Saturday evening Emmet was both relived and frustrated when Rose announced she and Jack would be going out.

Jack was once again residing with Daisy and Onslow. Violet's daughter Lottie had suffered a messy break up with her boyfriend and had moved back in with her mother. Violet made it very clear while she liked having her brother around, for her daughter's sake it would be best he stayed elsewhere for a while.

Onslow took the stance it was better to have your enemies close, and agreed to let him lodge once more.

...

That Saturday Rose and Jack did a vast amount shots at the flat before heading into town. Rose felt somewhat embarrassed when her partner reminded her not stay out too late, due to their commitments the following day.

When Jack wasn't around Rose was a lot more settled, less dramatic and to Emmet, more fun.

When the pair had gone out Emmet made the most of listening to classical music and getting creative with his musical scores.

He looked at the clock, it was nearly midnight. He'd been so carried away with his music he hadn't realised the time. There was still no sign of Rose.

He knew Rose had a wild side so he wasn't too worried. She would roll up in a few hours, full of it and smelling like a distillery and ashtray.

Emmet headed to bed he had be up early as he and Rose were supposed to be going to a christening. That of Emmet's great-niece, 12 week old Madeline. Gail had delivered a very healthy bouncing baby girl. Liz and Matty were enjoying being included in Gail and Harold's baby bubble. Plus the couple loved having the live in proud grandparents to help.

...

The next morning as the sun shone through the bottom of the curtains, Emmet rolled over to find Rose hadn't made it to bed. She was probably crashed on the sofa, he thought.

His heart sank when he saw the living room was exactly as he left it last night. He made himself a coffee and left it until a more reasonable time before he rang Daisy.

"I'm sorry Emmet, our Rose and Jack aren't here. Don't panic though it's still early morning. That's previously been a good night our for our Rose." Daisy said on the other end of the phone, annoyed she'd been woken up early on her day off.

"It's just we have to be at a christening at 11. My great-niece's. If she does turn up at yours any time soon, will you remind her, please?"

Daisy agreed before hanging up and going back to bed. Once she had brought Onslow a bacon butty and a can of ale up to bed.

...

It was half past ten, Rose was cutting it too fine. There's no way she would be ready in time. Giving up on his partner, Emmet made his way towards the church. He wasn't in the mood for today. Still once he had made up an excuse for Rose, he could sit at the back and then maybe get drunk at the reception.

"Emmet, where have you been and why isn't Rose with you?" His sister shouted across the church grounds. She couldn't help but notice the sombre expression painted on her brother's face.

"Rose sends her apologies, she's not very well. That's why I'm a little late." It wasn't exactly fabricated. Rose probably would be feeling unwell, wherever she was.

"Oh. Sorry to hear that. At least you are here. Come on the vicar's waiting!" If Elizabeth wasn't too preoccupied with the christening she would have sensed something wasn't quite right.

As Emmet made his way into the church, his heart sank when he saw Hyacinth sitting on a pew, with Richard in tow. He hadn't the patience for her singing and he'd have to inform her as to why her sister was absent.

...

The actual christening was a lovely service even if little Madeline spent the majority of it asleep.

As they all filed out of the church Emmet jumped as Hyacinth shouted him over to her. Begrudgingly, he made his way to their car.

"Hello Hyacinth," Emmet said with very little feeling.

"Emmet! Where's Rose?" Hyacinth sounded quite worried about her youngest sister. "She should be here with you."

Emmet knew this. Despite despising Hyacinth and boy did he despise Hyacinth, he saw her as an ally when it came to the Jack situation.

"She went out last night with Jack last night and she hadn't come back. Clearly they got so drunk she had forgotten all about Madeline's christening."

"I see." Replied Hyacinth, disapprovingly. "That man has a lot to answer for. My sisters are hardly talking to me because of that imposter."

Emmet nodded in agreement. "Rose is hardly talking to me these days because of him. It's like he's trying to get in between us because he knows I don't like the chap."

Hyacinth was saddened by this revelation. It had taken a lot of time and pride for her to accept her sister's relationship with Emmet. Now she saw they were a good match for each other and she didn't want it to be ruined because of Jack O'Riley.

Emmet made his excuses and apologised that he wouldn't be joining them in the Church hall for the reception, he wasn't in the mood. Instead he went home, hoping Rose had returned safely.

...

When he got home he was equally relived and disgusted when he saw Rose and Jack laid out in the living room. Both looking very worse for wear.

"You're back. Where have you been?" Rose muttered, barely looking round when she heard the door open. She was lying on the floor and Jack was sprawled out across the sofa.

"My great-niece's christening. The same place you should have been!" Emmet yelled slightly louder on purpose as he knew Rose was suffering with a splitting headache.

"There's no need to shout. Was that today?" She asked picking herself up from off the floor.

"It was. And I spent most of my time having to cover for you and say you were ill. It was most embarrassing." He spat.

Rose edged closer to Emmet. "Emmet I'm so sorry. I completely forgot." She sounded genuinely upset over her faux pas.

"Evidently." He huffed.

Jack, who had remained silent until now piped up, "Don't shout at her, it was a mistake."

It might have been a mistake on Rose's part but Jack had remembered all along and deliberately encouraged his sister to drink more and stay out longer. Never mentioning her upcoming commitments.

"It was a mistake her taking that DNA test. It was a mistake letting you worm your way in here. You thieving freeloader!" Emmet let rip. He had more than enough of Jack now.

Of course Rose jumped to her brother's defence and an almighty row ensued.

...

Rose let herself and Jack into Onslow and Daisy's home. Luckily she had held onto her key when she moved out almost a year ago.

The former council house looked even more ramshackled since Onslow and Daisy had taken over ownership.

Rose flounced into the grubby lounge with Jack hot on her heels.

"What are you doing here? Emmet rang us at the crack of dawn looking for you." Daisy said, looking up from her book.

"Don't talk about that moron." Jack replied.

"Emmet's left me!" The over dramatic Rose sobbed, throwing her head back in distress.

"Oh no, you left him. You're the one who walked out." Jack reminded her.

In truth neither finished their relationship. Emmet told Rose he needed space and she informed him she was going. She never said how long for.

Rose let out another piercing sob and announced she had moved back for good. She then ran up to her old bedroom and locked herself in.

"Don't get involved with the trials and tribulations of your Rose's love life. You will soon learn, son." Onslow said, his eyes not leaving the television.

"Don't worry she will be back home with Emmet tomorrow. I must say I can't believe she's gone this long without her and Emmet rowing." Daisy commented.

"She won't be back, not if I can help it." Jack muttered under his breath just loud enough for Onslow to hear.