Once they got back to London and John had gone back home, they were already making plans what they would do the rest of the holidays. They were also planning Alec's next holiday.
"So, do you think I should come down for two weeks in October then?" he asked hopefully.
"I don't know Alec. I mean ya can't have John bringing ya down again. What about if ya got the coach? It has to be cheaper than the train, yeah? Then we'll just limit where we go so we don't spend much, just get a bus pass and go everywhere that's free?"
"You mean Regents Park again?" Alec joked.
Rose nudged him as they were in her room one late afternoon in their first week back.
"There are loads of places we can go, if we get a bus and tube pass? You'll save money getting the coach, remember?"
"You know John will insist on coming?" he reminded her.
"Yeah? Well he'll have to get the coach as well," Rose joked as they lay on her bed, her head resting on his bare chest.
"I'll talk to him and tell him he's got to stop insisting on bringing me then? I'll have to convince him I'm old enough to come down on my own?"
"Yeah, I can see that'll work," Rose giggled as she made a pattern on his chest and he dived down to kiss where there was a gap in her strappy top.
"Well, he's just being the big brother he missed out on I expect? How could my mother not have told us?"
"I expect she had her reasons Alec? It can't have been easy, watching him being raised by her sister. She probably thought he was better off staying there? I mean if your aunt raised him, she wouldn't have wanted him to leave?"
"Not even when he was older?" Alec wondered. "No, there had to be another reason? I mean besides what we were told. Are you going to stop asking questions and be quiet while I kiss you where you like it?"
"Mmm, no arguments from me but be quick, I never know what time my mum will be back."
The one thing Alec dreaded more than anything was that when they were in Rose's room waiting for her mother coming home, she would fling the door open and ask what he was doing emerging from the bottom of the bed. He had no idea how he was going to explain it to her and Rose would be too busy giggling to herself to offer any help.
As the weeks went on, Rose was near to giving in and let Alec stay, him saying he could delay starting college and get in one nearby but she knew it wasn't fair to him, not now. She couldn't bring herself to ruin his chances of getting in the police college early for anything.
No matter how much he tried, Alec knew he had failed to persuade her into letting him.
"I'd give it all up for you, you know that?" Alec repeated himself for goodness knew how many times.
"I know ya would," Rose replied, with only a week before he was due to leave.
"I hope John has some good news when he comes for me," Alec told her.
"Is your uncle hopeful then?" Rose asked him.
"It's hard to say. His source of information is always a bit vague, they don't want to be found out. We did get some news though that it's a man and my uncle thinks he knows this solicitor's secretary."
"How can they live with themselves Alec?" Rose wanted to know. "This is people's lives they're messin' with."
"Don't get upset over it Rose," he tried to tell her as they watched something on TV and were curled up in the chair.
He didn't want her to go through it all again, he knew it hurt. His uncle was doing his best to find out if it was actually twenty one that Rose could be returned to Bob and not eighteen, which they had thought originally. He remembered how upset she'd been, having thought it would be next year then the blow.
"I try not to," Rose insisted as he wiped a tear away with his thumb. "He might have some good news for John to tell us?"
Alec could only pray she was right, then it would only be one year, instead of four. If they got to know, he could keep her busy making plans for her return but he didn't want to get her hopes up, or his.
"Hey, do you remember this time a few years ago, we were both about to start school not knowing if we were going to the same one or not?" he tried to cheer her up.
"Yeah, I can't believe how long ago that was now. Look at us now, about to start college. I know how badly we want to be at the same one but maybe next year, we will?"
"Yes, we might but that depends how early they accept me in the police college?" he replied.
"Yeah, there is that I suppose? Well at least I'd be a lot nearer though and living with your aunt. Alec, I just thought of something," she told him, another tear appearing on her cheek.
Alec looked up at her as he was leaning on her shoulder. He was quite used to her coming up with ideas that would mean she could go back with him.
"Rose, what is it now? You mother won't change her mind, you know that, we have to accept that's the way it is," he reminded her.
"I know that but there's something we may have forgotten about. What is she writes a letter, saying I have her permission to be away from home?" she asked hopefully.
Alec knew she was getting desperate now, especially since they were getting older. He thought she should be going anywhere on her own at her age, she'd often said she'd leave college and get a job instead to support them if they had to move nearer the police college.
He'd had to settle for the one in Glasgow since the offer had come from there and would have to get a room there. Then when he got older, he'd get a grant and be able to afford to move out and they had planned when Rose was free to return, they'd get a place together.
He now envied his other cousin for getting himself a rich, older girlfriend.
"Would she do that though? Bob might say the letter was forged by you and that you would try anything. Rose, we can't risk it, I'm sorry love."
Rose moved around to bury her head in his shoulder, his arms around her.
"Every time I think of something," she began.
"I know, it always seems that way. It's just a few more years Rose, we can manage."
Rose had a dozen questions as to why it wouldn't work but she figured Bob would have thought of everything. They'd thought if only they could get hold of a copy of the agreement, his uncle could take it to a judge, then the other solicitor would be called into question as to why he should think there was need of such a thing.
