Becoming more than friends

After Alec walked her home again, having gone to the park, Rose was waiting to talk to her mother. Jackie though didn't seem in the mood for talking, especially about Bob's rules.

"Leave it a few weeks Rose will ya?" her mother asked her.

"Mum, I'm going to meet his family on Sunday, it's all been arranged. I've already met his cousin," Rose told her, not wanting to reveal John was a teacher.

"Well there's no way I can stop ya this weekend I suppose?"

"Mum, you and Bob never get any time alone," Rose tried to suggest. "I thought I was doing ya a favour by going out?"

Her mother let out a laugh.

"Well that might work with me but not him. He wants us to be a family Rose, what's wrong with that?"

Rose thought nothing, it depended on what his idea of a family was.

"Mum, just tell me, does he want to adopt me, are ya getting married?"

"Rose, we've not even talked about it yet," her mother insisted.

"But ya will, sooner or later," Rose insisted, stirring the contents in the saucepan.

"Not just yet Rose and if we do, you have no say in it, it's between me and Bob. If we do, we're doing it partly for you, so you have a proper home."

"We managed all that time Mum," Rose reminded her. "Alec's mum died recently, he's gettin' over it and I think I'm partly responsible. He had another friend but since Alec made friends with me, he backed off so if ya stop me seeing Alec at weekends, you're taking me away from him. Please Mum, talk to Bob about it but don't tell him about Alec, not yet."

Rose heard the door opening and went quiet, hoping her mother wouldn't repeat what had just been said.

"Jackie love, something smells good. Are you teaching Rose here a thing or two?" Bob laughed.

Rose was not happy, since she did all the hard work and her mother got the praise. Of course, Jackie took the praise as usual.

"Yeah Bob, she's not doing bad," she agreed.

"See Rose, we'll make a cook out of you yet. Maybe on Sunday afternoons, you can take a few more lessons eh?"

Rose wondered what happened to spending time as a family.

"Actually Bob, Rose already had plans this Sunday with her friend," Jackie replied.

"Has she now? Does that include bringing your friend to meet us Rose?" Bob asked her.

"She's a bit shy," Rose tried to bluff. "That's why I'm going over to meet the rest of her family. Maybe if I spend a few Sunday afternoons with them, she might wonder what all the fuss is about?"

"Maybe so but remember what I told you? This week only Rose, then spend some time with me and your mum eh?" Bob replied, Rose thinking it wasn't a request.

"Well can't I go out later then?"

"Don't push your luck Rose," Bob warned her, putting his arm around her mother.

"Aw, go easy on her Bob," Jackie encouraged him.

"We'll see love, that depends on what we talked about," Bob replied.

Rose dreaded to think what that was but it had to involve her. She'd not said anything to Alec about it but she was getting awful feelings every time Bob looked at her and staying in every Sunday would make things even worse. Maybe she should talk to Alec's dad or John about it? She didn't like where this was going one bit.

Before Rose or Alec knew it, the weekend came around and as Alec took her home on Friday evening, he asked if she could sneak out to the library when she returned from shopping.

"Alec, I'm barely getting away with meeting your aunt on Sunday," she grinned as they stood outside. "Not coming upstairs?"

"Your mum might catch me Rose, I barely got away with it the last time."

Rose took his arm and began running her other hand up and down it and Alec knew what she was trying to do.

"We have a while before she comes home and what if she does catch ya?"

"She might stop you meeting me altogether," Alec replied, trying to get out of it.

"No she won't, I'm off all next week and she's at work. Besides, I'm tryin' to get her to get Bob to not put a ban on going out on Sundays. Let me see how it goes, yeah?" she grinned at him and not bothering to move her hand from his arm.

Alec thought maybe John was right after all, she was starting to do things without even thinking about it.

"Okay, I'll come up for a few minutes but if she catches me, you can do the explaining," he relented as Rose finally let go to put the code in the door.

Luckily for Alec, Rose let him go with a few minutes to spare after she made an excuse to put yet another record on and he knew if she kept doing that, she'd keep all the slow ones here on purpose. He dreaded to think later on in the year when they had the school disco that she'd drag him along though he had escaped last year since Jamie hadn't wanted to go.

Saturday morning, Alec had gone to the local shops with his dad and Rose had been dragged into the town centre, then when they got back and made some lunch, Rose tried to excuse herself to the library.

"You have all next week," Bob reminded her as he found the football on TV.

"Well I'm off to my room then, it was bad enough that Mickey used to come round to the old flat and watch the match."

