Summer's over

A/N: I will miss out a lot of their summer and mention events in this and later chapters

They were having fun, sometimes getting a day ticket for just riding the subway, Rose making Alec laugh at some of the places she chose that were just open spaces or down to the docklands that were in the process of being regenerated.

Now, they were in their last week, Alec knew in a few days, Rose would get a bit moody at the thought of him leaving and they were running out of money to spend. He also knew she would be upset she wouldn't see him for over three months this time. They were watching TV one afternoon, lying on the sofa and Alec listening out for her mother coming back.

Jackie had mostly left them alone when they were staying in, she knew they wouldn't mess around in the lounge when Alec was sharing Rose's room. Rose was snuggling up to him and one of them was going to bring the subject up Alec would be leaving on Sunday, even though he wasn't back at school until the Tuesday, for some reason, a teacher training day he expected.

He'd spoken to John, who was arriving sometime on Saturday and he wished Rose was going back with him but he knew it was impossible, they had no idea what Bob would do if he found out she was there.

"Maybe John could stay an extra day and we could go back on Monday?" Alec suddenly suggested when an ad break came on during some boring afternoon talk show.

Rose was only watching it because of the alternatives.

"Alec, I go back Monday, I'd rather not have to say goodbye to you in a hurry on Monday morning."

"Well John never mentioned what time we were leaving on Sunday. Maybe it will be in the afternoon? Promise you won't get upset whatever time it is."

"How can I not be upset Alec?" she asked him, burying her head in his shoulder.

"I meant more than you had to," he tried to joke. "It's hard for me to leave you know? This summer has been great Rose. This time last year, there were two things really bothering me."

"Yeah, you were missing your mum," Rose reminded him. "What was the other one?"

"Who you were when you sat in the library," he smiled. "It bugged me most of the summer, wondering if you'd be going to my school or if you were staring at Jamie instead. I should have got up the courage to talk to you."

"I should have made it clearer I was watching you," she teased him.

"Rose, it was my fault. I did not think it was me you were interested in, I didn't even know I was interested in girls, you were the only one I'd ever noticed. I used to get teased about it. I was still upset about my mum."

"Yeah, I know that now but you not talking to me in the library never put me off. I never thought about any boys either, well not the ones at my school anyway. Now, I just ignore them all, word got round I had a boyfriend in Scotland."

Friday evening, John had gone round to see Alec's dad.

"I expect they'll both be upset when you get there," he told John.

"I don't know what we can do Uncle, there's no solution," John had to agree.

"I talked to your dad last night, he's not getting any further with his enquiries. He says the only way is to name Rose's mother, see if anyone will come forward and admit they drew up such an agreement. Whoever it was, they were probably a back street operation or they were part of what Bob and his friends were up to," Alec's dad replied.

"Well, they want barring from practicing law then. Who would agree to such a thing? Unless Bob just got the basics? What if he just got them to list things in general, that would be open to interpretation?" John suggested.

"How do you mean?" he was asked.

John got up, running his fingers through his hair then resting his fingers on his forehead.

"What if, say, he got Rose's mother so worked up that it would be better for Rose?" John began, moving his fingers. "Then, what if he twisted the words so she wouldn't take any notice when she signed?"

"Well that's obvious John," his uncle replied.

"Yes but it would be enough to go to child services and convince them that if Rose came back, she was better off staying with him and she was too young to have a proper boyfriend. It would be enough to convince anyone that staying with anyone else when Rose's mother had given him her permission to take care of Rose was out of the question. Rose would never win, with her mother being in London."

"I'm afraid that you are right John," his uncle agreed. "Goodness knows what would be made of the fact that Rose had come back on her own. She may not even be allowed to leave, Bob could make out that Rose would just keep coming back. Was that mentioned before?"

John scratched his head. "Maybe? As much as Rose wants to come back, she's stuck until she's eighteen and even then, how does she go about getting him to back down? My dad reckons that Rose's mother coming back and taking it to court is the only way they will both be free."

"That's as maybe John but to drag them through court like that?" his uncle asked him. "How do they even take something like that to court? Think of what Rose's mother would have to admit? That she got taken in by someone like that, who wanted control of Rose?"

