Tell Rose everything

All Rose wanted to do was get Alec in her room and show him how much she had missed him. They dragged everything inside, Rose shushing him as he had loads of questions for her.

"Shush, don't wake my mum or you'll never hear the end of it. Well come here, I missed ya so much."

After quickly getting undressed down to their underwear, Rose in just a vest top and skimpy knickers, they got into Rose's bed and Rose landed on top of him.

"I missed you too Rose. I wish I didn't have to wait so long, I miss you every day."

"So do I Alec, I'm driving Shareen crazy talking about ya. It's horrible, having to go past that garage and Mickey's stopped talking to me, he leaves his mates to do it. I hope the police do something about it," she told him as he began kissing her neck.

"Let me and John go round," he suggested.

"It'll just make things worse, let's see what happens? I missed you making me feel so good."

They showed each other how they felt, Rose melting as he touched her and afterwards, they fell asleep, Alec telling her how much he loved her.

"I love you so much too Alec. How much longer can we stay apart?" Rose asked, her arms around his neck as they lay on their sides.

They were woken a few hours later by a knock on the door and her mother shouting she'd made them some breakfast. They hurriedly got dressed and joined John in the kitchen, Jackie serving up the food.

"What are you lot doing today?" she asked them as John grinned they had walked in hand in hand.

"I think we'll take it easy today Jackie," John told her. "I've still got a headache from driving. I'll just watch TV if that's okay? What are you two doing Alec?"

"I'll go shopping with mum, we need a few extra things for you two being here," Rose smiled.

"Oh, I wanted to give you a bit towards our keep Jackie," John told them.

"Oh rubbish, Rose said ya'd be going out. Keep it for buying food while ya out. If ya going anywhere nice tomorrow, I'll come with ya."

John should have expected that he supposed. Alec just had to expect it but they could go off on their own for a few hours. He had a surprise for Rose though. His dad had mentioned another holiday next year, if they still wanted to go and had said if they promised to behave suitably, they could share a room and he was thinking about maybe going to the place they'd last gone with Alec's mother Broadchurch.

Alec had been happy at the prospect of showing Rose around. They'd talked about it before Alec had left, his dad wanting to cheer him up after learning John had been his half brother all along.

"Why did you never tell me Dad? I was old enough when mum died. It would maybe have made me feel better."

"I know Alec, I should have told you," his dad had admitted. "Well, now you know why you and John got so close. Will you and Rose still want to go away next year?"

"I'll ask her when I see her but I expect so. We'll be seventeen then dad, you must know how Rose and I feel about each other and she does take precautions. Will you think about letting us share?"

"Aye Alec, I'll think before booking and yes, I expect you shared all those weeks you were in London and Rose does seem the type who would act responsible. It was different back in my day but now you know about your mother. I never judged her when she admitted it, just before we got married and she'd left it because she thought I would leave her."

"I wouldn't have been upset Dad. With Rose, it was her that suggested she take responsibility, I never even asked her to," Alec admitted.

"Yes, I expect she did but even so, you know now why I put restrictions on you when she was here. I suppose in the back of my mind, I didn't want anything to happen like it did with your mother. I told John everything, he can tell you the rest. Alec, I expect you to do right by Rose, should there be any mishaps understand?"

Alec had agreed and had told his dad he would never leave Rose, were something to happen. He was now waiting for John to tell him and Rose the rest, Rose deserved to know as much as they did. They may have only known each other just over three years but somehow, it felt longer. He couldn't put into words how he felt about it, it seemed they just belonged together.

Rose and Jackie went off shopping, leaving Alec and John watching TV as they were both still a bit tired. Alec had offered to go with them but Rose had insisted he rested. He'd asked her again as she was leaving.

"I could come and help carry the shopping?" he offered.

"Alec, you've been travelling all night, don't be daft. We manage every other time. Mum's got used to using the bus again, though how Bob had managed to drive home and not got caught when they'd been to the pub is beyond me."