Once she had gone, Bob turned to Jackie.

"So this Mickey she talks about?"

"They grew up together Bob, he's older and used to watch out for her, until she was twelve and she started tormenting him," Jackie had to laugh.

"Has she made any friends other than this Sandra at school?" Bob wanted to know. "You'd tell me if there were any boys she's made friends with, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah, 'course I would Bob, she's not mentioned anyone in particular though," she tried to bluff. "She's mentioned some she gets on the bus with."

"Well it's time we met some of them, especially this Sandra, I hope Rose isn't making her up?"

"She's had imaginary friends before Bob but when she was younger. She just misses her old friends she used to hang around with, that's all."

"Well if she mentions a boy, you had better tell me Jackie, don't forget what we talked about eh?"

"I know Bob, you only want what's best for Rose, she'll see you're right when the time comes. She asked me again if ya want to adopt her, she seems keen," Jackie tried to bluff, leaving out the getting married bit, since they'd never discussed it.

"Good, I want her to be keen on what I've got planned," Bob replied, going quiet as the second half of the match began.

Jackie sat back, she didn't particularly like football but since Bob did, she had little choice. She knew Bob was still a bit annoyed at putting his plans back but what else could she do but to agree when the time came that Rose would go along with what she suggested was best for her regarding Bob. The only reason she'd put it off so far was for Rose to get used to having a father-figure around.

Little did Jackie know that Rose had two more far reliable men around to try to guide her in the form of Alec's dad and his cousin John.

Rose was annoyed she couldn't sneak out and was also annoyed that she used to get away with everything until Bob had come along and he was spoiling it. Now she had Alec as a friend, she wanted to spend more time with him and when going out on Sunday afternoons had worked, that was more time they got to go to the river or the park though Alec hadn't said he was getting bored with the two places they stuck to.

Alec's dad was keeping an eye on him as he sat at the dining table and pretending to think about his latest story.

"Stuck?" his dad laughed as he watched the sports news programme.

"A bit, I want to bring something Rose mentioned into this one, it's sort of a re-telling of one of my old ones but she thought it would be funny and she was a bit disappointed it didn't happen when I read the other one to her," Alec tried to explain.

His dad had to smile. He'd been talking with John again and knew Alec spent all his time at school with Rose and he was no nearer making up with Jamie.

So Alec set about with his green 'bog monsters' as Rose called them and altered his original story but now had the idea to introduce a new companion for his main character and call her Rose, it would please her no end and maybe bring her old friend Mickey into it as the one who got covered with green slime. He did wonder if he should have her mother there for some reason and she got some of it but would Rose laugh or slap him? Maybe he'd make it that her mother thought Rose had got kidnapped and her mother wasn't happy when she found out Rose had gone off with a time-traveller?

He wished though that Rose was calling round today but his time for writing was getting less and less, since they stayed out longer now she'd got him going up to her flat as well. He was thankful they'd not run into Billy and his mates, they were bad enough at school though they seemed to tease Jamie more than they did himself and Rose.

Sunday morning, Rose went to start lunch early, wanting to get away to catch Alec before he left for his aunts but since he'd said they ate there, she thought maybe she'd best leave it until around four as Alec had mentioned his aunt was inviting her to have tea with them.

"So, you can cook without being asked?" Bob mused as Rose headed for the kitchen. "You've taught her well Jackie."

"Well she's old enough now, aren't you Rose?" her mother asked.

Rose thought her mother had a bit of a cheek really but answering back would only get her grounded for the afternoon and yesterday had been bad enough. She wondered if Alec had started his new story yet but he wouldn't read it to her until he'd finished it, unless she did a sway in front of him or rubbed his arm like the other night, he seemed to have given in easily when she'd done that and meant to keep using it.

She had wondered why it had worked though and if she kept doing it he'd either tell her to stop of just let her carry on. She hadn't told him that Sandra had given her some advice in the girls room as they had time now John was taking herself and Alec home. As she tended what was in the oven, she thought about what Sandra had said.

"Trust me Rose, my older cousin gave me some tips about boys," Sandra had laughed as they stared into the mirror. "You can get Alec to do anything you want, did you try swaying at him yet?"

Rose had felt herself blushing at the thought of the effect it had on him the night before.

"See, told you," Sandra had laughed. "Well don't keep him waiting then. You're not getting the bus, are you?"

"What makes ya think that?" Rose had replied, thinking they'd been found out.

"I heard Billy saying," Sandra replied.