"I hate to admit how it would look, on both of them and Rose tried her best to warn her mother. It would be a real mess and it could attract the wrong type of press. Think of what it would do to both of them? Maybe I could get Alec to explain it to Rose, it should be her decision."

"Yes, I agree John. No sense in going to her mother just yet and Alec's old enough to handle it. Why don't you call now and give him time to think about it?"

John picked up the phone and called Rose's number but it was Jackie who answered.

"You've not been delayed have ya?" Jackie asked John. "Don't go makin' it any worse for them."

"I'm trying not to Jackie. No, I plan on leaving around seven or maybe earlier. Can I talk to Alec please?"

"Well okay then, Rose is already getting upset after trying to tell him she doesn't want him to leave any later on Sunday."

"Why, when did he want to leave?" John asked, knowing Alec, it would be Monday morning, when Rose went off to her school. "I was going to suggest late afternoon."

"Well I suppose that's better than morning? I'll just call him for ya then. Alec, John wants ya."

She handed the phone to him, wishing she could afford one of those portable phones she'd heard about.

"Alec," John greeted him. "Don't say anything, just listen if Rose is there."

John quickly explained there may be a way to get Rose back to Scotland but it wouldn t be pleasant.

"You have to talk to her Alec, it's up to her but we don't want to get her hopes up that it will work, there is still a chance it won't."

Rose was wondering what was taking Alec so long as she saw him listening to John. Jackie was just glad Alec's cousin was paying for the call and not her.

"Okay John, I'll talk to her but when you get here, we'll talk properly about it. See you tomorrow and drive carefully."

"What was that about?" Rose wanted to know.

"I'll tell you later. Let's go out for a walk?" he suggested.

Jackie watched them as Alec helped Rose on with her jacket and wondered why they were being so secretive. To say Alec would be gone soon, Rose was talking it fairly well. She knew Alec was in no hurry to leave since he wouldn't be back until Christmas or would they scrape the money together so he could come back for a week in October?

If they were, maybe she could help, it was partly her fault Rose couldn't go back. They seemed to have enjoyed themselves though, even the last week when they'd not had much money left. Alec couldn't have known how expensive living in London was and she hoped he'd now be prepared the next time.

Rose let Alec lead her downstairs, behind the flats and to the playground but Mickey Smith was walking across the grassed area and saw Rose take Alec's hand once they were outside. He had wondered why a few months ago, he'd seen her walking past the garage and she'd totally ignored him and him wondering when she'd got back.

He'd thought she was living in Scotland and when he'd asked around, he'd been told Rose and her mother had come back and were staying with friends until they got a place of their own. Then, he'd wished he'd never told Rose he was going to ask her to be his girlfriend and had thought at first, that was the reason she was ignoring him. Now he knew but he didn't recognize the boy she was with.

He just stood and watched them as Rose sat down on a swing first, Alec fussing over her then sitting next to her.

"Someone's watching us Rose," Alec nudged her.

"It's Mickey," she told him.

"He's that Mickey, the one you told me about?"

"Yeah, just ignore him Alec. So, whatcha want to talk to me about that you don't want my mother to hear?"

Alec was staring at who Rose had confirmed was Mickey, who was wearing jeans and a t-shirt he couldn't make out what was on it.

"What? Oh, sorry love. John thought I should talk to you about something my uncle found out. Rose, you know he's been trying to find out who would agree to make something up involving you like that? If your mother had got hold of that agreement she signed, he would have had more of a chance. Now, my uncle reckons there may be a way out but you won't like it."

"What won't I like about it Alec? Oh my? Is it that bad?" she asked him, covering her mouth.

Alec moved around on the swing to face her, wishing they'd gone to sit on the bench but it was nearer to where Mickey was.

"It's pretty bad, yes. Rose, both you and your mother could go back and tell the police what Bob made your mother sign, then they would investigate and talk to Bob over it. If he denies such a thing or says your mother was willing to give him free reign to have you stay with him if you went back, it could make things worse."

"Yeah, it could. My mum would have to admit she'd done such a thing and she may get into trouble for trying to abandon me. I can't let that happen Alec, she had no idea what Bob was fooling her into signing. If he's changed it though, he may not want to police to be involved, then he'd come after us."

