Just about a month to go to Rose's wedding and the news had come through on the radio – two young cousins had gone missing in the town of Sandbrook. It had now been going on for weeks and Alec still suspected the next door neighbours. He'd discovered the Ashworths rented the house from Ricky Gillespie, the youngest girl's father and Alec wondered if there had been a fallout and it was some sort of retaliation.
Tess also thought Claire was involved as well.
"Well, you wouldn't think she was involved Alec," Tess had told him when they were getting nowhere fast.
"Think about it Tess," he replied, taking his specs off that he'd taken to wearing more, since he had a permanent headache. "I told you, something is not right about those two. Maybe Lee Ashworth waited until his wife was out then he went too far and the girls ran off? He went after them, chased them through the woods and Pippa fell in the river?"
"Alec, that's another different version of events," Tess reminded him.
"Well you think of another scenario then," he invited her.
Tess shook her head.
"Don't you go forgetting we leave for London on Friday afternoon," she added.
"I know but why do you need me to go?" he wanted to know, still determined to get out of it if he could.
He was tired of seeing magazines and newspaper supplements lying around with Rose and Jamie's faces on the front and Tess was hoarding those with pictures of the bridesmaids on them. Her colleagues knew of her split with Alec and not said anything about it except the women were on her side and the males were patting Alec on the back and saying hard luck.
Rose had heard who was leading the investigation and had sent a text to poor Daisy, asking if she would still be attending the wedding. Daisy had replied she wouldn't miss it for anything, much to Rose's relief. Then Rose was fussing around, driving Jamie crazy that he had to go to work to get away. He loved her, he had no doubts about getting married but it was getting a bit too much when he got home and she'd changed her mind about something.
"Rose, sweetheart, will you please calm down?" he tried to tell her when there were only a few days to the wedding. "There's nothing else to do. Tell you what, why don't you go visit that spa you like tomorrow?" he suggested. "You'll feel more relaxed love for the big day.""Yeah, maybe you're right?" Rose had to agree. "Everything's at mum's now and no, you're not seeing my wedding dress," she smiled at the thought of him sneaking in their room at the mansion and trying to find where she'd hung it up.
"I'm sure I can wait a few more days love," he replied as they ate breakfast. "I might take the day off to do a few things, just adding a few touches and a surprise for you."
"Aw, ya don't have to surprise me Jamie," she leaned over to take his hand.
"I'm the luckiest guy in this universe, marrying Rose Tyler," he grinned back.
"You're such a softie Jamie," she replied. "Remember, ya have to promise ya won't pick a fight at the wedding with every male who wants to kiss the bride," she teased him.
"I will try not to love but it won't be easy," he tried to be serious.
In the back of his mind, he was dreading it, having to shake hands with the men and watch them either kiss her cheek, which was just about bearable or kiss her on the lips. That was why Jake was his best man, to pull him back if he thought someone was taking a bit longer than the others.
There had been a few incidents of his jealousy but he'd not hit or threatened anyone. He had stormed off, leaving new Torchwood agents puzzled as to his behaviour and that was due to him overhearing them in the canteen talking about seeing her in a magazine.
Jake had told him to get used to it over the coming weeks leading up to the wedding. He was getting worried Jamie would do something stupid at the wedding reception and hoped he was worrying over nothing. They had gone to get their suits for the big day, Jake choosing a modern grey suit but they had all refused to wear tall hats.
Jackie had finally chosen her mother of the bride outfit, a light mauve shiny material jacket and long skirt and a white blouse with a matching hat with big feathers. Rose had been there earlier and Jackie had modelled it for her.
"It looks great Mum, honestly," Rose had tried to assure Jackie.
"I hope no-one else is wearing the same colour," Jackie was worried, making Rose smile at the thought of clashing outfits.
"Mum, all the women will be wanting to know where you got the outfit, you'll be setting a trend," she laughed.
"Well it's not about me, is it? It's your big day sweetheart. You two look so happy together," Jackie replied. "What time are you coming over on Friday?"
"Probably before lunch, we have the head bridesmaid arriving, she has to try on her dress," Rose replied. "I should call them and see what time they're arriving. I feel so sorry for her parents, having to deal with that poor girl's death."
"Well no-one had better mention it to them," Jackie replied.
