Rose was determined she was going to make her mother see what Bob was up to. What had she meant by doing what was best for her? The best thing she could do was get out as soon as she could, now she knew she had somewhere safe to go.
They both decided not to talk about it much during the week, just telling John the next day what Rose's mother had said. John seemed worried though as he sat with them the next day at lunchtime.
"She said he was what?" John asked Rose when she said he was her sort of guardian. "What does that mean?"
"You tell me," Rose replied as she sat next to Alec on the top of the bench.
"Rose, you have to be very careful," John warned her. "It seems he may want to make it official."
"How can he do that?" Rose wanted to know.
"He can come to a formal arrangement with your mother, if she agrees," John replied.
"Well the way she is, she probably would," Rose told him worriedly.
"You don't know that Rose," Alec disagreed. "Besides, once you leave home, he won't be able to do anything, will he?" he asked John.
"I wouldn't have thought so. Sorry Rose but it depends how far they go, they could stop you from leaving until you're eighteen, it's down to your mother though, how much control she gives him."
"So I won't be any better off then?" Rose asked.
"We won't know until they do something," John replied. "Try not to worry too much."
Rose thought that was easy for him to say. She decided on the Saturday morning to take some clothes round to Alec's before they went into town. There was less than a week to his birthday and John had agreed to take them to Glasgow to a concert, not the band they saw before but another one they both liked.
She wondered what he had planned for hers, he'd kept quiet. Alec though was going to try to get them into a club, since Rose liked dancing. He'd asked John and as far as he knew, they would be allowed in and if he called, they would get a ride back. He knew Rose would enjoy it and they were going to have a party for the both of them on the Sunday.
Alec was still worried Rose would back out of applying for college though so while he waited for Rose calling for him on the Saturday morning, his dad wanted to know why he was worried.
"She doesn't think she'll get in Dad."
"She's smarter than she thinks Alec. Wherever she applies, they'll take into consideration she changed schools and has been working hard to catch up. If she gets an interview, she can explain she's had to learn the differences in the subjects she has to take."
"She has worked hard Dad, John's been a big help to her."
"So have you Alec, I'd say that's why she's still there."
"She thought maybe she'd be asked to leave," Alec admitted.
"Oh, I don't think it will come to that," his dad smiled as he put the morning paper down. "So, what are you doing for Rose's birthday then?" he asked.
"Taking her dancing to a real disco, though they call them clubs these days," Alec grinned. "I don't know what she has planned for mine, she's probably roped John in though."
"Aye, she probably has," his dad laughed. "Why are you not going round for her?"
"She's bringing some clothes round with her to save going back. She could be a while," Alec smiled.
His dad knew Rose had Alec wrapped around her little finger. He would do anything for her and had proved it over and over again by taking her out nearly every Saturday night, spending all his allowance and Rose's, probably. They'd not yet told her where they planned going on holiday but he'd warned Alec they'd better stop going out so often.
"Have you hinted about the holiday yet?" his dad asked him, since he was now working better hours and figured they deserved a treat by getting a holiday home instead of a caravan in a holiday park down in Berwick on Tweed.
"I told her we can go swimming every day, if she wants. I'm glad John agreed to come but won't it look a bit odd, Rose being the only female there?"
"Alec, don't worry about that, you've never mentioned it before. I'm sure you'll make it clear that Rose is your girlfriend," his dad tried to assure him. "I think to Rose, John's more like the big brother she never had, don't you?"
Alec knew his dad was right and John was like a big brother to him as well.
"He's going to pick us up from the club on Rose's birthday, it was his idea," Alec admitted, wondering what was keeping Rose.
Rose was trying to decide what to take with her and wished she would be allowed to stay overnight. She hoped Alec would mention it to his dad, that she could on Saturday nights. Alec was wondering how to bring up the subject as Rose stuffed what she needed into a holdall.
"Dad, we were wondering. I know you said it wasn't a good idea for Rose to stay with us when she can leave home but maybe she could on Saturday nights? We have a really good night out, then she has to face going back and those people are still there. It's like they wait for her."
"Yes, they probably do Alec," his dad agreed. "Well since it's your birthday next week and Rose is probably planning something, maybe she can stay over and we'll see how it goes? You'll have to make sure the spare room is clean and tidy though and no creeping around, understood?"
"Yes Dad, I'm sure Rose will agree. It's just I feel like our night out is spoiled when she has to go back. I'm not sure if she's mentioned to her mother that aunt Mary said she could stay for a few weeks over the holidays in May."
"I'm sure she'll bring up the subject, it's just before her birthday though. She'll have to make the arrangements with your aunt," his dad reminded him as he saw Alec was on the edge of his seat waiting for Rose. "Alec, why don't you set off and meet her eh?"
He had to smile as Alec was up in a flash. Alec found Rose halfway down the road and greeted her. After going shopping in the town, they had some time to themselves then Rose went to get changed. He thought he would give her the good news.