"Well okay, if you say you can manage? We need to talk when you get back Rose."

They kissed goodbye and he went to join John watching the end of a kids programme.

"Are we going to tell Rose everything?" Alec wanted to know as John reached for the remote control.

"Is there nothing else on? It's Saturday morning," John wanted to know. "Why are there only four channels?"

Alec had to smile. He'd never had that problem, he used to wait for Rose and they'd go into town with his dad and now, the two of them just went and he missed her not being there. John turned the TV off and turned to Alec.

"I bet you're happy to see her?"

"Yeah, I missed her. I don't know what she'll say about us now or about me coming down here," Alec replied.

"We're talking about Rose here," John grinned. "She'll want what's best for you. She may be afraid you won't fit in down here?"

"She thought she wouldn't fit in, remember? I don't know if she's forgiven you for showing her up in class yet," Alec joked. "I'm off to unpack, want to hang anything up?"

"She's got a large wardrobe?" John wondered.

"Not really but she made me some room. I kept telling her she needs one the size of Narnia or one where it's bigger on the inside."

While Rose and Jackie were out, they stopped for coffee and Jackie asked Rose how she felt about Alec being back.

"I don't want to let him go again Mum. If he asks me about finishing school here and apply for college, I'm afraid I'll give in and say yes."

"I know ya want him to stay Rose. You know what it's like around here though and those you go to school with. You'd be forever defending him," her mother reminded her.

"I know Mum, it wouldn't be fair on him because he'd try his hardest to fit in. Mum I went to the police, about the blokes where Mickey works. I knew if I didn't that Alec would go round and they wouldn't be friendly."

"Well, ya did the right thing Rose but why have they started shouting at ya?"

"Because I used to tease Mickey on my way home, then I went away. I expect now it's 'cos I'm getting older, they want me to show off in front of them. Actually, if I turned on them and ask them who wants to take me out, it might shut them up."

"Be careful Rose, it might backfire on ya," Jackie warned her. "What's Mickey doing about it then?"

"Nothing Mum, that's the problem. Probably because Alec warned him to stay away from me."

"Well what do ya expect then?" her mother asked her as someone said hello to her.

"Jackie, I didn't know ya were back?" the woman Rose didn't know the name of asked her.

"Yeah, we've been back since May. It was okay up in Scotland but it wasn't home," Jackie replied sadly. "Rose didn't want to leave though, I had to drag her back, didn't I Rose?" Jackie seemed to cheer up.

Rose hated it when her mother showed her up. She just wanted to get the shopping over with and get back to Alec, to find out what he wanted to talk about. She was happy he'd brought her records back though, she'd not opened the box to see if he'd brought them all. She expected he'd left them last time because they had no idea she wouldn't be going back with him.

What did he want to talk about though? It was bugging her and her mother was still busy talking.

"Mum, we still have the supermarket," she reminded her.

"What's your hurry?" she was asked as they were about to leave the caf .

"Alec has something to tell me. I wanna know what it is, if it's not about him and school. Mum, I was thinking. Do ya think he wants to get engaged or something?"

"What? You're a bit young yet Rose. Besides, would he have bought ya that other ring?"

"Maybe not or maybe it was to see if I expected an engagement ring? I wish he'd have just told me on the phone."

"Rose, he knows you'll wait until you can go back or if he's brave enough to stay down here. Maybe when he's finished college, he may come back?"

"Mum, I'll be old enough to brave going back by then," Rose laughed.

"Well, I don't like the idea of ya going back, that's all. Promise me you'll make sure it's safe?"

"They'll all make sure it's safe for me Mum. Alec won't let me go back otherwise. His uncle's doing his best to get information. If you'd got a better look at that letter Mum?"

"I know Rose and I'm sorry it led to what happened but I had no idea," Jackie replied, going for the carrier bag handles on the chair beside her.

"I know Mum, I don't blame you entirely but you were never like that before ya met him," Rose reminded her.