"Alec's cousin works nearby and gets out at the same time, that's all," Rose admitted, hoping her friend wouldn't work it out.

Alec was getting nervous though of introducing Rose to his aunt and uncle and if his other cousin had decided to pay a rare visit home, he'd never hear the end of it.

"Alec, don't look so worried," his dad was telling him as they set off.

"I'm only worried she won't be allowed out Dad. She said she's being made to stay in after today on Sundays."

"I know you worry about her Alec, we all do but we can't interfere unless it's something serious. If she was really in trouble, John and I will talk to her about it but such as being made to stay in? Her mother must have a reason?"

"Rose said it's not her mother who's stopping her," Alec replied as they crossed the road, him glancing in the direction Rose would come from.

His dad noticed. "It's a bit early for Rose," he smiled. "So how many times have you met her mother eh?"

"Only once Dad, I leave before she gets home, I don't want to cause any more trouble for Rose," Alec replied.

"That's very considerate of you Alec but her mother has to get used to you, maybe if she does, she'll let Rose out at weekends, I mean if she feels she can trust you."

"Maybe then?" Alec wondered as they reached his aunt's house. "Next time she asks me, I'll think about it."

"Aye, you do that Alec," his dad smiled as he knocked on the door.

It was John who answered, letting them in and stopping Alec.

"I'm surprised Rose isn't early little Cous," John laughed as he went to ruffle Alec's hair and Alec wishing he'd stop doing that since he half expected Rose to start doing it, along with rubbing his arm and swaying in front of him.

Why was he even letting her do things like that anyway? John had mentioned Rose would show some signs but it was like she just did them suddenly, giving him no warning as to what to expect. He recovered slightly to answer John.

"She's coming round later John, remember?"

"Take no notice Alec," his aunt smiled as she checked lunch was almost ready. "You could have invited her for lunch I suppose?"

"I don't think she would have been able to get away for lunch," Alec replied. "Her mum said she can't go out any more on Sundays after today."

"Oh, that's a shame then," his aunt replied. "Maybe you should try calling for her, she might be able to go out then?"

"Good idea Mum," John agreed, standing opposite Alec. "What do you think Alec?"

Alec thought it was bad enough calling when just her mother was there, let alone her mother's boyfriend.

"I don't think Rose wants her mother's boyfriend to know about me yet," Alec replied.

"That's a shame Alec," his aunt replied. "Still, the time will come, eventually.

"I don't know about that Auntie Mary, he's a bit off with her, Rose doesn't feel comfortable with him."

"I'm sure your aunt doesn't want to hear Rose's problems," his dad reminded him.

"Well if she's coming round with you next week Alec, I expect I'll hear some of them," his aunt disagreed.

"Rose is very unsure at the moment Mary," Alec's dad tried to explain. "She's making the best of a difficult situation, John's keeping an eye on her at school, thankfully and if he has any concerns, then we should try to help her."

"You can count on our help," Alec's aunt replied. "Well come on then, Alec, set the table will you?"

John went to help him.

"Nervous little Cous?" John nudged him, which didn't feel the same as when Rose did it. "So, anything to tell me yet?" he winked. "Did you nudge her back yet maybe?"

"Stop teasing me John. What you said, about her showing signs?"

"Well, has she, started showing signs I mean?" John tried not to laugh.

"I think she may be doing, like when she wants me to agree to something," Alec had to admit.

"Really? Such as?" John wanted to know as they set the places on the dining table in the lounge, Alec wondering where his uncle was.

"She wanted me to go up to her flat on Friday evening and when I hesitated, she took my arm and started rubbing her hand on it."

John almost dropped the remaining knives and forks as he spluttered.

"Alec, mate, I think she is definitely trying to tell you something," he laughed.

"Then tell me what she's trying to say? I followed her and she insisted we danced again, even though she took some records to my house."

John tried to keep a straight face but was failing.

"Sorry Alec, you'll just have to find out for yourself mate but let me tell you one thing though. Just go along with her but don't give in too easily eh? If you give in too easily, it may put her off. So let her nudge you now and then and nudge her back and when she drags you by the arm or hand, try keeping up. She'll start to tell you Alec, when she's ready."

"So I just wait then?" Alec asked him.

"Seems so Cous," John smiled as the others came in.

Alec's aunt had been wanting to know what to expect when Rose called for Alec and his dad had tried to explain the situation with Rose's mother's boyfriend, since Alec's uncle also wanted to know.

"We'll help all we can," Alec's aunt had assured his dad.

