Going away

Jackie noticed her daughter was even more upset when she got back.

"I'm sorry Rose."

"Why can't ya go to the solicitors and say he made you sign that agreement?" she wanted to know.

"I can't Rose. If I do, he'll say I signed it freely. There's only one way out and that's to just go away."

"Then we just move to Glasgow," Rose suggested.

"Rose, I thought about it, I can't afford to stay anywhere in Glasgow and going to the council could take months. I'm not having them putting us in a hostel. I just walked out of a job as well, that didn't go down well."

"Well ya got a job last time Mum," Rose reminded her.

"I got lucky Rose, that's all. If we go back to London, I can work for myself again."

"We might not be safe even down there, if he comes looking for us."

"Then I'll have to spread the word not to talk to anyone who's Scottish," her mother replied. "I've thought about it Rose and I know it's heartbreaking for you to leave Alec."

"You have no idea Mum. So there's no way other than going back to London? I'm still going on holiday with Alec and his dad. Once I reach eighteen, Bob can't do anything."

"You'll leave then?" her mother asked her.

"Mum, I'm not going to another planet," Rose tried to lighten the mood. "It'll be just as bad for me if Alec doesn't get in the Glasgow academy. I'll be here but he could be miles away. Everyone leaves home in the end."

"I suppose so? Anyway, that's two years away and until then, I have to keep you safe and I'm sorry Rose, that's the best way. All our friends and relatives are back in London, we'll know no-one up here and think how far away it is? Rose you'll maybe only see Alec at weekends anyway."

"That's better than nothing Mum."

"Is it? We'll always be in fear if we stay here. I don't think he'll come after us Rose, he'll have an idea we've gone back home but if he gets to know either of us are still up here, he'll wave that agreement at us. Staying on your own is risky."

"Well I'm coming back when I'm eighteen, now, I only have the holiday and Christmas. We'll work out the rest. All I want to do now is focus on going on holiday."

"Rose, what about going home? You didn't want to leave."

"I know Mum but when I saw Alec in the library for the first time, I somehow knew I'd settle down. That first day at school, Alec and Sandra were the only ones to talk to me, because I wasn't saying anything. Then Alec's cousin made me speak up in class."

"How come no-one knew about him being Alec's cousin?" Jackie wanted to know.

"I don't know Mum but it was just like me and Alec in school, like they knew we were there but they didn't want to know. Alec said 'cos I wasn't there today, Billy started on him. I hope they leave him alone."

"He seems like he can handle them. I'm sorry Rose, if there was another way, I'd take it. I honestly didn't know what I was signing, I mean we talked about him being responsible for ya but he must have twisted it. I asked him when I was signing, he said it was only what we talked about," her mother told her, not wanting to say she'd actually seen it.

If she told her, she didn't know how Rose would take it.

"What about when everyone used to come around with their kids? What was all that about then?" Rose wanted to know.

"I didn't know what they had planned, I swear Rose. Bob said it was what families did, get their kids interested in each other. They said they didn't want outsiders."

"Yeah, we know why now," Rose replied. "You should have told me Mum, instead of trying to palm me off with that creep. They were grooming the others, don't think I never knew. Alec and his family tried to protect me from knowing."

"Well I didn't know then did I?" Jackie defended herself. "I'm getting you out of it Rose, goodness knows what'll happen if ya stay."

She didn't want to say any more, especially what she and Bob used to talk about. It had all seemed so innocent at the time but now, she had an idea Bob's friends did more than get their kids interested in each other. It was like she had suddenly woken up to it. She couldn't stay and put Rose through that. Maybe the others raised their kids to go along with it, Bob liked the idea and wanted to join in. Now she knew how sick it was.

"Mum, can't ya report them?" Rose asked.

"For what? There's no proof and I never knew any of their surnames, they were all careful," her mother replied. "Have ya packed everything?"

"I'll have to leave a few things, I gave Alec what I could. I'm not the only one who's heartbroken Mum. I can't even imagine what Alec's going through. He thinks he's done something wrong, that he's driven me away. I tried to tell him and he's settled for seeing me for the holiday, he's getting his cousin to come down and collect me. That's all we have to look forward to."

Jackie looked at her daughter, who was now tearful.

"I know it's hard for both of you Rose but if Bob finds you, he'll bring ya back here and maybe make ya leave school. I can't protect you, I'm sorry."

"Sorry's not enough Mum, you hardly knew him and you dragged us up here after him. He wanted someone who wouldn't question what he was doing. What does that make me Mum? The teenager who was just gonna go along with what was happening? I'm going to phone Alec and make sure he's okay. He wanted to see me off in the morning but I can't let him do that."

