When he got down to the more pleasant interview room, Ellie and the WPC were fussing over the young boy, trying to get him to drink some milk and have a biscuit. The child was well dressed, didn't look dirty or mistreated and his blonde hair was almost neatly combed except there was a breeze outside so it was understandable.

"So what did child services expect us to do with the boy then?" Alec asked.

The boy got away from Ellie and clutched at Alec's legs.

Ellie tried not to laugh, too much. "He seems to like you, maybe you remind him of his dad Sir?" she offered.

"I take it there have been no reports filed in the entire area of a missing toddler then?" he asked hopefully as the boy tugged at his leg to be picked up. Ellie shook her head.

Alec sat down and the boy held his arms out so he picked him up and sat him on his lap. Ellie offered the paper cup to him.

"He's too young for that Miller, you should know that."

"Of course I do but we're all out of baby cups – Sir," she quipped back at him.

The WPC smiled, she was used to the pair of them as was the rest of the station. "Sir, can I get back to work now?" she asked.

"Yes Williams, you can go but have someone go out and get some baby things and ask the CMO to come down if he's still in the building or has he already left as well?"

"I'll go," Ellie offered. "But what are we going to do with him until Tuesday?"

"Well you could always take him, couldn't you? You've got two boys."

"Have you forgotten we promised to take Tom and Fred camping this holiday weekend, Sir?"

"Oh yes, sorry. Well I'll have to call Rose, see if she can come over while we figure out what to do with the boy but can you pop into town and get what he needs?"

"I'd do better at the supermarket. I'll get disposable nappies, a change of clothes, all the usual stuff. If Rose is coming over, why don't you two keep him for the weekend? After all, you are the senior officer around here," she giggled.

"Are you enjoying this Miller, by any chance?"

"No, not at all. I'll take him while you call Rose."

He handed the boy back to Ellie but he started to cry. "I'll call her," she offered.

Rose answered. "Oh hi Ellie, you're not going to keep my boyfriend working late are you?" she laughed.

"Not exactly but can you come over to the station for a few minutes?"

Rose panicked. "Is everything ok Ellie?"

"Yeah, it's just something came up."

The young boy was making noises in the background.

"Do you need me to watch Fred or something?" Rose asked, being curious.

"No but I would appreciate it if you came now and so would your boyfriend."

"Ok. Give me a few minutes then."

Alec pulled a face, indication the toddler needed changing.

"Go now Miller, just go to the camp shop around the corner and get some nappies and some baby wipes and see if they have a cup for him. Go on, I can watch a baby until Rose gets here and tell the desk to send her in here if you don't see her on your way out and I want the name of the moron who says child services can't come out and see a baby who's been left on the beach, what's wrong with those people?"

"No idea Sir. Will I get a refund if I get receipts?"

"Yes of course you will but you'll have to pay for my suit trousers cleaning if you don't get a move on," Alec replied, putting the boy back on the floor and handing him the half eaten biscuit. "What do babies this age eat?"

"Don't you remember Sir?" Ellie teased, enjoying this immensely as she picked up her shoulder bag and checked her wallet.

"Well you've done it more recently Miller. Go on. Don't be long and don't say anything to Rose if you happen to see her."

"Right. Hope you two didn't have any plans then?"

"She was just going job hunting down in Dorchester, she hates not doing anything."

"Well she'll have plenty to do this weekend now."

Ellie left, leaving Alec to watch the boy, who was smiling at him and Alec really hoped Rose had some practice at changing her younger brother's nappies when he was that age because he himself had hated changing his daughter's and it was a long time ago.

Ellie was just going out of the main entrance as Rose was coming up the steps.

"Oh Rose, go right in, he's in the end interview room, I've told the desk to expect you.''

"What's going on Ellie? There's nothing wrong with Alec is there?"

"Should there be? No, he's fine and you'll find out. I'll be back in ten minutes, just popping to the shop around the corner."