"Well, I won't let any more blokes lead me on like that, I can tell ya that now. I should have stayed here and gone out with Howard from the market," Jackie regretted.

"Well at least you already knew him Mum," Rose smiled, picking up the bag next to her. "Mind you, I have room to talk after seeing Alec in the library."

They soon finished their shopping and knowing Alec had something to talk about, Jackie made herself scarce in the kitchen.

"Has she gone to rattle some pots and pans?" John laughed.

Rose pretended to throw the cushion that was on the chair arm at him, Alec stopping her. Jackie only made herself a mug of tea and retreated to her bedroom, thinking it was obviously about Alec maybe coming to stay. She knew Rose wouldn't let him, he would find it tough to finish school here if he wanted to get in the police.

"Alec, do you want to tell Rose or shall I?" John asked him.

"Is it about Alec wanting to come to school here?" Rose asked him.

"No Rose, we still have to talk about that. This is some good news, something that will make you happy but I'm sorry, it's not that we've found a way for you to come back with us," Alec told her. He saw she looked disappointed. "My uncle is still working on it, none of us will give up."

Rose buried her head in his shoulder.

"I know Alec. So, what's gonna make me happy?"

"Well, John and I were talking a few days ago when he asked me a question, didn't you?" Alec asked John.

"Your boyfriend's clever," John grinned. "I asked him if he thought we were more than cousins."

Rose sat up. "What? Are ya being serious? That would mean? How's that possible?"

"We found out Rose, my aunt told us. John and I are half brothers," Alec admitted, still not completely used to the idea.

"Wow. Well that explains a few things," Rose smiled. "That's great. Wow, I'm really happy for ya both. So, what happens now?"

"Well, I'm still at home but I'm thinking of getting my own place," John admitted. "I still treat my adopted mum as my own. They adopted me when I was born, Alec's mum was only young and living at home and they'd just got married. Rose, no paperwork was ever done, we trust you not to say anything."

"That goes without saying," Rose replied. "So, she just handed you to her sister?"

"Yes, they'd just moved here from Glasgow when they got married, it was easy to say she'd been expecting. We don't have all the details yet but I learned a few more things Alec," John told them. "Your mum met a friend of the family in secret. She was totally gone on him, he was married and they had a short affair."

"Did he leave her when she found out she was pregnant?" Rose wanted to know.

"Something like that. He'd promised to provide for her but his wife found out and threatened to divorce him, since she had all the money. So who I thought was my mum talked to her then fiancé about it and they agreed and your mum kept it a secret, wearing big clothes and not going out much. Apparently, they got married and moved away and everyone thought I was hers and that was why they got married. Sixties stuff, it was a different world back then," John joked.

Alec was just as much surprised as Rose was.

"So, your dad knew?" Rose asked Alec.

"Yeah, she told him before they got married," John replied. "I take it you're not that surprised?" he asked Rose.

"Well, I thought there was more to it than you being cousins," Rose grinned. "Wow, that's one family secret though. Was it all kept in your mother's family?"

"Yeah, it was kept quiet. We asked why no-one told us when she died but Alec and I knew we were getting close, after I got the job at your school, they figured we'd work it out," John replied.

"Well, I'm really happy for ya. If ya get a place of your own, will they stay where they are?" Rose asked him.

"For now, until my adopted dad decides to retire. He's still working out how far Bob will have gone to try to get you back. Rose, I didn't want to worry you any more but he did find one more thing. Do you want to know now of before we leave?"

"Just get it over with John please?" Rose insisted.

"Yes John, it's best to get it over with," Alec agreed.

"Well, you know why we delayed telling you about Rose not going back with us the last time?" John asked them. "I'm sorry Rose but we are pretty sure Bob had held himself responsible for you until you are twenty one."

Rose started to get up but Alec held onto her.

"How come?" Rose wanted to know. "What does he hope to gain by it? I've already worked out he wanted me, not my mum."

