‘No, the boys got here a little while ago. They’ve been for a surf. It’s going to be hard to drag Henry back home to Sydney.’

‘Thank you for dinner last night. I was happy to go Dutch with you. So it’s my treat next time.’ She gave him a quick hug. ‘I love the painting.’

‘Like you said, it seems a bit of an omen. By the way, we’re meeting Professor Lindsey the day after tomorrow, if that suits you?’

‘Sure. I can’t wait to hear some of his stories. So, where are you up to here?’

‘We’ll just get some footage of this couple stepping out of the limo and then we’ll do the interior reception area. They’ve gone mad with the flowers, apparently.’

‘Let me see what they’ve done and check out the couple. They have to look like they can afford to stay here, but not snooty,’ Grace said, then walked out to meet the models.

After two takes, Steve called, ‘Cut,’ and Grace came over to him. ‘It all looks good to me,’ he said. ‘Let’s go check out the lobby.’

‘I was thinking that beautiful, curving staircase to the mezzanine would be a good spot to shoot the interior . . .’ Grace’s words tailed off as they entered the building.

On the delicate pale green walls of the foyer hung six magnificent Kamasan paintings.

‘What the . . .? Aren’t they the ones from last night?’ she said.

Slowly they walked over to the elegant paintings of old Bali village life, where the stories from Hindu classics and Balinese ceremonies were described in fine brushstrokes.

‘Unbelievable! They look fantastic. As if they were made to be there,’ Steve said. ‘Johnny’s got an eye, that’s for sure.’

‘But they were sold to that other guy,’ said Grace, shaking her head.

‘Did Johnny go back and make a counter-offer?’ said Steve.

‘Aha. No, not necessary,’ said Johnny cheerfully as he strolled out of the boardroom and came over to join them. ‘You should see what’s in there.’ He indicated the plush boardroom. ‘My father is rather chuffed, as those Pommies say,’ he said, chuckling.

‘Okay, tell us how you pulled this off,’ said Grace.

Johnny tapped his head. ‘Up here for thinking, down there for dancing.’ He pointed at his toes.

‘C’mon, spill the beans. You never left your seat. And you started a massive bidding match,’ said Steve.