Rose was getting excited at the prospect of running her first office, since it was in the far reaches of Scotland Fort William to be precise and she d read up about the town and looked at local pictures and booked a nice hotel for a few nights just on the shore of the loch she had yet to learn the name of and would take her time choosing either a house or an apartment.
She d persuaded her stepfather not to send Jake or Mickey with her just yet, she wanted some time on her own to get used to it and she had a few days to spare before meeting the team she would be in charge of. Her mother of course had argued Rose s need to be so far away but expected Rose, despite being in this new world long enough would never get rid of the travelling bug.
Mum, I m only going to Scotland, Rose reminded her a few days before, since she had opted to take the overnight train to save driving and had got her secretary to book her a cabin until it reached Glasgow, around eight in the morning since the train was a slow one, then she had to get one to Fort William and hoped she d be able to manage her luggage or find a porter.
She had learned that from the town she was going to, regular steam trains ran to Mallaig and from there, ferries to some of the islands so she had plenty of exploring to do plus some of the bigger islands to visit. So the night before, since Pete was taking her to the railway station to board the train around eleven at night, she had read Tony a bedtime story but he wanted to know where she would be visiting.
Aw, lots of places Tony, Rose had smiled.
Will you see the Loch Ness monster Rose? Tony laughed.
Rose had been amused it had been rumoured to have existed in this world as well as her old one.
I ll take a picture if I see it but it might be a bit scary. Tell you what, I ll see if I can get a book about it and send it down, yeah?
Yeah, great, thanks Rose. Dad said there s a big mountain there as well, are you gonna climb it?
Rose ruffled his hair. I don t think so but I might have a ride on the ski-lift and there are loads of castles to look around. I hope when I get settled, you can all come for a visit, yeah?
Just then, Pete came in to remind Rose what time she had to leave, since the train was open for boarding earlier to give time for people who had booked cabins to find them and get a late night snack in the dining car. She wondered if such trains still ran in her old world but doubted it when people could fly in a fraction of the time. She could have done had she wanted but it all added to the excitement.
So, looking forward to this? Pete asked as they had said goodnight to Tony and Pete had switched the monitor on.
Yeah, though Jake offered to keep me company again but I just want some time to explore. I hope it s one of those old - fashioned trains.
It will be, I m surprised you didn t look it up. Got your ticket ready?
Rose nodded. Best go say bye to mum, it s a wonder she doesn t want to see me off.
She would but she d only make a scene and make a fuss like you said she used to do when you were going off in that police box, Pete had to smile.
Trust me, she would as well, you ve no idea. Just see me onto the train Dad, no point in waiting until it departs. If there are any delays, I ll miss my connection in Glasgow but half an hour won t make much difference.
Well you call me right away if the train gets cancelled, we ll leave it until morning and book a plane, which you could have gone by you know?
Since when did I ever do something the easy way? Rose grinned as they entered the sitting room her mother was in.
They finally set off after her mother let her go and Pete drove toward the train station, easily finding a parking spot and surprised there was no charge at that time of night. He went to get a platform ticket so he could help Rose with her luggage and find her cabin, which Rose had memorized the number and the carriage letter.
While Rose had been doing all that, Alec Hardy had left Sandbrook after saying goodbye to his daughter and leaving her to think of paying him a visit when he decided to go back to Broadchurch. That all depended on if the chief there would forgive him for not revealing his illness then having the nerve to take over a custody suite to arrest those responsible for killing two cousins.
If he was really lucky and took his time, she might have left. Why he d suddenly taken up the idea of travelling around the Scottish Highlands, he couldn t remember but he was going to end up in his home town of Paisley after a brief visit to where he was actually born in Bathgate, not that he remembered much about it, since he was quite young when they had moved.
He had decided to start off in Fort William, spend a couple of days going locally and have a car delivered to the hotel then head further north towards Inverness then around to the east coast and Aberdeen. Well that was half his plan, he d not decided if he was going to end in Paisley or go back to Fort William but he d miss a lot out if he didn t. He had some savings he was going to fund his trip with and was now re-instated as a DI pending him deciding where he was going to apply and he had four weeks to decide or he d been told he could end up anywhere where there was a vacancy for his rank.