"There's still no easy way Rose, I'm sorry. If your mother makes a complaint that Bob made her sign it, she would get questioned. John talked it over with my dad, they both agree you staying away until you're eighteen is the best thing to do, then if my uncle's not found out who made the agreement legal, you can risk coming back and see what happens."

"Geez Alec, that means I could still have to leave in a hurry, we'll never know what age Bob changed it to that he'd make me live with him."

Alec reached his arm out and pulled her swing closer, trying to put his other arm around her. He didn't care if Mickey or anyone else was watching as he leaned over to kiss her, Rose putting her hand on his shoulder. When Alec sneaked a look, Mickey was out of sight and he never realized he'd only moved, to just behind them.

"Rose, don't say anything. Mickey has moved but he may not have gone."

Rose tried to turn around.

"Mickey, if you're behind us, you'd better go away," she called behind her.

"Why have you been ignoring me Rose? You came back and never even spoke to me."

"Wasn't it obvious that I'd found a boyfriend while I was away Mickey?" Rose asked him.

"You know what I said before you went away Rose," Mickey reminded her.

Alec decided to speak up.

"You heard her, she does not want to talk to you, she is with me," Alec told him.

"You're Scottish?" Mickey laughed.

"Geez Mickey, where do ya think he's from, since I went to live in Scotland? Did ya think he was Welsh?"

Alec tried to stop himself from laughing.

"Yes, I'm from where Rose and her mother went to live and I'll be down every holiday, so just you leave her alone."

"You heard him Mickey and need I remind you, I never gave an answer before I left."

"Leave it Rose," Alec suggested, trying to get her swing untangled.

"Well he'd better stay away from me when you go back. Geez Alec, I can't go back with ya and Mickey's gonna keep buggin' me now."

"No, he won't Rose, you said you go straight home," Alec reminded her.

"Yeah, unless I'm meeting mum somewhere to help her do someone's hair. We should go back now."

Alec was quite happy to stay and put on a display for Mickey. He leaned over and kissed her again, Rose putting her arms around him then resting her head on his shoulder. Mickey had seen enough but if this boyfriend of hers was only coming down during school holidays, then maybe she'd get tired of waiting?

Alec got up, holding Rose's swing and holding out his other hand to help her off. Alec put on more of a show than he normally did and Rose knew it, playing along. As she got off the swing, Alec put his arm around her and pulled her close, whispering in her ear.

"He's still there Rose, make this look good eh?"

Rose giggled into his shoulder, her arms around his neck. They shared a few short, sweet kisses then held hands as they walked back to the block of flats. As they walked up the steps, Rose was still giggling as they kept stopping to kiss. Then Rose turned serious.

"I meant it Alec, he'll keep bothering me now."

"No he won't, just stay away from him Rose," he tried to assure her. "Don't say anything to your mother, about what we discussed, well not unless you want her involved."

"Alec, she made a big mistake but Bob's too clever, he'll just deny there's anything wrong and make it out she doesn't care if I run off to be with you. That's what he'll be counting on Alec, he knows we won't be able to resist seeing each other."

"Well, he may get the message that you're not playing his game, since you've not gone back for the summer. Rose, I was thinking, maybe I will be able to come down for the next holiday? Would that make you feel better?"

"We said you wouldn't and that you'd save up for Christmas and the new year?"

"Well, if I only have the train fare to pay for and we don't go far?" he suggested as they reached their floor.

Rose stopped, her face lighting up.

"Do ya mean it? You have to promise ya won't ask John to bring ya down though, he's done enough already and just for a week, it's asking too much."

"Rose, when he finds out, you know he'll insist? Well I suppose I'll have to keep it quiet and he'll already have something planned?" he replied. "If I come down, it means we have to save extra hard for Christmas."

"I don't care Alec," Rose replied as she opened the door.

Then hoping Mickey was watching below, she turned to kiss Alec.

Her mother saw them standing in the doorway and shook her head. Whatever happened, she knew no-one was going to split them up and if they were to split, they'd put up one hell of a fight. She'd not stopped thinking about how stupid she'd been in believing Bob wanted what was best for Rose. He'd only wanted what was best for him to control Rose and make her part of what he and his friends were into.

