He leaned forward, an arm round her waist, and kissed her, lips slightly parted. The heat of his body provoked a surprising surge of desire in Carol, and she had to make a conscious effort not to let herself go in his embrace. ‘Can I see you this evening?’ he asked, his voice husky and deep.

Needing some distance between them, she put her hand on his chest, feeling the thud of his heart under her fingers. ‘I can’t tonight, I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I have to work.’

Tadeusz gave a rueful pout. ‘Can’t it wait till tomorrow?’

Carol stepped away from him. ‘I need to send some stuff overnight to my lawyer. We’re in the middle of a property deal and he’s got a meeting in the morning. I should have done it this afternoon, but you tempted me away.’

He shrugged. ‘Never mind. Tomorrow night, then? You’ll come to my place for dinner?’

‘OK,’ she said. ‘But you’re still planning on showing me the more interesting side of the business tomorrow, aren’t you?’

‘Of course. I’ve got a couple of things to sort out first thing in the morning, but after that, I’m all yours.’

‘Great. Give me a call with the arrangements. Thanks again, Tadzio, I’ve really enjoyed your company.’

‘And I yours,’ he said, moving back towards the car at the kerb. ‘I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much.’

Carol couldn’t help a smile sneaking across her face as she walked into the lift. It might not last, it was true, but for now he was playing the game as if he was following Morgan’s script. She hoped it would continue that way.

Tadeusz didn’t bother waiting for the lift. Instead he ran up the three flights of stairs two at a time, feeling a surge of energy that he’d forgotten could possess him. As Darko never tired of reminding him, Caroline was not Katerina. It was only their looks that were similar. But, different as their personalities were, they seemed to have a similar effect on him. For the first time since Katerina’s death, he felt like a human being when he was with Caroline.