Things are changing

A/N: Having established Rose and Alec at school, I felt no need to include as much about it as in the earlier chapters unless needed. Also, I will be skipping forward in some parts to avoid their day-to-day activities or the story will go on forever!

Alec had been pleased Rose had enjoyed the concert as much as he had done but he still wasn't sure he'd get away with playing the band's records. As he saw Rose home, John waiting for him, they had stood by the door.

"That was really great Alec, thanks for taking me. John said it was all your idea."

He knew John was just trying to make him look good in Rose's eyes and maybe he would have thought about it on his own.

"Well when I talked to him about it, I wasn't sure how we'd get there. He offered to take us," was all he could tell her.

"Well, it was the best birthday ever and don't think I won't get ya back next year. So, about you getting me back for Thursday?" she teased him.

"Forget it Rose, you know about it now, you'll be expecting it. Things have changed though, haven't they?"

"Yeah, I suppose they have really? When ya asked if I wanted to get changed at your house though?"

"It doesn't matter, it was just an idea and if you don't want to call home after school, it's fine, really."

"Well, I did think 'cos you started taking your shirt off in front of me," she teased him, putting her arms around his neck and hoping her mother and Bob didn't arrive in a taxi.

"Stop it Rose. I know what it sounded like and I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything."

"Yeah, okay. Maybe we should wait until we get a bit older, maybe next year?" she suggested.

"If that's what you want Rose, well for you anyway. I really don't mind getting changed, does it bother you?"

"Um, no, it was just me being silly though and I told John I'd maybe gone too far."

"Maybe not too far? We have to start somewhere Rose. We could leave it at that for now?"

"Yeah, for now anyway. We can't be sure neither of us will be tempted though, remember what I said, about not feeling any older and it may creep up on you?"

Alec remembered it only too well. Half-term came and went, them going swimming a few times though trying their best not to stare at each other, which Alec found the most difficult as Rose began to fill out her swimsuit even from a few weeks before or was it just him?

Rose was saving up for the holiday, stopping going in the shop every morning and sneaking things from home instead, until her mother realized and Rose made the excuse up they were to share with Alec at break time. They continued to meet on Saturdays for lunch, extending it to looking around the shops together and getting a few things for their holiday.

Bob had been in to pay for the rest of his and her mother's holiday and still complaining about Rose not going, Jackie thinking nothing of it and Rose had got out of going out with them on Saturday nights but only on the condition when the visitors came to them, she had to stay some of the time.

One Saturday night though when people began arriving, the boy who bullied everyone started worrying Rose so the next day, she talked to Alec about it.

"We should tell John," Alec suggested as they sat on the swings in the park.

"Maybe it's nothing Alec? It was probably nothing but his dad gives me the creeps as well."

"Well that settles it Rose, you need to tell someone. I know they only go round every few weeks but it's only going to get worse you know?"

Rose couldn't deny she already thought it was getting worse and the offender had only been twice. John agreed with Alec as they sat in the kitchen at Alec's aunt's house.

"You need to tell your mother Rose," John suggested as he listened to Rose's concerns.

"I told ya, she doesn't see anything wrong," Rose replied, leaning on the table, Alec's hand on hers.

"She has to start seeing how it makes you feel," John continued. "I could get involved as one of your teachers and say you came to me because you didn't think she would listen to you."

"No, I can't, she'd never believe it. The next time, I'll just storm out then if mum asks, I'll tell her."

"Rose, have you told us everything?" John wanted to make sure.

"Rose, if you missed something out, you have to tell him," Alec encouraged her.

"He makes rude comments, not just to me but to those who are a bit younger but there's no-one under thirteen there, I'm sure of that."

John raised his eyebrows, he didn't like where this was going.

"So, they all take it in turns going round each other's houses?" he wanted to know.

Rose nodded, Alec with his chin on Rose's shoulder.

"Rose, you know what this is leading to, don't you?" John asked her. "I think your mother genuinely doesn't realize what's going on, she was on her own too long and thinks it's just a bunch of friends getting together. Has Bob mentioned anything else, any new rules?"

"No, not recently but mum says he goes on about me not going on holiday with them and she can't get why he wants to pay for me to go and sit by the pool all day."

Alec did, he did pretty much the same if Rose got out of the pool first to wait for him by dangling her legs in the water it drove him mad and made him stay in longer on purpose. Rose had been right, he was growing up and it wasn't creeping up on him as gradual as he'd thought it would, it had only taken a few months.

John saw the look on Alec's face.

"Rose, you have to get her to see what's going on," John told her, making her look up at him. "Maybe she does know and thinks it's part of what families do together, if she's been on her own? I don't know, maybe I'm wrong about it?"

Alec didn't think he was.

"If anything else worries you, you know you can talk to me," John reminded her. "So, how long to your holiday eh?"