"Jamie suggested I go off to the spa tomorrow, to try and wind down. Why don't ya come with me?" Rose suggested.
"I don't know Rose, the house has to be decorated," Jackie was reluctant to agree.
"Mum, let the staff deal with it," Rose insisted. "Take some time off and relax."
Jackie reluctantly agreed and the next morning, they got Pete's driver to drive them out of the city to a country spa Rose had found online. Jamie had dropped Rose off at the mansion before going to work, telling her it was his treat as he wanted her to be nice and relaxed for the wedding .
"Have a good day out love," he had told her as she kissed his cheek before getting out of his fancy sports car.
"Aw, thanks for paying for it babe," she smiled at him. "You do know I'm getting butterflies in my tummy, the wedding being so near?"
"Yeah? Me too," he admitted in a voice that reminded Rose of the Doctor's when he got excited. "See you tonight love, I won't be late home, it's going to be our last night, before I make you my wife."
"Nothing's gonna change Jamie," Rose reminded him.
"I wasn't saying it was love but maybe more exciting eh?" he hinted. "You promised to give in to me, remember?"
"I remember," she teased him, kissing his nose. "Ya can't really blame me ya know? I wanted it to be special Jamie, we both have never really committed ourselves to anyone before."
"I know that Rose, it will be special, on our wedding night, or morning, depending when the evening reception finishes, knowing your mother," he laughed.
"Well that depends when the guests wanna leave as well," Rose replied. "They'll be a few guests staying over as well, including my head bridesmaid's family. I bet she's getting really excited."
"Yes, I can imagine love, she'll be more nervous than you," Jamie laughed as he could see Jackie at one of the windows. "Sure you don't want to sneak off early and book into a hotel?"
"No, it's best we stay there, then we won't have our luggage to move twice," Rose reminded him.
He went off, hoping Rose had nerves for all the right reasons and not that she was going to change her mind.
So Rose and Jackie had a nice day out, being picked up at four, Rose going in with Jackie to see Tony.
"You smell funny Rose," Tony joked with her. "So do you Mum."
"Come here you little rascal," Rose pretended to chase him. "Have you been practising holding that ring cushion like dad showed ya?"
Tony nodded his head, a big grin on his face.
"Yep, I'm really good at it," he told her proudly. "Dad even put two rings on it to help me, I never dropped them, did I Mum?" he asked Jackie.
"Great, Jamie will be happy about that. Well, see ya tomorrow Tony, we'll be over early to get ready for the party," Rose told him.
"Can I stay up then Mum?" Tony wanted to know.
"We'll see then but ya have to be up early on Saturday morning to get ready for the wedding," she agreed.
"Jamie will help me, won't he Rose?" Tony looked at her.
"Yeah, 'course he will," she smiled. "I have to go now, Mum, see ya tomorrow."
"What's Jamie decided?" Jackie asked as they walked out.
"Well we're staying here after the wedding," Rose told her. "I think he'll take one of the guest rooms tomorrow night, then he can drink all he wants at the party."
"He'd better be in a fit state to marry you," Jackie had to laugh.
When Jamie had got to work, Jake had lured him up to the staff cafeteria when Pete had given permission for them to put banners with 'Rose and Jamie' on them with wedding rings and other decorative items all over the place. Instead of individual presents, there was one large one, that Jake had been in charge of looking after in his security office and it had been taken up that morning.
So, Jake and Jamie were on their way to the top of the building and most people had already gathered for their lunch break, being told to act as normal in the memo that had gone around the building.
"Okay Jake, what do you want to talk to me about?" Jamie was getting suspicious already.
"My best man's speech, what do ya think?" Jake laughed, having slowed down the lift before he'd called for Jamie. "Anything you want me to add or avoid?"
"Just don't say anything embarrassing," Jamie replied, looking at the floor numbers. "What's wrong with this lift, isn't it the express one?"
"I'll take a look later, might need adjusting again," Jake tried to throw Jamie off.
When they got out of the lift, other employees were getting out of one of the lifts opposite, acting normally but as Jake pushed open the double doors, everyone stopped what they were doing and shouted 'Surprise!' at Jamie as Jake stepped to one side and started cheering.
Jamie was thrown off and ran his fingers through his hair then as they continued, he tried to motion for them to stop with one hand and raised his other.
