The following Wednesday, Rose took a walk up into the town and found the health centre, being able to register then went around the back to the clinic, being told to wait for her next monthly before she could start taking what she'd been given.

"If you need to, you can call at the pharmacy and get something," the nurse told her as she was leaving.

"It's fine, my boyfriend's sorting that," Rose grinned.

Rose had gone round every night, staying a few hours with her friend then leaving around ten thirty to spend the rest of the night with her now boyfriend, who had given her the spare key.

Now, she was making something to eat and waiting for him to get home so when he let himself in, she greeted him.

"That was some kiss Rose," he admitted when they parted.

"Yeah? Maybe I don't have to go off every evening when you pick me up from work?" Rose asked.

"Really? What about your friend?" he asked.

"I can just go round a bit later or why don't we eat there?" Rose replied.

That was something he'd not been expecting.

"Then why don't I drop you off, you go prepare something and I will come round later?" he suggested.

That sorted, Rose had to go break the news to Shareen.

"This is getting out of hand Rose," Shareen reminded her. "What was the point in coming down here and pretending we were together?"

"Well I didn't know he was gonna move in next door, did I?" Rose replied.

"Are ya still paying half the rent?" Shareen asked.

"Well yeah, I've not moved in with him yet, have I?" Rose replied.

"Seems like it to me," Shareen told her. "I hardly see ya these days."

"That's why if he comes round to eat some nights, I'll still see ya," Rose reminded her.

"I suppose I'll have to agree then, won't I?" Shareen asked. "How did that happen so fast?"

Rose wondered the same, considering she'd been off men. So Alec collected her from work every night and Ellie was still trying to work out why he was so keen to leave early. She decided to confront him after a week went by.

"Have you got a girlfriend?" Ellie stood in his office doorway and asked him.

"Shut the door Miller. Yes, her name is Rose, she lives next door to me," he admitted.

"Well it's about time you admitted it," Ellie laughed. "So do I get to meet her?"

"I will ask but she works at the supermarket, you've probably passed her a dozen times," Alec replied.

So now, Ellie had made it her mission when she went shopping to look for likely candidates, thinking it could be any of the female staff but on seeing Rose, dismissed her as not being his type. Alec had mentioned it to Rose, who told him to invite her round one night.

"That's not a good idea love," he told her a week later.

"Just put her out of her misery," Rose smiled.

So he gave in and Ellie knocked on the door on the Friday night, now she had her father staying with them and had a babysitter for Fred.

"These cottages are nice," Ellie admitted as Alec let her in, Rose in the kitchen area.

"Hi, you must be Ellie?" Rose greeted her, wiping her hands.

"I've seen you at the supermarket," Ellie admitted.

"Probably, I move around a lot," Rose admitted, feeling a bit off but not wanting to say anything.

They talked over their meal, Rose taking her time and Ellie noticed as she offered to clear up.

"Something wrong that you don't want to tell your boyfriend?" Ellie whispered to her.

It had now been three weeks since she'd had her first time with Alec that night, now she was getting worried since she was almost a week late. She'd not said anything to Shareen, not that they talked much these days and she was sure her friend would pack up and leave.

Things were about to go downhill at a frightening speed.

"I don't know Ellie," Rose admitted quietly. "It's probably just a bug going around at work but I can't afford to have any time off. I share next door with my friend."

"What does she do?" Ellie asked her.

"She's in tele-sales, she's good at it," Rose replied.

"Then talk to her, I know we've just met but I want to be friends with you," Ellie told her.

"Thanks Ellie, I think my friend may quit on me and go home," Rose admitted.

"What brought the two of you here anyway?" Ellie wanted to know.

"To get away from the blokes on the estate, it ended badly, we were both mistreated so we pretended to be together when we got here. Alec saw through our little game though," Rose managed to smile.

"Me and some of the others knew he must have got himself a girlfriend," Ellie told her.

"What gave me away Miller?" Alec joined in as he turned away from watching the news.

"All the signs were there," Ellie grinned. "We thought you were using one of those dating apps."

"As if," Alec grumbled. "I am still capable of getting a real girlfriend."

Rose went over to him, leaning over the back of the sofa. He reached for her hands as she kissed his cheek, feeling something pull in her stomach so she retreated.

"Yeah, I'd say he can still get a girlfriend," Rose smiled.

