When she returned to the sitting room, his bedroom door was open and she could hear him muttering to himself inside. After a minute, he called, ‘Can you lend me some toothpaste, please, Megan? I’ve forgotten mine.’

She fetched her tube, feeling shy as she entered his bedroom. ‘Here you are.’

‘Thanks.’

His fingers clasped hers for a moment and all the oxygen vanished from the room. She drew in a deep breath, trying to stay casual. She didn’t fool him, of course.

He grinned. ‘Don’t look so nervous. I’ve promised not to ravish you.’

She managed to smile. Just.

He squeezed some toothpaste on to his brush and turned on the tap. ‘Why don’t you wait for me in the sitting room? I won’t be a minute.’

When he rejoined her, he smelled of mint and freshly-washed skin, seeming to glow with good health. He’d changed into a casual shirt and slacks with a leather jacket, and his hair was ruffled, which made him seem younger and much more approachable. She liked him least in those dark business suits, she decided, elegant as they were. They seemed like armour, protecting the real him from the world.

‘Well,’ he said, smiling, ‘are you ready for a hearty meal now? I know I am.’

He held out his arm and she linked hers in it. ‘Where are we going?’

‘To the restaurant here. I’m told it’s a good one – and there’s dancing.’ His eyes gleamed at her in the subdued lighting of the lift. ‘I like dancing with you.’

Except that the dance floor was about the size of a linen cupboard and the only way they could dance was to shuffle around pressed very closely against one another. Which soon had her feeling breathless again – and clearly was affecting him, too.

‘It’s too public a place for this sort of closeness,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘I can only take so much of it. Let’s go back and try those desserts.’

But for once her appetite had vanished and she could only shake her head when the waiter brought the trolley across. She toyed with a cup of coffee while he ate quickly and neatly.

As he laid his spoon down, Ben began to yawn, caught her watching him and chuckled. ‘My turn to fade early today. I ought to be wide awake, given the time differences, but I didn’t get much sleep last night.’

‘We can go to bed early if you like. It’s no big deal.’

Another yawn caught him and he shook his head ruefully. ‘I think I’ll have to, if you don’t mind. But I promise to be wide awake tomorrow.’