Jackie was trying to wrap her head around the possibility that Rose was going to have a date with Donna's cousin.
"So, he came to see if ya were okay?" Jackie had asked Rose.
"Well yeah Mum, I did get a lift home from him and Donna last night," Rose reminded her. "It was sweet of him to come round. Anyway, we were happy to go out tomorrow, you're the one who invited him round," Rose laughed.
"Well why were ya going out Rose? Did ya think I wouldn't approve if you asked him to come round tomorrow?" Jackie asked. "Are ya sure ya want to end things with Alec and not give him a chance to explain why he didn't come down?"
"Do I need to Mum? Alec should have called me, he didn't even do that, when he knew I was takin' the day off for him. I don't wanna end it Mum but he gave me no choice, I have to get on with my life and so does he. He chose to stay up there with her."
"Ya don't know that Rose," her mother reminded her.
"Trust me Mum, it was her. He said he had something to ask me when he got here," Rose told her, sounding upset.
"Oh Rose, sorry," her mother stroked her arm. "Was it gonna be about gettin' married do ya think?"
"Probably but he's had Tess hanging around him for weeks, remember? She was answering his phone at work and probably plotting to get him even then. I have to face it Mum, he can't have held out for long. She knew about me but she still set out to get him from me and I let her win."
"He could have held out against her, surely?" Jackie wanted to know. "Why did he just let her walk in and take your place?" she wondered.
"Leave it Mum. Maybe Alec and I were just not meant to carry our romance over from when we were teenagers?" Rose pondered.
Jackie put her arm around Rose and rubbed her back.
"I'm so sorry Rose. It's all my fault I let things get out of hand with Bob. I should have got ya out and listened to you and Alec. I wish I could make up for it sweetheart, I really do. If I went up to testify against him, will the police re-arrest him?" Jackie wanted to know.
"I don't know Mum? It's probably too late now, he was sentenced but it was suspended. It may not make any difference. He won and Tess won, how about that?"
Jackie let her cry into her shoulder, going to sit down on the sofa. Maybe Rose did need James after all but had Rose gone to him because he looked a little like Alec? The next morning, Rose got up, acting like nothing was wrong and went to peel the vegetables ready for Sunday lunch.
Rose had to smile that her mother still wouldn't buy ready frozen veg, it reminded her too much of when she'd shopped in the supermarket in Paisley and relied on her to make Sunday lunch.
"I don't mind if ya were to get frozen peas and carrots next time Mum," she joked as Jackie checked the oven and stirred the contents of the casserole dish.
"I didn't like to, ya know why?" Jackie replied. "I hope James is gonna eat something, he's as skinny as the other two."
Rose knew her mother had constantly tried to stuff Alec and John with food but it hadn't made any difference.
"Mum, Alec told ya why," Rose reminded her. "He can't help it and leave James alone, he might be the same. He'll be here soon, please don't mention Alec."
"I'll try sweetheart. Well I hope that woman who's keepin' him away is pleased with herself," Jackie replied.
Tess had got back to Alec's the previous afternoon, Alec having to go collect her, which he wasn't pleased about when she had a couple of suitcases and a matching bag.
"Are you moving out already?" he'd asked as she stood there while he lifted the cases into the back of his car and not offering to help him.
"Oh come on Alec, weren't you half expecting me to?" Tess had protested. "You don't need that long to think about it, surely?"
How could he say no, after last night? He still felt pressurised though as he took the last item.
"What else is there Tess?" he wanted to know.
"I can get everything else tomorrow then I can tell Rita in personnel to give notice early, save them some money," Tess replied as she got in the car before him.
"You can put towards my place then," Alec told her as he got in. "You're not living rent free you know?"
"Really Alec. Oh very well, I'll tell her then."
Alec was desperately trying to remember the name of the person who had dealt with his housing needs but couldn't. He was sure though that the person Tess had just mentioned wasn't familiar to him though he suspected she knew Tess well enough that it would be all over the station.
"Are we going out later, to celebrate?" she wanted to know.
Alec felt like saying she'd be too busy finding wardrobe and drawer space to be worried about going out.
"You're not still thinking about her, are you Alec?" Tess continued.
