Tess was the first to speak. ''Bit young for you isn't she Alec? I'm Tess Henchard, I dropped my married name when we got divorced, I didn't want him to think I was using his name to further my career.''
''More like you just wanted your boyfriend to not think you were still married. Any news on that front Tess?''
He knew that was rather a sore point since Dave was only separated and not yet divorced, something Alec thought the man had done purposely to avoid getting caught by Tess and the man was nowhere near ready to go down the same road again so soon. Was he himself ready though? Here he was, introducing his recently acquired girlfriend to his ex and his daughter, who in their right mind actually did that if nothing was going to ever come of it?
''Very amusing Alec, since when did you develop such a dry sense of humour? Go on then, tell your daughter exactly why you've dragged us here on a Tuesday afternoon.''
Rose could see you could cut the atmosphere with a blunt knife. ''Nice to meet you too Tess. Hi Daisy, your dad's told me a lot about you, he talks about you all the time.'' Rose held her hand out to the teenager who had not yet let the fact sink in Rose Tyler was actually here and talking to her.
''Yeah, I bet he does, shame he doesn't talk to me though. Hi Dad, you kept her quiet didn't you?''
''Daisy, we've only been together a short time, I've not had chance to tell you about her yet. Anyway, I wanted you to meet her and she wanted to meet you. We have to talk but maybe not here, why don't we all meet for dinner at seven, somewhere a bit quieter?''
''Just get it over with Alec, I'm not having dinner with your girlfriend.''
''Then why don't you bring Dave along, even things out eh?'' Alec replied sarcastically.
Rose went off to get a latte for herself and a tea for Alec, this time in a takeaway carton in case they had to make a hasty retreat.
Alec sat next to his daughter, knowing Rose would thank him for making her sit next to Tess. ''Daisy, there's something important I have to tell you.''
''What? You're not getting married already are you? You said you'd just met her Dad. What about me?''
''What about you? No, it's not about Rose and me, not yet anyway and if it was about us, then you are old enough to understand. Your mother has someone else, why should I not have anyone? Let's wait for Rose coming back, you know who she is.''
''Well to be honest Alec, I never believed you when you called but I suppose I have to now. Why is she involved with what you have to tell Daisy?'' Tess asked.
''You just have to don't you? Rose, come and sit here,'' Alec said, seeing Rose approaching with two cartons and getting up, making Tess move over.
At least he wasn't making her sit next to his ex wife Rose thought as she handed him the carton of tea and sat down, smiling weakly at Daisy.
''This is not the place to tell you Daisy but since your mother insists, I have to go for an operation on Thursday, in Exeter and Rose is paying for it or I would have to wait over four months.''
Daisy took her earphones out and stared at him. ''What? How come? What's wrong with you, is it serious?''
''Yes, I need to have a pacemaker fitted, I have a heart problem.''
''Wow, some news that is Dad, why didn't you tell me before?''
''Would you have behaved any differently if I had? I'm telling you now, when I found out I was ill, I'd just left and things were difficult, then I was told there was not a lot of chance I'd get through the surgery, now my chances are better.''
''Then why now? Are you getting worse?''
''Yes, I collapsed on Saturday night, Rose found me so you can thank her I'm still around. I don't want either of you to come to the hospital, Rose is coming with me.''
''You are joking Alec, of course we're coming, both of us so just accept it, what if something happens to you?''
''Rose will take care of everything. Tell them Rose.''
''Whatever happens, I'm involved with this, I'll make all the arrangements but don't think I'm handing any of it over to you Tess, I'll make sure Daisy is taken care of, anything she needs, just let me know and if she's going to college or university, I'll pay for all her fees.''
''We don't want your money Rose, I can put Daisy through college myself thanks very much and his police benefits will pay for his funeral.''
''I'm still here you know Tess, I've not gone anywhere yet and I don't intend to either. Don't argue, just let Rose take care of things, I'm putting her down as my next of kin at the hospital on Thursday and I don't want you two there.''
''Well we're coming down to Exeter whether you like it or not, you can at least see your daughter before you go into the operating room. You can allow Daisy in before they put you under.''
''Ok, that's my only concession then, no more arguments and I don't want you fighting with Rose if the worse happens, the hospital have to abide by my wishes and I'll make it clear Rose is in charge of any arrangements, she has my solicitor's details. Right, so now that's over with I guess there is no need to meet later then?''
''It's ok Alec, go ahead and meet them later.''
''No Rose, no matter, I am not going without you.''
''Fine Alec, be like that then, can't you spend some time with your daughter? Choose a place and I'll drop her off since you don't want me to come along,'' Tess huffed.
''Ok, meet us at that place we used to go to, at seven then.''
