As Alec ended the call, he was having serious doubts Tess was telling him the truth. Had she really gone to the pub with her friends or had she gone with Dave Harris? He also doubted Tess would admit anything else once she got home.

He'd had a concerned call from Daisy to say Tess had failed to collect her so he'd had to go back out again. He'd not been happy about it and neither had Tess's mother.

"Really Alec, this is getting out of hand, being late to collect Daisy," he had been told as he'd knocked on the kitchen door and let himself in. "If Tess can't get here on time, she should call you and say so."

He couldn't have agreed more.

"Don't worry, I will make sure she gets here on time," Alec assured her, not wanting to say anything about Tess claiming she'd either been here or at her sister's house.

So when Tess had finally called him, he'd not been happy. How would she like it if he were to do the same by going to the pub after work, if that was where she'd really been. He didn't really have anyone to go with though and Rose had said her mother was going to be visiting her so even daring to ask her was out of the question. Why would she want to anyway?

Besides, Rose might take it the wrong way and refuse to work with him and Tess would want to know why. When Tess got home, he didn't say anything to her, she would give herself away eventually.

The next morning, Rose was rushing around preparing for her mother to visit. Jackie had rung to say she was setting off for the railway station, Mickey having offering to take her to save paying for a taxi.

"So is Rose staying there then?" Mickey had asked on the way.

He had been hoping Rose wouldn't like it and would come back.

"Yeah, she seems to like it," Jackie laughed. "She's even got the use of a car already, she has to drive her boss around though."

"What? All the time?" Mickey was getting worried.

"Just at work," Jackie saw the look on his face.

"I hope so," Mickey grumbled. "Did she mention me?" he then wanted to know as they neared the station.

"Don't think so," Jackie replied. "Sorry Micks. She may get homesick though, her new boss's wife doesn't like her and Rose has to work with her.

"Well at least he's married," Mickey mumbled.

"I'll tell her you asked about her," Jackie assured him.

Jackie wondered if Rose had even thought about poor Mickey, the way she went on about her new boss. She hoped Rose hadn't got infatuated with a married man. Rose set off to meet her mother, wondering how much luggage she'd have with her. Knowing her mother liked to make herself at home, she knew there would be plenty and poor Mickey would have been roped in to taking her to catch the train.

Rose waited on the platform and the train from London was announced so she stood back to let people off and so she could spot her mother. Jackie only had two cases with her, since she hadn't decided how long she would be staying. She had been thinking about what Rose had said but she didn't want to work in a salon in London so maybe she'd see what was on offer while on her visit.

"Mum," Rose shouted and waved as Jackie stood in the doorway and she made her way there.

"Rose! Help me with my cases sweetheart," Jackie laughed as she picked one up and Rose took it, wondering how much was in there since it was heavy.

Jackie stepped down and attempted to pick up the other one while struggling with a big shoulder bag so a man also waiting to get off handed it to her.

"Oh thanks," Jackie blushed as he put it on the platform.

"Any time dear lady," the man smiled as Jackie blushed some more.

"What a charming bloke," Jackie stared after him.

Rose began to wonder if her mother had given up on the blokes around the estate and wanted to try her luck here.

"Mum," Rose laughed. "Well give me a hug then."

After calling at the supermarket again to get her mother a few things, they arrived at Rose's apartment and Rose hoped her mother wouldn't complain about the size of the bedroom or else she'd have to give up the larger one.

"It's fine sweetheart," Jackie told her when Rose opened the door. "I don't expect ya to give up your room."

Rose did wonder if her mother would change her mind, depending on how long she was here.

"Well, I half expected it," Rose laughed. "I was thinking of maybe treating ya to Sunday lunch tomorrow, to say welcome."

"Ya don't have to do that sweetheart," her mother assured her.

"Well, I get half the rent paid and I got a pay rise so yeah, I want to treat ya," Rose replied.

Jackie finally agreed and went to unpack, Rose wondering how she'd get all her things in the wardrobe. Knowing her mother, she'd need one the size of Narnia or one bigger on the inside.

"Rose, are ya sure someone else is okay to stay with ya?" Jackie called after Rose.

"It's fine Mum, there wouldn't have been two bedrooms if not. I did mention it when I asked about renting somewhere anyway. Why, are ya thinking about staying?" Rose wanted to know.

"Well, I don't know yet do I?" her mother laughed. "Depends if all the blokes are like the one who help me with my case."

They both laughed and Rose went off to make drinks and a sandwich for her mother, since Jackie had complained she couldn't get anything on the train and Mickey had cut it fine getting to the station. It hadn't given her enough time to call at the food stand in the forecourt.

"Micks asked about ya," Jackie told her when Rose went back with the tea and sandwich.

"Did he?" Rose mused. "I thought he would've moved on by now."

"Don't say that Rose, he was really down when he found out ya were moving away," Jackie reminded her. "He still hopes that ya go back to work in London sometimes."

"Well Mum, even if I do, I've got past that phase in my life, I'm older now. Did he expect me to stay with him after what happened?" Rose replied.

"Well he thought ya were gonna be at that police college a lot longer," Jackie defended him.

