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Was that two admissions of fallibility in twenty-four hours? I resisted the temptation to comment.

‘No, it wasn’t a good time in our lives. Anyway, it might yet turn out for the best. I mean it will be a bit of an adventure living overseas.’

‘No we wouldn’t have had that opportunity, would we? And I’m not going to knock back the money.’

‘Mmm.’ I rubbed my hands at the prospect.

There was one more question I needed to ask him. ‘You know it seems like you’ve been away for a really long time and have just come back. Was it my ultimatum?’

‘No it was before that but I don’t think you even noticed. The ultimatum gave me a big kick along though. Nothing like the thought of losing you to galvanise me into action.’

And although he couldn’t look at me - staring at the passing yachts on the harbour instead - he said, ‘I don’t know what came over me. I knew I was being a bastard but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I’m so sorry for the hurt…and, well, for everything.’

That was the deal clincher.

We walked back to the bus stop in the warmth of the late afternoon sun, Isabel between us holding one hand each. ‘Hold on tight,’ we said as we swung her high in the sky. She giggled in intoxicated delight, urging us to do it again and again until I had to beg off, my arms too tired to lift her anymore.

I often wonder if she’ll remember that day when she gets older, maybe the first time in her short life that her parents seemed genuinely together and content just to be there in her company.

***

I was tapping away on my notebook, manuscript unfinished, when the dulcet tones of the purser came over the PA, advising us that, as we were approaching Hong Kong, we needed to ‘turn off all electronic devices’. So near and yet so far.

Anyway, we’re here in Hong Kong now, or more precisely in our little house in Discovery Bay. This is where we plan to live for I don’t know how long.

Discovery Bay is on Lantau Island, a twenty-odd minute ferry ride from the main island. There is a huge expat community here. In fact it’s almost all expat - not just Cathay pilots and their families (Chek Lap Kok airport also being on Lantau) but lots of others, Hong Kong being the Asian hub of lots of big international corporations, including, incidentally, many pharmaceutical companies.

Discovery Bay: the first time Tony mentioned the name I thought we were going to end up living at a holiday resort, complete with Kids’ Club and Happy Hour by the pool. My prejudices weren’t allayed when I found out that, in a measure designed to reduce pollution, no private cars are allowed here. To get around you have to catch a bus or taxi, unless you’re fabulously wealthy and can afford your own golf buggy. It’s almost as if we’ve taken up permanent residence on Hamilton Island, although with all the high rises it more closely resembles Surfers Paradise. To complete the picture there is even a beach where people hang out and play volleyball but the water looks a bit dodgy and don’t think any self-respecting beach-loving Aussie would ever consider swimming in it.

I suspect initial impressions will fade, however. I can’t wait till some more of our belongings arrive so we can make our town house seem more like home.

***

I had a nasty scare yesterday. I haven’t quite got used to Issy being four and so astute and talkative.

Tony met us both at the airport. When he asked us how we enjoyed the flight, Issy told him about the Disney movie she had seen. We heard the entire plot in intricate detail. Tony listened with admirable patience before turning to me. ‘So what’d you do? Catch up on any movies?’

‘No,’ piped up Issy, ‘Mummy worked on her computer the whole way.’

‘Really - what were you working on?’ asked Tony.

‘Er…just a report for Edward that I promised to complete.’ (Idiot, idiot - why didn’t I consider the possibility this could come up?)

‘Why were you doing that? You don’t work for them anymore. Tell them to piss off.’

‘No, no…it was something I started and wanted complete