What if he finds out?

Alec had gone home with his dad, disappointed Rose hadn't been able to call round. John had tried his best to persuade him to call round for her but Alec hadn't thought it such a good idea.

"You won't find out unless you do," John nudged him a bit later. "I'll go with you, if you want?"

"No, thanks John, if I go round, I have to do it on my own. Rose is worried Bob will find out her friend is a boy."

"Alec, that's the least of your worries mate. All boys have to meet their friend's mothers, especially if that friend's a girl. You're halfway there though, you've already met her. Stay a bit longer next time eh?"

"I can't John, I got out just in time the other night, before her mother's boyfriend got home."

"Alec, he can't be that bad, can he?"

"I don't know but Rose is scared of him finding out though. I'll let her talk to her mother about it, maybe it's not her mother saying she can't meet me at weekends?"

Alec couldn't remember if Rose had said so or not, there was so much going on at present.

"She was so happy to meet my aunt and uncle last Sunday," Alec recalled.

"Yeah, I know she was, it was a big step. They seemed to get on well last week, so mum said. Alec, you have to face it, Rose is becoming your girlfriend, you do know that?"

"Yeah, I sort of worked it out," Alec had to admit. "She started doing what you said she would, she takes my hand for no reason, when no-one's around and I bet it won't be long before she does it where there are others around."

"Yeah, I did try to warn you," John smiled. "Does it bother you?"

"No, not really. Should I ask her, I mean if she wants to be my girlfriend?"

"Leave it Alec, she'll work it out. Just maybe drop a few hints," John suggested, trying to remember being his cousin's age and having a crush on a girl called Sophia, who wouldn't give him the time of day.

That was until he'd got up the courage to talk to her. That had been at another school though, thankfully or he'd have been embarrassed teaching at his old school.

"Maybe she'd run away if I suggested it?" Alec wondered, leaning on the table.

"Nah, Rose wouldn't do that. You're all she has Alec. So this Bob thinks Sandra is the one Rose is friends with?" John asked him after he'd talked with Alec's dad.

"Yeah and she said she'll have to admit it sooner or later but I don't want her to get into trouble over it. My dad offered to go get Sandra to Rose's place, if it would help but Rose didn't want to. I hope Bob doesn't get mad at her when he finds out."

"Maybe she's worried for nothing?" John mused. "Seriously Alec, just why is Rose so scared of Bob? Would he actually do anything to her?"

"I don't know John. From what she told me, he gives the creeps. Maybe it's just his way? I mean Rose had no dad when she was growing up, maybe it's her not being used to it. I have to believe her though, that she's scared of him."

"I know you do Alec. From what she says, we're all worried as well but maybe it's not that bad? Couldn't you go round and at least see?"

"I'd best not John, it may make it worse for her. I really want to help her."

"Yeah, we all do Alec but until she accepts it, we can't do anything but be there for her. Promise you'll tell me if things get worse for her, okay?"

"I will, thanks John. I'll see if dad's ready to leave," Alec replied.

"Tell you what, why don't you and Rose find a way for her to sneak out next Sunday? Maybe she's already come up with something eh and all you have to do is go along with it? She's sneaky enough at school."

Alec had got to know how sneaky Rose really was, slipping her arm or her hand in his when no-one was around and it was only a matter of time now before she did it in front of everyone. She'd only started it the past week, once they got back to school, would she back off though? He doubted it really but Billy and his mates were bad enough already and it would make Jamie even worse.

It had still bothered him Jamie had crossed the road the other day and not even waved when he'd been with his mother, she must surely be wondering what was going on. He just hoped Jamie hadn't told her Rose was his girlfriend and that Jamie would love to take his place. He knew that was part of the reason, he'd already worked that out.

Jamie had wanted Rose to himself despite all that in the library and was a sore loser but how come he'd not just admitted it? Had Jamie been embarrassed that he'd realized he liked Rose and didn't want to actually admit it? Maybe Jamie was right to ignore himself and Rose, would he himself want to be friends if Rose did actually like Jamie more than she did him?

Well hopefully, he wouldn't have to find out or make Rose choose between them, Rose had thought Jamie was being childish about it but had she realized that was the problem? As Alec and his dad walked home, his dad hoped with Alec spending more time with his older cousin, it would make him feel better.

