‘I’m glad.’ He seemed to be moved by how much it had obviously touched her. ‘We’ll get it framed and hang it in our production office for the movie, eh?’

*

Putu pulled up out the front of Steve’s villa and it seemed easy and natural when Steve leaned over and kissed Grace lightly.

She returned his kiss and smiled. ‘Thank you for a wonderful dinner . . . and K’tut’s painting . . . and agreeing to go on the mad journey of making a film with me,’ said Grace.

‘Slowly, slowly,’ Steve said, giving her one last kiss and then getting out of the car.

At home, Grace thanked Putu and went inside. Daisy was sound asleep, a small smile curving her mouth. ‘Sweet dreams,’ whispered Grace.

Her mother’s door was ajar and the light on. Grace wanted to show her the painting, so she quietly pushed the door open.

Tina was asleep, her glasses and a book abandoned on the bedcover. Grace leaned over and gazed at her mother’s serene face, weathered with faint wrinkles, her long, strong fingers free of jewellery, her nails and the shape of her hands suddenly so familiar.

These were the hands that had smoothed her hair, tickled her toes, hugged her and occasionally smacked her. Hands that had cooked and cleaned and tenderly helped her hold a pencil, braided her hair. This was the woman who had held her close at the death of a pet, had always been there through the laughter, tears and triumphs of teenage years, and later showed her how to guide a nipple to her newborn baby’s mouth. She was guiding Grace still, through the choppy waters of recent times.

How does one ever repay the selflessness of a mother’s love? Grace thought. Would Daisy feel the same love and gratitude for her? she wondered. She knew she would give her life for her daughter. Her mother was strong and independent, but entering into a new stage of her life. And Grace saw their roles shifting. She wanted Tina to have freedom and opportunity to do whatever mad and crazy things came to her mind. Grace suddenly saw how it was to let go . . . when a child starts school, leaves home, gets married.

Suddenly Grace felt a positive strength, knowing there was a different path ahead of her. Where it led, she didn’t know, but the choices about when to stop or go, turn left or right, were hers and hers alone. She knew it was more important than ever that she disentangle herself from the only thing that had been holding her back the last few years: Lawrence. There was much to do – she needed to sort out custody of Daisy, and the legal hassles with the trust document and the insurance money – but she resolved to sort it out as soon as she could. She would find her way.