‘We have arranged to take you to dinner this evening if that suits you, Grace?’ said Hans.

‘Yes, then you’ll see what we’re up against.’ Andy laughed. ‘The island is full of five-star restaurants and bars. You wouldn’t believe the top-class chefs who come here,’ he added. ‘The hotels and other venues are constantly poaching each other’s staff. But there’s always some new star on the horizon. It’s very competitive.’

‘Really? I’m sure people will be rushing to work here when it’s opened,’ she said to Andy, then turned to Hans. ‘Dinner sounds lovely. Thank you. Where and when?’

Johnny joined them. He gave Grace an appraising smile, and instantly she saw a rich, confident man used to getting what he wanted. ‘You are clever as well as beautiful. I will see you all at dinner. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us, Grace. They sound excellent.’

‘We have a driver at your disposal,’ said Hans. ‘He is available twenty-four/seven during your stay, and he’ll meet you in the foyer at six.’

Back in her suite, Grace called her mother and spoke with Daisy, relieved her daughter was happy and ‘busy baking cupcakes, Mummy’. They chatted and blew kisses before Daisy passed the phone back to Tina.

‘How did your meeting go?’

‘Gruelling. But my ideas were well received, I think. It’s such a massive project. Mum, you should see what they’re doing! It really is stunning. Magical. Very, very clever. It’s exciting.’

‘That’s great! Good to hear you excited about something. So you want to do this?’

‘I do. It’s pretty groundbreaking. The architect and his team are really creating something out of the box, and money seems to be no object. But I just don’t think I could do the whole job. It’ll take months. I can’t be away that long.’

‘Why not? Why should Lawrence travel for his work any time he likes, and no one bats an eyelid, but you can’t? You’ll have to negotiate some deal with him.’

‘You think he’s going to make that easy?’

‘Gracie, by the sound of this job it could set you up. Not just financially, but if it’s as good as you say, it could really make your reputation. I haven’t heard you this upbeat in ages.’

‘What’s exciting is the visual aspect. The whole place is like a movie set, a dream job in a location you can’t imagine. I feel as if I’m in the last paradise on the planet.’

‘I like the sound of that.’

‘Listen, I have to get ready to go out to dinner. They’re showing me some of the opposition – well, the culinary side of it. There’s an old Aussie surfer dude here, Mum. You’d get a kick out of meeting him. Came here in the late seventies and never went home. He’s setting up the entertainment, the bar and stuff. This island seems very buzzy. I don’t think it’s the laid-back place it was when you were here.’

‘Go have fun. Send me some photos! Worry about Lawrence when you get back.’