Expertly bouncing baby Lola on her knee in the California sunshine, Denise Richards proves her admirable resilience in the face of relationship troubles. Having called time on her on-off marriage to Charlie Sheen in the New Year, the former Bond girl is clearly intent on shielding her two small daughters from the stress of the break-up.
So when she stopped off for an open-air snack after a spot of shopping the 34-year-old was all smiles, determined to have a fun day out. In a ritual that will be familiar to many parents, the multi-dextrous mum fed eight-month-old Lola, all the while chatting affectionately to toddler Sam, two. At one point she even managed to take a call on her mobile phone.
Reports stateside suggest that the couple's hopes of sorting out their legal affairs through private arbitration have failed and relations are frosty. "This has been really hard on Denise," comments a friend of the Hollywood actress. "But she's staying strong for her daughters' sake."
After initially filing for divorce last March the Tinseltown beauty attempted a reconciliation with the Spin City actor. A short break to Barbados over Christmas failed to save the three-and-a-half year partnership, however, and the pair are now busy working out custody arrangements.