"Well I went out to phone everyone but I don't suppose it makes any difference you using the phone," her mother replied.

Alec had got home and his dad asked him how Rose was.

"She was really upset Dad, I don t know what to do about it," Alec replied. "I wanted to see her off in the morning but she won't let me."

"Give her time Alec, it's a shock to everyone, let alone her. She maybe thinks it's best you don't see her leaving."

"But I wanted to," Alec replied. "I think she's leaving around seven so I might just go stand on the corner so she doesn't see me."

His dad looked at him. "Alec, we're all sad she's having to leave. If it makes you feel any better then do that, don't let her see you though."

"Can I call John and ask him if he'll take me to collect her for the holiday?"

"I don't think he'll take much persuading," his dad smiled.

Alec was about to go to the phone when it started ringing.

"Alec?" Rose asked as he answered. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Rose. I was just going to call John."

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Alec, I wish we'd had more time to talk about me leaving."

"I know, it's okay Rose, you didn't know. We should have expected it, though not as suddenly. I promise when I get in the police, he'll pay for it Rose. Why could he have not dated your mother for who she was?"

"He could have picked anyone on the estate Alec, I think she was the easiest target, she'd no boyfriend at the time. He'll have seen her on her own. Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I'll miss you."

"We can keep in touch Rose," he reminded her. "Don't think I wouldn't write or phone you."

"Yeah, I know ya will Alec. I'd best go then. Take care until the holiday."

"You too Rose, don't have all the boys chasing after you," he tried to joke.

"You'd better watch out as well Alec, I won't be there to keep the girls away from ya. Anyway, no-one could replace you."

"No-one can ever replace you Rose. I never thought I would meet anyone like you. Today was awful, not having you there, what am I going to do now?"

"You've still got friends Alec, your old ones, go back to them."

"It won't be the same now, Jamie totally ignores me and Billy tried to upset me earlier. Don't worry about me Rose."

"I do worry about ya. I do know something though, I'm gonna make the next few months go fast, just like that time machine. I'm gonna finish school then try to get into college so then, I can get in one up there. Alec, will ya do something for me?"

"Anything Rose."

"Do ya think your dad will let me stay with you when I come up there? I mean after the holiday? By then, Bob might have given up and I can move back?"

"I'll ask but you have to be careful Rose, that's why your mum's taking you away," he reminded her. "Maybe it will be too soon? You can't hide away for a week."

"I don't have to Alec, as long as I'm back at your house before he gets home. Ask him or your aunt, please Alec."

He knew she was desperate not to leave, he could make sure she was safe if she came for a week. Just as long as John would agree to take her home or otherwise, she'd have to save for the train fare. He didn't think John would object though.

"Okay, I'll ask but we have the holiday to look forward to and just one week won't be enough, you know that Rose."

"What are ya saying Alec?" she asked, hoping he was thinking the same as she was.

"You know what I mean Rose. It may be risky but you could maybe stay the whole holiday? Then it won't seem so long until Christmas."

"That would be great Alec, it makes me feel better. When will ya know?"

"Rose, you will have to call me, I won't know where you are, will I?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Alec, it won't be too bad, will it?"

"No, it won't. I'm going to call John after I speak to my dad. Rose, if you can't spend the whole holiday here, then maybe a few weeks? I'm sure no-one will object."

"Alec, it depends on how far Bob goes, remember?" she asked him. "I wish I didn't have to go at all."

"Yes, I know. We should not make too many plans, we have to see how it goes. I'll talk to my dad and John about it. The worst that can happen is if Bob gets to know you're here, you'll have to leave in a hurry."

Rose let out a laugh. "Yeah, just like now. Am I always gonna be running away?" she asked sadly.

"Sorry, I should not keep reminding you, it's just I don't want you to go. What time do you leave in the morning?" he asked, since she'd not actually said.

"I know you don't Alec. I'd better go now, I'm surprised my mum's not telling me I've been too long, I think she ordered a taxi for seven. I love you Alec but please don't come and see me off."

"I love you too Rose, remember that. Call me when you can."

"I will, maybe you'll have some good news for me, that I can stay the whole holidays. Bye Alec."

"Bye Rose, we'll manage somehow, I promise you."

He reluctantly hung up, knowing he was only prolonging it for her. He went back in the room and sat on the sofa.

"Is Rose okay?" he was asked.

"Not really Dad. I had an idea while I was talking to her though, so it's not so bad for her."

