Whilst Jackie wanted to sympathize with her daughter's dilemma, she knew only the two of them could sort it out. Alec was willing to give everything up to be with Rose and she didn't want him to. Just who was making the biggest sacrifice, Jackie couldn't work out but over the next few months, she thought it was a close tie. The pair of them had called each other every night and just a few days before Christmas, Alec was preparing to go visit her.
The only problem was, there had been a snowstorm in the Glasgow area and both cars and public transport were struggling to cope. Schools and some businesses had closed, which should have pleased Alec and he was willing to face travelling down to London earlier as Rose had assured him it wasn't as bad down there.
"Alec, stay where ya are if it's not safe to travel," Rose had told him a few days before her school broke up for the holidays.
She was dying to see him again but his and possibly John's safety were more important. They'd not yet persuaded John to let Alec travel down by train and neither of them were winning.
"But Rose," Alec had protested. "If I take up John's offer to bring me down, we can set off tomorrow and take our time. I know it means he's also away from home but everyone understands. They don't want you to be on your own."
"Yeah, I know they do but we agreed that John would stay up there," Rose sighed. "See what the weather's like in the morning, yeah? They won't expect ya to go back to school for just two days, will they?"
"John reckons not and if they do, he'll have to tell them I left for London," Alec replied as John looked at him.
John was spending even more time at Alec's house now they'd got used to being half brothers and Alec's dad was trying to stop him calling him uncle all the time.
"I bet he's there now, " Rose laughed. "Tell him he can take ya to Glasgow for the train."
"Very funny Rose. If I do that, he'll continue to the motorway," Alec joked, getting a grin from John that meant that was exactly what he would do. "Is your mother prepared to have both of us?"
"Yeah, she says he's like part of the furniture," Rose joked back. "If ya come on the day we agreed, we're going shopping, I've been saving a bit extra to pay for all the extra food. It's a lot easier since she convinced her clients and their friends I can come round and wash and dye their hair for them on my own, I'm getting really good at it."
"I bet you are," Alec smiled at the thought, hoping John would get the message he wanted to talk to Rose on his own. "Just tell me you want us to chance driving down tomorrow, then John might leave us to talk."
"I can take the hint little bro," John laughed. "I'm only here because you both refused to let me drive you down," he added, going to ruffle Alec's newly-cut hair.
"Tell him if the trains to London are cancelled then okay," Rose relented, knowing it may be the only way she'd get to see him.
"I think he heard," Alec replied as John went off with a smirk on his face.
"Geez, I wish he'd get a girlfriend," Rose let out another sigh. "Then he wouldn't be so interested in our love-life. Whatever happened to that gym teacher?"
"I think it was because he spent more time with us during breaks instead of with her," Alec replied dryly.
Rose spluttered with laughter at the thought.
"Yeah, well I left so she can't blame me. If ya come down tomorrow, John can take mum shopping."
"I can see that will go down well, he may change his mind when I tell him," Alec laughed. "Okay, I'll let him bring me down but don't say I didn't warn you John will gloat because he won."
As they set off early the next morning, Alec rushing to get ready and laughing to himself John would already be packed, filled up the car with fuel and put blankets, a pair of boots, a shovel and other emergency supplies in the back of the car, John called for him just before seven.
"Rose will get a surprise if we can get down there to pick her up from school," John grinned as they quietly put Alec's things including presents in the back of the car. "See, I told you getting a new car with a letdown seat at the back was a good idea."
Alec had to agree there was a larger area for their luggage and if John called to take Rose on holiday next year, they'd need it. He swore she took more with her than she actually needed.
It was slow going despite the main roads being kept clear until they got to the road that would take them almost into the centre of London. By the time they got halfway, they'd stopped for a break and Alec chanced seeing if Rose's mother was at home.
Jackie had just got home for her lunch and answered the phone.
"Oh, it's you," Jackie greeted him. "Rose told me you were both coming down early. I don't know how she went to school this morning, it's a wonder she didn't want to wait for ya."
"We're going to try to pick her up," Alec replied, when he could finally get a word in and with Rose's mother, that took some doing. "She did tell you John would be staying? He would have gone back after Boxing Day but if the weather's still bad, he might not get back before we go back to school."