She went to make some drinks as Rose and Alec curled up in a chair together, Rose leaning her head on his shoulder and she wished she could make up for what she'd put Rose through. Well if they were planning on Alec coming down for the next holiday, she was all for it and maybe she'd give Rose some extra chances to earn some extra cash.

Knowing it was their last but one night together for a while, they got as close as they could, it being Rose's monthly looming and Alec wishing he had the nerve to go to the shop and get something but if he did, well Rose had to live here and they'd never hear the end of it.

"Alec, now I know you're coming back earlier, I feel much better," she told him when they'd put some clothes back on.

"I thought it would cheer you up. You know, even if I don't tell John until the last minute, he'll insist he brings me? It just occurred to me, he misses my other cousin and he's treating me like his brother."

Rose had already worked that out.

"Yeah, I thought of that. It's things he would be doing for your other cousin, that brothers would do for their younger ones. Well promise me you won't let him bring ya down."

"I'll try Rose but I can't promise, you know what he's like? If he does, maybe he could stay for the week, then we could go out?"

"Well only if he offers Alec, I don't want ya to ask him, okay?" she insisted.

"Fine, I won't ask him, I promise. Tomorrow will be our last night for a while, let's make the most of it."

He could just make out the look on her face since over the last few weeks, they'd explored what they both liked and Alec now liked nothing more than seeing her face light up as he touched her delicate area, teasing her at first that would make her melt and giggle, to which he would join in, making her worse by asking her if she wanted more.

Now he was asking her once more as she tried to giggle quietly.

"You know I want more," Rose was trying to reply. "Why have we never done this before?"

"Rose, we are only just learning what we like. You wanted us to get more serious," he reminded her.

"Then learn more Alec," she teased him even more, taking his free hand and letting out a low moan as she placed it where she wanted it.

As they fell asleep, Rose whispered to him, "I'm gonna miss that Alec."

"You mean more than having sex?" he teased her.

"Well, miss it second to having sex, a very close second," she giggled into his shoulder.

"I'm going to miss watching your face Rose, you look even more beautiful when it lights up. Now I can't wait until I come back."

"I hate Bob, for what he's done to us. Why can't he just leave me alone so I can go back?"

"You know the answer Rose, I'm sorry. I promise you, he won't get away with it once I get in the police. Getting your mother to go back and confront him in front of the police or in court is not an option."

"No Alec, it's not. I'm not gonna drag her into it unless there's no other way. She's suffered enough, knowing what he was up to. Alec, it's tempting for you to leave on Monday morning but it won't make it any easier."

"I could stay Sunday night, if you want?" he offered.

"No Alec, you know I want ya to but I'll be feeling even worse with my monthly, as well as thinking of ya leaving. I don't want to go back to school thinking I've just left ya."

"If that's what you want Rose? Maybe it would have been better if I'd also been going back to school on Monday?"

"You'd have been tired from the long journey Alec, it's best ya have a day to recover."

He heard her let out a sigh and assumed she wanted to go to sleep but as he drifted off, all he could think about was how much he was going to miss this. He was going to miss going to sleep with her then waking up and messing around after he'd got her hair out of his face. These last few weeks had changed their relationship, it had been a test and it had made it stronger.

The next day, they waited around for John to arrive, then Rose knew it would be their last night, until he came back. Rose answered the door when John finally arrived.

"You two enjoy your holiday?" John grinned as Alec appeared.

"It was great, Rose took me to some really funny places," Alec smiled.

After they'd eaten, John wanted to know all the places they'd been to and he was already expecting one of them to say Alec wanted to come back for just a week in October. He'd already decided he'd come back down if they asked him and offer to stay and take them out but it was up to them. One of them would give in though he expected Alec had already done so.

Rose was trying to hide her tears the next morning but Alec had already heard her when he'd woken up.

"Rose, it won't be too bad," he was trying to tell her as they got dressed.

"Yeah, just a few weeks, we've done it before," Rose tried to joke.

"Things are different now Rose, remember? Before this holiday, we'd never been around each over overnight, well except when we were away but even so, we didn't actually spend all night with each other. Now we have. Things have changed forever Rose."

Jackie had insisted Alec and John stayed for lunch then Rose helped carry Alec's things to John's car, John giving them a few minutes together.

"I will be back before you know it Rose. It's not forever. When I come back, there's something I want to talk to you about."