends are we? Why should he have been coming with you? He asked me on Wednesday and he'd already decided on Monday he was going to come with me."
"He only arrived on Monday, don't be so stupid."
"I met him in the arcade and he flirted with me, then he sat down with me at the food stand, chatting me up. He was waiting for me on Tuesday and on Wednesday, he took me out to lunch properly. Do I need to go on? I've seen him every day this week. Actually Thursday night we went for a meal and despite you thinking you know where he lives, he took me back there last night, it's very nice and looking out from the patio at the moon on the sea is really romantic."
"He never took you there, he can't have done."
"Wanna bet? I didn't go home until six in the morning, he didn't want me falling on my way out. He's amazing in bed."
Rose hoped Olly wasn't passing by but she saw him with Alice and Amber, trying to persuade one of them to dance with him. Mickey noticed Martha was taking her time talking to Rose so he made his way over, just in time to hear Rose bragging about Alec's bedroom skills. Martha didn't want to hear the rest.
"You knew I fancied him, how could you?"
"You don't own him Martha. He told me he'd never go out with you in a million years so you'd better leave him alone, he's mine and if you call my dad again, you'll regret it. Did you come with Mickey?"
"She conned me into coming with her," Mickey admitted, not wanting to give the real reason, that of spying on her.
Martha dug him in his ribs.
"Thanks for that Mickey. Look where it got me? I got stuck talking to your stupid friends all night who haven't got a brain between them. I should have come on my own."
"Good I didn't want to come with you anyway. You can get your own drinks from now on. Go sit with your friends over there, Olly might take pity on you."
"They're not my friends, they don't think I'm good enough for them."
"I wonder why?" Rose thought out loud, really wishing Alec would come back, what was keeping him?
Hardy had located something for Rose's wounded toe and was about to go back in when he saw Nigel Carter and Dean Thomas, Chloe Latimer's now ex-boyfriend talking in a corner and it looked like Nigel was backing the man into the wall. Wondering if he should interfere and stop a fight or go rescue Rose, he thought she'd be ok for a few minutes and went across.
"What's going on here?" Hardy asked, getting his ID out of his pocket.
"What's it to you?" Nigel asked, letting go of Dean.
"I ask the questions. I know who you are, you were pointed out to me."
"By your new little blonde girlfriend, that stuck-up little bitch?"
"Be careful what you call her and yes, she is my girlfriend. I'll ask you again, what's going on?"
"Nothing. Dean and I were just having a friendly conversation, weren't we?" he asked Dean, who looked like he wanted to run off.
"Is that right? I've read up about you Carter, well you and Mickey Smith. Quite a little game you have running. I'll be doing some more investigating next week so whatever you two are arguing over had better be finished. Understood?"
"You think we're scared of you?" Nigel asked, facing up to Hardy.
"You should be. I just put three child-killers behind bars so if you want to go up against me, be my guest. Now clear off, both of you and if you are going back inside, sit down and stay out of trouble."
"I'm not going in there," Dean admitted, not wanting to see Chloe with her new boyfriend whom she'd met at university.
Sulking, Nigel went ahead of Hardy and Dean went back to his motorcycle. Hardy shook his head, just what he'd needed but Rose was waiting for him inside. Mickey had been about to leave when Martha decided to insult him.
"Yeah, well you agreed to come with me and you talk to your awful friends."
"Well I didn't want to come with you anyway, you asked me, to get back at Hardy."
"She did?" Rose asked.
"Yeah Martha, tell her."
"Get lost Mickey, I only asked you because I wasn't going to waste a ticket."
"Well you both wasted them, didn't you?" Rose smiled, though her toe was really hurting now as she rested her foot on top of the offending shoe. "Martha, forget it, he's with me, in more ways than one, trust me."
"Huh, I really hate you Rose."
"Feeling's mutual Martha," Rose called after her.
Martha went back to the table, grabbed her shoulder bag and almost collided with Hardy.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked as she rubbed her arm.
"Like you'd care, screwing around with Rose Tyler."
He tried not to look too confused. Rose had said she may infer she knew him better than she did, just what had she told the nurse, who was in a hurry to get out of the place?