"Really?" Rose asked before they went out, throwing her arms around his neck. "That's great then. I can bring some things around before we go out."
"You've still not told me where we're going Rose."
"You'll find out but we're going out early," she replied, not wanting to tell him.
"So can I guess where we're going?" he asked, since he'd glanced in the entertainment section of his dad's morning paper.
There were several events advertised, he just had to guess which one.
"You can try," she teased him, kissing his cheek. "Alec, you do know you've got a bit of stubble on your face?"
"What?" he asked, letting her go then looking in the mirror. "I guess what dad will be buying me for my birthday then?"
Rose had to laugh at him.
"Hey, you think you've got problems, I'll be shaving my legs soon," she laughed.
Alec had noticed something else since they'd become intimate but wasn't going to say anything.
"You'd better start before we go on holiday Rose, if you want to go swimming and sunbathing."
"You've not complained so far," Rose replied.
"Neither have you about my face when we kissed Rose. Time to leave."
Rose was just as excited about Alec's birthday as he was, both of them dashing home from school for her to get his present, a watch since she thought he needed one now and when his dad got home, he had indeed bought him his first proper shaving kit, Alec saying for Rose to forget borrowing it.
John had made the final arrangements for the Saturday night, so Rose took her things round to Alec's on Saturday morning, saying they were going out early but before she'd left, her mother had questioned her staying out.
"Mum, it's for one night," Rose protested. "I don't want to spoil things by coming back here and facing you know who."
"I don't know what you mean Rose," her mother replied as Rose was dying to get away before Bob joined in.
"Yes, you do Mum, you know how uncomfortable it is when Bob catches me coming in and more or less drags me into the living room. What does he expect?"
"He just wants you to be friends with them," her mother explained.
"How many more times Mum? I've got Alec, he makes me happy and he loves me. Bob's just tryin' to split us up but he never will. Anyway, his aunt invited me to stay the first week in May, over the bank holiday then after my birthday, when we're off for two weeks."
She thought it was a test to see how her mother reacted, before telling her she was leaving permanently. She was surprised her mother took it so calmly.
"Well, ya spend all your time with Alec anyway, just as long as it's only over the holidays?"
"Mum, I'll be old enough to leave home soon," Rose reminded her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked her.
"Well, I might want to leave home," Rose replied, wondering if she'd get away with it lightly.
"You're still at school Rose, ya have another year yet or are ya leaving and gettin' a job?"
"No, I've not planned on it Mum. I'm gonna apply for college, wherever we can both get in and if I don't, well Alec's gonna get the best place he'll need to get into the police training college and I'll go where I'm accepted but I'm tryin' even harder to pass my exams."
"Well if ya get in college, how are ya gonna pay for somewhere to live? Hang on, are you and Alec gonna share?"
"Mum, only when he gets to police college, he'll get an allowance in his second year. He's gonna do the whole course so he can get into the detectives program, he doesn't just want to be a constable. I'm gonna finish college and get a job, then save up. Mum, his aunt said I can stay with them."
There, she'd come out with it. Her mother went to sit at the kitchen table.
"You've already arranged it then?"
"Yes Mum, I'll see ya all the time though, we'll come over when ya get out of work. I love Alec Mum, Bob's tryin' to drive him away and I can't let that happen."
"I don't think he is Rose, he just wants us to be a family."
"Ya keep sayin' that Mum, since we've been here and I'm sorry but his idea of being a family is weird."
She stopped as she heard noises in the hallway.
"We'll talk about this later Rose," her mother almost whispered as she saw Bob approaching the kitchen.
"You two talking mother and daughter things?" Bob laughed as he saw Rose leaning on the counter, her holdall on a chair. "Where are you going Rose?"
"Out with Alec for his birthday, we're off to a concert in Glasgow, his cousin's taking us. It's a surprise for him," Rose replied. "I may stay over at his aunt's, we'll be late back."
"Are you now? We won't lock you out if you're late back, will we Jackie?" Bob asked her, rubbing her shoulders and Rose wishing they wouldn't keep doing that.
"No Rose, we won't lock you out, we might still be up."
"No, it's okay, I'd rather stay out. Mum, I have to go now, Alec will be wondering where I am."
Over at Alec's, he was tidying the small but comfortable spare room that was part of the loft, which when they'd moved there, Alec had a train track which had since been dismantled. He was now waiting for her, debating to go meet her or not.
"She can find her own way Alec," his dad smiled. "Are you nervous about her staying?"
He was nervous about her staying, since he wished she could stay in his room but his dad would never allow it.
"It's no different than being on holiday," Alec replied. "I think she was telling her mother she was staying at aunt Mary's. She's not said if she's told her about the holidays."
"I expect she will Alec, we all want her to feel safe and she will, when she's had her birthday. This will all be a trial for her Alec."
Alec already knew that. As Rose left the apartment, Bob turned on Jackie.
"You know where this is leading Jackie? What did she say to you about staying out?"
"Just she was taking Alec out for his birthday," Jackie replied, not ready to tell him Rose had more or less said she was leaving home.