"You mean her coming to stay during the summer holiday? I had an idea you would so you'd better ask your aunt but you know it will be risky for her, if anyone finds out she's here? We still don't know how far Bob will go once he finds out they are gone."

"He'll try and find them, won't he?"

"Yes but I talked to your uncle about it, he thinks this agreement her mother made was done under duress, that he has some sort of hold over her mother. If so, it won't stand up in court but that won't really help Rose."

"Why not?" Alec wanted to know, thinking he should be going to bed if he wanted to be up to see Rose leaving.

"He says it's complicated. Your mother could state she didn't know what she was signing or that he tricked her by not letting her read it all but it's likely when a judge sees what's written that Bob will be arrested. Any good solicitor would never have drawn up such an agreement in the first place. The rest of it Rose's mother saw after she had signed it must have been bad. Did she say what it was?"

Alec shook his head. "No, she never told Rose, only that she's trying to make up for whatever it was by keeping her safe. While they're here in Scotland, he can get Rose to go back to him. I know if she comes up for the holidays she'll have to be careful."

"Yes, she will. Let's hope if she does, it won't be a mad dash to get her away. You'd best get to bed Alec, you'll want to be up early, to see Rose off."

"I can talk to John at school, he's going to be my only friend there."

As he went off, his dad felt sorry for him and wished he could do more but this agreement Rose's mother had worried him. What could Bob have possibly put in it to make her go running? If his brother-in-law was right, the agreement wouldn't stand up in court but that could make Bob even more dangerous and what could he actually be charged with?

The thought worried him even more but Rose thankfully would be out of Bob's grasp so any plans she had to come back would have to be carefully planned and knowing Alec, he would be already devising a scheme to do so. It had already been agreed Rose would join them for the holiday and he wasn't really surprised Alec had suggested an extension to that.

As Alec went to bed, he felt devastated at the news Rose was leaving so suddenly, her mother must have been planning it, maybe after she realized she should have read the rest of the agreement. She would have had to wait until after Bob went off to make a start though and maybe he'd left the agreement and she'd then read it and it must have been really bad.

Rose was up just before six the next morning, everything packed and by her bedroom door. Her mother was already up, not liking having to leave at such short notice but it was the only way. How could she make it up to Rose for making her the object of what Bob and his friends had in mind for her?

It was like she had suddenly woken up from the illusion Bob had created and had made her want to travel hundreds of miles to be with him and finally give Rose a real family. Well it seemed his idea of being a family and hers were totally different. Rose joined her mother for a quick breakfast.

"You were right sweetheart," her mother told her as Rose sat down. "I should have listened to you before we even came here and I'm sorry."

"I was thirteen back then Mum, I never really expected you to listen to me. I wish you'd listened to me as I got older though."

"I don't know how I can make it up to you."

"By letting me come back after I go on holiday with Alec. He thinks his aunt will let me stay for the summer."

"Rose, we're leaving because it's not safe for you any more. You have no idea what Bob has planned."

"Then tell me Mum and Alec's dad will do something about it," Rose replied, gathering the plates.

"I can't Rose, honestly. I went along with it, I had no idea where it was leading."

"Ya must have had some idea Mum? Everyone else knew and they wouldn't go as far as to tell me and Alec but we guessed most of it. Tell me they were wrong?" Rose asked.

"I can't Rose, I honestly thought that was what it was like, being a family and having friends whose teenagers all got along."

"Geez Mum, what were ya expecting? Couldn't ya tell they were pairing them off and no-one wanted that gross Jimmy? Bob really expected me to leave Alec even after I objected so many times?"

"I'm sorry Rose, I didn't know it was heading that way. We'd better get going, the taxi will be here at seven. Is Alec coming to see ya off?"

"I hope not Mum, it'll only make things worse if he does. I know he wanted to though."

"I wish there was another way Rose," her mother told her sadly. "I'm sorry I dragged you up here."

"Well I'd never have met Alec but if I'd not, it wouldn't have worked out like it has. Mum, didn't ya stop and think what would have happened if I'd gone along with what Bob and his friends planned? Geez, how do they get away with it? Haven't the other teenager's teachers noticed?"

"Rose, would any of yours if one hadn't been Alec's cousin?" her mother asked.

"Maybe not but I don't think I would have got caught up with it," Rose replied.

"Well ya never know, ya could have done, then Bob would have really controlled ya. They were only pushing ya towards Jimmy because the other boys were being put off you, because you were never around. When ya stopped going to the pub, the other parents were complaining about it."

