‘Well, at least he has shown little interest in having her so far, and been unreliable when he does make plans. That won’t look good if custody becomes an issue down the track. I guess it might be best to let sleeping dogs lie, for now. Especially if your job in Bali comes to fruition,’ said Tina.

‘That’s true.’ Grace pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her mother at the kitchen table. ‘I’ll keep it simple.’

Grace picked up her phone and sent Lawrence a cool but polite text asking why he was unable to collect Daisy, and to please give her notice if it happened again.

His reply was curt. A business issue came up. I am busy organising my life, Grace. But I am going to seek full custody of my daughter.

*

On Monday morning, Grace sat in Mr Judd’s office. Lawrence’s text message had sent her into a tailspin, and she’d worried about it all weekend. She found Mr Judd’s completely unruffled demeanour soothing.

‘The first thing to do is not to panic. He hasn’t filed anything yet, hasn’t sent you any official documentation seeking a parenting order, and until he does so it’s just an empty threat,’ Mr Judd said calmly.

‘But what if he does file something formal?’

‘You’d be in a good position. You have always been the primary caregiver, and you’re offering Daisy a relatively stable home with you and her grandmother, compared to the somewhat erratic living arrangements you’ve described Lawrence having at the moment. But the courts will always look at what is in the best interests of the child. There’s a process. Step one: you are both required to enter into mediation under court supervision, before proceeding to the next step,’ he said.

‘I suppose that’s to save everybody’s time and money, is it? To be really sure about this big step,’ said Grace.

‘That’s the general idea. Also, we can identify where the trouble spots and issues are. It saves the court’s time and money in the long run. Yours, too.’

‘My mother is paying my legal costs, so I hope so. I appreciate your help,’ she added quickly.

Mr Judd stepped her through the stages that would follow, not just for parenting orders but for divorce, too, adding, ‘That’s if we don’t run into any difficulties. I’ve yet to see a divorce case go through without hiccups.’

‘Oh dear. Knowing Lawrence he’ll make it as difficult and drawn-out as possible. He likes to win. Or to be seen to win.’ Grace looked down at her clenched hands in her lap and tried to calm down.

The solicitor nodded. ‘I know the type. Difficult people. I hope he doesn’t follow that pattern, but we’ll do our best to address it if he does.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Grace.