"Thank you, everyone," he managed to say, looking at Jake. "I knew you were up to something, this has you written all over it Jake," he laughed as everyone went quiet, except for the staff behind the counters and in the kitchen area.
"Ya got me," Jake was laughing. "Shame we never got Rose here but Pete said you packed her and Jackie off to a spa for the day."
Everyone joined in the laughter. Then Pete had joined them, standing behind Jamie and put his hand on Jamie's shoulder.
"Yeah, nice one Jamie," Pete laughed. "How could I have told Rose and her mother not to go? Jackie was looking forward to it."
"Sorry about that Pete, I had no idea Jake had organised this. I suppose if he'd told Rose, she would have been bound to let it slip," Jamie replied.
"Well, since you two never have secrets between you, probably," Pete replied. "Well with you not being here tomorrow, we had to plan this in a hurry so on behalf of Torchwood staff and agents, everyone wants to wish you and Rose all the happiness in the world. It seems deciding to employ you before Rose even joined us, was the best thing I ever did."
"Thanks Pete, I really appreciate that. She even forgave me for thinking she was my assistant when we first met," Jamie admitted as everyone laughed. "You and her mother have always been family to me since Rose and I started our relationship and you both accepted me. I want you to know how much I love Rose and that I intend to keep her as happy as she's been ever since we saw each other."
"Well after what happened before she met you, she certainly changed that day she came to work here. Her mother and myself thought she would never settle down," Pete admitted. "Anyway, over to you Jake, this was your idea," he laughed again.
"Hey, don't blame it all on me Boss," Jake laughed. "I had some help from maintenance, who slowed the express lift and made sure no-one used it while I went to get the victim, sorry I mean the groom."
Everyone began laughing again as Jake went over to where the large present had been carefully wrapped with several rolls of silver and white wedding paper with rings and champagne glasses all over it, a big red bow on the top that two secretaries had been working on all morning. Jamie was scratching his head, wondering if it was dozens of smaller boxes inside a large one.
"No Jamie, it's not something in disguise," Jake knew what he was thinking. "I heard ya saying that when you got married, you'd still go out as often as ya already did and that Rose would probably have other ideas about it. Well, what's under this wrapping paper may help with that. Don't worry, I'll have it delivered to your place."
"So we have to open it when we get back from our honeymoon?" Jamie asked.
"That was the idea," Pete told him, his hand on Jamie's shoulder again. "You can explain it to Rose."
"Ya are kidding?" Rose laughed when he got home and told her he'd been hi-jacked by Jake at lunchtime.
"No I'm not, he had it well planned," Jamie told her. "You should see the size of the present someone had the job of wrapping up. Jake's having it delivered so you'd best arrange it with him."
"He'll probably ring me in the morning," Rose replied. "Well, wanna see how good I smell after that spa treatment?"
"You know I can't resist you after one of those love," he grinned. "You would have been better going tomorrow I suppose?"
"We've too much to do tomorrow Jamie and besides, for what the treatment cost, you'll still be able to smell it on me by Saturday," she teased him.
"I'll be checking love, don't worry," he teased her back. "It will be worth every penny."
Over in Sandbrook, Daisy Hardy was driving her mother crazy.
"I wish it was already tomorrow Mum," she was telling Tess. "You are taking the day off?"
"Yes, of course I am but your father is working in the morning," Tess told the anxious teenager.
"I won't forgive him if he's late picking us up," Daisy huffed, folding her arms.
"Don't worry, he'll be here and if not, we'll go on our own," Tess promised.
"I want him to be there Mum, he can do this one thing for me, can't he? I mean it will the best day of my life, being Rose Tyler's bridesmaid and actually getting to stay there," she told her mother.
Tess shook her head. Just let Alec let his daughter down, she would be so mad at him. She called him to make sure he wasn't going to try and get out of it.
"Yes, I said I would be there Tess," Alec reminded her. "I know she's excited about it, I only agreed to keep her happy. I'm not one for weddings."
"Yes, I know," Tess replied, after he'd failed to go to her cousin's wedding a while back and she'd had to make excuses for his absence.
"I don't know why we have to go tomorrow though?" he questioned her.
"Alec, it's part of the prize, meeting her and her family plus we're invited to the party that they're having with just friends," Tess told him.
