Grace sighed. ‘I know, but it seems to be what people want; big swimming pools with waterfalls, yoga retreats and cocktails in coconuts at sunset. You could be at any island resort.’ She shook her head.

‘Is there anything left of old Bali?’ Tina asked.

‘Mmm, I’m not sure. The serious adventure tourists go to the outer islands to surf and scuba-dive,’ Grace said.

‘Can we go one day, Mummy?’ asked Daisy.

Grace laughed. ‘That’s a good question, sweetheart. We’ll see.’

‘Well, those generic resorts are not my idea of an island holiday. I’m glad I went to Bali when I did. Anyway, why would I want to go anywhere? Look what we have on our doorstep!’ Tina waved at the darkened window and in the silence that followed they could hear the surf rumbling on the rocks below. ‘Now come on, Daisy dear, time for bed.’

‘I’ll take her,’ said Grace, getting up. ‘C’mon, honey bear, brushing teeth and story time. And you can tell me everything you and Nana did while I was away.’

Daisy gave Sparkle a goodnight pat and skipped out of the room beside Grace, holding her hand.

*

‘Would you like a nightcap? You look rather worn out,’ said Tina as Grace walked in and sat down on the lounge.

‘No thanks, Mum. It’s just that Mr Jamison emailed today. He’s liaising with the insurance brokers for me, and it seems they still need more information about the house contents. I feel like I’m drowning – with everything I have to do for the claim as well as for work.’

‘Grace, darling, you can only do the best you can and take it day by day.’

‘I don’t even want to think about the stuff in the house.’ Grace sighed, remembering how Lawrence had insisted they use the furniture he owned already when they moved in together, and if they bought anything new, he chose it. ‘You know, I never liked Lawrence’s taste. It was so fake-opulent and over the top,’ she added.

Grace preferred a simple look, with touches of shabby chic, which Lawrence loathed. He’d told her that his furniture was too valuable not to use, and it gave a better impression when people came over. Grace had always laughed at him and joked that most people had stopped visiting since they’d moved into their big new house anyway. It didn’t seem like such a joke anymore.

‘Didn’t you itemise everything when you took out your home and contents insurance?’ asked Tina.

‘Lawrence would have done it, I suppose. But I don’t care about any of the furniture and most of the other things. It’s the sentimental things I’m really sad about. You know, photos, letters, Daisy’s baby things . . . I don’t know, Mum. I mean, how do I put a dollar value on those things? They’re priceless to me.’ She sighed again.

‘It’s okay, Gracie. I know this is hard for you,’ Tina said. Then she frowned. ‘I’d have thought Lawrence would have finished doing all that paperwork for the insurance by now. It’s been weeks.’