‘Tuck this in your bag.’ Andy handed her a gift box. ‘Two of the cocktail glasses. Think of us when you have a sundowner. And I have something else for you too.’ Andy handed her a book.

‘Andy, this is too much . . .’ Grace began, but Andy waved his hands in protest.

‘Not at all. I had this lying around at home and after today I knew you’d be interested. It’s the book K’tut Tantri wrote about her time in Bali, Revolt in Paradise. It’s out of print now, but there are still copies if you know where to look. I’ve read it several times and I’d love it to go to someone who’ll appreciate K’tut’s story. Enjoy, Grace, and see you soon, I hope.’

He kissed her on the cheek and escorted her to the entrance where Surya, the driver, was waiting.

Grace gazed at the lush green haven around her as Surya drove towards the exit. The gates swung open and they drove from the quiet gardens into the chaos of Kuta traffic as the two worlds collided.

Grace pulled out her phone and checked her messages and email. Still nothing from Lawrence. She hadn’t told him she was going away and he usually called her every few days, so she had expected to hear from him. His silence seemed a portent of bad news, and she dreaded what would be waiting for her when she arrived home.

4

Grace sat at the kitchen table working on her borrowed laptop as Tina stacked the dishwasher after they’d shared an early dinner.

Daisy sashayed in, wearing the batik sarong and lace kebaya top Grace had bought for her.

‘Ooh, how sweet you look,’ said Tina. ‘Can you do a Balinese dance for us?’

Grace smiled as Daisy twirled, and then closed the laptop, stood up, and gave her a hug. ‘That was beautiful. I missed you, darling girl.’

‘I missed you too, Mummy, but Nana and I had a good time. We went to the beach every day after school.’

The performance over, Daisy sat on the floor and started to play with Sparkle.

‘That traditional outfit brings it all back. I loved the dancers at the temples and ceremonies,’ Tina said, turning on the dishwasher and sitting down at the table.

‘I only saw some traditional dancers in a hotel garden. I wanted to go to the temples and art places up in the hills, but I didn’t have time. I never left “sunset strip”,’ Grace said, sitting back down opposite her mother. ‘Everywhere I went was crowded with tourists and locals, except for the grounds of the Kamasan. I really can’t get over how untouched it seems, in among all that development. The area around the hotel complex has been landscaped, but they had so much wild growth to work with. That’s part of what makes it such a unique place.’

‘The land must be worth a fortune. I remember what that area was like, basically unspoiled, with only small shacks, dirt roads and local souvenir stalls. I can’t believe the photos now of all those resorts along the beach,’ said Tina.