"Disappointed about Rose not calling then?" his dad asked when they got in.

"John said we should find a way for Rose to sneak out," Alec admitted.

"It's that bad then?" his dad had to smile. "Alec, you spend all week together you know, maybe you both need some space? Has Rose said why she's not allowed out?"

"She said her mother wants them all to spend more time together but maybe it's Bob who's stopping her?"

"Sorry Alec, is she lives with him though, she has to go by what he says. If Bob is trying to make them a family, her mother will go by what he says as well. They are leading a very different life now Alec, remember that. I meant to say something else as well. I've been thinking and I know we didn't go away this year but with your mother being fresh in our minds, I didn't think it was such a good idea."

"I know dad, it wouldn't have been the same," Alec assured him.

"Why don't I see about next year eh? Would you mind being in a caravan again, would it bring back too many memories?"

"Maybe a little? You mean during the long holiday?"

"Well I'll have to put in for leave early but yes, if you want to? If it helps, Rose can come with us, if she's allowed but maybe you should see how things go? She has to tell Bob you're her friend first."

"Maybe that would encourage her?" Alec asked hopefully. "I'd best get on with my latest story, she was excited about it the other day and I want to get it finished."

His dad ruffled his hair and let him get on with it. As Alec sat down to write another chapter, he thought how it would please Rose she was going to be in it, she'd get a real surprise. Then, if things went well, she could gradually tell Bob about him and he'd tell her about the possible holiday.

Rose had been bored in her room and ventured out at teatime and watched some TV but couldn't help notice despite Bob having his arm around her mother, he was sort of watching her as well. Then Alec wondered why Bob gave her the creeps when he'd asked her, how could she describe it?

It was back to school for them both the next morning. Alec decided to set off a few minutes earlier and say good morning to Rose's mother in an effort to help Rose to get her to talk to Bob and he hoped it would pay off. He also hoped Rose wouldn't go around the school playground grabbing his hand or his arm and that worked until Friday morning when she nudged him at break time as they sat down, putting her arm in his.

They had stayed in most of the week, it was no fun getting to the park and it was just about dark. They had called at Rose's apartment a few times but Alec had still gone back with her later and since he was in the kitchen, her mother had just looked in and left them. Alec thought he was at least making the effort and her mother would just have to get used to him being there.

Rose hadn't so far managed to persuade her mother to talk to Bob about Sundays so sneaking out it was going to have to be. Before her mother had got home on the Friday night, Rose told Alec her plan.

"You think you will get away with it?" Alec had asked her.

"I hope so, yeah. It won't work every week though but maybe mum will have talked to Bob by then? Anyway, you said your latest story will be ready on Monday, I can't wait."

"You are changing the subject Rose," Alec reminded her. "So, you go to the shop down the road that's open and I will be outside around four? How long will you get away with being out?"

"Ah, when I come back, I'll just say I bumped into Sandra and we were talking. What do ya think?"

"That's all well and good Rose but we can't stay outside the shop for half an hour, can we? Beside, if you are a long time, it may get you grounded even more."

He knew she'd not thought of that.

"Well have you got a better plan? I thought ya'd be pleased?"

"I am Rose but you have to think about it. I don't want you to get into any more trouble."

Rose took his arm and did that thing he was getting to like – that of stroking it with her other hand.

"Yeah, I know you don't Alec. Let's risk it this week, see how it goes?"

"Well okay then, I'll set off and meet you there, okay?"

"Yeah. So, tomorrow, you finish that story? What's taking ya so long?"

"I want to get it right Rose, I told you it was for you, I don't want to get anything wrong."

That was true, he thought, he didn't want to offend her but he also wanted to make her laugh by bringing her mother into it as he'd planned. He was having her mother go running to her friend Mickey when one of the green bog monsters was trying to get to Rose and Mickey would throw vinegar at it and it would explode over his kitchen wall. That would surely make her laugh?

The only thing holding him up was how Rose had begun travelling with the main character and that had suddenly come to him. He just hoped she would be pleased and appreciate all his hard work, that was when she wasn't delaying him finishing it by asking him all the time and mentioning things that he'd had to change.

