They were out shopping for new outfits that morning, since Jackie had decided she'd wanted the other one she'd got for the Christmas party at Vitex last week, Pete was cringing at both their credit card bills that would arrive in January and they were in a dress shop next to each other in the fitting rooms.
"I hope you're not gonna be a misery tonight Rose?" her mother asked her as she struggled into a dress a size too small but she'd insisted she didn't need a bigger one, Rose thinking she was being over-optimistic about it and rolling her eyes at the poor assistant who was used to them.
"Stop it Mum, it's just been crazy putting the finishing touches to tonight. I mean I don't know how many times I rang the police headquarters in town, they still don't know who exactly will be representing them. The hotel manager wanted a name to put on the table and I can't tell her. I just said to leave a place at one of the tables."
"Well you had to go and choose the police this year. Whatcha do that for?"
"I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time," Rose replied, thinking maybe they would pick Alec Hardy though she'd been in denial about him every time her mother mentioned him.
It had started when she'd got home on the Sunday after spending the night with Alec.
"Well, what happened then?" her mother had wanted to know over Sunday lunch.
Rose didn't want to talk in front of her father and brother.
"You don't often stay out all night," Pete had told her.
"Yeah, I know but we'd had a bit to drink, you know how it is?" Rose had offered.
So every day, Rose would go to work, looking way out of it that her secretary had done most of the ringing around for the upcoming event and other jobs Pete had asked Rose to do while she had laid her head in her arms on her desk looking half asleep.
She was half asleep because she was going over what had happened the night she'd spent with Alec and wished she could have had more. Even James hadn't been that attentive to her all the time they were together and she'd certainly not had those sensations before but Alec seemed to know what she liked, even if she hadn't a clue she could even feel them.
Her secretary had tried to find out why Rose was out of it and just used the excuse Christmas was coming up and she had been to various parties whenever anyone wanted to speak to her. The day before, when the offices were closing for the holidays, poor Daphne had tried to talk to Rose.
"Leave it on my desk," Rose mumbled as Daphne knocked on her door and stood in front of her.
Daphne was quite used to having a conversation with her boss who had her head on the desk.
"Miss Tyler, I just need you to sign for tomorrow night's event, so accounts can pay for it. Nothing came back from the police again, they've still not said who will be accepting the cheque for the money that's been raised, then they'll be the money from the raffle."
Rose tried to look up.
"What's the raffle prize?"
Daphne had to smile, since Rose herself had already organised it before she'd come in one Monday morning like her life was over. She reckoned Rose had met someone and couldn't get him off her mind. She knew Rose had persuaded a local wine merchant to donate a bottle of expensive brandy and a luxury hamper, which she hoped would be taken to the hotel as it had been left in the personnel office.
It was her job tomorrow night to catch the guests on their way in and sell tickets at 10 pounds each then go around and make sure everyone had one during the dancing. She also had to make sure Rose and her family were included and she just hoped Rose would cheer up to draw the winning ticket and present the prize then Rose had to hand the cheque over to whoever turned up from the police.
She supposed if they didn't send anyone, the chief of police would have to accept it, though he probably wouldn't be pleased about being picked. If Rose chose to do so, it would have to be sent by messenger the following day.
"It's down in personnel, that expensive bottle and a hamper, remember? Miss Tyler, if you don't mind me saying something but you've not been yourself the last couple of weeks. Did you meet someone?"
Rose looked up again.
"Can you keep a secret? Yeah, I met someone the other Saturday. We had coffee, he took me out for a meal and I spent the night with him. I went home the next morning, end of story."
"Then why are you acting like this? It seems to me there's more to it? You wanted more than one night and he didn't?"
"I don't know Daphne. I mean it was nice, he was very charming but ya know what it's like when I go anywhere? The head waiter made a fuss, the staff were falling over themselves to make sure everything was okay and I don't think he liked it. Why would he want to like it? No, it was better we had just one night."
"For who?" Daphne had asked her. "Did you ask him if he was okay with it?"
"What? Why would he be? He looked totally put out but when we got back to his place, he was fine. He wouldn't want to be seen going out with me."
"You don't know that. Did you swap phone numbers?"
"No, I think he was relieved when I left. I met him in the card shop, he nearly knocked me over, then we went for coffee and he asked me out," Rose admitted, trying to sit up.
Daphne could see her problem.
"You thought it was just a casual date? What if you're wrong?" she asked. "Can't you contact him? I mean you must know where he lives?"
"Have you been talking to my mother? She's asked me non-stop the last two weeks when I'm gonna do something about it. How can I Daphne? He'll have forgotten all about me by now."
Daphne wondered how any man could forget he'd spend the night with Rose Tyler? All this time, she'd never seen Rose like this. She left the sheet of paper she'd printed out of Rose's desk and retreated, shaking her head. Then she turned back as she closed the door.