Rose thought not soon enough. They had a week off before going on holiday and on the last day of school, Rose was anxious about their exams.

"Rose, you'll have done fine," Alec was trying to tell her. "All that extra work will have paid off."

"Will it?" Rose questioned him as they sat in the playground. "Ya shouldn't have let me mess around."

"Rose, you never messed around when I was trying to get you to remember things. That was why we did it at the library, remember?"

"Yeah, only 'cos I'd get distracted at your house," Rose reminded him.

"You like seeing me without my shirt too much," he smiled as he nudged her.

"Yeah, well, that's entirely your fault for that. Maybe ya shouldn't have let me kiss you that time while you still had it off?"

Alec thought maybe he shouldn't have done a few weeks ago when he had taken too long picking a t-shirt. He supposed it was partly his fault she had gone up to him and put her arms around his neck and prompted him for a kiss. After that, he'd delayed the next time and Rose wasn't going to pass up the chance.

"Well, don't worry about exams until we come back from holiday. Rose, is it tomorrow night you have to stay in?"

It was and she was dreading it.

"I am not hanging around, he can forget it. I told mum he's just showing me off and do ya know what she said?"

"Yes, you did tell me. I know it's not right Rose, I only wish I could do something. Maybe I should turn up tomorrow night?"

Rose looked horrified. "No way Alec, I am not getting you involved. I can handle bullies, remember? If he starts, I'll give him a kick where it hurts, he won't dare say anything."

Alec knew he shouldn't encourage her by smiling but he couldn't help it.

"Just be careful Rose, you don't know what will happen. Do you want Bob to stop going out and you can't sneak off? You know I can't rest until I know you got back without being caught?"

Rose had no idea, since he'd never said anything. She touched his arm.

"You never said. Why do you worry about me so much?"

Alec thought she had to be joking.

"I told you Rose, I always worry about you, I told you I would do anything for you."

"That doesn't have to include getting involved with whatever Bob thinks is playing happy families," she told him sadly.

"Yes, it does, if I have to. One more week Rose, you be there one more time and then you tell him no more, that you don't want to be part of whatever they have people around for."

Rose looked at him. He was going to make a great detective one day. She knew he meant what he said.

"Alec, we don't know why they come round, since I don't go anywhere else."

"John knows but he won't tell me," Alec replied, leaning back. "I should insist he tells me."

"Maybe he got it wrong? If not, he doesn't want to worry you."

"Rose, you know John's right. Why no-one under thirteen eh? Why does he keep going on about his plans to your mother?"

"Stop it Alec. We go on holiday in a week, we can both forget about it."

Alec was more worried about when they came back, nothing would change. After meeting Alec the next day in town, Rose prepared to spend as little time as possible while Bob was greeting his friends. Then she saw the obnoxious boy she'd been avoiding by not going in the pub on Saturday lunchtimes and she swore he'd put a lot of weight on.

"Where've you been hiding then?" she was asked as everyone went into the living room.

"What's it got to do with you, moron?"

"You've not been going to the pub," he reminded her.

"Yeah, I had somewhere better to go, meeting my boyfriend. Get lost. Did I tell ya how I brought those bullies down at school?"

"You talk funny," the boy laughed.

"Well in case ya didn't notice, I'm not from around here, am I?" Rose pointed out and trying to get away. "Now get out of the way before I get my boyfriend onto ya."

"You, having a boyfriend? You'd best keep that quiet around here," she was warned.

"Whatcha mean by that?" Rose asked.

"I've said enough, you'll find out sooner or later."

Rose went inside, seeing Bob handing bottles out and her mother filling wine glasses, the kids helping themselves to canned drinks. Thinking she wouldn't be missed, she slipped out while the boy she thought was gross bullied another boy into handing his opened can over. She wished she had one of those mobile phones that were becoming more popular and that they would make them cheaper. Then she could call Alec whenever she wanted.

Alec had gone round to see John, asking him about their holiday.

"Do I do everything Rose suggests then?" he wanted to know. "We've only spent a week or two together before, now we have over six weeks."

"You should try to compromise," John suggested. "Any ideas what you're going to do?"

"Rose will have made a list," Alec smiled. "Should I tell her?"

"That's up to you Alec. You already spend a lot of time together. Alec, be careful. I mean it's okay now but what about when you both get older?"

"What do you mean? That she won't want to stay friends when we get older?"

"I'm not saying Rose will do that, just in general that well, teenage friendships get grown out of."

"Don't say that. Rose is here to stay, her mother told her to get used to it," Alec replied.

"What about all this business of Rose being worried?" John asked him.

"She is worried but she's clever enough to stay out of the way. I told her after tonight not to stay when her mother's and Bob's friends come round and to stay in her room."

John had to smile.

