Hey, just wanted to say thanks to all those that reviewed, you're the reason the next part is here. :-). I know we don't always review, i'm as guilty as the next person, but they do mean so much. They are what keep the writers writing. Even if you hate it or think something can be improved, its good to know that .Okay stupid review plea over. Hope you enjoy. As ever mistakes are all my own fault.

The party was in full swing as Sybil approached her Sister and Matthew's house in Islington. At times she envied that they could afford such a place, very unlike her own pokey little flat. But she knew deep down it wasn't the sort of life she wanted.

Mary and Matthew loved each other that was obvious for all to see. But their careers took over so much of their lives that they seemed to have little time left for each other. In Sybil's mind if that's what having a house like theirs cost, then you could keep it. When, if she fell in love again, she hoped that they would be able to find a happy medium between supporting themselves and having time for each other. Surely time spend with someone was more important than time spent at work. Work didn't love you back. Work didn't share your thoughts and dreams. Thoughts of love drew her back to one person, they always did, Tom.

So many times in the last few days she had backed out of coming. She wasn't sure she could face him again. Unsure how either of them would react. She didn't even know if he would be there, he was invited but that didn't mean he was going. It was her sister's party so it would be likely he'd assume she would be there. If he didn't show up what did that say? That he didn't care? That he couldn't face her? Or that it was really over? Deep down she knew it was, that by now he would have moved on, as she should have. God he could be married by now, have kids. She hoped he was happy, he at least deserved that. None of this sorry mess had been his fault.
She knew she had to find out. That she would never forgive herself if she missed this chance to put the past behind her, to move on. She was trapped by what had happened; her guilt haunted her. She needed to know that he was alright, that he was at least happy. Then maybe she would be free to find her own happiness in the world, whatever that was. If she was honest she just needed to see him again.

So it was with trepidation that she approached the party, a nervous feelings that she hadn't felt in years. It wasn't until she was faced with the prospect of seeing Tom again, that she realised how shut down she was. The feelings it brought out in her were so alien to her, she barely recognised them. It was as if she had been dead inside, from the moment he left to now. She just hoped she'd survive their parting this time. She couldn't let herself hope that this would be anything more than a brief meeting, if he showed. If she allowed herself to hope too much, it would only lead to heartache.

She rang the bell several times before the door finally opened , the music from the party drowning it out to those inside.

"Sybil Darling, you came" Said Mary reaching out giving Sybil a hug. She was obviously far gone on wine, Mary was not a huggy person sober, at least not in public. "Larry's here you must say hello." Mary was keen on Sybil's relationship with Larry. In her eyes he was just right for her Baby sister. Sybil didn't think she would take it too well if she knew that although he was an alright shag, the rest of the time he bored her to tears. She knew Larry wasn't the right guy for her, but at this point she wasn't capable of anything more.

"In case you are wondering, he hasn't shown yet"

"He?"

"Oh don't pretend you're dense Sybil, He! Tom isn't here, maybe he won't come that would be a relief."

"Yeah I guess so" said Sybil trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. If he didn't come, he didn't care. It made her feel more of a fool pining for him all these years. She knew she had no right to ask anything of him, but her just heart couldn't help it.

She had been at the party an hour, standing in her usual wallflower spot, when Larry sauntered over.
"Hey Sybil, so am I coming back to yours or are you coming to mine tonight?" he asked hopefully
Larry no wonder he bored her, all he was ever really interested in was getting her into bed and if she was honest he wasn't that good, passable but that was about it. He never really paid any attention to who she was. She doubted if deep down he really knew anything about her, she certainly didn't about him. She would definitely need to drink more before she could even consider going home with him tonight.

"Larry, be a darling and get me another drink" She asked handing him her glass and smiling sweetly, trying not to wince as he kissed her on the cheek. Yes she definitely needed more alcohol. It was in that moment as she turned back to the party that she saw him. He looked the same yet different. Not unsurprisingly older. But at the same time, when his slightly overlong fringe of dirty blond hair fell into his eyes, he looked like the boy she known. The boy she had loved.

He hadn't noticed her yet, busy talking to someone she could quite see. She decided she needed to get a grip on herself before she faced him. She turned away releasing a breath she hadn't realised she had been holding. 'You can do this Sybil, you can do this' was the mantra, whirling around head. 'You ca..'