"No, it's more than that Jackie. She's planning on leaving home, isn't she? Well, she can forget that and she can forget going to college, she can go out and get a job. You and I have some arrangements to make and our agreement about me taking responsibility for her can be made formal."
"If ya think that's best Bob," Jackie replied. "If she stays over at Alec's aunt's, she won't be here for a few Saturdays."
"Yes, I know that Jackie, our friends are going to be disappointed even more, I promised them I would speak to Rose about it again. I'm getting very annoyed about it Jackie, if we make our arrangement formal, she'll have to do as I say until she's eighteen, she can only leave home with permission from both of us. Are you getting ready to go out?" he asked as she was still in her dressing gown.
"So if we make it formal, are ya gonna stop her staying over at Alec's aunt's?" she asked, just to make sure.
"What do you think, Jackie?" Bob replied with a smile on his face. "She can't get out of it, once we make things formal and no telling her or there may be consequences. She had better change her attitude towards our friends Jackie and soon, before she turns sixteen."
"Why is that then?" Jackie wanted to know as she got up. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Because I made promises Jackie and I intend to keep them so you'd better talk to her again or I will. Monday, I will make some enquires in my lunch break and see how we make our arrangement formal for me to become responsible for her. She can forget leaving home Jackie."
As she went to get ready to go out, she wondered how Rose would take the news. They were only doing it to give Rose a better chance in life, she told herself though Bob had said nothing about getting married. It would surely be better for Rose to get herself a job and pay her own way, wouldn't it?
What was Bob going on about consequences for though? Did he mean if Rose left home before he could make their arrangements formal? Once she left, how would he get her back? She would surely be counted as an adult or were the laws different in Scotland?
She shook her head and started getting ready to do their shopping and meet their other friends but she was sorry Rose no longer went with them and refused to stay on Saturday nights, since she saw Alec all of the time, surely she could spare a few hours?
John called to pick up Rose and Alec, Alec wondering what they had planned between them. He knew John was always willing to help both of them so as they took the road towards Glasgow, he knew Rose was up to something.
"What did Rose get you Alec?" John asked him.
"A watch, she thinks I need one, don't you Rose?" he teased her.
"Tell him what your dad got ya," Rose teased him back.
"That sounds interesting," John laughed as he glanced through the mirror at them.
Alec knew they were both rounding on him.
"He got a shaving kit," Rose laughed.
"Stop it Rose. You were the one who said I needed one."
John laughed again.
"Mind she doesn't borrow it, eh Rose?"
"Don't know what ya mean," Rose replied, pulling a face.
"I meant you're growing up and things are changing. I've had girlfriends you know," John replied. "Anyway, how long are you two going to be tonight? I might go see a film while I wait. We can meet where we did last time."
"Yeah, good idea," Rose replied, trying not to tell Alec where they were going.
"It's not the same band as last time?" he asked her.
"Nope, it's not them, you'll find out Alec. John, did we tell ya I'm staying at Alec's tonight?"
"I don't know how many times," John laughed.
Alec wasn't that surprised when they arrived in front of the concert hall, since Rose was always playing one particular song about the whole of the moon, which he rather liked himself. It was a bit odd it being her kind of music though. They swayed with everyone else when the band got around to singing it and afterwards, went to the takeaway to wait for John, Rose just getting a milkshake and some fries.
"That was great," Rose smiled as they sat opposite each other. "So, you're sixteen now, it's only just sunk in."
"I know, I don't feel like I am. It's two years since we were last here Rose."
"Yeah, it feels funny, we were fourteen back then. I've only got a few weeks to go, I can't wait. I'll finally be able to get out of there. Mum caught me this morning, I hinted about leaving home."
"What did she say Rose?"
"Let's wait for John, yeah?"
"If you want?" Alec smiled, sneaking a few of her fries.
Rose tapped his hand and smiled back.
"Had a good time?" John asked as he sat next to Alec ten minutes or so later.
"As long as Rose is not going to sing that song all the way home," Alec teased her. "Tell him what your mum said Rose."
"That's just it Alec, she didn't say much and it's not like her. What's he doing to her John?"
"Rose, she was probably worried he'd walk in and hear you," John tried to assure her.
"Well I hope so," Rose replied, finishing her drink.
"I'm sure it's nothing Rose," Alec also tried to assure her. "I'm sure she won't stop you, it's up to her after all."
"Alec's right," John agreed, stirring his coffee. "Once it's your birthday, she has to give you the choice Rose."
"What if Bob tries to stop me?" Rose wanted to know, reaching for Alec's hand.
"He can't if your mother gives you permission Rose, if they have an informal arrangement but there's one thing we never thought of the consequences," John told her.
"You mean if I leave, he might tell her to go?" Rose asked.
"The question is, will she want to stay up here?" John replied.
"Don't worry just yet Rose," Alec told her, squeezing her hand.
Rose thought that was easy for him to say. Her mother could still drag her back to London.
