The day after the multi-agency meeting I received an email from my daughter's headteacher with the minutes attached. I asked if the school could send a copy directly to my solicitor (for proof of origin) but forwarded his email to my solicitor myself, including a brief summary of the meeting.

I had a reply within 10 mins, when could we meet? I called and we agreed I'd see him the following day, Friday (21st). I then called the office at the nearest primary school for a meeting with the headteacher there.

My son's school called, he'd gone missing. It turned out he'd been excluded (again) but two bits of the school weren't communicating. I tried to speak to the ex a bit later but her mobile was off. I phoned my daughter's school and she was still in the classroom. The school started trying to check with the ex. I explained to them I wasn't waiting before starting the court case. I called the community warden and asked if she could check the house and keep an eye on it over the weekend in case they vanish before school on Monday.

The following day I spent half an hour on the phone to the social worker to clarify what she's (not) said during the meeting. She didn't seem to be too concerned and this worried me.

I spent an hour with my solicitor, he firstly apologised for not having read everything - there were almost 200 pages of material relating to the past two months of investigations by the schools, plus my own statements.

My first question was whether we could hold the hearing there? The court is next to my brief's offices and very easy for me to reach. Unfortunately, as there are previous hearings in another city the case has to be heard there. Then he said there was a five week backlog. I muttered 'urgent' and he made a promise to push for an urgent hearing.

We then created a simple bullet-pointed list of issues, ensuring that he knew what I knew. He then told me not to get involved in her accommodation problems. We agreed during the meeting to concentrate on my daughter, proving her danger was easy, my son's would be more challenging.

I caught the train back home and reached my next appointment a few minutes early. The school I'd chosen is the closest to where I live now, but I hadn't needed to check as I went to that school in the 70s.

I gave the head a copy of the minutes and explained I wanted as simple a transition (!) as possible. I also added that it would depend on the courts, but I would be available for the PTA if my daughter joined the school.

When I finally returned home there was an email from my solicitor, he was sending the file to a solicitor in the same city as the court as they could make the application personally. Whether or not I need to speak to them or visit the court I don't know.

So, I didn't wait for the Tuesday deadline, I just went ahead and started the legal action. It's pretty clear that she won't give in. Despite promises it now appears that my son knows what's going on. He even sent me a text threatening to put me in hospital if I go near the house. Does he realise that even an 11 year old can be done for threatening behaviour or language?

So, this rumbles on. I could have a hearing on Tuesday or Wednesday in which case my daughter could be here by the end of the week. Otherwise I might not get this into court before the end of June. That prospect is not pleasant, especially for my daughter.

Topsy