‘Impressive, but that’s a lot of work for one person, isn’t it?’

‘Not really. I only sign on from job to job,’ Grace said, leaning forward and playing with the sugar sachet from her saucer. ‘I didn’t want to be locked in to the agency, having to take on too many projects at once. This way I choose and control what I want to do and have some security as well as some freedom.’

‘That’s unusual. But if they’re giving you that sort of flexibility it shows you are damned good at what you do.’

‘Like you, Mel! Whoever thought maths would be stimulating and interesting and entertaining! I don’t know how you inspire those teachers.’

‘Hey, mathematics makes the world go round!’ Mel laughed, then said seriously, ‘People just don’t realise that it’s part of everything we do every day. Maths rocks!’

‘So do you!’ Grace smiled and glanced at her watch. ‘I’d better get back home.’

‘Okay. I’ll drop you back and head off.’

When Mel pulled up outside Tina’s house, Grace reached over and gave her friend a hug. ‘Thanks for taking the time, Mel. I really appreciate it.’

‘Always a pleasure,’ said Mel with a chuckle. ‘I won’t come in. Say hi to your mum. And let’s do something tomorrow night, since you won’t have Daisy.’

Inside, Grace called out to her mother. ‘Hello! I’m back. How was tennis?’

‘Mummy, Mummy!’

Grace stopped in surprise as her daughter ran down the hall towards her. ‘Daisy! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with Daddy. Where is he?’ Grace picked up Daisy and hugged her.

‘Hi. Her daddy isn’t here.’ Tina appeared in the kitchen doorway, eyebrows raised.

‘What happened? Did you collect Daisy?’

‘Yes. The school principal rang me. Said she couldn’t reach you. And Lawrence was “tied up”.’

‘I’m so sorry. I was with Mel, I had my phone off.’ She brushed Daisy’s hair off her forehead and put her down. ‘I wasn’t expecting any calls . . . especially from the school. Where’s Lawrence?’

‘I have no idea,’ Tina said quietly. ‘Apparently he rang just before bell time and told the school that something had come up and he was unable to collect Daisy.’

‘What! Thanks for collecting her.’ Grace turned to Daisy. ‘Have you unpacked your lunchbox, honey?’

‘Um, no . . .’ Daisy ran off to her room to get it and Grace took out her phone and began scrolling through her messages.

‘So you didn’t hear from Lawrence?’ Tina asked when Daisy was gone. ‘He really is a sod.’

‘No, nothing,’ Grace said, holding up the phone to show Tina. ‘Just the message from the school. I’d better let Mel know. I was going to go into town with her tomorrow night . . .’

‘Go anyway, sweetheart. Daisy can stay with me. I certainly don’t have plans!’

‘Mum, what would I do without you?’ Grace gave her mother a hug.

‘Grace, what are you doing about Lawrence?’ asked Tina later, after Daisy had delivered her lunchbox and a handful of drawings she’d done at school and gone off to play.