He arrives, moments later, shoulders hunched inside his coat, the sound of his footsteps lost beneath the rush of the water. We stare at each other through the low morning light.

‘I thought you weren’t coming.’

‘Then why are you here, Miss Herta?’ His voice carries a hint of amusement. Irritatingly self-assured.

‘I’m walking my dog.’

‘Of course you are. Of all the places in Leipzig you could walk your dog…’

‘I like walking here. And you? What’s your reason for being here?’

‘I came to see you.’

He stands close, leaning over the wall, and for a moment I long for him to put his arm around my shoulders, but he does not.

‘What made you so certain I would be here?’

‘Just a hunch.’ He turns towards me, the warmth of his breath on my face, a self-certain smile on his lips.

‘Why do you think you’re so clever, Walter Keller? Why are you so arrogant to think that I want to spend my time with you?’

He shakes his head and looks at the river. ‘I’m not in the least bit certain,’ he says. ‘I took a chance. I admit, I’m pleased to see you here – I can’t deny that, can’t deny I’m attracted to you, that I enjoy your company, despite our differences, and all the danger. No, more: I love your company. But if you look me in the eye, now, and tell me you never want to see me again, then I shall go away and never bother you again.’

He turns around to face me. It’s light enough to see him properly. I square up to tell him exactly that: Leave me alone. I have no need of you. You are dangerous to me and I want you out of my life. Give me strength, Mein Führer.

But the words fail me.

We stand close, staring at each other in silence, the water swirling beneath us.

‘You can’t say it, can you?’ he murmurs. That hint of amusement again.

My heart burns and I want to hit him. Beat him hard on the chest with my fists. But I long for something else too. I want to climb right inside his skin and know him completely.

So I say nothing at all.

A fraction of movement and his lips – warm, lighter than air – brush mine. I freeze and the air around me contracts. Then he is kissing me, properly. His tongue parts my lips and he pulls me towards him, passing his arms around my back. I’m lost in him, in this moment.

Then I remember my vow and pull away.

‘I’m sorry,’ Walter says. ‘I shouldn’t have.’

‘No. You shouldn’t.’

‘I won’t—’

‘I – I like it though. I like it when you kiss me. But we can’t…’

‘Let’s – let’s just make the most of things while we can. Who knows what will happen in the future? Perhaps,’ he grabs both my hands, ‘you and I should just run away together. I can’t fight the urge to be with you. I don’t want to fight it. So, let’s just go and live in sin.’