The pile of mail I had received during the half-term break was very interesting, once my solictor's demand for over £2000 was dealt with. There was also a fat envelope from my solicitor which contained a thick dossier. A 111 pages on the ex and her house by the local police.

The dossier only covered the past year but was a catalogue of assaults, harrasment and criminal damage. The ex and my children were the recipients, she couldn't protect them or herself.

I called the aunt and told her, in vague terms, what I'd received. She wasn't shocked, my son had obviously told her some of the stories, but was amazed at the sheer size of the document.

I went on to tell her about my son's lottery comments (see last blog). She laughed then told me something very reassuring, that ultimately she wanted my son to live with me. She saw her role as being a temporary one while he recovered from the hell he'd suffered. We agreed to work towards that outcome, but not before the end of this school year. He didn't need undue disruption.

I'd dropped a few emails to the social worker but hadn't had any response. Then I found out she was on longterm sick leave and wouldn't be returning to work.

I have spent the fortnight since then trying to find out who, if anyone, would take over. Her managers didn't seem to think a caseworker should be appointed - until I sent them the latest court order. Ideally I don't want Social Services involved any more but they helped me get custody of my daughter and we still have one more hearing to go. They are essential to that process, or so the court says.

I'm promised a call by Monday with a name. Then I inform my solicitor, who informs the court - at my expense of course.

My daughter is going from strength to strength. It seems wierd that she's only been with me for 11 weeks, given what we've achieved in that time. I had a meeting with her teacher a few days ago, her reading age at the beginning of September was 6 years and 2 months. She'll be 10 in a few months. So far we've got the reading age above 7 by pushing her, the ability was there but she had no enthusiasm previously. I'd like to reach 8 years by Christmas, but only if she's willing to move that fast.

I went back to the school a few hours later for a PTA meeting, my first. I'm now on the committee, why does this happen to me?

That evening my daughter had her latest swimming lesson. She's learned to swim in the past six weeks and is now the best in the swim class. She's gaining confidence all the time, this can only be good news.

Topsy