Rose's dreaded moment

Rose was debating whether to make a run for it before Alec's dad got home but if she did, she'd not only be going back to an empty flat but she would lose Alec as a friend. Alec had talked to her within a few minutes, he'd rescued her from those two obnoxious girls and defended her several times so she reckoned she at least owed him for that. Yet though he'd not had the courage to talk to her the several times they had been in the library together so why had he changed his mind?

Was it that his friend Jamie was teasing him? Maybe so but now the whole class knew he had stuck up for her, even those two girls would have figured that out. She had meant to ask him what had been going on in the playground after school but she could guess.

Should she make excuses not to stick around when his dad got home? She also had to decide where she was going to do her homework but it may be an advantage doing it with someone rather than ask Bob about local history.

Alec was changing into his corded jeans and a t-shirt then he went to his drawer to retrieve his notebooks. It was very rare he showed them to anyone and his early stories were from before his mother had died. Rose seemed to understand what he was going through, if she'd lost her dad, which was more than anyone else in the school. He went back downstairs before his dad was due back, he dreaded to think what his dad would say finding a girl sitting at the kitchen table.

If that had been John at school, Alec thought he would be laughing at the way Rose had been defended all day. John though had decided to come clean with his mother.

"You mean you never let on to Alec all day?" she smiled as she did the ironing.

"Yeah, he'll soon find out though that I've had a secret life for the last few years eh?" John laughed back.

"Really John, you should have said something instead of letting your cousin's imagination run riot, writing all those stories."

"It was his choice Mum," he reminded her. "I'll tell him tomorrow, I just wanted to see the look on his face when he walked into the classroom."

"Yes, well you've had your fun John, remember, this is the first time he's gone up a class since his mother died," she reminded him.

"Yeah, I know, sorry. She was my aunt, we all miss her but I thought if I finished my studies and got qualified, just maybe I could help him get through it? I'm sorry I never told you but all that time you thought I wasn't doing anything, I was studying. It paid off though, I mean come on, what were the chances two teachers being off?" he asked. "One is a coincidence but two's an intervention," he grinned.

"Maybe your aunt is watching out for him?" his mother suggested. "Still, he has Jamie, he's been a good friend to Alec. Did he make any new friends?"

John smiled to himself.

"Ah, yes, he did actually," he told her.

"Some new boys started?" she asked.

"Well no, two girls I think, well I know one was a girl. You are not going to believe this but Alec stuck up for her at lunchtime when two other girls were making trouble."

"That would have been Kristy and Moira then? I thought they would have gone easy on him?"

"Oh, he didn't need any help Mum, he saw the two of them off," he grinned, raising a finger. "Then I saw them hanging around when school was out and since the new girl was missing, I figured they'd been trying again in the girls room."

"So Alec was waiting for her?" his mother smiled at the thought. "Who would have guessed Alec would be waiting for a girl?"

"Yeah, I know," he laughed. "Mum, I think she's the girl from the library, she has to be. Why else would he stick up for her on the first day? Do you know what the interesting part is though?" he asked her. His mother shook her head as she carried on ironing. "She either lost her voice or she's pretending she had and my bet is on the latter. If she's new to the area, she may be shy?"

"Then talk to Alec about it. Still, Alec making friends with a girl, who would have known it?" she asked.

"I know," John laughed. "I think he was waiting to make sure she got the right bus and she lives around here somewhere. He was on his own when I saw him talking to those other two girls. They seem a right pair, one of them had lipstick on. Since when did thirteen year old girls wear lipstick?" he asked.

"How would I know John?" his mother asked him, wishing he'd go back to his own accent. "Did anyone make fun of your accent today?" she wondered.

"No," he replied defensively. "Actually, they all believed I was from London, well maybe all except Alec? I wonder if the new girl Alec was defending isn't from around here? What if she's from somewhere in England and doesn't want anyone to know just yet?"

"Yes, maybe? Well Alec wants to be a detective, maybe it will give him some practice?"

John raised his eyebrows, something his mother was noticing Alec was starting to do the same.

"I'm sure it will Mum," he grinned. "Mind you, Alec did mention he thought I looked like his cousin."

"Well he's onto you then," his mother warned him.

"Yeah, I think my first mistake in history was asking about a famous Scottish battle," he grinned.

His mother shook her head and went to pick up the pile of ironed laundry.

Alec had got back downstairs and handed his notebook to Rose.

"Why don't you read it out loud?" Rose asked, in case she couldn't understand his writing or some of the words he used.

He went in his school bag and brought out a glasses case. He was sure Rose wouldn't make a fuss about him wearing them, he tried not to need them but sometimes he got a headache. With it being the first day back, he'd not bothered but he knew he'd have to start tomorrow so she may as well get used to him wearing them.

