I followed Kitty in through the double doors, wondering what it meant. Once inside, it was even stranger. I suppose I’d been expecting it to be busy. It wasn’t. There was barely a handful of people scattered through the bar, mainly business people, judging from their suits, and almost all men.

Kitty looked about her in disgust. ‘Is this it?’ she said. ‘I was expecting a bit more, to be honest.’

I was still thinking about the so-called VIP list. ‘Who told you it was hard to get in here?’ I said.

‘Jimmy,’ Kitty said. ‘That’s what the guy sorting the VIP list told him. He was desperate to get us here, apparently.’

‘Yeah,’ I said, looking around at all the empty tables. ‘I can see why.’

‘Well, we’re here now,’ she shrugged. ‘And the paps have got their story. So, mission accomplished.’

‘What do you mean?’ I said, not following.

‘I mean, Jimmy made sure they’d be here,’ she said. ‘You’re a dope, sometimes, you really are. It keeps our faces in the papers. Raises our profiles. It’s all good.’

I didn’t think it was good at all, but I didn’t think she’d understand, so I just nodded.

‘Come on.’ She nudged me. ‘It’s only early. Things’ll pick up later on. Cheer up and come to the bar with me. We might as well make the most of it.’

I got a vodka, free of charge, but only took one sip and left it. The mere smell of the alcohol made me feel sick. I ordered an orange juice, and followed Kitty over to sit at a table near the dance floor. The room wasn’t large - the dance floor would only have taken about fifty people, if that – but it was exquisitely decorated, with satin-covered walls, studded with more of the diamond lights. A pianist was playing the Rat Pack over by a small stage and next to it was a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, with a door opening onto a roof terrace.

After sitting in silence for a few minutes, looking around at the business people and wondering if this was as good as it was going to get, I suggested going out there for some fresh air.

‘Good idea.’ Kitty jumped up and grabbed her bag off the table. ‘I’m dying for a fag.’

Again, she led the way, and I followed her outside. The terrace wasn’t large, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in atmosphere, with ambient lighting and palm trees, as well as high-end patio furniture, glass and black wicker, carefully positioned to give a casual look. I leaned against the glass-panelled railings that ran around the edge of the terrace, and looked down at Park Lane below me. There were cabs coming and going all the time outside the hotel, and I wondered how many of the people in them would be joining us up in this roof bar.

‘Ah.’ Kitty took a deep drag on her cigarette. ‘I needed that.’

‘Can I…’ I began. Then stopped. I knew I shouldn’t. I’d given up a few years ago, but…what the hell. ‘Can I have one?’

‘Knock yourself out.’ Kitty thrust the box at me. ‘Take ʼem. I’ve got more in my bag. They’re menthol, though.’

‘It’s what I smoke…smoked,’ I said, lighting up and slipping the box into my bag, absently. ‘I’m not starting again. I just…fancy one.’

‘Yeah.’ Kitty laughed. ‘That’s what they all say.’

I was about to protest, when I noticed a man standing in the bar. He was looking out at me; a strange, almost hungry, look on his face. I had a feeling I’d seen him before somewhere…recently…but I couldn’t place him. Whoever he was, he was incredibly good looking. I turned to Kitty, to ask her if she knew him but, when I turned back, he’d gone.

Don’t be ridiculous, anyway, I told myself. He wouldn’t be interested in you, and even if he was, you’ve sworn off men. You’re not getting involved with anyone else at the moment. Besides, what would Leo…

‘I didn’t know you smoked,’ a voice said, from behind me.

I stepped back and span round. There, right in front of me, my forehead nearly touching his nose, was the man I’d seen looking out at me. There was another door out onto the balcony. I could see it now.

I looked back at him and he took a step back. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s fine,’ I said. He was breathtakingly, outrageously handsome. He was enough to make a girl weep. I just stared.

‘I…’ He gave a brief laugh, and I looked away, feeling myself begin to blush. ‘I was just saying that you smoked. I didn’t know.’

‘Well, of course you didn’t,’ Kitty interjected with a sharp laugh. ‘How would you? You don’t even know who she is.’

‘On the contrary, I know her very well. Or, at least, I know of her,’ he amended, turning and smiling at me again, with a nod of recognition. ‘Miss Anderton.’

I nodded back, trying to remember where I’d seen him before. It had to be off TV. He had that ultra-perfect look about him and, right now, he had the advantage. I couldn’t place him at all. I took a drag on my cigarette to steady my nerves.

‘And as I was saying,’ he continued, addressing me again. ‘I didn’t realise you smoked.’

‘She doesn’t,’ Kitty said, now physically elbowing her way in front of me. ‘Allegedly.’

‘Allegedly.’ The man smiled at her briefly, acknowledging her joke, then turned to me and, with a look of disapproval, took the cigarette from between my lips and threw it over the edge of the terrace. ‘Smoking is very unbecoming, you know,’ he said. ‘Not to mention, unhealthy.’

I was so mortified, I didn’t even react. I just stared at his now-empty hand, then up at him. There was an amused look in his blue eyes, one I’d seen before and remembered only too well. I felt the colour drain out through my shoes as realisation hit me.

At the same time, I felt Kitty bridle. She made a big show of dragging on her cigarette, apparently expecting him to try to stop her. He didn’t. She was furious at being pushed once again from centre-stage, I could tell. She was rapt by this guy, and small wonder. He was truly beautiful. The only trouble was, that ironic grin had broken the charm. I knew now exactly where I’d seen him before, and why he knew me.

He was Mr Arrogant, from Max’s office.

I felt the colour flood back into my cheeks in a physical rush…they actually pulsed. He was Max’s friend…client…whatever. He’d been there the day I’d found out about Leo. He’d more or less witnessed my humiliation. And here he was again…giving me that same mocking grin he’d given me in Max’s office. No wonder he’d had the gall to throw my fag away. It was all in a day’s work for him. Why did he get such a kick out of embarrassing me?

I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to find out. Someone like him would never be interested in me, anyway. If I was anything to him, I was sport…something to keep him entertained while the bar was so empty.

I threw him what was quickly becoming my trademark Icy Glare, before moving away slightly and turning my back on him to gaze across Hyde Park. I hoped he’d get the message and disappear. Night was closing in, and the lights on the fountains were beginning to stand out against the darkening green of the lawns. I traced the streetlights around the edge of the park, trying to take my mind off his continued presence.

What was he even doing here, anyway? Kitty was trying to find out, not very subtly, but he seemed evasive in his answers. I couldn’t help myself. I was too curious. I turned slightly to watch them, leaning against the balcony and wishing I still had the cigarette. I needed it now.

‘I had some business here tonight,’ he was saying. ‘I came to meet someone.’

‘Ooh.’ Kitty leaned forward, pushing out her ample bust. ‘Who is it? Anyone I’d know.’

‘Yes, well,’ He paused and looked over at me. I turned my head away and pretended to be interested in something on the horizon. ‘That is, I doubt it. Do excuse me.’

He nodded his head at her and smiled briefly. I looked back again, half wishing he’d stay, despite everything. He was looking over at me. His expression, as he caught my eye, was unreadable. I think it was intended as a smile, but it was only his mouth that made it. His eyes were inscrutable. If anything, he looked disappointed.