He looked around the lobby. Anyone observing them would imagine four friends, who represented the new European order, were enjoying an evening together. He glanced over to Laure who was talking at Sonia who was, by now, almost speechless and had resorted to humming the dance tunes.

David Brotton maintained his focus on Petr. The initial impression of a harassed, well-meaning man with a liability for a wife and who was never going to make the high grades was misleading. ‘I’m impressed by the number of eminent chemists working for you at Potio Pharma.’ Brotton had done his homework. ‘The work on anti-virals is going to change modern medicine.’

His admiration was genuine. Petr smiled, ‘The Czech Republic is very proud of Dr Holý and the others.’

‘Dr Holý leads the world in combating AIDS, smallpox, hepatitis B and shingles. Not a bad tally. But in the past…’ Brotton was being careful, ‘public health was compromised, I think.’

He was referring to the time when the concentration of toxic sulphur dioxide in the air over Northern Bohemia had been ten times higher than the legal limit.

‘As you say, it’s in the past.’

‘If Potio Pharma is planning to expand, I would love to know more about your work on anti-virals.’

Would you now, thought Petr. When the federation of European Communist Countries had been forbidden to trade with the West (with a result there was no hard currency), production had been difficult. Now, they were powering ahead.

‘Of course.’ He sketched out a reasonably comprehensive overview of a programme that was being rolled out by the company but left out details that might be useful to the British. If the British wanted parity in the partnership, they would have to pay for it.

Brotton understood perfectly. Glancing at Sonia, he said, ‘I think it’s time for bed.’ He stood up. ‘Next time you’re in Berlin, do get in touch.’

Goodbyes were said and the Brottons moved on. Laure prepared to follow them. ‘Petr?’

He looked at her and thought of her as she had been in Prague. Then, she had been waiting for her future to reveal itself, and that joyful, inquisitive look that she often wore had touched him deeply. He liked, too, her ability to see the funny side of things and he had watched her grief for her father mutate into a relish for life. She conveyed the sense that she was poised on the edge of discovery. And, with her love affair, came radiance.

He had envied it, lusted over it, yearned for it.

‘You must tell me about Tomas. You have to tell me.’

It was after midnight when Petr got back to the hotel and ordered his taxi for the airport for early the next morning.

Brotton had done a good job of grilling him without appearing to do so, and he had returned the compliment. No doubt the other man was as exhausted as he was.