"I thought I should say hello." His voice hadn't changed at all, the Irish lilt still sent shivers down her spine. She looked up into the bright blue eyes, that she knew so well. They weren't smiling through as she often remembered them. They were cold and formal. Sybil's heart broke a little bit more.

"Didn't want things to be awkward." He continued

"No" said Sybil finally finding her voice. She was about to speak again when.

"Sybil, love, here's your drink" Larry handed her the glass, before turning to Tom holding out his hand "Larry, Larry Gray and you are?"

"Tom Branson" He said taking Larry's hand and shaking it briefly.

"And how do you know our Sybil?" Asked Larry he was trying for friendly, but there was coldness to it. Sybil didn't miss the possessive hands he placed on her shoulders.

"Oh me and Sybil go way back, don't we Syb?" She flinched at his use of the nickname. No one called her that, only him. She couldn't look at him, couldn't look at either of them. She wanted the ground to swallow her up. "Its been awhile tho, must be about five years or so, I've been out of the country." Tom explained

Sybil finally willed herself to look him in the eyes, but she saw nothing there. Not the love that had once shone through. Not that she had expected that but she didn't see hate either. What she saw was indifference, the worst emotion of all.

"Anyway, I was just saying hello, better be off loads of people to catch up with. It was good to see you again Syb" He said but she could tell from his eyes he didn't mean it.

With that he was gone and it was over. Sybil felt empty. He was indifferent, he didn't care. Hate she could fight. But indifference, she didn't know if she could handle that. She suddenly felt like she might throw up. She needed to get out, get some fresh air. Passing off her drink to Larry, she left him in her wake, dashing towards the nearest exit.

Looking up at the sky she tried to control her breathing hoping the waves of nausea would pass. After a few deep breaths her stomach seemed to calm.

"SYYYBBIIILLL!, darling BABY sister what are you doing out here?"

Oh that was all she needed, Edith her other sister was drunk again. Sybil tried to remember the last time she had seen Edith sober. She drew a blank. It wasn't Edith's fault, not really. She and Mary had spent their lives competing in a sibling rivalry that Sybil had luckily never got involved with, at least not personally. She had been caught in the middle of it plenty of times, playing peacemaker between the pair.

Their game of one-upmanship had cumulated in Mary telling, Edith's then fiancé Anthony that he was much too old for Edith. It had been meant as a joke. But it had struck too close to Anthony's insecurities. He had taken it to heart, breaking off the engagement and braking Edith's heart. When Sybil thought about it, it didn't seem fair that Mary got to have Matthew, while she and Edith went loveless. She knew deep down Mary didn't mean to hurt her sisters but she always seemed to manage to.

"She doesn't care you know, that my heart's broken and it all her fault" Edith slurred at her.

"I know, I know Edith but you really need to stop drinking so much, its not helping." Sybil tried to sooth her. It was always difficult when she got like this.

"What would you know about it? I hardly see you, it dulls the pain. You don't know, you and Mary have great lives, I'm the one left suffering, all on my own."

"Yeah, cause my life is so great or are you forgetting?"

"Oh yes, but Tom's back now. Toooooom's come back and you just know you are going to fall into each other's arms, like some great romantic novel. Anthony didn't come back, he won't come back no matter how much I beg. Why doesn't he love me enough, Sybil?" She cried

Sybil didn't think this was the right time to tell Edith that she suspected it was that Anthony loved her too much rather than not enough.

"Tom has barely said two words to me, he doesn't want to know. Edith the world isn't one big romance that you got left out of, most of the rest of us are just as heartbroken as you are " she knew it wasn't fair to take it on her sister, but the night really was getting too much for her.

"Of course you will!" Said Edith forcefully. "Unless he finds out the secret. Sh sh" she said raising a finger to her lips. "Unless he finds out about the baby, mustn't have that, he can't know about the baby" It was out of Edith's mouth before Sybil could stop her, she prayed to god no one had heard.

"Baby what, Baby?" Sybil's heart plummeted in her chest, as she turned around to face the angry blue eyes of Tom Branson. Suddenly indifference didn't seem so bad.

"I think we need to talk? Don't you?" He said

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