The holiday over, Alec and John were preparing to leave. They'd enjoyed the hastily thrown together Christmas party, many of Jackie's friends trying to get John to admit he wasn't Scottish and get his phone number and Rose hanging onto the pink paper hat Alec had won in a cracker and him trying to convince her he'd given her one before.
They'd braved the snow and the cold to all go to Trafalgar Square on New Year's Eve and having a laugh about it on the way home. The day before Alec and John were leaving, Rose had taken him down to the playground.
"I hate having to keep doing this Alec," she told him as they sat on the swings.
"I know. Did I tell you dad's booked the holiday for this year?"
Rose pretended to yawn, getting her a nudge.
"Ya keep saying but never tell me where to. I'd have a better chance gettin' it out of John," Rose laughed.
"He thinks it'll be the last one though. He says we'll be too old the year after to want to go with him."
"Aw, I don't see why? Maybe we can hint that we won't be?" Rose wondered. "Though maybe we'll want to go somewhere on our own?"
"That would be great but I doubt we'll be able to afford it, let alone get there," Alec replied, taking her glove off and warming her hand.
"Well, it won't be easy," Rose admitted. "Let's see what happens? So, you're not coming down until Easter then?" she asked with a lump in her throat.
"I know you don't like the idea Rose but we'll have more money if I wait. I don't like it either, even if John brings me down. Let's wait? We also have to save money for the longer holiday so, if I'm not coming down, I may be able to get a Saturday job? Though they might not be pleased I want Easter off?"
"Well, ya can try Alec? Are ya leaving early again in the morning?"
After another tearful goodbye, Rose waved them off and turned to go back home.
"How long are you going to keep putting it off?" John asked Alec as they'd left the estate. "I mean getting engaged?"
"If I only come down at Easter, I'll have chance to save up," Alec replied, wishing John would drop the subject.
"Trust me Alec, Rose is ready, don't leave it too late," John advised him.
When they got home though, Alec's dad was relieved Alec had not taken the big step.
"John seems to think I should," Alec had told him.
"John is keen to prove he's your big brother," his dad replied. "Well, follow his advise but only if you think it's the best for you and Rose. I think Rose already believes you are."
Alec thought about it. They were both still at school, maybe it would be wrong for her to turn up there with an engagement ring, though she wouldn't be able to wear it during lessons. Was it the right thing to do?
They would both be waiting for their final exam results to determine their college places, maybe it wasn't the right time to get Rose all excited about being or getting engaged? She already knew how much he loved her and she him.
After spending an agonizing week of school holidays when Alec had stayed home, John trying to cheer him up and Shareen trying to cheer up Rose and failing, they were looking forward to the two weeks they'd be together and on the phone every night, planning to go places that were free or cheap and already having given in to John bringing him down.
"Face it Rose," Jackie was telling her just before their arrival. "Ya wouldn't be able to get around if John wasn't coming down as well, would ya?"
"I suppose not? We can save more money for going away in the summer. Mum, what do I say if Alec asks to get engaged?"
Jackie was sure Rose had asked her that before.
"Do ya need an answer?" Jackie just replied. "I think he'll wait now, until ya get into college and speaking of which, have ya heard from that sixth form college?"
"Yeah, I got in, didn't ya know?" Rose was surprised.
"I don't listen to you and Alec on the phone every night," her mother laughed.
On their way back to London, the day after school had finished for two weeks, Alec was anxious to see Rose again and wondered how she had really coped not seeing him since Christmas.
"She'll be fine," John was trying to convince the almost seventeen year old. "Just how lucky is it your birthday is while you're with her?" John made one of his funny faces.
Rose had, with some help from John, arranged a surprise that they were going to a theme park for the day and they were all excited about it, even though Alec wouldn't be able to be with Rose on hers this year. Alec was planning on leaving a present for her, now he had some money to spend with his Saturday and holiday job.
It had taken some persuading the manager of the local book shop to let him have Easter off but after Alec explained he only saw Rose during the holidays, got some sympathy but knew he'd suffer when he got back so he was planning on leaving before the summer came.
Rose was pacing the kitchen, looking out of the window for John's car and this time, she was going down to meet them. Her mother had gone shopping but Mickey was lurking around the playground with Jimmy and could see her at the window.
"Face it mate, she's waiting for her boyfriend," Jimmy was telling him. "Does she still pass by the garage?"
"We've all been warned by the boss," Mickey admitted. "If we stop when it's time for her coming out of school, we'll get a warning and if we do it again, we get fired."