He went to sit beside her and opened the thick notebook, which was only thick because of all the writing in it.

"So, what's the story called then?" Rose smiled as he put his glasses on.

"Adventures in time," he replied proudly.

"Is that part one?" she teased him.

"Actually no, I called it that as it was the first one."

"So how many chapters does it have?" she wanted to know.

"Ah, I think this one had three. I wrote it when I was poorly. We only have about fifteen minutes before my dad gets back though."

"Well stop wasting time then," she grinned, moving her chair to face him.

Before they knew it, the kitchen door was opening and Alec put his notebook down. Rose almost fell back with the chair as she tried to move it away.

"Hi Dad," Alec greeted him as he closed the door behind him.

"Well, who's your friend Alec?" he replied.

"This is Rose, Rose Tyler. She just started today. She had a bit of a sore throat earlier, is it better now?" he asked her.

Rose had to admire her new friend, he was devious to say the least and he was trying to impress her. She nodded, not wanting to make a liar out of him so she tried to sound a bit croaky as she cleared her throat.

"Yeah, a bit. Nice to meet you Mr Hardy."

"Well it's nice to meet you too Rose. So, new school eh?" he asked her, going to fill the kettle. "I hope Alec's been looking after you? Alec, no homework?"

"Not today Dad, I was reading Rose my first story."

"Were you now? Is that right, Rose?" he asked, not quite convinced as Alec never read his stories to anyone.

"Yes Mr Hardy, his first one, it's really good do far. I should be going," she replied.

"Will your mother wonder where you are?" Alec's dad asked her.

"Not exactly, she won't be home yet," Rose told him.

"She leaves you to fend for yourself?" she was asked.

Then he realised he did the same to Alec.

"Dad, you leave me," Alec reminded him.

"Yes but you could go to your aunt's. Have you no-one to stay with until she gets home?" he asked Rose.

"No, I'm new here, I don't know anyone, apart from Alec. He said from tomorrow, I could do my homework with him, since it's a new school," she replied.

Alec looked at her. Maybe she'd decided it would be better than trying to do it on her own?

"Is that okay Dad?" Alec looked at him.

"What about Jamie?" he asked Alec.

He couldn't believe his son would give up his best friend to befriend a new girl.

"I was still going to ask him Dad. Anyway, I'll walk Rose home, she doesn't live far away, do you?" he asked her.

Rose shook her head.

"No, not far but I can find my way back."

"I'm sure he's only making sure you don't get lost, if you've just moved around here?"

Rose expected he was right. Alec had looked after her all day and she might disappoint him if she refused to let him walk her home.

"Well okay then, just to the end of the road," she relented.

"What time do you have to be back?" Alec's dad asked her, looking in the cupboard. "Will you join us for tea?"

"I have to be back for six, my mum expects me to be making tea for her and " she stopped, looking at Alec. "We live with my mum's boyfriend, he says I have to help out with my mum working."

"Really?" Alec's dad asked. "What about homework and spending time with your friends?"

"Rose has only made a few friends today, haven't you Rose?" Alec butted in.

"Alec, let Rose speak for herself. Well Rose?" she was asked.

"I just made friends with Alec and another new girl. Two girls were showing off, tryin' to get me to join them but I refused. Why would I want to go around with them?" Rose replied.

"Sounds like you met Kristy and Moira then?" Alec's dad replied. "Take my advice Rose and stay away from them, right Alec?"

"One of the teachers told them off today. Shame you missed it Rose. They were trying at lunchtime but Rose just ignored them, didn't you Rose?" Alec told his dad. "We got a new history and science teacher today, the teachers are off sick and I'm sure it's John."

His dad stopped what he was doing.

"What makes you say that Alec? Are you sure it's not someone who happens to look like him?" Alec shook his head. "He would have said something if he had become a teacher."

"He's been travelling a lot but Dad, what has he been doing when he's not had a writing job?" Alec wanted to know. "Can you call and ask Auntie Mary?"

"I'll call her after tea. Why don't you take Rose into the living room?" his dad suggested. "Sure you don't want to eat with us?" he asked Rose again. "You have time. So what exactly are you expected to do after you get back?"

Rose knew this was a big mistake, people asking questions about the arrangements her mother had made and she didn't even know half of them.

"I have to tidy the flat and start getting tea ready. Her boyfriend gets home around seven," she just replied, wanting to keep it to a minimum.

"So you're on your own until six every night?" Alec's dad asked her. "What have you been doing during the holidays?"

"Keeping the place tidy, shopping and going to the library. I used to see Alec there but I didn't know who he was," Rose explained.

"He told me he used to see a girl there. Well go on Alec, take her into the other room, I'm sure she doesn't want to see me making something to eat if she has to wait almost another two hours? Would you just like a sandwich?" his dad offered.

