‘My God. Every single policeman in Prague must be on this one.’ He looked down at Laure. ‘It was knowing you, Laure, that tipped the balance.’

To her shame, she felt a wild surge of joy.

‘It was bad enough not being allowed to study at university, or to travel, or to join a library. But it was deal-able with. I knew the game and I played it. Like all of us. But when you came along, I understood what it was to be unfettered.’ He kissed her. ‘I’m paying you the best compliment when I say that you will not really know what I’m talking about.’

‘Where will you go?’ she asked, desperately staving off the goodbye.

‘There’s a safe house. I’ll be there until the papers are done.’ He sounded very wry. ‘We think it’s run by the British.’

‘How will I know?’

‘You won’t. Whatever you do, don’t say anything to anyone.’

Could the sun spool back on the sundial in the garden? That way miracles happened and the portion of time that contained the Tomas of this moment could be smoothed of its dangers and traps. Believe, she told herself. Believe – like those who built the city’s ridiculously ornate churches believed – and Tomas would be safe.

She glanced over her shoulder. ‘What else did you want?’

He hesitated. Eventually, he slid off his waistcoat, tore at the seam at the back and pulled out a document. ‘It’s a list of names that will be interesting to the West. Profiteers. Businessmen. Party members who could be turned. We’ve collected them over the years, often at some cost.’

She looked at the paper and a dreadful disappointment opened up. ‘So you were using me.’

He grasped her chin and made her look at him. ‘What do you think?’

Hungrily, she searched his face. Was he… did he? What could she believe?

He slid his hand under her T-shirt and cupped a breast. ‘For memory,’ he said. His hand rested on her hot flesh and the sirens shrieked.

He seemed slighter and thinner than ever. More vulnerable. More determined. Her rock god. ‘If only you knew, Laure.’ She lifted her hand to his face. ‘Oh my God, your hand,’ he said. ‘I have to go,’ and bending over he kissed her hard.

Then he was off, leaving Laure dizzy with the pain of goodbye and doubt.

Petr would be notified that a banned meeting had taken place at the marionette theatre and they would give her name to him.

Therefore, she had only a few hours.

Go carefully. Move as if she was someone who had responsibilities and purpose and was being brisk about it. But no faster.

Do not get stopped.

Laure’s recently acquired tics went into overdrive. Check out the shadows. Use the alleyways. Double back if worried.