‘Can you borrow one? I don’t want to make any major purchases till we have the insurance sorted,’ said Lawrence.

‘I might be able to use a spare one from work and hope that I’ve saved everything to the Cloud.’ She stood up, still holding the cat. ‘I’ll put some butter on Sparkle’s paws. I don’t want her to run away.’

*

‘When are we going home, Mummy?’

Grace and Daisy were in the bedroom unpacking bags from their trip to the local shops that morning. Grace had bought them both some clothes, toiletries and shoes, the practical basics, and some books for Daisy. She paused and sat with Daisy on the bed, taking her hands.

‘Daisy darling, we’re staying here at Nana’s, just for a while. It’s a holiday for us. And for Sparkle, too.’

‘Where’s Daddy?’

‘He’s busy at his office, honey.’

‘Is he going to our house after work?’

Grace paused, then chose her words carefully. ‘No, we won’t be going back to our house. You see, it’s really badly broken and no one can live in it.’

Daisy’s eyes widened and her lip began to tremble. ‘Why? And where is Daddy going to live? He can come here to Nana’s and share my bed with Sparkle.’

‘That’s a good idea, honey, and it’s lovely of you to think of him.’

A thought seemed to strike Daisy. ‘How did our house get broken, Mummy? Where are our things?’ Her voice rose in a slight panic.

‘Sweetheart, there was a fire. It was an accident; these things sometimes happen. Unfortunately, it was a big fire and our things got burned up. But you know what, we have Sparkle, and Nana, and you, Daddy and I are fine. It’s sad to lose precious things, but things can be replaced. What’s important is that we have each other. We are all safe and well. It’ll be all right, honey . . .’ She gathered Daisy in her arms as the little girl burst into tears.

Tina walked in. ‘Is everything okay? What’s up, Daisy? It’s all okay, sweetie.’ She sat beside them and stroked Daisy’s hair.

‘I just told her about the house,’ Grace murmured.

‘Oh, darling Daisy. Don’t you worry. We are all here to look after you.’

‘So Princess Piglet got all burned up?’ Daisy asked suddenly, pulling away and staring at Grace in horror.

Grace took a deep breath. ‘Yes, I think so, honey. Sometimes we lose things we love. And people. But you know what, we never forget them.’ She rocked her daughter as she burst into fresh tears.

Tina stood up. ‘I’m going to give Sparkle an early supper.’ She raised an eyebrow and Grace nodded.

‘We’ll be okay, Mum.’

*

Grace came into the kitchen as Sparkle was washing her face, tail curled neatly around herself.

‘Is Daisy okay?’

‘Kind of, but she wants to go and see the house. I don’t think that’s a good idea.’

‘No. I’ll take her for a walk down to the beach in a minute. Is Lawrence coming home for dinner tonight?’ Tina asked. ‘Be reassuring for Daisy if we could all eat together.’