They watched the lengthy Doctor Who programme and chatted. Cameron had a wealth of Doctor Who knowledge and was able to answer all of Ros’s questions. After too many snacks she found she was dozing off and missing bits of the programme but as the plot of each episode was basically the same – land in a strange time or place, fight a baddie or right a wrong and go on to the next location – she was able to keep abreast of proceedings.

‘Damn near broke my heart when Rose went,’ said Cameron, shaking his head at the screen.

It had become apparent that the tenth Doctor’s sidekick was his favourite. ‘They do have a very strong connection,’ she said, watching Billie Piper cry on a beach. As the actress told the Doctor she loved him, Cameron reached for Ros’s hand and squeezed it. It was nice to feel that for a change she was there for him, even if it was only a fleeting moment brought on by a fictional TV programme.

They debated the merits of the number-one voted episode ‘Blink’, whilst a gripping and slightly troubling episode it did appear, to Ros, to be rather lacking on the key component of the popular series as there were few scenes with Doctor Who in them. The programme ended and the credits rolled.

‘Goodness,’ said Ros, astonished to see it was gone 4 a.m. ‘I’d better get to bed.’ She tried to free herself from the blanket that bound her to Cameron’s side.

‘That was a great night though, wasn’t it?’

Ros smiled. ‘I had a very pleasant time. Thank you.’

‘And now you can say you’ve had an all-nighter.’

‘Can I?’ Ros hadn’t really understood the concept but if this was it she could see the appeal.

‘Apart from the lack of sex,’ added Cameron. ‘But I think I like this better. Added Doctor Who and no pressure to perform.’ He got to his feet and kissed Ros gently on the cheek. She paused, unsure how to react, or more importantly in a quandary over how her body wanted her to respond. ‘Night, Ros.’

She pulled away. ‘Good night, Cameron.’ She went to bed alone but feeling very much part of something special.

On Sunday morning Ros was woken by a tapping sound. It took a few blinks to realise someone was knocking at her bedroom door. She quickly wiped sleep from her eyes and checked her hair wasn’t sticking up like a pineapple top before answering. ‘What is it?’

The door opened and Cameron peeped in. ‘Sorry, did I wake you? I did, didn’t I?’

‘Kind of but it’s fine.’

‘Sorry. I went for an early run and I got you a coffee on the way back.’ He came in and deposited the cup on the bedside cabinet.

‘Thanks, that’s really kind. I usually head over to Dad’s about half ten. Does that work for you?’

Cameron pulled a face. ‘Yeah, about that. A friend of mine messaged to say they’re in Southampton just for the day today and I’d really like to have a catch-up. But it means I’ll miss Sunday roast at your dad’s. Is that okay?’

Ros tried hard not to look as disappointed as she felt. ‘Sure. Not a problem. It’s not like couples are joined at the hip.’

‘Exactly. Thanks for understanding.’

‘I’ll tell Dad the truth that you’re catching up with a mate,’ she said, feeling that was what Cameron would want her to say.

‘Cool. I’d better get showered and get my swank on. Well, my best jeans anyway.’

‘Ooh best jeans,’ said Ros, having a sip of coffee. ‘Where are you off to then?’

‘I’m going to give Gina a mini tour of the sights of Southampton,’ he said with his trademark grin and Ros felt something unpleasant burble in her gut, but before she could ask questions he was heading out the door. Who exactly was Gina? Although the name did ring a bell and she had a feeling Cameron had mentioned her, she couldn’t recall any details. ‘Give Barry my best,’ said Cameron. ‘And tell him I’ll thrash him at Scrabble next week. Don’t wait up – it’ll probably be a late one. See ya.’

‘Will do, bye. Have a lovely time. With um . . . Gina.’ But she didn’t mean it one bit.