"I think you're wrong Miss Tyler. Maybe it's him who thinks you've forgotten about him, being who you are? Maybe he let you leave without asking you out again because he was afraid you'd turn him down?"
"No Daphne, maybe he didn't ask me out again because everywhere I go, it would be the same."
"Sorry. I'll get someone to make sure that hamper gets delivered and if I can have that form back?"
"Yeah. Everyone's finishing early today and I like your Christmas jumper. How much has been raised for that?"
"I don't know yet but everyone's wearing one, well except you and your father."
"Geez, you should have seen the ones mum came back with. We've still put something in the collection box in reception though."
"I never meant to infer you hadn't," Daphne replied. "Are you looking forward to tomorrow night?"
Rose thought she would have done, if she could forget about Alec Hardy.
So now, she'd chosen a simple black dress with a flowing skirt and sequins around the bodice and the neckline that wasn't too expensive and her mother had given in when the assistant tactfully asked her if she was okay and would she like any help.
"Geez Mum, just get a bigger size," Rose called over. "Ya do it every time."
"Well okay, since we've got more shopping to do or shall we leave it until tomorrow when the sales start early?"
"If you think I'm going shopping tomorrow, forget about it," Rose complained as she put her own clothes back on.
"Ya know you like a bargain or two," her mother reminded her as a dress a size bigger was handed to her through the curtain.
The assistant didn't mind, it kept her off the shop floor and she'd get a nice commission for her troubles. They all argued amongst themselves when the Tyler women came in. Rose went off to the shoe display, thinking she'd be wise to get something black and comfortable and was trying some on when her mother came out. She then went to the accessories stand and chose a white belt and a diamante brooch to compliment her new dress.
Jackie smiled to herself. It seemed Rose was cheering up a bit so after paying, they got a cab home but her mother wouldn't let Rose rest once they got back.
"Rose, why not try and contact him? Ya know where he works love."
"I can't Mum, what do I even say to him? Maybe he'll be the one to turn up representing the police tonight?"
"Ya never know but if he doesn't? Rose call him tomorrow, invite him to our Christmas Eve party, he can't so no to that."
"Well maybe? He'll probably be working tomorrow, I can ring the front desk and ask I suppose? Do ya think he'd accept an invitation though? I mean it's not like I'm asking him on a date, is it?"
"You have to get over James love, ya never trusted anyone after he left ya," Jackie reminded her.
Rose didn't want reminding. Her mother went off, mainly to avoid Pete when he came out of his study and ask how much the two of them had spent. If she thought it would do any good, she'd call this Alec Hardy herself and invite him, then he'd hardly be able to refuse and it wouldn't seem like Rose was asking him out. She thought she'd do it anyway in the morning, Rose wasn't likely to actually do it but she'd never seen her like this since James broke her heart and went off.
Over at police headquarters just on the edge of the town centre, Alec Hardy was sat sideways at his desk, tapping his pen and looking at his phone. Did he actually think Rose would suddenly decide to call him after two weeks? He'd done nothing but think about her, despite telling himself it would never work, with her being famous.
At least she worked though, so she'd told him and not lived off her fame or her father but what happened in the restaurant that night, could he ever get used to it happening almost everywhere? Well he'd blown all chances of ever finding out if he could even try. He'd let her go off in a taxi when he should have taken her home himself but maybe she'd just been trying to save him the embarrassment of being questioned by her mother, or worse still, Pete Tyler himself.
Rose was much younger than he was, he had to remember that but did it make any difference these days? What would Daisy think though, let alone Tess, once she found out. It could go either way with Daisy but he was trying to win her back, not send her further away. Maybe though it would go down well, since Daisy followed everything Rose did but he didn't want to win her back because of Rose.
That was just it though, Rose was fairly famous, he was famous for all the wrong reasons. He almost fell out of his chair when the desk phone rang, which wasn't very often since he'd ordered under no circumstances were any calls to be put through to him from Ricky Gillespie or anyone from that case.
"Hardy," he just answered without looking whose name was on the display, trying to sit up and wishing he could leave for the holidays, not that he had anything to look forward to.
Rose had mentioned a charity event she was attending and a party at her house on Christmas Eve but why was he even thinking about them?
"Alec, I need a huge favour from you," the chief told him.
"No, I'm not working at being in charge over the holidays, I want to see my daughter," Alec replied before asking what it was.
"I have that covered Alec. No, it seems I can't get anyone to attend a charity function tonight, for the police benevolent fund. I've had them on to me to give them a name several times. Is there any chance you can help me out and attend? I'd go myself but my in-laws are coming over tonight, my wife would never forgive me if I went out."
