Obituary: Karolina Gluck

Polish-born Karolina came to London three years ago

The morning of Thursday 7 July was full of anticipation for Karolina Gluck.

As she kissed goodbye to her boyfriend, Richard Deer, before leaving for work, they were looking forward to an exciting few days.

That night they were due to leave for Paris for a romantic, long weekend.

Moments later the 29-year-old boarded the Piccadilly Line train at Finsbury Park station heading towards Russell Square, where she worked as a receptionist at the Goodenough College.

But when news of the bomb attacks reached Mr Deer, he started to worry and rang her work, only to find out she had failed to arrive.

Days of searching ensued, until police confirmed her death.

What we had was indescribable, so, so special Richard Deer

Polish-born Ms Gluck had followed her twin sister Magda to London three years ago, from their home town of Chorzow.

But it did not take Ms Gluck long to integrate herself into her new homeland.

Nicknamed "Sunshine" by her boyfriend because of her lively and warm nature, she wore a St George's Cross piercing in her belly button and carried a London 2012 keyring.

'Still close'

Two weeks after the blasts, Mr Deer, 28, visited Russell Square, near the spot where his girlfriend was killed.

He was accompanied by Ms Gluck's Polish relatives, who joined him in leaving flowers and signing a book of condolence.

Alongside two tributes written by her family in Polish, he wrote: "I think about you all the time and I will never ever forget what we had.

"What we had was indescribable, so, so special. I love you Karolina and know that you are still close."

Friends and family held a memorial service for the blonde, spiky-haired receptionist close to the college where she worked.