Of course, even when you say 'urgent' to a lawyer, their interpretation is always different. However, they are never slow in sending out an invoice.

So far, though, I've not seen an invoice (but one is due on the next few days).

Anyway, last Friday (28th May) was the last day of school before the half-term break, coinciding (as ever) with a public holiday tomorrow. I had arranged with the ex to collect my children over the weekend for a few days up here.

Several things intervened. Firstly the trains were all going to be screwed up over the three day weekend. That moved the pickup to Friday after school.

Thursday lunchtime I get a call from my solicitor's office, the hearing is the following Friday. At least it's not in five weeks.

I phoned my daughter's school on Thursday afternoon and spoke to the Headteacher. I explained my continuing concerns, especially at the reception I might receive if I went to the house to collect my children. Once again he fully understood and made a sensible suggestion - don't wait for the end of school on Friday. He again authorised me to collect my daughter at any 'suitable' time.

I spoke to my son the same evening and suggested he came here as well, there's little point in sending an invite through his mother, they barely speak. I did get an apology for the text he'd sent me the previous weekend and I'd had confirmation of good behaviour all week at school. He explained he was seeing his youth worker so couldn't leave town. This had nothing to do with his girlfriend, apparently.

I was on my way there on Friday morning when my legal team called, could I describe the ex? They have officers ready to serve court papers on her but want to make sure they have the right woman. I asked if they could hold off for an hour or so, I didn't want her to pull my daughter from school out of spite.

I arrived in the town at midday on Friday and took a cab to the school. My daughter was brought to me, no school uniform for a change. There was a departure committee of the Head, deputy head, one teacher, the Head's PA and one of the office staff. The Head realises that this could have been her last day at the school, depending on the hearing.

In any case, the committee was there to prevent any allegations about the pickup. It was aware that the ex had told our daughter I was collecting her today, but misinformation made certain that the ex's plans wouldn't happen.

I had left the cab outside and had my daughter climb in. It helped that it was the same driver who'd taken us to the station two weeks earlier. This time we were at the station in a few minutes, with enough time to buy some lunch and get the train tickets. We were sat on the train with ten minutes to spare, by the time the train pulled out I had spent 43 minutes in the town.

The ride north was uneventful with no request to ring her mother. On Saturday evening (after a full day) the ex sent a text, could my little girl call her? I asked but was answered with a shake of her head.

The weather wasn't brilliant on Sunday but I did ensure she spoke to her mother, on speaker so I could hear both halves. My daughter was brisk and ended the call in about 30 seconds.

So far I have been very deliberate not to give her any warning of what is to happen later this week. As far as I know her mother has said nothing, although my boy knows something is afoot.

I now have my daughter's whereabouts on Friday in the likelihood I'll have to go and get her. As I'm not allowed to drive any more (medical) I have arranged for transport. Normally I would just take the train.

Friday is going to be a challenging day, but I have to return my daughter on Wednesday to an environment where she could be hurt. I'd love to just keep her here but that would put me in breach of the existing legal agreement.

I'll pray that she's not hurt in those two days.

Topsy