Author's Note: I just want to say a huge thank you for the response to this story. I am completely overwhelmed that so many of you are enjoying reading this. It means so much! This chapter was difficult for me to write just because I was unsure of how much I wanted to add into it. So hopefully, you like it! Let me know what you think and if there's anything you would like to see happen in this story then please get in touch with me!

Chapter Ten
In Plain Sight

The Garrison Pub was surprisingly quiet.

Tommy's entire day had gone without a hitch and in a blur. He was not sure if it was because his mind was swirling with the memories of the night before, of being in bed with Martha and talking as if no time had passed them, or if it was because just like his visions of her since he returned from war she had disappeared into thin air and without a trace. He was in own worst enemy and he knew that dwelling on it too much would be his own downfall.

And so he sat in the silence of the side room, nursing a glass of whiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Silence offered him comfort and that was what he needed in that moment. He closed his eyes and took a moment to enjoy the whiskey he was consuming, unaware of the door opening.

Grace stood and watched him. Her eyes moved across his face, taking in every little detail. His full lips were parted slightly as smoke seeped out of his mouth. His long eyelashes fanning out underneath his eyes. Her stomach dropped as his eyes opened and his blue eyes absorbed hers. There'd not been many men who made her heart race just by one glance, but Tommy was an exception. There was something about him that intrigued her; his eyes had seen so much and yet he never uttered a word.

She took a breath, calming herself.

"I have something to ask you, Tommy," Grace said, finding her voice.

"Aye, what is it?" Tommy asked, leaning over and stubbing out his cigarette.

"I know you don't get this question a lot but I was wondering if you enjoyed dancing?" asked Grace. Her hands were clammy and her body shook as her voice filled the air.

"Only when I've had a few more of these in me," Tommy asked, lifting up his glass with a humoured look on his face.

"Well, that can be arranged," Grace smiled. "There's a party that I've been invited to and I don't know many people here so… would you like to go with me? It's this Friday…"

Tommy mulled it over in his mind. To go dancing with a pretty girl would be a fun thing to do on a Friday evening, and he did not seem to have anything planned.

"Why not, aye?" Tommy smirked. He watched Grace suppress a wide smile but he noticed she could not stop the pink blush from forming on her cheeks.

The door behind Grace opened and Arthur appeared. He took note of Tommy's smirk as he entered the room. Grace moved out of the way, so that both brothers were in her view. Arthur was holding a letter in his hand.

"A letter came for you, Tommy," Arthur said, passing it to his brother. "Looks posh."

"Thanks," Tommy muttered. He stared at the letter in his hand, eyeing it carefully. A golden trim lined the edge of the thick, textured envelope. Arthur was right, it did look posh. He tore it open, aware of the small audience watching him do so. He ran his tongue along his bottom lip as he pulled the thick card out. He flipped it over and narrowed his gaze as he read the fancy writing printed on it.

"What is it?" Arthur asked.

"I've been invited to a dinner party," Tommy read. "You and a guest are cordially invited to spend the evening with Michael Shaw and his fiancée Martha Hudson at their home. Food and drink are expected to be consumed."

"How pompous is that," Arthur commented to which Tommy smirked.

"Aye, it is," Tommy acknowledged. He threw the card down on the table and picked up his glass where he downed the remaining liquid. "Have you got a posh dress, Grace?"

"I think I do," Grace nodded.

"Good," Tommy said, standing from his seat. "It seems we have plans tonight."

Tommy ordered for Grace to return to her house and get dressed in her finest attire ready for him to collect her within the hour. She raced home quickly, dressing in her favourite red dress before waiting for Tommy on the doorstep. She did not have to wait long for Tommy pulled to a stop in front of her with a smirk on his face as he observed what she was wearing. It was definitely the type of dress that would cause heads to turn and even he was taken aback by the change in attire that she had. She got into the car gracefully.

"Ever the gentleman, Tommy," Grace commented, scoffing as he did not help her into her seat.

"Aye, you seem like the type of girl who doesn't like it when men fawn over you," Tommy smirked. Grace giggled as he pulled off and drove in the direction of the house.

The twosome remained silent as the car rumbled towards their destination. It was a strange feeling for Tommy to be travelling with a pretty girl to a dinner party hosted by the girl who had his heart. He wondered how Martha would react when she saw him with Grace; would she be jealous? Did he want to make her jealous? Part of him did. And he hated himself for admitting that to himself. She had left him alone in bed in the early hours of the morning, making him question his own sanity once more. As the house came into view, he noticed a gasp escape from Grace.