"No Tess, it's too late for that now. I just thought it was a bit soon for you to be moving in, that's all," he replied.
He thought he may have some time to get used to the fact that Tess was moving in instead of the woman he'd loved since he was thirteen.
"Did you want me to be homeless first Alec?" Tess asked him.
He declined to answer and they drove to what had become their apartment in silence. He just prayed now that Rose wouldn't decide to get up the courage to board the train to Glasgow and pay him a visit. After Tess had unpacked and he'd made something to eat, he noticed she wasn't all over him, unlike last night when she had hardly given him chance to breathe.
Tess noticed though when they'd eaten and he went to sit in the chair.
"Come over here Alec," she beckoned him with her finger.
Before he knew it, she was unbuttoning his shirt and running her finger down his chest but it wasn't as intense as the night before until they got to bed, when she took the lead again. He wondered if this was what it was going to be like. What had he started with who had been his co-worker? Had she been planning this since he'd moved to that police station and she'd hoped they wouldn't always be working together?
It was too late now, he'd fallen into her trap because he'd missed being with Rose. He just hoped if ever he got the chance to see Rose again, she would forgive him.
Rose and James had a nice afternoon out, James driving to the park with the same name as his and they'd walked around the lake, James pleased that she had taken his arm eventually.
"I had a nice time," Rose admitted when they were on their way back and he had bought her an ice-cream.
"Yeah, it was nice," James admitted. "Maybe we can go somewhere next Sunday?"
"We'll see, yeah?" Rose didn't want to rush things.
James however didn't want her to dwell on the fact she'd just been dumped by Alec.
"Tell you what, we could go see a film after work, Friday night maybe?" he suggested. "I'd offer during the week but Donna has to get used to the fact of us going out."
"Yeah, so does everyone else James," Rose reminded him, not looking forward to explaining to her closest friends at work.
She thought the rest of the store could gossip what they wanted as far as she was concerned. No amount of insisting the truth be told would make any difference. The annual works trip was looming and she'd avoided going in the past but James had already been hinting about it. Maybe turning up together would be a good way of making an announcement?
The next morning, Jackie caught Rose before she left for work.
"So, am I gonna have to get used to an Alec look-alike hanging around then?" she asked.
"Ya can't tell him Mum, please," Rose begged her mother. "In some ways, it's gonna help but if he finds out, I don't know what he'll say? Anyway, I'll have to pack everything away that reminds me of Alec so if ya pass the market, can ya ask Howard for some fruit boxes? Preferable clean ones and no creepy-crawlies."
Jackie let out a nervous laugh. Had Rose discovered Howard had suddenly begun to take a passing interest in her lately? It had started the other week when he'd offered to deliver two carrier bags of fruit and veg to her on his way home and they'd stood talking on the balcony for twenty minutes, over nothing in particular. She had prayed Rose wouldn't bump into him on his way down.
Then, last week, she'd invited him for a cup of tea when he'd left Charlie, his mate, in charge of clearing up the market stall to deliver for her again and she could only guess he was going to ask her out for a drink next week. Would she accept though?
She had sworn she'd never get involved with another man for as long as she lived after what she'd nearly got Rose involved with but she'd known Howard a long time, he went to the same club but all he'd done there was wave at her from across the smoke-filled room.
Was she about to make an exception for him? She had also vowed she'd not get involved with another man unless he was the double of her dead husband from an alternate universe or something because two versions of Pete could never exist in this one.
Jackie snapped out of it.
"Yeah, when I'm passing Rose, I'll ask. Ya need to move on, I get it sweetheart but ya bound to let it slip that James reminds ya of Alec."
"Well telling him he reminds me of Alec and actually being his double are two different things Mum," Rose laughed. "I'm not going out with James until Friday night anyway, he asked me to go to the pictures."
"Well that's a start I suppose? Things were different with Alec, he was only here for a week or so at a time," she reminded Rose.
Over in Chiswick, James had got ready for work, after daydreaming of asking Rose to stay over next weekend and coming back to Earth with a thud when his phone rang.
"Are you calling for me this morning, spaceman?" Donna greeted him.
"Yes, why?" James asked, wondering if his feeble excuse from yesterday had reached her ears when he'd left a feeble message with his granddad.