Ellie was so tempted to tell her but savoured the thought of Hardy explaining to his girlfriend of almost two months they would be looking after a baby for the long weekend. She wished now he had not sent her out, she would love to see that one.

The desk sergeant waved at Rose, since she was a regular visitor and she walked down the corridor to the room at the end, the one she had been in when she had arrived here all those weeks ago and Alec had thought she was crazy. Maybe he still thought all this was a nightmare he was going to wake up from. She opened the door and stood there.

"Tony!"

"What? Your brother is called Tony."

The boy looked up and held his arms out and Rose went scoop him up, the boy putting his small arms around her.

"Where did you find him Alec?"

He could see the boy obviously knew her but she may look like his mother.

"Lucky guess with the name Rose but how can he be your brother?"

"He can't be, I know that but he looks exactly the same as Tony at that age and he knows his name."

"But you can't tell anyone that Rose, think of what it would imply?"

"I know, sorry but where was he found Alec?"

"On the beach, someone reported he had been left or he'd just appeared there, no-one saw anything, not that they ever do, they're too afraid with this murder case and what happened with Jack Marshall."

"Yeah, I suppose. Is someone on their way from welfare to collect him? Do you want me to watch him for you until they do?"

She put the boy down, also noticing he was wet.

"Miller went to get some nappies and wipes and a few more things. No-one is coming for him until Tuesday, it's obviously not important enough for them to work overtime since he's in a Police Station."

"Oh. Well is Ellie gonna take him then?" she asked, getting down on the floor with him. "This is so weird, it could easily be Tony, I suppose he's this reality's version of him then, just he's been born later but how is that even possible if he's not Pete and Jackie's?"

"I've no idea Rose. Don't say anything to Miller about it, that's all. As for his name, the boy doesn't actually think his name's is Tony, it was how you said it probably. You can't just name him yet. The Millers planned on going away this weekend, remember?"

"I know Alec and I know it isn't him, it can't be."

The door opened and Ellie came back in with everything she thought he would need for now.

"Blimey, that shop's expensive Rose, I hope you don't get all your groceries there. The CMO has left, sorry."

"It's a convenience store Miller, you pay for the privilege of having it virtually on your doorstep. I should have known, is there anyone left here?"

Ellie was about to call him a smart-arse for the umpteenth time but maybe not in front of Rose or the child.

Rose grabbed the wipes and nappies and went to where two chairs were joined together and began to clean the boy up.

"He's gonna need feeding properly soon, we'll get him back to the caravan and I'll make him some veg and mash it up, my little brother used to love that and I'll put a bit of the mince I've been doing. I'll take him back Alec and you can call in reception, see if we can hire a cot and maybe a pushchair for the weekend. Just tell them we're looking after him for the weekend."

Alec and Ellie looked at each other as Rose seemed to take charge. Alec wondered if he was going to be able to get her to hand the infant back come Tuesday morning. He called into the caravan site's reception, they already knew he was a Police Officer and he explained they'd had to take a child into emergency care over the holiday weekend and he got a cot and thankfully a stroller and struggled back to their caravan, shouting for Rose to come and help him.

"Great, at least the poor boy will be able to sleep and we can take him out. Don't know about a car seat though, do they have them too?"

"I never even asked, I'll go back then I'll go down to the supermarket or do you want to go?"

"We can all go if we get a car seat but if not, I'll feed him then nip down, you can keep him amused. How did this happen Alec? Who would want to go and leave a child and then not even bother trying to find him?"

"Maybe he got here the same way you did Rose?"

"Seriously? I don't see any device on him Alec."

The boy was watching the TV, not that he understood but Rose thought the cartoons were a safe option, Tony always loved them. Alec finished with the camping cot, putting the mattress in the bottom and was figuring out how to put up the pushchair. Rose demonstrated.

"Some detective you are."

"It's different to the one that Daisy had. Don't get smart."

Rose smiled and kissed his cheek. At least he'd got the cot up.

"I don't think it will fit in the bedroom Alec but we'll have to move the other bed to one side somehow and get the cot in the other room or leave him out here and get help in the morning."