On her way to her father’s, Ros decided that she needed to have a firm word with herself. There was nothing in the contract about Cameron seeing other people. Not that he’d said he was seeing Gina but the mention of another female had kicked Ros’s risk brain into overdrive. There was a risk that Cameron could be seen out with Gina by someone who would report back to her dad. Although she wasn’t sure who might do this. Mrs Pemberly next door was a possible but then as long as Cameron didn’t show any obvious signs of affection with Gina, like kissing, then they were fine. If questioned he was out with a friend. The fact that friend was female was irrelevant. Although it didn’t feel irrelevant to Ros. This was a level of risk she was considerably unhappy about.

She was mulling over other possible lines of enquiry her father may take if Cameron was spotted out with another woman, when she walked up the steps to his house and pulled her key out. However, there was no need to let herself in today because the door was already being opened. Ros smiled in anticipation of her dad’s greeting only to be met by someone altogether unexpected.

‘Mother? What on earth are you doing here?’

Chapter Twenty-One

‘I’m visiting,’ said Amanda, Ros’s mum. ‘Are you coming in?’

Ros was fixed to the top step. The sight of her mother after five years was more than a shock. A shock was when the lift at work suddenly stopped working. This was on more of a lift plummeting at high speed to certain death level.

‘Good morning, Cabbage,’ called out her father and she finally stepped inside.

Ros lowered her voice. ‘Why are you here?’

‘I presume you’re aware of your father’s condition?’

‘Please keep your voice down.’ Ros feared she may spontaneously combust from outrage. ‘Obviously I’m aware as it was me who took him the day he found out and—’

‘Excellent. That short-circuits the discussion somewhat.’ Her mother’s lips went taut and Ros wasn’t sure if she was trying to smile or not. ‘He will need additional support and—’

‘No, I won’t,’ called Barry from the living room.

‘I told you to keep your voice down,’ whispered Ros to her mother.

‘I can hear you too, Ros,’ called Barry. ‘Come in here both of you.’

Like scolded children the two women joined Barry in the living room. Ros took her usual place on the sofa but was instantly uncomfortable when her mother sat down next to her. There were so many emotions vying for attention, it was quite overwhelming. Many times Ros had thought about seeing her mother again, but not recently, although her dad had mentioned that he felt she should get in touch. The note he’d given her was still residing in her drawer at home. Ros realised that her dad had taken things into his own hands. She was not happy that he had but if she was being logical she could understand why. She wouldn’t have contacted her mother voluntarily, and Barry knew Ros well enough to know that.

Barry looked at the empty doorway. ‘Where’s C—’

‘An impromptu day out with a friend,’ said Ros, keen to not go into any detail about Cameron’s whereabouts or to have to explain who he was to her mother. Ros noticed something or rather someone else was missing. ‘Where’s Gazza?’

‘I put him outside,’ said Amanda. ‘I can’t be around canines.’

‘Are you allergic?’ asked Ros, realising that she knew next to nothing about her mother.

Amanda seemed surprised by the question. ‘No. I find dogs irritating. They’re so dumb and needy.’

For the first time ever, Ros felt for poor Gazza. He wasn’t blessed with intelligence but he was completely devoted to her dad and in some strange way he was supporting him through this difficult time. ‘Perhaps if you bothered to get to know them better you’d realise they are loyal and capable of understanding commands.’ Not that Gazza was very good at the latter but she’d seen others who were able to sit when asked.

‘He can be a bit excitable with new people,’ said Barry. Was he defending her mother? Being in the same room as the woman was triggering something inside of Ros that she wasn’t sure she could control. She was struggling to stay calm as all the questions she’d held on to for so long were begging to be asked. But she knew she’d not be able to ask them without getting emotional. Ros was usually very good at keeping her emotions under wraps but today that skill was being tested. She needed to take control before she went down a road she definitely didn’t want to go down.

‘Please can someone update me on what’s happening here?’ said Ros, pointing at her mother but looking at Barry.

‘Your mother is staying here—’

‘Staying?’ Ros’s voice had hit a rather high pitch.

‘Just for a few days,’ said Barry, adding a calming motion with his hands.