"So, will she take any notice of you?" John wondered.

"I hope so, she doesn't know how serious this is. John, there's something funny going on, don't you think?"

"Alec, we've always thought that since Rose told us. Maybe it's not that bad? It's the first time Rose and her mother have been in a family environment, remember? They don't know what to expect. You say others around Rose's age attend these get-togethers?"

"Yes, so she said. The only reason she gets out of going elsewhere is that she stays around when they're at their place. I warned her John, she's scared if she refuses, he'll force her to go with them next time."

"Well she'll get out of it the next two weeks," John reminded him.

"What then?" Alec asked him. "I wanted to go along but she went crazy when I suggested it. It's worrying me, what it's leading to."

John felt sorry for him.

"I know you re worried but you being worried won't help her Alec. Going there could only make things worse."

"Then what should I do?"

"Trust her to stay out of whatever is going on, if anything. She got out of going on holiday," John told him.

"Her mother persuaded Bob that it would be a waste of money to take Rose just for her to lie by the pool all day. I'm sure Rose's mother doesn't know why Bob was insisting Rose went with them but I know the reason."

"The same as you, seeing Rose in the swimming pool?" John suggested. "I know it may look like that but it could still be he wanted a family holiday. What if Rose was right at the beginning and he thought he was missing out when all his friends had families?"

"What kind of families though?" Alec wondered.

"Alec, all we can do is tell Rose to be careful and going around when everyone else is there could only make things worse for her. They may not like anyone outside the families being there."

"John, that proves they are up to something," Alec replied.

"We don't know that Alec. Rose doesn't want you there, she doesn't want you getting involved."

"I know she doesn't but how can I stand by John? She hates the thought of being there."

"I know she does Alec, I know you're trying to help her. You'll make a good police officer one day. She's lucky to have a friend like you Alec and I know it upsets you when she won't let us. All you can do is be there for her."

"I already told her I'd do anything for her, what else can I say?" Alec wondered.

"Nothing Alec. She's never had a friend like you before, has she? She'll come round and let you try to help her."

"I hope it's not too late though when she does," Alec replied worriedly.

Alec went home, his dad seeing he was worried about something.

"You can talk to me about Rose," he reminded Alec.

"I know Dad but John sees how Rose is at school, that's all. She's looking forward to the holiday though, I wanted to ask John something."

"Fine. I know you look up to your cousin Alec, I'm glad he's been there for you. So, what do you two have planned for the rest of the holidays?"

"Ask Rose," Alec had to laugh.

His dad had to smile. This was a very different Alec than the same time the year before when he was trying to cope with the loss of his mother. John hadn't been around much but his aunt had made him feel at home by doing out the spare room for him and now it seemed he didn't need it since he spent every waking hour with Rose.

At least Rose had taken his mind off it and Alec had even admitted Rose had asked to visit the graveside when she'd finally got it out of him where his mother was laid to rest. He had also admitted it had been too painful at first but Rose had made him feel better about it.

"How did she get on with the exams?" his dad wanted to know.

"She's still worried about not getting a good grade. I tried my best to help her," Alec replied.

"I know you did Alec, it's all you can do. At least she admitted she needed help but all you can do is wait and see how she did. I don't think it will hold her back next year."

Alec hoped not, he didn't want her to be held behind in class. She'd admitted she'd only just scraped the entrance exam but had she? Had she been right and they'd taken her because they had to? He couldn't even ask John, he probably didn't have access to that information, it would be up to the head teacher.

When he went to meet Rose the next day, she didn't look too happy as he waited downstairs and he greeted her.

"What's wrong Rose?" he wanted to know as he took her hand.

"That big creep, that's what," Rose replied, just wanting to get away after the argument with Bob when he'd finally got up.

"That other boy?" Alec asked her.

"Yeah, he's so creepy, he had the nerve that he didn't believe I had a boyfriend. When I said so he said don't let anyone there find out."

Alec knew he'd been right they didn't want any outsiders there.

"Please Rose, promise me next time you'll stay away from them all. You can't let them upset you."

Rose thought it was a bit too late.

"Sorry, I shouldn't bother you about it," she apologized. "Want to go down near the river?"

"I thought maybe you'd like to pick some flowers for my mum's grave?" he suggested, since his dad had been talking about it last night.

"Yeah, I'd like that, then we can walk back, we have time."

"Is something else wrong?" he asked, since she'd not flung her arms around his neck like she usually did and he had to prise her off him to move.

"I had a row with Bob."

"Rose, be careful. Was it about his friends being there?"

"Yeah, I went in for a few minutes, everyone was helping themselves to drinks and I just walked out. Then when I heard them leaving I left my room and went into the kitchen, hoping he'd think I'd been there," Rose tried to explain.

