The film had just reached the point where Christopher Ecclestone was holed up in the loft with the money when the entryphone buzzed. Surprised, she hit the mute button, rolled languidly to her feet and went through to the hallway. The only person it was likely to be was Radecki, she thought. She wasn’t in the mood for his company, nor was she dressed for it, but she could probably put him off.

Carol picked up the handset. ‘Who is it?’

‘It’s me, Tadeusz. Can I come up?’

‘I’m in the middle of some work, Tadzio. Can’t we meet tomorrow?’

‘I really need to see you. I can’t stay long, I have to be at the TV studios in an hour.’

She could manage an hour, she thought, pressing the door-release button and hurrying through to the bedroom. A silk kimono was far too suggestive for Radecki right now, she knew. She pulled on some loose linen trousers, hastily fastened her bra and grabbed a shirt, then he was knocking at her door. She dragged the shirt over her head as she walked back into the hall and let him in.

He gave her no time to greet him, simply hauling her into his arms and kissing her hard and fierce on the mouth. He moved into the apartment, taking her with him, kicking the door shut as they went. Carol managed to free her lips from his, rearing back and laughing nervously. ‘Hey, whoa! This is all a bit sudden,’ she said.

‘I’ve been thinking about you all day,’ he said. There was an intensity to his voice that she had never heard before. ‘I know you wanted time to think, but this is driving me crazy. I want you so bad, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep.’ His hands were all over her, strong and urgent, giving her no opportunity to break free. He nuzzled her neck, nibbling at her ear with sharp little bites.

Carol started to feel nervous. This wasn’t in her mental script of how things would go. She had been in control, but now she felt the situation running away from her. ‘Tadzio, wait,’ she said plaintively.

‘Why?’ he demanded. ‘Last night, you wanted me as much as I wanted you. I know, I felt it. Why do we need to wait?’

‘I’m not ready for this,’ she said, trying to slip out of his embrace. But he was too strong, his encircling arms too tight around her.

‘You know you are,’ he said, his voice softer now. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you.’ He raised a hand to the back of her neck, his long fingers caressing the soft skin there.