He gave a small smile and shrugged. ‘As it turns out, I have a gap. The finance just fell through for a movie. Happens all the time. So this could work for me if it all comes together. What’s been the feedback so far from the group running the show?’

Grace felt a wave of relief wash over her. ‘MGI are receptive, as is Johnny Pangisar. And, of course, you’ll get to work with Andy.’

‘I’m definitely up for that. Not to mention the surfing! Andy is one of the originals. Straight out of Morning of the Earth.’

‘You know that film? My mother talked about it. She said it was one of the first Bali surf films.’

Steve nodded. ‘There’s some amazing footage out there of early Bali, going back to the thirties. Did you know that Charlie Chaplin went there with some of his friends? I found it hard to reconcile that spunky guy I saw in the film footage with the character of The Little Tramp! Bing Crosby and Bob Hope did a “road” movie supposedly set in Bali in the old days. Bali’s culture is the same as always – it’s the visitors and the modern world that’s changed,’ said Steve.

Thoughts of old Bali suddenly reminded Grace of the book Andy had given her. It was still in her bag, though she’d been so busy and distracted since she got back that she hadn’t had a chance to start reading it. She reached into her bag and pulled it out, showing Steve. ‘Actually, Andy gave me this to read. Revolt in Paradise. Have you heard of K’tut Tantri? Andy took me on a beach walk one morning and showed me the remains of an old hotel there – on the Kamasan land, incidentally – which apparently K’tut established,’ said Grace. ‘It must have been amazing. It was in a coconut grove right beside a deserted Kuta beach.’

Steve grinned. ‘Not only have I heard of her, I’ve read that book! I stumbled across a copy when I was in Ubud. I’m a bit of a history buff, actually. You’ll enjoy it – it’s an incredible story. She was an inspirational woman. Scots-American, wasn’t she, and a writer in California before she came to Bali?’

‘Yes, it sounds like she hit the big time. Andy said something about a run-in with Noël Coward!’ Grace replied.

‘And her hotel is on the Kamasan land, you say? Now that’s something.’ He looked thoughtful.

‘I wonder what happened to the hotel?’ Grace mused. ‘We could try to find out. Could be another angle we could use in the campaign. But for now, the important thing is, you’re interested,’ she added, smiling.

‘Yes indeed, in theory. Let me do the numbers and I’ll get back to you.’ Steve stood up and held out his hand. Grace stood too, and they shook on it.

*