"Alec, you're both always welcome, ya already know that," Jackie told him as the pips went on the payphone and Alec put another coin in that John had just handed him.
They both knew Rose's mother liked to talk.
"I might joke about John being part of the furniture," she added. "You'll have to put up with whatever food I have in until I go shopping though."
Alec said it was fine and they'd be there either before Rose got out of school or just after as the pips went again and he said goodbye.
Meanwhile at Rose's school, she was talking to Shareen in the dining hall, Shareen pretending to yawn.
"Geez Rose, stop worrying about them, they would be sure the roads would be clear when they set off."
"Yeah, I know but I remember what it was like up there when it snowed, it was bad," Rose replied.
"Yeah, ya told me a dozen times," Shareen pretended to yawn again.
"I think they were gonna try and get here for when I get out of school. Want a ride home?" Rose smiled.
"How come the only time you're cheerful is when Alec's on his way here?" Shareen teased her. "Well if no-one believes ya have a boyfriend, they'll find out when ya snog his face off when he meets ya. Geez, ya don't know how lucky ya are Rose, having a boyfriend like him. Just how did ya get those blokes in the garage to stop shouting at ya?"
"It helped when it got cold and they pulled the shutters down?" Rose suggested.
"No, that's not it Rose," Shareen insisted. "Your Alec must have said something?"
"It was John, he told them he was my teacher and I'd complained to him about them. He got the owner out of the office and the bloke wasn't too pleased about it. Besides, Mickey should have put an end to it."
"Face it Rose, he didn't owe ya any favours when Alec warned him off," Shareen reminded her.
"I know but John told him the warning didn't include him not defending me," Rose smiled as the bell went.
All afternoon, Rose wasn't paying attention, which was now unusual for her as she was top in most of her classes now. The changes in her attitude to school work hadn't gone un-noticed and a few of the sixth-formers, whom she'd be one of them next year were trying to make something out of it.
The final bell went and Rose pushed everything into her school bag and Shareen struggled to keep up with her as she headed for the gate, hoping John's car would be there.
"Where are you going in a hurry?" one of the sixth-formers asked her, grabbing her arm.
"Get off me," Rose hissed at the red-headed girl who had dared stop her.
"You're tryin' to show everyone up Tyler,'" the girl hissed back at her. "What's your game?"
"Nothin's my game now get off me, before you regret stopping me. Didn't you hear about me? At my last school, I went up against two school bullies and I won. Now get out of my way, my boyfriend's waiting for me."
"You mean your pretend boyfriend?" the girl laughed, now she had been joined by her friends.
Rose had been told by a pleased John that he'd got a new car and she had to guess what it was, should he have cause to bring Alec down for Christmas. She was trying to look around for the type of car he'd choose, spying a blue Ford Fiesta and trying to see if John or Alec were peering out of the window. Alec had of course spotted Rose and Shareen, who was trying to defend Rose.
"Oi, leave her alone. Trust me, she's not one to back down to bullies."
"Need your friends to stick for ya?" one of the other girls laughed. "We heard you're in the sixth form next year and we remember a few years ago, you were the one who did all the messing around."
"Yeah and I remember you lot used to hang around with us," Rose laughed. "I've got serious and ya know what? When I came back, I'd got myself a boyfriend and I'd been to a better school than you lot would ever get into between ya. Do ya know what's the funniest part?"
They all backed off as Shareen warned them not to get Rose mad.
"The funniest part is I'm not going to sixth form in this school," Rose burst out laughing. "I had to come back here in a hurry and I've earned my place at another school. I learned more in the last three years than you lot's learned since ya were in nursery school. Excuse me, my boyfriend's over there waiting for me."
"Ya mean that boy over there?" one of them had turned around and seen Alec, who was now standing by the car. "Wow, where did ya find him?"
Rose peered over the large girl in front of her and saw Alec, who gave a little wave.
"In Scotland," Rose smiled as she waved back. "Come on Shareen, they've had a long drive and they'll be tired."
"Ya mean he has a brother or something?" another girl shouted after her.
As Alec had been trying to get out of the car, John had told him to let Rose walk to him, since she had a crowd around her. She finally reached him and he held his arms out to her.