"Well he's changed in the last few weeks," Ellie had to admit.

"For the better I hope?" Rose smiled.

Ellie couldn't disagree on that point. After she left, Rose went to sit beside him.

"Have you something to tell me?" Alec asked, Rose thinking she and Ellie hadn't been quiet enough earlier. "Have you miscalculated something maybe?"

"Oh, how did ya guess? I was just a bit late, I got my visit from mother nature earlier, trust me," Rose bluffed. "I have to go back next door to get a few things, I won't be long."

"Well if you are feeling off, we can just snuggle up in bed then?" he asked hopefully, since Tess had been a bit of a cow on her 'off' days.

"Yeah, we can do that," Rose agreed. "Sometimes it just shifts a bit, maybe I got it wrong, it's not easy keeping up ya know?"

Rose went back next door to find Shareen had company.

"Oh hi Rose, this is Laura, from work. We were just going out for a drink."

"Hi Laura, I'm Rose, nice to meet ya. I just came back for a few things, I got caught out," Rose grinned.

Shareen followed her upstairs.

"What do ya mean?" Shareen asked her. "I thought it was last week or was that just for show?"

"No, actually it wasn't then and it's not now, I was just telling Alec that. Shareen, I think I got caught out that first time I was with Alec."

"Seriously?" Shareen asked, trying to keep her voice down. "So what did ya tell him Rose?"

"That I just got it today, I have to be sure first, I got pains earlier and then when I leaned over," Rose admitted.

"Rose, you'd better check up then," Shareen told her. "Now you have to pretend to be off for a few days, what will you do if you really do get your monthly?"

"Fend him off for a week?" Rose grinned.

"Well good luck with that then. Seriously, get a testing kit," Shareen suggested.

"It's only just over three weeks Shareen, maybe I did get the dates mixed up?"

So going back and going through the pretence, which she hated doing, she waited until the following Wednesday and went up into the town to the pharmacy, not wanting to get a testing kit at work. It would be four weeks on Saturday since she told Alec she was covered and she'd hated lying to him. She took it back to what was still hers and Shareen's house and decided to sneak back later.

She went back, telling Alec she was just going to see Shareen for an hour, Alec agreeing she couldn't just abandon her friend and grabbing hold of Shareen, went upstairs.

She was right to be concerned, since she'd got a better brand of the testing kit.

"You have to tell him Rose," Shareen told her.

Rose sat on the bed, shaking her head.

"He's gonna be so mad."

"Well I'd say he's as much to blame as you are Rose," Shareen replied. "Best go get it over with and show him the test."

Hugging her friend, she put the test in her shoulder bag and went back to what was now her second home, though she spent more time there than next door.

"Hello sweetheart, I wondered where you had got to," Alec smiled at her.

"Alec, we need to talk."

"Sure love, what's wrong eh?" he asked.

"I didn't have my monthly last week, I was scared to tell ya I was late."

"So why would I be mad at you? You mean you were completely out and it's now?" he asked.

Rose went in her shoulder bag.

"No Alec, it's not now and it wasn't last week," she told him, pulling out the test.

"You're pregnant?" he asked, his hands on his hips. "You told me that first time you were safe or was it after that?"

"It can't have been after that, you were wearing something. I really thought I'd be okay."

"You should have told me Rose and you should not have lied to me last week."

Rose threw the kit on the sofa and ran upstairs. She gathered her things she'd brought round over the last few weeks and threw them into her holdall. Alec was waiting in the kitchen area, seeing the bag.

"Alec, I know you hate me right now so I'm going back next door. I'll let you know what I'm having and I won't stop you having contact but Shareen and me may go back to London. We won't be able to afford the rent when I have to give up work. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lie to ya."

"Rose, I can't deal with this right now," he admitted. "I was going to tell you that Daisy wanted to come for a visit during the next holiday."

"Good, I'm glad she's thinking about it. Bye Alec and if it means anything, I love you. You were the one that made me feel all men weren't the same."

Before he could say anything, she was gone, leaving her key on the kitchen counter.

Six weeks later, Rose and Shareen had begged their mothers to take them back and Rose had told hers she was pregnant with Alec's child though the conversation had been a bit strained.

"I suppose I have no choice but to take ya back?" her mother asked.

"We can't stay here, I can't stay working at the supermarket much longer, I've had to tell the supervisor since I can't lift or bend and there's not much else I can do there, they had to train me for the self-service checkout but I'm on my feet all the time. I'm gonna give my notice next week."

