Grace missed Melanie, who had been overseas when the fire happened and was still away. They’d FaceTimed since and were in touch regularly, but it wasn’t the same as sitting together, laughing, talking, playing with Daisy. Mel was more like a sister than a best friend, especially since Grace was an only child. Mel had sisters and a brother but the bond Grace had with her was close. She was the one person Grace could really share her deepest feelings with, openly and honestly. She could share parts of her life with her husband, her mother, and her father over in Perth. But with her honest, blunt, caring girlfriend who had her back and was as feisty as hell, Grace had no secrets. She missed Mel at this pivotal time in her life.

For the moment, Grace concentrated on Daisy, who was still waking up at night and climbing into Grace’s bed. Although she said she liked her new school, Daisy wasn’t happy at suddenly being thrust into a new setting, with different teachers and no children she knew.

‘So what did you do today, sweet pea?’ Grace asked one afternoon as she and Daisy walked home from school, Daisy skipping along beside her.

‘I’m going to a party!’

‘What sort of party? And when is it?’

‘Saturday. I have the paper. You know, the in . . . invit . . .’

‘Invitation? How wonderful. Whose birthday?’

‘Suzi. And lots of people.’

‘Okay, we’ll read the invitation to Nana when we get home.’

Daisy brought the invitation out of her backpack as soon as she walked in the door and showed Grace and Tina.

‘Avalon. That’s just around the corner,’ Grace explained to Daisy. ‘Wow, that sounds fun. I’ll ring Suzi’s mummy and see if I can bring anything.’

‘Yes, ask if we can make cupcakes to bring,’ suggested Tina. ‘Only three days to go until Saturday, Daisy.’

‘Yay, yes, cupcakes,’ cried Daisy. ‘And a present.’

While Daisy was at school the next day, Grace headed into the city to look at laptops. She wanted to decide which one to buy when the insurance payment finally came through. Outside the computer store, she ran into Sophia, the make-up artist Grace often used on their shoots.

Sophia gave her a hug. ‘Hi, darling. I heard the news. It must be excruciating. Are you all right? How’s Daisy coping?’

Grace sighed. ‘Good days and bad days. She’s had a big shock, of course. We’ve given her new toys and clothes but all she wants are the old favourites. I do too.’

Sophia took her hand. ‘That’s so hard. Can I help with anything?’

‘That’s sweet of you. I’m just taking it day by day. Finishing a job for the Lifesaving Association.’

‘Where are you living? It’s a pity your cute place in Paddington isn’t available anymore.’

‘Yes, the tenants are locked in. I was hoping we could move there but it’s a no-go. It would have been like old times, when I lived there before we were married.’