Rafi felt her hands effortlessly undress him. Her fingertips tenderly caressed his naked body.
Kate was enjoying the effect her teasing was having on him.
Rafi reached over and switched off the light. He lifted the sheet and slid under the crisp cotton, closely followed by Kate.
‘Now where was I?’ Kate asked playfully as she disappeared under the covers.
Rafi tingled all over as she slowly explored his body. She worked her way back up to his lips and kissed him lovingly.
‘I meant what I said: I’d do anything for you,’ she said as she moved on top on him. ‘At the Headland hotel when I saw Dranoff’s eyes latch on to mine and the sawn-off shotgun come out from under his coat, I was completely petrified. I froze. Out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed you flying down the stairs screaming at him, trying to draw his attention away from me. It all happened so fast: me thinking I was about to die, you screaming and firing and Dranoff blasting both barrels at you. I saw the wooden banister rail disintegrate into splinters only centimetres away from your body and when you landed in a gory mess at the bottom of the stairs.’ Kate tenderly kissed his lips. ‘In that split second, I realised how very much I loved you. You offered up your life to save mine. I was filled with amazement. I vowed there and then, I’d do absolutely anything for you.’
She snuggled closer. ‘My fantasy is to make you blissfully happy.’
The next morning, when Rafi woke, Kate was sleeping soundly by his side. He lay still, not wishing to disturb her. He gazed at her elfin-like features and savoured the memories of the previous night.
They had a lazy breakfast, showered together and were several minutes late for their coffee with Jeremy in the hotel lobby.
‘My, you’re looking radiant this morning,’ Jeremy said to Kate. ‘I see that Luxembourg with a man in tow suits you.’ He smiled at Rafi. ‘Aren’t you the lucky one?’
The question needed no answer.
‘I hear that the dinner went well,’ Jeremy continued. Rafi resisted asking whether they’d been bugged.
‘Jeremy, how much do you know of what Rafi and I are doing?’ asked Kate.
Jeremy smiled. ‘Ewan has briefed me. I’m to be your liaison with MI5 and MI6. I’ll be based at the Embassy and will have a desk next to yours in your offices.’
‘That’s great. Anything else I should know?’
‘Don’t tell Emma and Jack yet, but they’ll be part of your support team.’
‘Fantastic!’ said Kate with a big smile. ‘And is there anything more?’
‘I understand last night you had lengthy conversations with the three police officers, but found their partners less than forthcoming.’
‘Yes. They were rather secretive.’
‘Probably best if they bring you up to speed once you start working with them. Basically, Pierre Simmon works for the DGSE, La Direction Generale de la Securite Exterieure, which is France’s equivalent to MI6. Then there is Luca Duilio, who gained an impressive track record with the Italian Anti-mafia Investigative Directorate; he’ll tell you in due course what he’s been up to for the past couple of years. Bernhard Michalak is from Warsaw. And at one time he worked for the Stasi in East Germany and then had a stint with the FSB, the Russian Federal Security Service. He is a specialist on the whys and wherefores of organised crime in those former Russian states that are now part of the EU. Oh, and he’s a close friend of Luca.’
Rafi looked carefully at Jeremy. ‘They are a forbidding team, aren’t they?’
‘Yep, I’m glad that they are on our side. Heaven only knows what all of you will dig up!’
Their coffee was finished and they said their goodbyes. Kate and Rafi went off to explore the shops. After lunch, Jeremy had arranged for them to meet one of the Embassy staff.
The afternoon was spent looking at apartments. The first looked unremarkable from the outside, was comfortable and spacious on the inside, but had poor views. The second flat was smaller. However, it was only a short stroll from the office, overlooked a small square and was conveniently located for easy access to the airport. The main rooms were light and airy and the master bedroom was a good size with an impressive en suite bathroom. In the basement there was secure parking for two cars.
They both liked it. It would make an ideal and comfortable home for a couple doing a fair amount of travel. They decided not to look any further.
‘Is it within our budget?’ Kate enquired.
‘Money will not be a problem,’ came the reply. ‘When you’ve settled in, do let me know if you need any changes and I’ll happily organise them for you.’
Four hours later, Kate and Rafi were back in Clapham, sitting in front of her gas fire. They were tired, but elated by the prospects of their new lives.
Lying on the table amongst the post was a smart envelope with a crest on the back. It was addressed to both of them. Their company was requested at a reception and dinner at Windsor Castle, six weeks later, to celebrate a State visit by the President of the European Commission.
Rafi looked puzzled. ‘I wonder why we have been invited?’ ‘It’s probably to do with our new jobs,’ replied Kate. ‘Or perhaps we have gone up in the world following the capture of the terrorists?’
The day of the dinner at Windsor Castle arrived. Rafi and Kate had taken half a day off.
They arrived at Kate’s flat in the early afternoon. She was dithering. ‘It’s alright for you; a dinner jacket is a dinner jacket, end of problem. What am I going to wear?’
‘I thought you’d already bought an evening dress?’
‘Well, that’s the problem!’
‘You’ve left it a bit late!’
‘No, it’s just that I have a couple of options and then there’s what shoes and jewellery to put on.’
‘How’s about you put your choices on the bed and we go through them?’
‘Would you be willing to sit through me changing in and out of things, dithering while trying to decide what to wear?’
Rafi nodded, trying to look enthusiastic.
‘Give me a moment and I’ll get everything out,’ said Kate heading for the bedroom. What seemed like ages later, Rafi heard a call from the bedroom. He sauntered down the corridor, wondering what he’d let himself in for, and pushed open the door. There, standing in front of him was Kate with her hair up in a sophisticated fashion. Around her neck was a most exquisite gold necklace of blue gemstones with diamonds, pointing down to a lacy bra, panties, suspender belt and sheer silk stockings.
‘Now watch this.’ Kate smiled and walked into the evening sunshine. Rafi let out a quiet whistle. The blue gemstones in the necklace and the matching earrings had turned a fiery amber colour, setting off her hair perfectly.
‘Magic, isn’t it?’ asked Kate with a grin.
‘You look stunning… What are they?’
‘Blue amber. I’ve always wanted to wear them but never had the occasion before. They’ve been hidden away since my granny died a few years back.’
‘She had the same colour hair as you?’
Kate nodded.
‘I can see why she gave them to you. They are fabulous. I love how the amber changes colours. You look ravishing.’
They walked back to the bed. Four long dresses were draped across the duvet cover.
Rafi picked up a pale gold dress which had an almost translucent quality. It shimmered as it moved in the light. He wasn’t certain about the colour, but Kate seemed to like it. He suggested she try it on.
‘Do you think the colour is too much with my hair? A little shop in Milan made it and some matching shoes especially for me. I paid them a visit while I was working there a couple of weeks ago.’
Rafi watched as she slipped it on. He was surprised at how much he liked it; it hugged her figure, enhancing her subtle curves, and the colour actually accentuated the beauty of her skin and hair.
‘It’s perfect. There’s no need to look any further.’
‘In which case we have a some time to kill,’ said Kate suggestively, slipping off the silk dress. ‘It’s a bit cluttered in here. How’s about we try the sitting room?’