"That's a bit much," Jimmy told him.
"Maybe but maybe she's worth it? I never saw her with him the last holidays though," Mickey replied.
"Yeah but why is she looking out of the window then?" Jimmy wanted to know. "Face it mate, she's not looking for you, is she?"
Mickey thought his friend didn't have to rub it in, did he? Rose would never be looking for him though, would she?
Rose could see the two of them and hoping neither Alec or John would start a fight with them. Maybe John would play one of his Jedi mind games with the pair of them, that would be fun, she smiled to herself. She was right as she caught a glimpse of John's car and was out of the door like a flash, leaving her mother bemused. Jackie knew the pair of them were already engaged apart from the ring, that was just a technicality.
Rose ran down the stairs since it was quicker than going the other way to the lift and out of the door, seeing John and Alec getting their luggage out of the back of the car, neither of them noticing Mickey and Jimmy but Rose did as she let the door close behind her.
She was grown up now, being away from Alec and trying to get through to the next holiday he was due to visit. They had also decided to miss the next one and it hurt them both to make the decision though John had told Alec not to worry about it, even if they had no money to spend, he'd still go as well and take them out.
They both knew though they were getting too dependent on John but supposed he was trying to make up for all time they didn't know they were really brothers. Alec had told Rose that his other cousin had grown even more distant since the news but John kept on trying to persuade Peter that it made no difference and that he should keep in contact with his mother.
"Where are you going in a hurry?" Jimmy asked Rose as she rushed past the two of them.
"Bit old to be hanging around on the swings," Rose called back as she saw Alec putting a bag on his shoulder and closing the back door of the car.
"Huh?" Jimmy called after her. "Come on Mickey, let's go greet her boyfriend, let him know he doesn't belong here."
"Leave it Jimmy, I'm not going up against two of them," Mickey replied, getting off the swing.
"She's making you soft," Jimmy told him, staying where he was. "One time, you'd have gone up against two. Thought you wanted a chance with her?"
"I did, I mean I still do but look at them," Mickey pointed to where Alec had dropped the shoulder-bag again and Rose was hugging him.
"Hey, what about me?" John laughed, now seeing Jimmy and Mickey in the playground.
Rose went to give John a hug, then went back to Alec.
"I missed ya. Take no notice of those two," she nodded to where Jimmy and Mickey were standing.
"I never do," John replied as they made a move. "So, been driving your mother crazy then?" he joked.
"As much as Alec's been driving you and his dad nuts," Rose laughed as she tried to take Alec's other bag. "Come on, we'll walk around the front," she suggested as Mickey now stood with his arms crossed.
"Rose, they can't stop us crossing the playground," John told her as he was about to enter.
"I'm not confronting those two stupid apes," Rose replied. "I've been waiting all this time for ya to visit. Just leave them, they're a pair of losers."
"Hey Mickey, you still in bother at the garage?" Jimmy shouted loud enough for them to hear.
"I just told ya," Mickey replied, not getting that Jimmy was trying to cause a confrontation as they bypassed the playground at Rose's insistence.
"Come on Mickey, let's follow them," Jimmy laughed. "If ya don't. I'll make a play for her myself."
Rose heard and stopped dead, Alec almost falling over her.
"Leave it Rose, please," Alec begged her.
"I have to live around here Alec," she reminded him.
"Well it's not Mickey who's behind it this time and I don't want you having any trouble with his friend," Alec replied.
"He's not my friend," Mickey called out as he stopped.
"What?" Jimmy asked him. "Since when?"
"Forget it Jimmy. Rose is with him, neither of us can compete and if you bother Rose, you'll answer to me," Mickey told him.
John thought it was about time he saw some sense but did that mean he still wanted Alec out of the way?
"So you still want her for yourself?" Jimmy asked him. "Fine, you want to be rivals, so be it. See you around Mickey, don't expect an easy time."
"Hold on," John insisted, getting tired of this. "You both stay away from Rose, she's under my protection and trust me, you don't want to go up against me or her mother when she finds out. You both know what Jackie Tyler's like? Well I'm just as bad when it comes to Rose."
"Huh, who's scared of you?" Jimmy wanted to know.
Jackie was wondering what was taking them all so long, after Rose had run out of the flat like it was on fire. She had locked the front door and gone down to see, just spying them all beyond the playground and caught up with them.
"Oi, what are you two doing here?" she asked Jimmy and Mickey, John presuming she didn't mean him and Alec.