So as her mother left them for ten minutes in the kitchen, they had agreed that if she couldn't sneak out on Sunday, he would just go back to his aunts and she would try again the following week until her mother got Bob to give in. She knew if she'd been back home she wouldn't be having this problem but then, she wouldn't have met Alec.

As he was leaving, she decided to tease him.

"Don't go bumping into Bob on the way down."

"Very funny Rose," Alec replied as he waited for her to move her hand and didn't like reminding her. "Maybe if I did and he didn't know who I was?" Alec wondered.

"Yeah, great idea Alec, he might either think you live in the block or you're just hanging around. Actually though, if he asks if I know who you are?"

"Forget it Rose, it was just an idea. I have to go now, I'll maybe see you on Sunday and don't worry if you can't get out."

"I'll try not to. See ya Monday if not and let's think about what we just said?"

Alec had just gone through the door to the stairs as Bob got out of the lift, seeing it closing and not thinking anything of it. Jackie had just gone into the kitchen to make it look like she was supervising what Rose was doing.

"Jackie love, I'm home," Bob called from the entryway.

"In the kitchen," Jackie called back, Rose hoping she wouldn't tell him Alec had just left and was praying Bob hadn't seen him yet, well not until they decided what to do.

"Still keeping an eye on the cooking?" Bob laughed. "Watch out love, Rose will be taking it over."

Rose thought if only he knew? Maybe if he did he'd throw them out but her mother wouldn't be happy. She'd thought a few times what would happen were he to find out but none of them would end happily. Now, she had to devise a way to sneak out and meet Alec on Sunday and gradually bring him into the conversation about her friends.

Maybe if Alec were to say he was just walking her home, he might get away with it but why would he be doing that? As far as she knew, Bob thought she went home after school or went to Sandra's but maybe she could pretend he was Sandra's brother? No, if he got caught out, it would just make things worse.

The only thing she could do was keep trying to find out why Bob was so against her making friends with a boy but did she want to know? Was it something creepy or something simple like he was just watching out for her? She had nothing to go by, her old friends didn't all have dads and those who did, they hadn't then been old enough to worry about such things.

Was this what it was like though and she was worrying over nothing? Maybe she should talk to Sandra about it, if she had an older sister or whatever. Over tea, Rose thought about bringing up the subject of Alec being her friend but Bob had said nothing all week, would it make things worse?

Her mother had said no more either despite Alec being there when she'd got home and he'd suddenly started calling for her every morning, though that had amused her and they'd walked arm in arm until they'd got to the street corner, then she had chickened out at the last minute.

She wondered if Alec had actually noticed though or if he'd just got used to it. They missed going to the park or the riverside though Alec hadn't been sure about dancing inside after their homework and after tea, Rose had been allowed in Alec's room for half an hour so he could read her his stories and he was running out of them.

Rose decided to find out where she stood this weekend.

"So can I go out this Sunday?" she dared asked when she had cleared up.

"Nothing has changed from last week Rose, why ask?" Bob wanted to know.

"Bob, why don't ya compromise?" Jackie suddenly suggested. "Why don't ya let her out for an hour, if she's back for tea?"

Rose wondered why her mother had suddenly come up with that idea. Maybe Alec calling round twice a day most days had made her realize he really was her friend?

"I'll think about it then, maybe next week but where will you go, it's getting cold now. Will you be going to this Sandra's house? Tell you what, why don't you take it in turns?"

Rose wondered how she was going to get out of that?

"She's still a bit shy, maybe if I go round more often, she won't be?" was all Rose could think of.

How was she going to bring Alec up now? She was getting too deep into this, she'd come unstuck and he'd find out and stop her. If she got to go to Alec's aunt's then it stopped, she was going to be disappointed.

"You're not hiding anything from me are you Rose?" Bob asked her. "Jackie, have you met this Sandra?"

"No, I don't have time, I leave before Rose does, remember?" Jackie replied, trying not to let on Rose's other friend was a boy and was starting to call for her every morning.

"So Rose is on her own when you get back then?" Bob asked her. "Where do you get to after school then Rose?"

"Sometimes to my friend's or I come back. Sandra has to leave to get back for her tea before her mum gets home."