"Good, serves them right," Rose told her. "We'd best get ready then for when the taxi arrives. What are ya doing about the keys?"

"Give me yours, I'm putting them through the letterbox, we're not coming back. Someone will see us leaving though."

"No doubt he'll be asking people what time we left," Rose muttered as she went off.

She handed her key to her mother.

"I can't stay with him any more, for what he intended for you," her mother told her. "We should start getting downstairs soon. There's a train to Glasgow at seven thirty five, from there the one to London is at seven fifty five so we'd best hope we're on time. We have to get the tickets first though it shouldn't be busy at that time. Do ya think Alec will see you off anyway?"

"I hope not Mum, as much as I love him, it's bad enough as it is. It's now or never Mum, I don't want to leave Alec, he's the only reason I put up with it all, I don't know what I would have done without him."

"I know he's been good to ya Rose. I thought I loved Bob but now? I can't face him any more, his intentions were selfish because he wanted to be like his friends. Even if he let you leave, he'd get me to stay and I can't."

"I know Mum, I wouldn't ask ya to but maybe by the summer holidays, he'll have forgotten? It should be safe for me to come back for a few weeks."

"I hope so sweetheart. Come on then."

Once they had gathered everything they could carry, Jackie closed the front door for the last time, putting both keys through the letterbox.

"I hope no-one's watching on the cameras," Jackie remarked.

Rose was crossing to the lift, then pressing the button and thinking when she'd seen Alec out last night.

"I made Alec promise he wouldn't come back and confront Bob," Rose told her mother as she joined her.

"Well there's not much he can do," Jackie replied as the lift arrived.

"He said wait until he gets in the police but Bob was careful not to give any names, wasn't he?"

"I should have known," was all her mother replied.

They got to the main entrance with a few minutes to spare, Rose thinking Alec would appear any second, her heart racing. She knew it had upset him when she'd told him not to but it upset her even more. The taxi pulled into the car park and she picked up her case, wishing she had one with wheels.

Alec was up early, making his dad smile and he left the house after being told it wouldn't do either of them any good by him waving her off.

"I was only going to stand on the corner Dad."

"I know Alec but Rose feels bad enough, it's not like she has a choice. Maybe things will be better when it comes to the summer holiday eh?"

Alec hoped so as he set off. He got to the corner with a minute to spare, he'd seen a taxi turn into the street, his heart that was already shattered the moment she'd said she was leaving racing. He'd felt bad at school the day before, wondering what was wrong with her but for her to tell him she was going back to London was not what he'd been expecting.

As the taxi pulled back into the street and turned right towards Alec, he stood back from the corner, wanting to run away but he needed one more glimpse of the girl he loved, even if only for a moment and he found he couldn't move anyway.

As the taxi stopped at the main road, Rose looked to the left and blinked, thinking she was seeing things but Alec was standing there. They both managed to raise a hand as the taxi pulled out and turned right again. Alec wanted to shout he loved her but nothing came out as Rose tried to turn back to wave out of the back window but another car passed the other way and blocked their view of each other.

"Thought ya didn't want him to see ya off?" her mother reminded her.

"I should have known he'd be there Mum. I should never had told him not to. As soon as I can, I have to call him and tell him I'm sorry."

"Rose, don't be daft, he already knows or he wouldn't have been there," her mother replied. "You know I was tempted to call Bob and tell him we were leaving?"

"You were? He'd have come back," Rose replied.

"Well I'll never know, will I? You're parted from Alec but you'll see him in a few months, I've lost Bob forever, I don't think I'll find anyone else, not now. How can I ever trust anyone?"

"I'm sorry Mum, really I am but you were right, we couldn't have stayed, we knew where things were going."

Rose was glad the partition on the driver's cab was closed.

"I could have torn up that agreement but the solicitor would have had a copy. What sort of solicitor would even go with such a thing?" her mother asked.

"Alec's uncle's a solicitor, I suppose he wonders the same but he pointed out that ya signed it Mum, it raises a lot of questions and you could get into trouble."

"I wish I'd never signed it, he fooled me Rose."

"I know Mum. Just be glad we're out of it," Rose replied as they neared the railway station.

Once out of the cab, Rose waited with their luggage as her mother got two single tickets to London, Jackie thinking trust it to be the station in London the furthest away. While she'd been out the previous day, she'd withdrawn most of her savings and was going to need it if they were to find a place when they got back.

They walked onto the platform to wait for their train, Rose's heart skipping a beat or two thinking Alec would appear on the platform, that he'd get the bus and go after her but she'd seen he'd nothing with him as he stood looking dejected on the corner.