He just hoped if he didn t decide when he got back that it wouldn t be in the same station as his ex wife, since he d embarrassed himself and her by asking her to give them another chance. What had he been thinking when he was one day away from getting himself fixed and asking Tess to give him another chance?
He was getting a late train to London and travelling overnight, thankful there still was an overnight train and he d paid extra to get a private cabin and just hoped there wasn t a couple in the adjoining cabin who were having loud sex all night, well not unless it was him and he somehow doubted that.
Rose and Pete where walking down the ramp to the platform as Alec's train from Sandbrook arrived and he just had to cross the bridge without exiting the platform area and Pete was helping her find her cabin as Alec was getting on from the other end. Pete picked up the key from the inside and handed it to Rose.
What are you going to do until the train departs? Pete wondered.
I think I ll go find the restaurant car and get a snack and a coffee, then I ll stay there a while, I m not tired yet, Rose replied, leaving her luggage by the window and pulling down the blind.
Want me to pull the bed down for you? Pete offered.
I thought it would be like those old trains where there was a separate bedroom, Rose mused.
You watch too many spy films Rose, Pete laughed. Well, I d best be off then, call us when you get settled in your hotel.
Yeah, I will and I managed to get a room with a view of the loch, not the car park around the back, Rose smiled.
She locked the cabin door behind her and followed Pete to the exit, giving him a hug.
Just relax Rose, have a pleasant journey, Pete told her.
After waving, Rose followed the sign for the restaurant car just as Alec was following her, seeing her trying to argue with a door.
Do you need some help maybe? a Scottish voice came from behind her as she tried to pull the door.
The stupid thing seems to be stuck, Rose replied without turning around.
Ah, maybe you pull it instead of pushing it? Alec suggested, Rose having stepped aside.
Rose thought he didn t have to be such a show-off, did he? Then she realized who he was. Alec held the door through to the next carriage, seeing another door through the short gap.
Allow me to open the next one? he suggested as Rose stared at him. Have we met before? he dared ask, also knowing who she was right away as she had turned.
Don t think so but I know who you are, Rose had to smile, not believing her luck he was on the same train but considering he was Scottish and the train was destined for Glasgow, it seemed reasonable he was on board.
Rose followed him and he closed the other door behind her and indicated for her to enter the dining car.
Would you care to join me, Miss Tyler? he asked hopefully as a few tables were already taken.
Rose nodded and slid into a seat, Alec sitting opposite and taking the late-night menu which consisted mainly of over-priced sandwiches, which he hoped weren t served in cardboard and plastic wrappers considering the prices.
A waiter came to take their order, Rose ordering tea since she wouldn t sleep if she did actually go for the coffee so Alec suggested they shared a pot for two and ordered two egg-mayonnaise sandwiches.
May I call you Rose? he dared ask.
Sure, why not, Alec? So, what made you take this train then? Did you leave Broadchurch after the trial?
Yes, I went to visit my daughter but she was having very little to do with me so I decided I would take a holiday and travel around Scotland for a while. Are you going on holiday? he wondered as their pot of tea arrived.
No, I m going to be working up there, team leader in Fort William. I m looking forward to it, Rose replied, not wanting to mention Torchwood.
I take it that s not for Vitex then? Alec smiled, offering to pour the tea.
You re well informed Alec, Rose smiled as she watched him and the train began to move slowly.
Alec was hoping he wouldn t spill the hot liquid on her or the white tablecloth, he d surely suffer if he did either but he managed not to. Rose was relieved she wasn t the one going backwards but Alec had hardly noticed, trying to impress his new acquaintance with his tea-pouring skills.
So why are ya going off to Scotland in the middle of the night? Rose continued after their sandwiches arrived, on a posh plate Alec was relieved to see and no cellophane in sight but with a side-serving of salad.
