After the waiter had gone, Grace put the signed documents carefully into her handbag and put it on her lap. ‘I’m glad we could come to an agreement. I’ll let the lawyers deal with it from here. You know something, Lawrence? I had a lot of help with this, from other women. What’s the saying? “A woman scorned . . .”? I hadn’t realised I wasn’t alone. At the end of the day, women will come together and support each other. We know that what you did to one of us could happen to all of us. When it comes to our survival and our kids, women will stick together. There are too many men like you out there, Lawrence. I wish I’d known that before I met you and got sucked in by your spin.’

Lawrence said nothing as he roughly handed her the pen, as if making a point. But there was no point to make, because Grace knew she had won.

‘Thank you. Goodbye, Lawrence.’

He didn’t answer, and she walked away, past the man at the nearby table, who was closing his magazine and counting out money to pay for his drink.

She concentrated on putting one step in front of the other, expecting Lawrence to call her back, to have changed his mind, to have the last word. But then suddenly she straightened her spine, stuck out her chin and strode forward with confidence. Then she was out the door and in the lift, swooping downwards, and suddenly she felt shaky, light-headed and dizzy, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She thought she was going to be sick. She doubled over for a minute and rested her hands on her knees, then straightened up.

Going outside to take a breath of air, she looked at the two Petronas Towers above her, which caught and reflected the sunlight. They were strong, impressive and almost otherworldly. She would bring Daisy here one day and they could explore this city together, she thought. Now, she realised, she could make plans for their life – for her and Daisy – without Lawrence’s threats always overshadowing her.

Sitting down in the train carriage, Grace realised she was still trembling, but the nausea had passed, replaced by a deep sense of relief and a sudden wild streak of joy. She had fought for Daisy, and for herself, and she had succeeded.

As the blur of scenery flashed past her window, Grace tried to rewind all that had transpired. Lawrence had signed the documents – she could barely believe it. She had been hopeful but realistic; she had thought he would fight her as he always had before.