‘Me too. Actually, one of the insurance agents called me today and asked a few questions about the value of some of the things in Lawrence’s home office that I’d listed for them. Maybe to compare my estimates with Lawrence’s or something?’ Grace grabbed a cushion and hugged it to her chest. ‘Maybe they think what Lawrence is claiming is more than the correct value. Plus, I’m wondering what was salvaged from the fire. Like, what happened to the safe? It had my jewellery in it – or at least I thought it did. Lawrence bought the jewellery as gifts for me, and it would be worth a bit. Maybe I could sell it.’

‘Ask to see the claims he’s put in,’ said Tina. ‘You need to make sure anything valuable you have is in your name now.’

‘You’re absolutely right. I won’t ever let Lawrence hoodwink me again,’ said Grace. ‘Now I just want to take back control of my life!’

‘Good,’ said Tina briskly. ‘I never liked to say anything, but I hated the way he took the lead all the time. You were so confident and together before you met Lawrence and then suddenly, he took over.’

Grace nodded slowly. ‘You’re right. I didn’t realise that all control of my money and, well, my everything was slipping away from me. He made such a big deal about being “old fashioned” and looking after me. He always said he loved to spend money on me and spoil me.’

‘He spent money on himself too, I noticed,’ said Tina. ‘He had the expensive car and you had the family wagon. He had his suits tailor made, you bought clothes from the local shops. Oh, I could go on. I couldn’t help noticing, but I kept my mouth shut.’

Grace shrugged. ‘If you’d said anything I would probably have jumped down your throat. I think subconsciously I knew it was all a mistake, but I couldn’t face admitting it. And with Daisy, the light of my life, well, you just keep on, eh?’ She tried to smile.

‘Until there’s a big wake-up call like the one you’ve had. And it’s precisely for Daisy that you’re taking back control now, isn’t it? It’ll be hard in the short term, of course, but I think all three of you will be better off in the end. Just my two cents!’ said Tina. ‘Time to move forward now, my girl.’

Grace got up. ‘Thanks, Mum, I will. I’m going to bed; it’s been a huge week.’

*

On Thursday night, Grace’s phone beeped.

I will collect Daisy from her new school tomorrow afternoon. Very inconvenient for me to have her out there at the beach. I will return her to your mother’s on Sunday at 5 pm.

When Melanie arrived the next day, Grace was pacing around the house.

‘Let’s go have a coffee before you pick up Daisy,’ Mel said.

‘Lawrence is collecting her. And he’s keeping her for the weekend. He’s never had her on his own that long! Daisy has never spent a night away from me, except with Mum. Now he’s keeping her for two!’ Grace was furious and close to tears. ‘I know he’s her father and he has a right to see her – and Daisy misses him – but this doesn’t feel right!’