"I thought you'd be calling for Rose?" Donna continued. "I heard what you told granddad."
"Well, you told me to try cheering Rose up," he reminded her. "Anyway, you're delaying my setting off Donna."
"Oh, sorry, what's wrong with you this morning?" Donna wanted to know.
"Leave it Donna, I'll be there in five minutes," he replied.
"Well if ya took Rose out yesterday, I might let you off – spaceman," Donna told him.
Once he'd collected his cousin, Donna was in a talkative mood and he wasn't.
"So, when are you taking her out again?" Donna wanted to know as they neared the store.
"I was hoping she'd say yes to going to the pictures on Friday night," James admitted.
"Well, if she does, I'll put both your names down for the staff trip to the seaside in two weeks' time then?" she smiled to herself.
"Donna, everyone will know then," James panicked.
"Yeah, they will, won't they," Donna laughed.
Alec and Tess had got to work, Tess greeting some of her friends who arrived at the same time.
"Hi Tess, what did you get up to over the weekend?" one of them asked as Alec tried to hide.
"Oh, I've been busy getting moved," Tess admitted as Alec went off. "I had to leave my other place but I've already found somewhere else."
"Not with Alec Hardy?" another one laughed. "Well done Tess."
"How did you manage that?" the first one asked.
"It didn't take much, I was just firm and moved my things out of my old place," Tess smiled.
"You are devious, Tess," the second one told her. "So are you two official then?"
"It seems so," the first one agreed. "What about that other woman down in London he was always raving about though?"
"That's history," Tess replied. "He's got her out of his system over the weekend, trust me," she gloated.
"No way Tess," a third was surprised.
"Oh yes," Tess bragged. "Trust me, he won't be going down there any more, at least not for sex."
They all began laughing, Alec hearing them behind him as he went into the main reception to book in.
"Morning Sir," the desk officer greeted him.
"You don't have to call me sir," Alec pointed out as he was handed the signing in book.
"You earned it," the young constable grinned. "I thought you would be late in today?"
"Why would I be?" Alec asked, wondering what was meant by it.
"Sorry, it's just word got around you'd gone to London to get your girlfriend back," the officer admitted.
"Well it's no-one's business if I had have done but I'm here, none the less," Alec pointed out. "Who was spreading this gossip?"
"That would be me," Sergeant Carter came up behind him and jokingly put his hand on Alec's shoulder. "Well Hardy, how did it go?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Alec replied, passing the book to Carter.
"Oh. You didn't go then? Sorry," Carter apologised. "I should have known, since Tess was outside talking. Take my advice Hardy and watch her."
Alec thought it was a bit late for that now. He just nodded and was about to go behind the front desk when he heard laughing again, probably at his expense, he thought.
"Better get used to that," Carter tried to be sympathetic. "Maybe you should have chanced going to London anyway, even if you girlfriend didn't want to come back with you, it would have sent a message to Tess."
Alec didn't want to think about what Tess and her friends were laughing about. At least he worked in a different division to them. When he got home tonight, he was going to have stern words over what she could and couldn't talk about at work concerning him or maybe he should be firmer and tell her that moving in with him was out of the question now? Did he have the courage though? He'd never had to be firm with Rose but maybe that was where he'd gone wrong?
Maybe he should have been firmer and told Tess she was rushing things too much? Now, the whole station would get to know before the end of the day, she would make sure of it and he should have been firmer with Rose, telling her when they were getting married.
They both got through the next few weeks, Alec missing Rose's birthday for the first time and James taking her out on the following Saturday night. It was late when they got out of the cinema and he asked if she wanted to go to his place, since it was nearer.
"Well, okay then?" Rose agreed, wishing her stomach would settle down a little after eating all that popcorn, or was it the popcorn?
"Great!" James seemed pleased she'd agreed. "Ah, you can sleep in the guest room, if you want?"
Rose thought the whole point of him asking was to spend some time together?
"Or, well I don't know? Maybe stay with me, if you want?" he then suggested. "You can borrow one of my t-shirts?"
"Might as well," Rose agreed as he opened the car door for her and wondering why he'd insisted they went to the local cinema and not one in the centre of London.