"Am I the only one you've not asked?" Alec wanted to know as his stomach turned to butterflies as this was surely the event Rose had mentioned she was organising.
He didn't want to seem so keen on going though.
"Alec, you've been like a bear with a sore head the last two weeks man," the chief replied, tired of all the complaints he'd had mostly from the man's ex wife. "Really Alec, you growl at anyone who dares to enter your office. You've not been like this since you banned Ricky Gillespie from the building and from calling you."
"Well get me the hell out of here then," Alec replied gruffly. "How much longer is it going to take?"
"There's not a rush of chiefs willing to take you on Alec but I'm working on it. I have a few contacts who may be talked into it. So, about tonight?"
"Will that go towards you getting me out of here sooner rather than later?" Alec wanted to know.
"It will go towards it. I won't make it an order Alec but if you were to turn up there tonight, present the winner of the raffle they are holding and accept the cheque Mr Tyler will be signing on behalf of Vitex. I'm told Miss Tyler will be presenting it."
That was it, there was no way now he was going or was this his chance? It wasn't like he was asking her on a date and everyone there knew who she was. Would it be so bad?
"Fine, send me the details but don't put my name down in case I change my mind."
"I'll email them to you. Maybe you will stop making everyone nervous? Alec, is there a woman involved maybe?" he asked Alec, thinking that was maybe the problem.
"You could say that. I had one night with someone and well, it would never have worked out."
"Ah, maybe you should have tried, if you feel like this Alec. Take my advice. Go have a free night out, you may meet someone there to take your mind off it."
Alec thought if only he knew. When he didn't reply, the chief continued.
"No, don't tell me that Rose Tyler is the cause of all this? Alec, take my advice and at least try, you never know, she may be feeling as bad as you."
So Rose was putting the final touches to her outfit as Pete and Tony waited downstairs for her and Jackie.
"Why do they always take so long?" Tony wanted to know.
"It's what women do Son, trust me. Your mother won't be late for the party tomorrow night though."
"What's wrong with Rose anyway? She's been really off the last few weeks."
"I know, maybe she'll cheer up tonight eh?"
"Yeah, maybe she'll see that bloke again?" Tony wondered.
"Maybe Son, he's probably hoping he'll see her again. He may be the one asked to be there tonight, we can only wait and see."
Rose was looking at herself in the mirror, getting nervous in case Alec was actually going to be there tonight. Daphne had called her to say someone was going to be there from the police but no name had been given so her stomach was doing back-flips in case it was Alec, since she'd told him about the event.
Alec was waiting for the taxi he had booked in case he was going to be drinking while Rose was getting into the back of the limo Pete had hired for the evening. Daphne was there to greet them, with her book of raffle tickets and a few people had already arrived and were waiting to go into the ballroom. The manager saw them arrive and sent someone to open the ballroom door.
Rose and her mother went inside to start greeting people, mostly from Vitex and suppliers and local businessmen plus a few officials from the local council so they had put their coats on a chair at the side of the door and Jackie was chatting to the women while Pete greeted the men.
"You remember my daughter," Jackie was telling one woman, Rose wanting to escape.
"Nice to meet you," Rose told the woman, looking around to see where they'd be seated as the tables filled up but she could see one near the stage that had been left.
Alec had just got out of the cab, wondering how he'd get in without an invite so it was lucky he kept his ID on him all the time, since it got him into places. He approached the line of people waiting to go in, wondering what was holding them up. Rose was watching the door, getting apprehensive as more people came in.
"Rose, say hello to Mrs Porter, her husband is the leader of the council," her mother was telling her as she was getting distracted.
Then her heart did pound as she was sure she saw Alec talking to the man on the door and getting something out of his inside pocket.
"Your invitation Sir?" the man had asked him.
"I don't have one, I'm here representing the police, I was told it was all arranged for me to give the raffle prize out and collect the cheque for the police benevolent fund," Alec told him, showing his ID.
"Sorry Sir, go right in, it was just we weren't told who would be attending," the man replied.
"Excuse me," Rose told Mrs Porter as Alec entered.
"Sorry about that," Jackie apologised, thinking she recognised the man Rose was heading towards.
"Alec."
"Rose. You look very nice tonight. My chief asked me to represent him tonight."
"Yeah, hi. We weren't told who was coming. I think they left a place for you somewhere but hey, you should come and sit with us maybe?" she suggested as Pete went across. "Dad, this is Alec Hardy, his chief sent him."
"Yes, good to meet you Alec. Rose is right, you should sit with us. Rose, where's your brother got to?"
Rose was about to say he'd probably got their driver to take him home when she spotted him near the empty table and a waitress seeing who he was. They walked across to the table, her mother watching as Pete went back.
