But guilt struck within minutes. All this indulgence, all this space. She missed Daisy. What was all this for, if not for her? ‘Sheesh, I’m not on holidays,’ Grace said with a sigh, and picked up her phone and called Steve.

‘I’m here, you settled in okay?’ she asked.

‘You might say that.’ He chuckled. ‘Not bad digs. So when are we meeting?’

‘How about this afternoon? I’d like to bounce some ideas off you. Shall we meet at the Kamasan by the front entrance?’

*

Steve strolled towards her looking relaxed in board shorts, a T-shirt and yellow tennis shoes, his sunglasses pushed up on his head. He carried a camera and gave her a grin. ‘Do I look like a tourist?’

‘Are you going undercover or something?’ she said with a laugh.

‘Taking stills is easier than making notes, and a better reference. Besides, I enjoy using a proper camera. Good to see you. Thanks for including me in this adventure.’

‘What can I say? You’re the best for the job. Have you met Johnny or any of the others yet? We’ve been invited for drinks at one of the beach bars for the sunset ritual.’

‘Johnny introduced himself when we arrived. Haven’t had the pleasure of dealing with the management fellas; I’d prefer to leave that to you. But I caught up with Andy. Who else is going to be talent?’

‘The star chef, apparently. And other staff as we identify their jobs and their appeal plus camera likeability.’

‘I heard the old retired head gardener is a character, very traditional Balinese gentleman. But I guess it’s food, drinks, playtime, relaxation and indulgences that people come here for.’

‘There are the earnest travellers who want to experience the real Bali, too,’ said Grace.

‘That’s getting harder. Though sometimes you stumble over a local ceremony on a street corner, stuff like that, but most tourists still like to come back to comfort and cocktails after a day of experiencing rural life and culture,’ Steve said. ‘Let’s go for a walk. Soak up the atmosphere. Like you said, this hotel is a one-off. The trick is going to be how we pitch its uniqueness.’

‘My thoughts exactly,’ said Grace.

They talked easily as they walked through the gentle garden jungle then, as they approached the beach and the grove of coconuts, Steve touched her arm.

‘Listen . . .’

She paused then smiled at him. ‘The sound of the sea . . .’

He nodded. ‘Magic, isn’t it? Imagine sleeping on the beach here.’

‘Mosquitoes.’ Grace laughed. ‘But yes, essentially, the magic of this place is the reason I wanted us to meet here. There’s something I want to show you.’ She stopped and looked around. ‘Now where was it? Andy showed me . . . we have to go onto the beach and walk further down, I think.’