Me and half of Berlin, she thought wearily after five minutes, when her attempts to snag a ride had completely failed. Feeling a hand touch her arm, she whirled round, eyes wide, fight or flight reflexes on full alert. Radecki stood behind her. Whether it was deliberate or not, he maintained the perfect distance to avoid crowding her. Even in her heightened state of anxiety, Carol noted how unusual that was in a man. ‘I’m sorry, I startled you,’ he said.

She collected herself quickly. ‘You did,’ she said with a smile. ‘Just be grateful I didn’t have my pepper spray in my hand.’

He inclined his head with a rueful look. ‘I couldn’t help noticing when I came out that you were having trouble getting a cab. Perhaps I can help?’ He reached for his mobile phone. ‘My driver can have the car here inside five minutes. He can take you wherever you want to go.’

So much easier than following me, Carol thought with admiration. ‘That would be very kind,’ she said. ‘My feet are freezing.’

He glanced down at the high-heeled, thin-soled, fuck-me shoes she’d chosen for the occasion. ‘I’m not surprised. It’s easy to see you’re not a Berliner. Come back inside the foyer, it’s warmer there.’ He took her elbow and steered her towards the opera house, talking rapidly into his phone as they walked. Carol was aware of several curious looks from some of their fellow patrons as they passed. That was hardly surprising; if they were familiar with Tadeusz and Katerina, the sight of her by his side would be worth some serious gossip. She could imagine it now. ‘Hey, did you see Tadeusz Radecki at the opera with that woman? She could be Katerina’s sister. That’s weird. What kind of pervert goes out with a woman who looks that much like his dead girlfriend?’

They stood just inside the doors, slightly apart, saying nothing. She didn’t want to break the silence with the wrong words; sometimes it was better to let the fish come to you. A few people nodded a greeting to Tadeusz as they left the building, but no one stopped to speak.

He was true to his word. Only a few minutes passed before he nodded towards a black Mercedes that was drawing up at the kerb. ‘My car,’ he said. He walked her to the kerb and opened the rear door.

‘I really appreciate this,’ Carol said, climbing in. He leaned in past her and spoke to the driver.

‘It’s nothing,’ he said, withdrawing. ‘Just tell him where you want to go.’ He began to close the door.

‘Wait,’ Carol said. ‘You’re not coming?’

‘No.’

‘But how will you get home?’

‘I live close by. Besides, I prefer to walk.’ This time, his smile was apparently uncomplicated. ‘I’ll call you,’ he said, closing the door with a soft thud.