‘I know. But at the same time, I don’t think I can just take Daisy out of the country without telling him: he is her father, and I’d be furious if he did that to me. I just have to hope he doesn’t make a fuss. He can’t exactly look after her while he’s in India, anyway. No doubt he’s busy greasing palms and wheeling and dealing.’ Grace heard Melanie’s snort of derision down the line. ‘Hey, let’s catch up when I get home, I’ve got to head to the airport now,’ said Grace. ‘See ya, Mel.’

*

The minute Grace walked in the door, Daisy ran and clung to her.

‘Mumma, Mumma. Come and see, quick.’ She tugged at Grace’s hand as Grace smiled at Tina, giving her a quick hug. Then Daisy dragged Grace to her bedroom. ‘I did it all myself!’

Grace clapped her hands to her face when she saw her bedroom as Daisy danced around her. ‘Oh, wow! This is gorgeous, darling!’

‘See, see. Surprise, Mumma!’

Grace ooh’d and aah’d at the drawings and decorations Daisy had painstakingly made and hung up all around the room. A drawing of roses, carefully coloured in, was on her pillow.

‘We couldn’t find real roses, Mummy, but you can keep these ones forever and ever!’

Grace kissed her daughter and hugged her fiercely: she would never let Lawrence take her away. ‘I certainly will. Much better than real roses. So, tell me, what else have you been doing?’

‘Reading! Nana is teaching me new words. I can read my book to you, tonight!’

‘Great idea.’

Sitting at the kitchen table with a pot of tea, Grace brought out the gifts she’d brought home for her mother and daughter. This time it was their turn to ooh and aah. Daisy opened a hot pink box and took out a small red handbag, perfect for her little hands. Tina’s present was a golden silk shawl that she immediately draped over her shoulder.

‘The shopping in Singapore is incredible; there are towers, palaces of shops. I only shopped around the hotel, had no time for anything else. But a serious shopaholic would be in heaven.’

‘Is everyone still very status conscious, label and brand oriented?’ asked Tina.

‘Absolutely. No fakes for Singaporean shoppers. I even saw people rub a business card when they exchanged them. If it was embossed and good quality, I’m sure it went in a special pocket,’ Grace laughed. ‘So, Mum, any news?’

‘Not really. Not a peep from Lawrence, you’ll be glad to know.’ Tina smiled at her reassuringly. ‘So, what next? Will you now assemble your team?’

‘Yes, we start preparations in earnest now. That reminds me, I must ring Steve and fill him in. I sent him a text when I knew the job was a done deal; I think he’s pretty keen to get started.’