Alec thought though that then, the whole thing about Bob and his friends would come out anyway but Jackie might be spared, since she got Rose out. That was still to happen anyway and maybe never would.
John arrived on the Friday night, so they could all have a day out at the seaside on Saturday, Rose and Alec going swimming and John and Jackie laughing at them.
"They're so happy together," Jackie admitted as she sat in a deckchair.
"Yeah, they are. I know you want to give in Jackie, what's stopping you?" John asked her.
"Ya know what. I just can't, Rose knows that. I'd do anything for her John but I can't forgive myself for what nearly happened. I could be in so much trouble and how is that gonna help Rose?"
She got up, picking up her bag and sandals and made her way off the sands, John not knowing how to stop her. Rose was splashing Alec, who was trying to retaliate but he stopped and grabbed her arms, since he was facing the beach.
"Rose, your mother just got up."
"What? What's she doin'?" Rose wanted to know, seeing her mother leaning on a post, trying to put her sandals on.
She took Alec's hand that he'd offered and he pulled her towards the beach, then they made their way to John.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked, putting a towel around her shoulders to dry them.
Then slipping a thin zipped top on, she went after her mother, who was waiting to get a drink from the catering stall next to the beach exit. Alec was about to go with her.
"Leave them Alec, it's mother and daughter stuff," John warned him.
Alec could only watch Rose catch up with her mother, who was getting served.
"What's wrong Mum?" Rose asked as they sat on the low wall.
"Nothing. He just reminded me why you're here and not in Scotland with Alec," her mother replied, since that was what it all boiled down to.
"Mum, I've had to accept it and so has Alec. I've tried to come up with different ways of gettin' back but Alec says no matter what we think of, Bob will have thought of it first. We have to accept it and wait Mum. Alec and I have already thought about it, once he starts police college. Forget it Mum, I'm not having ya get into trouble."
Jackie knew no matter how many times she'd said sorry, it was never enough. She was responsible and Rose was the one the damage had been done to.
The next day, Alec was packing again and Rose thought it wasn't two minutes since he'd got there.
"So, have ya convinced John to stay behind next time?" Rose teased him.
"I think so, when I said I was going on the coach. Honestly Rose, I can't see that happening, I mean him letting me travel by coach all this way."
"Well, tell him if he comes, he's paying for everything," Rose laughed as he zipped up a large bag.
"Rose, don't encourage him, he would do. I keep telling him to get a place of his own instead of spending his money bringing me down here all the time. So far, I've failed," he replied, sitting on the bed and holding his arms out.
Rose stood in front of him, smiling down at him as he put his arms around her. She had been trying different hairstyles and he liked the one she'd chosen today and even though it had taken some time putting the clips in, he'd watched her before getting out of bed.
He pulled her towards him so she sat on his legs and they began kissing.
"I'm gonna miss ya Alec but it won't be too long this time."
"I know. Do your best at the sixth form college Rose, promise me you won't give up?"
"Yeah, I promise. We'd best go back out, John will want to set off."
Jackie was asking John a few questions.
"So, if ya get to know anything, you'll tell Rose?" she wanted to know.
"Yes Jackie but it's not certain we'll get any further, it's still complicated."
"Yeah, it would be?" Jackie laughed. "Seeing them together yesterday though and it's me that's stoppin' 'em."
"Stop blaming yourself Jackie, it happened, both Rose and Alec know that. Hey, you can have your sofa back if Alec comes on his own next time," he joked.
"I should make a bet with ya," Jackie told him. "Ya know you're always welcome."
Rose walked to the car with them, having a few minutes on their own.
"Last chance to change ya mind and stay," Rose teased him as he stood behind her as she sat on a swing.
"Let's just have a few minutes? There's so much I want to say to you Rose, you mean everything to me. I'll see you in a few weeks then?"
Rose twisted the swing back to him and he helped her off. They stood holding each other for a few minutes, John seeing them and getting in the car. He knew it got more difficult for them every time. Mickey was walking down the road, looking for his friend and saw John sitting in the car, knowing Rose and her boyfriend would be close by.
He saw Alec pulling Rose up and then them kissing each other and walked straight past the entrance to the playground. How could he compete for her attention when he could lose his job over her? John had seen him and thought he was wise leaving the two of them alone.
"Bye then, call when ya get home," Rose was telling Alec.
"You know I will, I know you always worry too much," he teased her. "Bye love."
Rose decided to tease him further.
"Bye babe, I love ya," she smiled, trying not to let him see her crying.
Alec had to smile back. His hair was still a mess since she had ruffled it while they'd been kissing and he knew John would notice it before he had chance to comb it. After one last kiss, Rose had to let him go and they walked to the car.
"Bye John," Rose leaned down to him.
She watched them drive off, just as Mickey was coming back the other way but she dodged into the playground. She was in no mood to talk to him so she was glad he walked past. She had just got to the door when he came around the other way.