"Hey, ya could've come to my rescue ya know?" Rose laughed as they hugged.
"You seemed to be doing well on your own. Hi Rose, Shareen. Come on, let's get you home."
The girls who had been taunting Rose were just coming out of the gate so Rose, being Rose, grabbed hold of Alec's jacket, pulled him forward and planted a big sloppy kiss on his lips. Alec was suitably surprised but kissed her back, knowing she was proving to the girls who had confronted her that he was indeed her boyfriend.
Not to be outdone, Alec recovered from Rose grabbing hold of him and put his arms around her neck, pulling her in for another kiss. The girls just stared, being told by their leader to ignore them but taking no notice. Shareen didn't think Rose would have any more trouble with her for a while.
Rose and Shareen got in the back of John's car and they set off the short distance to where he normally parked behind the flats.
"I missed ya Alec," Rose blushed as she realized she'd surprised everyone.
"We noticed," John laughed.
"Hey, Rose, ya never said ya were going to another sixth form?" Shareen asked her.
Alec tried to turn. "Yes Rose, you never told us."
"I was gonna surprise ya Alec. I applied to that new one that's just opened but it means I'll have to take the bus. It's called the Springwell sixth form community college and I can take advanced courses but it depends on my exam results from next year."
"You did well last time," Alec reminded her. "But if it helps you?"
"Yeah, I never told ya 'cos I wanted to surprise ya. I like your new car John."
"Thanks. That's great news Rose, need any help?" he asked as he came to his parking spot and wondering why he got it every time.
"Lucky you, having a teacher on hand," Shareen laughed as she got out of the car. "Is your mum having a party then?"
"Oh, I don't know," Rose admitted as Alec was already out of the car and going to take Rose's school bag.
Despite it being cold and some more snow in the air, Alec stopped Rose by the swings and John carried on, smiling to himself and wondering why the two of them hadn't got engaged yet. Was something holding Alec back from asking her, he wondered.
He went upstairs and rang Rose's doorbell.
"Well come in then," Jackie greeted him. "I suppose those two are still downstairs?"
"Ah, yes Jackie. You know what they're like when they've been apart? So, all ready for the holidays?" he asked as he saw all the decorations hung up and a silver tree by the side of the TV. "Rose's friend mentioned a party."
He wasn't exactly looking forward to having to meet a bunch of Jackie's friends but maybe he could hide in the kitchen if she had planned to have one.
"John, tell me if ya think Alec's gonna ask Rose to get engaged."
"Oh. Well we expected that the last time Alec was here but it never happened Jackie. Maybe he's waiting until they're both in college?"
"Ya mean if they last that long?" Jackie laughed, John worried they were too near some mistletoe for his liking and he wasn't very comfortable.
"I know, tell me about it," John laughed. "So, how have you been then Jackie? I hope you don t mind me gate-crashing?"
"Won't your family miss you?" Jackie asked him as she switched the kettle on.
"Well, since we found out I'm actually Alec's half brother and Rose is down here, things have changed. My adoptive mother is trying to get my adoptive dad to stop working and get him to move and I've been spending more time with Alec."
"Yeah, Rose was a bit shocked when she found out," Jackie admitted. "That was something. Anyway, you're as welcome as Alec is and I expect things are a bit different this year?"
"I just wish we'd been told before Jackie. I could have been there for Alec when my real mum died, he was really down until he met Rose."
Down in the playground, Rose was telling Alec how much she had missed him.
"I know you missed me by the kiss you just gave me," he teased her.
"Sorry but those girls were hinting I didn't really have a boyfriend," Rose blushed.
"Well they know now. Were you having trouble with them?"
"Forget them Alec. You're here now and school's breaking up tomorrow. Did ya warn John that mum would want him to take her shopping?"
"No, he'll find out, won't he?" Alec grinned. "Rose, there was something I wanted to tell you."
"Well hurry up then, it's freezing out here," Rose smiled as he took her hands to warm them.
"Well all this about John being my half brother. Are you okay with it? I mean it changes a lot now."
"Yeah, I guess it does? Alec. I'm more than okay with it, it's great and I'm really happy about it. We should have guessed before I suppose?"
