‘Is this the water safety ad?’ asked Tina.

‘Yes. I’m filming at Palm Beach so it’s close.’

‘Wow, that looks so cool. Excellent, Daisy,’ said Melanie, admiring Daisy’s picture of the beach.

‘Mummy, can you take it off for me? Here, Aunty Mel.’ When Grace had freed it, Daisy handed the almost-dry painting to Mel.

‘Thank you, darling. Can you part with it? It’s a pretty special painting,’ said Melanie. ‘But I’d love to put it on my fridge. Then I’ll tell people I can look at the beach every morning.’ She laughed, kissing the little girl.

Outside at the car, the two friends hugged.

‘You’re sure about this?’ asked Melanie. ‘It won’t be easy. Or pleasant.’

‘I’m sure. Thanks, Mel. I guess it’s been coming for a long while. Somehow the fire seems like a sort of omen. A symbol.’

‘I know the fire was traumatic, and you won’t get over it for a while. And I know you lost a lot of sentimental things. But, to be corny, maybe some things do happen for a reason.’

Grace nodded. ‘I’ve got my child, my mother and my best friend. And my work. I’m okay,’ she managed to say before choking up.

‘You’ve got all your friends,’ said Melanie softly. ‘We’ve missed you.’

*

It was getting dark when Grace came in from a long day of filming a sales presentation video for a seafood restaurant and boat charter business. The water safety ad was in the can and Grace had decided that work was just what she needed, and not only to pay the bills.

‘Hi, Daisy darling. Hello, Mum,’ Grace called out as she walked into the kitchen. ‘I have some dinner for us. Fresh seafood!’ She dropped a paper parcel onto the bench, nudging Sparkle away as he jumped up to investigate.

‘Ugh,’ said Daisy, who was sitting at the small table doing her homework. Her grandmother was sitting beside her with a magazine and a glass of wine, and got up to kiss Grace on the cheek before unwrapping the parcel of food.

‘Oh, this looks so fresh. How was your day?’

‘Good, thanks.’ Grace opened the cupboard and took out a wok. ‘This seafood’s all been cleaned and there’s sauce to go with it. I’ll put on some rice too,’ Grace said. She dropped a kiss on the top of Daisy’s head. ‘What did you get up to today, princess?’

‘Ah, drawing and gardening. And I got to feed lettuce to Charlie, the guinea pig. But guess what, Mummy, tomorrow it’s my turn to be the teacher’s helper and hand out the new reading books in class. And I have to take some more lettuce to school for Charlie.’

‘Wow, that sounds fun, sweetheart. And Charlie is a very lucky little guinea pig.’

Daisy nodded, sharpening her pencil.

‘Here, Gracie, let me get you a drink. You might need it,’ Tina said.

‘Why?’ Grace asked, looking at her mother.

‘Here’s a glass of wine. And a letter.’ Her mother put them in front of Grace as she sat down.