"Well she doesn't feel safe where her mother's boyfriend is concerned, she managed to get a lock on her room door at least but it's the way she says he watches her and wants her around. It could be nothing."

"Well if she tells me anything, I'll let you or John know," Alec's aunt replied. "Best get lunch or we'll be eating when she arrives."

"Seems like our young nephew is pretty keen on her meeting us," Alec's uncle joined in.

"I think he feels better knowing someone else cares about what happens to her," Alec's dad told him.

"Aye, I think our Alec's about to find himself being her boyfriend," his uncle laughed.

Alec's dad and his aunt joined in, it seemed so indeed the way Alec was seeking advice from his older cousin and his dad was just relieved Alec hadn't found out yet because when he did, the fun would start.

Rose was also getting nervous, going to her room after clearing the dishes from lunch and watching the time. She was about to leave when Bob called her back.

"So, meeting your friend?" he asked her, Rose thinking it was a bit of a stupid question.

"Yeah, gotta go meet her, I don't know how long I'll be."

"What about teatime?" her mother asked her.

"I told ya mum, I've been invited out for tea so don't wait for me," Rose replied.

"Rose, ask your friend to come back with you?" Bob suggested.

"I don't know, she's a bit shy," Rose tried to bluff.

"Rose, you're not trying to hide anything, like you are seeing a boy?" Bob asked her.

"I said I was meeting my friend, Sandra," Rose sighed, thinking now, she'd have to rush but they wouldn't expect her on time, would they?

Maybe Alec would get anxious and set off to meet her? She'd noticed a change in him the last few days when she had been trying to get him to do things. Was he playing at being shy or just the prospect of meeting her mother and Bob? Well with Bob, he was right to be worried.

She finally got out and rushed around to where Alec's aunt and uncle lived, at least she already knew John but if Alec's other cousin was paying a visit home, she'd also have to meet him. Alec was sitting in the kitchen, making everyone smile at his keenness to greet Rose.

"I already told you," John was bragging as he glanced through the open kitchen door. "He'll have to admit it sooner or later, since Rose is just the same when he's around."

"Well you have the advantage," John's dad told him. "You see them at school."

"They'll realise, eventually," Alec's dad agreed. "I'll have to remind Alec of a few things, since she'll be spending more time with him."

"Surely they're a bit young to be serious?" Alec's aunt wondered.

"You can never tell these days Mary," her husband replied as he came out from behind his Sunday newspaper.

"Well from what I've seen, I think Rose has already begun to realise," John told them.

Alec was up like a shot when there was a tap on the kitchen door, more so than when she'd called for him before and he'd gone out. This time, he had to let her in and introduce her and he hoped he'd do it better than she had done introducing him to her mother.

"Hi Rose," he greeted her, seeing her step back as he opened the door.

"Hi, am I a bit late? Bob decided to say something as I was leaving," Rose told him.

"No, you're not late Rose, come in."

It all went better than Rose or Alec expected as his aunt made a fuss over Rose and wanted to know all about where Rose came from and when she was growing up, which got her all flustered since Alec didn't know some of it.

"So it was difficult when you were told you were moving?" Alec's aunt asked her as Rose offered to help her make some sandwiches.

"Yeah, a bit, I miss my old friends. Did Alec tell ya we used to see each other in the library?" Rose smiled.

"Yes, I wondered why he was finding excuses to go," his aunt laughed.

"I know his mum died recently Mrs Smith, I know that's why he looked all sad when I used to see him. I grew up with just my mum, I know what he's going through."

"I know you do dearie, he's been better since he made friends with you but it's sad Jamie fell out with him over it."

"I told Alec I was sorry that happened," Rose replied. "I wish I could get Jamie to see he shouldn't make Alec choose between his friends."

"Take my advice Rose, Alec chose to be friends with you, he thought you were all on your own like he was and Jamie could have remained his friend if he'd wanted to. Just carry on being his friend, that's all you can do and Jamie will come round, if he wants to."

"Yeah, I suppose so? I just feel like if I'd not come here, they'd still be friends," Rose told her.

"Well it seems to me Alec's glad you came here," his aunt smiled, picking up a plate of sandwiches. "What about now Rose, are you glad you came here and made friends with Alec?"

Rose wasn't sure what she was getting at, first Sandra had given her some advice and now Alec's aunt was smiling at the thought of her and Alec being friends. Was everyone suddenly getting the idea she wanted Alec to be her boyfriend? If so, what did Alec think about it and were they ready for that?