''Right, that wasn't so difficult was it? Since you obviously don't want my company, don't let me keep the two of you. I'd say it was a pleasure Rose but we both know I'd be saying it for the sake of it. Just don't try to buy my daughter's attention.''
''I wouldn't dream of it.''
Tess and Daisy got up, Alec moving out of the way and Daisy pushing back her chair. ''Nice to meet you Rose,'' Daisy offered, thinking she may yet get that new phone she wanted. Even if her mother wanted nothing to do with her dad's new girlfriend, she could see what she could get out of it, at least she wasn't a creep like her mother's boyfriend.
Rose watched Alec's ex wife walk out, she knew it wasn't going to be easy but she may still win over his daughter. Alec took the inside seat and Rose got up to sit next to him.
''Well that went down well then didn't it?''
''You knew what to expect Rose, I did try to warn you. I think you may win Daisy over though, maybe she will even start talking to me again.''
''Yeah, you never know, do you?''
They went back to the hotel to get changed then made their way to a branch of a famous food chain, Daisy was waiting by Tess's car for them just down the street.
''We'll take her home Tess, no need for you to come out again,'' Alec offered.
''Fine, she has school in the morning, don't keep her out late.''
The meal went well once Alec found something to eat he could actually understand what it was, Daisy telling him to try and keep up now he had a young girlfriend. The teenager spent most of the evening talking about a boy she fancied at school, Alec giving her a stern look and wishing he wasn't so far away that he couldn't warn them off when she announced she was going out with one. Daisy was trying to find out how old Rose was since her details were never given out in the media.
The teenager was determined she was going to get something out of the meeting with her dad's rich new girlfriend. Before Daisy got out of the car outside the house Alec used to live in, Rose had promised she would look after the girl in the hospital and bring her the phone she wanted but as Daisy was about to go inside, she turned and hugged Alec.
''Dad, everything will be ok, won't it? You're getting the best surgeons if Rose is paying for it.''
''Yes, don't worry, it's going to be arranged, Rose's stepfather is taking care of it. I want you and Rose to be friends, even if I don't make it through the operation, can you do that?''
''Yeah, I promise Dad and I'm sorry, for not believing it was mum who lost that evidence, I read about it in the paper, even though you didn't mention her name, it had to be her and you took the blame.''
''Yes, I did, I did not want you to know it was your mother but now, you are old enough to understand and I want things to be right between us, in case it's all over for me on Thursday.''
''Don't say that Dad, you'll be ok, won't he Rose?''
Rose put her hand on the girl's shoulder. ''He'd better be. Don't worry Daisy, he'll get the best of care. I don't want you to think you're not welcome at the hospital, you can wait with me, it's just best I don't get in a fight with your mum that's all, your dad doesn't need that.''
''I know. I'm glad I met you Rose, dad seems happy with you, unlike mum is with that creep Dave, I don't know what she sees in him, he even wants me to call him dad, I told him never in a million years and mum grounded me for a week for being cheeky.''
''I'll talk to your mother, you are not calling him dad – ever, even if I don't make it. We'll see you on Thursday at four, your mother knows which hospital.''
''You have to be ok Dad and I'm really sorry now.''
''It's ok, it's not your fault, is it Alec?'' Rose reassured her.
After getting back to the motel, they lay together, Alec reassuring Rose that Tess would come around and not cause any problems at the hospital and Rose said she would be the bigger person and let his ex wife stay at the hospital with her and Daisy. Alec pulled her closer and kissed her.
''Thanks Rose, you don't have to do that but don't take any nonsense from her, don't let her intimidate you.''
''No chance Alec, I know you want me to take care of things and you have a few to take care of tomorrow, remember? You have to change your personal details and make me your next of kin, if you still want to?''
''Well yes, Daisy is too young and I do not want it to be Tess so no more discussion Rose. Now come here, I want us to get as close as we can tonight, ok?''
''Yeah, ok.''
Alec eased off her underwear then Rose helped him with his shorts, she insisted on going on top and they both moaned as they touched. Rose shuddered at the feelings Alec was giving her. Suddenly, he flipped her over and hovered above her, kissing her neck and whispered, ''I love you Rose.''
Rose put her arms around his neck. ''I love you too Alec, you have to get through that surgery, I want us to be together properly.''
''I will get through it now I know you feel the same way as I do.''
They set off back to Broadchurch the next morning and Alec went back to the police station's personnel department and changed his details, then he took Rose's advice and went to try his luck with the chief superintendent, hoping Rose had successfully persuaded her stepfather to help him get his old job back.
''Alec, I heard you were in the building. How's life tutoring trainees?''
''As if you did not know Elaine? Surely the head there keeps you informed?''
''Actually, she's a friend of mine, that's why you got in so easily Alec but she's a little disturbed as to your behaviour with one of the trainees, a certain Rose Tyler?''