"Well I think we may just leave him where he is then," Alec remarked, pointing to the boy who had fallen asleep on the seat.

Rose went to sit beside him and pulled his blonde hair out of his eyes. Then she kissed his forehead. "I'd better go to the supermarket then, get him into a sleep suit without trying to wake him but he must be hungry. I'll get some proper baby food in case he wakes and some follow-on baby milk. He can't be much more than a year, 13 months at the most.

"That was what Miller reckoned. Shame she was going away this weekend."

"What? The great Alec Hardy not up to the challenge?" she joked, putting her arms around him and kissing him.

"Of course I am, I'm just a bit out of practice. You know they'll just take him on Tuesday and put him either in a children's home or with a foster family, don't you?"

"What are you trying to say Alec?"

"Well I am a senior Police Officer, maybe they can make us foster parents, temporarily until they find him a proper home, they can rush it through."

"Then what Alec? We keep him a month, maybe two then they take him away and give him to someone else?"

"Then what do you want Rose, do you want to keep him?"

"We live in a caravan Alec, it's not practical to keep a baby living here and welfare would never approve anyway."

"Let them decide that Rose, do you want him in a home or with foster carers who just do it for a job until they find someone to adopt him?"

"No, of course not. I'd better get going. Are we going to leave the cot here for tonight then?"

"He might wake up soon anyway if he's hungry. I'll finish making dinner while you're out. I take it you know what to buy 13 month old infants?"

"I helped mum raise Tony didn't I? We have to call him something, welfare will probably ask but if someone adopts him it will save the poor boy getting confused. I don't really want to name him after my brother, what's your middle name?"

He rarely used it, preferred to be called Alec J Hardy. "It's James but it doesn't suit the poor bairn."

"I used to have a friend called Jack and now it's quite a popular boy's name again."

"Right, then go get Jack some food and clothing and anything else you think he'll need over the weekend and tomorrow we'll see if we can hire a car seat or we'll be either walking everywhere or have to get taxis. Don't get too much, I won't get the money back from the welfare people."

"So what did they actually say about him?"

"I didn't speak to them, just that we were the police and we were more than suitable to take care of an infant over the weekend but I would have thought they would have emergency carers for this type of situation."

"Maybe they were all busy. Someone might turn up tomorrow, the station knows we've taken him."

She gave him a kiss and Alec gently lifted the sleeping boy and lowered him into the cot, remembering his daughter at that age and how much of her life he had missed when his wife began to work different hours and he had to work nights.

Rose went up to the supermarket, got a trolley and made her way to the baby department and was glad no-one really knew her or as she got to the checkout she would have some explaining to do. Alec had got her on his bank account, Rose had opted not to open her own to save him transferring money across but she tried to keep the cost down and getting only the things the boy would need until Tuesday.

Alec had dinner ready when she got back and Jack, as they now called the sleeping boy, had not stirred and Rose was reluctant to get him changed. As they cleared the dishes, Alec's phone rang, he having forgot to turn down the ringer volume and the boy stirred slightly but didn't wake. Alec went to the far end of the caravan. It was Ellie.

"How's the camping trip Miller?"

"We've not set off yet, can't find the lanterns so we might leave it until tomorrow now. How's the baby?"

"He's fine, he fell asleep and we've called him Jack, for now. What exactly did welfare say about him?"

"Nothing much, just they would send someone over on Tuesday, never even asked any details, I think they were a bit over-worked, what with this murder enquiry going on and people getting scared for their kids. How's Rose taking all this?"

He walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

"She's reminded of her brother, she's taking it very well at the moment, even named him after her friend she left behind. What do you think of it Miller? Maybe on Tuesday when we have to take him back to the station, she won't be so keen on handing him over. Well not if they can't promise he'll get a good home."

"You know I would have taken him if we hadn't been going away. Maybe we can offer him a home, I'm sure they'll be glad to cut out all the paperwork."