"Didn't it work?" Alec asked as they turned off towards the river, hoping some wildflowers would be growing somewhere.

Even though his dad went to the graveside once a month, a few more flowers wouldn't go amiss and it would take Rose's mind off things.

"Not exactly. When he'd sobered up a bit he told me I wouldn't get away with hiding in the kitchen all night."

"Well he told you not to hide in your room," Alec reminded her.

"I pointed that out, it didn't go down too well. He told me I was getting too smart and there would be consequences if I did it again."

"What?" Alec asked her, making her almost trip up as he stopped near a fence. "Rose, be careful, please. You don't know what he'll do. It could go back to how it used to be, not letting you go out and being home early every night."

"Don't remind me Alec. Why the hell does he want me there when I can't stand them?" Rose asked him as they went through the gate.

"Rose, we've been trying to avoid telling you," Alec replied, pulling her towards a tree trunk to sit on.

"Tell me what?" Rose wanted to know, Alec sitting next to her.

"Bob, wanting a family. Your mother's been on her own too long John said. She doesn't know what Bob's motives are."

"Hey, hang on Alec. Why has John not said anything to me about it?"

Alec thought he'd already tried?

"Rose, we'll talk to him later but he thinks he could be wrong about it, that Bob just wants to be like his friends and that he was missing out but I don't think he is wrong. That boy warning you last night proves it. Why don't they want to know you've got a boyfriend eh?"

"Geez Alec, what's my mum got us into?" Rose asked him, Alec putting his arm around her.

"Calm down Rose, we don't know anything for certain. It still could be all innocent but every time you tell me, it gets me more worried. Let's tell John when we get there? Things are changing Rose, you know that?"

"Yeah, I know. Alec, if he bans me seeing you at weekends, I'm running off."

"Rose, where would you go?" he asked her, thinking she was panicking, which she had every right to do, considering. "He'd only have to ring the police and your mum knows who I am. Please try not to do anything drastic. We could still be wrong."

"All of you?" Rose asked, trying to keep things together but knowing where this was going. "You all knew where it was heading when I didn't want to think it was true. I tried not to think about it Alec."

"I know you did and I'm sorry Rose, really I am. I tried to tell John, he said we could be wrong about it. Who knows why Bob's friends having a family made him feel like he was missing out? John's right, you and your mum never having someone else there and your mum having to do everything. Maybe she thinks that's what it's like?"

"Yeah, maybe? He has some strange ways though. Maybe he got taken in by his friends since he had no family before but why is most of it about me?"

Alec wanted to say something but if he and John were right, it would break her heart to find out. He'd hardly believed it himself, growing up in a safe family environment where he was cared for and being close to his aunt and uncle. Rose hadn't been fortunate enough to have that.

"Rose, let's find some flowers or we can leave it until we come back, if you'd rather talk to John?"

"No, we'll get the flowers Alec. So, you said your aunt sometimes went to the cemetery with you?"

"Yeah, last summer holidays, Jamie wouldn't go and I didn't want to go on my own. Having you to go with me makes me feel better about it."

"It's the least I can do for ya," Rose smiled," squeezing his hand.

"You've no idea how much you've helped me Rose."

"Aw, stop going all soft on me," she tried not to blush.

"Would you really run off if Bob goes back to how things used to be?"

"Yeah, I can't wait until I'm sixteen and can leave home though. If he thinks I'm staying a minute longer, he's in for a surprise."

"Rose, you d have to leave school," Alec reminded her, getting up and holding his hand out to help her.

"So? It's not likely I'm gonna get into college, is it?" she replied as she let him help her.

"Don't say that? There are some subject's you re good at. I bet you anything you'll get good results with your history and geography," he smiled.

"Only 'cos you kept on at me. I'm surprised ya didn't give up."

"I'd never give up on you. John asked me what about when we're older? What do you think Rose?"

"That you're stuck with me?" she told him.

"I mean if you don't get into college or you decide not to go? Will you get a job?"

"I'll have to do some training elsewhere, won't I?" she replied as they reached the riverbank and spying some wildflowers she didn't know the name of. "Alec, don't let me stop you going to collage, you're far more clever than I am."

"Oh, I don't know about that," he teased her. "Rose, when I said things are changing, I also meant with us. Have you not noticed?"

He took the flowers Rose was holding out from her.

"Yeah, I suppose they have? Isn't that what ya want? I mean we can go back to how things used to be."

"What? No, I don't want things to go back, when we were just friends. Do you? I meant maybe things can move on a bit more?"

"Really? I'm not snogging ya in the school playground Alec," she teased him back.

He tried not to look too disappointed but kissing when they were on their own was more than enjoyable. He'd not known what to expect that Christmas Eve when they were kissing for the first time but the more they did, he had found himself wanting to be the one to initiate it. That was when Rose didn't beat him to it.