“Yeah. The guy just can’t make it on Thursday now. His wife’s got a last-minute hospital appointment and he needs to be with her. There isn’t another day that we’re both free for a few weeks. I said I’d do it, but it’ll mean a late night here.”

“Want me to stay and help? Tom’s away in Berlin at a conference, so I can stay late.”

He gave me a relieved smile. “That would be fantastic. Thanks so much.”

I took my bag to the restroom and sent Tom a message.

Going to see a film and go for pizza with some of the women from work tonight. I’ll call you when I get in. Hope your trip’s going well x

I didn’t get a reply.

We worked hard for the next few hours gathering together all of the information that Paul Heaton needed and putting it into a presentation. At eight thirty Harry leaned back in his chair. “I think we’re done now. That was quicker than I expected, thanks to you.”

I smiled and stood up to fetch my coat and bag from the cupboard. “I’m glad you got it all sorted. It’ll be a big deal if they take you on.”

“Wish me luck.” He smiled at me and my knees weakened. He must have known that that smile would just undo me.

“Fancy getting something to eat?” he said. “You must be starving.”

I shook my head. “Better not.” He knew exactly what I meant.

We left the office together and went down in the lift. The building was empty and quiet. We said nothing, just stared ahead, but the tension between us was almost overwhelming.

Harry walked me over to my car at the far side of the car park. We hadn’t said a word since leaving my office. I fumbled for my car keys and pressed the button on the fob. The lights flashed on. I turned to him to say good-bye.

There was a moment’s pause when things could have gone either way. Gently he reached out and touched my face. Our eyes met. His thumb brushed across my mouth and I started to tremble. Tentatively I reached out to stroke his hair and then he kissed me.

CHAPTER 28

Ruby

Those two nights in Paris were bliss. I felt like a teenager again: full of lust and love and hope for the future.