"I told him how long I'd be there Mum," Rose disagreed. "Anyway, I grew up a hell of a lot while I was there and I never promised Mickey anything."

"I know ya never had much to do with him, after he started going out with someone else," Jackie admitted.

"Yeah, Trisha Delaney, of all people. He never even used to like her 'til she went on a diet," Rose complained. "He blamed it all on me going away Mum, was I supposed to stay on the estate doing a dead-end job?"

"I've worked in shops," Jackie reminded her.

"I never meant it like that Mum. I just wanted to do something better, to help people especially after all those weird goings-on," Rose smiled at the thought.

"We got an explanation from the authorities," Jackie replied.

"Seriously Mum," Rose burst out laughing. "Shop window dummies coming to life, in the basement of the store I worked it, then the place blew up? I was lucky to get out of there ya know?"

"Yeah, that was a bit weird I suppose," Jackie had to agree. "I know they blamed it all on students, they always do."

"Well forget about that and Mickey Smith," Rose went to give her mother another hug. "Well tell me the latest gossip then."

Jackie Tyler never missed an opportunity to bring Rose up to speed on what was going on in the Powell Estate. From who was going out with who, who was pregnant or getting engaged, Jackie knew it all.

Alec's day had been less agreeable than Rose's had been. Tess and Daisy had gone off into town and insisted on getting the shopping on her own so Alec had left them to it but not before Tess had started an argument for no reason at all.

"You know you never want to go the same places as I do Alec," Tess had reminded him. "Besides, Daisy wanted something so she can come with me. Really Alec, do we have to go shopping together all the time?"

"Fine," Alec replied, as he couldn't be bothered arguing with her.

"You seem to manage without me during the week," Tess added sarcastically. "I saw you and Rose Tyler laughing about something as you were leaving last night."

"Really? I'm surprised you had time to notice Tess, since you went off in a hurry," he retaliated.

"Well you walked right past me without saying anything," Tess huffed.

"Oh, so I was supposed to stop and say something to you? How was I to know you were going to be late home huh?" he wanted to know.

"You never asked," Tess replied. "You were too busy."

"I give up," Alec decided.

"That's just typical of you Alec," Tess told him as she walked off. "You're more bothered about her."

He wanted to say she was more bothered about Dave Harris but he had no actual proof. He could hardly ask Tess's mother or sister if she'd actually been staying to talk to them without questions being asked and it getting back to Tess. Then there would be even more arguments.

Maybe he should listen for any gossip going around the station? He could always ask Rose to listen out, he supposed, she might go along with it but she might also think she shouldn't be interfering.

The next day, Rose chose a nice pub to treat her mother to Sunday lunch but little did she know that Tess had decided to also visit the same one, telling Alec that she wanted to go out for Sunday lunch for a change.

"Do I have to go?" Daisy was wanting to know when told to change into something more appropriate for a pub restaurant than the torn jeans and band t-shirt she'd put on.

"Yes," Alec told her firmly. "You are not old enough to be left on your own and make a decent meal for yourself."

Daisy went off in a huff, Alec daring her to object again.

"Why do you always make me out to be the bad guy?" he asked Tess when Daisy had gone to her room. "You could have said something."

"Why? You were doing a good job," Tess replied as she checked herself in the mirror.

Tess had been hoping that Dave might have gone there as well, since it was near where he lived but if his wife was with him, she'd have to be careful.

Rose and her mother had arrived and shown to a table near the window,

"Blimey, this is posh," Jackie remarked as she looked around.

"Anywhere's posher than where you always go Mum," Rose laughed as she handed a menu over. "Pick anything ya like, my treat."

"Well okay, if ya sure?" Jackie wanted to check before she dared look at the prices. "I think I'll just have the Sunday lunch special though. Looks like they do the full works."

Rose ordered two when the waitress came over plus some drinks. Over at the other entrance, Alec was asking for a table for three and Daisy was complaining it was too fancy.

"Why did we have to come here Mum?" she complained.

"Blame your dad, he chose this place," Tess told her.

"Excuse me, you said you didn't want to go too far," Alec reminded her as they were seated.

"Oh please don't start arguing you two," Daisy told them.

"I'm just going to pop to the ladies room," Tess decided, getting up.

She really wanted to check if Dave was in the bar but what could she do even if he was? She felt like she was Daisy's age having a crush on someone. Jackie had also decided to pay a visit while they waited for their meals to arrive.

"I won't be long," Jackie told Rose cheerfully. "I saw the sign on the way in."

Rose smiled as her mother went off but as she looked around, she was sure she had seen Tess. What would she be doing there, she wondered. That meant she wasn't there alone and she prayed Tess wouldn't notice her but sitting by the window, she would be in full view when Tess returned.

Then she was horrified to think her mother would start talking in the ladies room and blurt out who she was with.

"These toilets are posh," Jackie remarked as Tess followed her in.

"I suppose so? I've not been here before, my husband chose the place," Tess replied, wondering why anyone would think the toilets were posh.

Jackie went to the basins once she was out, Tess just behind her.

"I'm here with my daughter, she moved to the town recently. Thought I'd pay her a visit," Jackie told the stranger, never occurring to her that this was the woman Rose had been complaining about. "She's treating me."