''News travels fast then? That's why I'm here, I'd like to be considered to get my old job back next week.''
''Really Alec, I can't let you back until you've had a medical and you won't pass it in your state of health.''
''I'm getting my operation, on Thursday.''
''That soon? How did you manage that?''
''I got myself a rich girlfriend, how else? That's why I need to come back, even if it's on reduced hours and yes, I am involved with one of the trainees and I don't want her to have to leave because of it, she needs to finish.''
''Rose Tyler?''
''Does it matter? Yes, if you must know, it is and I would be grateful if you did not tell your friend before I have chance to get out. Will you take me back after my surgery?''
''I'll have to clear it, with the chief medical officer and the chief constable.''
''No need on that score, Rose can sort that out with a phone call.''
''I just bet she can. Ok I won't tell the college superintendent and if I can get the chief constable to agree, pending the CMO clearing you, you can come back a few hours a day until you're fit to come back full time. I had a call from Ellie Miller, she hates it over in Devon and she wants to come back as well. I told her I would consider it, things haven't settled down yet, the town will take some healing. I don't expect things to settle down properly until the case goes to trial and that could still be some time away. If she comes back, she'll need all our support.''
''If I get through my operation, we can share the responsibilities until I recover sufficiently.''
Rose was waiting at the caravan park's bar with a pot of tea for Alec and a coffee for herself as he walked in and told her it was all sorted. Now all he had to do was survive the following afternoon but before that, he had one more class to tutor that Rose was in. Still, if he got fired, it wouldn't be for long.
After a quiet night in, Rose packed a few things in case they were keeping Alec in overnight, though she wished them luck on that score. Alec had sent a message to Tess to confirm she was bringing Daisy and told her Rose had agreed to her being there on the provision there were no arguments. They drove out to the college, Rose had spoken to Pete who had assured her the hospital would have their best surgeon on hand to insert Alec's pacemaker and he would get the best care. She dropped Alec at the college and went into the city centre to pass a few hours before heading back for one of her classes.
Alec had to tell the office he was waiting to get back to Broadchurch police station and he may not be there next Tuesday. The superintendent wasn't too pleased.
''Really Alec, it's short notice and you just agreed to take the extra afternoon class. How am I expected to replace you?''
''I'm sure you'll manage somehow. I go for my operation later today, in case you are interested.''
''Oh, that's different then but how are you sure you won't be coming back here afterwards?''
''I've already spoken to CS Jenkinson about it, I only have to see the CMO to get cleared.''
''So Miss Tyler has nothing to do with you leaving then?''
''I'm not saying anything about that.''
''You don't have to Alec. Who is she anyway? I had orders to leave her to choose her own classes and she doesn't have to wear a uniform but it does not mean she has free reign to do whatever she likes and disrupt the other cadets and the classes.''
''You will have to take that up with her, that has nothing to do with me I can assure you.''
''Don't worry, I will. Good luck later on then and I hope you get your old job back and it's lucky you are leaving, either you or Miss Tyler would have been in serious trouble, it will be interesting to see if she disrupts other tutors. I take it you'll finish out the day?''
''Yes, I can do that and don't be too harsh with Miss Tyler, don't you know who she is?''
''Should I? I don't have the time to check on every trainee, special treatment or not.''
Alec shook his head and knew he was wasting his time. Rose arrived at the college just before lunch and was going to wait for Alec in the canteen thinking it didn't matter any longer if they were seen together since this would be his last day. The superintendent caught sight of her and walked over.
''Miss Tyler, I'd like to see you in my office.''
''Sure, I'm early anyway because I went shopping in Exeter. Lead the way.''
The superintendent didn't like the way the young woman seemed to disregard authority and a career in the police, no matter how specialized, seemed a bit far-fetched.
''Take a seat, I've been meaning to have a word with you about your behaviour, you've been very disruptive in DI Hardy's classes, any reason?''
''No, do classes have to be so stuffy? I was only trying to make them interesting, the man could send you to sleep.''
Rose knew Alec wouldn't thank her for that if he found out but he would maybe see the funny side and sort her out later – in bed.
''We have to follow certain guidelines but you threatened one of the recruits with breaking his arm, I have to take it seriously.''
''Really? Did he make a compliant? DI Hardy told the recruit concerned that if he bothered me again, he would haul him to your office. Did you know he also threatened me, more or less saying he would get me later and it wasn't over when he tried to ask me out?''
''Not quite but several witnesses state you twisted his arm and told him you knew several ways of breaking it and you'd be happy to demonstrate.''
''Well surely sexual harassment takes precedence over a threat to break an arm for him suggesting he was gonna force me to go out with him, he's a young kid just out of school, seriously, what did he think his chances were I would consider going out with him?''