She hated to think how he was feeling, watching her being driven off. Alec though had walked home sadly, picked up his school things and gone to his aunt's house. John was waiting in the kitchen and as he opened the door, pushed Alec out.

"Well don't just stand there Cous, get in the car," John told him as he closed the door.

He'd been expecting Alec to be early in light of his dad already going off to work so he'd decided if Rose was leaving, he could at least get Alec to the station to see her off.

"She won't like it," Alec was objecting as he threw his bag on the back seat.

"Never mind that, let's just say you can't let her leave without showing her how much you love her. I think your aunt agrees Rose can stay after we've been on holiday," John told him. "Rose will have to be very careful though."

"I know that and thanks. Rose told me not to see her off though," Alec replied as John went over the speed limit slightly.

John just grinned back at his younger cousin.

"What did I tell you when you first met her?" he asked him.

They got to the station and Alec was out before John could say anything. He saw a short stay parking space and hoped Alec would be no more than twenty minutes. Alec dashed inside the station forecourt and looked at the board to see where the train to Glasgow was arriving on and luckily it was platform one on the side he was on.

He then dashed to the platform area but a guard stopped him.

"Do ya have a ticket son?" he asked Alec.

"No, I just wanted to see my girlfriend off, she's leaving," Alec pleaded with him as the station clock was at seven thirty one and he didn't have much time left to find her.

Rose heard the guard talking to someone and realized it was Alec so she got up.

"Rose, the train will be here any minute," her mother called after her.

"Rose!" Alec called as he saw her, the guard giving in and figuring if the girl was leaving, he'd let Alec off, since he'd thought the teenager should be going to school.

"Alec, whatcha doing here?" Rose asked as they walked back to her mother, who had got up as the train was approaching the platform.

"Rose, hurry up," Jackie called to her.

"I couldn t just let you go, John brought me. Here, let me help you," he offered, going for her case.

Rose was stunned as they waited for the train to stop and anyone getting off.

"I saw ya on the corner as the taxi left," she told him with a tear in her eyes.

"I know, I saw you looking. Have a good journey," he replied with a lump in his throat that seemed to have been there since she'd told him she was leaving last night.

Her mother was already getting on, a man at the side of her offering to lift her case and Rose thought that was just typical of her. Rose stood slightly to one side as Alec lifted her case and people were closing other doors as the guard approached.

"I have to go, I love you Alec and I'm sorry for saying not to see me off."

"I know Rose, it's okay and I love you too. Better get onboard or your mother will go without you."

"Yeah? Let her," Rose tried to joke as she stepped onto the train.

Alec went with her, the guard one door down so he reached up to kiss her, Rose reaching down. They snapped apart as the guard gave a 'Hmm' to them and he closed the door but Rose opened the window.

"I'll call as soon as I can," she shouted to him as the guard blew his whistle.

"I'll be waiting. Bye Rose."

"Bye Alec, this isn't any easier than last night," she replied as the guard frowned at Alec, making him stand back as the train began to move.

Alec walked after it, Rose watching him with more tears in her eyes and waving. He watched it when he couldn't keep up with it, the guard also watching.

"She wasn't on her own then?" the guard asked him as he stood there.

"Pardon?" Alec asked as he suddenly thought he should get back to John or they'd be late for school if John had to go back home first. "Sorry. Yes, they're moving back to London," he admitted.

"Tough luck then," the guard told him. "Are you with someone?"

"Oh, my cousin is outside," Alec told him, thinking the man had something against teenagers seeing their girlfriends off.

He went back to look for John's car, seeing it in the corner.

"Did you catch her?" he asked as Alec got in.

Alec just nodded, not wanting to say anything. She was gone.

Rose had struggled to put her case next to her mother's on the luggage rack, a man offering to help her then she sat next to her mother.

"Seems he took no notice then?" she asked Rose. "Aren't you happy he came?"

"Yeah but it didn't make it any easier when we had to say goodbye again," Rose replied.

"I know Rose, I'm sorry. I wish there'd have been another way but ya know the alternative? Maybe by the summer holidays things will be different?"

As they made the short journey to Glasgow for their connecting train, Rose sat with tears in her eyes until they arrived and hoped someone would help them off again. They found the next platform, having five minutes to spare and Rose rushing to the newsstand to get a canned drink.

They settled down on the other train that was already on the platform since it had terminated there as Alec went back with John and they got ready to go to school.

"Cheer up Alec," John encouraged him. "It won't be so bad, just three months or so, it'll soon pass."

"Yes, if I had a time machine," Alec replied.