It was nearly four by the time they walked back to the car together, bags in hand, still talking. Eliza was in a gentle jetlagged glow. She felt safe, cushioned. Looked after. Many times in Melbourne, the sight of mother–daughter duos out shopping and lunching together sent an ache into her heart. Seeing them talking, laughing. As she walked alongside her godmother, she felt a sudden rush of gratitude. No, she wasn’t here with Jeannie. But this felt like the next best thing.

*

That night, back in her room while Olivia finished some work in her office, Eliza had another message exchange with Rose. Rose had asked Eliza about Olivia, Edgar, the hotel and the two Montgomery Men, as she’d dubbed them. She wanted to know all about Maxie and Hazel’s wedding plans. Eliza told her they were arriving just before the ceremony to give Maxie the best possible surprise.

That’s when she’ll first see you?? Rose wrote. I hope she’s wearing waterproof mascara.

Afterwards, Eliza thought about it. Perhaps they could arrive earlier. She couldn’t wait to see Maxie herself. She decided to go and talk to Olivia about it.

On the way, she got lost, finding herself on what looked like new staircases, in different hallways, all lined with artwork. She doubled back twice, sure she was now in the family’s wing. She heard the shouting before she was halfway down the hall. It was punctuated by occasional thumps.

Unsure what to do, she paused. A door opened. Lawrence stepped out, a red stain on his white shirt.

‘Eliza, hello,’ he said, calmly. ‘You look lost. Can I help?’

‘I was looking for Olivia.’ She glanced at his shirt. ‘Can I help you?’

‘Thank you but no. Everything is —’ Another thump sounded. ‘Fine, thank you.’

‘You look like you’ve been shot,’ she said.

‘Fortunately only by an expensive pinot noir. I’m going to see Olivia myself. Let me take you.’

Olivia’s office was one floor down. She sighed as they came in.

‘Another shirt ruined, Lawrence? You are claiming them back on expenses, I hope? You can talk in front of Eliza. She’s family. Do you know she offered her services with Celine today? I blame jetlag.’

Lawrence turned to her. ‘Do you have experience working for a tyrant? Someone who makes unreasonable demands for no praise?’

‘You’ve just summed up the past nine years of my working life.’

‘Stop it, both of you,’ Olivia said. ‘It’s not going to happen. Lawrence, please, give me the latest. And please excuse me silently screaming while you do.’

Nothing out of the ordinary, he told her. Another tantrum. Some wine throwing. He’d cleaned it up.

Olivia thanked him, then glanced at her watch. ‘Isn’t it supposed to be your night off? Any plans?’

‘Gambling or my laundry, I can’t decide. Thanks, Olivia. Goodnight.’ He nodded at Eliza too.