Falling apart

Thor's entrance seemed to have been a surprise to everyone, except Ben of course, and they lept to hug it out with him. It was like a surreal, real life Avengers party , the only thing missing was a Quinjet parked on the grass. Rosie got up from the table and walked a little away, turning to lean on the doorpost just watching. Sophie Cumberbatch had returned now and she was standing arm in arm with Ben animatedly chatting to Chris Evans, laughing and pointing at the 2 Asgardian Gods now holding court.

Rosies heart filled with joy as she saw Tom , arm around Chris, beaming and laughing and telling stories that they probably all knew but loved to repeat. For about 20 minutes she just watched, no-one seemed to really notice she was there, not out of rudeness, just that this was their world, not hers. This was years of friendship and shared experiences and the sort of family that she had never experienced. She had, she thought, no right to intrude.

For a moment, Tom looked over, saw her standing and smiled. He made no move to come over, just looked away again and started chatting. Rosie turned away and walked into the hall. She felt out of her depth and more than slightly uncomfortable. It was , as she had suspected, not her world. She wasn't a film star, she was an accountant. She wasnt glamorous, she was pretty but ordinary. And she wasnt the type that girlfriends of stars were made of. What had she been thinking.

She found a quiet corner in the hall and pulled out her phone. Opening the app, she ordered an Uber. 15 minutes it said. Enough time to reach the main road. Just as she was about to open the front door, Lee appeared in the hall. At 6'5" he towered over her even more than Tom.

"Hi " he said in his smooth American drawl "you going somewhere Little Miss Rosie?" His smile was warm and his tone genuine but she still felt like an outsider. " Oh, hi Lee" she smiled shyly "erm, just getting some air. Its all a bit overwhelming in there. " she shrugged a little "I'm not used to that sort of thing" Lee nodded, "we can be a bit full on for sure, take no prisoners at these little shindigs" he looked down at her, watching her intently as if he realised her dilemma. "Tom is a good man , I like him." With that he turned away, but as he did, he said "whatever happens, its been a pleasure Rosie" and he disappeared back into the kitchen.

She opened the door, as waves of laughter echoed in the hall. Tom, despite everything, still hadn't noticed she was gone. Story of her life really. What had she actually expected? Miracles didn't happen. Not to her. It had been wonderful while it lasted. Tears stung her eyes, and she fumbled with the door, dropping her bag in the process.

As she scrambled around picking up the debris, a pair of immaculately shod feet appeared under her nose. Looking up, there stood Scarlett.

"What's up?" She asked, not unkindly " where you going? Does Hiddles know?" She crouched down and took Rosie by the arm, standing her up carefully.

"Home and no." Was all she could say, tears now filling her eyes and threatening to spill over. She furiously wiped away a couple of strays, sniffing loudly.

"Why?" Scarlett asked ,taking her arm gently. " We're not that bad are we?"

" oh goodness, NO! " Rosie was suddenly ashamed of her actions, but not enough to stop now. "Its just, well, i dont belong here. This is all your world. I have nothing interesting to bring to the party as it were." She shrugged sadly, "Tom is wonderful, truly, but i don't want him to have to choose". Just at that a voice to her right said

"Choose what darling?" It was Tom. Scarlett slipped away as Rosie turned to him. "You having a good time? Its incredible isnt it? And Chris made it all the way here too! Its so amazing to have everyone here again. " he rattled on and on, not pausing for breath and not waiting for her answer either. He wasnt being deliberately rude, he was just an excited puppy in a room full of playmates. She didnt say anything, just waited for him to realise she was feeling lost and anxious in this situation. Sadly, 3 beers and a large Chris Hemsworth in, that realisation was not going to be forthcoming. "just relax, enjoy yourself, have a beer" he patted her shoulder and turned away as someone yelled for him."Yes? What?!?" And he was gone.

She could tell he was a little drunk - he NEVER said "what" when "pardon" was the polite question! Sad and amused in equal part, she closed the door behind her. She felt that she was closing a door on a wonderful future with Tom but, well, it would have to remain a dream.

As she walked up the drive, she kept hoping he would appear. Sweep her into his arms, apologise and tell her it was all going to be ok. But he didnt. She could hear the party, the voices and the laughter. As she watched the cab come round the bend, ready to carry her away back to her drab life of spreadsheets, she looked back at the house. Nothing. No face, no shout no running feet. She climbed into the cab and it drew away.

The running feet didn't appear until she was almost 100 yards away, rounding the bend back towards the City. The face, now a mask of concern and panic, didnt see her crying into her hands. The shout fell on deaf ears and there was never a more desperate but perfectly enunciated curse uttered as Tom watched her drive away. Possibly forever. This had all gone horribly wrong.

Rosie calmed down after about 10 excruciating minutes of sobbing. Wiping her snotty nose on her sleeve (how elegant, she chided herself) she swallowed and took out her phone. Deliberately switching it to silent she put it back in her bag. No doubt there would be recriminations, questions, a whole range of emotions, but she couldnt deal with it right now. She knew she wasnt thinking straight. She so desperately wanted the knight on the white charger to come and save her, she wanted Tom to move heaven and earth to get her back but she knew that just wasnt going to happen. Fate had given her a taste of what might have been but then snatched it back. Better to have loved and lost ...as the saying went.

The cab got her home just on 5pm. Still early enough, she thought. Then she checked herself - early for what exactly? She'd let her insecurities get the better of her - again - and now they had spoiled things for her - again. When would life stop kicking her in the teeth, she wondered sadly.

As she got to the front door, her phone began to vibrate. Fishing out her keys, she let it ring, not wanting to speak to the caller -she assumed it was Tom or a pal finding out where she was. Unlocking the door, the phone was STILL ringing. Leaving the keys hanging in the lock, she held the phone to her ear, pressed between it and her neck, glancing at the screen as she did so. Again an unknown number. She had no time to think any more of it as the door swung open and she stepped inside. Suddenly there was a hand at her back, pushing her forwards. Instinctively, she suspected she could be in danger. A few words later and she knew she was.

"Hello Rose" said the quiet , calculating voice. "I knew I'd find you eventually" the blood in her veins turned to icewater and she almost passed out.

David.