Alec was dreading it, he wasn't big on parties either. He couldn't bring himself to spoil his daughter's day but he wished Rose Tyler had been more mindful of what teenage girls were like about their idols. Didn't the woman have enough friends and relatives to be bridesmaids? He'd overheard Daisy telling Tess that Rose had come from a council estate before Pete Tyler had met her mother.
The next day, Alec worked a few hours though the chief was ordering the case was losing the extra backing and they should concentrate on the next door neighbours. Alec had told him Lee Ashworth now had an alibi, even though the man's wife seemed equally guilty. They had been talking when Alec had arrived.
"What are your plans for the weekend Alec?" the chief had wanted to know.
"Going somewhere with Tess and Daisy," Alec replied, thinking he was probably going to be asked to take charge over the holiday.
"You, going with Tess?" the chief had to laugh.
"It's more for Daisy, she's being a bridesmaid," Alec replied, not wanting to give too many details.
"Oh, the one Tess was on about?" the chief wondered. "Wasn't that the wedding of the Vitex heiress?"
"Did she tell the whole bloody station?" Alec was annoyed Tess couldn't keep her big mouth shut.
"Too late Alec," the chief patted Alec's shoulder. "I was going to ask if you could take charge if anything happens over the weekend though? I'll have to ask Harris I suppose?"
"Daisy won't ever forgive me if I don't go with her," Alec replied. "I don't really want to go."
"Never mind, they'll be plenty of booze," the chief assured him. "What's with you going to a wedding though? Tess complained you wouldn't go with her to one a while back."
"Never mind that, I have paperwork to finish before I go," Alec told him.
"Well, next time, maybe you will want rescuing?" the chief laughed.
Alec finished on time and set off to pick up Tess and Daisy. His case was in the back of the car, containing his best suit, dress shirt and clothes for before and after and the party. He thought he may as well be going for a week. Daisy had talked Tess into getting a new dress for the party so Tess had treated herself at the same time.
Alec set the car's navigation system with the address Daisy had been given and he'd been told by Tess to show the invitation if anyone was on the gate when they arrived. At the Tyler mansion, Jamie was keeping Tony occupied while things were being set up for the party that evening.
Jake was organising a security detail, having put someone on the gate to direct any deliveries to the marquee that had been set up and the kitchen door around the back of the house. Rose was inspecting the decorations in the large marquee.
"Is everything to your satisfaction Miss Tyler?" the head of the catering staff was asking her. "Of course, the staff will be in their uniforms at the event itself."
"Yeah, it looks really nice. So while everyone's outside taking photos and stuff, the tables will be brought out and the chairs moved?" she wanted to know.
"Yes Miss Tyler, we have had full instructions from your mother," she was told. "Any last minute instructions?"
"Not that I can think of," Rose had to admit. "You've all done a great job."
"Thank you. Now I will see how the others are getting on for this evening's party, if you will excuse me?"
Rose let him go and sat on one of the chairs on the last row, looking around her. In twenty four hours or so, the place would be full of people watching her marry Jamie. He was the love of her new life here when she had been so miserable after coming back from seeing the Doctor on that beach. She had gone up there, so full of hope he'd found a way of getting her back and then Mickey had opened his big mouth on the way back.
She got up and went outside, seeing that a car had stopped at the gate and one of Jake's men was leaning towards the driver's window.
"We are expected," Alec had told the man, being handed the card by Tess. "My daughter is the head bridesmaid."
"I was told to expect you, drive towards the house, someone will show you where to park," Alec was told.
Daisy was peering through the windscreen.
"Wow, look at the size of this place," she gasped.
"What did you expect?" Tess asked her. "Remember your manners when you meet Rose and her family."
Alec raised his eyebrows, hoping Tess would remember hers and their agreement that she and Daisy would share a room and he'd get the other room.
Rose had waited to see who was in the car and was half expecting it to be her head bridesmaid and was looking forward to meeting her and the two lead detectives in a murder investigation. She had been following the case in the news and nothing appeared to be happening at present.
She caught up with the car as Alec was guided into the large garage on its own at the side of the house.
"Hi. You must be the Hardys then?" she asked Alec as he got out first, holding her hand out.
"Alec, nice to meet you Miss Tyler," he replied going to shake her hand.
Rose shuddered for a second as it felt like the Doctor's had done. Who on Earth was her bridesmaid's father?