Daisy was clinging to Tina, her small face pinched with worry. Grace disliked that this scene was playing out in front of her, but something had to give. She lowered her voice and hissed at Lawrence, ‘Your crazy schemes, your unstable lifestyle, your lack of support, financially and otherwise, your lack of parental parameters make you an unsuitable primary parent. You’re the flaky, sometimes-fun, part-time father.’

Lawrence’s expression was inscrutable. He said very quietly, ‘I will be settling down to a very stable life, Grace. Speak to your lawyer.’ He turned on his heel and left.

Grace reached out and clasped Tina’s hand, tears springing to her eyes. ‘I just can’t bear the way he behaves!’

‘I know, honey.’ Tina stroked her daughter’s hand and then Daisy turned to hug her mother.

‘It’s all right, Mumma. I don’t want to go and live with Daddy and Alicia.’

Grace and Tina looked at each other.

‘Who the hell is Alicia?’ said Grace.

At that moment, Putu walked in to give Tina a bag she’d left in the car.

‘Your friend, he works for Kamasan too?’ Putu asked, pointing out the front door as he handed Tina her bag.

‘Lawrence? Daisy’s father? No. He does not,’ said Grace firmly.

Putu looked surprised. ‘Oh, I saw him just now with my friend, who drives limos for Kamasan staff.’

‘What the hell is Lawrence up to now?’ Grace said to her mother. ‘What’s the time? I’m calling Mr Judd.’

But Mr Judd had been tied up in court all day and would be the next, too, so Grace had made an appointment for a phone meeting as soon as he was available. Even though she was soothed by the beautiful garden around her, she still felt anxious. As far as she was concerned, getting herself free of Lawrence couldn’t come soon enough.

*

The next day, at exactly the appointed time, Mr Judd called. The solicitor was calm but frank.

‘Mr Hagen is pushing your buttons. It’s not the first time he’s made this threat. I doubt he would be awarded sole custody of your daughter, especially if he were to move overseas,’ Mr Judd explained. ‘I think this would be the case even if he tries to paint a picture showing you as hostile to him having contact with his daughter, or say that you’re seeking to alienate her from her father, telling her stories to turn her against him, et cetera.’

‘Now that is totally crazy,’ said Grace. ‘How would he be able to get away with such lies?’

‘You’d be surprised. There are some lawyers who do a great job of pathologising women’s behaviour and who would try to present your behaviour as you endangering your child, with your “unnecessary travel” and a time-consuming job and delusions about insurance fraud, and so on,’ said Judd dryly.