"Leave it Mum, they were just leaving, weren't ya?" Rose asked Jimmy and Mickey, who was now regretting going after them.
He knew what Jackie was like when she got going over Rose.
"Jackie. I have to be somewhere," Mickey spoke up.
"Coward," Jimmy muttered to himself as Jackie stood with her hands on her hips and looked like she was going to lay into the pair of them.
"Leave now Jimmy, you don't want my mum getting in a temper, trust me," Rose told him. "I heard what ya said and never in a million years would I ever agree to go out with ya, even if I didn't have Alec. Me and him are thinking of getting engaged, aren't we?" she grinned at Alec, who almost fell over.
Was she being serious or putting on a show for the kiddies, Alec wondered as she put an arm around his neck. That was also news to Jackie, though maybe Rose had neglected to say anything?
"So, have ya finally talked about it?" she managed to ask Rose, as Alec looked confused and John just grinned.
"Loads of times," Rose replied, though technically, they'd not reached an agreement.
"You're just saying that," Jimmy laughed. "Just to get rid of us."
"Wanna bet?" Rose replied. "Get lost Jimmy, go on, clear off and stay away from me or you'll regret it the next time they come to visit,"
"She means it Jimmy," Mickey warned him.
They all finally got away and went back to the flat and once there, Rose delayed Alec in the hallway. Once they had kissed, Alec had something to ask her.
"Were you just saying that, about getting engaged?" he wanted to know.
"Would ya be disappointed if I said yes? We have talked about it Alec and I think we should stick to what we decided but those two don't know that. Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"It doesn't matter Rose, I know you were trying to prove a point. We should wait until we're either in college or just after, it could cause problems," Alec agreed. "Unless you want to change that?"
"I don't think we're really ready for that, do you?" Rose asked, seeing he looked worried.
"I was scared you'd run if I said I didn't want to wait," he admitted. "Everything will change when we get to college."
"Yeah, I was worried too Alec, I mean it's a big step. We don't need to get engaged until we're older, really."
Alec's birthday soon came around and they were setting off early to get to the theme park, both of them excited though Alec didn't know where exactly they were going. When they could see the tall rides in the distance, he nudged Rose.
"So, this is what you two have been planning?" he asked them.
"Blame Rose, it was her idea," John objected.
"I hope you're coming on some of the rides," Rose told John.
"Only the ones where there's room for three," John laughed as he took the turn off for the car park. "I wouldn't want to gatecrash."
Rose told him not to be so daft as they made their way to the main entrance. Rose didn't know that John had already phoned the park and upgraded their tickets to VIP to save queuing for the most popular rides and Rose could already see the crowds gathering.
John was happily taking photos of them both as they got on some of the rides, being stared at for flashing their VIP passes but Rose didn't care, this was Alec's birthday. They were celebrating hers early as well, since Alec wouldn't be around, which saddened her.
They were taking a break for lunch, Rose getting a table while Alec and John were getting served, Rose noting their was no VIP area in the caf .
"So, how are you enjoying the rides so far?" John grinned, pleased with himself as he'd arranged a surprise that Rose didn't know about.
"Great, you both got me this time," Alec admitted. "I'm just sad I can't be with Rose on her birthday but that means it's a year since she left."
"Rose knows that as well you know?" John replied as they were about to get served. "Maybe it's best you don't remind her eh?"
"I don't want to remind her. She keeps telling me her mother's forever apologising for dragging her back to London. I want to stay there with her John, how do I get her to change her mind?"
John glanced across at Rose, who waved.
"That's a tough one," John admitted. "Maybe she'll give in?"
Alec wondered if he was right. They sat and ate lunch, though Rose wished they'd gone to sit outside at the less posh eating establishment but John seemed determined they were going to have the best treatment possible. They had just about finished, Rose fussing over Alec when an announcement came over the park's loudspeaker system.
"Will Alec Hardy and his party please report to the nearest information point," the man's voice requested.
Alec was up like a shot.
"What's wrong?" he wanted to know as Rose also got up.
"Calm down Alec, let's go find out shall we?" John insisted, knowing what it was but wished they hadn't made it sound so formal, as they were now getting looks from the other diners.
Rose was looking at John, wondering if he was up to something. John saw her looking, hoping she wouldn't spoil the surprise.
"Wasn't there an information point just outside?" John continued.
Now Rose knew why he'd chosen to dine here. They were about to leave when a man and a woman wearing the park's uniforms were wandering around with portable microphones in their hands. They suddenly noticed Rose, Alec and John about to leave and walked towards them.
