‘Oh, I can tell you right now, Spencer,’ Grace said with a smile. Nothing was going to spoil her mood today. ‘Steve Boyd and his crew are on board. Thrilled at the whole concept. Pretty good, huh?’

The group around her exclaimed in delight, congratulating Grace on such a fabulous win.

Spencer said nothing. He nodded curtly to Grace, then spun back around and stalked away, his shoulders as clenched as Grace’s jaw.

*

Driving back to the beach in her mother’s car, Grace thought how lucky it was that Steve had agreed on the spot. She knew there were still some hoops to jump through regarding money and logistics, but she’d seen the spark of enthusiasm in his eyes. He knew Bali and obviously wanted to film there again. And how great it had been to let the obnoxious Spencer have it between the eyes!

Her mind was racing with ideas. It was wonderful to be on a job that was so stimulating, fascinating and challenging, she thought. Don’t get ahead of yourself, it’s not a done deal yet, she cautioned herself. There’s hard work ahead. But the signs are good! She glanced at the clock on the dashboard and worked out that she’d have time to get some notes down before going to collect Daisy.

But then she felt her excitement fading and the familiar tightness in her chest returned as she thought about Lawrence. She was worried he’d try to jeopardise this job, if he found out about it. If she landed some big contract, he wouldn’t be pleased for her, he’d be jealous and obstructive. Every day that passed that she didn’t hear from Lawrence about custody of Daisy made her a little bit calmer, but she knew he could change his mind at any time. She took a deep breath and repeated Mr Judd’s words in her head: one step at a time.

*

Grace was making herself a pot of tea when her phone rang and she saw it was the local solicitor.

‘Hi, Mr Jamison. How are you?’

‘I’m very well, Grace. And you?’

‘Well, okay. Bit more of a standstill, as far as my husband is concerned. I thought things might pick up once we’d agreed to separate. The living arrangements are an issue, for him, anyway. We really need that insurance money. One of the insurance brokers emailed and asked me to submit another list, this time about the items in Lawrence’s home office. I’ve sent it to them.’

‘Right, well, the managing broker contacted me. There seems to be an issue.’

‘Oh no! What?’ She sat down at the kitchen table, feeling the constriction in her chest tighten further.

‘It seems there was nothing of much value left after the fire, which I think you knew already, but that even includes what was in the safe.’