She was probably part of the damned conference, though. People had been pouring into this hotel for the last hour, shouting greetings to one another and disrupting the peace of the foyer bar. If he’d known how crowded The Ashington would be, he’d have gone elsewhere. Maybe he would move on tomorrow.

As he turned towards the lift, a man bumped into him. He heard a voice call out and next minute he was shoved out of the way as someone pounded past him. ‘What the—?’

He spun round to see the auburn-haired woman a few yards away, struggling with a young man who managed to free one hand and take a swing at her.

Ben dragged the guy off her, not sure what was happening.

‘Don’t let him go! He just took your wallet!’ she gasped. ‘I saw him put it in his pocket.’

A burly concierge came up in time to hear this. ‘Let me.’ He was strong enough to hold the young fellow still while he felt in the jacket pocket and produced two wallets. ‘Not many people carry two of these.’

‘The top one’s mine,’ Ben said.

The thief made a sudden lunge and nearly got away, but the woman tripped him up. The concierge hauled him to his feet, keeping a firmer hold this time, helped by Ben.

By this time a crowd had gathered. A man in a dark suit came up to them and said in a low voice, ‘I’m the Duty Manager. Shall we deal with this in my office?’ He gestured towards the right.

‘I’ve got him now.’ The concierge frog-marched the thief towards the door.

Ben turned to the young woman, who was rubbing her temple where the man had punched her. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes. Luckily it was just a glancing blow.’ She glanced towards the reception desk. ‘I’d better get my luggage.’

‘I’ll fetch it for you.’ Ben strode across the foyer, looked back to confirm that he had the right things, then brought them across and escorted her to the manager’s office.

Inside the office, the young man was standing with arms folded. ‘She stole the wallet and planted it on me,’ he said immediately.

Ben glared at him. ‘She couldn’t have done. I watched her walk in and cross to Reception. She was still standing there when you bumped into me.’

He turned back to her. ‘I can’t thank you enough. I’d have lost my wallet but for you.’ There was a bruise forming on her forehead, but otherwise she looked more exhilarated than upset. Her air of fresh vigour appealed to Ben. Very much.

She smiled. ‘You’re welcome. I hope he hasn’t given me a black eye, though.’

‘No, just a bruise on the forehead. About there. He touched his own in the same place. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’

‘I’m fine.’