Daisy had been for a visit for a week and Rose had caught sight of her as she'd looked out of the window, thinking about Alec. She'd thought he'd come round after a few weeks but she also thought he must have been really mad with her. She handed her notice in at work and on the Monday night, knocked on Alec's door.

"Hi Alec. I came to tell ya that me and Shareen are going back to London, sometime next week. Here's my mum's address, I'll still let ya visit to see the baby."

She put the folded piece of paper into his hand and turned away, leaving Alec lost for words. He'd wanted to tell her he wasn't mad with her, it had just been a shock but Daisy had told him he was responsible and should do the right thing before she'd left.

"Do you love her Dad?" Daisy had asked before she'd left.

Alec sat with his head in his hands.

"She was something else Daisy, I never expected to come back here and meet her but she lied to me, twice."

"But Dad, she was maybe scared to tell you?" Daisy suggested.

So now, Rose had gone back next door and she was leaving to go back home and have the baby on her own. Couldn't he forget the fact she'd lied about being okay and pretending to have her monthly visit to throw him off the scent, so to speak?

Ellie had picked up on the fact the day after Rose had left him, she'd offered to talk to Rose but he'd told her to leave it. Ellie though thought if she could get Rose on her own, she could tell her what a misery he'd been lately but every time in the supermarket, Rose was busy but the next day, Rose was on customer services and Ellie had gone in her lunch break and had spotted Rose leaving to take her break.

"Rose," Ellie called after her.

"Oh, hi Ellie, I can't stay long, I was just going for my break."

"Are you allowed in the café?" Ellie smiled.

"Yeah, okay. I'll just grab a sandwich and a drink then."

"So did you two fall out?" Ellie asked her. "Only he's been a real miserable git the last few weeks."

"I had something to tell him, he didn't take it very well," Rose admitted.

Ellie leaned over. "Did you tell him you were pregnant?"

"Yeah, he didn't know how he felt about it so I left," Rose admitted.

"So why are you still not talking?" Ellie wanted to know.

"I was giving him time Ellie but I'm going back home next week, I just handed my notice in. I can't stay here, I can't afford that cottage on my own and I won't get any help, being away from home."

"Have you heard yourself Rose? Go see him."

"I did, last night. I told him I was leaving and gave him my mum's address," Rose replied.

"That's it? You didn't ask him if he was okay with it now?" Ellie asked her.

"It's up to him, he was the one who didn't want to accept it," Rose told her.

Ellie shook her head, meaning to knock their heads together since they were obviously both miserable without each other. She got back to the station and closed the door to his office.

"What?" Alec asked, tapping his pen on the desk that made Ellie lean over and grab it from him.

"Go see her tonight," Ellie told him.

"Keep out of it Miller. She lied to me, twice," he replied, remembering telling Daisy the same thing.

"Well I saw her a while ago. She's going home."

"I know Miller, she's free to leave if she wants."

"You're just going to let her go, she's having your baby, Hardy, what's wrong with you? So she didn't tell the truth, she was scared of telling you. You said yourself she left home to get away from men, then you do something stupid like ignore her, proving all men are the same. She probably thought you were different. Go meet her from work and tell her you love her, you idiot."

Ellie went back out, leaving Alec staring into space.

"So did you find out?" Katie asked her.

"Yes, I proved what an idiot he is," Ellie replied.

She was watching him pretend he was busy but all he could think about was Rose going home and bringing his child up on an estate and struggling like her mother had done to bring her up. Why was he still mad at her? Could he really leave her when he could offer her a home and they brought the child up together? Miller was right, he was no better than the men she'd come here to get away from.

He got up, put his jacket on and left without a word.

"Finally," Ellie called after him, making everyone look.

He got into his car and drove the short distance to the supermarket and parked where he'd see Rose coming out. Rose had not been happy that Alec's DS was trying to patch things up between them but as she got her things and went out of the staff entrance, she saw Alec leaning on the car.

"Hello Rose. Can I give you a ride home? We need to talk."

Rose got in, not being too sure about using the seatbelt but she supposed other pregnant women used them. They got back and Alec let them into his cottage. He surprised her by turning and trying to put his arms around her.

"I'm sorry Rose. Miller said I'm an idiot and she's right, for once."