"Yes, I suppose so. He feels guilty about not being there for me when my mum died though I told him not to."
"Alec, it would have been better if he had been, surely?" Rose asked him.
"Maybe but when I saw you in the library, maybe he'd have talked me out of wondering who you were?"
"Alec, he'd have done the opposite and made ya more determined," Rose laughed. "Come on, let's get inside, it's starting to snow again. You'd best hope it doesn't get any worse of ya won't be able to go home."
"Then that would only be a good thing," Alec smiled as he stopped her to lean down for a kiss.
"Hey, did ya get taller?" Rose noticed as their lips parted.
"I would have thought you had noticed my hair more than if I've grown," he teased her.
Rose reached up to touch his hair.
"Now ya do look all grown up. Let's go get you unpacked and then we have some catching up to do."
As he followed her, he knew she didn't mean catching up as in talking. Maybe he should ask her on Christmas Eve if she wanted to get engaged even if he had to save up again for another ring? He was debating trying to get a Saturday job but they wouldn't be understanding when he wanted days off to go see Rose.
He got a generous allowance for keeping the house tidy, now Rose wasn't there after school and so that had to do for now. The only problem was all his money was for when he went off and buying an engagement ring cost a lot, he wasn't going to get a cheap one.
On top of that, he was going to have to save for their next holiday and he wondered if he should tell Rose where they were going. Rose let them into the flat, where Jackie greeted Alec, Rose seeing John had made himself at home. She also noted the extra presents under the tree.
"Hey Alec, we could go do some last minute shopping on Christmas Eve, down at the precinct. Watcha think?"
Alec could see John was grinning. He supposed he'd have to get used to it, Rose was totally different now she was free of Bob.
"Alec, maybe you could look for a real tree?" John suggested.
"Oi, what's wrong with that tree?" Jackie objected.
"Mum, ya picked it up at the charity shop," Rose reminded her. "Yeah, a real one would be nice."
"Well you two can pick up all the needles then," Jackie huffed, taking a drink.
As much as Alec loved Rose, apart from the holidays, would he be able to stay and live here?
"Alec, just don't get one that spins around and attacks us, yeah?" John grinned.
Rose pretended to throw a cushion at him and everyone laughed. The next day, Alec kissed Rose goodbye as she went off to school and told her he'd walk round to meet her at home time. Jackie went off to work, saying it would be a good idea to have a party on Christmas Eve and then all her friends could meet Alec and John.
Alec wasn't so sure about it and John felt like facing the bad weather and going home. While Jackie and Rose were out though, John decided to tease Alec.
"So, are you going to do something better than give Rose a promise ring this time?"
"What am I supposed to do?" Alec wanted to know. "I just tried to tell her something and I couldn't, I changed the subject. There's a lot I never told her, especially about how things were when mum was ill."
"I think I know why she never told us we were brothers, though I wish she had done," John replied.
"She was trying to toughen me up but it would have been better if you'd been there. Do you think Rose will be upset that dad's planning to go to the last place we went with mum for a holiday?"
"Alec, you know Rose better than that. She'll be happy you can share your memories of when you went before. Are you going to tell her where you're going?" John asked him.
Alec shook his head. John could tell he wanted to surprise her.
"She might run away if she finds out before we get there," he admitted.
"I don't think Rose would do that. She won't run if you talk about getting engaged either you know?" John asked him. "I understand why you're waiting though, for both of them."
Alec was glad John understood because he didn't know himself what was stopping him. He knew Rose wouldn't run away but he was worried that since they were so far apart, the doubt they could keep up their relationship would come creeping in. It would be better and easier if they weren't engaged if it actually happened.
He set off later to meet Rose at school and hoped she'd put on a display the same as last night. As she saw him at the gate, she ran towards him and flung her arms around him and kissing him as everyone walked past, some laughing at them.
They boldly walked past where Rose had been having trouble, Mickey seeing them arm in arm but they were too engrossed in talking to notice though Rose was doing most of the talking. Alec wondered how he could bring the subject up again but by the time they got home, he thought he should stick to his original plan.
It had been good news that Rose was going to a better sixth form college and if she got good results, go on to college. His only regret was that they wouldn't be going to the same one.
