Tammy’s anger was still firing her actions, and the worst part of it was that her anger was reasonable. Henry’s treatment made him furious himself.

‘Sure.’ Kylie cast an uncertain glance at the pair of them and flounced out of the room.

‘Fetch the whole suitcase,’ Tammy called after her. ‘I need to pack this stuff.’

‘Okay.’ But the girl’s voice was muffled. She was already foraging in what must be enormous storage cupboards. This was some hotel.

Marc and Tammy were left glaring at each other, the only thing between them one little boy. Henry gazed back and forth between this unlikely pair of adults, his face showing no emotion at all.

‘You can’t just take him,’ Marc said conversationally and Tammy raised her eyebrows in polite disagreement.

‘Yes, I can. You said he’s an Australian citizen and I’m his aunt. And his guardian. You’re not even his uncle.’

‘No, but-’

‘But nothing. Blood counts.’

‘Your mother has given me permission,’ he told her, but even he knew he was clutching at straws. The more he saw of Tammy the more he realised that she was intelligent, and she discarded his statement before he could finish saying it.

‘My mother would promise anything if money was involved. If Lara made a will naming me Henry’s guardian, surely that’s what matters?’

Marc took a deep breath, fighting for words. ‘Look, Miss…’

‘Tammy,’ Tammy said pleasantly-and waited.

‘Tammy. Can we at least discuss this?’

‘That’s what I’m doing.’

‘You’ve already made up your mind.’

‘To care for my nephew? Yes, I have. I don’t have a choice because I don’t see that anyone else is doing it.’

‘I promise you-he’ll be looked after in Broitenburg.’

‘By nannies? No.’

‘Kylie isn’t a good example.’