Thinking it would be rude to turn him down again, Rose nodded. Why had he pointed out she had two hours to wait until she could eat, then she had to make it herself.

"Yeah, thanks Mr Hardy, I am a bit hungry but mum expects me to eat with them."

"If you come round most nights, why not ask her if you can stay out a bit longer?" Alec asked her. "Then we could meet Jamie and go to the park or somewhere?"

He knew she'd already said she could go straight home and go out later but he now didn't like the idea she had homework, housework and tea to make.

"I don't want to be a nuisance," she replied.

"You are not being a nuisance, Jamie comes around sometimes but goes home at five for his tea," Alec told her. "Then he comes round again and we go out. Come with us Rose?"

Rose looked across at Alec's dad. She'd had no-one to tell how unhappy she was with her mother's arrangements but she'd just met Alec, it was too soon to confide in him about her problems and by the sound of it, he had his own.

"It won't do you any good being at home on your own," Alec's dad told her. "Go get some fresh air for an hour?"

"Well okay then, if Jamie comes round?" she agreed.

Rose went into the living room with Alec and he put the TV on. His dad brought some juice and a sandwich in for her as he called Alec to the kitchen table, leaving Rose sitting on her own.

"Well Alec, what happened to you not being interested in girls?" his dad smiled.

"She's just a friend dad, I only met her today properly," Alec blushed.

"Your aunt told me you spent a lot of time at the library, any particular reason?"

"I was waiting for a book coming back in. I didn't know Rose had it then I saw her returning one and it was what I wanted."

"You do know if you make friends with her, you may drive Jamie away?" his dad warned him.

"I don't think he'll mind," Alec replied innocently. "She just goes to school with us. I had to rescue her today when she arrived. She didn't have a sore throat Dad, she was scared of what the others would say about her."

"I suspected that Alec. Well if you want to be a detective, find out more about her. She doesn't seem keen on going home."

"When we got off the bus, she didn't seem like she wanted to be on her own. I got off at the other stop with her, she lives two streets away, almost opposite auntie Mary's street. I think she's hiding something Dad."

"What makes you think that son?"

"Well whoever the teacher was who looks like John, I thought if she was faking the sore throat and he was using an English accent that she might give in and talk?"

"Hold on, the new teacher looks like your cousin and speaks with an English accent?" his dad asked to make sure he'd heard right. Alec nodded. "Well in that case, why was he hiding from you? I think I'd better call him, don't you?"

Alec had thought it would be more fun to play along if his older cousin was playing games with him. Surely John knew he was onto him and how had his cousin managed to get to teach two subjects? He also wondered why he'd stuck with the English accent and done a lesson on Scottish history? Surely that had been asking for trouble?

Alec helped his dad clear the dishes and went to see how Rose was getting on. She looked around when the door opened.

"I was just gonna bring my plate in," she grinned at him.

"That's okay Rose. My dad's calling my cousin, he didn't know after all but I'm surprised John kept it all secret."

"He's probably keeping it quiet to save everyone picking on ya? What if it is him, watcha gonna do Alec?"

"Pretend I'm not related to him?" Alec suggested.

"Good luck with that," Rose laughed. "Alec, can we go for a walk, I feel a bit out of it."

"Sure, leave your bag here if you want?"

"Nah, I can go straight home then. Are ya calling for Jamie?"

"I'd best do, I think he was a bit mad at me earlier, for getting off at your stop," Alec replied.

"Alec, I'm not trying to stop ya being friends with him," she tried to assure him.

"I know that Rose. I can have more than one friend at a time."

"I had lots of friends but I only hung around with one or two when I got home. What if Jamie doesn't like me hanging around? What do ya normally do anyway after school?" he asked him.

"We sometimes go to the park or walk on the river path or sometimes we just meet at the library. What did you used to do after school?"

Rose was embarrassed to say her and Shareen would walk down to the shops and watch the boys cringe as they watched them or they'd go back and annoy Mickey again if they'd not got him riled enough on the way home. Sometimes they'd sit on the concrete posts and wait for him getting home from work and tease him. Then she wondered why he'd been going to ask her to be his girlfriend when she reached sixteen? Why couldn't he have picked Shareen?

Well he wouldn't be spoiled for choice now, would he?

"Girl stuff," she just smiled at him and walked off into the kitchen, leaving Alec looking puzzled.

What was that supposed to mean? How did he know what girls did after school? Did they go to each others houses and do their hair and pinch their older sister's or mother's make-up? It seemed Moira had sneaked some into school anyway, it had made her look cheap like someone dancing around on a pop music show on TV.

Alec's dad had just got off the phone with his nephew, who had admitted he was the new teacher at Alec's school.

"Why didn't you say something John?" he asked him.