The house stood proudly in the distance. The white stone building was vast and elegant, with large windows adorning the walls. Flowers spread across the front of the house, allowing the flash of colour to welcome arriving guests. The surrounding land was impressive, with a large pond in the distance, and a flower garden just a stone's throw away from the house.

"Have you ever seen something so beautiful, Tommy?" Grace asked, in awe.

Her question remained unanswered. The car came to a stop, and Tommy stepped out. Grace noticed his lack of response and stepped out also, keeping an eye on him. Tommy stared at the house and felt his stomach drop as realisation hit him like a ton of bricks. He would never be able to give Martha the life she currently had. She lived in a great house, she had the lifestyle that many wanted, and for the most part she had it good. Michael had laid his hands on her and there was nothing to keep her there with him. Giving it all up would mean she would have nothing again. He had seen her with nothing but the clothes on her back and it had broken his heart to see her so vulnerable. He had made her a promise that she would never have to worry about life or money, but was a promise worth more than the life she was currently leading? Was he worth it in her eyes?

As doubt began to plague him, the door opened. Michael stepped out of the house.

"Welcome!" Michael exclaimed happily. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Tommy."

"Likewise," Tommy replied, his voice low.

"You must be…" Michael said, searching for a name.

"Grace," Grace said, introducing herself. She extended a hand out to Michael who shook it rather forcefully.

"Come in!" Michael said, beckoning the twosome into the house. He led them into the study where he fixed them both with a drink.

Tommy took a moment to capture the house in all its glory. No expense had been spared, he guessed. As Grace and Michael spoke, he moved into the corridor that led to the kitchen. He downed his glass of whiskey, and ran his tongue across his bottom lip. He leaned against the cabinets staring out at the magnificent garden.

At that moment, the door that led to the garden opened, and he watched as Martha stepped inside. Her hair was down and framed her face and a coat was wrapped around her frame. She closed the door behind her quietly.

He watched as he eyes flicked up to him and her brows furrowed.

"Tommy?" Martha asked, shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for the dinner party," Tommy replied.

"Dinner party?" Martha questioned, confusion spreading across her face.

"Ahh!" Michael exclaimed, entering the kitchen. "There you are!"

Michael wrapped his arms around Martha and enveloped her in a tight hug. He released her but not before placing a long kiss on her lips, aware of Tommy watching the scene from the other side of the kitchen. Jealousy rose within him and he tapped his fingers against the cabinets as a way of keeping calm. It did not help but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Michael," Martha said, stepping backwards. "You didn't tell me about a dinner party."

"It must've escaped me," Michael said, tapping his head playfully. "How about you go upstairs and make yourself presentable for our guests?"

Martha stared at him for a moment, wanting nothing more than to tell him everything she had planned to tell him. She had taken a walk to try and find the words and just when she had, he had surprised her with a dinner party. She watched as Michael left the kitchen to return to his study. Martha turned back to Tommy.

"You'll always be beautiful to me," Tommy whispered. "No matter what you wear, or what you don't wear."

A pink blush stained Martha's cheeks at that moment. A small smile played on her lips as her eyes searched Tommy's.

"I should…" Martha trailed off. She left the kitchen and made her way upstairs.

Tommy had to fight the urge to follow after her. He returned to the study instead where Michael and Grace spoke about his career. Tommy zoned out as he listened to Michael talk excessively about his role in society and how much money he made in a year. It was not long before Martha returned downstairs. As she entered the study, Tommy was left speechless at the sight of her.

An ivory and beaded dress adorned her body. Her hair was styled in an elegant up-do and delicate make up had been applied to her face. She looked beautiful. To Tommy, she always looked beautiful but as he stared at her, he could only describe her as breathtakingly beautiful.

Martha noticed the way Tommy was staring at her and felt her heart grow with love. She had missed seeing his true emotions. To other people, his face always remained emotionless. But to Martha, he was unable to hide the emotion in his eyes. He could never hide his true feelings from her, just like she could not with him.

"Well, that's a difference," Michael commented, noticing her arrival.

Martha turned to Michael and processed his comment. He had turned his attention back onto Grace. She noticed the way he looked at Grace, and felt sick to her stomach. It was as if all the pieces to the puzzle fell into place, and as she looked back towards Tommy, she knew what she was to do.

She would leave with Tommy that evening.