"Is everything okay Rose?" he sounded concerned. "I was thinking maybe you could also stay over next Saturday though? With going on that trip?"
They still didn't know where they were going, a ballot was taking place during the week so Donna could tell the coach hire company. Rose thought it at least saved her having to set off early. Once at James's house, Rose was impressed at the three bedroom semi he lived in.
"Didn't ya ever want to sell this place?" Rose asked as he let them in.
"Ah. My uncle thought I'd get more if I waited, then I decided to stay. I have a housekeeper who comes in every day," he admitted. "Well except for weekends of course," he grinned. "Oh, I'd best introduce you to her?"
"If I'm going to be here on a Monday morning, maybe?" Rose replied. "Thanks for taking me out, for my birthday."
She took hold of his hands and pulled him close. They'd not spent any time alone since the weekend before.
"Did you like your present?" he asked as she took her shoulder bag and placed it on a chair, a card and present sticking out of the top.
"I love it, thanks," Rose smiled.
James was relieved, since he'd asked for Donna's advice on what to buy his new girlfriend. They still had to discuss the finer points though, once it was established she actually was his girlfriend. Once upstairs, he presented her with a plain white t-shirt and showed her where the bathroom was. He was waiting for her to emerge but Rose once again was feeling unwell, though not sick like earlier that morning.
She went to join him in his bedroom and got in beside him, James sitting up and waiting for her.
"Are you feeling nervous?" he dared ask as she lay down.
"Yeah, a bit? We need to talk about this James," she told him, trying to prop herself up on the pillows.
"Aw, it's okay Rose, why don't you come and lie on me?" he suggested.
They began kissing, Rose starting to enjoy it until he made a stupid move and she backed off.
"I'm sorry," he apologised as she lay back.
"It's okay, I just thought we were taking it slowly?" she replied.
It hadn't been the fact that he'd tried to get her t-shirt off, it was more like him trying to get her underwear off. He fished above his head for her t-shirt and passed it to her.
"Do ya want me to put it back on?" she asked him as he leaned over her.
"Well, now you ask?" he smiled, not that she could see with her eyes closed.
The bedroom lamp was on though and he could see her, even though she'd pulled the covers up slightly.
"Aw, I'm sorry I rushed you," he apologised. "We can go back to what we were doing, if you want?"
She was very near to telling him sex was going to be out of the question, at least until she sorted herself out. She had an awful feeling she knew what was causing her to be sickly and she would find out soon enough if she didn't get her monthly visit.
It could have happened any time during Alec's visit, though she'd tried to lessen the chances at the beginning of his visit. How could she have told him to back off when she hardly saw him anyway? She'd not gone back on the pill after his visit, there hadn't seemed much point. If she wasn't pregnant, she would go back on it after it was safe to do so and try and get back to normal.
She had to tell James she might be pregnant and if that didn't scare him away, nothing would.
Alec had laid down a few rules with Tess, though he doubted it would last.
"That's it Tess, if you want to stay," he'd told her at the end of the week and they were getting the last of her things.
"Well, I half expected you'd have some rules Alec but as for me keeping the flat tidy on my own?" she'd questioned him. "I would expect some help from you in that department."
"I'll do some of it, obviously," he'd then objected. "I'm not clearing up after you Tess."
He had questioned his decision to let her move in but it seemed to be working out. He'd broken the news to his aunt and his dad that Rose wasn't coming back and they'd been quite upset about it.
"I really can't believe it," his aunt had told him when he'd called round one night after work. "After all this time? So you're living with this Tess then? Why did you never go down to get Rose though?"
"I'm sorry you're disappointed," he'd told his aunt and uncle. "I was going down for her but Tess had already been getting to me," he admitted.
"Have you even spoken to Rose?" his dad had wanted to know. Alec had a guilty look on his face. "You should never have left her like that. Still, it's done now, I hope she forgives you, one day."
The following Saturday night, Rose went straight to James's house so it would be easier to go out the following day. They had all decided to go to Margate, Rose slightly relieved it wasn't Brighton. She'd felt a bit better during the week and her mother hadn't noticed, thankfully. James had been over a few times when they'd go drop Donna home first, Donna saying she could get the bus home.