"Alec Hardy?" the man looked between Alec and John.
"Him," John pointed to Alec, with a smile on his face.
"What's going on? Has something happened back home, is my dad okay?" was Alec's first thought.
"Relax Alec, let them talk," Rose insisted, patting his shoulder then putting her arm in his.
"Alec," the woman began to talk. "If you'd all like to come with us, we have something of a treat for your birthday." She then switched the microphone on. "Hey everyone, today is Alec's birthday, let's all say happy birthday to him."
Alec could only stand and watch John's face to know his big half- brother had planned this as all around the park there was an echo of 'Happy birthday to you' sung by kids and adults alike.
"Were you in on this?" he nudged Rose, who was singing along.
Rose raised her hands in defence.
"Me? No, I just asked John if he'd bring us today, the rest is him," Rose laughed.
"Well, we couldn't just have a normal visit, could we?" John replied as everyone finished.
"If you'd like to come with us," the woman insisted.
They all followed the two park officials outside and across to a ride that was marked 'Closed for maintenance' and the male official unhooked the chain. Rose realised it was maybe a new ride that was about to be opened or one that had just been closed for the morning.
"Alec, we want to offer you the honour of trying this brand new ride before anyone else," the woman told him. "Who's with you?"
Alec was lost for words, for a change Rose thought.
"I'm Rose, his girlfriend and that's his brother John," Rose replied for him.
"Well before you get onboard, the local paper would like to take your photo, is that okay?" the woman asked Alec.
"Well yes," Alec could only agree as Rose turned to kiss his cheek and put her arm around him.
Everyone passing had stopped to see what was going on, kids were chattering amongst themselves, saying they wanted to be one of the first to try the new ride they'd read about in comics. Hands were already going up and both boys and girls were shouting 'Me!'.
The man was already turning excited crowds away, holding his hands up and trying to turn his microphone back on.
"Sorry folks, just the birthday boy," he tried to tell them.
Rose wondered why they couldn't let others form a queue to go in the carriages behind but suspected some didn't reach the criteria for being allowed on the ride.
"Why not let some in behind us?" Rose asked as they went through the gate, another park worker quickly closing it since it wasn't the proper entrance.
"Maybe because it wouldn't be fair some would get chosen and some wouldn't?" John asked her. "They'd cause a riot."
"Yes, yes," the male official agreed. "They'll go around to the entrance and form a queue and some will already see and take advantage if they're nearer."
Rose supposed they were both right then. They were ushered up onto the platform where the shiny new carriages were waiting on the new suspended roller coaster. John took a quick photo as Alec helped Rose into her seat and another worker made sure their restraints were fastened. They waited for John to get in behind them, the local paper taking another photo.
Rose wasn't quite prepared for the ride itself as it set of fairly slowly but gathered speed as it dropped down and she let out a scream, making Alec laugh. She also screamed as the carriage swung out at several points but let out an even louder one as they went around a bend and into a tunnel. John had not had any idea they would be invited to try out a new ride, he'd just asked if there was any chance the park could organise something special.
As the ride came to an end, having risen upwards out of the tunnel, there was another drop, Rose reaching for Alec's hand, which he grabbed and squeezed, the ride came to an abrupt halt as it reached the station. Crowds of people had gathered around the wire fencing, the queue to ride on it was enormous and as Rose took notice, thought most of them would be there the rest of the afternoon if they didn't have the sense to go on another ride and come back later.
Those closest were cheering as Alec got of first and helped Rose, John just grinning as he knew Rose could get out herself but didn't want to spoil Alec's fun. John just waved at the crowd then gave one of his mock salutes as they were shown to the exit.
John thanked who turned out to be the assistant manager as they were handed some stickers of the rollercoaster, saying they had ridden and survived. Alec led Rose away from the crowds and they sat on one of the benches.
"Well, bet ya can't top that then?" Rose laughed.
"Oh, I doubt either of you will want to celebrate your eighteenth birthdays in a theme park next year?" John laughed back. "More like you'll get your mother to organise a party at her local pub Rose."
Rose smiled at the thought, it would be just like her mother. Alec put his arm around her and went to whisper in her ear.
"You know I want to be with you, on your birthday?"
"Well, I'm sharing yours," she tried to assure him. "I don't want to think about last year."
"You were so happy Rose," he tried to remind her. "Think of the good things, not when your mother brought you back down here."
"I really try Alec but on the day, I won't be able to forget."