This was getting too complicated but also too easy to cover, Rose thought.

"Is that right?" Bob wanted to know. "Maybe you could invite her to stay one night?"

Rose thought there was no chance, even if Sandra lived nearer.

"I told ya, she's shy. I'll have to give her chance. I do have other friends but ya told me not to mention them."

"Don't be cheeky Rose," her mother warned her.

"Hold on Jackie, I thought you said you had met this boy Rose was on about?"

"Only for a minute or two Bob. Anyway, ya told her to forget about it and I've not seen him since."

Rose wondered how long they could keep this up before Bob found out. One thing she knew, if he did, it was a sure way of getting thrown out and they could go back to London but she didn't want to leave Alec behind now and didn't think he'd want her to go either. She just hoped Bob would come round and accept Alec as her friend. If he didn't, why was he so dead-set against the idea?

Then she had an awful thought but had to dismiss it. Why was her mother always on Bob's side and only half on hers? Why was she trying to keep the peace between them? Did Bob have some sort of hold over her or not or was her mother going along with it willingly? She hoped not or Alec would never be accepted by Bob but going by her mother actually not throwing Alec out every night, it had to be Bob had something on her or she was completely wrong.

Was Bob going to suggest they got married and adopt her, was that what this was all about? She hoped not. Bob snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I don't want to hear any more Jackie, I don't want him hanging around here, understand? Was he here tonight by any chance? The stairs door was closing as I got out of the lift. Well?" he asked both of them.

Rose decided to own up, at least she could get Alec out of it and explain where her records were disappearing to, if he'd actually noticed.

"He just came to borrow some records, that's all," Rose told him.

"Thought you'd not seen him Jackie?" Bob asked her.

"I was in the bedroom, he can't have stayed long," Jackie replied, also thinking this was getting way out of hand.

"That had better be all Rose," Bob warned her. "I'm doing this for your own good, you're too young to be thinking about having boys as friends."

Rose thought he could keep his opinions to himself.

"So how long do I have to wait then?" Rose dared ask.

"When I say so," came Bob's reply. "Next time, tell him to come later, when I'm here, understand?"

Rose knew it couldn't be that easy, could it? Would Bob want Alec coming round just to warn him off and if so, would that be the end? Would it put Alec off, especially since for a while now she'd got him to hold her hand and not bother when she stroked his arm when she wanted something.

"So if ya meet him, are ya gonna tell him off?" Rose wondered, thinking she may as well find out and why he'd suddenly changed his tune about her forgetting about Alec.

"I didn't say I approved Rose," Bob reminded her. "If you've made friends with him, you can do so at school but if he is going to come round, don't do it behind my back, understand? I still want to meet your other friend though, you are not making her up are you?"

"No, I'm not making her up but she really can't come round, she's the really nervous type," Rose tried to bluff.

"Well that may be so but don't think this boy can come around whenever he wants. No sneaking off to meet him and no having him round before I get home, understand? If I catch him going down the stairs, I will ban you seeing him even at school."

Rose wondered how he was going to do that but he may even go to the school to enforce it. That meant Alec had to either stop coming around or face Bob. Either that or go before her mother got home again so she may as well just stay at his house a bit longer, she'd still have plenty of time.

Was it really going to be that easy though? She somehow doubted it but it didn't solve her problem of going out on Sundays.

"So can I go out for an hour on Sunday then?" Rose dared ask.

"I told you, not this week so forget it and when I say you can, no meeting this boy. What's his name anyway?"

Rose thought she'd already told him once.

"It's Alec. He lost his mum a few months ago, we made friends on my first day because he thought I was lost."

"Well that's no excuse to spend time with him outside school. Jackie, make sure he's not here when you get home he'll have to come back when I'm here. Don't think it's going to be that easy Rose," he warned her.

Rose knew it couldn't be, could it? Still, it was something at least and Bob didn't know she went to Alec's every night and as long as she didn't admit it to her mother, he wasn't likely to find out either. Now she had something to tell Alec if she could get away on Sunday, if not she could tell him when he called for her on Monday morning.

Rose was quite pleased as she went to her room but she wouldn't have been if she'd heard the conversation between her mother and Bob.