They had just got to bed and James was worried he'd do something wrong again. Rose tried to assure him she was okay about it now.
"Ah, well maybe I could keep my shorts on?" he suggested, not wanting to scare her off. "You know what brand they are," he laughed.
"Yeah, you plum," Rose laughed. "Let's see what happens, yeah? See how we both feel? I'll come and lie on ya."
James thought he would play it safe and see if she offered to take his shorts or her underwear off but slowly, he pushed her panties aside and Rose went for the gap in his shorts.
"Geez," Rose muttered from where her head was resting on his shoulder.
"Something wrong love?" he asked her, still being able to talk, unlike Rose.
When she never answered, he smiled to himself, feeling quite pleased. When she could finally talk, he asked if she was okay.
"You rather seemed to have enjoyed that love," he laughed. "Am I right to assume?"
Rose just giggled into his shoulder. She had put a thin vest top on under her clothes that morning so she didn't have to borrow one of his t-shirts again so his hands were on her bare shoulders. He had kissed the back of her neck as she had wriggled away on top of him, getting the full effect of touching him and enjoying the sensation of the orgasm he was giving her.
"Mmm, that was really nice," she replied as she let it pass.
"Well, until we get used to each other, we can continue with those, if you want?" he asked.
"Well for now? I mean we can progress a bit more, if ya want?" Rose suggested, going for the waistband of his shorts.
"Oh yes," he replied. "Just a little though? Don't want you getting too excited before going out tomorrow, do we?"
"Are you suggesting I can't handle being excited?" Rose laughed.
"Ah, nothing of the sort. Did you bring some spare underwear with you though?"
"Yes, I did, actually. You're so full of it James Noble. Were you counting on the fact my underwear would get wet?" Rose tried to stop laughing.
James joined in her laughter whilst pulling his shorts down, then waited until she indicated to pull hers down.
"Sure?" he asked her.
Rose moved herself onto him and in those minutes they were together, she forgot she wasn't with Alec any longer. Being with James gave her even more new sensations but was it because every time she had been with Alec, she'd thought it was going to be the last and that he wouldn't keep on making the journey from Paisley to be with her.
That last week with Alec had turned out to be the last.
"Okay love?" James was asking her as she sank into his shoulder.
"Mmm, fine. Thanks for being so understanding. I mean with taking it easy."
"It's fine Rose. I didn't want to scare you away, that's all," he tried to assure her.
Rose excused herself to get cleaned up while James stretched out, his arms under his head and feeling quite pleased with himself.
The next morning, they called for Donna, who was observing them from the back seat of James's car.
"You did, didn't you?" she asked as they neared the store. "No, I don't want details, thanks very much."
She had already warned everyone who was going on the outing to leave the back seat vacant for the two of them. The caretaker had turned up to open the staff car park and entrance for them to use the rest rooms before setting off. Rose went to take advantage as she was feeling a bit off and very nearly got caught being sick by Donna.
She got on the coach, followed by James and Rose spotted the back seat was vacant.
"That's strange," James observed as they got settled.
"Donna probably arranged it," Rose told him.
"Of course," he grinned as he sat next to her and took her hand.
It wasn't a very long journey but Rose remembered when she'd sometimes gone with her mother, Alec and John. Once they arrived, Donna told everyone where to meet for lunch, that being included in the price of the ticket then James spotted a nearby café as Rose wanted a drink. Rose got a seat outside, saying she wanted some fresh air.
"Are you going to tell me why you look a bit pale?" James asked her as she drank her latte.
"I'm fine, honestly, it was just a bit too warm on the coach," she tried to tell him.
"You can tell me Rose. Is it a woman's probably though? Would you rather talk to Donna?"
"What? No, it's fine. James, it's just, well I don't know who to talk to but maybe I should talk to my mum? On the other hand, you deserve for me to talk to you first."
"Rose, just tell me. Is it too soon after Alec left you and you being with me?" he wanted to know.
"In a way but if I tell you, you might not want to even talk to me again," she replied. "James. I think I might be pregnant," she admitted after checking no-one could overhear.
"Oh. Well, last night was the first time Rose," he reminded her.
"I know, you plum. It's from when Alec last visited. If I am, it's Alec's," she told him, trying to judge his reaction.
