Grace stood back and quickly wiped her eyes. ‘Thanks, Mum. Did Daisy say if she had dinner?’

‘Yep. They went to the zoo and had fast food crap. All day. Of course Daisy didn’t think it was crap, being such a novelty.’

‘I knew it!’ Grace slammed a fist into the palm of her hand. ‘He doesn’t cook. Pretends to like haute cuisine, eats at the best restaurants, but at heart he’s nothing but a drive-through junk-food moron. Who can’t cook an egg.’

Tina smothered a smile. ‘Well, Daisy won’t be like that. She says she wants us to make spag bol for tomorrow’s dinner, and she gets to roll up the meatballs.’

‘Good. I’ll make a chef out of her yet – despite her pig of a father.’ Grace stomped towards the bathroom.

*

They were sitting in a small wine bar across from the darkened beach. It was still too early for the usual crowd.

‘You know, it’s been a long time since I could just walk out the door and go to a bar,’ said Grace, lifting her cocktail. ‘Cheers, dear friend.’

They clinked glasses and Melanie took a sip. ‘Wow, that’s strong. I can only have one of these. Pass the food, will you?’

‘Thanks for this, Mel. I know you have to drive back to town. You’re welcome to stay the night. Why don’t you? Daisy could make you her famous pancakes for breakfast.’

‘Thanks, Gracie. Sounds fun but I have too much on. Plus, I met a guy the other night. He’s invited me to Sunday lunch. Can you believe it? Who takes a date to Sunday lunch?’

‘It’s a date? That’s great. How’d you meet him?’

‘Just through work. It’s no big deal,’ she added hastily. ‘Now, forget about my love life. Have you seen a family lawyer yet?’

‘No. I will as soon as Mum’s solicitor gives me his recommendation for the best person to see.’

‘That’s good. You’ll need someone experienced – Lawrence and whichever lawyer he gets will be going for the jugular. Be prepared to be portrayed as a bad mother, a bimbo who he supported and who dabbled but didn’t really work, and who is anything from flaky to a drug addict, so not fit to care for his child.’

Grace laughed, then stopped when she saw Melanie’s expression. ‘Who’d believe that?’

‘No one who knows you. But in a court, Lawrence and his lawyer can spin lies and paint you as anything they want. It’s up to you and your lawyer to discredit him. With facts. Evidence.’

‘But none of those things are true. He’s the bastard!’ Grace felt stunned. ‘Shit. He’s so conniving . . . I thought the truth would just be there . . .’

Melanie shrugged. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention. He’ll say whatever he wants to get what he wants. It’s up to you to anticipate it and disprove whatever he lies about.’

Grace groaned, sinking her head in her hands, then took a long swig of her cocktail. ‘This is all too hard.’