Tom first meets Ellie whilst he is working undercover as Matthew Artcher (a civil servant working in IT) and subsequently forced to date Ellie under this identity, leaving Ellie unaware of her boyfriends real name and that he is an MI5 agent. Ellie after discovering the real dangers that come with Tom's line of work asks him to decide to continue their relationship, making her and her daughter his priority and giving them a safe and loving home or his job as an MI5 agent. Tom, not willing to endanger their lives again chooses work over them ending the relationship, and Ellie and Maisie leave.