"Go away Mickey," she told him as she put the code in.
"You never even gave me a chance Rose, ever since you came back."
"Geez Mickey, how many blokes tell a thirteen year old teenager they want to go out with her when she's sixteen?" she turned to ask him. "Ya think I was gonna live in Scotland and think about it when I didn't even know I was coming back?"
"Well you never did think about it did you? You took up with him and most girls would give their boyfriends up when they moved, except you."
"No, I didn't and ya know why? I love him and he's doing everything he can so I can go back, it's complicated," she replied.
"It always is," Mickey replied, looking at the ground as she slipped through the door.
Once inside, Rose stood with her back to the door wondering why he never gave up. How was she supposed to know he had meant it as she'd been leaving London? While she had no feelings for Mickey, she could see how disappointed he was but he just had to live with it. She was not considering giving Alec up.
"You took ya time coming back," her mother laughed as she let herself back in.
"I had to bump into Mickey on the way back, didn't I?" Rose asked.
"Well, ya told him to stop bothering ya on the way home from school, not anywhere else," her mother reminded her. "Ya not gonna be able to stop him."
"I will if I let Alec buy me a proper engagement ring," Rose disagreed. "I can't let him though, not until we can be together. If I leave and get a job, I can save up for when he comes down here, then he can save up for one."
"I don't see why ya can't let him buy one before," her mother replied.
"I don't want to show it off and admit Alec lives up there, it'll just be a constant reminder."
Jackie just shook her head, Rose was determined to do it properly but giving up college?
"Don't give up going to college Rose, please? Ya know Alec doesn't want ya to."
Rose knew full well he was against it.
"I might not have a choice Mum."
It took both of them a while to get used to their new colleges. They had planned to go together, if possible and it had been painful to accept they couldn't. Rose was determined she wasn't going to make many friends, she still had Shareen and now, her mother was keeping her busy, since she'd said she wanted extra money.
Alec had got a new job on Saturdays and got talking with another younger male assistant and he found it hard not to brag about Rose and how he looked forward to seeing her again. He'd not dared ask for a Saturday off so he was going to have to ring in sick one Saturday he was away and go down on the Sunday.
Rose said it wouldn't be too bad so Alec was hoping he wouldn't be asked to work extra hours or he was going to have to make up some other excuse. John was still trying to tell him it would be quicker by car but Alec was having nothing of it.
As the time got nearer and there were only a few days before he set off, having gone to book his coach ticket, it started snowing. He was surprised they were getting it so early but he was determined he wasn't going to be put off. He had to catch the train to Glasgow at 7am to get him to the coach station but he was thankful it was an express service that didn't stop before it got to London.
He was lucky though that his dad offered to take him to the train station and wished him a good journey.
"You should have given in and let John take you," he told Alec.
"I can't keep on letting him Dad. He already does too much. I wish I had some good news for Rose though, she'll be dying to come back with me."
"I know Alec," his dad replied as the train arrived. "One of these days eh?"
Catching his coach with ease, he had time to give Rose a quick call to say it hadn't been cancelled and the snow had turned to rain at times, he was prepared for the long journey and wished he had someone to talk to. Instead, he tried to close his eyes and picture Rose was sat with him on the way back.
His uncle had tried his best but his informer wasn't willing to ask for a copy of this agreement at present but he suspected the man wanted some sort of compensation for willing to risk asking. Alec thought if only they could get their hands on it and somehow bluff to Bob that it wasn't valid, Rose could come back.
He knew Bob would check though but his uncle was willing to see a judge over it, even without Rose's mother being present. His uncle had said there may be a strong case of Bob misleading her and she didn't know what she was signing. He thought by the time they sorted it out though, she'd be able to come back anyway. The coach stopped for a break so he grabbed a few things and called Rose again.
"Where are ya now?" Rose laughed as she heard noise behind him.
"In some service station somewhere in the north of England," he joked. "It'll be a few more hours yet but I hope there are no traffic hold-ups."
So did Rose as she let him go and he got back on the coach, a few more people joining them as it was also a pickup point and a man came to sit next to him. What were actual hours seemed like days to him, the man next to him shuffled about more than John did and it was driving him crazy by the time they stopped at Sheffield.
He rang Rose to tell her he was getting nearer and complain about the man.
"Just shuffle back then," Rose teased him. "Ya might get someone worse on the way back?"
"You are joking," he replied, trying to eat his over-priced meal from the carton. "I might give in and let John come down overnight."
He heard Rose laughing on the other end of the phone.
"We have to face it Alec. He's just tryin' to help. So, any idea what time you'll be here then?"
"Not soon enough Rose. I have to go now love, see you soon."
She just hoped he'd remember how to get across London once he got there. She was wishing now he'd at least got the train or given in to John. What were they supposed to do? It was already unbearable they couldn't be together all the time and she was afraid to tell Alec she thought something was going to give sooner or later.
The big question was, could they still wait until they were twenty one?