"What's wrong Miller? Don't you think I'm capable of taking care of a child? I raised my daughter. Are you and Rose conspiring against me?"

"Not at all – Sir. I was just saying but there's nothing to stop you and Rose offering to adopt him."

"I'm sure there's a long waiting list and all kinds of checks to go through."

"Not if you're a Police Officer and they're overstretched, waiting list or not, you'll get first priority if you ask, save them a lot of work. It might be just what Rose needs, have you thought about that?"

He had but he didn't want that to be the only reason she stayed.

Rose had managed to get the boy into a sleep suit and he had woken up and was drinking some milk out of a baby cup this time. He was sitting on her lap and eating some ready made food she had spooned into a plastic dish she had bought for him.

"That looks better than the dinner I made Rose," he joked, patting the boy's head.

Jack looked around and gave him a goofy grin.

"That was Miller checking up on Jack. She said that welfare never even took any details."

"Well if they're not bothered, what's to stop anyone from just keeping him?"

"The same as your situation Rose, you have to be in the system and tomorrow, I'll have someone go through the police database from around the country and see if anyone has reported him missing. It is possible someone may have just left him behind, if there were a group of people, a family might think another member had taken him in another car and they may not even realise until they get home, they could have travelled a long distance."

"Maybe but if so, they would have stopped for a break, it's been a couple of hours now. Besides, they would have noticed an empty child seat, surely?"

She ran her fingers through Jack's hair, wishing she had picked up a brush for him but supposed she could get a few more things tomorrow. If they had to, they could walk up into town and get whatever else was needed. Jack was now more playing with his food than eating it so Alec took the bowl away and Rose took the boy to the shelf by the kitchen and changed his nappy. The boy rubbed his eyes, indicating he was still tired and reached up for Alec to pick him up as Rose fastened his sleep suit.

Alec took the boy and sat down with him, Jack's chubby little hands reaching for his chin and Alec catching hold of them and pretending to put a hand in his mouth which made the boy giggle.

"You'll have him awake all night if you get him giddy Alec."

She sat at the side of them and put her arm in Alec's, resting her head on his shoulder. Jack crawled over to her, still halfway on Alec as he passed him over and was surprised when the boy said "Ma."

Rose was also taken by surprise and pulled him close, kissing his cheek. Alec put his arm around her shoulder, his other one around Jack.

"You want to keep him don't you Rose? Miller said it shouldn't be that difficult if they're busy. We just have to prove we can give him a good home."

"What about your condition Alec? I can't raise him on my own if something does happen to you, not that I think it will but just suppose."

"You'd get support Rose, I've been on to my solicitor already and left everything to you, all my benefits from the police, they'll take care of you and Jack, if we keep him and Ellie will help you. Plus, if we adopt him properly, we'll get an allowance for him, they won't just leave you. Let's think about it over the weekend, see how things go."

Rose hadn't realised but Jack had settled against her shoulder and had fallen asleep. Alec gently moved the boy, kissed his forehead and got up, taking him and putting him back in the cot. They watched some TV with the volume on low and went to bed just after ten.

"You'll have to keep quiet tonight Rose, don't wake Jack."

"Huh? You do all the grunting and groaning, detective so you're the one who's gonna have to button it."

"Only because you grope my ass Rose, which you're so very good at by the way. Had plenty of practice have you?"

"Only with you babe and since you're nearest the door, you can go if he wakes up. Just give him some warm milk and change him."

"Yes mommy," he smiled, reaching to pull the straps down on her nightdress and kissing the soft flesh that was revealed.

"Don't call me that just yet."

They fell asleep in each others arms, the door propped open so they could hear Jack if he woke. When Rose woke up just after seven, Alec wasn't there so she put her robe on and walked out of the bedroom to find Alec stretched out on the long seat, Jack in his arms, both with their eyes closed but Alec opened his as she approached, motioning her to be quiet. She leaned down and kissed him.

"I love you Alec."

"Love you too, mommy."