‘Be criminal not to order a cocktail in a place like this,’ said Steve, striding towards the bar.

They talked easily, and after their entrée plates had been taken away, Steve stretched then rested his arms on the table. ‘So, K’tut’s book, which part are you up to?’

Grace leaned forward, smiling. ‘I’ve been reading it madly all week. I’m hooked! I’m at the bit where after being in prison she agrees to help the revolutionaries and becomes a guerilla fighter for Indonesian independence. I had no idea that she ended up becoming famous around the world as the pirate broadcaster “Surabaya Sue”! What was it they called her? “The Voice of Free Indonesia”? I just can’t get my head around all the incredible and terrifying adventures she had – smuggling opium, running guns, and attempting to find her lost and beloved Prince. Well, that’s as far as I’ve got, anyway.’

‘I know, astonishing, isn’t it? You just couldn’t make this stuff up,’ said Steve. ‘Like you said the other day, it’s got the guts of a movie script.’

‘That’s what I want to talk to you about, actually.’ Grace reached across the table and took his arm. ‘I’ve been thinking about it ever since that day at Uluwatu. Let’s do it!’

Steve looked blank for a moment, and then understanding dawned in his eyes. ‘What, a movie? Based around K’tut?’ He paused for a minute, thinking, and then said, ‘You mean, you and me? Together? Form a production company and make a film?’

She nodded. ‘Yep. I always knew I was working towards something more than commercial TV and advertising media. I know I can handle this, raise the money, organise, coordinate. You have film experience and an amazing reputation. We know we work well together . . .’ She let the idea hang between them.

‘Bloody brilliant,’ Steve said slowly, grinning.

‘Maybe we could film in North Queensland. Get some funding from the Queensland Film Commission. Just do some necessary exteriors here.’

‘Actually, from what I’ve learned, filming here is far cheaper than in Australia. And it’d be a shame not to do it all here. I sense K’tut would want us to promote the old Bali.’ Steve smiled.

Grace nodded, her eyes sparkling. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it. Every time I read the book, I see it all unspooling on the page like a film. I can’t wait to see how it ends.’

Steve grinned. ‘Then I won’t spoil it for you, except to say that K’tut Tantri lived into the 1990s. We can ask Professor Lindsey about her too. He said he’d be here for a few days. We’d better pin him down.’