I had been to see my daughter and thought I would take advantage and travel overnight, I too am going to Fort William, Alec told her as they ate. I am going on a touring holiday, I am just staying there for a few days while I plan the best route.
Lucky you then. I was just gonna look around the place for a few days, take a steam train ride and a ferry to one or two of the islands and maybe go part way up the mountain.
Alec thought she probably would as well, she seemed to keep herself in good shape and now he was paying more attention to himself, he was a lot fitter than a few months ago when he d escaped from the jaws of death.
That sounds more interesting than what I had planned, he had to smile as he offered to pour more tea.
Best not, I don t have my own bathroom. Do these trains have private bathrooms? she mused.
If it is any consolation, neither does mine. May I escort you to your cabin? he offered as he got up.
Can we talk a bit longer, I m not really tired yet? Rose asked him.
Maybe we can sit in my cabin for a while, or yours, if that s nearer?
Rose thought that hadn t taken him long, had it? Still, he was cute, still had his scruffy beard and he reminded her of the man she had lost, who was part of the reason she d taken up Pete's offer of being in charge up in Scotland since there had been rumours the cannon project was showing some signs yet again after a few year s silence and she didn t want to be tempted.
Are you in the next carriage then? Rose wondered as he helped her up, getting a few stares from stuffy businessmen.
Ah, yes. I followed you, remember but I suppose you could have wandered down several carriages, Alec replied as he held the door for her and having to remember which way the other door opened.
Walking past a few cabins after stopping at the restroom, Rose stopped outside hers.
My stepfather came to see me off, I d just said goodbye to him, Rose admitted as she found the key.
May I? Alec offered, holding his hand out for the key. This door may also be a little tricky?
Who was she to argue with him when he was being a gentleman?
Alec, don t take this the wrong way but I m really not tired and could use some company right now.
Then I will not take it the wrong way, Alec smiled as he allowed her inside first.
He was taken by surprise when she asked him to pull the bed down for her then fingered his jacket buttons.
Alec, stay with me?
Something inside him was telling him to leave. She was Rose Tyler, the heiress to the Vitex fortune, well most of it since she had a younger half-brother and she could have any man she wanted. Had it been fate that had caused them both to be on the slow overnight train to Glasgow? If Rose Tyler wanted some company, he was more than willing to provide it but would she throw him out?
I would like that Rose but are you sure you don t need some sleep?
No, not yet, I m still wide awake. I know you re only staying in Fort William a few days and I m gonna be working there but are you opposed to spending one night on a train with me?
Certainly not Rose, I m not opposed to it and you did have plans when you got there after all, he agreed.
Then take your jacket off Alec, tomorrow we ll be in Glasgow and if ya want, we can travel on to Fort William together but after that?
Alec wondered what she meant then realized she was offering him one night with her. Who was he to refuse and maybe the loud sex he was opposed to would be with himself and Rose, if he was really lucky.
It would be my pleasure to escort you on the rest of our journey, he replied as he took his jacket off and Rose went for his shirt buttons. It would be my pleasure indeed to stay with you tonight and if that is what you want?
Rose wasn t sure but what was the harm in one night, on a train and pretending she was in a James Bond movie? They would go their separate ways once at their destination, she to her hotel and Alec to his and she doubted he d opted for one of the posh hotels on the side of the loch.
Before either of them knew it, Alec was pulling the covers back on the pull-down bed and allowed Rose in first, not that there was much room but he was down to his shorts and Rose was down to her underwear and she was about to lose it as he reached for her bra fastener and she reached for the waistband of his shorts.
Just one thing Rose, Alec spoke up as they had kissed several times and he was about to kiss her cleavage.
Oh, what s that? Rose smiled in the now dim light.
I am just getting over a heart operation, I don t know how good a job was done.
Well, there s only one way to find out, Alec, Rose teased him as she pulled his shorts down and they touched.
Right, don t say I did not warn you, Miss Tyler, he teased back.
All he heard was a soft moan as he parted her from her own remaining underwear and figured maybe there was no need to actually have loud sex after all.
TBC