Tess quickly excused herself before getting into further conversation. Since she'd not actually heard what Rose had been saying to Alec on the Friday afternoon, she had no idea who she had just been talking to though she did recognise the accent but since she'd never said much to Rose, didn't associate them.

Alec was thinking Tess was taking her time, since he was waiting to order and Daisy was nibbling on the breadsticks looking bored. Why had he agreed to come out? Tess was clearly in one of her moods, which she always seemed to be these days. At least they no longer went to Tess's mother's for Sunday lunch, like they did when Daisy was younger.

Alec could see out into the car park from where he was sitting and was sure he recognised the car Rose had been using parked there. She had said her mother was going to be visiting so she might have been having lunch here. He was just looking around when Tess was hurrying to the table.

"Checking up where I was?" Tess asked him, Daisy rolling her eyes.

"Do I need to?" Alec replied, indicating for her to look at the menu.

"Just order the Sunday roast Alec," Tess waved the menu away. "Why were you waiting for me, you could have just ordered and saved time. Now we'll have to wait, it's getting busy."

Alec thought since the pub was out of the way, it would be popular with no other pubs around.

"Well Daisy wants something else," Alec told her.

"She would," Tess turned to Daisy. "Don't eat all those."

"Mum, they're put there to eat," Daisy complained as Tess moved the breadsticks away.

Alec just shook his head and thought they'd stay home next Sunday, even if it meant he had to do the cooking. Anything was better than both Daisy and Tess in a mood. He caught a passing waitress and taking off his specs placed their orders, Daisy being fussy about what she wanted.

"Daisy, it's not polite to pick and choose," Tess reminded her. "Tell her Alec."

Alec had been distracted by a blonde woman who seemed to have followed Tess back into the dining area but who was looking around then seeing someone waving.

"You never got lost," Rose laughed as her mother sat down.

"Bloomin' place is big and it's got busier," Jackie complained. "Have you ever seen such a big dining area?"

"Well it has got a bit busier but it's bound to Mum," Rose replied. "I'm not sure but I think I just saw Tess, ya know, my boss's wife just before you came back." Then she saw her mother's face. "Mum, ya never talked to her? Tell me you didn't."

"Well I didn't know who she was, did I?" Jackie defended herself.

"Well what did ya say?" Rose wanted to know so she could limit the damage the next day at work if Tess bothered to say anything.

"I might have said I thought the loo was posh," Jackie blushed.

"Ya never?" Rose couldn't believe her mother would tell such a thing to a stranger. "Mum. Well if she's here, so is my boss."

Rose looked around cautiously and prayed he wouldn't see her but Tess had probably thought she was there anyway, the woman was paranoid.

"I bet Rose Tyler's here," Tess said to no-one in particular as Daisy was looking at the dessert menu, since the breadsticks were out of her reach.

"Give it a rest Tess," Alec told her. "Why would she be?"

"Are you sure you just picked this pub at random?" Tess replied.

"Don't fight you two," Daisy reminded them. "Mum, why would someone dad works with be here?"

"Exactly," Alec agreed as their drinks arrived.

"I wouldn't be surprised and besides, I just met a woman with a London accent in the ladies room," Tess seemed pleased with herself at putting Alec on the spot.

"So, what of it?" Alec wanted to know, wishing he didn't have to drink the watered down lager but Tess would never agree to swap her drinks so she could drive them home.

"She sounded common," Tess continued. "She remarked about the ladies room being posh, of all things."

Daisy started to laugh but Alec scowled at her, not wanting the girl to encourage Tess any further.

"Can't you leave it Tess, not even while we are out?" Alec told her.

"Oh, you weren't looking for me coming back, were you Alec?" Tess accused him. "You were looking to see if she was here."

"Why were you so long in the ladies room then? Looking for Dave Harris were you?" Alec replied instead of falling into her trap.

"Mum, Dad?" Daisy looked at both of them. "What's going on?"

"Nothing is going on," Alec tried to assure her. "Is there Tess?"

"Well not on my part," Tess tried to deny.

"Nor mine, you have a very suspicious mind Tess," Alec told her. "I was looking for you coming back so we could order," he reminded her.

"If you say so Alec," Tess replied, not satisfied with his explanation.

Who was he kidding, she thought as she took a drink. Of course that was Rose Tyler's mother in the ladies room, anyone local wouldn't have called the ladies room posh. Besides, she was sure she heard her saying about her mother visiting while she and Alec had passed by on Friday night now she thought about it.

She bet anything Tyler had even told Alec where she was taking her mother today and Alec had chosen this pub on purpose. Well if he wanted to play that game, then so would she. She wasn't going to feel so guilty about Dave and she was going to ignore the pair of them from now on when they came back into the office. See how Alec liked that.

"So, that was Tess?" Jackie was asking Rose as they ate. "She seemed a right stuck-up cow."

Rose would have burst out laughing and agreed with her mother, if she'd not had a mouthful and could only nod in agreement. Yes, her mother had got it in one. She was feeling more and more sorry for her boss, who had to put up with Tess not only at work but at home. She wondered how long he'd be able to do that.