Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and only borrowed them for a little while.

She was truly fabulous. She really was his Marilyn. His golden bombshell.

As the party began to wind down, he approached his friend. "I'm heading off. You okay to get home?"

She smiled. "I'll be fine. I just need a moment to myself. You get going."

He pressed a kiss to her brow. "It is an honour to know you Miss Ivy Lynn."

Wrapping his scarf around his neck, he stepped out into the cold brisk air. Waving Julia and Michael off in a taxi, he decided that it was perfect walking weather.

He'd walked two blocks before he realised he couldn't find his phone. Searching each pocket, he realised he must have left it behind at the party.

Turning on his heel, he began walking back. Stepping into the bar, he leaned against the polished surface. "Ah, hi. I think I left my phone here?"

The man behind the bar rolled his eyes. "I'll get the bucket."

As he waited, Tom looked around. The place was nearly deserted. Turning back to the man approaching with a box, his eye caught the couple at the window.

He instantly recognised Ivy and was startled to see that the second person was Derek Wills, holding his dear friend close.

Was Ivy crying?

Concerned, he ignored the barman and stepped in their direction. He paused when Derek's head lifted and their eyes met. The two men said nothing in a battle of wills across the room.

Finally he inclined his head with respect and stepped back.

Grabbing his phone from the top of the pile with a murmured thanks, Tom slipped away.

Ivy would always be well looked after.

Finito.