"Sorry Uncle but I'd no idea they'd send me to Alec's school. He sussed me then?"

"You know he wants to be a detective John, what do you think?" he was asked.

"Did he tell you about that girl who started today? They call her Rose."

"Yes, he brought her home with him," his uncle replied.

"Well who would have believed it?" John laughed. "My little cousin bringing a girl home with him? Mind you, he's been looking out for her all day. Has she said anything?"

"Plenty," his uncle replied. "She claimed to have had a sore throat but I suspect she was just nervous. She sounds like she comes from London."

"Ah, I thought she was putting it on and didn't want anyone to know. Trust Alec to get her to talk though. I wonder if she'll settle down tomorrow and say something?"

"Maybe but what are you going to do about Alec being in your classes?" his uncle asked him.

"Keep up the pretence, I have no other option and he'll have to pretend as well, not going around bragging. Still, you should have seen him hanging around waiting for her after school."

"Was he now? That's not like him," his uncle told him.

Ten minutes later, Alec was knocking on Jamie's kitchen door.

"Alec, I can go home if ya want?" Rose offered.

"No, it's okay Rose, unless you don't want to hang around with us?" he asked her.

"It's just I don't want to be in the way," she replied as they waited.

Jamie opened the door, since he figured it would be Alec, who had finally got rid of the new girl but his face dropped when he saw Rose.

"Hi Jamie, coming to the park with us?" Alec asked him.

"Not tonight Alec, I have some reading to catch up on. See you in the morning? Which stop will you be at?" he asked Alec but looking at Rose. "Are you still getting the earlier bus?"

"There's an earlier bus?" Rose asked him. "Is it less full than the other one?"

"Yes, it gives us more time when we get there," Alec replied to her.

"Maybe I'll get that one? I had to wait around after my mum went out, I can set off before her."

Jamie thought that was all he needed, as if Rose being on the bus coming home and Alec sitting with her, then getting off the stop before their usual one hadn't been bad enough.

"You should catch it then you won't be in a rush," Alec told her.

"I'm still here," Jamie reminded them. "See you at school, if you're going to the other bus stop?"

"It's about the same distance Jamie. Why do we go to the other one anyway?"

"To get our money's worth out of the bus fare?" Jamie joked, making Rose splutter.

They said goodbye to Jamie and walked towards the park but by now, Rose only had about half an hour before she'd have to go home. They sat on a bench just inside the park instead.

"See if you can stay out longer from tomorrow?" Alec suggested.

"I might not be able to Alec. I want to hear some more of your story though," she smiled at him.

"You do? You thought it was good?" he asked.

"Yeah, when ya did the different voices," Rose nudged him as he sat on the back of the bench. "I couldn't have read it in my head like that, you reading it out loud was much better."

"It was?" he replied.

"Well yeah, it brought it to life. Do ya wanna be an actor when ya get older?"

"An actor? No, I want to be a detective, Rose. When my mum died, no-one would tell me what happened to her. I want to help people and other kids to find out why their friends and relatives died."

"Wow, I bet ya'd be good at it too," she smiled. "You didn't believe I lost my voice and ya were right about that. You got me to talk, ya'd be great at interrogating suspects."

"Would I? Really?" Rose nodded. "Well when I go to college, that's what I want to do, go to the police academy. What do you want to do Rose?"

"Be a hairdresser like my mum but I may change my mind before then," she replied.

"If that's what you want to do, don't give up Rose," he encouraged her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah? I might just stick to it as long as you promise you'll be a great detective one day?"

Alec didn't know what to say. Ever since the day his mother had died and no-one would explain how she'd got sick so fast, he had been determined others would be able to find out, no matter how old they were.

"We could go to the same college," Rose was continuing.

That all depended how long her mother was going to be infatuated with Bob, they could be home before then, she hoped. The last few nights when he'd got home, Bob had been glancing over at her while he and her mother had been engrossed in something and she didn't like it. It was like he was playing games with her.

Alec was getting off the back of the bench.

"Come on, I'll walk you to your street or you can show me where you live?"

Rose wasn't ready for that yet as they made their way back, past Alec's street and they stopped on the corner.

"So are you getting the earlier bus then?" Alec asked, leaning on a garden wall.

"Might do. I think I upset Jamie though?"

"He'll get over it. Don't forget to tell your mum, about staying out longer?"

"Yeah, I'll try Alec but it's not gonna be easy. She expects me to get tea ready so he thinks she did it," Rose admitted.

"That's not fair Rose, why can't she do it herself?" Alec wanted to know.

"Bob says I have to do my share of the housework, mum thinks that includes doing the cooking. She'd be lost if I didn't do it. I can ask for another half hour though."

"Well ask then? See you tomorrow but are you going to talk?"

He was about to find out the next morning that Rose was going back to being shy again.