‘The standard tour will do.’

‘All right. Two striking Gothic towers. The Old Town Bridge Tower was an integral part of the foundations. The Malá Strana Tower, which was built a bit earlier, was originally used as a watchtower. The whole bridge is obviously a masterpiece, commissioned by Charles the Fourth, and the backdrop to most of the dramatic events in the city over centuries and, these days, plenty of films you’ll have sat through with your kids.’ He was recovering his enthusiasm quickly. ‘Some of these statues are masterpieces.’ He strode forward. ‘This is Braun’s St Luitgard, which, if you ask me, is one of the finest of its kind. This is a copy, mind you. The original statues are all in a museum now to preserve them.’ He took her to lean over the bridge towards the waters of the Vltava river below. He pointed at another statue. ‘Bruncvik, a mythical Bohemian knight – Prague’s answer to King Arthur.’

‘Did he draw a large sword?’

‘Yes, and is said to have helped a lion fight a seven-headed dragon. He and his army are certain to rise and save Prague in its most desperate hours.’

‘Like during Nazi rule, you mean? Or the long period when the Russians were in charge?’

‘He seemed to sleep through those bits.’

Callum started walking again, until they reached the castle side of the bridge. ‘This is Malá Strana, founded by King Ottokar the Second by joining a group of villages together.’

‘Speed up again, Callum,’ Kate said.

‘Who are they?’

‘I don’t know. I can’t work it out.’

‘Why would anyone be following us?’

‘Just keep walking and talking while I try to find an answer.’

Callum did as he was instructed, leading her along Mostecká Street to Malostranské Square, dominated by the Baroque edifice of the Church of St Nicholas. Kate urged him on and they climbed up Nerudova Street, past smaller Baroque townhouses, and turned right at the top towards the spectacular sight of Prague Castle.

Kate was pretty certain who her pursuers were by now, but she was no nearer to determining what country or organization they represented and why they were following her. ‘Is there a café or restaurant nearby?’ she asked.

‘Don’t you want to see the castle?’

‘Later.’

‘There’s a place called Kuchyn. An old friend took me there just after it opened in July. You basically order by walking through the kitchen.’

‘Sounds great.’

Callum led her to the restaurant on the far side of the square and they took a seat at a long oak trestle table on the terrace at the rear where the sun was setting behind the dome of the Church of St Nicholas, bathing the old town in an amber glow. ‘Some view, huh?’ he said.

They ordered beer, then wandered into the kitchen to peer into great copper pots to place their orders for the main course. Kate was halfway through her rabbit when Callum broke off from reminiscing on his time in Prague. ‘The guy in the corner is either a spy or a drug dealer.’ Kate was about to turn. ‘Don’t look around.’