"I'm sorry too Alec, I was waiting for you to say something but it doesn't alter the fact I'm leaving. I can't stay here, I can't afford it and I quit my job."

"Then find another with less hours and stay with me? You don't have to work though."

Six months later, Rose had a few false alarms during the night but Alec was getting concerned. Daisy had been back and he'd been surprised how she and Rose got on and had helped him decorate the spare room with removable decals and put some pictures up. Ellie had got Beth Latimer to donate some baby furniture which had saved them some money and now, there was only a few weeks to go.

They had met most lunchtimes across from the station, Ellie sometimes joining them and Alec had been taking great care of her. Then one night, just after they got to bed, Rose having relaxed in the bath and Alec enjoying helping her out, she cried out.

"Alec, I'm not joking this time," Rose told him as she normally waited for it to pass.

"Stay calm love, I'll call the hospital and see what they say. Are you getting pains?"

"Of course I am and they're not going," Rose complained as she pulled another face.

He explained to the nurse on duty and was told to take Rose in and was asked if she needed an ambulance.

"No, I can bring her," Alec insisted as Rose pulled another face about climbing into his car.

"You'd be just as bad climbing in the back of the ambulance love," Alec smiled as he helped her get dressed.

"Too late, I think my water broke, I can't go in the car now," Rose replied.

So he called for an ambulance and since she could just walk down the stairs, they got a chair to wheel her out into the street and lifted her inside, Alec getting in with her. Once they arrived at the local hospital, two nurses took charge, leaving Alec to give Rose's details and show her medical insurance he'd put her on so she could get a room to herself.

He'd just come away from the desk when he could hear Rose yelling. He opened the door to see the two nurses, one holding Rose's hand and the other checking her.

"Let me do that," Alec insisted, the nurses knowing who he was besides being Rose's partner.

"We've call the doctor in," one of the nurses told him.

"Can't you deliver the baby?" Alec asked indignantly, wondering why.

The nurse in charge pulled him to one side, Rose still in pain.

"We need the doctor, to give her something for the pain but I think there's something wrong, since she's not due yet. Is she sure of the date?"

"Yes, she's sure of the date," Alec assured the nurse.

"It's just the baby's heartbeat doesn't seem right, when was she last given a check-up?"

"She had a scan and she was fine," Alec replied, not happy about this. "What are you trying to tell me?"

Two hours later, after Rose had been sedated, Alec was sat beside her, wondering how to tell her what had happened. Something had gone dreadfully wrong and he was blaming himself despite the doctor saying it was no-ones fault.

"I'm very sorry Mr Hardy, we tried to revive the baby but she had a very weak heart, it just gave out," the doctor had told him. "There's no-one to blame and nothing to stop her trying again. We'll keep her in overnight and see how she is in the morning but she may want to just rest, she can stay here or go home."

Alec had already known Rose had been having a girl, having finally given in and being told the last time Rose had been for a scan. It was four in the morning by now and he was still waiting for Rose to wake up and was dozing off himself. He was going to call Ellie in the morning to tell her he wouldn't be in for a few days and he'd already booked some time off.

He had no idea how Rose would react when she woke up, she may want nothing to do with him and would pack up and leave. He also had to break the news to Daisy and Rose would want to call her mother. He suddenly felt his hand being squeezed as Rose woke up.

She didn't take the news very well as Alec climbed beside her and held her as she sobbed.

"It wasn't your fault love, the doctor will explain it to you when he comes to check on you."

"Was it because of those false alarms?" Rose wondered.

"I don't think so love, it was also not caused by the delay getting here, the baby just had a weak heart."

"I thought your heart problem developed on its own, was it passed from you?" Rose asked.

"I doubt it very much, I was not born with a heart problem love," Alec replied.

"Go get some rest Alec," Rose suggested.

"I'll be fine, I'm not leaving you."

Rose was allowed home in the afternoon, Alec having gone back to get the car and some more clothes for Rose. They'd just got back when Ellie arrived, giving Rose a hug as she lay on the sofa.

"You're not giving up are you?" Ellie asked as Alec made some drinks.

"I think we'll leave it a while Ellie," Rose told her.

"Rose is right, it was a happy accident, next time it will be planned," Alec told her.

Well he hoped they would be able to plan it next time anyway, if Rose didn't decide she'd been put off but that remained to be seen.

The end!