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‘Yes, your side of the story. Okay, I’ll assist. Did you refuse to let Emily live with her mother in Brisbane?’
‘Yes … but Emily was born here and has always lived in Bellethorpe. Lisa chose to separate and then doesn’t wish to live here anymore. I don’t understand why that means my daughter must follow her? If she wants to move why can’t Emily stay here with me?’
‘She can, of course, but you’d both have to agree. Lisa has now chosen to live in Brisbane and wishes to have Emily there with her. Emily has school, extra-curricular activities and friends but the clincher is family support for your separated wife. Did she move to Bellethorpe for you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay, that’s going to be your biggest challenge. If your wife chooses to return to Bellethorpe, does she have any support here? Friends?’
‘Me.’
‘Other than you, given she no longer wishes to be married to you.’
Noah winced.
‘Name me some of her friends?’
Noah wracked his brain. He knew Lisa had friends. In the early days she was always having coffee mornings at the French bakery and would often head into the nearest town shopping. There were catch-ups with other mothers from play group. He remembered she hosted occasionally. Once she played tennis at the club. When was her last game? More recently, he couldn’t remember Lisa seeing Jill from the cattle property or Fiona from the gym. When did that stop? Sometimes she visited his mother. Noah should know this information, understood it was bad he didn’t. ‘I’m not sure.’
Lincoln let the pause linger. ‘Okay, Emily is how old?’
‘Six.’
‘Has she started school yet?’
Noah nodded. She’d done one year of prep at the local primary. That was good, right? His spirits were dropping real fast. He could see how this looked. ‘This is her home.’
Lincoln checked his watch. ‘We have twelve minutes. I’ll tell you how it is. This matter is proceeding to court where a judge will decide where your daughter lives unless you change your mind and consent for her to live in Brisbane. If you do not agree, you will have to argue why it would be in her best interest to return to Bellethorpe. The court will likely order that all of you are interviewed by a psychologist or family counsellor and they will help the court decide. That psychologist will provide their opinion on what is best for Emily through a course of interviews. Then if you still don’t agree, the matter will go to hearing where you and Lisa will have to give evidence.’
Noah’s head spun. Lincoln continued.
‘I can act for you. I appear in the family court in Brisbane often as it’s the nearest court of that jurisdiction to Bellethorpe but you would always be appearing there anyway, as that’s where she has filed and where Lisa wants to live with Emily. You will need to pay me per hour and deposit an initial fee before I can help you.’
Lincoln stated the amount required and Noah blanched.
‘Yes, it’s a lot. Defending this application will cost you a lot of money. This initial deposit will get you to the first court hearing only. It will be chewed up in letters back and forth to your wife’s lawyer and in the preparation of your evidence. You need to know this before you agree to fight. It will cost you both financially and emotionally. The scars from a battle like this are real. Don’t do it for pride or to make a point, you must be committed to this course of action. Today, you’re angry. Think about it for a few days and let me know what you want to do.’
The lawyer took three more large bites of his salad followed quickly by successive gulps of soft drink. ‘Now I have another meeting, so you’ll have to excuse me.’
Noah stood. ‘Thank you, Lincoln for your time. Can you tell me one thing? What are my prospects of getting Emily back to Bellethorpe?’
Without hesitation, he replied, ‘Less than fifty percent.’
The tumbler of whisky sat next to the scrap of paper on the table where he’d abandoned them. Noah read from the slip.
Squishy cuddles upon waking
Giggling, laughing until she’s shaking
Squishy cuddles when it’s time to start the day
Long held embraces are the only way
Squishy cuddles are all he thinks of upon return
Arms open wide, smiles ready, it’s his turn
Squishy cuddles at the end of the night