"Shush Rose, calm down," Alec had to insist. "Anything else?" he asked John.

"I really, really hate to say this but we think it's if you come back to Scotland at all," John told them sadly.

Rose got up and dashed to the bathroom, slamming the door and making Jackie appear and her seeing Alec go after her.

"'ere, you, what have ya said to her?" Jackie wanted to know.

"Nothing Mrs Tyler," Alec insisted. "It was what John told her, she just got up and ran off."

"Well, you may as well tell me," Jackie replied, banging on the bathroom door. "Rose, are you okay sweetheart? I warned you not to upset her," she turned back to Alec, pointing her finger at him.

"It's my fault," John admitted. "There was no easy way to tell her she can't go back to Scotland, until she turns twenty one. Jackie, do you remember the slightest thing about that agreement you signed? You should really think about going to get some legal advice about it."

Jackie tried to calm down but with Rose being in the bathroom, probably crying her eyes out, it wasn't easy to do.

"How can I admit such a thing?" she asked John. "I was stupid and got taken in by that b*******, how could I have been so stupid?"

She put her hands over her face and John went to put his arm around her.

"Rose had Alec, I had no-one," she sobbed into John's shoulder.

"I know Jackie, I'm sorry but you did the right thing, getting her away from him. You weren't to know, was she Alec?" John asked him.

"No, it's not your fault. My dad says Bob saw the potential in Rose, when she got older. He was going to use her, wasn't he John?" Alec asked him.

"He told you then?" John replied. "I suppose you're old enough now? Bob was probably going to use her, we can only guess what his friends were up to but Rose fought back, he never reckoned on that. She met Alec and that made the difference."

"No, she would have fought back on her own," Alec replied. "She didn't need me."

"Of course she did," John disagreed. "You kept her determined she wasn't going to get caught up in it. Jackie, she kept going in to see what was going on, didn't she?" he asked Jackie.

"Yeah, a few times while she was waiting for Alec," Jackie admitted. "There were a few times I thought she was gonna stay, then Alec would ring the doorbell. You saved her more than I did."

Alec tried not to blush, Rose's mother was paying him a compliment. He tried knocking on the bathroom door again.

"Rose, please let me in," he asked her.

Rose was feeling sick and was over the sink. The reality was that her mother had been sucked in and almost dragged herself with her. What would she have done without Alec? Now, Bob still hadn't let her escape, she was stuck almost another five years and it was heart-breaking because Alec was going to offer to come and live down here and she couldn't let him.

She dried her eyes on the towel and opened the door, Alec rushing in and taking hold of her.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you Rose, I promise. My dad said if I want to come down here and finish school, he'll let me. Stop crying Rose, please?"

"I know ya wanna come down here Alec but ya can't. I'm not gonna let ya be dragged down by going to a lesser school and college. You're more clever than half my school put together, well probably more and ya'd show them up and they'd pick on ya."

"Rose, do you think I care?" he asked her as John took Jackie into the kitchen for yet another mug of tea.

"How can I let ya Alec? I was lucky I got away with it up there but you don't know this area like I do. You'd spend ages travelling to a good school and even then, you'd get picked on for being Scottish. I wish it wasn't true Alec but it is. You know how much I love you but I won't see anything happen to you for any reason."

"Rose, come and sit down. I could learn to talk with an English accent, like John," he smiled.

He took a tissue and handed it to her.

"I'd love to know how he got away with it," she tried to smile.

"Some perception filter," Alec tried not to laugh. "You know I would do anything for you Rose. At least think about me coming down here?"

"Alec, ya know how much I want ya to but you can't. I daren't even let you go sort out those blokes at the garage. It's tough around here, I learned to deal with it but I grew up here."

"I learned my mum came from a rough area of Glasgow. She had John and let him go and she never told anyone outside family. She got out of it though, when she met my dad. I have a tough background Rose, why are you so against me trying?"