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“I background-check everyone. I have people. They have people. I don’t allow myself to associate with anyone who could flip a case for me. Reputation and integrity are everything. I even know about his son’s little escapades. I always had a soft spot for Reuben, even though the boy was terrified of me. Silly, really.”

“Youareterrifying, Gun.”

On first-name terms then. She didn’t seem to mind.

“Anyway, my time is limited. Let me wrap up so I can get on with what we need to agree on today. I got back to my room that evening, the right brand of cognac by my bedside, along with a polished crystal glass, placed upside down on a coaster. I can’t bear dust. Next to it was a particularly lovely shopping bag. The correct bag inside. Right shade. I was most pleased.”

“Very nice.”

“He is extremely reliable. Kind. Understanding. The sort of man who should have someone treat him right. I doubt he ever had, and it was always something that annoyed me.”

I had no words, so I just nodded.

“Anyway. As I said, I am not the kind of lawyer who takes children away from their mother. I am not the kind of lawyer who believes in tit for tat. But I am the kind of lawyer who absolutely detests dishonesty and blatant greed. Period.”

More nods. I was not a child, but my earlier bravery was fading fast.

“You’re down to a worrying amount of disposableincome, Dylan.”

“I’m aware of that. There is ten thousand pounds left in my current account. My savings are negligible, and the value of my home is the only thing I have left. I’m aware I need to sell, but this is a very bad time to try to do that.”

“Agreed. And your current account is sat at eight thousand nine hundred and fifty-two pounds as of this morning. I am your lawyer, and I pull those figures daily.”

“Shit.”

“But! Your child support payments were skewed from the start. Also, you paid for Veronica’s health insurance, as well as the children’s. You paid all of the school fees, which should never have been included. There were free public schools—very good ones—around, and if Veronica couldn’t manage the payments, they should have been split in half. That’s just the beginning of the ridiculousness you put your name to. Veronica owes you a large amount of money in back payments to equalise this out. And you will also have the children living with you now.”

“For a few weeks.”

“I don’t see it like that. The children need to be at school, so we will enrol them, ensure we set up a good, structured routine for their needs and keep the costs manageable. The money in your bank account will suffice for the firstmonth, and I expect you to be frugal until I can get Veronica’s team on board with my financial plan.”

“And?”

“Now we structure. We won’t go to court on this because there’s no need for it. My demands will be low key. My agreements are very reasonable. The children belong here, where they are cared for by both their very capable parents. I had a very, very good phone call with Miss Constance, who made her thoughts clear. I agree with her. I also agree with the social worker on Veronica’s team, and the medical reports point at the same solution. The children are not faring well being left alone with nannies for weeks on end, and that is not pointing fingers at the household staff Veronica employs. It’s simply not the ideal solution. That said, she will have shared custody. I just believe she needs to travel here, since she has put enough trouble in your way. Your American visa is revoked. I can’t undo that. Hence you cannot travel to see the children, so this is the only way. She did this. She created this situation, and now you will both have to live with it.”

“So what are we going for?” My head was spinning.

“I have a meeting with her team on Friday. I plan to have it all laid out by then, pushing the agenda of Veronica’sneed to pursue her professional commitments knowing her children are safe and cared for. She will have free access to them at any time she wishes to visit, and you will agree to that. But the children will remain in Britain, until they choose otherwise. As adults.”

I gulped air. Tried to swallow.

“And I am well aware of the issues at hand. We have your past. We have your rather complex medical history. We also have a small issue with you just starting a new relationship with Mr Schiller. One I perhaps approve of, but a courtroom might not. I suggest you put that on the backburner publicly until we have this new agreement put to bed. Agreed?”

I got that. Absolutely.

“But on the positive side, Mr Schiller is fully DBS vetted, has qualified as a foster carer, went through all the training when his grandchildren were placed, and has kept up his first-aid qualifications. His background checks are reasonable, and I will overlook his past alcohol issues and a few misdemeanours with the law with regards to…some past unlicensed lending. The past is the past. Currently, Mr Schiller waves no red flags in my book. Just concentrate on those children. And Dylan?”

“Yes?”

“Keep on the straight and narrow. Keep that mouth shut when needed. And do not cause your ex-wife to ring me in the middle of the night. Just keep this simple.”

“I can do that,” I promised, hoping I wouldn’t cry.

“And also, that devil of a psychiatrist? His report was very thorough. I was most pleased with that. He called you a nightmare client. Told me you’re an absolute mess but rather amusingly sane. That is good stuff. I was chuffed to read his report.”

My heart sank again.

“The report ticks all the boxes. He’s right. You’re absolutely sane. Human. Full of empathy.”