The architect had a face she wouldn’t forget. Samuel Mandura wore small, dark-framed, round owl glasses that gave him a rather penetrating stare. His long dark hair was carefully styled and smoothed into a ponytail, held in place by an ivory clasp. He wore an immaculate linen shirt and pants with funky raffia sandals and carried, though didn’t use, a silver cigarette holder. Grace later discovered that he used it to stab at things for emphasis, knocking it on the table, pointing it at people, or holding it against his nose in contemplation before launching into a tirade or a serenade of effusive praise.

Arriving late and apologising with a shrug and a grin was another Australian. He was deeply tanned and wrinkled as a result. Noticing his tangled mop of grey hair, Grace thought he was probably in his late sixties. He introduced himself to Grace as Andy Franklin. It didn’t surprise her when he explained that he’d ‘come to Bali in the old days to surf and never went home’. Andy was setting up and would be managing the hotel’s bars and overall food and beverage – or ‘F and B’, as Andy called it – as well as its entertainment program. ‘Nothing loud and flash, very classy but fun,’ he was quick to explain.

‘Fabulous.’ Grace smiled and wondered if he’d guessed that she’d first thought he was just an old surf bum rocker.

‘If you want, I’ll take you for a spin later around the clubs and bars so you can see what’s happening on the scene,’ he said to Grace.

‘Thanks for the offer, I’d enjoy that,’ she said.

With the introductions over, Hans called everyone to the table and they got down to discussions in earnest. There was a lot to cover, and even though Grace had read the copious briefing papers, her head soon started to spin.

Eventually, they agreed that as the venue was not finished to a degree suitable for filming, her pitch should focus on the stage one online teaser campaign.

‘It can use the artful branding that combines the venue’s lofty artistic and culinary direction,’ said Hans. ‘The next stage of the campaign will feature our brilliant celebrity chef with his vision for the venue and his aim for culinary excellence.’

‘Chef is brilliant, and mad as a meat axe,’ Andy said to Grace.

Ignoring this remark, Hans continued, ‘And, as Grace has suggested, stage three could reveal more of the venue, the accommodation and the staff. Stage four will feature the beach club, bar and entertainment, and its international roster of superstar DJs.’ He gave a nod towards Andy, who gave a cheerful thumbs-up to Grace.

‘Any additional thoughts?’ Hans asked, looking around the table.

Grace said, ‘Perhaps as it’s an international campaign we could include some footage of some other parts of the island. Then, later, we could film the official Balinese blessing ceremony at the hotel opening, and maybe an interview with the Minister for Tourism, to use in future campaigns.’