"So that's him?" Jackie asked. "Well thank gawd for that, she's been a right misery since she had that date with him."
As the evening went on and they had eaten, Rose having got a passing waitress to set an extra place at their table, poor Daphne was seeing to the raffle tickets, roping in a waitress to help her fold the tickets and hoping she could get to Pete to hand the money over that was in the bag she was clinging hold of.
Luckily, Pete went over to her to see how she was getting on and she gave him the money plus she told him how much there was so he could add it to the total he'd been given as people had sent donations with their acceptances that Rose had posted out, her asking for them to give generously as she'd explained she had chosen the charity this year and her reasons.
There was already music playing as the DJ had set up and Rose wanted to be the first on the dance floor, thinking others were waiting for her to take the lead. She got up, prompting Alec to help her.
"Well ask me to dance," she leaned over to him, since they had only talked quietly through their meals and then mainly about the event.
Alec had asked what he was supposed to do, since it hadn't been made clear.
"Well, you come on stage with us and draw the winning raffle ticket, then my dad will announce the total raised and have a cheque ready and I'll hand it over to you. The photographer from the local paper will take a few pictures as I hand the cheque to you," Rose had explained.
"Is that all?" Alec had joked.
So now, they were the only ones to stand on the dance floor as the DJ played a fairly slow song and Alec noticed the photographer was already at work. He knew he'd never really get used to it but he was willing to give it a chance, if Rose wanted to.
It was soon time for the announcements to be made as Rose, Pete and Alec made their way to the stage, Pete having put in the total on the cheque he'd got specially from the bank and Rose made the selection from the raffle tickets and handed it to Alec to give out the number. The prize handed over to the excited woman, Pete handed Rose the cheque and she announced the total to clapping and cheering.
"Thank you for your generous support," Rose was saying as Alec watched how she handled herself.
No matter how he tried, he would never get over that one night they had as she gave the cheque to him and kissed his cheek, everyone clapping again and more photos being taken,
Alec knew he'd never live it down and Tess would see it before he told her he'd got himself in the news again. The dancing recommenced but all too soon, it was winding down as people were going off. Alec hadn't known when the event was going to finish so he called the cab company while Rose was in the ladies room with her mother.
"See, I told ya," her mother called to her.
"Well, he'll see how I really live now, won't he? He'll go off this time, not me."
Pete saw Alec using his phone.
"You're not leaving without saying goodnight to her, are you?"
"No Mr Tyler, it will take a while to get a cab, they said they would call back when one was on its way. I would not do that to your daughter. Mr Tyler, I do like her, it's just I thought the life she led, well she would not want to be seen with me, after what happened."
"Alec, take some advice. Take a chance with her and if you're going to keep her out, bring her back in the morning."
He was just going to the door with Pete and Tony when Rose and her mother appeared. Alec took Rose to one side, keeping inside since it had got colder.
"I had a really enjoyable evening Rose."
"Yeah, me too. Alec, you've seen what you're up against."
"Yes, I know. Maybe we would stay in contact, go out sometime?"
"Rose!" her mother called from outside.
"Yeah, I'm coming mum," she called back.
"Alec, will you come to our Christmas party tomorrow night?"
"Rose, I would be delighted to attend, if you're sure I will be welcome?"
"Yeah, it's just friends and people from work, my mum loves a good party," Rose smiled. "You know where I live?"
"Doesn't everyone?" Alec raised his eyebrows as a taxi pulled up.
The driver let the window down and shouted 'cab for Hardy' then quickly closed it again.
"Where's Rose got to?" her mother was asking Pete. "Go call her again."
Pete got of the of the limo, hating sitting backwards but Jackie hated it even more.
"Seven thirty," Rose grinned as the driver waited and she knew her mother would send her dad or Tony to get her.
"Yes Ma'am," Alec did a mock salute as he opened the cab door.
Rose turned as Pete called her, knowing she should go, since he was paying for the limo by the hour.
"I'm coming Dad, did mum send ya?"
"Come on Rose, time to go," he told her as the taxi driver pulled away from the front of the hotel.
"Where to Sir?" the cab driver asked Alec.
Alec turned and saw Rose standing, her father going back to the limo.
"Can you hold on one moment?" he asked the driver.
"I have another job after this," the driver replied as he stopped, Rose not seeing as she'd turned away to follow Pete.
"It won't take long," Alec replied as he opened the door. "Rose," he called over to where she was.
Rose turned as she heard him as Pete opened the limo door for her.
"Hurry up Pete," Jackie called as she felt the cold night air.
"Rose, come with me?" Alec asked her as she walked back, Pete knowing where this was heading, as it seemed Alec was taking his advice.
Rose turned to her father, who waved back to her, Alec opening the cab door.